1017206_10151643466013077_62035361_nThe PopCulteer
August 23, 2013

This week we have news on The Simply Jazz and Blues Festival, more photos from last week’s Car Show in South Charleston and a rundown of Stuff To Do. Let’s dive in, shall we…

Jazz and Blues in Sandstone

Kicking off today at 5 PM and running until Sunday evening, The Inaugural Simply Jazz and Blues Festival promises to be a phenomenal, music-filled weekend. The Festival is taking place at the scenic Sandstone Drift Recreation Area, which has been developed specifically for this event. The Simply Jazz and Blues Festival organizer, Doris “Lady D” Fields says that this is a gorgeous spot to hear great jazz, blues and gospel music.

The festival itself will take place at the scenic “Drift” located on the majestic New River. Other music venues in the area will be hosting live jazz and blues and of course there are plenty of outdoor activities and attractions in the area.

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Headliner, James “Superharp” Cotton

This festival is founded on the premise that W.Va. has woven a rich tapestry of music that includes jazz and blues. “Now it’s time to share our treasures with the world and invite the world to enjoy what we have to offer,” according to Lady D.

You can listen to “Simply Jazz and Blues” on Groovy 94.1 FM every Sunday
from 7 to 9 PM, check it out streaming at www.groovy94.com to stay up to date on the latest jazz and blues news hosted by Lady D. This is one of the best sources for local music in the state.

Headlining the festival is James Cotton “Superharp” along with his friends, Roomful of Blues. Other world class acts on the line-up are Zac Harmon, Johnny Rawls, Fruteland Jackson, Doug Macleod, Austin Walkin’ Cane, Biscuit Miller & the Mix, Miss Freddye & Blue Faze, Vince Lewis, Jamal Millner.Mixed in with the national acts are such great W.Va. artists as Kevin Frieson, The Boatmen, Blackwater Mojo, Melissa McKinney, Lady D and MI$$ION, Doc Greenberg’s Patient Jazz, Sackcloth2Joy, J. Fraze, Gospel Reunion, Holy Cow…and more.

The Bob Thompson Unit

The Bob Thompson Unit

Friday night’s headliner is The Bob Thompson Unit. Saturday James Cotton and Roomfull of Blues close out a full day of music on two stages. The Festival wraps up Sunday with blues artist Zac Harmon, after a full day of Gospel music.

Tickets are $25.00 advance and $30.00 at the gate. You can purchase tickets online at their website. VIP and Weekend passes are available. Call 304.222.2536 or email ladyd@simplyjazzandbluesfestival.com.

Sandstone is located off exit 139 (Hinton/Sandstone exit of I-64) between Beckley and Lewisburg, WV.

More From The Summerfest Car Show

As promised, here’s more shots of those classic cars from last weekend’s car show at The Mound.

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Stuff To Do

Friday

Free Music

Chris Bell will perform at Taylor Books, starting at 7:30 PM, with no cover charge. Radio Free Charleston favorites, Blue Million, will be at Bruno’s, on Leon Sullivan Way, at 9 PM, to rock the place with no cover.

998863_10151609959993860_1062227364_nNot Free Music

Zeroking (apprearing on the very next episode of RFC) and Black Cross Brotherhood will rock the Blue Parrot tonight at 10 PM with special guest openers Stranger Still (featuring Jim and Adrian from BCB). Admission is only $5

Dinosaur Burps, Old Self, and Erik Lamb perform live at The Empty Glass tonight at 10 PM. The cover is the World Famous Empty Glass sliding cover, five bucks before 11 PM, seven bucks after.

Saturday

Free Music

THE DREAD PIRATE, ROBERTS will perfaarrrrrm at The Bluegrass Kitchen, starting at 7 PM, no doubloons required. At 7:30 PM, George Robertson will be at Taylor Books. Will Jones will kick off the free music at Crumbpeckers in St. Albans at 9 PM. From 8PM to Midnight, Johnny C and The Scurvy Dogs will bring their wild take on the 80s to Roni’s Pizzeria, in Elkview.

Not Free Music

Pilot The Machine, Twist of Fate and Sheldon Vance take the stage at The Blue Parrot at 10 PM, with a five-dollar cover charge.

The Red Lights and Derek Bowe will be at The Empty Glass with a seven-dollar cover charge.

Sunday

Free Music

Spurgie Hankins and Friends will perform, free of charge, at Tricky Fish, starting at 6 PM. At 8:30, you can cross Washington Street to catch the amazing George Brackens hosting a free open mic night at The Upstairs Lounge at Little India.

Not Free Music

At 10 PM, The Empty Glass presents The Barnyard Stompers. A touring rockabilly duo. The cover is a mere five bucks. Let’s go to the PR: “Casey Miller and Megan Wise are the power duo known as Barnyard Stompers. The two have collectively played in many legendary roots music outfits including The Hillbilly Hellcats and The Bop Kings. They have teamed together in order to combine several generations of Outlaw Country, Texas Stomp, Blues, Rockabilly and Dark Hillbilly, creating a new sub-genre known as Backwoods Twang. ”

Also, don’t forget The Alban Arts Center production of “The Wind in the Willows,” running all this weekend and next…

That’s it for this week’s PopCulteer. We seem to have the blog up and running at full speed again. Check back Sunday for a video showing off a very cool national act that’s coming to The Empty Glass next week. Also get ready for Radio Free Charleston 189, featuring Zeroking, Motion Theater, The Diablo Blues Band and maybe even more. You can expect that on Monday. Now, go check out all the cool stuff!