At 11 a.m., BlacKingCoal will take the stage at the city Greenspace near the intersection of Washington and Jefferson streets. Comprised of former and current members of Rust Kings and The Wild Rumpus and led by Allan Dale Sizemore, BlacKingCoal is well versed in American music. Having played festivals as diverse as Merlefest, The John Hartford Festival, The Lowell Folk Festival and Brew Skies and many others as well as every hole in the wall and kickin’ nightclub from Maine to St. Louis, Mich., to Arkansas and all points in between, the members of BlacKingCoal have just about seen or done it all. Clint “The Deacon” Lewis still lays the law down with his upright, “Handsome” Mike Zimmerman still keeps the pocket tight and Allan still dances all over the place with his guitar, growling, screaming and at times crooning like a dirty angel. Sometimes, other Kings will dance in and out of the circle, but it stays tight and loose at the same time. Sizemore’s songs go from a 50’s style rock and roll number to a country barroom to a city ballroom and back again; they all are tied together with a single rope. And sometimes, twine.
At 2:30 p.m., Greenbrier East High School’s Second Rock Block will be performing in the city Greenspace. 2nd Block Rock is Greenbrier East High School’s rock ensemble. Initially conceived as an advanced guitar class, 2nd Block Rock has developed over the past five years into a full performance ensemble involving over 30 students. In addition to performers, students fill many roles including composition, arranging, production, recording, management, promotion, and performance logistics. This year, 2nd Block Rock will learn and perform over three hours of music in a variety of venues including Spartan Stadium, The West Virginia State Fairgrounds, The Greenbrier Valley Winter Music Festival, The Hub, The Lewisburg Chocolate Festival, and more.
International Street performer, physical comedian and beloved local character, El Gleno Grande returns to the Lewisburg Chocolate Festival with an equestrian act that only gets more hilarious with time. The antics will begin at 11:45 a.m. at the corner of Washington and Court streets.
Free showings of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory movie will screen at The Lewis Theatre on Court Street at 11:30 a.m. and 3 p.m.
New this year for the adults, The Lewis will present a free showing of Chocolat starring Johnny Depp and Juliette Binoche at 7 p.m.
Children’s Storytelling at the city Greenspace will begin at 2 p.m. Children are invited to gather around and listen to a chocolatey-sweet story treat presented by Devin Preston, a professional actor, choreographer and Core Artist with Trillium Performing Arts. Free books will be distributed.
Tasting tickets for the Lewisburg Chocolate Festival are limited and on sale now at www.lewisburgchocolatefestival.com or in person at Greenbrier Valley Baking Company, 110 S. Jefferson Street; Greenbrier Valley Visitors Center, 200 W. Washington Street; Harmony Ridge Gallery, 209 W. Washington Street; and ReMax, 117 E. Washington Street. The Lewisburg Chocolate Festival is sponsored by MonPower, a First Energy Company.
