One minute it's a parking lot, the next, poof, it's a full-on concert, hosting some of South Florida's top musical acts with cocktails, swag bags, and all the fixings. That's the concept behind Summer Sountrack's weekly pop-up series, taking over secret locales in Fort Lauderdale this month. Pop-ups are instant yet so fleeting, like a killer summercamp romance that's over after the first french kiss.
Organized by Exposed PR and FAT Village media company C&I Studios, the weekly events kick off today and will take place every Thursday in August from 8 p.m. to 10p.m. Local singer-songwriter and Fort Lauderdale born and bred Phil Barnes has been tapped as the emcee and opening performer for each show.
"People are always complaining that there is nothing to do in Fort Lauderdale," tells Sara Shake, the driven dynamo who started Exposed PR four and a half years ago. "There's a ton of local talent and savvy young creative professionals in our area, we have the make up to create an interesting arts and entertainment scene right in Fort Lauderdale."
Shake feels the concert series will expose people to local artists in a unique way, one of which is Exposed PR client Phil Barnes. This talented folk singer was the first musical act she's worked with. Now her upstart has started to scrape the surface of South Florida's robust music scene.
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"The game has changed in the past two years for musicians in South Florida," chimed in Barnes, who was prepping for a gig in Atlanta before making the drive down to South Florida. "Before [musicians], would be playing for a cup of coffee or two, now there's a sense that you can make money, with restauranteurs and bar owners becoming much more receptive to hosting local acts."
Barnes was instrumental in helping organizers choose which musicians to feature in the series. "It was kind of obvious who to ask," added Barnes, about which acts the group picked to perform. "We selected bands that have been playing the circuit a long time and have built a reputation." Dynamic local indie quartet -kids- will kick it off, followed by the Goddamn Hustle, Carly Jo Jackson, and Forlorn Strangers in subsequent weeks.
Barnes tells us the pop-up concerts will be fully flushed out. "Sara and Josh (Joshua Miller, one of the owners of C&I Studios) have pulled out all the stops, concertgoers are going to get a full on experience," added Barnes.
"The atmospheres is going to be really fun," added Shake. There will be free drinks from Blue Nun Wines, Hard Rock Energy drinks, Naked Turtle Rum and savory sangria popsicles by artisan Miami ice pop makers Pop Lab.
As for the clues on the secret locations of each pop-up, mum was the word with Shake. "For the most part, we have arranged places in downtown Fort Lauderdale, east of 95, and are looking at a few places on the beach." Shake did tell us people should be prepared to bring blankets and picnic baskets for at least one of the gigs.
The location of each performance will be revealed only to the first 100 people who RSVP to [email protected]. Each will also be capped off at 100 people too, so each show promises an intimate setting. Mexican blankets, sangria Popsicles, and stellar bands all around? Count us in.
For more on Summer Soundtrack, go to here.
Sample Summer Soundtrack by Phil Barnes below.
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