There’s going to be a big voice bellowing from a small package tonight during the BBQ Festival on the Neuse.
The Artfest Stage performance at Herritage and Blount Streets is more than just a show for 9-year-old Cassidy Kennedy. The aspiring pop artist has travelled across the country to sing, act and dance but has not yet performed in front of a large home crowd.
Tonight, Cassidy — the youngest performer — will show her fellow Kinstonians the talent she’s cultivated since her early toddler years.
“I like how the audience likes to watch you sing,” Cassidy said. “They enjoy it. You have to make them feel like it’s all for them, and I like that.”
Her family noticed her talent when she was 2 years old. Cassidy’s mother, Crystal Kennedy, said her daughter was able to memorize songs from childhood shows after hearing them once or twice.
“She could do it and not miss anything,” Kennedy said, adding her daughter began singing at family functions and churches at 4. “She was 5 and she said, ‘Mama, I want to be on stage. … I want to do it all.’ We started looking up auditions and that’s when it all started.”
Cassidy is the oldest of four total siblings. Her two sisters also participate in the performing arts, making for a busy Kennedy family. While one is in New York, the other may have to be in Atlanta, for instance.
“It’s difficult,” said Kennedy, who maintains the girls’ schedules with her cell phone. “I just try to stay focused on trying to give them their childhood.”
Cassidy, a student at Moss Hill Elementary School, said her favorite instructional subject is music — naturally.
“Sometimes, we’ll have time left over,” she said. “They let me go in the front of the classroom and sing to other people. It’s kind of fun.”
She hopes Kinston sees how much she likes to perform after tonight’s show.
Cassidy will share one of threeBBQ Festival stages with a number of other local talents, headed by retired musician Kenneth Ginn.
He will stage manage a variety of dancers, such as the performers from the Jennifer School of Dance, and soloists along with Cassidy.
“(Cassidy Kennedy) will be doing numbers from her CD,” Ginn said. “It will be 30 minutes of her voice. (The audience) will surely find something that will be entertaining with all the local talent that we have.”
Ginn said he has worked with these types of shows more than 30 years and the 9-year-old talent was referred by a distant voice coach.
Cassidy sends practice videos to her instructor, who provides feedback.
“She texts Mama all the things I did wrong so I can work better on it,” she said. “Then we send another video, and if it’s perfect, we can keep practicing and do it the same way (during) the show.”
Crystal Kennedy said Cassidy advertised the performance via Facebook, cheerful with anticipation.
“She’s super excited to be able to do things for people that she knows,” Kennedy said. “She’s excited to show what she’s learned the past couple of years. I’m super excited for her.”
Jessika Morgan can be reached at 252-559-1078 or at jessika.morgan@kinston.com. Follow her on Twitter @JessikaMorgan.
BBQ Festival on the Neuse
For information, visit bbqfestivalontheneuse.com
Today:
Noon (arrival time) – 32nd Annual Wil King Hog Happenin', Pearson Park
Welcome – Miss Kinston, Festival on the Neuse hospitality team.
5-9 p.m. – The Arts and Crafts Market, Ellis Carriage Bldg., Blount and Herritage streets
5-10 p.m. – Wine Garden, garden behind The Red Room, North Street
5-11 p.m. – Amusement Rides, Mitchell Street
5:30-9:30 p.m. – Kid's Fest
6 p.m. – Teen Nation Tour 2013 concert/autographs, Herritage Street stage
7th Annual Chamber Burger and Brew Bash, Pearson Park
Steve Hardy's Original Beach Party, Pearson Park stage
6-9 p.m. – Art Fest, Herritage Street between Blount and North streets
Karaoke with KG
6-10 p.m. – Farmer's Market, Herritage Street
6:30 p.m. – Welcome/Introduction of Cook Teams and Sponsors, Herritage Street stage
6:30, 8:30 – Ring City Roller Girls, behind Mother Earth in parking lot
7 p.m. – Chief Cook briefing, Pearson Park, main stage area
7:30 p.m. – Ghost Walk Tour, Farmers Market area, reservations in advance $6 per person, call 252-527-1131
Showmanship Competition, Pearson Park
7:30-9:30 p.m., 10-11 p.m. – The Entertainers, Pearson Park stage
8-10 p.m. – Top National ATV Riders Meet and Greet
9 p.m. – Lizzy Ross, The Red Room stage, North Street
9:30 p.m. – Fireworks
, Herritage Street and Pearson/Tiffany West Park
Saturday:
7:30 a.m. – Bicycle Fitness Ride for Scholarship, registration, 9.5 mile or 22.5 mile ride
8 a.m. – Hog Happenin', on-site barbecue judging
Emcee Martha Bishop/TACC 9, Farmers Market stage
8:25 a.m. – Fitness Ride lineup
9 a.m.-4 p.m. – The Arts and Crafts Market, Ellis Carriage Bldg., Blount and Herritage streets
9 a.m.-1 p.m. – Open Car Truck Show, registration, call Diane Jones, 252-560-0782
9:30 a.m. – 2nd Annual Corn Hole Tournament, first toss 10:30 a.m., St. John's Masonic Lodge No.4 A.F. & A. M.
