Musicfest ends in style
On a crisp August evening, with a full moon rising in the sky, The Mallett Brother Band rocked a large and appreciative audience of music lovers with their unique style of Americana at this year’s final Southport Musicfest event.
This last concert, billed under the banner “Music under the Stars” delivered that in spades and brings to a close a hugely successful first season of shows by Mallett Brothers, Motor Booty Affair & Piano Men alongside local openers. “We have been overwhelmed by the response” says Southport Island Association President, Eden Climo. “Our goal was always twofold - to showcase this beautiful Island we are lucky to live on and provide fantastic entertainment while also raising money to support local charitable giving. Ticket’s for our first event sold out in 4 days and each successive event has been a sell-out. Close to $14k from this year’s ticket sales will go to support the SIA Helping Hands Fund and we have heard unanimously from the community that they want this to continue. Plans are already underway for next year.”
“As you can imagine, it takes a village to put on events like this.” Says event host Scott Larson of Newagen Seaside Inn, which provided the stunning oceanfront setting for all three concerts. “From our SIA volunteers, staff at Newagen Seaside Inn, the musicians on stage all summer to the crew who provided the sound, lights and stage for all 3 concerts. None of this would have happened without the generous support of our community sponsors who made all this possible. We have already received sponsor commitments for next year from those who enjoyed the VIP benefits this year and appreciated how their donations had been invested, but we have big plans ahead and are looking for others who would like to be involved in the expansion of this innovative and exciting event.”
Added Jon Nunan, co-organizer and SIA member, “As a recovering musician myself and a father of young kids on the Island, it was always important to make these family shows so all the members of our community could enjoy them. Seeing kids and elders enjoying these shows equally has been the most rewarding thing for me. One of our goals was to bring the community together for a single purpose and I feel like we have accomplished that. I’m excited to see where we go next!”
