By Bridget Gorder

By popular demand, Adam Ezra Group returns to cap the Concerts in the Village series on Thursday, June 6. Combining elements from pop, rock, soul, and folk, the band is bold and unique, dazzling audiences with a wide variety of musical tastes.

From patron living room shows to sold-out headline concerts, this folk fusion band travels far and wide to provide their fans with music that not only entertains but unites. The Boston-based group garnered fame from their live stream shows during the Pandemic, boasting more than 500 online performances to raise money to provide accommodations for homeless veterans. Now, with their tight-knit community in tow, they embark on tours, host festivals, and release music on streaming platforms, including their most recent album, The Album Project, Vol. 1.

Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation (MKAF) and Adam Ezra Group are perfectly paired, sharing values of philanthropy, supporting the arts, and bringing communities together. The proceeds from this event’s ticket sales will benefit MKAF’s community initiative, ArtsReach, including the groundbreaking arts therapy program, Warrior Arts, Arts for All Abilities, serving children and adults with special needs, and arts education programs designed for K-12 students throughout Okaloosa, Walton, and Bay Counties.

The gates to The Dugas Pavilion will open at 6 p.m. and the concert will begin at 7 p.m. Be sure to bring a low-back chair or blanket for seating and feel free to bring your own picnic and beverages or purchase dinner and dessert. Featured fare this week includes Spork, City Streets, and Dippin’ Dots. Additionally, there will be a raffle for a chance to win exciting prizes that you don’t want to miss. You can save $5 by purchasing tickets in advance here.

MKAF members enjoy early access and free admission. Still considering MKAF membership?
No need to wait until next year’s Concerts in the Village series because memberships are annual, so your benefits will last an entire calendar year from the date you make your purchase. Learn more about how to become a MKAF member and its perks here.

By Bridget Gorder
The Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation Concerts in the Village series is in full swing, and this week’s
show is one you won’t want to miss. Gotta Groove Band is traveling all the way from Land O
Lakes, Florida, to showcase their musicianship with you on Thursday, May 16.
Here are five reasons why you should groove with us!

1. As a seven-piece group with a three-piece brass section, Gotta Groove Band puts unique
   spins on classics and top hits from the ‘60s to today. Pulling styles from R&B, gospel,
   jazz, rock, and country, their arrangements are full of improvisation, outstanding vocals,
   and top-shelf musicianship.
2. Gotta Groove Band has something for everyone. The group’s repertoire ranges from
   James Brown’s I Feel Good, to Van Morrison’s Brown-Eyed Girl, to Brooks & Dunn’s
   Boot Scootin’ Boogie, to Huey Lewis and the News’ Heart of Rock & Roll.
3. The party isn’t over after the band’s setlist is done… you can further immerse yourself in
   the music with Silent Disco, provided by HarborWalk Village. There will be two dueling
   DJs playing through your headphones, so get ready to dance your heart out.
4. The fun isn’t limited to the music. There will be three different food trucks available –
   Spork, Chef Dan’s Fuel Burgers, and Repicci’s Italian Ice & Gelato – to purchase some
   food and a sweet treat. There will also be a raffle at intermission with exciting prizes –
   enter for your chance to win.
5. This exciting event is all for a good cause that directly contributes to your community.
   The proceeds benefit MKAF and its community education initiative, ArtsReach including
   the groundbreaking arts therapy program, Warrior Arts, Arts for All Abilities, and arts
   education throughout Okaloosa, Walton and Bay Counties.
   Gotta Groove Band is ready to party! If you are too, here is the information you need:
   The gates will open at 6 p.m. and the concert begins at 7 p.m. at the MKAF Dugas Pavilion.
   Tickets are $20-$25 in advance. Save $5 at the door by purchasing in advance to the show.
   Purchase tickets here.

See you there!

By Zandra Wolfgram 

Hey there, music lovers, it’s your “lucky” day! The New York-based brass band Lucky Chops has captivated audiences worldwide with its unique fusion of brass, funk, jazz, and rock for over a decade. On Thursday, May 11, they are coming to Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation Cultural Arts Village in Destin!

But before they take the stage, Lucky Chops will lead a performance “master class” for high school band students in two Okaloosa County shools, as part of MKAF’s ArtsReach program. The band will perform “unplugged” compositions, provide commentary and engage in a dialogue with attending students. 

Under the direction of Melanie Moore, ArtsReach, has served more than 100,000 in Walton and Okaloosa Counties. Since it was established in 1995, MKAF estimates its outreach has impacted more than 400,000. 

