April Shauf

Music will once again be in the air in Uptown Shelby on Thursday evenings as Shelby Alive! returns to the Bobby Bell Pavilion located at 126 West Marion Street.

"We are proud to announce an amazing lineup for Shelby Alive 2022!" says Kaitlyn McNeilly, community engagement manager for the Uptown Shelby Association (USA). "This annual summer concert series has been held in Uptown Shelby for more than 25 years, and this year promises to be bigger, better, and full of fun!"

Shelby Alive takes place on the third Thursday of each month from May to September, with the next concert set for June 16, 2022. Each evening's concerts will begin at 6 p.m. and end at 9 p.m. The concerts are free, thanks to the generosity of local sponsors, according to McNeilly.

"We at the USA also encourage concertgoers to dress up to match the theme of each event," she says.

The schedule is as follows:

June 16th: The Dancing Fleas

Theme: Beach Party/Luau - Hawaiian shirts, leis, floppy hats and sunglasses, and of course, plenty of sunscreen!

The Dancing Fleas, aka America's Premier Ukulele Party Band, are a 10-piece combo, heavy on the ukes but light on the attitude. Their uplifting originals and covers have been known to make even the most jaded hipsters smile unselfconsciously. The Fleas bring their high energy, big fun approach to a genre-bending set of tunes with styles ranging from classic country to sassy funky. Expect dueling ukuleles, blistering pedal steel licks, and big harmonies from the band's six vocalists. Joe Kendrick of WNCW described The Fleas as "the cure for lethargy." Once you've seen them live, you'll join the ranks of the #fleabitten! www.thedancingfleas.com

July 21st: 80z Nation

Theme: 80s Night - big hair, neon and spandex, colorful makeup, or your favorite punk jacket!

80z Nation is an authentic cover band that does one thing -- it delivers a high-energy, professional show to people who love the 80s. 80z Nation is composed of six experienced musicians, led by a husband and wife team and backed by a band who, collectively, have performed hundreds of shows throughout the southeast. This band incorporates audio/visual elements, style, and lights into a professional performance featuring the best pop songs of the decade. www.80znation.com

August 18th: JAVA Band

Theme: Disco Night - Sequins, big collars, wide leg pants or jumpsuits - any outfit that's ready for the dance floor!

JAVA Band promises there will be no sitting at a JAVA party. This band's performances bring out the dancers in everyone! Their versatile style combines music from all genres to satisfy music enthusiasts throughout the audience. Jazz standards, Rock, Motown/Beach, R&B, Hip Hop, and Country--JAVA Band does it all. Everyone who experiences a show is left in awe of the amazing night they just witnessed. www.javaband.net

September 15th: Donna The Buffalo

Theme: Music Festival - Bohemian and rock and roll vibes, with lots of fringe, jeans and flower crowns!

Donna The Buffalo offers everything you want in a roots band - songs that matter, a groove that makes you dance, an audience that spans generations, and a musical voice that evokes a sense of community. Donna The Buffalo draws on a lot of musical influences, from country and rock 'n' roll, to bluegrass and old-time fiddle, as well as Cajun and Zydeco. Donna The Buffalo has become a lifestyle for its members and audiences. The band has played thousands of shows and countless festivals, including Bonnaroo, Newport Folk Festival, Telluride, Austin City Limits Festival, Merle Fest, and Philadelphia Folk Festival. At several festivals Donna The Buffalo has become the house band for closing the events by backing up artists such as The Avett Brothers, Keller Williams, Zac Brown, Bela Fleck, John Paul Jones, and Chris Thile. They've opened for The Dead and have toured with Peter Rowan, Del McCoury, Los Lobos, Little Feat, Jim Lauderdale, Rusted Root, and Railroad Earth, to name a few. www.donnathebuffalo.com