ALBEMARLE — The 24th season of the Thursdays at the Station free summer concert series kicked off this month in downtown Albemarle.
From May to June, live music is performed every Thursday night at 7:30 p.m. at Market Station, a restored train station that was converted into an event venue by the Albemarle Downtown Development Corporation (ADDC).
The venue is located at 501 W. Main Street in Albemarle.
The 2024 version of the annual concert series began earlier this month with the Stanly County Concert Band, Radio Flyer, Salisbury Swing Band, and Dive Bar Divas; up next are Reckless Betty Unplugged on Thursday, followed by Fairfield Bluegrass (June 6), The Mod 60s (June 13), The Gamblers Band (June 20), and Cabarrus Station (June 27).
“Enjoy live music on Thursday, May 30, as Reckless Betty performs at Market Station,” Albemarle Parks and Recreation said in a promotional advertisement. “Reckless Betty is a rock band that plays around the Southeast at a variety of events and venues. All concerts are free — bring a comfortable chair and enjoy the show! As always, popcorn and drinks will be available for purchase.”
Fairfield Bluegrass — next week’s performers — and Cabarrus Station each offer bluegrass-styled performances, while The Mod 60s is a Harrisburg-based 1960’s tribute act and The Gamblers Band is an up-and-coming rock group out of Stanfield.
Built over a century ago, Market Station continues to stand as a historic landmark of the county’s growth during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
The former train station once served as a primary gateway to and from Albemarle, and now it has been preserved and repurposed for various community uses, ranging from weddings and reunions to concerts and wine festivals.
The venue can be reserved for both private and public events by contacting the Albemarle Downtown Development Corporation at 704-984-9420 or booking directly at market-station.com.
The ADDC was recently honored for being designated as an Accredited Main Street America program and meeting the performance standards associated with preservation-based economic development and community revitalization.
“We are pleased to yet again meet the performance standards for this national accreditation status,” ADDC Chair Beth Olivieri said in a media release. “Our city leadership and entire network of Albemarle Downtown Development Corporation volunteers strive to continue to build grassroots revitalization programs and foster strong public-private partnerships to accomplish this important work in our community.”
cutline: The Stanly County Concert Band performs at Market Station (photo courtesy of the City of Albemarle)