Joanne Williams
Editor
(Courtesy photo – The first performers for the new Evelyn Bay Concert series bring a real coffeehouse feel with their music. Keys & Frets features guitar, keyboards and vocals.)
Evelyn Bay Coffee in Charlotte has announced a new, free concert series starting Sept. 19 and going forward with live performances Oct. 17, Nov. 21 and Dec. 12, featuring a wide variety of music. Each Saturday show will run for two hours and will start at 2 p.m.
The series features Country, Americana, Great American Songbook, folk, blues, swing, gospel, and Celtic music.
Keys & Frets performs Americana that keeps guests in their seats and coming back for more to hear keyboardist Leanna Wilson and guitarist Jeff McRae on Sept. 19.
The duo features music educators who have been performers for decades. Wilson is from Fort Wayne, Indiana, where she and McRae formed the group after knowing each other for years. McRae and his wife are retired English teachers who now live in Albion. Wilson has a doctorate in music education and is an accomplished classical performer.
They feature various forms of music in their performances, from jazz to folk and rock, and they sing as well. “We are gigging most every weekend,” Wilson said.
She and McRae enjoy seeing the variety of ages in their audiences. Wilson began playing the violin at age 4 and took on the piano later on as well. For more information on the duo, see their Facebook page or online at keysandfrets.net.
Acoustic Liberty, one of Charlotte’s coffee house favorites, features Ron McKeever, and Valerie Clark, playing a unique blend of Americana, folk, blues, soft rock and Celtic & Reggie. Fiddler Pete Knupfer and Diane Pfost on cajon will round out their engaging sound on Oct. 17.
The Rat Pack features the sounds of Sinatra, Motown & more with guitarist Don Sovey, vocalist Kat Jones, Doug Gluckin on sax, and Spencer Ralph playing double bass. The performance is Nov. 21.
And on Dec. 12, Fresh Pict & Irish Dancers presents an afternoon of Celtic tunes, singalong holiday favorites, and Irish dancing. The group features Pat DeWitt on penny whistle, guitarist Maria Davis, fiddler Mark Boughner, and Kurt Young on bass.
“I am excited to host this new festival in Charlotte, making it our community’s 28th festival. This festival will continue to make downtown Charlotte vibrant and a destination for residents and visitors,” said Evelyn Bay Owner Erica Limas. The Charlotte festivals and events take place every month of the year and feature 80 live performances.
“All of the fall series groups include favorite entertainers who have performed in Charlotte over the years. Audiences love the music these talented musicians perform. I love to hear each and every group on the schedule this fall,” said music coordinator Don Sovey.
Evelyn Bay is located at 134 S. Cochran Ave. The coffee shop is family owned and serves Michigan roasted coffee beans by Evelyn Bay Coffee Company.
For information, call Evelyn Bay at (517) 543-9770.
