The Wake Forest talent-sharing evenings called the “Neck of the Woods Performance Series” starts up again this Friday, June 19, 2015 at the Renaissance Centre in Wake Forest. The show starts at 7 pm, and beer and wine will be available. Cover is $5, a portion of which goes to the performers (from left to right above):
Sarena Harris is an 8th grader at Salem Middle School. She began her singing career performing at an American Cancer Society fundraiser at the age of eight. She’s an award recipient of the North Carolina Conservatory’s Altar Boyz Idol Competition, the Smoky Mountain Music Festival in Gatlinburg 2014, and performed for the Cary Teen Amazement Show. She has performed at multiple open mic nights at West Park Tavern and the Havana Grill. She has participated in countless elementary and middle school performances, including the Salem Blue Notes. Sarena Harris thrives in front of a live audience.
Dan Blaisdell is a local solo guitarist and singer. He is also an accomplished pedal steel guitarist currently playing with CMA recording artist Ryan Daniel out of Nashville, TN. His solo repertoire includes hundreds of songs in a wide variety of genres, including many original songs. His true genre though could be called “storytelling”, based on what his fans have said: “… your own songs tell a life story of some kind…..from funny to serious…”, “… a little blues a hint of jazz and a whole lot of country.” Dan has also released several CD’s of all-original songs.
Gale Buck shared the stories and music of the Great Highland Bagpipes in schools around Wake County but it was not until he shared stories of the Magic of Christmas that he was called “Storyteller.” Author of over 200 short stories and three published books Gale is now an avid storyteller and promoter of the vocal art. He and his wife, Christy, enjoy traveling to festivals and helping others find the magic in our lives. Gale is co-founder of Village Storytellers, a casual group of folks who enjoy improving their skills in Raleigh, and creator of Front Porch Stories, a quarterly storytelling event in Raleigh. Gale won the 2014 Bold-Faced Liars’ Showdown, placing Third in 2015 and first in the 2015 South Carolina State Liars’ Contest. He also enjoys finding and sharing new legends in state parks and campgrounds and will be looking at YOU for his next great tale.
Ronald F. Williams is a native of Wake forest and graduated from Dubois High School in 1959. He holds a BA Degree in Music Performance from NC Central University. Ronald was the accompanist for The Martin Luther King Jr. All Children’s Choir for 7 years. He also served as the Choral Director and Pianist at three Baptist churches in North Carolina. Ronald has had the opportunity to perform for four NC Governors – James B. Hunt, W. Kerr Scott, Terry Sanford and Beverly Perdue. He was also invited to play for Bill Clinton, former President of the United States. Ronald has been a volunteer at the Hillside Nursing Center since 1998. He gives God the glory for his talent and he enjoys sharing his musical gift with those who welcome a spiritual uplifting.
