MITS entering eighth season

Published 10:45 am Thursday, April 15, 2010

By By MIKE VOSS
Contributing Editor

Music in the Streets returns for its eighth-consecutive year Friday, running from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. in downtown Washington.
Taking the main stage from 6:30 p.m. until just before 7:30 p.m. will be Pure T Mommicked, a band from the Crystal Coast that includes Neal Paul, a “hometown boy,” according to an e-mail from the Washington Harbor District Alliance, which is running Music in the Streets this year. The main stage is a new concept for Music in the Streets. The main stage will be located at the intersection of Main and Market streets.
The location of the main stage will change with each Music in the Streets events. The street festival takes place from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. the third Friday each month from April through September. It is held the fourth Friday in October as a lead-in event to Smoke on the Water, held the fourth Saturday in October.
This year’s Music in the Streets events take place April 16, May 21, June 18, July 16, Aug. 20, Sept. 17 and Oct. 22.
“Awesome. We are doing absolutely awesome. We are coming along very smoothly,” said Marc Brunon, chairman of Music in the Streets this year, when asked how Friday’s installment of Music in the Streets is shaping up.
“We are looking for a fantastic event,” Brunon said.
“There is still more time for artist participants. We are seeking more nonprofit groups to participate,” he said.
The remainder of the entertainment lineup for Friday includes Burning Down Alliance, Crossroads, Karen Carlson, Tony Kranz, JB Mayes, Wright Suzuki, Men of Faith and Item 9 (formerly known as Gellin’).
Beaufort County Idol returns for a third season. It begins at 7:30 p.m. on the main stage (Main and Market streets).
Down East Rods &Classics members (and sometimes their guests) are scheduled to display their vehicles during the street festival. The Music in the Streets Shaggers also are expected to show off their fancy footwork Friday night.
Four artists are scheduled to display their artwork during the street fair.
In addition to downtown restaurants being open, food and beverages will be sold in the Music in the Streets area by churches and/or nonprofit groups.
Entertainers interested in performing during Music in the Streets events should contact Marc Brunon at Notes Cafe, 143 N. Market St., or by calling 252-940-4688. Any vendors or nonprofit groups interested in reserving a space (a 10-by-10 space), reserving a larger space or selling food at Music in the Streets events should call Beth Byrd, Washington Harbor District Alliance director, at 252-946-3969.