NCMZ.LIVE is a proud sponsor of this original music festival. So to ensure you don’t miss a beat this weekend, here is the rundown of the days ahead. This event will feature 19 bands, three days, four venues in one great downtown. Come to visit New Bern this weekend!
GEM Productions Welcomes You
GEM Productions has been hosting amazing music events in our community for nearly a decade. The team of ambitious music lovers has been diligently working to bring amazing acts from all areas of our great state while supporting worthy causes right here in our neighborhood. Along the way, we have met many great original acts that are a proud part of the GEM Productions Legacy!
Here is a look back at Bernaroo since I started writing this blog. Here are snapshots from Bernaroo 2017:
Here is a look at 2016:
Thank You to Our Sponsors:
Festival Partners:
olivercheek.com
folksjournal.com
Festival Media Partner:
ncmz.live
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Our Presenting Sponsor:
carolinaeasthealth.com
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Presenting Media Sponsor:
Music Monday 96.3 FM on Facebook
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Friends of the Festival Sponsors:
Black Cat Shoppe
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teranoterecords.com
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cravencc.edu
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Thank You To Our Printing Sponsors

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GEM Productions Presents
2018 Bernaroo Music & Arts Festival
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Friday, July 20th and Saturday, July 21st.
This year’s festival marks the first year in our new home and the first year with a robust 2nd stage, set for our marquee events.
Downtown New Bern will be filled with music and art, and a wide array of venues, but our main events will take place from 5pm – 10 pm at the Farmer’s Market, with nonstop music throughout the night.
Tickets ♣ Tickets
Single-day passes are $15 and weekend passes are $25.
Family Fun Features
A children’s corner with engaging activities for youth of all ages, live art from our artist in residency and much more.
There Is Still Time!
Be A Vendor ♦ Be A Music Supporter
Please reach out at bernaroomusicfest@gmail.co
Tickets will be available online at bernaroomusicfest.com or at the gate.
New Bern Farmer’s Market events will be home to a wide array of activities and entertainment for all ages.
Food Vendors
Mari’s Hella Fat Food
On-site all weekend to serve you!
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On Friday Night they will be joined by

Jasmine Tasty Thai Food Truck
On-site Saturday Night!
Thetinytornado
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Local Libations
BrÜtopia
In the fall of 2015, after the recent closure of a homebrew supply store that had operated in the area for many years, local home brewers Tim Dryden and Bryan Conway came to the realization that there was a need in the New Bern/James City area for a homebrew supplier. Their local club was forced to drive long distances or have their ingredients shipped in from other states in order to enjoy their hobby. They sat down and discussed the possibilities of filling the need by opening a small mail-order homebrew supply business. As the idea took shape, they realized there was also a need for a craft beer bar and bottle shop. So, in February of 2016, they filled the need by opening the doors of BrÜtopia!
Since then the love and support they have received from local homebrewers and craft beer lovers, have helped fuel the dream and keep it growing. In the back of many homebrewers minds is always the dream that someday they could actually let others enjoy their beer by turning their hobby into an actual brewery and sharing their homebrewed creations with everyone. So, with the encouragement and backing of their family of patrons, they began the process of building a plan to open a brewery. The support was incredible! In February of 2018, on the 2-year anniversary of the original store’s opening, BrÜtopia Brewing Company served their first pint of beer to the public. Since then they have enjoyed brewing some of their favorites, as well as some new recipes that they have always wanted to try.
BrÜtopia Brewing Company is still growing and making plans for expanding, hopefully, to allow the beer to be appreciated outside of its location in James City! At Bernaroo Music and Arts Festival, BrÜtopia will have a sampling of some of their creations to include: 1. Aji Pepper Ale; an amber ale brewed with Aji chiles from Peru. Warm and flavorful, it leaves a little burn, but don’t let that scare you. 2. James City IPA; a New England IPA, their take on the latest style to sweep the nation, a juicy grapefruit flavor, cloudy and delicious. 3. Mild Mia English Mild; an easy drinking English Mild beer that won’t disappoint. English malts are well-balanced, to bring out a chocolate accent and just enough hops not to disappoint. 4. 50 Shades of Cream Ale; smooth, light, refreshing with an ever so slight bitterness. Great summer beer or year-round.
