021010kathyweb-1.jpg Fayetteville Community Concerts heat up on Thursday, Feb. 11 as Sister Sledge, featuring Kathy Sledge, takes to the stage of the Crown Theatre in a show that is sure to leave you dancing in the aisles.

Born and raised in Philadelphia, Kathy Sledge is the youngest of five girls from Edwin and Florez Sledge. By age six she was singing songs with her sisters in perfect harmony. Who would have guessed that only 10 years later, she would record a song that would literally touch the hearts of millions around the world.

Kathy and her sisters learned their musical craft at the knee of their grandmother, an experienced opera singer. Their childhoods were spent singing in and out of church. Local talent shows and clubs became their second home. In high school, their popularity spread and the girls quickly signed their fi rst recording contract with Atco Records. As is the case with many acts, they initially gained popularity overseas, but their break out hit “We Are Family” landed them a solid place in the anals of American music. The song and the album went on to reach the No. 1 position on every imaginable chart and also earned a Grammy nomination. That album also spawned two additional hit songs, “Lost in Music” and “He’s the Greatest Dancer.”

Sister Sledge, she went on to sell several million more albums with many popular singles, including “Got to Love Somebody,” “All American Girls,” “My Guy” and “B.Y.O.B. (Bring Your Own Baby).”

Sledge has been called “one of the most original and unique voices in pop music,” and the organizers of the Community Concerts series recognized that by bringing her dynamic show to the community.

“Community Concerts is very excited about bringing Sister Sledge to the Fayetteville Community. Her show promises to be very high energy and fi lled with the kind of showmanship one can expect from a Las Vegas act,”said Community Concerts Marketing Committee Representative Kristie Meave.

“This is something the community will not want to miss.”

Community Concerts is an all volunteer, non-profi t arts organization whose sole mission is to bring the fi nest in top-notch entertainment to Fayetteville. In addition to concerts, their mission includes an ever growing list of outreach programs including support for Boy’s and Girl

’s Club members and deserving seniors, music clinics for children and a new music scholarship fund. The show begins at 8 p.m. Tickets range in price from $18 to $32 and can be purchased at the Crown Box Offi ce and at all Ticketmaster Outlets. For more information, call 323-1991 or visit www.atthecrown. com or www.communityconcerts. com.