Lucky Chops was formed in 2006 by friends who shared a passion for brass music. They started out playing on the streets of New York and quickly gained a following for their infectious energy and dynamic performances. They’ve since gone on to play at clubs and festivals all over the world, captivating audiences with their electrifying music.

One of the band’s most popular performances is their cover of Stand by Me, which has been viewed over 25 million times on YouTube. The video features the band playing the classic song on the streets of New York, with their powerful horn section and improvisational solos. Their high-energy performances are known for engaging the crowd, with members often jumping off the stage to dance with the audience.

Their willingness to experiment with different genres sets Lucky Chops apart from other brass bands. They’ve covered songs by artists as diverse as Justin Bieber, Outkast, and Taylor Swift, putting their unique spin on each track. Their latest album, Walter, features a mix of funky instrumentals and introspective tracks that showcase the band’s versatility.

With their infectious energy, unique sound, and willingness to experiment with different genres, they will keep you dancing all night long. So, join us at Concerts in the Village for a night of amazing music and good vibes! The gates open at 6 p.m., and the concert starts at 7 p.m. Tickets are available at MKAF.org. Proceeds benefit MKAF and ArtsReach — its educational community outreach initiatives.

MKAF members get in early and FREE … so sign up today. Learn more at MKAF.org.

Don’t Miss The Music of Led Zeppelin June 16

By Zandra Wolfgram 

The gods of rock have answered our prayers. On Thursday, June 16 at 7 p.m. the Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation (MKAF) will present The Music of Led Zeppelin featuring Sinfonia Gulf Coast, led by guest conductor/arranger Brent Havens, who scored this program to extend the listening experience of these beloved timeless rock tunes. 

Performed by Sinfonia Gulf Coast and amplified with a full rock band featuring vocals by Randy Jackson, this MKAF Concert in the Village is sure to have “sheet blast power.” 

Not that an evening of jamming to Led Zeppelin music needs any preparation, but … for fun, we have gathered 10 fun facts on the world’s greatest ‘70s rock band. 

• In 1968, lead guitarist Jimmy Page initially rounded up Robert Plant (vocals), John Paul Jones (bass/keyboards), and John Bonham (drums) in part to fulfill a contractual obligation to play The Yardbirds tour dates in Scandinavia. Page had also wanted to form a supergroup for years, and he got it with the band that would become Led Zeppelin. 

• The name is said to have come from a comment made by Keith Moon of The Who, who supposedly said the band would go down like a lead balloon.

• Their first album, Led Zeppelin, was released on January 12, 1969, and marked the beginning of the band that would come to dominate the 1970s. 

• Frau Eva von Zeppelin, a direct descendant of Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin, demanded the group change their name, and got her wish on February 28, 1970, when the band performed as The Nobs in Copenhagen. Both popular and critical opinion favored the band’s preferred name, and they were Led Zeppelin once more for their next show—and every show thereafter.

• Rock god Robert Plant actually aspired to become an accountant. Thankfully, that prayer was not answered. 

• On July 26, 1977, Plant’s 5-year-old son, Karac, died from a stomach virus. The Led Zeppelin hit All of My Love and Plant’s solo hit I Believe are dedicated to Karac.

• In 2006, Hit Parader magazine named Robert Plant the “Greatest Metal Vocalist of All Time.” In 2009, he was voted “the greatest voice in rock” in a poll conducted by Planet Rock. In 2011, Rolling Stone readers ranked Robert Plant the greatest of all lead singers.

• The band purchased an airplane called, The Starship, for $30,000 for a portion of their 1973 U.S. Tour. It was the first Boeing 720-022 ever built. It included a main cabin with seats and tables, a 30-foot couch, a bar with an electronic organ built into it, a TV set, a video cassette player, a den with a low couch and floor pillows, and a bedroom with a white fur bedspread and a shower room. 

• Stairway to Heaven is arguably Led Zeppelin’s biggest hit. 

• Both Whole Lotta Love and Stairway to Heaven deserve to be on the list of the best rock songs of all time, but claiming the top spot is surely Kashmir, the epitome of an epic, groundbreaking rock song.

Doors open at 6 p.m. The concert is at 7 p.m. Bring a blanket and chairs and enjoy dinner and drinks from food trucks and/or restaurant catering on site. 

Become a MKAF member and enjoy savings on Concerts in the Village and other upcoming MKAF events. Details at MKAF.org. 

