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Thursday, November 17, 2011

The Carolina Chocolate Drops - the newest and youngest players in a long lineage of black string bands known for their "Hit 'Em Up Style" will take the stage in UNCW's Kenan Auditorium at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 29. Their appearance is the last in the fall lineup of the UNCW Presents Arts in Action Series and co-sponsored by the Upperman African American Cultural Center.

Selling out in venues across the country, The Carolina Chocolate Drops were the first black string band to grace the Grand Ole Opry. Honored with a Grammy for Best Traditional Folk Album, the trio's style is described as "dirt-floor-dance electricity" by Rolling Stone. Band member Justin Robinson says, "We play in an older tradition, but we are modern musicians. Yes, banjos and black string musicians first got here on slave ships, but now this is everyone's music."

Tickets are $24 for the general public, $20 for faculty and staff and $6 for students. Call Kenan Box Office 910.962.3500 or buy tickets at www.etix.com.

The Arts in Action Performance Series seeks to culturally enrich, educate and entertain both students and the Wilmington community through the diverse programs featuring professional, high-quality performing artists. The series is supported by grants from the North Carolina Arts Council, a Division of the Department of Resources with funding from the National Endowment for the Arts, South Arts, and National Dance Project of the New England Foundation for the Arts. More information on the 2011/2012 Arts in Action and Leadership Lecture Series can be found at www.uncw.edu/presents .

Media Contact: Shane Fernando, 910.962.7972 or fernandol@uncw.edu