Cartersville DDA Announces Summer Concert Series, First Fridays, 'Flower Power Week'

Cartersville Downtown Development Authority has lined up a festive way for downtowners to welcome the month of May, with a variety of events and activities. April 29 through May 4 has been proclaimed "Flower Power" week in downtown.  A number of retail merchants will decorate their storefronts with motifs of "Flower Power," and some local restaurants will feature flower inspired entrees and cocktails.

On Friday, May 3, downtown will launch First Fridays Downtown where merchants will keep their places of business open until 8:00 pm to welcome people downtown and give them extra chances to see what Cartersville has to offer. 

Then on Saturday, May 4, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., The Rockingbirds will take center stage at Friendship Plaza to kick-off the 2013 Summer Concert Series. There will also be a Flower Power Costume Contest to encourage concert goers to wear flowers in their hair and their best replication of those 60’s and 70’s fashion statements for a prize.

"I am so delighted that spring is finally here, and more activity and excitement is generating through the downtown business district," DDA Manager Tara Currier said in a release. "We were thrilled to get The Rockingbirds to be the opener for our Summer Concert Series, and thought it would be fun to play into their genre with the 'Flower Power' theme. What began as thoughts of decorating for the evening of the concert, emerged into a week-long event of promoting Flower Power. It will be a fun week, and so the Promotions Committee felt it was the perfect timing to launch our First Fridays Downtown events, in which various retailers and service providers will keep their doors open until 8 p.m. I hope to see lots of people downtown all week, and especially on Friday, May 3, and Saturday, May 4."

The Rockingbirds is a very well-known metro band that takes you back to when great music was the norm, and ran the gambit from the happy sounds of harmony-laden pop to the guitar driven anthems of classic rock. The Rockingbirds embrace the many genres of music from this exciting era, with an ear for the sounds that made these songs so great. Bringing this music alive, on stage, are five veteran musicians who perform these time-honored songs with a tremendous love and respect for this music. These songs evoke powerful musical memories, and are cherished by so many people as an important part of their lives. These are songs that make people happy—and make them want to dance.

Refusing to treat these hand-picked classics as "oldies," The Rockingbirds perform powerfully executed song renditions from the greatest era of popular music, including hits like "Son of a Preacher Man," "Midnight Confessions," "Chain of Fools," "Magic Carpet Ride," and Janis Joplin’s classic, "Piece of My Heart." In addition to a bassist, keyboardist, drummer and guitarist, The Rockingbirds are also bringing a three piece brass section to perform for the Downtown Cartersville Summer Concert Series, giving the fans a real treat.

The music will begin on Saturday, May 4, at 7 p.m., in Friendship Plaza next to the train depot in downtown Cartersville. Attendees are encouraged to come early to dine at one of the dozen restaurants in downtown, and bring dancing shoes for this free (that’s right, FREE) concert. However, those wishing to be closer to the action with reserved seating may purchase a table for eight for $100 by contacting the DDA at 770-607-3480 or emailing ddainfo@downtowncartersville.org.

And don’t forget the first First Friday Downtown event the night before, on Friday, May 3! A variety of businesses will be open until 8:00 pm making a perfect opportunity for date night in historic downtown Cartersville.

Be sure to mark your calendar for the two other Summer Concerts including Eastern Seaboard on June 1, and Babe’s Bayou on August 3.

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