The community is invited to experience an evening of inspirational, uplifting music by classical-meets-hip-hop duo Black Violin. Performance is Friday, Nov. 8 at 7:30pm; event is free, but reservations are required.
BOONE, NC —The Schaefer Center Presents (SCP) performing arts series, presented by Appalachian State University’s Office of Arts Engagement and Cultural Resources, announces that Black Violin – BV20: Then & Now will transition from a paid event to a free concert. After postponing the series’ first two October events due to the devastation inflicted upon Watauga County and much of Western North Carolina by Hurricane Helene, SCP has pivoted the concert to a free event, understanding that music has the ability to heal, could be one pathway toward restoring the spirit of a collective community. The concert by the acclaimed classical-meets-hip-hop duo will take place as originally scheduled on Friday, Nov. 8 at 7:30pm at the Schaefer Center for the Performance Arts at App State and will be open to everyone. Reservations are required (four-ticket maximum per transaction) and seating is general admission. Tickets availableat TheSchaeferCenter.org, in person at the Schaefer Center box office (733 Rivers Street), or by calling 828-262-4046.
“As we come together as a community to heal following the devastation to so much of Western NC, we recognize the arts’ ability to speak directly to the soul,” says Elizabeth Auer, Executive Director of Arts Engagement and Cultural Resources. “Black Violin is a musical duo that has spent 20 years bringing people together to uplift and inspire many generations through the power of music. I am grateful for this opportunity to give back to Boone and the High Country as we navigate a new way of moving forward and celebrate our hope and resilience through live performance.”
BV20: Then & Now will showcase the incredible 20-year journey of Black Violin so far, featuring Kev Marcus on violin and Wil Baptiste on viola/vocals, joined by Nat Stokes on drums, DJ SPS on turntables, and Liston Gregory on keys. This talented ensemble will deliver a performance that transcends genres, combining the elegance of classical strings with the dynamic beats of hip-hop.
Kev Marcus says, “Fans can expect us to illustrate our journey from high school to headliner, and we plan to celebrate all of it: Then and Now. We want our fans to feel energized, inspired, and more driven to chase their dreams.” Marcus reflects on the band’s anniversary: “I am very excited about the 20th anniversary of Black Violin. In some ways, it feels like it flew by, but we took the stairs and did it our way, and for that, I am extremely proud.” Wil Baptiste says, “This BV20: Then & Now tour is going to be incredible! New music and also revitalized classics. Our fans are going to experience the 20 years of growth of Black Violin.”
Don’t miss the opportunity to experience Black Violin live and celebrate two decades of music that has inspired and uplifted fans around the globe. Be part of an evening filled with celebration, inspiration, and the enduring power of dreams — and the strength of a community — with Black Violin’s BV20: Then & Now.
If you have already purchased tickets to Black Violin…
- Previous physical and digital tickets will be converted to general admission.
- We will issue a credit to your ticketing account for the value of the tickets you purchased. This credit can be used towards any future Schaefer Center Presents or An Appalachian Summer Festival performance.
- If you selected digital delivery, you will receive a confirmation email within the next few days confirming your new tickets.
- If you have physical tickets, your new tickets will be placed in Will Call or mailed if we believe they can be delivered to your address prior to the performance.
App State Disaster Relief
Mountaineers are hurting from the impacts of Hurricane Helene, with students, faculty and staff experiencing significant hardships. Please visit AppState.edu to find relief resources and how to support our Mountaineer community.
COMING NEXT
PRESERVATION HALL JAZZ BAND: CREOLE CHRISTMAS
Thursday, Dec. 12 at 7:30pm
Schaefer Center for the Performing Arts
$45 Tier 1, $35 Tier 2, $25 Tier 3, $15 All Students
Celebrate the season as the Preservation Hall Jazz Band returns with the Creole Christmas concert series, which features New Orleans classics as well as some of the band’s best-loved holiday selections with a twist. At a moment when musical streams are crossing with unprecedented frequency, it’s crucial to remember that throughout its history, New Orleans has been the point at which sounds and cultures from around the world converge, mingle, and resurface, transformed by the Crescent City’s inimitable spirit and joie de vivre. Nowhere is that idea more vividly embodied than in the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, which has held the torch of New Orleans music aloft for more than 60 years, all the while carrying it enthusiastically forward as a reminder that the history they were founded to preserve is a vibrantly livinghistory.
Tickets
Black Violin tickets are free; reservations are required and seating is general admission. Seating for Preservation Hall Jazz Band is tiered at three levels, with a $15 ticket available for all students. App State Faculty/Staff can call the box office about exclusive ticket discounts. Tickets available at TheSchaeferCenter.org, in person at the Schaefer (733 Rivers St), or by calling 828.262.4046.
About The Schaefer Center Presents
“The Schaefer Center Presents” is a series offering campus and community audiences a diverse array of music, dance and theatre programming designed to enrich the cultural landscape of the Appalachian State University campus and surrounding area. By creating memorable performance experiences and related educational and outreach activities, the series promotes the power and excitement of the live performance experience; provides a “window on the world” through the artistry of nationally and internationally renowned artists; and showcases some of the finest artists of our nation and our region. Musical events range from symphony orchestra and chamber music performances to jazz, folk, traditional, international, and popular artists. Theatre productions run the gamut from serious drama to musical comedy. Dance performances offer an equally wide array of styles, from ballet to modern dance to international companies representing cultural traditions from around the world. For more information, visit http://theschaefercenter.org.
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