Okay, I’m slacking off.  My birthday was yesterday and I decided to put off writing today’s post until today.  Unfortunately, there are lots of bright shiny things distracting me and I think a firetruck went by the office window and I’m easily distracted. HEY! Cake for lunch!  Okay, I’m back.

However, there’s lots of STUFF TO DO this week, even though I’m probably hibernating until the next COVID booster shot is ready. I don’t want to risk exposure after escaping the clutches of the pandemic for so long.  That doesn’t mean you guys have to stay in. I’m immuno-compromised.

Remember, if you are attending an outdoor event, stay hydrated and please don’t smoke or vape around any humans who might find the associated stank to be offensive. Be mindful of your health and of those near you. Look for and offer to aid people who might seem frail, look like they’re about to pass out, or have oversoded on political coverage  With that bit of a caveat, let me tell you about plenty of STUFF TO DO in Charleston and all over the Mountain State and beyond as we remain in the dog days of August.

As I have been copying and pasting of late, this a good time to remind you that THIS IS NOT A COMPLETE LIST OF EVENTS.  It’s just a starting point, so don’t expect anything comprehensive (especially today when I’m really half-assing this), and if you feel strongly about me leaving anything out, feel free to mention it in the comments. I won’t be offended if you volunteer to do the work I was too lazy to do.

The big thing this week is Summerfest in South Charleston. They have a killer line-up of really great bands, and I’d probably be there with the RFC cameras if I weren’t concerned about a certain virus that is raging in WV at the moment.  Check out this amazing line-up…

And don’t forget the car show…

Also this weekend, the LiveFree Music Festival is happening at Adventures on the Gorge in Lansing, WV. Many Radio Free Charleston favorites are appearing…

Live Music is on tap at Taylor Books. There is no cover charge, and shows start at 7:30 PM.  Friday it’s Sean Richardson and Bug Kinder-Schyler. Saturday The Steve Himes Connection takes the stage at the beloved bookstore/cafe/art gallery.

The World Famous Empty Glass Cafe has some great stuff this week  to tell you about.  Wednesday Shaefer Ball performs at 9:30. Thursday at 5:30 PM Swingstein and Robin return with music for a cause.  Friday Tim Courts and friends will fill the Happy Hour with music starting at 5:30 PM. Saturday, from Minneapolis, The Dirty Pretty come to the Glass, with Dust Up and more acts to be named later.  Sunday evening at 9 PM, WV Americana troubadour, Kurt Shultis, holds down the fort at the Glass.  Next Tuesday Spurgie Hankins Band returns to The Empty Glass! Check the graphics below for more weekend shows.

Please remember that the pandemic is still not entirely over yet. It’s a going concern with the ‘rona still lurking about all robust and reinvigorated and with a chip on its shoulder. And now there are nasty seasonal allergies, spider-bees, roaming wild boar-musks, cheese calculators and other damned good reasons to be careful. Many people who have very good reasons are still wearing masks, and many of us, understandably, are still nervous about being in crowds, masked or not. Be kind and understanding  while you’re out.

Keep in mind that all shows are subject to change or be cancelled at the last minute.

Here we go, roughly in order…