Asking people this week if they have any big plans, most are saying they are staying home with a few more lively folks saying they are going to a party or one of the New Year’s Eve events that are being sponsored this weekend.

Whatever your plans, remember to have a designated driver.  There have been rumors that AAA will provide rides, but according to the local news last evening –this is just a rumor.  So plan ahead and remember to reward your designated driver with all the non-alcoholic beverages and food they can take.

If you are still undecided, there are a few tickets left for the InConcert New Year’s Eve party at the new Firehouse BBQ & Blues club.  Tickets are 30.00/person and you must be 21 to enter.  Doors open at 7:00 p.m.  The Jonny Hazard Band will be playing live.

If you have any other suggestions of New Years Eve events open to the public, let us know by commenting at the bottom of this article.

Happy New Year To You All!!

When: Friday, November 11, 2011

Where: 4th Floor Blues Club

Time: 7:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m.

Advance Tickets: $20, can be purchased at: Maria Mitrione’s Italian Market, Little Sheba’s, Joe’s Pizza or from any HYPE committee member

Ticket Price Day of Event: $25

Entertainment: Garcia and Scott

Souvenir wine glass for every ticket purchase!

For more information, call the 4th Floor Blues Club at 966-5654

Presented by: Richmond Baking Company, HYPE, Wayne Bank & Trust, and VanVleet Insurance

Prophet’s Fest 2011

This annual event includes multi-genre music such as Reggae, Rock, Bluegrass & Dubstep.  It is a full weekend of dancing, camping and family fun for people of all ages.

Live music is provided on a scenic farm 3 miles South of Richmond at 944 Woods Road.  Camping is free with food vendors, crafts and environmental booths available.  The music starts in the early afternoon and bands will play on through the night with The Big Lowowski shown on a big screen at midnight.

If you are planning to stay the night you will want to bring camping gear, party supplies, and “dancing pants and Cosby sweaters,” according to information from the website.

***Please do not bring dogs as there are dogs on the farm already, and no glass containers or fireworks.

Everyday Prophets In Concert

The Schedule: Saturday, August 27, 2011

• 1pm :  Gates Open
• 3pm-10pm: Multiple acts play on main stage. Bands will include: Nightflyer, Pressure Sound System, Otto and the Moaners, DeVille Soul Consortium with DJ Chozen, Natural Mystix and more.
• 10pm-midnight: Everyday Prophets
• Midnight: big-screen viewing of The Big Lebowski
  Late night dance party in the VIP cabin featuring: Kaiten, Wise Cracka, Ariosa , Marky C, Bitflip
• 10am Sunday : Time to head home!

Check in to the Prophets Fest website for any updates on this event.  Cost for this event is 15.00 for adults.  Children 12 and under are free.

For you blues lovers, that time of year is approaching.  The Annual Starr-Gennett Walk of Fame Music Festival is coming next month.  All the information you need is below.

Where:
Whitewater Gorge Park
201 South First Street
Richmond, IN

When: September 10, 2011   11AM-10PM

Description:
Concerts by Randy Baker and the Jonny Hazard Band, The Groove Doctors, Governor Davis and the Blues Ambassadors, and Nashville’s Stacy Mitchhart; induction of Roosevelt Sykes and Bailey’s Lucky Seven into the Walk of Fame, and honoring Blind Lemon Jefferson; performance by the Starr-Gennett Youth Troupe; free kids games and activities; Battle of the Blues Bands; Gennett Mansion Bus Tour; Richmond Pride Art and Essay Contests; Rubber Duck Regatta; music and art vendors; food and beer garden.

Contact Information:
Terri Hardy
765-962-2860
thardy@starrgennett.org

Price:
Daytime events are free.  Evening Gennett Legacy Concert tickets $15 at the door, $10 in advance.  Blues Battle at 6:30 PM.  Governor Davis and the Blues Ambassadors at 7 PM.  Featured performer is Nashville’s Stacy Mitchhart at 8PM.

Website: http://www.starrgennett.org/

Ticket Information:

Tickets are available at Starr-Gennett Foundation, Wayne County Foundation, the Tourism Bureau, Richmond Furniture Gallery, Lamplight at the Leland Inn, and online at:  http://starrgennett.eventbrite.com

Sponsors: Premier sponsor: Richmond Baking Co. Other sponsors: Earlham College, First Bank, Irmscher Construction, Lingle, Mosey Mfg., Richmond Casting Co., Reid Hosp., Rick and Beverly Garnet, Wayne Co. Fdn., Wayne Bank, Wayne Vincent, West End Bank.

