Outer Banks Forum Archives - Joe Lamb Jr. & Associates

A Great Way to End a Great Season

Virginia Symphony in performance at First Flight High School.

Outer Banks Forum Tradition

For almost 25 years the Outer Banks Forum has been bringing music to the Outer Banks. Over that time a few traditions have evolved. One of those is closing out the season with the Virginia Symphony.

That’s a tradition that we really hope continues and since they’re already booked the Symphony for April 28, 2018 it looks as though it’s good for one more year at least.

Saturday evening’s concert at First Flight High School was magic. The musical selections were outstanding. There was almost a cohesion to them; they seemed to make sense when grouped together.

Virginia Symphony Performance

The musicians themselves were absolutely amazing, which is to be expected from a professional orchestra. Still, they exceeded expectations.

And the conductor—Benjamin Rous…an absolute delight. Funny, informative and animated he kept the audience involved and interested.

He began by informing everyone that just 14 minutes ago he had been on the beach, talking to some bikers from western North Carolina. He wondered out loud about some of the names of local restaurants, and seemed particularly puzzled by Biscuits and Porn.

But mostly, he did a great job of explaining what was happening with the music.

It’s hard to pick out a favorite from the selections that were performed. There were some Brahms pieces that were challenging and wonderful to listen to. Two Sousa marches were performed—Thunderer March and Hands Across the Sea. And they were performed really well.

But a favorite? That’s difficult to say.

Princess Leia’s Theme by John Williams was so beautiful as it painted a musical picture of yearning for something unattainable. The Spiderman theme was a surprising choice and very effective.

And then there was the audience participation at the end with Rous conducting the symphony as he also conducted the audience telling us to not clap at all, clap softly or clap as loud as we could.

A lot of fun and it made for a wonderful evening of music.

Looking Good for Our BBQ & Wing Showdown

Waiting to be eaten. Wings and ribs at the 2016 We just checked the weather forecast for Friday and now there’s no excuse for missing the Joe Lamb Jr., & Associates BBQ & Wing Showdown.

Weather Is Cooperating for BBQ & Wing Showdown

We just checked the weather forecast for Friday and there’s no excuse for missing the Joe Lamb Jr., & Associates BBQ & Wing Showdown. Held at the Event Site in Nags Head, the weather is certainly cooperating. The latest forecast calls for sunshine and temperatures in around 60 degrees.

It’s really looking as though the weather gods are smiling on the event this year, although we know from experience that even if it’s a bit chilly or maybe raining little, the show must go on. Of course, with the event under a huge tent, the weather may be an inconvenience but we’ll still have a great time.

The Outer Banks Taste of the Beach is a four day event, Thursday through Sunday, that includes special preparations, multi course dinners, wine and beer tasting and a some major events.

In many ways, the TOB is mini-tour of the Outer Banks with events scheduled from Corolla to Manteo. It’s tough to pick out a favorite with so much happening.

The BBQ & Wings showdown is, of course, our absolute favorite of the weekend, but two other events we have had fun attending in the past is the Chowder Cook-off on Saturday at Southern Shores Crossing and any one of the wine or beer pairings they do at Trio in Kitty Hawk.

That does come with a caveat—we have never had a bad time at any event.

Other Things To Do

There are a couple of other events that may be worth checking out if eating great food and sipping wonderful libations becomes tiresome.

The Outer Banks Forum of the Lively Arts will be presenting Barefoot Movement at the First Flight High School auditorium on Saturday evening. The Barefoot Movement is at the forefront of what is being called nugrass—sort of a new way of thinking about bluegrass.

For theatre goers, check out the Manteo High School’s production of Phantom of the Opera Friday, Saturday or Sunday. The kids consistently do a remarkable job with some very difficult material, so this may be a great one to see.

AJ Croce Wows the Outer Banks

AJ Croce talking to the audience at his Saturday night performance.

The Outer Bank Forum brought AJ Croce to the Outer Banks Saturday night, and his performance left no doubt the Croce legacy is alive and well in the late Jim Croce’s son.

An amazing musician, Croce played a concert he told the audience he doesn’t perform very often—his “Two Generations of American Music”, which include songs from his father’s repertoire.

Croce, whose voice sounds remarkably similar to his father, moved seamlessly between his own compositions and his father’s songs. And, although he performed the music of his father flawlessly, he really hit his stride playing his own music.

A gifted pianist and guitar player, it is on piano in particular that he shines.
One performance specifically put his skills on full display.

Come and Go begins as almost random notes on the piano, but it builds into a composition of extraordinary complexity in Croce’s hands. There are touches of classical music, honky-tonk, jazz and blues all woven together into a seven minute improv.

The band playing with him was excellent, but lead guitar Michael Bizar really stood out. Bizar has been playing with Croce for a number of years and seems to have a real understanding of what he is doing with his music.

Although Croce’s own music was the highlight of the evening, the encore he presented has to be mentioned.

Saying, “I’m going to share a very special recording with you, a recording that was made at our kitchen table,” he played a recording of Time in a Bottle, allowing it to play for a minute. Then he and Bizar began accompanying the music, Croce’s voice blending perfectly with his father’s.

It was a powerful tribute to a great musician.

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Tag: Outer Banks Forum