Sounds of Summer is back at the Sidney and Berne Davis Art Center with another great lineup of performances and talented musicians.
Happening June 16, July 21 and Aug. 18, this series will feature Dueling Pianos, a songwriters round with Sheena Brook and Sara Douga, and the singer-songwriter competition.
The series kicks off on June 16 with Dueling Pianos, an interactive musical experience. Dueling Pianos will feature two grand pianos placed back to back in the center of SBDAC’s Grand Atrium with audience seating in the round. Featured pianists Tommy Smith and Paul Nicodemi will take written audience suggestions for the next possible song in their setlist, for a fun-filled evening for everyone. Paul’s classical piano training and diverse repertoire of both oldies and modern hits, makes him a lethal weapon on the keys! After meeting Tommy through a mutual musician friend, Paul knew that Dueling Pianos was destined to be his career. Homegrown hero Tommy is a force of nature on the piano, with a bombastic style that channels the best of rock, boogie-woogie, and improv, getting the party started right here in Fort Myers. The evening will also feature the announcement of the People’s Choice award winner for the June juried art exhibition.
Sheena Brook
On July 21, experience an evening with singers/songwriters featuring The F.E.M. Collective; Sheena Brook and Sara Douga performing live. Sheena Brook is a multi-instrumentalist who has entertained audiences for decades throughout the States. Her music and live performances are simply captivating as she shares her personal journeys through life, love and loss. Brook appeared on NBC’s Season 12 of The Voice where she was hand-picked by Adam Levine. Since appearing on The Voice, she has gained the attention of multi-platinum songwriters and other artists to further her creativity in her unique style.
Brook founded The F.E.M. (Female Empowering Musicians) Collective, an organization that hosts events to allow the support of women and provides an outlet for their own special creativity, a media and event-driven collective designed to create a movement that amplifies women’s voices. Vibrant Cajun woman Sara Douga, who currently resides in Nashville, makes waves everywhere she goes. From the BBC Radio to appearing on the Grand Ole Opry, audiences love her for her warm heart and big personality.
Sara Douga
On Aug. 18, the popular singer-songwriter competition returns. Experience an evening of original music from local and national competitors. See performers compete for amazing prizes including the grand prize, which offers recording time at Six Fingers Studios and a spot at the Island Hopper Songwriter Festival, a 10-day music festival in September featuring performances by singer-songwriters from Nashville and nationwide. The annual competition focuses on original musicians in the singer-songwriter genre. Competitors submit a video of themselves performing an original song, and the top competitors are invited to perform their song live on Aug. 18. During the competition a panel of judges selects the grand prize winner and the audience will vote for the people’s choice winner. Deadline to enter is Aug. 9.
After each Sounds of Summer concert the music will continue at Sidney’s Rooftop Sculpture Garden with DJ Dream Jay from 8 – 11 p.m.
Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. with performances at 7:30 p.m. Early ticket price is $10, or $15 week of show. Call 239-333-1933 or visit www.sbdac.com.
The Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center is located at 2301 First St. in the historic downtown Fort Myers River District.
