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The Concerts on the Pier returns at 7:30 p.m. Saturday on Lake Tillery, near Goat Island (the last cove before the southern dam on the Stanly County side of the lake) and will feature reigning Miss Stanly County Kate White.

People can listen to the free concert from their boats, from shore, or by watching the live stream on the Stanly County Arts Council’s Facebook page. If interested in shore seating, email Austin Coats to reserve a spot at coats_austin@yahoo.com.

White, 21, a resident of New London, was crowned Miss Stanly County last October. She has performed locally with The Talent Company and The Uwharrie Players since she was 10.

Her most well-known role was playing Jo March in “Little Women” with The Talent Company in 2019. She will return to the stage as Laura Ingalls Wilder in “Little House on The Prairie” with The Uwharrie Players from July 29-Aug. 7 at the Agri- Civic Center.

White recently returned from competing in the Miss North Carolina competition. Her social impact initiative is called “Find Your Spark” which promotes unique arts opportunities to Stanly County’s youth in order to help them find their artistic outlet.

“I feel very honored to perform on the pier for the Stanly County Arts Council and raise money for a cause that I am so passionate about,” White said.

The audience can look forward to hearing her sing “Valerie” by Amy Winehouse, “Shallow” by Lady Gaga, “Drops of Jupiter” by Train, and “Vienna” by Billy Joel.

“I feel very honored to perform on the pier for the Stanly County Arts Council and raise money for a cause that I am so passionate about,” said White.

“We are so excited that Kate is part of our concert series. It is a privilege for us to bring visibility to our aspiring, local performers. We hope everyone will come out and support Kate. The arts have played an important role in her life, so much so, that her platform for Miss Stanly County was promoting the arts to our area youth. We appreciate everything she has done this past year to spread her passion to others,” added Lynn Plummer, chairman of the Stanly County Arts Council.

Concert on the Pier is the brainchild of Dr. Elaine Coats and Austin Coats. When the Covid pandemic hit, Coats was living in New York City. During the New York shut down, Coats decided to return to Stanly County until Covid restrictions improved. In Fall 2020, Coats determined that performing from a pier for boats or for an audience socially distanced on shore would meet the needs to hear live music while being performed in a safe environment. The first Concert on the Pier occurred on a chilly night in October 2020 with Coats performing and raising funds for the local arts community by having donations benefit the Stanly County Arts Council.

He followed that with another concert in May 2021, with better weather and once again the funds raised benefited the Stanly County Arts Council.

To make it better for Summer 2022, Coats thought it would be wonderful to have a series and have other performers take the Pier. The first concert was on June 18 th with Dustin Curlee performing. Coats will perform the finale Aug. 13.

Donations will be accepted again on behalf of the Stanly County Arts Council, a 501 (c) (3) non-profit whose mission is to encourage and promote broad-based cultural and educational activities in the arts throughout Stanly County.

“We are so grateful to the Coats for always finding unique ways to support the arts. This has become our favorite fundraiser. I hope everyone will find a way to Goat Island on Lake Tillery, either by boat, by car or by viewing on Facebook, to support Kate White on her musical journey and the mission of the Stanly County Arts Council,” stated Renee VanHorn, the executive director of the Stanly County Arts Council.
For the latest information on the arts in StanlyCounty, visit www.stanlycountyartscouncil.org.

The Stanly County Arts Council was founded in 1974. It continues to promote and support all art forms in the community. Its mission is to encourage and promote broad-based cultural and educational activities in the arts throughout Stanly County. The Stanly County Arts Council is supported by private donations and by the NC Arts Council, a division of the Department of Cultural Resources, with funding from the National Endowment for the Arts.