MARTINSBURG — The Arts Centre presents the 2008 WV Wine & Arts Festival, featuring a dynamic line-up of live music, wine grown and produced in West Virginia, art vendors, activities for children, and the debut of the second annual Palette Project (presented by Main Street Martinsburg).

The 2008, West Virginia Wine & Arts Festival
Memorial Day Weekend
On the Lawn of the Historic Boydville Estate
Saturday, May 24 from 11:00am - 7:00pm
Sunday, May 25 from 1:00pm - 6:00pm

The main event for the festival is two days of live music – a diverse line-up that includes hot swing to cool jazz, down-home bluegrass, oldies, acapella harmonies and guitar duos.

Saturday’s line-up (11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.):
o Small Potatoes (cowboy to Celtic and a little bit of Broadway)
o Con & Cash (golden oldies and Western swing)
o Todd Coyle (folk rock)
o Elana James and the Hot Club of Cowtown (hot jazz/Western swing with an internationally acclaimed fiddler and singer – more about Elana below)

Sunday’s music (1:00 – 6:00 p.m.):
o The Speakeasy Boys (down-home bluegrass – see profile below)
o Cam Millar Jazz Combo (cool and experimental jazz – see profile below)
o Radio Caroline (Americana soul)

The Speakeasy Boys describe their unique sound as “zesty river-hobo style” with a repertoire of original, rare and classic bluegrass, old-time, country, gypsy swing, blues, folk and jugband tunes. With two, guitars, mandoline, banjo, fiddle, washtub bass, a “homemade washboard tin-can contraption”, and occasionally harmonica, saw and lapsteel, the Speakeasy Boys are as much fun to watch as they are to hear perform. They are known for their plucky performances at outdoor festivals and street fairs. http://www.speakeasyboys.com/

Trombonist Cam Millar’s original jazz compositions have been heard in his native Canada on CBC’s Jazz Radio Canada as well as the Calgary and Edmonton International Jazz Festivals. He is currently an adjunct professor at Shepherd University, and performs at many local events, including concerts and dance festivals.

Our Saturday headliner is Elana James, performing with the Hot Club of Cowtown. Elana James brings her unique fiddling sound on international tours, and in 2005 was featured as part of Bob Dylan’s touring band. Elana and the Hot Club of Cowtown have been featured on All Things Considered, The Grand Ol’ Opry, Mountain Stage, A Prairie Home Companion, and numerous other radio and television performances. Willie Nelson describes Elana James as “a beautiful voice, a fantastic musician, with the heart and soul of an angel.” Don’t miss her spectacular performance on Saturday evening. http://www.hotclubofcowtown.com/

Visitors to the WV Wine & Arts Festival are invited to relax on the shady lawn of the historic Boydville Estate and enjoy a glass of West Virginia wine, sold directly by the vintners at the festival. Sample a variety of wines from Jones Cabin Run, Lambert’s, Potomac Highland, and other Wset Virginia wineries. Favorite varieties including Catawba, Blackberry Merlot, spice wines and honey wines will be available. Each ticketholder over 21 years old will receive a souvenir wine glass for tasting. Patrons are reminded to drink responsibly and to appoint a designated driver. Blankets and lawn chairs are encouraged, but coolers and pets are not permitted on the grounds. Parking is available at the South Middle School lot on Queen Street.

This will be the second year that Main Street Martinsburg’s Palette Project will be unveiled at the WV Wine & Arts Festival. Local artists were provided with oversized blank wooden palettes to customize through painting and sculpture. This year’s palettes will be on display for the first time on the grounds of Boydville at the WV Wine & Arts Festival. After the festival, palettes will be on display in downtown Martinsburg though the summer. Children at the festival will be able to paint a full-sized blank palette, which will be displayed at The Arts Centre this summer.

Other attractions at the WV Wine & Arts Festival include: artist demonstrations by the Heritage Craft Center of the Eastern Panhandle, art and craft vendors (including photography, jewelry, and pottery), Budwiser beer and microbrews. Tickets are $15 for adults 21+, $10 for ages 13-20, and free for ages 12 and under. Festival information can be found at http://www.wineandarts.com. Print Add a Comment Back to All Articles