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Soul Benefactor, Max the Magician at the Jones House for First Friday Art Crawl in Boone

Soul Benefactor returns to the Jones House porch Friday, continuing the 2015 Concerts at the Jones House series and kicking off July’s First Friday downtown Boone celebration. The weekend festivities begin at 5 p.m. at the Jones House Cultural and Community Center with Max the Magician performing a short set to warm up the audience.

“We love having Max,” says concert organizer, Mark Freed.  “He is a true entertainer, well beyond his years, with some really good tricks up his sleeve.”

Soul Benefactor
Soul Benefactor

Soul Benefactor will take to the porch next, bringing their blend of classic rock, soul, and familiar party favorites.  An annual favorite in the Jones House concert series, Soul Benefactor will fill the entire porch, bringing a full band with a horn section and guest members of the Junaluska Gospel Choir to sing on a handful of numbers.

“Soul Benefactor brings something for everyone,” Freed says, “From Stevie Wonder to Joe Cocker to Van Morrison to Marvin Gaye, audience members will hear lots of familiar sounds.”

Soul Benefactor formed in 2007, when a bunch of musician friends got together to play favorite classic rock and soul tunes from the 1960s and 70s.  Having so much fun at the first gathering, the members decided to form Soul Benefactor and have since been dubbed “the High Country’s premier funky soul and classic rock n roll band.”

Today, the band includes founding members David Brewer on drums and vocals, Aaron Burleson on keys and vocals, and Beaver Robinette on saxophone.  Other members include Tim Salt on bass, John Littlewood on guitar, and Ross Robinette on trumpet.

Following the concert, downtown Boone will be alive with art crawlers, as the First Friday celebration takes place throughout town.  The Jones House will feature artwork by painter Catherine Alice, with an exhibit opening reception following Soul Benefactor’s performance.

The holiday weekend continues Saturday with the annual 4th of July Parade, marching through downtown Boone, beginning at 11:00 a.m.  Free cake and watermelon will be served at the Jones House following the parade.  Music and fireworks will wrap up the celebration at the Clawson-Burnley park in the evening.

Concerts at the Jones House take place every Friday, from the front porch of the Jones House in downtown Boone (604 W. King St.).  All of the Summer Concerts at the Jones House performances are free and open to the public.  Patrons are encouraged to bring their own chair or blanket to sit in the Jones House front lawn, under the shade of the gigantic maple trees.  Concerts take place rain or shine, with the inside Jones House main gallery being used for inclement weather.

The 2015 Summer Concerts at the Jones House series is sponsored by the Downtown Boone Development Association, Mast General Store, Footsloggers, MPrints, Stickboy Bread Co., and Melanies.

For more information about the concert series, including a complete schedule, the downtown First Friday celebration, the July 4 Parade, or fireworks display, please visit www. joneshouse.org or call 828-268-6280.