10 a.m. – Opening Ceremony, National Anthem, Walk of Honor stage
Welcome – Col. Joe Tyson, chairman, Kinston-Lenoir County Tourism Development Authority
Walk of Honor/SALUTE!, call Bonnie and Herman McLawhorn, 252-560-4440
Steve Hardy's Original Beach Party, Pearson Park stage
10-noon – Amusement Rides, Mitchell Street
10 a.m.-1 p.m. – Heritage BBQ Pit, Pearson Park
10 a.m.-2 p.m. – Special Festival shopping events, Herritage Landing merchants
10 a.m.-4 p.m. – Art Fest, Herritage Street between Blount and North streets
Kid's Fest
Farmer's Market, Lenoir Co. Farmer's Market, 100 N. Herritage St.
Wine Garden, garden behind The Red Room, North Street
Vendor's Market, Gordon, Mitchell, North and Herritage streets and in the park
Antique Tractor and Farm Equipment exhibit
“Tobacco Money Feeds My Family” Outdoor film, Ellis Buggy Bldg.
Karaoke with KG
Overland Gallery studio opening, Herritage and Blount streets
10 a.m.-5 p.m. – CSS Neuse II Living History event, Gordon and Herritage streets
10 a.m. until – The Nature Center/Planetarium/Big Daddy Train
10:30 a.m. – Ring City Roller Girls, behind Mother Earth in parking lot
10:30 a.m.-noon – Kinston Public Safety fire engine display, Caswell Street near Queen Street
11 a.m.-2 p.m. – Civil War Battlefield guided bus tours, CSS Neuse, Herritage Street
11 a.m.-4 p.m. – The Seaside Band, Pearson Park stage
11 a.m.-4 p.m. – BBQ plates $7, sandwiches $3, pound $7, advance bulk orders, call 252-527-1131, Pearson Park, Farmers Market, Herritage Street behind Mother Earth, Blount/Mitchell streets
11 a.m.-6 p.m. – Brewery Tours, Mother Earth, tours every 30 min., 311 N. Herritage St.
Noon – Teen Nation Tour 2013 concert and autographs, Herritage Street stage
12:30 p.m. – Ring City Roller Girls, behind Mother Earth in parking lot
1 p.m. – 3rd Annual Golden Key Award presentation, Pearson Park stage
Mandolin Orange, The Red Room
1:30 p.m. – Sauce Boss competition, Pearson Park, main stage, to compete, call 252-527-1131
2 p.m. – 4-H Rabbit and Poultry Show, farmers market, to enter, call 252-527-2191
2:30 p.m. – Ring City Roller Girls, behind Mother Earth in parking lot
2:30-4 p.m. – Public Safety fire engine display, Caswell Street near Queen Street
3 pm – Car/Truck Show awards, Car Show stage
4-H Donkey Drop Bingo, Mitchell Street
4 p.m. – Great Neuse River Rubber Duck Race, Riverfront by farmers market, call Bill Ellis at 252-939-3332
7:30 p.m. – Nnenna Freelon Concert, Kinston Community Council of the Arts
Wyse Fork Battlefield guided tour, reservations recommended, call Jane Phillips 252-468-1424
CSS Neuse Interpretive Center special event, 100 N. Queen St.