Family Fun Features
A children’s corner with engaging activities for youth of all ages, live art from our artist in residency (TBA soon) and much more.
Below is a rundown of the performances throughout the weekend with more to come! If you are interested in becoming a vendor at the festival, please reach out at bernaroomusicfest@gmail.co
LIVE MUSIC LINE-UP
Friday, July 20th:
New Bern Farmer’s Market at 5:00 pm
Market Stage:
Travers Brothership
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The Oblations
The Oblations are a two-man Blues/Funk/Rock band from the triangle area of North Carolina. Joe MacPhail’s setup is comprised of drums and keyboard which he performs on simultaneously, with all four limbs. Daniel Fields plays slide and electric guitars with a host of a effects pedals, including customized pickups that allow him to perform bass and guitar at the same time. They both sing. As a two-piece, they reproduce the sound of a quartet or quintet while entirely avoiding the use of pre-recorded tracks or loops. This unique setup expands the boundaries of live instrumental performance through a combination of modern technology, physicality and musicality. With over a decade of experience playing together in various projects, The Oblations share a unique musical telepathy and invite you to join them on a funky, textural, and personal journey informed by the last century of American music. Their live shows are a unique mix of songcraft, groove, and deft improvisations. The Oblations pride themselves on meeting the needs of any environment, and for any audience.
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The Adam Hill Band
He was introduced to music by his parents but, it would be after his mother settled down with guitar man, David Alcock that the instrument took over Hill’s life. Alcock was the lead guitarist for a popular area band called Crossroads. Known as “Fingers” and/or “Stymee”, Alcock was young Hill’s mentor. Hill attributes him as the best guitar player he’s ever watched. It was Alcock’s playing that shaped, inspired and influenced Hill.
When he lost Alcock who left his life far too young after a brain aneurysm silenced his amp forever, Hill turned in to music to cope with the tremendous loss. You might even begin to wonder, was Hill born with a broken heart? Being a survivor of several deep, personal, childhood traumas, it has been music that keeps him on task and trucking.
Hill lost his father to suicide at a very young age. It would be an event that would change his entire life as he knew it for the first time. Just about that time, he found an old guitar around his house. As life would roll on the focus on guitar got real, because it helped to cope with overwhelming reality and pains of his life.
It is in Hill’s music that you hear him heal his soul. With songs that will not only touch but fill your heart with emotion. From to songs Influences to “Goodbye for Now,” Hill offers music fans a glimpse into his world via his songwriting.
Hill’s music seeps from his soul through his fingertips as he bends and slides his hands up and down the neck of his guitar. It is an experience that captivates his audience. He plays with passion and skill that is hard to match! Currently fronting his own project, Hill has been a part of bands since the early days of high school. It’s been a great trip of paying dues and now the player is ready to show the world what he is all about!
The Adam Hill Band features Hill at the helm on guitar and vocals, with bass player Gordy George in the pocket and offering some vocal assistance. Drummer Cecil Pittman Jr., not only keeps the beat but offers his owner powerful vocals on several songs throughout the night’s setlist.
With a style that blends series of blues, rock and southern rock influences and fueled with rock progressions with full-on guitar force, The Adam Hill Band can take you down slow or rock your soul like a second coming.
Though influenced by many greats, as well as a variety of styles, Hill’s uniqueness really shines in his original music. He dishes out a fair serving of original music at all live shows. His songs will penetrate your mind and help you relate to life in a new way as you bond with Hill and become connected through the music. Currently seeking recording opportunities, The Adam Hill Band is ready to lay tracks down, master them and press it for mass production so more can enjoy these musical expressions. The world will certainly sound more musically refreshing when the airwaves are saturated with Hill’s amazing tone and this band’s talents.
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Smith Stage:
Peace Soldier
Known for offering the community, the classic rock sounds that delight tonight Peace Soldier will offer a set of original works from as they close things out on the Smith Stage tonight following The Oblations set.
The Take Kindlies
The Take Kindlies are the two man-face melting-local NC band preforming refreshingly original music for the enjoyment of ears everywhere. No species discriminated. Come to enjoy their set on the Smith Stage tonight following the Adam Hill Band!
