Above: Both Michael Davis and John Faye will play Shine A Light again on March 7 along with 60 other local musicians on stage at The Queen. Photo by Moonloop Photography.
The 14th annual Shine A Light concert returns to The Queen on Saturday, March 7, and for the past several weeks, a team more than 100 musicians and volunteers have been preparing for this year’s big show — a tribute to the year 1986.
At an undisclosed location along the Delaware River in a rustic warehouse-turned-rehearsal-space, the mood has been upbeat during the long but lively practice sessions. Musicians are prepping to deliver for what is typically a sold-out show.
“Rehearsals for Shine A Light have been nothing short of inspiring,” says area bass player Tony Cappella, who has been the concert’s showrunner as the Musicians Committee chair since 2019.
“What moves me most isn’t just the talent in the room, it’s the genuine respect, encouragement, and professionalism each musician brings to every rehearsal,” he adds. “You can feel the love they have for one another in every note we play.”
There is more than one reason for the good vibes. The concert is the flagship fundraiser for the Light Up The Queen Foundation, which last granted $75,000 in funds — proceeds primarily from last year’s show — to seven area organizations that support youth music programming, predominantly for children living in underserved communities.
The grant-earning organizations were Kingswood Community Center, Reed’s Refuge Center, Christina Cultural Arts Center, The Choir School of Delaware, The Grand Opera House, Cityfest, Inc., and the Culture Restoration Project at Kuumba Academy.
“Knowing I’ve been part of something this important from the start still amazes me,” says Shine A Light veteran and vocalist Nancy Curry, who sings regularly with The Funsters [see full story on page 45].
“I’m honored to use my voice in a way that truly makes a difference,” she adds.
That sentiment is shared by Cappella, who hopes this year’s show will raise even more money for programs that give the gift of music to our area’s next generations.
“For the kids living in neighborhoods throughout Wilmington, there’s a song waiting to be played,” he says. “Our mission is to help put the instruments in their hands.”
— Shine A Light on 1986 rocks The Queen on Saturday, March 7. For tickets and more info, visit LightUpTheQueen.org.
