In 1983 a group of friends decided to bring entertainment to the Outer Banks. Forty-one years and over 200 concerts later, the Outer Banks Forum for the Lively Arts (OBFLA) continues this vision with a slate of seven acts presented by Kitty Hawk Kites that run from September 7, 2024 to April 26, 2025.
“We are excited to shine the spotlight on another thrilling season,” says Carl V. Curnutte, newly elected chair of the OBFLA board. “Our board is committed to bringing quality entertainment to the Outer Banks with a seven-show series of crowd pleasers.”
The 2024-2025 season includes something for everyone featuring a full gamut of styles: jazz, classical, folk, country, 70s rock, world music and pop. Acts range from cabaret piano to symphonic. Subscriptions for the seven acts are available now with individual tickets released on August 1. All performances are 7:30pm at David E. Oaksmith Auditorium, First Flight High School in Kill Devil Hills.
The season opens September 7 with the VIRGINIA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA. “We’re thrilled to welcome back this perennial favorite, the Virginia Symphony Orchestra. They are renown as one of the nation’s leading regional orchestras and the cornerstone of the Hampton Roads arts scene for over nine decades,” says Curnutte who has acted as program chair for the past two seasons.
Next up, NYC cabaret maestro Brad Simmon’s ACOUSTIC STORYTELLER reimagines the music of James Taylor, Dolly Parton, and more with his playful piano stylings and smooth tenor vocals on October 12. Be ready to immerse yourself in 70s rock anthem when THE TROUBADOUR PROJECT tales the stage on November 2 to showcase the classic hits, iconic guitar riffs, and timeless lyrics that defined a generation.
With the turn of the new year, Grammy award-winning singer-songwriter Linda Davis presents EVENING IN THE ROUND, an intimate night of songs, stories and laughter along with friends and hit songwriters Lang Scott and Bill Whyte on January 18, 2025. The show is injected with hits, humor and a whole lot of down-home appeal. The variety of hits keep coming with world-class entertainer Steve Lippia on February 22 with SIMPLY SWINGIN’, GREAT AMERICAN CROONERS. The show brings Lippia’s authentic interpretation of hit songs made popular by Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra, Bobby Darin, Nat King Cole, Billy Joel and others. And the March 22 offering is must-see for music lovers with YOIUNG ORIGINAL, a four-piece acoustic band with a passion for breathing new life into classic American music featuring their unique fusion of jazz, classical, folk, and pop influences.
The season closes on April 26 with VANAVER CARAVAN’S EARTHBEAT! a unique act focusing on rhythms in a riveting whirlwind of world dance and music with a globe-trotting journey featuring French Canadian step dancing, Appalachian Clogging, South African Gumboot Dance, Philippine Igorat Sun Dance, original stick dances, body percussion, stomp dances as well as dances from Bulgaria, India, Brazil, China and Spain and more.
Season subscriptions are on sale until September 7. Individual events are on sale season wide starting July 10. All tickets are print-at-home and sold at www.outerbanksforum.org.