Mandy Mears
Mandy is known for her creative originals with vocals and ukulele and has channeled her inspiration from Regina Spektor, Ingrid Michaelson, and Sufjan Stevens. Mandy’s musical experience has spanned from choir and church accompaniment to open mic nights and performing as part of an indie-folk band. She has played in many venues across North Carolina, bringing her enthusiasm and passion to every performance. Tonight she will set things in motion with a performance to welcome you from the Smith Stage!
Live Visuals provided by The Liquid Vision Light Show
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After Show at 10:00 pm (FREE)
411 Broad Street, New Bern, NC
The Brown Pelican
Ctrl Alt Del Band
If the squeal of a modem is music to your ears, then Ctrl-Alt-Del is the band you’ve been looking for! This power trio cut the cord and found solace in pitch shifting and metronomic syncopation. When your ears’ operating system is on the fritz, Ctrl-Alt-Del will reboot what you thought you knew about music. Come to enjoy their performance tonight at The Brown Pelican. They are the Afterparty entertainment that will keep the party going strong!
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Saturday, July 21st:
Day Party at
Bear Town Market
12:00 pm (FREE)
Bearfoot Monty
Headlining the event is last year’s opening act at Bernaroo! New Bern’s own folk/blues-based Bearfoot Monty is excited to rock the afternoon free show for Bernaroo Music and Arts Festival. Be on hand for their set on Saturday at 2 pm.
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Carolina Sky
Carolina Sky is a free-spirited bluegrass combo based out of Raleigh and New Bern, North Carolina. Featuring strong female lead vocals with sonorous 2 and 3-part harmonies, the group is anchored by two women with powerful voices and a rich blend. They will be offering their unique sounds on Saturday on stage at BTM.
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Westmoreland-Band
Come to town tomorrow at noon for this unique musical experience.
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Visit Our Vendors

Artist-In-Residence Shepp Avery of Catch 42

Non-profit
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Entertainment LineUp for
New Bern Farmer’s Market Saturday, July 21~5:00 pm
Market Stage:
dub Addis
Young Bull
Young Bull is comprised of founding members and former JV basketball teammates Tahmique Cameron and Gabe Fox-Peck, along with the recently added rapper/singer, Christian Sinclair. Based in Durham, NC, they are rooted in a distinctively Southern sound–fusing trap and old-school soul influences into an unmistakably electric aesthetic. With over 200,000 plays on Spotify and a critically acclaimed album, Sopadelic, dropping independently in 2016, YB is making moves in the music world. Backed by some of the funkiest musicians in the country, Young Bull has performed up and down the East Coast and continues to tour, make new music, and play 2K in the basement.
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JIMMY
Based out of Greenville the second set on the Market Stage for day two will deliver the punk and psychedelic sounds of JIMMY the Band. The rockers have been busy on tour this Summer and excited to perform at Bernaroo Music & Arts Festival. They secured their slot for the festival after competing in a Battle of the Bands in March.
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Smith Stage:
Strung Together
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Cigar Box Jesus & The Revelation
Fairlight & Miquela
Two mistresses of the blues and residents of New Bern will team up to bring you a powerful set of blues on the Smith stage so to welcome day two at the Farmer’s Market! Don’t miss the sultry singing of Fairlight Moriah and the skilled slide guitar of Miquela DeLeon.
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Live Visuals provided by The Liquid Vision Light Show
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After Show at 10:00 pm (FREE)
The Brown Pelican
411 Broad St., New Bern, NC
Part live improv experiment, part DJ, Durty Dub delivers “turnt-up” dance party grooves from America and the African Diaspora, combined with haunting ballads and old-school, distorted guitar abandon. With a repertoire that includes, Katy Perry, John Lennon, Snoop, WAR, Nirvana, and some original tunes, this band can go in myriad directions – sometimes at once, and often with a sardonic sense of humor. One may not know just what to expect when they hit the stage, but one thing’s for sure: It’s always party time when Durty Dub is on the guitar!
You are invited to enjoy this fun show on Saturday, July 21, 2018, at the Brown Pelican. The funs starts at 10 pm and the show is Free!
