Just in time for the official start of Summer, Staunton’s Shenandoah Concerts presents a good-old-fashioned street party.
The concert’s creator and sponsor, John Huggins, sees this as an opportunity to spark interest in the community and to venture Downtown on Sundays. “Boogie On Beverley creates awareness that Staunton is open for business on Sunday afternoons and gives locals and visitors a chance to see what we have to offer. My job is to promote the Downtown cause.” Stores and restaurants will remain open, and the public is invited to attend this free afternoon of folk/Americana music.
The event begins with Danny Dolinger, a self-described “folk rock/glam/melodramatic” songsmith based in Fairfax, VA. An accomplished guitarist, he has been featured in the Ancient Forest Roadshow, performed on Pennsylvania Avenue, and recorded the albumSignificant Gains. In addition to bringing such original songs as Virginia and Crooked Horseto the stage, Danny will likely be performing on guitars he has repaired himself.
Following Mr. Dolinger, the Washboard Wonders take the stage with their “unique blend of Old Tyme-Ragtime and Sing-a-longs”. This quartette features Jason Clarke on washboard, Buddy Thomas on banjo and vocals, Chris Wray on bass and vocals, and Richard Adams on trumpet, trombone, saxophones, tuba, and vocals. Longtime fan Pat Hunt describes the music as “Just fun…plain ole fun.”
The West Frederick Street Trio are a collection of locals that starting playing music together at Emanuel Episcopal Church across from Stuart Hall. Local performer, Valerie McQueen, has been known to join them with their informal stagin. While not clearly slotting into the slots of any musical genre, they lean toward a folky, bluegrass style.
Sarah Lynna and the Misfit Toys will follow to “tell you [their] story through [their] music and lyrics, praying it will give you the inspiration to carry with you in your daily lives.” The lead, Sarah Lynna, is a native of Staunton who has only been on the musical scene since 2010. While she began guesting on the stage with local favorite, The Judy Chops, she has been prolific with local headlining is 2012 and is now poised for even larger venues.
Capping the afternoon’s entertainment, the much-loved Hound Dog Hill brings its “six piece neo-traditional string” sound to the middle of Beverley Street. Based in Staunton, this sextet is about to celebrate a decade of being a band. Their two albums, Twisted Sneergrass andBorn in Virginia, showcase their skills, and fans eagerly hope for a third studio release.
The concerts will serve as soundtrack for the work of Dwell Collective, a group of emerging Staunton artists who publicly exhibit the making of their collaborative pieces, from concept to completion in three to four hours. The presence of live painting by Steve Kizer, Leo Charre, Andrew Davis, and Craig Snodgrass makes for a unique blend of entertainment and ambiance at an event. Onlookers may purchase the finished pieces as a treasured visual record. More information is available by visiting dwellcollective.com.
Performance begins at 2 p.m. on Sunday June 23, 2013 on Beverley Street, near Shenandoah Pizza. Admission for all is free. For more information visit stauntondowntown.org or call (540) 324-3215.
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