Friday Night BANDS at University Plaza
Four fun bands plus good food and drink! Be sure to wear your dancing shoes! FREE ADMISSION!
University Plaza, 50 W. Washington Street (map here)
FRIDAY, June 28, 6:00-9:00 pm
BLACK MASALA
Friday, June 28, 6:30-9 pm
Brassy Washington DC-based Black Masala is part of the new generation of go-anywhere brass bands. You can hear this sound all over the world now – from New Orleans to Belgrade, Paris to Cotonou, and right here on the east coast area as well. You want to have a good time? You need brass. This is what Black Masala blasts to the world, harnessing all the good times sunk in the Romany, second-line, bhangra, and funk horn parts that have gotten huge swaths of the planet up and dancing. Whether they are performing live shows or releasing new music, Black Masala push the boundaries between genres and explore new musical frontiers. This unorthodox and highly creative approach is what makes the shows so much fun with a wild and unpredictable vibe for the audience.
SPENCE4HIRE
Friday, June 28, 6 pm - opening act
Raised on the lyricism of 90's era hip hop, and flourishing on the scene today, Spence's music is the bridge between the old and new schools. Utilizing the sounds of boom bap to trap, his versatility in delivery encompasses a wide hip hop timeline. As a pastor, faith, integrity, and inspiration are the foundation where Spence delivers witty punch lines, over-the-head metaphors, and captivating narratives. Creating music for the party and the worship house, it always bangs and lures the listener.
PREVIOUS EVENTS
FRIDAY, June 7, 6:00-9:00 pm
THE GET RIGHT BAND
Friday, June 7, 6:30-9 pm
The Get Right Band is “hip-shaking, earthquaking pure funk fun” (The Alternate Root). They are one of Relix Magazine’s “On The Verge” picks, Home Grown Music Network’s 2015 “Best New Band of the Year,” and were voted “Best Progressive Band” in Western North Carolina by Mountain Xpress readers. They have performed on the famed World Cafe, and have brought their unique sound to major festivals and venues such as FloydFest, The Orange Peel, Music City Roots TV Show, The Green Parrot, Arlene’s Grocery, and Riverbend Fest. Combining catchy, clever, honest songwriting with musical expertise and fearless improvisation, the live show promises to move your head, heart, and hips.
FRIDAY, June 14, 6:00-9:00 pm
THE MUDDY CROWS
Friday, June 14, 6:30-9 pm
Hailing from Washington DC, Dan Wolff & The Muddy Crows are an award-winning Modern Americana Rock band. Specializing in original compositions, they also maintain an extensive repertoire of crowd-pleasing multi-genre covers. After building their following in the DMV area, they released their self-titled album and were voted DC’s “Best Original Local Band” by the Washington City Paper. After performing on DC’s Fox-5 morning show; TMC dramatically expanded their international fan base by completing a month-long European tour. The Muddy Crows are currently focusing on recording original material and sharing new music across the Mid-Alantic and East cost regions.
Fresh Academicz
Friday, June 14, 6 pm - opening act
Born in Manhattan's Lower East Side, Peter Arizmendi, aka BAM THE LIQUID ROBOT, has been performing since the age of 9. He was amazed how the street dancers on the Lower East Side expressed themselves through dance, and was inspired to learn these techniques. BAM’S determination and love for urban culture has led him to work with some of the biggest names in the industry as choreographer and dancer. His choreography credits include Nike , Coca Cola Lite, and Sprite. He has performed with celebrities such as Aretha Franklin and Donnie McClurkin. He co-directed and choreographed "Break The Urban Funk Spectacular" and was part of “Jam On The Groove,” the first hip hop musical, at NY’s Minetta Lane Theatre. He has appeared in several movies and is currently working on his own film, “Ruwach A Quest for the Truth.” He is the owner of Fresh Academicz Breakdance and Hip Hop Academy in Hagerstown, where he teaches life skills to youth through urban performing arts with his partners Michael and Edwin Reyes.
FRIDAY, June 21, 6:00-9:00 pm
THE REAGAN YEARS
Friday, June 21, 7-9 pm
The Reagan Years pioneered the 80's tribute concept and like any great idea, many have imitated it but none have replicated their magic. TRY plays the greatest hits of the 1980s - a day when Ronald Reagan was President, M-TV first aired, CDs emerged, Acid Washed jeans were "cool" and alternative music was called "New Wave." The talented musicians who make up TRY are able to replicate uncanny versions of the Pop, Rock, New Wave and Heavy Metal hits of the Era. Bon Jovi , Madonna, Devo, Joan Jett, Def Leppard, Duran Duran, Billy Idol, Journey, Modern English, Guns ‘N Roses, A-Ha and ZZ-Top, and with the sax; Hall & Oates, Men At Work, INXS and Huey Lewis. TRY covers all the mega-artists, and you’ll be singing along to every song!
Amber Marie
Friday, June 21, 6 pm - opening act
Amber Marie is a 19-year-old R&B artist from Hagerstown. She is a graduate of North High and now attends Howard University. Her musical career started when she was just 5 years old and she has been singing ever since. She has twice auditioned for NBC’s “The Voice,” and is a member of the Howard Gospel Choir, which has brought many opportunities such as singing backup for Fantasia.