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Performance Group
1st Fridays on the Lawn – Performance Groups Wanted!
The City of Wilson – Human Relations Commission sponsors a city-wide annual concert series. The celebrations are held every first Friday starting in July. The concerts celebrate family fun and invite a variety of musical talent and local performance groups to entertain. The Human Relations Commission is searching for community performance groups including dancing, singing and other talents.
Children and adult groups are welcomed!
Performance groups can expect an average audience of 300-400 citizens at each concert. To maximize the group’s time and efforts, we are limiting participation to only two performance groups per concert. Each group will have approximately
15 minutes on stage. Groups will perform during the band intermission, which is 7:30 – 8:00 p.m. Sidewalk Acts will perform from 5 – 8 p.m. along the
Art Walk and More! activities route.
15 minutes on stage. Groups will perform during the band intermission, which is 7:30 – 8:00 p.m. Sidewalk Acts will perform from 5 – 8 p.m. along the
Art Walk and More! activities route.
Download and print a 1st Fridays Performance Groups application below
General Information
- Intermission acts, Performance groups and Sidewalk Acts are needed to help create a festive community celebration.
- All types of performance groups will be considered. However, only groups that support inclusive membership and community building will be considered.
- Approximately two performance groups will be considered for the band intermission acts.
- A variety of performance groups will be considered for street/sidewalk performances along the Art Walk and More!
- Applications will be considered on a rolling bases. Once the performance slots are full, groups will be considered for the next concert date.
- Performance groups will be consider for one of four options:
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Intermission Act One – The performance group would be the first intermission performance group. The group will need to arrive between
7:15 – 7:20 p.m. and be ready for performance by 7:30 p.m. to go on stage between 7:30 – 7:40 p.m.
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Intermission Act Two – The performance group would be the second intermission performance group. The group will need to arrive between
7:20 – 7:30 p.m. and be ready for performance by 7: 40 p.m. to go on stage between 7:40-7:50 p.m.
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Intermission Entire Act – The performance group would be the intermission performance group for the majority of 30 minute intermission. The group will need to arrive between 7:15 – 7:20 p.m. and be ready for performance by 7:30 p.m. to go on stage between 7:30 – 7:40 p.m. The group would need to perform for approximately 20 minutes, until 8:00 p.m., without any lengthy pauses.
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Sidewalk Act – The performance group would perform from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. along the sidewalks of downtown Wilson near a business participating in the Art Walk and More! activities. Sidewalk Acts can be a variety of entertainments including juggling, balloon art, caricature artists, singing, magic tricks, face painting, etc… The performers may not charge for the act, but may accept donations from the concert guests. The performance can not interfere with the main concert performance in any way and may not block or interfere with business operation. The goal of the Sidewalk Acts are to attract an audience to the Art Walk and More! tour.
- Intermission performance groups will be provided an area to set up a display providing the community with information regarding their group’s commitment to community.
- The 1st Fridays on the Lawn concert series will be held rain or shine. Should it rain, the concerts and intermission acts will be moved to the Boykin Center, 108 West Nash Street, in Downtown Wilson. We do still expect 200-300 citizens. We recommend allowing 15 -20 extra minutes in your plans to allow for parking as it will be crowded downtown. Performance groups should enter the Boykin Center at the front door and touch base with the Human Relations coordinators. We will provide directions to the dressing/staging area.
- Logistical needs will be available on a very limited basis. The sound companies for the opener and headliner bands are flexible and will work with the intermission act as much as possible; however any special arrangements must be discussed at least one week prior to the performance date.
- Performance groups needing music must provide their own CD and a volunteer to coordinate the musical needs.
- Performance groups needing a microphone for a singing or speaking parts must make arrangements with the Human Relations Office at least one week prior to the performance date.
- The goal is to have a variety of Sidewalk Acts along the Art Walk and More! tour.
- Sidewalk Acts must provide their own set up and technical needs.
