The City of Sanford Appearance Commission will celebrate the Piedmont Blues mural and the blues legends it depicts on Saturday, May 13 in Depot Park from 1:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m.
Floyd Council and Pink Anderson are the main focus of the mural. The men were featured on a Blind Boy Fuller album called Country Blues: 1935-1940 – an album that caught the attention of Syd Barrett and inspired the name of iconic rock band Pink Floyd.
In Depot Park on May 13, the two men will inspire an afternoon of local music and bring together their sons Floyd Council, Jr. and Alvin “Little Pink” Anderson for the first time. “Sanford plays a unique role in the history of Pink Floyd, and now we’re playing a very special role in history of these families,” points out Liz Whitmore, City planner and public art liaison.
Local musicians will perform a mix of blues and rock music with a nod to Pink Floyd. Floyd Council, Jr. will join Guy Unger onstage to kickoff the event. “Little Pink” will end the day with a 45-minute set sponsored by the Piedmont Blues Preservation Society.
“We are very excited to partner with the City of Sanford to bring Piedmont blues music to Sanford,” says Atiba Berkley, executive director of the Piedmont Blues Preservation Society, which is based in Greensboro. “It’s fitting that this celebration happens during North Carolina Blues Week, which takes place the third week of May each year.
Rounding out the lineup are 12 Bar Blues Band, Alleghany Willi and David Watson, and the Lee County Allstars. The bands are comprised of nine local musicians: Brandon Allred, Charlie Hawes, Jr., TC Marsh, Chadburn Spivey, David Spivey, Arron Stone, Guy Unger, Mandy Unger, David Watson, and Allegheny Willi.
In addition to live music, the event will feature Piedmont Blues muralist Britt Flood painting live onsite. Camelback Brewing and Wild Dogs Brewing will both be in the park pouring their signature brews. The Appearance Commission will hold a 50/50 raffle. T-shirts featuring the Piedmont Blues mural and notecards of the City’s public art will be available for purchase.
The event is rain or shine and is open to all. For more information about the Piedmont Blues mural, the City’s public art program, or the May 13 celebration, contact Whitmore at 919-718-4657 x5393 or via email.
The mural celebration is part of a very busy weekend for downtown Sanford. The annual Strawberry Jammin’ festival offers strawberry themed events and activities starting Thursday evening and Hugger Mugger Brewing will host Indie Fest on Saturday and Sunday. Find out more about those events at www.visitsanfordnc.com.