Show up and boogie down
Locals have only three more chances to catch a TGIF concert this summer. Gotcha Groove played on June 20.
Gotcha Groove singer Greg Conley fist bumps a fan during the June 20 TGIF concert.
Gotcha Groove’s view from the stage at their June 20 TGIF performance. A large, enthusiastic audience enjoyed the show.
Burke County Commissioner Mike Stroud enjoyed the sounds of Gotcha Groove at the June 20 TGIF performance.
A group of friends enjoy dancing to the sounds of Gotcha Groove at last week’s TGIF concert.
Gotcha Groove singers Ric Luther (right) and Greg Conley belt out a song at June 20 TGIF concert.
Downtown Morganton boasted a large crowd whenGotcha Groove played on the Historic Courthouse Square.
Gotcha Groove plays to a large crowd on the Historic Courthouse lawn on June 20.
The crowd was dancing on courthouse square on June 20 when Gotcha Groove performed at TGIF.
Don’t blink or you’ll miss it.
Even though the calendar says summer is in its infancy, Morganton’s TGIF Summer Concert Series is winding down. Only three more performances remain on the schedule, so if you’re looking for family-friendly Friday nights filled with toe-tapping tunes, good food and drinks, and the coolest vibe in the city, be sure to check out the last shows of the summer.
There will be no concert on Friday, July 4, but the City of Morganton will be aglow that night with a spectacular fireworks show at Freedom Park beginning at 9:45 p.m.
JACOOZY
On July 11, Downtown Morganton will welcome Jacoozy to the TGIF stage. The five-piece band hailing from Boone blends rock, funk, jazz, and alternative music, to create a unique and fresh sound. A group of proficient musicians with dynamic improvisation and captivating live shows, Jacoozy’s core following has quickly spread across the Carolinas and the greater Southeast.
The group’s most successful track, ‘Cold Hearted,’ from their 2022 self-titled EP, has reached more than half a million streams online.
Jacoozy’s playlist will appeal to fans of The Grateful Dead, Phish, Goose, Widespread Panic, and Steely Dan, among other artists.
VINYL JUNKIES
The Vinyl Junkies Band will bring the heat to the TGIF stage on July 18. Fueled by a passion for making music, entertaining crowds, and creating an experience that you will never forget, the band has a repertoire of songs that spans 10 decades.
Through inventive arrangements and danceable grooves, The Vinyl Junkies will keep the audience on its feet.
Their playlist includes music from Bruno Mars, Maroon 5, The Black-Eyed Peas, Chaka Khan, Santana, and Stevie Wonder. The Vinyl Junkies’ premium brass section rocks the house on huge band hits from groups like Chicago and Tower of Power.
LIveHOUSE
On July 25, the City of Morganton will wrap up the summer concert series with a dynamic finale when Livehouse brings its synthesis of soul, funk, rock, disco, and country music to the Historic Courthouse Amphitheater Stage.
Food and drink vendors begin serving at TGIF events at 6 p.m. and the music runs from 7-10. No coolers or pets are allowed at concerts.
FFN CONTINUES IN VALDESE
Valdese’s ongoing Family Friday Nights (FFN) Concert Series will continue through the end of August with music, games, food, and dancing on Temple Field behind the Old Rock School. Concerts begin at 7 p.m. each Friday and end at 10 p.m.
The remaining FFN shows are:
- 7/4 — Too Much Sylvia (on Main Street)
- 7/11 — Little Johnny Trailer Trash
- 7/18 — Garrett Huffman Band
- 7/25 — Shakedown
- 8/1 — Chasing Phoenix
- 8/8 — The Embers (on Main Street)
- 8/15 — Aces & Eights
- 8/22 — Gotcha Groove
- 8/29 — Rockie Lynne
Sandra Wilkerson Queen is the arts & entertainment editor. She may be reached at 828-445-8595, ext. 2002, or sandra@thepaper.media.