See this year’s official poster below for show times:

Trumpeter, Bryon Stripling

“The Music and Spirit of Louis Armstrong,” a jazz concert starring trumpeter Byron Stripling backed by a jazz quintet, will be presented on Saturday July 23 at the historic Murray Theatre in Richmond, Indiana.  A young Armstrong made some of his first recordings at Richmond’s Gennett Records in 1923 with the King Oliver Creole Jazz Band.  In 1941, by then quite famous, he returned to perform on the Murray Theatre stage, and this concert celebrates the 70th anniversary of Armstrong’s Richmond appearance.

The Foundation and Theatre are interested in hearing from anyone who might have attended the 1941 Armstrong performance or knows of someone who was there.  Please call Starr-Gennett if you have related stories to share.

For this concert, Stripling will re-create the style and songs of the legendary trumpeter Louis Armstrong.  Stripling is an outstanding musician with a national reputation who played the lead role in Broadway’s Stachmo.  He has performed with over fifty different symphony and pops orchestras, including the Boston Pops, and also with the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, the Carnegie Hall Jazz Band, and at the Monterey Jazz Festival.  He has toured with such major jazz acts as Lionel Hampton, Terry Clark, Woody Herman, and Count Basie.  He is currently the artistic director of the Columbus Jazz Orchestra.

This Gennett Legacy concert is being co-sponsored as a special fund-raising event for both the Starr-Gennett Foundation and the Richmond Civic Theatre.  Ticket price is $20 ($15 for RCT members, Starr-Gennett members, and students.  Tickets may be purchased in advance from either of the sponsoring organizations.  The July 23rd program will begin at 7:00 p.m., with the theatre doors opening at 6:00.

In connection with the July 23rd concert, Lamplight Inn at the Leland will host “Jam and Dance” sessions in the Leland Ballroom, located at 900 South A Street, one block from the Murray Theatre.  The pre-concert music will play from 5:00 to 6:00, and post-concert music will begin at 9:30.  The dance floor will be open, and J&J Winery will offer a cash bar and light snacks.

WHO:                   Byron Stripling

WHAT:                 “The Music and Spirit of Louis Armstrong”

WHEN:                 July 23, 2011

WHERE:               Murray Theatre  (Richmond Civic Theatre)

COST:                    $20  ($5 discount for SGF members, RCT members, or students with ID)

TICKETS:               @ RCT, SGF, Wayne County Foundation, Welcome Center, and The Leland

Online at:   starrgennett.eventbrite.com

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Terri Hardy, Starr-Gennett Foundation:  765-962-2860

Bill Strauss, Richmond Civic Theatre:  765-962-8011
or David Cobine:  765-962-5828

Cruise-In July 1st, 2011, GWC

Last night the place to be was in the Depot District, to begin the long 4^th of July weekend.

As the steam of the day started to leave issuing in a cool breeze, people gathered to enjoy the Cruise In.

Timeless music filled the air as the crowd milled about listening to the live band, eating, visiting with one another and taking a tour of the many classic cars surrounding the beer garden.

The parking lot and under the overpass was filled to capacity with vehicles of all eras from the 1920’s to the 60’s.

Carol Lou & Friends at Joe's Pizza, Depot District

Next to the beer garden, Joe’s pizza was filled to capacity with people enjoying the amazing sounds of Carol Lou and friends.  Decades of musical talent were there last night as the oldies were enjoyed over pizza and laughter.

Carol Lou is a regular at Joe’s pizza on Friday nights, and the Cruise –In at the Depot is a new regular – every first Friday of the month.

Coming Up…

Also on tap this weekend will be the Blast At The Overpass in the Depot District on Sunday.  Gates will open at 3:00 with bands playing up to the arrival of the special guest band.  (see article- what’s happening this weekend).  Cost is 8.00/person and tickets can be purchased ahead at Mitriones and Joes Pizza.

The Blast At The Overpass is part of the InConcert series also sponsored by Warm Glow Candles.  Rick Parker of Parker’s General Store, Mitrione’s and 4^th Floor Blues is to be thanked for bringing this kind of “big city” entertainment to our town.

This was a great way to start the weekend with more to come. (For more pictures of this event go to the Go Wayne County Facebook site).

Attention All Blues Bands! You could be Starr-Gennett’s official “Blues Band (or Artist) of the Year”!  First place wins the title, $500, and 8 hours of studio time.

Starr-Gennett Foundation is looking for the best regional blues bands or artist to battle for the title at this year’s “Mo’ Blues Festival”.  Enter today by sending an email with either a link to your band’s demos or just send a few mp3s.

The contest will take place from 2-4:00 p.m. at the Walk of Fame Music Festival on September 10.  The top two bands will battle for the victory at 6:00 p.m., just before the featured evening Concert.  Deadline to enter is July 15, 2011.

Send submissions including contact name, band name, and music links or demos, to:

Terri Hardy  ~  thardy@starrgennett.org

Or call (765) 962-2860 for more information