On Sunday, Aug. 28 at 7 p.m. Alderson will celebrate the 122nd Birthday of Ada Beatrice Queen Victoria Louise Virginia Smith a.k.a. Bricktop. Singer, dancer and Paris night club owner of the 1920s and ‘30s, Bricktop was born in Alderson. She was called Bricktop because of her auburn hair and a face full of freckles. After the death of her father the family moved to Chicago. That is where Ada discovered her talent for entertaining and hosting.
When she moved to Paris in the early 1920s she decided to open her own club called Chez Bricktop. Cole Porter was a fan and after hearing Bricktop talk about a lynching, wrote a song for her based on a comment she made (this song will be performed by Suzanna Robinson-Kenga). Ada used to say that the success of a night was based on the number of Kings in attendance. The most was five not counting the Prince of Wales.
Ada “Bricktop” Smith was always proud of her West Virginia heritage. She would tell interviewers that she was born in “West, by God, Virginia.”
Come to Alderson and celebrate Bricktop with the Robinson-Kenga Trio; plus a surprise guest. Sit on the Memorial Bridge overlooking the Greenbrier River, listen to wonderful jazz, dance and watch the sunset over the mountains. Bring a chair and your friends.
The concert is free and sponsored by the Town of Alderson, Alderson Main Street and Greenbrier County Commission Arts & Recreation.
