FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 6/20/11
Morgan Arts Council -- Berkeley Springs, WV
www.macicehouse,org
Press Contact only: Mary Hott - 304-258-2300
SCHEDULE FOR SUMMER CONCERTS RELEASED
BERKELEY SPRINGS, WV ---- The Morgan Arts Council (MAC) launches its 25th season for Summer Concerts in the Park with a seven concert line- up that includes two pre-concert activities: a drumming workshop and a jazz jam session. Also on the calendar is a remarkable one-man band
and the return of the Weber Brothers. As a special bonus to
celebrate the 25th season and continue MAC's focus on local roots music, the concert series presents Possum Holler at the Apple Butter Festival.
All summer concerts are at 5:30pm, staged along the mountainside that marks the western border of Berkeley Springs State Park. They begin July 9 and continue through August 20. The nearby Ice House art center serves as rain location except for the first one which will use the Star Theatre as back-up.
The free summer concert series was the brainchild of the late Linda Fallon introduced in 1987 to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the
Morgan Arts Council. In the years since, it has become MAC’s best
known program drawing more than 45,000 attendees over the years with many returning year after year.
"It's hard to believe we've been doing this for a quarter of a century," said Jeanne Mozier, MAC Secretary. "And each season concert planners come up with a perfect blend of music types."
Funding support comes from the National Endowment for the Arts and the West Virginia Commission on the Arts as well as local hotel-motel tax revenues and the Pennsylvania Performing Artist Tour. “We also owe great thanks to the Department of Natural Resources for letting us use the park,” said Mozier. "Nothing beats sitting on the lawn and watching the kids -- and adults -- splashing in the springpools along with the music." For detailed information on the concert series and participating performers, check online at www.macicehouse.org or call 304-258-2300.
Saturday, July 9
RUTHIE & THE WRANGLERS
A chart-topping group, Ruthie and The Wranglers is one of the DC area's best roots rock/country bands with a shelf full of "Wammies" to prove it. Their clever lyrics, high energy and spritely hillbilly harmonies set them apart from the rest. Ruthie is a "twang queen of the highest order" surrounded by a clutch of great musicians.
Saturday, July 16
DENI BONET
Popular demand brings Deni Bonet and her signature blue fiddle from Manhattan back to the summer concerts. A classical trained violnist,
she now performs lyric based original rock with acoustic instruments.
During her early days in West Virginia, she was an original member of Mountain Stage and performed with Julia Adams as Twisted Sisters.
Saturday, July 23
BEN PRESTAGE
A one-man, multi-instrumentalist, polyrhythmic powerhouse of traditional acoustic blues. Armed with a host of homemade guitars, a foot-operated drum set, and a distinctive southern growl, Prestage lights up the stage and electrifies his own mix of swamp and Delta blues.
Saturday, July 30
ONE WORLD TRIBE
A diverse, 10-person world music group featuring hip hop, reggae, funk and African rhythms. Along with just plain sounding great, their mission is to promote unity, diversity, tolerance and justice through their music. A special pre-concert workshop on African drumming and dancing starts at 4pm. Bring your drums!
Saturday, August 6
3 PENNY ACRE
The unique Ozark-inspired sound of this folk/Americana trio from Fayetteville, AR has them tearing up the folk circuit with awards and recognition. They perform at the summer concert's with guest David Glaser from Annapolis, MD. Their sound comes from an attention to lyrics, harmony, and carefully crafted acoustic arrangements steeped
in roots music traditions but with a focus on fresh, new songs.
Special guest David Glaser adds four-part harmony and another guitar to the mix.
Saturday, August 13
OSHUA DAVIS GROUP
Music of rock bands such as The Police and classical musicians such as Beethoven are performed by this quintet of some of New York's best
traveling jazz musicians, assembled by Professor Josh Davis.
Listeners are taken on journeys through recognizable themes. You'll
fall in love with jazz for the first tim, or again. Special pre-
concert workshop at 4:30pm: How Jazz Works.
Saturday, August 20
THE WEBER BROTHERS
On tour from Canada and their work with the legendary Ronnie Hawkins, the Weber Brothers come home to close out the concert series with their original blend of rockabilly, roots rock, and country stylings.
The double CD “Left Right, Left Right” is their seventh release with
26 original songs including one featured on Westvirginiaville.com.
