Come on over to the Old Mill Park (Gazebo) next to the Post Office this Sunday, Aug. 9, from 2 to 4 p.m., for an afternoon of summer lawn music and fun on Main Street, US Route 60, downtown White Sulphur Springs.
This is the fifth of six Sundays of music in the park, underwritten by Main Street White Sulphur Springs. Each performance is free of charge, with cold drinks supplied. Your job is to bring lawn chairs, blankets, and some family and friends. It’s all free!
This Sunday, the community concert sponsors are Mark Bowe and Joshua Adamo, together with Gillespie Brothers, of White Sulphur Springs. Come over and meet some of these neighbors of yours who contribute their time and effort to keep our community moving forward.
There is a very special performance this week. Starting at 2 p.m. the West Virginia Jazz Orchestra will perform two hours of big band music.
The orchestra performs across the state with their group of 18 professional and highly experienced players. In addition to playing the standard repertoire of the famous bands of past years – Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Stan Kenton, and others – the band also concentrates on improvisation.
The WVJO also recreates the more outstanding jazz solos and styles of famous jazz artists such as Louis Armstrong, Dizzy Gillespie, Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald and many others. When combined with their careful planning and focus on audience entertainment, the WVJO delivers an educational, experienced package full of great jazz and fun.
The West Virginia Jazz Orchestra has been together more than 15 years. “We originally thought it would stay together for one concert, here we are 15 years later,” says director Jeff Bryant. Gary Williams is the orchestra administrator. They perform locally and throughout the state and have played with numerous jazz greats, including Ellis Marsalis, Jr. Audience members will be entertained by a mix of musical styles from Big Band Swing to mainstream Jazz to Motown to ‘80s classic rock.
The main goal of the summer music series is to get people out and about in the village, and be in the company of other neighbors and friends, while enjoying local music performers. At the same time, the sponsoring cohost organizations will be identified and their members will be there to say hello. It is a way to get to know some of the people and businesses that serve our community.
Any questions please call Bob DuCharme at 804-357-5884.
The Summer Sundays Schedule (all performances from 2-4 p.m. at the Gazebo): Aug. 9: West Virginia Jazz Orchestra, 2 p.m. (cohosts: Joshua Adamo and Mark Bowe, and Gillespie Brothers, of WSS); Aug. 30: Leah Trent, 2 p.m.; Robin & Doug, 3 p.m. (cohost: Old White Garden Club of WSS).