Local country music favorites The Jason Marks Band will be opening for one of country music’s current top-selling artists, Gary Allan, on his "Get Off on the Pain" Tour at the Durham Performing Arts Center in Durham, NC on March 12, 2010.

The CARE office of UNCW will be hosting its 2nd Annual Art Show in Randall Library from April 5 to April 17, 2010, as part of Sexual Assault Awareness Month. They are looking for artistic submissions that in some way speak to the issues of sexual assault, interpersonal violence, or family/relationship abuse. Written pieces are accepted as well as visual art. Anonymous submissions are accepted as well. Intention to submit should be made by Wednesday, March 24 to care@uncw.edu or by phone at 910.962.7004.

The friends of Steve Horrell - photo left with wife Cindy (who passed away after a long heroic battle with cancer) will be hosting a musical tribute and time of reflection in memory of Steve at the Winter Park Baptist Church Community Center on Sunday, March 14, from 2 to 4 p.m. For more information contact Catesby Jones at 910.762.8837.

Members of Smooth OP have announced that the band will be moving to Colorado this summer. The band is in the process of booking their East Coast "farewell" shows right now.

Labeling Deloris, who has ties with Wilmington and now resides in Nashville, just celebrated their six-year anniversary together. The band is finishing up on their latest CD, to be released this spring.

Local CD releases in February (and look for our highlights soon in The Beat) include, among others, Bella Vita and Damona Waits (photo right) – and be sure to stop by Revolution 9 in the Cotton Exchange to consign local, original CDs.

After nearly a year of deliberation, the Board of CreativeWilmington has decided to dissolve the organization by December 31, 2010.

The genesis, motive and spirit of CreativeWilmington has always been to advocate and support artists and arts organizations in this region. It’s their hopes to continue to support the arts (and the formation of an arts council!), and to join us in working collectively and individually for a more transparent, mutually supportive, and thriving arts community that will benefit and enrich all our lives.