Concerts on the Pier – Austin Coats

The Concerts on the Pier returns in Summer 2022 as a concert series.  The last concert is Saturday, August 13 at 7:30 pm on Lake Tillery, near Goat Island (the last cove before the southern dam on the Stanly County side of the lake) and will feature Austin Coats.  People can listen to the free concert from their boats, from shore, or by watching the live stream on the Stanly County Arts Council’s Facebook page. If interested in shore seating, please email Austin Coats to reserve your spot @ coats_austin@yahoo.com.

Concert on the Pier is the brainchild of Austin Coats. When the Covid pandemic hit, Coats was living in New York City. During the New York shut down, Coats decided to return to Stanly County until Covid restrictions improved. In Fall 2020, Coats determined that performing from a pier for boats or for an audience socially distanced on shore would meet the needs to hear live music while being performed in a safe environment.  The first Concert on the Pier occurred on a chilly night in October 2020 with Coats performing and raising much needed funds for the local arts community by having donations benefit the Stanly County Arts Council. He followed that concert with another concert in May 2021, with much better weather and once again the funds raised benefited the Stanly County Arts Council.  Even though the pandemic is at low levels and many of the precautions are no longer necessary, the Concert on the Pier is still a great idea to enjoy live music.  To make it even better for Summer 2022, Coats thought it would be wonderful to have a series and have other performers take the Pier.  The first concert on June 18th featured Dustin Curlee; on July 16th, Kate White graced the pier; and August 13th will be Austin Coats.   Each musician has their own style, so it’ll be fun to attend all three.  Donations will be accepted again on behalf of the Stanly County Arts Council, a 501 (c) (3) non-profit whose mission is to encourage and promote broad-based cultural and educational activities in the arts throughout Stanly County.