Center Street Jams to kick off
By Laura Collins
Published in News on May 12, 2010 1:46 PM
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News-Argus file photo
A couple dances at last year's performance by the Mighty Saints of Soul. Center Street Jam kicks off Thursday with the popular beach music band. Performances will continue every other Thursday through August.
The Center Street Jam concert series begins Thursday night with the Mighty Saints of Soul.
The concert series brings a live band to downtown Goldsboro every other Thursday from 5:30-8:30 p.m. through August.
One change this year is that the Downtown Goldsboro Development Corp, which organizes the Center Street Jam, said their alcohol rules will be strictly enforced.
"We've been notified of some more stringent controls of the ALE office, that they are going to be visiting us quite often," said Jennifer Sumler, DGDC administrative assistant.
Anyone interested in buying a beer must show a picture ID to get a wristband and must wear the wristband to buy a beer.
"It doesn't matter what age you are, how old you look, or who you might know. It's a 100 percent ID check to get a wristband to purchase alcohol," Ms. Sumler said.
In addition, a person can only purchase one beer at a time.
"You can't buy for your spouse or your friend. You can't carry two beers from the beer wagon. It's one beer, one person, at one time," she said.
Ms. Sumler emphasized the importance of following the rules, which will be posted throughout the concert venue.
"One infraction of the rules will cause the Center Street Jam to shut down on the spot," Ms. Sumler said. "They're not going to issue warnings or tickets, they're going to shut it down. The rules will be clearly posted and anyone that doesn't want to comply means you don't get served beers. It's plain and simple."
In addition to beer, the event will also have other vendors with food and non-alcoholic beverages. This year, the series features eight bands. They include:
*Mighty Saints of Soul-Thursday
*Jim Quick & Coastline-May 27
*Craig Woolard Band- June 10
*Band of Oz-June 24
*Spare Change-July 8
*The Embers-July 22
*Mark Roberts & Breeze-Aug. 5
*Legends of Beach-Aug. 19
The May 27 concert featuring Jim Quick & Coastline has been designated Military Appreciation Day. The concerts typically bring in anywhere from 500 to 1,500 people depending on the band and the weather, Ms. Sumler said. She added that it's a chance for people to see everything that downtown has to offer, in addition to enjoying the band.
"It's a free music event offered for the community for anybody that wants to come and listen. It brings people to downtown and it brings the community together," she said.