The North Carolina Main Street Center named Swinging Under The Stars—A Tribute to the Big Band Era as the Best Downtown Special Event during the NC Main Street Conference in New Bern.  Accepting the award from the NC Secretary of Commerce during the Annual Awards Dinner were Tracy Nestor, 2009 President of Hickory Downtown Development Association, and musician Rick Cline. 

Swinging Under The Stars began in Hickory in 2008 with the vision of local musician, Rick Cline, who received a one-time United Arts Council Innovative Artist grant.  With no future grant funding, Hickory Downtown Development Association (HDDA) was asked to continue the popular event.  The overwhelming positive response for the event combined with enthusiasm from the HDDA Board of Directors added the event to downtown’s 2009 calendar.  Sponsorship from the Olde Hickory Tap Room supplemented event costs.

Swinging Under The Stars features the music of Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey, and other big band leaders.  Held on the Sunday of Memorial Weekend, the event honors the veterans of World War II.  The Hickory Jazz Orchestra is comprised of musicians from the Western Piedmont Symphony, area middle and high school band leaders, and Lenoir Rhyne University.   WHKY Radio personality Hal Row emceed providing history about the music and the era.

The target audience is aged 50 years plus with Assisted Living and Retirement Communities bringing buses of residents to the concert.  The audience may bring their own chairs at no charge or reserve prearranged seating for $10 per person.  A sell-out crowd filled 120 seats.

Couples dress in WWII attire and cut the rug with popular dance steps from the era.  The younger generations even danced the jitterbug and swing steps.

Hickory Downtown Development Association in partnership with Rick Cline and the Olde Hickory Tap Room is proud to keep the memory of America’s past alive by hosting Swinging Under the Stars.  Swinging Under the Stars is scheduled for Sunday, May 30, 2010 in the Flag Court of Union Square in Downtown Hickory.  You’re invited.