RONNIE LANE A "Shag Extravaganza" will be held Saturday, May 23, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Lincoln County Historical Park on Lumber Street.

The event will feature musician Ronnie Lane and his friends Tom Griner, Frank Brittingham, and Freddie Reynolds.

A singer, keyboardist, guitarist, arranger, and composer, Ronnie Lane began his musical career at the age of nine, when he began taking lessons on the trumpet.

At 14, he was thunderstruck by the invasion of the Beatles. From then on, life was never the same — he knew what he wanted to do. And so his career began.

Through the 1970s, Lane's band, The New Breeds, traveled with showman extraordinaire Cortez Greer to Las Vegas, Lake Tahoe, the Bahamas, New York, Nashville, and other venues throughout the world. The band likewise performed with such greats as Little Anthony and the Imperials, Bo Diddilly, the Shirelles, Bill Cosby, the Platters, the Drifters, and James Brown.

Today, Lane entertains audiences with a variety of music that one can only expect from such an experienced musician. He plays standards by music legends Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, David Bowie, Bob Segar, Elvis, Ernest Tubbs, and the Dixie Chicks as well as some original material. His audience age is from three to 93, so there will be music for all to enjoy.

In addition to Lane, other musi- cians set to take the stage at the festival are Jennifer Henderson and Tom Reed.

Local artists will also be showing their paintings and other works of art throughout the historical park during the day.

People of all ages are invited to come out to the park and dance or just listen to the music. It promises to be a fun afternoon for everyone.

Guests are asked to bring lawn chairs.

There is no admission charge, but donations to the Lincoln County Food Pantry will be greatly appreciated.

The festival is being sponsored by the Lincoln County Arts Council, the Lincolnton-Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce, the Georgia Grassroots Arts Program, and the Greater Augusta Arts Council.