2023 Performers

The Novant Health Thanksgiving Parade is filled with lights, excitement, and performances. 

Dance Groups & Marching Bands

Dance Groups

Steps N' Motion

BB Dance Productions

Charlotte Ultimate Cheer

El Alma de la Luna

Pacific Arts Troupe

No Limits Dance Co.

High School Marching Bands & Battle of the Bands Participants

Bunker Hill High School Marching Bears

The Foard High School Tiger Band

Independence Marching Band

Myers Park High School Marching Mustangs

The East Burke High School Marching Cavaliers

The Pride of Morehead

The Monroe Red Storm Marching Band

Community Marching Bands

Bailey Master Brass Marching Band

Drills of Hope

Rhythm of Psalms (ROP) Marching Band

“The Commandant’s Own” United States Marine Drum & Bugle Corps

Greenville Community Youth Organization

Performers

Abbey Elmore Band

The Abbey Elmore Band, fronted by singer-songwriter Abbey Elmore, delivers a blend of Indie Pop and soulful Rock. Ranging from laid-back grooves to high energy jams, their repertoire consists of original music as well as progressive versions of pop songs and new takes on classics. The Band released their first full-length album, "Dear Darling," in 2016, with the follow up, "I Know You're Probably Sick of my Love Songs", released in 2018. The band has since been traveling the country playing clubs, festivals, bars and breweries. They released their latest full-length album “Memory” on December 31st, 2022.

WEBSITE

ARSENA

Arsena is an R&B, pop, and live-instrumentation influenced recording artist and singer-songwriter. Born in Pittsburgh, PA and raised in Charlotte, NC, she’s known for her star-quality and heart felt tunes—-think India Arie meets Alicia Keys with introspective lyrics infusing her multi-instrumentalist capabilities.

Over the years she’s released a number of records and accomplished much as an independent talent. This list includes touring nationally and internationally, an endorsement with Breedlove Guitars, & winning over hearts with a standing ovation from Michael Jordan at what’s now known as the Spectrum Arena. Today, Arsena is a Berklee College of Music Graduate Student pursuing her M.A. in Music Business. In 2017, she founded Dear Soul Music Co, an award-winning arts and entertainment company that provides community programming and resources for independent artists. Since its start, Arsena has serviced countless music artists in songwriting, branding, music production, youth recording arts camps, mentorship, and beginner guitar workshops for adults.

Her 3rd full-length album called Metamorphosis: The Evolution of Arsena produced by Stellar-award winning singer-songwriter Curt Keyz released in May 2023 and her first Christmas EP called the Holiday Harmonies EP releases December 8, 2023.

WEBSITE

Kayla Vega

An award-winning singer-songwriter hailing from Mooresville, North Carolina, Kayla Vega has carved a name for herself in the music industry. Her audiences dubbed her a “walking jukebox”, due to her ability to perform versatile musical styles spanning decades. She recently shared the stage with Nickelback at the prestigious PNC Pavilion and opened for Phillip Phillips at the Taste of Charlotte Festival, showcasing her remarkable talent. You can often catch her enchanting audiences at popular venues throughout the Charlotte area. Beyond music, she diversifies her artistic pursuits by excelling in acting and modeling. Her multifaceted creativity extends to producing her own music. As an active philanthropist and advocate in her community, she has become a household name in the Charlotte Metro.

WEBSITE

Melvin Crispel III

Melvin Crispell III hails from a rich musical legacy. His father, world-renowned musician Melvin Crispell, Jr. composed and played on award-winning songs for some of gospel music’s biggest artists. His mother, Tunesha Crispell was a celebrated gospel singer whose voice was featured on several well-known choir recordings along with critically acclaimed solo project. With the sudden death of his father at 16, followed by the untimely demise of his mother at 18, Melvin was able to overcome through his relationship with God and music and that the trauma was not the end of his story.