By Zandra Wolfgram 

Pop, Southern rock, alternative, classic rock and disco. Taylor Dayne, the Eagles, Sister Hazel, Led Zeppelin and Boogie … five phenomenally fabulous ways to rock out this summer.

The Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation (MKAF) has seriously elevated the Concerts in the Village experience this season with a stellar music concert line up. The dance floor in the Cultural Arts Village has been flooded each Thursday evening, proof positive that this year’s concert series is one not to miss.

It’s not too late to become a MKAF member and cash in on amazing benefits. With five concerts left, you can simultaneously support MKAF and treat yourself to discounted tickets to the remaining concerts.

Don’t miss out! Join MKAF and find out how much fun a Thursday night in Destin spent with fellow arts and music lovers can be. Grab a blanket or a couple of beach chairs and enjoy a night under the stars at the most beautiful outdoor music venue on the Emerald Coast. Bring a bottle of wine, your favorite craft beer, some delicious snacks, or purchase dinner and drinks at food trucks and restaurants on site. The doors open at 6 p.m. and the concerts start at 7 p.m.

Save the Date! 

1. Prove your love for the arts on Thursday, May 26. Taylor Dayne is Grammy nominated, Music Hall of Fame, American pop icon with a career spanning three decades, Her groundbreaking debut single Tell It To My Heart turned her into an overnight international star in 1987. She followed the smash hit with seventeen Top 20 singles over the course of her three-decade career, including Number Ones: Love Will Lead You Back, Prove Your Love and I’ll Always Love You.
2. Alter your state of mind on Thursday, June 2 with this classic ‘70s rock tribute to the Eagles by Alter Eagles. Their debut album, Eagles (1972), spawned top 20 hits like Take It Easy and Witchy Woman. The next year, Desperado, became a popular track. In 1974, guitarist Don Felder joined, and Already Gone became the Eagles’ first number-one song in the U.S. and Canada, Best of My Love followed. In 1975, the album One of These Nights became their first number-one album and hit single in the U. S. 

3. Get out of your summer haze and get to Sister Hazel on Thursday, June 9. This American alternative rock band boasts a style that blends elements of jangle pop, folk rock, classic rock and southern rock. Fun fact: Sister Hazel formed in Gainesville, Florida, in 1993 and was named for Sister Hazel Williams, a local missionary who ran a homeless shelter.

4. All hail the gods of rock! Lift your spirits on Thursday, June 16 with The Music of Led Zeppelin — a memorable tribute to the hits of Led Zeppelin accompanied with live orchestral music by Sinfonia Gulf Coast. Formed in London in 1968, the group consisted of vocalist Robert Plant, guitarist Jimmy Page, bassist/keyboardist John Paul Jones, and drummer John Bonham. With a heavy, guitar-driven sound, they are cited as one of the progenitors of hard rock and heavy metal, although their style drew from a variety of influences, including blues and folk music. 

5. Disco is not dead! Shimmy into your sequins, flares and platforms so you can dance the night away in style on Thursday, June 23 with Boogie Wonder Band. The most celebrated disco band of our generation promises you will get “get down” on the dance floor.  One recent concert goer swears she was in “disco heaven.” Get ready young hearts … are you ready for this? Do you like it like this? These are the good times, so come join us and make some memories of these happy days that are here again. We are family … after all! 

For more information MKAF membership and the full Concert in the Village schedule, visit MKAF.org. 

MKAF’S ‘music man’ weighs in on why you should attend MKAF’s Concerts in the Village 

By Zandra Wolfgram

It’s springtime! That means it’s about time to shake a leg … and your booty … at the Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation (MKAF) Concerts in the Village. 

This year MKAF presents 10 entertaining concerts by a range of musicians from a local Pensacola party band to A-list national Las Vegas-style acts and tons of talent in between.

To break down the 2022 line up curated by MKAF CEO Demetrius Fuller we went to the “music man” who helped make it happen MKAF Concert Committee Chair Todd Wilkinson. Here, we give you, Todd’s Take on each of the 2022 MKAF Concerts in the Village: 

The 2022 MKAF Concerts in the Village kicks off on Thursday, April 21 with a live Vegas-style tribute to the King of Pop with MJ LIVE. 

Todd’s Take: “Jalles Franca has impersonated Michael Jackson since 2002. He is absolutely one of the best tribute performers doing Michael Jackson. Period. He’s been a lifelong fan of Michael and Franca’s performance is about as close as you can get to seeing Michael. You will be dancing. You will be singing, and you will think you are seeing Michael. He is an amazing performer.”

