Longtime singer-songwriter David LaMotte will perform a free concert at the Old Rock School in Valdese on Sunday.
The concert — sponsored by Waldensian Presbyterian, The Valdese Rotary Club, and the Town of Valdese — will be an evening of storytelling and music, LaMotte said.
Two songs the audience can look forward to are LaMotte’s “Coming Alive Again” and “Here For You.”
LaMotte said he wrote “Here For You” during the COVID-19 pandemic, but its metaphor of a flood made it more fitting for Hurricane Helene.
“Sometimes you write songs about things that haven’t happened yet,” LaMotte said of the song.
Both songs feel relevant at this moment in time, he said. “Coming Alive Again” because it’s about spring, and “Here For You” because it’s a reminder of the importance of a community.
“Helene just showed all of us here in western North Carolina that we can do better … because in the aftermath of the hurricane, people just really took care of each other and nobody asked questions about political affiliation,” LaMotte said. “People saw each other’s humanity and took care of each other across all the lines that separate us, and that was really beautiful to me.”
LaMotte has performed more than 3,500 concerts and has an extensive music catalog spanning 13 albums.
He is also a speaker with two TEDx talks under his belt and has given keynote addresses at many events, including the Rotary International Convention’s opening plenary in Canada last year.
LaMotte also spoke as part of the Jefferson Educational Society’s Global Summit XXVII alongside Neil deGrasse Tyson, Mike Pence, and Barack Obama.
The concert will be at the Old Rock School Auditorium on Sunday at 4 p.m. Attendance is free.
Culture_community
Chancel Choir preforms for Feast of Ascension Day
The Chancel Choir of St. Alban’s Episcopal Church will perform
Thursday, May 14.
FOR THE PAPER
The Chancel Choir of St. Alban’s Episcopal Church will sing Choral Evensong for the Feast of Ascension Day on Thursday, May 14, at 6:30 p.m.
Evensong is a beautiful and much-loved part of the Anglican tradition of music and worship, with its roots in the Medieval practice of singing prayers and hymns at set times of the day.
“The peaceful beauty of Evensong carries within it a deep connection to the spiritual life alongside a deep connection to the history of Christian worship. When a choir leads Evensong, those elements are enhanced in a way that can be wonderfully inspiring,” said Rev. Jonathan Stepp, priest in charge at St. Alban’s.
Ascension Day, observed 40 days after Easter (always a Thursday), commemorates Jesus Christ physically ascending into heaven according to the New Testament. It marks the completion of his earthly ministry and his exaltation, setting the Stage for Pentecost.
The feast has been celebrated since the 4th century.
Everyone is invited to join St. Alban’s for this time of beautiful music and spiritual reflection, regardless of their faith tradition or if they have no faith tradition at all.
St. Alban’s is at 130 39th Ave. Place NW in Hickory.
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