From WSJ Staff Reports
Closed since March 2020 due to COVID-19, the Wake Forest Renaissance Centre for the Arts, 405 S. Brooks St., will re-open to the public and re-connect with the community beginning Friday, May 7, at 7:30 p.m. with a performance by Yolanda Rabun.
Advance tickets are $20 each plus tax and can be purchased online with a Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover credit card at www.wakeforestrencen.org/tickets-events or by calling the Renaissance Centre Box Office at 919-435-9458.
Yolanda Rabun is a fierce songstress and North Carolina-based recording artist who is versatile enough to handle all styles of music – but favors jazz and soul. Rabun exploded onto the jazz scene first on Stanley Baird’s 2007 Traffic Jam hit single, “I Want 2 Love You,” and, in 2011, released her debut CD project, “So Real,” on which she co-wrote several songs, including the title song. In 2012, Rabun infused Soul, R&B, Gospel, Folk, Smooth and Traditional Jazz on her sophomore solo album, “Christmastime,” and followed in 2013 with the Adult Contemporary single, “Hold on To Your Dreams.”
A skilled singer with a natural storytelling instinct, Rabun comes out the gate stunning her live audiences with her endless energy, commanding vocal power, and inventiveness. Her stage shows are engaging, full of passion, and include straight-ahead and contemporary Jazz, Blues, Folk, Pop, and even Gospel. And, Yolanda is never afraid to take risks. This rich-voice chanteuse has opened for and sung with such iconic artists as Jennifer Holiday, Howard Hewitt, Ron Isley and the Isley Brothers, R&B singer KEM and the world-renowned iconic drummer, Sheila E.
Yolanda has also performed with the NC Opera, the Durham Symphony, and the Raleigh Symphony Free Spirits; she appeared on a number of TV and radio programs. A proud equity-actor, Yolanda even has achieved notoriety on regional theatre stages with magnificent reviews alongside Tony-award winning actors, and is an often requested motivational speaker. For more information about Yolanda Rabun, visit http://yolandarabun.com/.
The Renaissance Centre will implement updated safety and cleaning protocols and take all reasonable precautions to best promote the health and safety of those who choose to attend the May 7 concert. On the day of the concert, wellness checks will be required prior to admission and masks must be worn inside the Renaissance Centre. During the screening, attendees will be asked a few short questions and a temperature check will be performed using a touchless thermometer. Anyone who does not clear the screening will be prohibited from entering the building, along with all the members of their group.
Hand-sanitizing stations will be provided throughout the facility, physical distancing will be enforced and concessions will not be available for purchase.