George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic to highlight Rocky Mount Event Center’s grand opening

Years of planning and labor will be on display Thursday, Oct. 25 when the city of Rocky Mount celebrates the grand opening of the Rocky Mount Event Center.

The event, which is free and open to the public, will be held from 4:30 to 8 p.m. at 258 North East Main St. in downtown Rocky Mount. Doors will open at 4 p.m., with the program starting at 4:30 p.m. Congressman G.K. Butterfield will be among the speakers providing remarks at the event, and there will be a performance from Grammy nominated Gospel Artist Luther Barnes.

Following the program, there will be a free concert featuring the Tams and Deep Fried Funk starting at 5:45 p.m. The two groups will precede the headliner, Grammy award-winning George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic.

Clinton is the leader of the 1970s funk act which produced classics including “Give Up the Funk,” “One Nation Under a Groove” and “Atomic Dog.”

The group has recorded more than 40 R&B hit singles, three No. 1 singles and a trio of platinum albums. Clinton and members of Parliament Funkadelic were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1997. In 2009, the Kannapolis, N.C. native was inducted into the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame.

The Tams have become a yearly favorite for Rocky Mount residents who attend the summer “Downtown Live!” series. With roots dating back to the 1960s, The Tams bring an energetic flavor to the stage while performing a mix of R&B, Soul and Beach music.

Deep Fried Funk formed in 1996 and is a special event band formed by three-time Grammy nominee Jordy Hill.

In addition to the entertainment, join the Family Fun Zone for games and activities. The first 75 people will receive a free hot dog and soft drink. WTVD ABC 11 Chief Meteorologist Chris Hohmann will serve as the master of ceremonies.

“We are ecstatic about the Rocky Mount Event Center’s opening, and we appreciate all of the hard work, planning and thought it took to make the Event Center a reality. This is another step demonstrating that Rocky Mount truly is the ‘Center of It All,’” said Rocky Mount City Manager Rochelle Small-Toney. “We feel it is important that our citizens are among the first to see the building and to enjoy a night of free entertainment. We look forward to what the Event Center will do for the growth and stability of Rocky Mount and its residents.”

The Rocky Mount Event Center is a 165,000 square foot multi-purpose facility that includes eight basketball courts, 16 volleyball courts, climbing walls, a ropes course, meeting rooms, banquet space, a Family Fun Zone and much more.

The venue will hold local, regional and national sporting tournaments, as well as concerts, entertainment events, corporate conferences, trade shows and more.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held at 3 p.m. at the Main Street and Goldleaf entrance.