May 26, 2007
Vandalia Gathering of oldtime Appalachian music
FREE, at the Capitol Cultural Center all weekend. Of special interest to blues fans: 1 p.m. Nat Reese, acoustic blues; 3:30 p.m. Ethel Caffie Austin's gospel singing workshop
June 16, 2007
3rd Annual Juneteenth Multicultural Festival
Stratton Elementary School, Beckley. Lady D featured. (check with her for more info)
June 21 - 24, 2007
FestivALL in Charleston
Of special interest. Thurs. June 21 8 p.m. Lady D and Mi$$ion, opens for the Ojays, Clay Center for performing arts, tickets from www.theclaycenter.org
June 22, 2007
Blues to Hip Hop: Behind the Beat!
Lady D (Doris Fields) free workshop for youth and adults age 12 and up, Roosevelt Community Center at Ruffner & Washington Sts. E. End of Charleston, at 1-3 p.m.
Showcase for “W.Va.’s Finest” contest
All genres, at Capitol Roasters, Summers and Quarrier St., 8-10 p.m. Friday
Blues Brews BBQ
University of Charleston riverfront lawn for Fund for the Arts begins at 6 p.m., headlined by modern blues singer and guitarist Robert Cray who had a recent hit with the lament “Twenty” about soldiers in Iraq.
June 24, 2007
The horn-filled band Paris Project with saxophonists Marshall Petty and Dugan Carter and guest singers caps off an afternoon of terrific, multicultural singer-songwriting, Latin and jazz music.
More info on all FestivALL weekend live music, art and theater events: www.festivallcharleston.com
July 13 - 15, 2007
Johnnie Johnson Festival
Fairmont WV, in memory of the late great piano boogie man who grew up there, lineup TBA. www.johnniejohnsonbluesandjazz.com
July 15 - 20, 2007
Learn an instrument or vocals at Augusta Heritage Center’s Blues and Swing Week, high in the mountains at Elkins, WV. Mandolin expert Rich del Grosso now heads this Handy award winning educational week. Teachers include acoustic guitar/harmonica duo Cephas and Wiggins; piano dynamos Ann Rabson, Erwin Helfer and Darryl Davis; bass player Mookie Brill; and singer songwriter Gaye Adegbalola of Saffire: the Uppity Blues Women. www.augustaheritage.com/blues.html
August 10 - 12, 2007
Heritage Blues Festival
Shemekia Copeland, Lurrie Bell, Rich del Grosso, Fiona Boyes, and Sean Costello are among the headliners for the Heritage Blues Festival in Wheeling, WV. www.heritagemusicfest.com