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Country singer Jamie O'Neal will perform at the grand opening.
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It's no secret that Augusta Common was developed as a gardenesque green space and gathering point. But what visitors to this urban oasis might find surprising is that the park boasts the wattage to transform its tree-lined paths into Augusta's newest concert venue.
Eight entertainment acts, ranging from hard rock to holy gospel, will appear on two stages at the Augusta Common grand opening Oct. 26.
The Reynolds Street stage will feature Atlanta teen pop act Nia, Fort Lauderdale, Fla., rockers NonPoint, the classic R&B vocal group The Drifters and country star Jamie O'Neal.
The Augusta Chronicle family stage will present performances by Augusta jazz act Jerusalem Sounds, the Augusta Mini Theatre and Stephanie's Dancers of Evans. The Chronicle stage will also feature Esther Smith, a 2001 Gospel Music Hall of Fame inductee.
Ms. Smith was 12 when she began her career with Chicago's Lockhart Soul Inspirers. Her career has included a stint with Dr. Mattie Moss Clark and the Southwest Michigan Choir and numerous solo projects. She wrote the inspirational book Programmed for Failure? But God! Her last album, You Love Me Still, was released in 2000.
Taking stylistic cues from acts such as En Vogue and Destiny's Child, Nia combines urban rhythms and smooth soul vocals with a positive message for her target audience - teenagers.
NonPoint will make its second Augusta appearance in less than a year. The band, which combines metal guitar with hip-hop, appeared on the Locobazooka bill last summer.
The Drifters, best known for the hits There Goes My Baby, Up on the Roof, Some Kind of Wonderful and On Broadway, have long been favorites of the seaside shagging set.
Jamie O'Neal made inroads in Nashville, Tenn., behind the scenes, writing songs for LeAnn Rimes and Tammy Cochran. The Australian native gained attention as a performer with the release of her 2000 debut Shiver, which featured the single There Is No Arizona. Ms. O'Neal was nominated in the best new female vocalist category in the 2000 Academy of Country Music awards.
GRAND OPENING
The grand opening for Augusta Common, a 2 1/2 -acre park connecting the 800 blocks of Broad and Reynolds streets, will be 2-10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26. Admission is free. No pets or coolers will be allowed.
Here is the entertainment schedule, with show times subject to change.
REYNOLDS STREET STAGE
3:45-4:30 Nia
5:15-6 NonPoint
7:45-8:30 The Drifters
8:30-9:15 Jamie O'Neal
THE AUGUSTA CHRONICLE FAMILY STAGE
3-3:45 Jerusalem Sounds
4:30-5:15 Augusta Mini Theatre
6-6:45 Esther Smith
6:45-7:30 Stephanie's Dancers
OTHER EVENTS
7:30-7:45 Ribbon-cutting
9:15-9:35 Laser and fireworks show
Reach Steven Uhles at (706) 823-3626 or steven.uhles@augustachronicle.com.
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