As we make a hasty retreat from the bombs bursting in air over the James River thanks to George Hoover and family last Friday, we hope you all had a fitting Fourth and are ready to muddle through the sultry shrinking summer with your ears well-placed to take in some of the many musical opportunities that lie ahead.
First a quick anecdotal underscore of how things are improving in this town for musicians and those who like to hear them live. D & I had just checked out Chris Tsui's hot (figuratively) and happening new restaurant Sushi O on Alverser Drive and rambled across the parking lot to Cafe Caturra for a cup of joe...a warm round of applause greeted us as we walked through the front door. We quickly realized the hand was for two musicians holding forth in the corner...the singer looked like a Cap One guy fresh off the golf course and his guitar player could've been his kid; but no...Brad Mauldin impressed us with his strong vocals and a varied set of folk/pop balladry and Jake Seward backed him well on his six-string Guild. They were terrific and usually travel with Jake's wife Kristen on keys...never heard of them but will be looking out for them now.
A couple of great options for Friday (tonight): John Patykula, who heads up the guitar program at VCU's music department also kicks off his Guitars & Other Strings series tonight in the Sonia Vlahcevic Concert Hall with The Whitetop Mountain Band. A big hit at the Richmond's first National Folk Festival a few years back, these energetic Virginia musicians promise an evening of authentic old-time and bluegrass of the highest order. Click here for more info. If you're up for something with a bit more twang and need a few brews to cap off your week, Shenanigans on the north side might be the spot as Brad Spivey and his superlative Honky Tonk Experience play one of their home gigs.
American mongrel Page Wilson follows in Brad's heels on Saturday night in the former Cock & Bull with the Reckless Abandon boys. And speaking of Page, we're very excited to announce that the first of JAMinc/In Your Ear's studio concerts will be featured on his Out O' The Blue Radio Revue on Saturday, July 26th from 6 to 8pm on WCVE-FM. We've been putting on these intimate shows at In Your Ear for the past few years featuring under-the-radar artists like Bruck Molsky, The Kruger Brothers, Rick Epping, Peter Ostrouschko and Phil Wiggins and now have a compelling collection of live recordings which will be a recurring part of Page's Saturday night soiree from the Chickahominy Swamp. The debut presentation will feature piedmont blues legend John Cephas with Asheville singer/songwriter and Cephas student Eliza Lynn. We're all very excited about this new partnership and urge you to tell a friend and tune in on the 26th and monthly thereafter.
On Sunday, an enduring Richmond tradition lives again at Dogwood Dell as the always-free Festival of Arts presents Larry Bland & The Volunteer Choir. I believe this is their 40th anniversary year and their energy and sincerity are sure to get the spirit moving. They'll also be featured at this year's debut of the Richmond Folk Festival October 10-12.
One more thing...Danny Knicely, an incredible mandolinist and old friend who lit things up on Pete's porch at Graves Mountain last month is set to perform with the Oretea Brothers as part of the Bluemont Concert Series in Ashland. Originally from Bolivia, Cesar and Jose studied Flamenco guitar and singing in Spain. Their soulful guitars and blood harmonies are powerful and moving. This landmark performance, in English and Spanish, will include Ralph Gordon on bass and music ranging from lively gypsy rhumbas to other melodies from Europe, Brazil, Bolivia, and Appalachia. This first of the series on the lawn at the Hanover Arts & Activities Center will later feature Laurie Lewis and John McCutcheon. More info here.
We're off to the Birchmere on Monday for Crooked Still, Chatham County Line and The Infamous Stringdusters, then to upstate NY for the Grey Fox festival in its new home. We'll keep you posted. There's lots of great music out there...go get some.
TT
First a quick anecdotal underscore of how things are improving in this town for musicians and those who like to hear them live. D & I had just checked out Chris Tsui's hot (figuratively) and happening new restaurant Sushi O on Alverser Drive and rambled across the parking lot to Cafe Caturra for a cup of joe...a warm round of applause greeted us as we walked through the front door. We quickly realized the hand was for two musicians holding forth in the corner...the singer looked like a Cap One guy fresh off the golf course and his guitar player could've been his kid; but no...Brad Mauldin impressed us with his strong vocals and a varied set of folk/pop balladry and Jake Seward backed him well on his six-string Guild. They were terrific and usually travel with Jake's wife Kristen on keys...never heard of them but will be looking out for them now.
A couple of great options for Friday (tonight): John Patykula, who heads up the guitar program at VCU's music department also kicks off his Guitars & Other Strings series tonight in the Sonia Vlahcevic Concert Hall with The Whitetop Mountain Band. A big hit at the Richmond's first National Folk Festival a few years back, these energetic Virginia musicians promise an evening of authentic old-time and bluegrass of the highest order. Click here for more info. If you're up for something with a bit more twang and need a few brews to cap off your week, Shenanigans on the north side might be the spot as Brad Spivey and his superlative Honky Tonk Experience play one of their home gigs.
American mongrel Page Wilson follows in Brad's heels on Saturday night in the former Cock & Bull with the Reckless Abandon boys. And speaking of Page, we're very excited to announce that the first of JAMinc/In Your Ear's studio concerts will be featured on his Out O' The Blue Radio Revue on Saturday, July 26th from 6 to 8pm on WCVE-FM. We've been putting on these intimate shows at In Your Ear for the past few years featuring under-the-radar artists like Bruck Molsky, The Kruger Brothers, Rick Epping, Peter Ostrouschko and Phil Wiggins and now have a compelling collection of live recordings which will be a recurring part of Page's Saturday night soiree from the Chickahominy Swamp. The debut presentation will feature piedmont blues legend John Cephas with Asheville singer/songwriter and Cephas student Eliza Lynn. We're all very excited about this new partnership and urge you to tell a friend and tune in on the 26th and monthly thereafter.
On Sunday, an enduring Richmond tradition lives again at Dogwood Dell as the always-free Festival of Arts presents Larry Bland & The Volunteer Choir. I believe this is their 40th anniversary year and their energy and sincerity are sure to get the spirit moving. They'll also be featured at this year's debut of the Richmond Folk Festival October 10-12.
One more thing...Danny Knicely, an incredible mandolinist and old friend who lit things up on Pete's porch at Graves Mountain last month is set to perform with the Oretea Brothers as part of the Bluemont Concert Series in Ashland. Originally from Bolivia, Cesar and Jose studied Flamenco guitar and singing in Spain. Their soulful guitars and blood harmonies are powerful and moving. This landmark performance, in English and Spanish, will include Ralph Gordon on bass and music ranging from lively gypsy rhumbas to other melodies from Europe, Brazil, Bolivia, and Appalachia. This first of the series on the lawn at the Hanover Arts & Activities Center will later feature Laurie Lewis and John McCutcheon. More info here.
We're off to the Birchmere on Monday for Crooked Still, Chatham County Line and The Infamous Stringdusters, then to upstate NY for the Grey Fox festival in its new home. We'll keep you posted. There's lots of great music out there...go get some.
TT
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