Spencer to pilot Third Thursday music series in Town Park
Partnerships announced with Duke Energy, Piedmont Natural Gas, and Catawba College
SPENCER – With the first year of activity for Spencer’s new Town Park in the books, the Town of Spencer is preparing to turn up the volume. Joined by several partners and collaborators, the Town will pilot a new monthly summer music series starting Thursday, July 16, featuring local DJ Dana Grubb.
The pilot series begins Thursday, July 16 at the DJ in the Park inaugural event. From 5:30 until 8:00 p.m. that evening, DJ Dana Grubb will perform at Spencer Town Park. Grubb grew up in the North Rowan area and is known in the Carolina Shag dancing community. He will play a range of selections, including but not limited to classic “beach” and rhythm & blues music. He is donating his performance to give back to his hometown and build excitement for future events.
“It’s great to see what has happened in Spencer over the past six years and I’m honored to share a little fun for our Town to celebrate,” said Grubb.
The Town’s first year of performances included several special events organized by community volunteers, including Spencer’s Holiday Caravan Labor Day Street Dance, and the three days of Winterfest. Local musician Destiny Stone rented Town Park for a 2026 Memorial Day performance she funded with grants and donations.
“We have appreciated our local community members and performers coming together to activate Town Park and share their talents for all to enjoy,” said Town Manager Peter Franzese. “Our staff, in collaboration with the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, have been working towards a more sustainable model that also includes Town-organized events, and with the support of our partners we are excited to host new events this summer.”
Franzese credited the enthusiastic performers who created the spark necessary to secure several partners for this year’s Pilot series. While the new Town budget that took effect July 1 did not include funding for this type of series, it will soon be amended because of local partners Duke Energy, Piedmont Natural Gas, and Catawba College.
In addition, Town staff have met with representatives Catawba’s Music Department and Ketner School of Business, who will support the series with in-kind and student support, including performance, production, and marketing.
Additional performances include Stone, a Catawba Alumna, on August 20 and a Catawba College student and alumni showcase event on September 17
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