The Black Pearl Party Band: The Ultimate Yacht Rock Experience smashes into Bicentennial Park Friday night

Not sure who Black Pearl is, or what you might be getting into with Friday night’s third installment of Asheboro’s Rock’n the Park offerings for the summer of 2026?

After all, Black Pearl’s hit list is a bit thin when you put it up against some of the tribute performing bands that have come through here, celebrating the likes of  The Beatles, Michael Jackson, Fleetwood Mac, The Eagles, AC/DC and others.

See if these songs tickle your memories from the late 1960s-70s heyday of Black Pearl: 

“Reach Up.”

”Thinkin’ ‘Bout The Good Times.”

”Mr. Soul Satisfaction.”

”Crazy Chicken.”

”Forget It.”

”White Devil.”

Maybe you just need to hear them, and maybe that thought — “I’ll know it when I hear it” — is what you’re going to be telling others about this event when all is said and done.

The band from Burlington focuses on “Yacht rock,” which among its many definitions includes “a broad aesthetic of highly produced, West Coast soft rock from the mid-1970s to mid-1980s.” It’s characterized by “jazz-inspired harmonies, clean vocals, and R&B grooves.”

And it’s a music represented in many groups that may be more familiar, like the Michael McDonald-led Doobie Brothers, Toto, Christopher Cross, Styx, Steely Dan, Player ... now you’re getting it. 

Not only will you recognize the maritime-friendly tunes washing over your ears, expect yourself to be doing a whole lot of “Oh, yeah, I love this song” comments to anyone who will listen.

“Yacht Rock With Edge !!!!” the band promises. “We have truly captured ‘Lightning in a bottle.’ We have no rules !! We play what you want to hear !! Your favorite songs from the ’70s, ’80s, ’90s and beyond !!! We are Black Pearl !!!!”

You get the (exclamation) point.

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As always with these concert events, there will be food trucks available and downtown restaurants and pubs will be open, too, with Zoo City Social District rules in effect. 

The fun begins at 6:30 p.m. with a warmup band — this week, it’s Brandon Shepherd, a unique local musician in his own right who has put on multiple shows at Sunset Theatre.

He’ll play for an hour, then the main act takes the stage around 8 p.m.

All you need is a chair or blanket to park in/on, or you can dance the night away on the dance floor in front of the Bicentennial Park stage.

If you haven’t been to one of these Rock’n the Park events before, expect to see a whole lot of people — it’s a party, after all, and this week, a yacht rock party!