What started as a combined passion for music and film has developed into a full-fledged multimedia production company aimed at promoting the local arts.
In its latest venture, Carolina Pine presents its three-day music festival of the same name beginning with a hard-hitting lineup of area acts tonight (Friday) at Brooklyn Arts Center, 516 N. Fourth St. It continues Saturday and Sunday at Satellite Bar and Lounge, 120 Greenfield St., and The Art Factory, 721 Surry St., respectively.
In all, the first large-scale Carolina Pine Music Festival brings together nearly 30 acts and about 25 local food trucks, vendors and artists at three downtown venues.
It’s quite a leap from the trial run the twenty-somethings behind Carolina Pine had back in May at Satellite, an effort that got some guidance from Wilmington icon Randy McQuay, winner of the 2014 International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tennessee.
“We’re doing it bigger,” said Anna Mann, one of the founders of Carolina Pine Productions. “Instead of eight bands, we’ve got 28.”
Although it’s a heavy undertaking, the festival has at its core the same driving force that prompted Mann and partner, Will Daube, to start Carolina Pine in the first place.
“The line-up was the easiest thing to do,” Mann joked. “We’ve had a lot of musicians come to us. Even just yesterday, we had people asking, ‘Hey, can I play your festival?’”
That’s because Mann and Daube, with help from Jesse Gagne and Kyle Maples, have been fostering a strong relationship with the local music scene through a series of performance videos. They would arrange to have musicians perform at local businesses, film it and then put it online.
“We started the series as something to do, a way to help local musicians who maybe are just starting out and don’t have the money for big-budget things,” Mann recalled.
Eventually, the volunteer initiative grew, and now Carolina Pine aims, as a business, to organize a variety of arts-related events throughout the year.
Slated for the coming months are a music video screening, a Valentine’s Day-themed pairing of music and a romantic dinner, a kids’ music day and a storyteller week.
As for this weekend’s festivities—a launching pad of sorts for future projects—it all kicks off with a pre-party at 4 p.m. today, featuring solo acts Dylan Drake, Whitney Pearsall and Isaac Clowers in the Brooklyn Arts Center Courtyard.
Then, at 7 p.m., the party gets underway with music from Mike Blair and the Stonewalls, Rebekah Todd and The Odyssey, Beta Radio—making its first big live appearance in years—and The Midatlantic, which is also celebrating the release of its latest CD.
The music continues at noon on Saturday with the following line-up: Will Daube; DRISKILL; Margot in the Night Box; Heather Rogers; Scoundrel’s Reunion; Chris Frisina; Sean Richardson; Mac & Juice; Fuzz Jaxx; Massive Grass; Sean Thomas Gerard; and Roy G. Biv & The White Noise.
Sunday’s performers include: Nina Repeta with Roger Davis and Mike Waddell; Jim Ashley; Elephant Convoy; Kyle Lindley; Dirty White Rags; Randy McQuay; The Paper Stars; The Brothers Egg; and Stray Local.
Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door. One ticket price ensures entry into all three days of the festival. Click here for tickets or visit Carolina Pine’s website for more information.
Hilary Snow is a reporter at Port City Daily. Reach her at hilary.s@portcitydaily.com.