Music at the Gateway in October

October at WTA’s Gateway will recognize its selection as “The Valley’s Favorite Place for Live Music” by bring two outstanding performers to the Shenandoah Valley.  On Friday, October 5, Larry Kirwan, internationally celebrated Irish writer and musician will grace the Gateway stage with a combination of music, storytelling and Irish wit.  On Saturday, October 6, rising hip-hop rock singer/musician Justin Turk will bring his unique musical style to Waynesboro.

Larry Kirwan is an expatriate Irish writer and musician who is most noted as the lead singer of the New York based Irish rock band, Black 47.  Kirwan formed Black 47 with Chris Byrne in 1989.  Since then the band has released 13 CDs and performed well over 2000 shows internationally.  Kirwan is also a writer who has produced eleven plays and musicals that have been performed in the United States and Europe.  The most popular is Liverpool Fantasy, a ‘what if’ about the Beatles.  He also published a number of novels and a memoir as well as writing a weekly column for the Irish Echo.  Since 2005, Kirwan has hosted “Celtic Crush on Sirius Satellite.

The doors open for the Kirwan performance at 8 pm.  The show is at 9 pm.  The performance is a fundraising event for WTA’s Gateway.  Tickets are available for a donation of $15.  Please call 540-943-9999.

Justin Turk is a singer/songwriter and New Jersey native.  Although he is a young artist, he has been sharpening his skills in the music industry for ten years.  He has toured throughout the East Coast.  A quick “Google” search will lead to a number of his performances including the Market America Twentith Anniversary featured performance in August 2012.   Turk’s rock/pop style in combination with his powerful vocal range captivates audiences. But his talent extends beyond his impressive voice. He plays several instruments and often accompanies himself on guitar. Critics have called his music “soulful, inspiring, and up beat” and noted that his songwriting style ranges from “softly lyrical to aggressively energetic.” One noted that “Justin’s catchy melodies have the audience singing along in no time. Be forewarned: Resistance to Justin’s charm is futile!”

Turk’s perfomrance is at 8 pm.  The doors open at 7:30.  Tickets are $10 in advanced and $12 on the day of performance.

Tickets for Justin Turk’s performance are available online at www.wtagateway.com or by calling the box office, 540-943-9999.