“MikeMickXer” will open the 2012 Clayton Town Square Concert Series on May 17 at 7:00 pm. All concert dates, except September 13, are the third Thursday of the month from 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm at the Town Square at 100 W Main Street in downtown Clayton.
May 17 MikeMickXer
June 21 Castaways
July 19 All My Rowdy Friends
August 16 Suicide Blonde
Sept 13 Nantucket
This is the sixth year of the popular concert series, which is organized by the Clayton Downtown Development Association, Inc. (CDDA, Inc). The free concerts are very popular, with an average attendance of 1,200 Clayton residents for each show.
There will be some fun additions to the concert series this year. Town Square Concert Series Chair, Debbie Romano said, “We are scheduling some local talent preceding some of the 7:00 pm main concerts and, for the first concert on May 17, and the Clayton High School Jazz Band will perform at 6:00 pm. We will also have at least two giveaways of merchandise and gift cards at each concert. ” Updates will be posted on Facebook (Downtown Clayton, NC) and www.downtownclayton.org. Ms. Romano added, “There may be additional surprises during the series.”
The focus of the concert series remains quality entertainment and bringing people to downtown Clayton, but this year’s series will also have a charitable component. The CDDA, Inc. board of directors has adopted the theme of “Downtown Clayton Gives Back,” and will donate the proceeds from the sale of $1.00 concert koozies to Johnston County Relay for Life at the end of the series. According to CDDA, Inc. President Richard Rairigh, “Cancer is something that affects almost everyone in one way or another, and when I ‘think Clayton’ I ‘think community’ and that taking care of our friends, family, neighbors and co-workers is so important.” The 2012 Concert Series koozies will be pink for cancer awareness.
Residents of Clayton and others are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets for this “free” public concert. There are several local vendors who provide light refreshments and food. The Clayton Downtown Development Association, Inc. will once again serve beer and wine. Concert Series updates and other downtown news can be found by visiting www.downtownclayton.org
Several downtown restaurants offer pre-concert dinner specials, including The Flipside at 408 E Second Street, Clayton Steakhouse, 307 E Main Street, Mulberry on Main Italian Restaurant, 217 E Main Street as well as Festejos Mexican Grill, 905 E Main Street, and Lucky Chicken Peruvian Restaurant, 226 E Main Street.
Sponsors of the Concert Series are the Town of Clayton, , Grifols, Clayton Steakhouse, Hometowne Realty, Zaxby’s, KB Homes and Joe Mama’s Mobile Stages.
The Clayton Downtown Development Association, Inc. is a non-profit organization formed to coordinate revitalization work in the historic downtown district. The Clayton DDA advocates and provides business improvement services in the downtown district, administers incentives for downtown improvements, and organizes several special events, including the Town Square Concert Series, and the Christmas Village & Tree Lighting.