Thursday, April 28| Naturally 7

Todd’s Take: “Hailing from New York City we have what Quincy Jones calls ‘The best a cappella group in the world.’ Most people think of an acapella group as just vocal harmonies, and don’t get me wrong, their vocal harmonies are stunning, but Naturally 7 are also reproducing instrument sounds with their voices as well. Some of the music may be backed by a band, but other times they will be singing and performing, and you will think it is a full band when it’s just the seven of them. They themselves make all the noises and it is breathtaking. Plus, they are doing a two-day residency in our local schools, so they really are amazing.”

Thursday, May 5| Shania Twin (Shania Twain Tribute)

Todd’s Take: “This performer is Donna Huber. She is coming in from Canada. She’s been a Shania Twain tribute artist since the late ‘90s. Her shows are extraordinarily authentic. Her voice is tremendous. She really is a Shania twin. Plan to be singing along and dancing along. I guarantee the crowd will have a great time.”

Thursday, May 12| Yacht Rock Revue

Todd’s Take: “Get ready for a great group of musicians that have perfected the tribute to the soft rock era of the ‘70s. They have carved out a place in musical performance for this style of music and play it authentically. Back in Indiana when they first did a whole show of their soft rock it killed. The owner of the bar was so blown away he asked him to do it again the next night. So, that is where “yacht rock” was born. They started it. They are the best in performing this kind of music for crowds. It will be a huge show.”

Thursday, May 19| Six Piece Suits

Todd’s Take: “Led by Kyle Hooks on locals, this is a high-energy fun party band from Pensacola. They will get the crowd up moving singing along and dancing from the first notes. These guys are tremendous performers. They really engage the crowd. Everybody young and old will have a wonderful evening of music that night.”

Thursday, May 26| Taylor Dayne

Todd’s Take: “From her 1987 ‘Tell It To My Heart’ hit she became a star and has been in an American pop icon ever since. She’s been making music for 37 years and is still a fantastic performer. She has 17 Top 20 singles, earned three Grammy nominations, an American Music Award among others and is on the Rolling Stone Top 20 list as one of the best female dance artists of all time. This is a stellar performer for sure.”

Thursday, June 2| Alter Eagles

Todd’s Take: “This will be a classic night of music. These guys are an authentic Eagles tribute band and are going to make you think you’re at an Eagles concert. Their harmonies are outstanding. Their musicianship is tremendous. The Eagle songs are well known, and these guys do them really, really well. It’s going to be another one of those great nights where young and old are going to be singing along. Everybody knows this music. They are a nice group of guys too, so, we’re very happy to have them back.”

Thursday, June 9| Sister Hazel

Todd’s Take: “This is a big one. I mean their 1994 hit ‘All For You’ was their debut single topped Billboard charts. They are an American alternative rock band based out of Gainesville originally and had been just cranking up great music for 20 some years. This is a national chart-topping band. They will put on a show you won’t want to miss.”

Thursday, June 16| Music of Led Zeppelin featuring the Sinfonia Gulf Coast orchestra

Todd’s Take: “If there is a band that whose music can only be enhanced by a symphony behind them Led Zeppelin is absolutely that group. Their music is big in nature and that symphony is just going to fill it in and round it out even more. I am truly looking forward to this show because, everybody knows the songs and adding the symphony behind it is just going to make it that much more impactful. This is a must-not-miss show. 

Thursday, June 23| Boogie Wonder Band

Todd’s Take” “We are closing it out big time with this show. The dance floor is going to be filled. It will be a party. This is a high-energy band that will have people moving from the get go. Disco/funk is such a popular genre of music across all generations. From the first notes, people are going to be up and busting a move on the dance floor. And, we have something special, a silent disco following the event to keep the party going.”

You’ve told us who is coming, now we ask why should folks come out, Todd?

“Some of the best bands anywhere are on our MKAF stage. The setting for the music is absolutely the best in our area. The caliber of music that we’re bringing this year is something that’s area hasn’t seen in a long time — and it’s for good cause. You just don’t want to miss this.”

Todd’s No. 1 Tip to Take Away

Become an MKAF member! “If you attend four concerts you pay for the entire membership, and besides proceeds go to MKAF and its ArtsReach programs — what more reason do you need?”

