Iconic female trio to perform free, full-length concert at South Carolina’s largest free NYE party
IMMEDIATE RELEASE / PRURGENT
October 30, 2018 (Columbia, S.C.) — En Vogue — the iconic ‘90s vocal group and one of the top 5 highest-selling female American music groups in history — will perform a free, full-length concert at Famously Hot New Year, S.C.’s largest free New Year’s Eve celebration, in downtown Columbia, S.C. on Dec. 31, 2018. The concert will be followed by a midnight countdown and the biggest NYE fireworks display in the state. New Orleans-inspired jazz and brass group Soda City Brass Band will support, and Charleston, S.C.’s indie hip-hop group Little Stranger will open the show. Find details and plan your #FHNY in the “Real Southern Hot Spot” at http://www.famouslyhotnewyear.com.
S.C.’s free party of the year, Famously Hot New Year brings thousands of visitors to the Columbia, S.C. region to enjoy a free concert with a national headliner, a midnight countdown and the biggest NYE fireworks display in South Carolina. Set next to the historic S.C. State House on Main Street in Columbia, S.C., the celebration features food from local vendors; beer, wine and bubbly; street merchants and more in a fun, friendly festival environment amid downtown Columbia, S.C.’s vibrant, walkable lifestyle districts. The event is in the midst of plentiful parking, hotels, restaurants and shops for those planning a visit to celebrate New Year’s Eve in South Carolina’s capital city.
“We are beyond thrilled to bring together community members and visitors alike for such a wonderful, time-honored event,” says Hamilton Grant, co-chair of Famously Hot New Year. “The talent this year is exceptional, and I am confident that this year will be one to beat.”
Famously Hot New Year is a 501c3 nonprofit organization sponsored by the following parties: the City of Columbia; Richland County; BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina; Aflac; WLTX; WARQ (Q 93.5 FM) and WWDM (The Big DM - 103.1 FM); Spirit Communications; Pepsi of the Carolinas; and other forward-thinking corporate citizens.
En Vogue
Grammy-nominated En Vogue has sold over 20 million albums to date. Harper’s Bazaar UK lauds the female trio as having “changed the history of girl groups with their harmonies, soulful vocals and diva stage presence.” Celebrated hit singles from the group include “Hold On,” “Free Your Mind,” “Never Gonna Get It,” “Giving Him Something He Can Feel,” “Don’t Let Go,” and “Whatta Man” (featuring Salt N Pepa).
In 2018, En Vogue debuted their most innovative work yet, “Electric Café.” While the seasoned songbirds stay connected to their R&B roots, their appreciation for diverse musical genres is reflected throughout the album. “We love the authenticity of Hip Hop and the fusion of old school rhythm with a contemporary sound,” says Rhona Bennett.
“Rocket,” the lead single on their most innovative album yet, 2018’s “Electric Café,” broke into the Billboard urban adult contemporary (UAC) Top 10 and has been followed by En Vogue’s second official single "Reach 4 Me" which reached Top 15 on the radio charts. The hip-hop laced “Have a Seat,” featuring Snoop Dogg, was penned by writer/producer Taura Stinson.
En Vogue continues to stay in demand. Their 2018 European tour featured shows in Ireland, the United Kingdom, Holland and Germany. “We’re blessed to have a global fan base that gives us so much love, so much genuine enthusiasm, every time we walk out on that stage,” says founding member Terry Ellis. Simply put, “We just love our craft,” says Cindy Herron-Braggs. Find En Vogue on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at  envoguemusic, and learn more at http://envoguemusic.com/.
Soda City Brass Band
The musical love child of trumpeter Mark Rapp and drummer Chris Church, Columbia, S.C.’s Soda City Brass Band brings a blend of modern and traditional sounds stemming from the streets of New Orleans to the Carolinas. Staying in the genre lane of bands like the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, The Soul Rebels, Rebirth Brass Band and Youngblood Brass Band, SCBB uses “Nola Jazz” inspiration to create original grooves of their own to bring the fire and fun to South Carolina's capital city. Find them at https://www.facebook.com/SodaCityBrassBand. #nolaincola
Little Stranger
Born and raised in Philly and now residents of Charleston, S.C., John and Kevin Shields are the minds behind the quirky, indie hip-hop group Little Stranger. Stylistically reminiscent of Gorillaz and Twenty One Pilots, they’re all about originality. As part of previous bands, John and Kevin have played with the likes of Slightly Stoopid, Del the Funky Homosapien, Grace Potter, Papadosio, The Heavy Pets, and John Brown’s Body. Collectively as Little Stranger, they’ve been named “Hip-Hop Act of the Year” in the 2016 & 2017 Charleston City Paper Music Awards and listed jointly as one of “17 People to Watch in 2017” in the Charleston Indie blog, Out of the Woodwork. Learn more at http://www.heylittlestranger.com.
Background and Details: Famously Hot New Year
Famously Hot New Year has brought together locals and visitors from around the state, the nation and the world to celebrate New Year’s Eve in downtown Columbia, S.C. since December 2011. A diverse, fun-loving crowd of all ages enjoys a safe, comfortable street celebration that extends down Gervais Street and Main Street, brimming with Southern hospitality. The concert stage is set at Gervais St. and Sumter St., which makes for a prime viewing location of the midnight fireworks show above the historic S.C. State House.
Past national acts have included Elle King and Nappy Roots (2017); Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue and Sister Hazel (2016); Ms. Lauryn Hill (2015); The O’Jays and Misterwives (2014); Kool and the Gang and Z.Z. Ward (2013); The Wallflowers, Atlantic Starr and Biz Markie (2012) and George Clinton (2011). What started in 2011 as a NYE street concert and fireworks show has grown into a major statewide celebration, set amid the capital city’s charming, historic downtown dining and shopping districts, with multiple hotels within blocks of the festivities. Plan your #FHNY weekend at http://www.famouslyhotnewyear.com.
En Vogue Live on NYE at Famously Hot New Year in Columbia, S.C.
S.C.’s Largest Free NYE Celebration
Date: Monday, Dec. 31, 2018
Time: 6:30 p.m. until 12:30 a.m.
Location: Main at Gervais in downtown Columbia, S.C.
Price: Free
About Famously Hot New Year
Famously Hot New Year is South Carolina’s largest free New Year’s Eve celebration, with a free, evening-length concert by a national headliner and the biggest NYE fireworks display in South Carolina, adjacent to the historic S.C. State House in downtown Columbia, S.C. Since 2011, Famously Hot New Year has gathered diverse communities to enjoy the free concert and fireworks; regional food vendors; plentiful cash bars with beer, wine and bubbly; a festival atmosphere and more in the “Real Southern Hot Spot.” Follow FamouslyHotNYE and #FHNY on social media, and plan your #FHNY weekend at http://www.famouslyhotnewyear.com.
Headliner: En Vogue (R&B, pop) envoguemusic
Support: Soda City Brass Band (jazz, brass)
Opener: Little Stranger (indie, hip-hop)
SOCIAL MEDIA
Facebook: Facebook.com/FamouslyHotNYE
Twitter: FamouslyHotNYE
Instagram: FamouslyHotNYE
YouTube: YouTube.com/FamouslyHotNewYear
HANDLE: FamouslyHotNYE
HASHTAG: #FHNY |
