The Mattie Kelly Arts Center presents Northwest Fest

May 12, 2016 Amphitheater
$10 events lawn or fixed seats
Tickets on Sale: March 1, 2016

Northwest Florida State College presents the first ever --Northwest Fest-- on Thursday, May 12 at 6:00 pm. The live concert event features popular locally-based bands HERITAGE, THE RIPS and THE OKALOOSA SOUND performing under the stars at the college’s 2,500 capacity outdoor amphitheater on the Niceville Campus.

Co-sponsored by 99 Rock and the Niceville Chamber of Commerce, the event is $10 admission with open seating either in the amphitheater's fixed seats or on the events lawn (bring your own chair or blanket). 99 Rock’s Woofy Ramone will serve as the onstage host. Food vendors as well as beverage and beer sales will be available.

Tickets will be available starting March 1, 2016. Call or click for tickets from the college’s Mattie Kelly Arts Center Box Office at (850) 729-6000 or by web at www.MattieKellyArtsCenter.org. Phone and in-person Box Office hours are 10:00 am to 4:00 pm Monday to Friday. Tickets will also be available at the gate the night of the event for the same price as advance sales, starting at 5:00 pm.

The NWF State College amphitheater is located on the far eastern edge of the Niceville campus, behind the Mattie Kelly Arts Center’s main parking lot and Visual Arts building.

The Reggae/Rock/Beach/Surf band HERITAGE has headlined hundreds of shows and served as support for national acts such as ZZ Top, Rebelution, 311, Ballyhoo and more. The HERITAGE sound is a mix of soulful roots reggae, rock, so-cal dub, and Hip Hop. The band broke into the pop/reggae scene in 2009 with their debut album, Natural High and in 2012 Heritage released its second full-length album, "Out Here...".

HERITAGE band members include Tony Verrecchia, Hunter Dawson, Matt Moore, Jamah Terry and Billy Kernen who are based in Okaloosa County and often perform at Club LA in Destin.

In 2013 the band performed a multi-show stint on the Van's Warped Tour spanning from West Palm Beach, FL to Milwaukee, WI, as well as an appearance on the Fall Brewhaha 2013 Tour (with Passafire), and multiple performances with Dirty Heads.

THE RIPS are an emerging 3-piece band from Destin, Florida who are a vintage surf rock band. THE RIPS features Tucker Ewing, Lead Vocals/Bass; Charlie Buice, Drums and Mike Ingram, electric Guitar/Vocals.

THE RIPS sound resembles an old vinyl from the 50’s or 60’s, with their vintage guitar tones, smooth melodies, and catchy grooves! The group can be heard at clubs and events across the Panhandle and has been featured on the STUDIO AMPED television show on WSRE-(PBS)-TV in Pensacola.

THE OKALOOSA SOUND is an exciting ensemble that features amazing talent from an array of musical disciplines. Whether you like funk, rock, soul, jazz or all of the above, THE OKALOOSA SOUND will make you move! The band was formed last year and has already become a popular staple at venues across Northwest Florida.

THE OKALOOSA SOUND includes Stephanie Soul – Vocals; Josh Carter - Guitar/Bass; Adriel Wilson – Drums; John White - Keys/Bass/Vocals and Joseph Pizzaloto- Guitar/Bass.