Save the dates for all 10 of the Concerts in the Village in April, May and June. Grab a blanket or a couple of beach chairs and enjoy a night under the stars at the most beautiful outdoor music venue on the Emerald Coast. Bring a bottle of wine, your favorite craft beer, some delicious snacks, or purchase dinner and drinks at food trucks and restaurants on site. The doors open at 6 p.m. and the concerts start at 7 p.m.

For more information MKAF membership and the full Concert in the Village schedule, visit MKAF.org. 

By Zandra Wolfgram 

Local music lovers are in for the royal treatment this week. 

Duchess, the high-energy classic rock cover band hailing from Niceville, takes the stage on Thursday, April 29 for the second installment of the Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation’s Concerts in the Village series.

Duchess is the only local band in the spring/summer concert line-up and this five-member band is literally, amped up to perform.    

“We hope everyone comes out to hear us because it is a beautiful venue, the music will be delivered at a high level, it will be a fun, entertainment show that won’t slow down!” says guitarist Chuck Tidwell.

Duchess has been performing together since 2019, but the band’s story goes back even farther. All the band members are “praise and worship” musicians who perform in their respective churches. Doug Bowers (keys, guitar, and backing vocals) and Tidwell (acoustic/electric guitars)—both decades-long music veterans, started playing together along the Emerald Coast in the mid-2000s. The duo released two classic rock and blues-inspired albums as “The Walk.” During the recording sessions for their second album, they brought in singer Lauren Duke who wowed them with her powerhouse vocals. Fast forward a couple years and Duke was invited to front the band (something she had never done before). Nate Kuwitski is on bass and veteran Tony Gorrell on drums and back-up vocals. 

Last year, the band competed against 29 other local artists over a two-month period in a bracket-style competition for the United Way Emerald Coast’s virtual singing competition fundraiser, Rock United. Duchess was crowned the reigning champion.

We caught up with Tidwell, while he was catching The Velcro Pygmies at Nick’s in Freeport and spoke with him shortly after the concert. Here are a few notes from that conversation:

MKAF: It’s great that you support other bands. How did you come to join a band? 

CT: Of course! I studied finance at University of North Alabama, but I was a professional musician for many years before I began working in the aerospace and defense business in 1996. I had to move to the backburner a little bit, but I am a musician first. 

MKAF: Did you grow up around music?

CT: I grew up around Muscle Shoals, Alabama, the recording capital of the South and got exposed to some exceptional musicians all through my formative years. I was in the Chaney Gang then and we held down the biggest house gig in Muscle Shoals for about 11 years. We did shows with all kinds of acts. 

MKAF: What do you love about music?

CT: I love it when it’s played correctly. Music is a conversation that you have with your bandmates with other people listening in. 

MKAF: Why do I sense there is a story with the band’s name? 

CT: There is. We were joking around thinking of what to call the band and throwing around some crazy ideas, and Lauren said, Well, I am married to a duke. To that, I said, Well, that makes you a Duchess, so we’re Duchess, aren’t we? It’s like of like how Queen is not The Queen, we’re just Duchess, like Aerosmith. 

MKAF: Tell us a little about your bandmates. 

CT: Lauren Duke is a fantastic singer. She immediately became “one of the boys” and really brings a lot. Doug Bowers is a progressive rock recording artist. He’s recorded a ton and is huge in Europe and Russia. He’s the technical wizard. Nate Kuwitski on bass is a former marine and just a great guy. Tony Gorrell is a natural musician with a wicked sense of humor. 

MKAF: You are a truly local band, aren’t you? 

CT: Yes, we only play locally. We don’t want to be on touring on a bus sleeping in hotel rooms. Everyone in the band is a professional musician, but we’re really a hobby band. We really get a kick out of watching each other play on stage and really feed off each other. It’s fun. We try to stay true to the music we’re playing by using the original arrangements—these great songs are great for a reason, right? 

MKAF: How do you choose what songs to cover? 

CT: First, we start off with the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s for the most part, that’s our genre. We have a female vocal lead, but she can take on the fellas … she loves Freddie Mercury with Queen and Steve Tyler with Aerosmith. She’s able to move seamlessly in and out of those different characters and do justice to the original record. 

MKAF: Is there one song that sums up the band?

CT: There are a lot of songs that expose a lot of different sides to the band, but if we had to pick one piece of music to play it would probably be our Queen medley. It’s operatic, it has melodic vocals, but still has heavy guitars and keys. 

MKAF Concerts in the Village are free to MKAF members. For more information on the many MKAF Membership levels and all the concert details, visit MKAF.org.