By Staff
The Refried Beans are doing it again.
This ensemble with its passion for music and appreciation of the environs of eastern North Carolina are preparing their boats for another Intracoastal Waterway tour Aug. 6-8 to raise funds for the Partnership for the Sounds, a nonprofit organization that promotes environmental education and sustainable development in the Albemarle-Pamlico area.
The nonprofit operates the North Carolina Estuarium and other regional facilities that foster ecotourism in and around the sounds.
“Well, that’s appropriate,” said tour organizer and Refried Beans member Winston Lea. “The Beans feel a strong connection to the inland waterways with their beautiful and natural surroundings, and we support the Partnership for the Sounds and its efforts to provide educational opportunities throughout the region.”
The Refried Beans, who play a wide and eclectic range of folk, rock and acoustic music, will kick off this year’s tour at Grouper’s on the Pasquotank River in Elizabeth City on Aug. 6. The music starts at 8 p.m.
The band plays at Blackbeard’s in Bath at 6 p.m. Aug. 7 and at Jack’s in Morehead City at 4 p.m. Aug. 8.
After the Aug. 6 concert, all sailors interested in following the Refried Beans are invited to have their boats in the water and ready by 10 a.m. Aug. 7 to head for the concert venue in Bath. The flotilla will travel the Pasquotank River into the Albemarle Sound, then head down the Alligator River, where they may see evidence of the fire that burned more than 44,000 acres in the Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge in 2008. That event prompted the Refried Beans inaugural tour last summer, which raised funds for area fire departments involved in fighting the blaze.
The flotilla will come out of the ditch into the Pungo River and run up the Pamlico River to Bath, where the Refried Beans will perform at Blackbeard’s on Bath Creek. Lead singer Fred Frohbose mused, “This is one of the most beautiful stretches of water in North Carolina. Hopefully, we won’t run into any pirates; I’m not sure how helpful a six string would be against an unfriendly attack.”
On Aug. 8, the boats will motor back down the Pamlico before heading south into the Neuse River. After passing through Adams Creek, they will make their way to Jack’s in Morehead City, where they will play an afternoon concert.
So, how can you participate?
First, get a boat and join the tour and instantly become an honorary member of the Refried Beans. Second, come by land and enjoy any or all the shows that are most convenient for you. Finally, if you can’t make it to any of the shows, send a check for the cause. There is no price of admission to the concerts, but donations are encouraged.
Anyone who can’t make a concert but wishes to support the Partnership for the Sounds may send donations to: Partnership for the Sounds, 812 Joshua Clay Drive, Rocky Mount, NC 27803
Visit www.partnershipforthesounds.org to learn more about this organization.