WISCONSINREPORT.COM (09/03/2012) - Republicans are not the only ones to have quality entertainment at a convention. The Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina is sporting North Carolina native, James Taylor, as well as Mary J. Blige, the Foo Fighters, Earth, Wind and Fire, Marc Antony, and Branford Marsalis. Plus, a 15.5 ton sand sculpture of President Obama from Myrtle Beach.

Grammy-winning musical acts have been added to the Bank of America Stadium event Thursday at the Democratic National Convention, joining North Carolina native James Taylor.

Convention officials announced that Mary J. Blige, the Foo Fighters and Earth Wind and Fire also will perform at the event, which will be highlighted Thursday night by President Obama’s acceptance speech.

Marc Antony will sing the national anthem, DNC officials say.

Mary J. Blige has won nine Grammy awards and has eight platinum albums. The Foo Fighters, founded by ex-Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl, have 11 Grammies, including four Best Album awards. Earth, Wind and Fire dates back to the late 1960s and has won 20 Grammy awards.

The entertainment schedule for the DNC event is as follows:

Tuesday: Amber Riley (national anthem), D.J. Cassidy, Ledisi.

Wednesday: Branford Marsalis (national anthem), D.J. Cassidy, Jessica Sanchez.

Thursday: Marc Antony (national anthem), Foo Fighters, Mary J. Blige, Earth, Wind and Fire, James Taylor, Delta Rae, Inspire the Fir.

Myrtle Beach, S.C., has brought the beach to Charlotte this week for Democratic National Convention events and activities in the form of a 15.5-ton sand sculpture of President Barack Obama. The sculpture, made completely of South Carolina sand, took five sculptors of Sarasota, Fla.-based 'Team Sandtastic' three days to complete.

Charlotte is located just 175 miles from Myrtle Beach, S.C., which is widely considered to be the Carolinas' favorite and most popular beach destination. In 2011 alone, more than 1.3 million visitors from North Carolina's 'Queen City' flocked to the Myrtle Beach area, and officials say the sculpture is a great way to put the destination on display while thousands more are in town for the DNC.

"The Charlotte market is very important to us in Myrtle Beach. We know that if we can get to Charlotte this easily, folks from Charlotte can get to our shores in just as little time. It's only a short drive across state lines," said Brad Dean, President of the Myrtle Beach Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. "We're excited to maintain a Myrtle Beach presence in the beautiful city of Charlotte in the coming week and hope everyone in town gets a chance to come see this fantastic sand sculpture."

Tourism officials say the Myrtle Beach area, popularly known as the Grand Strand, offers a vacation to fit any need. Whether looking for a fall family vacation, last-minute golf getaway or girls' weekend, visitors will find it along the area's trademark 60 miles of picture-perfect coastline.

"We're a bipartisan beach with a big dose of Southern hospitality and believe that once elections are over in November, everyone that has been on the campaign trail should come take a fun and affordable beach vacation with us just a little further south," said Dean. "With white, sandy beaches, more than 100 championship golf courses, and thousands of restaurants and attractions, what's not to love?"

The Myrtle Beach area stretches from Little River to Pawleys Island and comprises 12 distinct cities along the South Carolina coast. Home to over 100 championship golf courses, 60 miles of sandy beaches, an assortment of entertainment and family attractions and Southern hospitality, the Myrtle Beach area offers the quintessential vacation experience.


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