ELIZABETHTOWN — A brief rain delay couldn’t dampen the spirits of those who gathered at the Cape Fear Farmer’s Market on Thursday, as folks opted to follow Gene Kelly’s lead by singing and dancing in the rain as the band North Tower took to the stage.

The performance was the second in the Elizabethtown-White Lake Area Chamber of Commerce’s Summer Sounds Concert Series. Chamber Executive Director Dawn Maynard was thrilled with the turnout in spite of the inclement weather that passed through Bladen County earlier in the afternoon.

“Summer storms are very common around here,” said Maynard. “The rain may have held some people up just a bit.”

Maynard added that the initial forecast had her worried, but that once the storms passed through, she was excited and pleased with just a 30-minute rain delay. She also said that, in the event of inclement weather, folks can monitor the local media for updates regarding the status of the show.

She said about 600 people attended the first concert, which featured the Band of Oz. Maynard said that with the threat of inclement weather, about 400 to 500 people were estimated to be in attendance at the height of the North Tower concert on Thursday.

Maynard also said the menu selection offered by Cape Fear Chicken & Barbecue had been expanded to include corndogs, and chili-cheese fries, as well as soft drinks after several requests were made following the first concert. Also, they offered barbecue sandwiches, collard sandwiches, a plate that featured drummettes and fries as well as a barbecue plate, bottled water, and funnel cakes, to name a few things.

North Tower took to the stage at about 6:30 p.m. as conditions dried out and folks filed to the dance floor in front of the stage to strut their stuff. The band played favorites like “Carolina Girls” and a medley of Doobie Brothers hits along with original material.

The band was formed by a group of friends who were attending The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1975 and the name of the band is derived from the dormitory some of the members were residing in. The band was inducted into the Carolina Beach Music Hall of Fame in 2012.

David Kirby of Dublin was in attendance and said he enjoyed the first concert so he decided to take in the sounds of North Tower.

“I think it is a good thing for the community,” said Kirby of the concert series.

Dancers Ronnie and Barbara Russ enjoyed the band as well. The couple said they have been dancing together for about 15 to 20 years. Ronnie Russ said they were taking lessons at Roland’s Dance Studio and Barbara Russ said that one evening the instructor asked if there was a particular dance the class wanted to learn.

“I said yes, we would like to learn how to shag,” said Barbara Russ.

The couple, along with firends, were enjoying the evening with its rain-cooled temperatures.

Next up for the Summer Sounds Concert Series will be the Fantasic Shakers, who will take the stage at the Cape Fear Farmer’s Market at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 13.

Erin Smith can be reached at 910-862-4163.

Erin Smith|Bladen Journal The band North Tower took the stage at about 6:30 thursday night following a brief rain delay to kick off the secodn event of the Summer Sounds Concert Series. Folks braved the weather and were treated to a variety of beach, oldies and recent favorites as they danced the evening away.
http://www.bladenjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/web1_Concert8.jpgErin Smith|Bladen Journal The band North Tower took the stage at about 6:30 thursday night following a brief rain delay to kick off the secodn event of the Summer Sounds Concert Series. Folks braved the weather and were treated to a variety of beach, oldies and recent favorites as they danced the evening away.

Erin Smith|Bladen Journal The band North Tower took the stage at about 6:30 thursday night following a brief rain delay to kick off the secodn event of the Summer Sounds Concert Series. Folks braved the weather and were treated to a variety of beach, oldies and recent favorites as they danced the evening away.
http://www.bladenjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/web1_ConcertA1.jpgErin Smith|Bladen Journal The band North Tower took the stage at about 6:30 thursday night following a brief rain delay to kick off the secodn event of the Summer Sounds Concert Series. Folks braved the weather and were treated to a variety of beach, oldies and recent favorites as they danced the evening away.

Erin Smith|Bladen Journal Ronnie and Barbara Russ show off their dance moves as they enjoy spounds of North Tower on Wednesday night. The couple said they have been dacing together for about 20 years.
http://www.bladenjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/web1_Concert11.jpgErin Smith|Bladen Journal Ronnie and Barbara Russ show off their dance moves as they enjoy spounds of North Tower on Wednesday night. The couple said they have been dacing together for about 20 years.

Erin Smith|Bladen Journal Jim Crayton and Judy Haney share a dance together during Thursday’s Summer Sounds Concert. The band North Tower treated folks to a variety of music including beach, oldies, and some rock’n roll.
http://www.bladenjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/web1_Concert21.jpgErin Smith|Bladen Journal Jim Crayton and Judy Haney share a dance together during Thursday’s Summer Sounds Concert. The band North Tower treated folks to a variety of music including beach, oldies, and some rock’n roll.

http://www.bladenjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/web1_Concert31.jpg

Erin Smith|Bladen Journal A brief rain shower couldn’t prevent these dancers from enjoying the sounds of North Tower on Thursday. They simply found a dry spot on the dance floor and continued to cut a rug.
http://www.bladenjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/web1_Concert41.jpgErin Smith|Bladen Journal A brief rain shower couldn’t prevent these dancers from enjoying the sounds of North Tower on Thursday. They simply found a dry spot on the dance floor and continued to cut a rug.

Erin Smith|Bladen Journal Byron Graham and his wife enjoy the Summer Sounds Concert Series.
http://www.bladenjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/web1_Concert51.jpgErin Smith|Bladen Journal Byron Graham and his wife enjoy the Summer Sounds Concert Series.

Erin Smith|Bladen Journal Dancers showed off their skills Thursday night at the second Summer Sounds Concert as the band North Tower played.
http://www.bladenjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/web1_Concert61.jpgErin Smith|Bladen Journal Dancers showed off their skills Thursday night at the second Summer Sounds Concert as the band North Tower played.

Erin Smith|Bladen Journal Sinia Colvilee, 14 months enjoys a taste of Sunset Slush on Thursday during the Summer Sounds Concert. She i sheld by her grandfather Tony Wilson as family friend David Kirby shares his cool and delicious treat with her.
http://www.bladenjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/web1_Concert71.jpgErin Smith|Bladen Journal Sinia Colvilee, 14 months enjoys a taste of Sunset Slush on Thursday during the Summer Sounds Concert. She i sheld by her grandfather Tony Wilson as family friend David Kirby shares his cool and delicious treat with her.

By Erin Smith

erinsmith@civitasmedia.com