3 posts tagged “vienna”
Friday Night, 12 June 2009
They're back! and what a night of good music. The Annapolis Bluegrass Coalition, better known as "ABC," wowed the capacity crowd on this beautiful evening after another full day of threatening storms that never materialized. Fast becoming honorary citizens of our fair town, Roger Green never fails to mention how much the band enjoys playing for the Vienna public. They got off to a rocky start by being stranded in beltway traffic and showing up right before show-time. One never knows. Who can predict what will happen at any given moment on Metro D.C.'s wonderful highway system? When are the authorities going to get smart and begin issuing citations for idiots who cause traffic jams and the lolly-gaggers who slow down to see what's going on? Lead, follow, or get out of the way. But no problem - ABC took charge, set up all their equipment in about 7 minutes (I timed them) and then got a big round of applause for their thrown-together sound-check song. That's called professionalism. They barely had time to tune their instruments - which to any bluegrass musician worth his salt is a fine science. The good times continued for another hour and a half and concluded with a standing ovation encore song after the obligatory "Orange Blossom Special." You haven't lived until you've heard fiddler Sue Tice deliver her version of this old chestnut. It's obvious that Sue's fiddling is one of the strong glue-points that holds the whole group together. What she provides is most excellent nuance - never overbearing - coming in and out of a musical line with just the right touch. I could listen to her playing all night, but that's not the point. In this genre of music it's about the group and not anyone individual. She adds just enough color to each song on the program. This is great musicianship.
Thanks to Navy Federal for sponsoring ABC on this night's performance at our local Town Green music stage. The programs continue every Friday and Sunday evening until the end of summer.
Roger Green, Guitar - Dan Kimball, Mandolin - Bob Tice, Banjo - Sue Tice, Fiddle - Jim Duvall, Bass.
For more information go to www.annapolisbluegrass.com
Catch Roger Green's streaming Bluegrass Programs on WRYR 97.5 FM. Times and listings are available at www.wryr.org. The music and (Roger's interesting and expert commentary) is the Real Deal.
15 May 2009 - Vienna Town Green, Vienna, Virginia
Now in its third Season, the Vienna Town Green Stage opened up on May 15th with the appearance of Bill Emerson and the Sweet Dixie Band. Forget the Nay-sayers, the Nay-Bobs, all those who negatively fought against our town ever having a public venue such as our Town Green. On Friday night, one of the biggest crowds I've ever seen at these events showed up in droves to enjoy some really good Bluegrass, made even more pleasurable by the fact that Bill Emerson is one our local, homegrown musical icons. He lives here, and for that we should be more appreciative. The audience was overflow into the grassy area behind the Freeman Store and the knoll behind the fountain. Children of all ages were everywhere - scads of them! - and thoroughly enjoying themselves. The town of Vienna has instituted a very family-friendly gathering space alongside the popular W & O.D. Bike Trail that meanders through downtown Vienna. In three years the audiences have grown and the programs provided have improved tremendously from their humble beginnings. Thanks in large part to Mayor Jane Seeman, Edythe Kelleher and her volunteers, and Vienna Parks and Recreation Director Cathy Salgado.
Keep the date of February 8th, 2009 open on your calendars. "ABC" (The Annapolis Bluegrass Coalition) is coming back to perform at the Vienna Town Community Center. I was fortunate to catch this talented group here in our town last winter and they're coming back again after performing this summer at our new 'Town Green' Stage. The Annapolis Bluegrass Coalition has a lot of local fans as exhibited by the huge crowd which showed up for the summer performance. Returning for the third year, I hope Vienna makes it a winter tradition. It certainly breaks up the monotony of a cold, boring winter. This is Bluegrass at its basic best with a few modern numbers thrown in the mix. The Community Center is directly off Center Street, near the town baseball field and firehouse and there is plenty of free parking. Last year's concert was free. . .this is the best deal you'll ever get in free entertainment . .and another good reason for living in the town of Vienna, Virginia. More on the Annapolis Bluegrass Coalition as the date approaches.
Date: 8 February, 2009, 2:00 pm. Vienna Town Community Center, Vienna, Virginia
Annapolis Bluegrass Coalition at Vienna Community Center, 2007 performance
For more information click on to www.annapolisbluegrass.com
