The Shadow
CLIFTON FORGE, Va. (VR) – Last year, the Sweet Lizzy Project performed on the stage of the Masonic Amphitheatre and lit up the night with their music. They are returning this year on Sunday, August 17 at 7:00pm as the final show in the Masonic Amphitheatre Summer Concert Series.
In just a few years, Cuban-born, Nashville-based quartet Sweet Lizzy Project has gone from its members never having been in an arena, to mesmerizing an audience of 20,000 people when opening for their idols, Heart and Joan Jett. Along the way, the rock band earned a prime performance broadcast for PBS’s Havana Time Machine, an artist profile on NPR’s “Weekend Edition”, and a cover story in the Miami Herald.
Sweet Lizzy Project (SLP) defected to the U.S. from Cuba in late 2017, just as the border doors were set to close once again. Prior to relocating to Music City, Sweet Lizzy Project became the “it band” around Havana City clubs. SLP also won several music prizes, including two nominations for Cuba’s closest equivalent of a Grammy. However, everything changed for the band when they were spotlighted on Havana Time Machine, which also featured traditional Cuban artists and iconic American roots-rockers, The Mavericks. During the making of the documentary, The Mavericks’ founder and lead singer, Raul Malo, became inspired by Sweet Lizzy’s music and story and signed SLP to his band’s record company. Sweet Lizzy Project plays electrifying big stage pop-rock with a modern sheen and classic rock heart. Diaz is a lightning bolt of a front woman; her lyrics are boldly vulnerable, and her vocals range from seductive soft tones to rafter-rattling high tones. Her creative partner is world class engineer/producer, songwriter, background vocalist, and dazzling lead guitarist Miguel Comas. Diaz and Comas are joined in Sweet Lizzy Project by talented guitarist and bass player, Wilfredo Gatell, and skilled drummer Angel Luis Millet.
SLP has three albums: Heaven (2015), Technicolor (2020) and Pirate Radio / Radio Pirata (2022). The band has performed in the US, coast to coast, and has opened shows for acts such as Heart, Joan Jett, Johnny Swim, The Mavericks, Raul Malo, Jamey Johnson, Buckcherry, Billy Strings, Silvana Estrada and Carlos Varela. Tickets for Sweet Lizzy Project are available at the door for $15.00.
For more information about events at The Historic Masonic Theatre & Masonic Amphitheatre, please visit the Theatre website, www.historicmasonictheatre.com. For the Sweet Lizzy Project event, please bring lawn chairs or use of bench seating. Concessions and restrooms are available in the Theatre Underground. In the case of inclement weather, the show will be moved inside.