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Sunday, July 22nd:
Bernaroo Brunch at
Circa1810 Bar at the Harvey Mansion
12:00 pm:

Alisa Evans Mike
Alisa Evans Mike, mezzo-soprano, is a native of Tarboro, NC. Her love of singing was developed from early childhood, encouraged by her parents, as well as throughout her academic years by several music teachers, whom she credits with fueling her passion for music and performing.
Alisa studied vocal performance at Saint Augustine’s College (University) in Raleigh, NC, where she later earned a BA in Communications.
The talented singer is releasing a new jazz standard CD and will be hosting a CD release party at The City Stage, 901 Pollock St, New Bern on Friday, August 3 from 7:00-8:30 pm
Beginning August 9, 2018, you can find Alisa performing at City Stage (formerly LIVE@City Laundry), 901 Pollock Street in downtown New Bern, NC, every Thursday, 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm.
We are excited to have her on the menu for Brunch at Circa 1810 Bar at The Harvey Mansion, 221 S Front St., New Bern, NC. Music will be served from 12 noon to 3 pm.
Bernaroo Last Call
5 pm
Hank Barbee & The Dust Parade
This is a tale of The Dust Parade, an original music group from the coastal nether-regions of Eastern North Carolina. Theirs is a unique style of blues/surf/jazz-improv expressed through and expanded over catchy songwriting. Their sound is dynamic. Infectious. It’s entertaining and unpredictable, for all involved. It’s not “jam” and it’s definitely not jazz. It’s just music. Incredibly good music. Made in America with 100% heart.
Conceived in the solitude of a quiet bedroom during the lonely late hours of the night. Guitarist/singer/songwriter and self-proclaimed “clueless leader,” Hank Barbee writes and writes. The ideas flow down from the heavens. There are no rules there. No parameters of genre or prose. Simply melodies and a sparsely sketched canvas of mood and message.
In the winter of 2016, Hank began to jam with bassist Matt Henderson, and the two even did a few shows. There was a chemistry. In early 2017 Barbee called up a saxophonist he was pleasantly acquainted with named Jim Durham. Hank asked him to sit in on an upcoming show. More chemistry. After several months of trial and tribulation, the trio is gifted with the awesome soul of drummer, Logan Watson.
It’s now 2018 and the new songs and sounds are rolling out. Band practice is the highlight of the week. Creation is empowerment and love and a reminder that we were all created by something bigger. Therefore we, in turn, must create.
This sound. It makes people happy. It makes the girls wanna sway. It seems to make fans and ‘repeat attendees’. This breed of ‘bluesy island surf country bossa soul’ with that little dab of ‘beachy swing jazz’ is just what this world needs. The Dust Parade.
Thanks for Supporting Live Music from your Friends at Bernaroo Music & Arts Festival
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Answering the Call
Checking things out around the rest of the region, I ask my Facebook followers each week where we can go to hear them play. This is what they said this week
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Facebook Events Link
Here are all the great music options for you on Facebook this week. Check out all of the events here and express interest in the ones you like.
Live Music Events Around NC from Facebook
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Thanks for Reading!
Please go out and support live music! Always call the club in advance to confirm what you read here is true. Many times events change without anyone updating the Facebook event created.
I am dedicated to making sure you know where to go to find it. If you like this blog please sign up and get an email each time we publish.
I appreciate my readers, the musicians and the venues who all do a part in keeping live music alive! Give us a like and tell your friends by sharing this page on your social media pages. To the many bands and clubs, thanks for keeping me informed!
Take kindness with you today, tip those that serve you and the music makers that rock you and hug people often and share the love. Don’t forget life is short and could end in a moment. Make sure you take time to enjoy the dance. Please party safely people! We love having you here with us! Rely on your sober friends, call a cab or sign up to Uber around!
Look for me on Facebook by following this link:
https://www.facebook.com/TraceyStones69.
Feel free to invite me to your events. If you have a budget for advertising, please consider promoting your next event with me.
I read emails daily. You can send those to:
ncmz.live@gmail.com
Please include the day, the date, the time of the event, the time of your scheduled performance, what time doors open and the price of tickets. Sending along pictures is helpful. Please send links to band websites so I can post those as well. Thanks so much for helping me reach the people!
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