Kara Grainger replaces previously scheduled Dear Amy: Amy Winehouse Tribute concert

DESTIN, FLORIDA — Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation (MKAF) announces a special addition to its 2025 Concerts in the Village lineup: international blues-rock artist Kara Grainger will take the Dugas Pavilion stage on Thursday, May 8, bringing her signature soulful slide guitar and powerhouse vocals to Destin’s longest-running al fresco concert tradition.

Originally from Sydney, Australia, and now based in Nashville, Grainger’s musical journey has taken her across the globe, performing throughout Japan, Europe, and the United States. With four studio albums under her belt and a voice often compared to Bonnie Raitt, Grainger blends blues, roots, and rock in a style that’s all her own. Her latest album Grand and Green River reached No. 2 on the Roots Music Report’s blues chart, and her single Secret Soul won Best Song at the Independent Acoustic Music Awards.

Grainger has opened for legends like Peter Frampton, Johnny Lang, and Buddy Guy, and has performed with Vivian Campbell (Def Leppard), Alan Parsons, and Steve Prestwich (Cold Chisel), among others. Concertgoers can expect an intimate, high-energy performance that is both musically rich and emotionally resonant. @followers

Gates open at 6 p.m., and the show begins at 7 p.m. General admission tickets (lawn seats) are $35 in advance, plus ticketing fee.

The originally scheduled Dear Amy: Amy Winehouse Tribute concert will be rescheduled as part of the 2026 Concerts in the Village series. Single ticket holders may transfer their tickets to the 2026 date (TBD), transfer their purchase to Kara Grainger performance on May 8, request a credit for a future event, or request a refund.

Bring a blanket or low-back chair and enjoy an evening under the stars. Food trucks for the evening include Spork, Raman Filipino, and Dippin’ Dots. Enhance your concert experience with gourmet cheese platters from Wine World’s Cheese Shop in Destin. Orders must be confirmed by 3 p.m. the day before the concert. To order, call Wine World’s Cheese Shop at (850) 269-2902. Payment and confirmation required by phone.

Feeling lucky? Don’t miss the beloved Concerts in the Village raffle tradition. Guests can purchase raffle entries — 2 for $5, 5 for $10, or 10 for $20 — for a chance to win exciting prizes valued at $50 or more. You must be present to win.

MKAF members enjoy early entry and complimentary access to every concert in the series. Annual memberships are valid for 12 months from the date of sign-up and support MKAF’s

Proceeds from all sales directly support MKAF’s ArtsReach initiatives, benefiting K-12 students and individuals with special needs, and active-duty military and veterans. To purchase tickets, make a tax-deductible donation, provide a corporate sponsorship, or for more information about becoming an MKAF member, visit MKAF.org or call (850) 650-2226.

ABOUT MATTIE KELLY ARTS FOUNDATION Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation (MKAF), a non-profit arts organization with a mission to champion arts and culture for all. Since its inception in 1995, MKAF has inspired more than 420,000 children in more than 100 schools and partner agencies. Through its community education initiative ArtsReach, dynamic programming serves K-12 students, people with special needs, and the military community along the Emerald Coast. As a presenting organization, MKAF’s Concerts in the Village series showcases the Southeast United States’ most vibrant performing artists and bands to more than 15,000 patrons each spring. More than 100 artists convene in Destin each fall for the Festival of the Arts — one the preeminent arts festivals along the Gulf coast. MKAF has long partnered with multiple regional non-profits and school districts in the communities that it serves to ensure access to the arts for all.

KARA GRAINGER TO PERFORM MAY 8 AT CONCERTS IN THE VILLAGE