Creative Greensboro presents “The Soular Flares at the Hyers,” an immersive music experience, as part of the group’s residency at the Stephen D. Hyers Theatre from August 18 to September 13.
The residency includes live music, guest speakers, and a talk show, and culminates with an extended play (EP) release during the North Carolina Folk Festival. All events will take place at Hyers Theatre in the Greensboro Cultural Center, 200 N. Davie St.
A list of the events and tickets are available at www.creativegreensboro.com. All events will be filmed.
“The Soular Flares at the Hyers” Events
Friday, August 22, from 6-9 pm: Black August at the Hyers
This informative and celebratory event commemorates falsely imprisoned Civil Rights activists while showcasing African-American art and live music. Artists are encouraged to sign up to perform a piece and vendors can get more information by emailing thesoularflaresband@gmail.com.
Friday, August 29, from 6-9 pm: The Tonight Show with The Soular Flares
Using a format similar to Jimmy Fallon and Jennifer Hudson's talk shows, The Tonight Show features three guest artists promoting their new original works. The Soular Flares will be the backing band for the night, analogous to the legendary group, The Roots.
Friday, September 5, from 6-9 pm: Line Dancing on First Friday
The event features a line-dancing celebration with a live band. The first part of the night begins with a short tutorial and warm-up for the most popular line-dance songs including, "Before I Let Go," "Boots on the Ground," "Wobble," and more. The Soular Flares band has curated a live playlist that transitions between songs with non-stop music. Free refreshments will be provided.
Saturday, September 13, from 6-9 pm: EP Release Show
The Soular Flares are hosting an EP Release Show during NC Folk Fest weekend. This carefully curated project highlights the band's unique abilities in songwriting, musical arrangement, and genre-bending. ‘Soul-Rock’ best describes how each song flows through multiple genres, while keeping the listeners engaged and energized. The night includes an opening artist, vendors, merchandise, and refreshments. Tickets are available online and at the door.
About SunQueen and The Soular Flares
SunQueen and The Soular Flares’ motto is where music meets magic and every performance is a celebration. The seven-piece band from Greensboro is a soul-rock sensation that's been setting the music scene on fire since 2017. At the helm is the radiant SunQueen herself, Kelcey Ledbetter. Not only is she the vocalist, but she's also the manager and the heart of the band. Her musical journey began with Dalton Village, where she met guitarist Kolin Robinson. When that band disbanded, Kelcey and Kolin formed a new constellation, SunQueen and The Soular Flares, and gathered more stars along the way: guitarist Malcom Dickens, bassist Darion Jones, keyboardist and trombonist Tyrissa Swilley, and drummers, Tommy Richardson and Jamese Moses. In 2024, two new stars were born as the background vocalists Vada Nesta and Breonna Lea joined the group.
Their music is a genre-bending collage of hip-hop, soul, rock, and contemporary R&B. But it's not just about the sound; it's about the message. Their songs are a celebration of body positivity and radical self-love, encouraging listeners to embrace themselves fully. Kelcey's powerful lyrics, backed by the band's dynamic sound, create a shared experience that's as empowering as it is entertaining.
