Concerts On The Slopes

Somehow, beach music is a perfect fit for the gentle hills of Sapphire Valley –you’re invited to unwind to the sounds of The Embers on August 8.

It’s time once again – to round up the family and friends and head to the slopes – to the Concerts on the Slopes that is at Sapphire Valley. There you’ll find people up and down the slopes sitting on chairs and blankets, the rolling lawns packed hill to hill with listeners. On August 8, they’ll be on their feet, dancing and moving and shaking to the sounds of the South Carolina Rhythm and Blues Hall of Famers, The Embers.

One of the world’s most popular beach music bands, The Embers have released over 50 albums and sold 10 million records since their start in Raleigh in 1958. Incorporating the sounds of classic rock, blues and Motown, the band’s distinctive style has earned them recognition as a true American treasure, helping to define the sound of beach music. They have appeared in movies and on television on The Ed Sullivan Show and American Bandstand.

Considered one of the pioneers of beach music, they have had a major influence on the genre, and have been credited with helping to popularize beach music throughout the United States.

Over the years the lineup has changed, and they have experimented with new sounds. But they continue to capture the true essence of summertime and embody the carefree spirit of beach culture. Theirs is the sound of the beach – a mix of soulful vocal, horn-driven melodies, catchy rhythms, and upbeat tempos. Well known for their energetic live shows, they continue to tour, keeping the spirit of beach music alive, and thrilling audiences everywhere.

Performances are open to the public. Tickets, which can be purchased at the Sapphire Valley Community Center, are $22 in advance, and $27 at the gate. Attendees are encouraged to bring picnics, chairs, and blankets. Concerts are held rain or shine, and though there’s nothing like the threat of rain to endanger an outdoor music concert, showers never seem to dampen the audience’s pleasure.

This month’s concert is the third in the seasonal series of four open-air performances, that are held on Tuesday evenings from June to September on the back patio of the Sapphire Valley Community Center. The 2023 season concludes on September 3 with a performance by TheCat5 Band. Now in its 22nd year, the series began on the ski mountain with a small group of residents and visitors and has grown ever since. Today it is one of the most sought-after music events on the Plateau.

For more information, visit SapphireValleyResorts.com.

by Marlene Osteen