In 2019, he competed on and won the nineth season of BET’s Sunday Best. After winning, he signed with RCA Inspiration and released his debut album, I’ve Got A Testimony in 2020, which will be followed up by his live sophomore album, No Failure, in summer 2023. No Failure, led by single “Alright,” is an in-depth look into who Melvin is becoming as he navigates life’s ups and downs and pushes pas this comfort zone to get to a place God promised victory. Through his own journey of healing and overcoming, No Failure serves as a transparent message of hope and a reminder that “there is no failure in Him.”

WEBSITE

Of Good Nature

Of Good Nature’s (OGN) highly accessible sound concentrates on feel-good lyrics and technical musicianship that’s packed into a potent blend of rock, soul, alternative, reggae, and pop. In November 2022, OGN released the first of its double-EP concept, Input, containing the hit singles “Open Your Mind", "I'll Fly", “Save the World”, and “Don’t Give Up” featuring Mihali of Twiddle and “Looking For It” featuring Little Stranger and Tropidelic. 

OGN will perform for their fifth  time on 'Sail Across the Sun 2023', Train's destination music festival at sea, joining Train, Fitz and The Tantrums, G. Love, and Travie McKoy more. In March 2023, Of Good Nature will perform theaters and clubs across the United States on the nationwide Spring Fling Tour with Shwayze. OGN has shared the stage and supported acts such as Michael Franti & Spearhead, Twiddle, Allen Stone, Slightly Stoopid, and Dirty Heads.

The band was selected by Sierra Nevada as a featured artist for its 'Doing Big Things’ promotion, partnering with RoofAbove Charity to raise donations through live-stream performances to help those in need in the band's hometown of Charlotte NC.

WEBSITE

Ryan Perry

With a raw and rugged talent, his charisma, and a fierce passion for quality country music, Ryan Perry is quickly cementing himself as one of country’s next big stars. Hailing from the mountains, of Western North Carolina, Ryan has a voice you won't forget and a vibe that is contagious.

As a singer and songwriter, Perry credits Travis Tritt, Chris Stapleton, Morgan Wallen, Hardy, and Luke Combs as his biggest influences. Perry also credits his parents as his guiding light providing “key lessons every single day and in everything I do.” They instilled a strong work ethic, and taught him the importance of integrity, loyalty, respect, humility, and compassion. These lessons have been the driving force in his life, musically, with his family, and in everything he does.

Perry has been on the road touring throughout the southeast honing his performance skills playing clubs and festivals across the southeast. He has headlined countless shows and also opened for some of country’s biggest stars including Tracy Lawrence, Toby Keith, Jamey Johnson, Ronnie Dunn, and more!

WEBSITE

Velvet DeVille

If Velvet DeVille's music strikes a familiar chord, it's likely because you've tapped into the rich tapestry of their influences. Drawing from the best of all musical eras, art movements, and vibes, Ava Morris (vocalist/lyricist) weaves timeless songs. These compositions are infused with the rock energy of her brother and guitarist, Brock Morris, and the high-octane funk rhythms courtesy of their longtime friend and drummer, Lucas Jacobs.

Velvet DeVille has cultivated a substantial following in their home state of Michigan. Their previous band garnered support from stations like Flint’s Banana 101.5 and 103.9 The Fox, along with Detroit rock giant WRIF (who invited them to play the annual Riff Fest at Pine Knob, a venue of 15k capacity). The expansion of their fanbase included tours with national acts like Joyous Wolf and Smile Empty Soul, and festivals such as Blue Ridge Rock Fest in VA and iHeart Radio’s Earth Day Birthday in Florida as well as Arts, Beats & Eats at home in Michigan.

As Velvet DeVille, Ava, Brock and Lucas are poised to continue their unwavering commitment to fans in 2024, including revisiting homebase stages The Machine Shop and FIM Capitol Theatre. Velvet DeVille is set to venture into the studio alongside the acclaimed producer, Toby Wright (known for his work with Korn, Metallica, Alice In Chains), to craft new material during the holiday season of 2023.

WEBSITE