DJ Diva – Nettie Carter-Smith – will be the featured performer of the second Close to Home concert series event at the Clark State Performing Arts Center (PAC) on Wednesday, July 8.
The Close to Home summer concert series events are held outside the lobby doors of the PAC, 300 South Fountain Avenue in downtown Springfield. All featured talent are local performers.
“This is to help fill voids in the community where all of the traditional music and entertainment has been canceled,” said Adele Adkins. “People can come out with their family, their friends, their coworkers and enjoy music on a beautiful Wednesday night.”
Carter-Smith said she was humbled and honored to be asked to perform for the Close to Home series. She offers and plays any and all types and genres of music, but says her heart is with Soul and R & B.
“We all know the impact and heartache the Coronavirus pandemic has had worldwide but, what I know for sure is, there was a silver lining that was also afforded to us,” said Carter-Smith. “This virus forced all of us to slow down, spend time with our immediate family, be mindful and respectful of others' health and well-being and to be grateful for what we do have.”
Carter-Smith also said the COVID-19 pandemic also forced people to think outside of the box.
“We were challenged to stretch ourselves in ways we didn't have to before and develop a ‘new normal’ way of living,” she said. “And, because of that, we now have the Close to Home series: an awesome idea birthed out of this unfortunate pandemic; invite our community out for a good time, listen to some great music we can clap our hands and stomp our feet to and still be safe and socially responsible.”
Carter-Smith has been DJing since 2001 and hopes to bring fun, happiness, love and laughter and a good time to those in attendance on Wednesday evening. She said music transcends age, race, economic status and education levels.
“It is the universal language everyone understands and appreciates,” she said. “It unconditionally brings of love, life and laughter to everyone. I hope to have lots of people dancing in their chairs and cars. I hope people practice social distancing and get up on their feet and dance.”
The Close to Home concert featuring DJ Diva will begin at 5:30 p.m., Wednesday July 8. A third concert featuring Kent Brooks, a former music educator with Dayton Public Schools and Clark State's Project Jericho program, will round out the summer Close to Home music series on August 5.
Food trucks will be on site and a full-service bar will be available. No tickets are required for the Close to Home concert events.