Photo by Justin McHenry.
Last year's N.C. Symphony summer concert at Southern Village drew a huge crowd.
As part of its 80th anniversary, the North Carolina Symphony will offer a free outdoor concert at Southern Village on June 1 at 7:30 p.m. on the Village Green. This is the 13th season the symphony will be returning to Southern Village. Symphony music director Grant Llewellyn will conduct the performance entitled “An Outdoor Overture,” which features music from Leonard Bernstein, Scott Joplin, and Morehead City native Terry Mizesko.
Bev Carr, marketing and events coordinator for Southern Village, says this program means a lot to the community. “A few years ago, the state of North Carolina cut funding to the symphony,” she says. “They called us to say they wouldn’t be able to come. So we reached out to businesses, people made donations and we raised $8,000 to have the symphony come here.”
This event is Southern Village’s biggest of the year. “We probably get 3,000 people to set up chairs and bring picnics,” Carr says. Carolina Brewery will sell beer and wine at the event, and other local businesses will offer food and drink as well. Valet parking will be available. “We really want the whole community to come out,” Carr says.
While a lot of people cannot afford a typical night at the symphony, this event offers the opportunity to hear beautiful music in a casual, relaxed setting. “People of all ages sit out on the green or on the patios of our businesses,” Carr says. “Just to hear the symphony under the stars is a unique, magical experience.”
