Concert at County’s Connaughton Plaza this Friday, May 19

Special Occasions Band’s mission is to put on a show everyone will enjoy.  Service dogs are welcome but other canines are not.

The 11-to-13-piece band, based out of Manassas, is the next act lined up for the Fridays at 5 Summer Concert Series on Friday, May 19, at the Sean T. Connaughton Plaza at the McCoart Government Center. The concert starts at 5 p.m.

“Our slogan is ‘We want to make every occasion a special occasion.’ Hence the name of the band,” said Special Occasions founder and drummer, EJ White. “Our main goal is to create a space where people feel safe and want to have a good time. We try to accommodate all generations, from the oldest to the youngest. We just want to bring people together…”

The band, with three to four keyboard players, bass and lead guitars, up to six vocalists, two percussionists and a saxophone player, has the talent to play almost anything, White said.

“We do a little bit of everything from soul, to top 40, to reggae to country. You name it, we pretty much do it,” White said of the band, which has been together for 12 years and regularly plays at local wineries and venues. Special Occasions Band has also appeared at Two Silos and MGM National Harbor Hotel and Casino.

Each year, the band takes up a cause to promote. This year, the band seeks to raise awareness about Project Semicolon, a grassroots organization dedicated to suicide prevention and helping people experiencing issues surrounding mental health. The band hopes people living with mental illness seek help and encourage others to understand and help those living through mental illness.

The Fridays at 5 concert series, sponsored by the Prince William Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism, VaStrEATs and Luxe Entertainment, are held at the Sean T. Connaughton Plaza located at the McCoart Government Center, 1 County Complex Court in Woodbridge. The concert series includes food for purchase with beer and wine sales for patrons over 21 with identification. No dogs, except service dogs, will be permitted at the concert. Restrooms will be available inside the McCoart Government Center. Parking is free onsite.