HOW TO GO
What: The 12th annual AACW Blues and Jazz Festival with Preston Shannon, The 5yzMen, Nerak Roth Patterson and others
Where: Antioch College Amphitheater, Corry St., Yellow Springs
When: Friday through Sunday, Aug. 24 through 26. 6 p.m. Friday, noon Saturday and Sunday
Cost: Free
More info: www.aacw.org
The 15th annual AACW Blues and Jazz Festival at the Antioch College Amphitheater is always a treat for audiences because the entertainment features international acts and topnotch locals presenting blues, jazz and gospel. It is scheduled for Friday through Sunday, Aug. 24-26.
According to festival steering committee member John Booth, the multicultural event also provides a great opportunity for participating performers.
“There is networking amongst the musicians,” Booth said. “In the past we’ve had local musicians that have impressed the national acts. They say, ‘Oh, let me get your number. I might need to talk to you a little bit.’ ”
Audio Show Band kicks off music at 6 p.m. Friday, followed by sets from The Carl Schumacher Band, Karen Patterson with the 5yzMen from Lagos, Nigeria and the Larry Humphrey Band. Memphis-based blues guitarist Preston Shannon, known as The King of Beale Street, will close the evening.
Saturday is the biggest day of the festival, with activities and music running from noon to midnight. The Blues Workshop runs from noon to 2 p.m., followed by performances on the Innovation Stage from 2 to 5 p.m. The main stage acts begin at 4:35 p.m. Saturday, with a performance from Dean Simms Hot Notes Band. Other performers that day include a second performance from Preston Shannon, along with sets from Veronica Jackson and festival favorites the Nerak Roth Patterson Band and closer the 5yzMen.
“At a certain point on Saturday, while we’re changing acts on the big stage, we’ll have another act on the innovation stage so we can keep things going,” Booth said.
Last year, the festival organizers made a few changes to the long-running event. They added Blooz ’n’ Pome, the Thursday night kickoff at Peach’s Grill in Yellow Springs, which featured live music and poems, and moved the gospel showcase to noon Sunday and coupled it with a potluck-style picnic called a Basket Meeting.
“There has always been a gospel contingent but it’s usually on Wednesday evening,” Booth said. “We changed it to Sunday just to make it a little larger and that worked out really well. For some people, that was their favorite part. People have been calling me saying, ‘Are you having the Basket Meeting again,’ so I know there’s interest again this year.
“The blues and gospel are very closely related,” Booth added. “In the African-American culture gospel music is very big. It’s cultural sharing. We started bringing in other groups that were a little bit more professional. It’s been really impressive.”
About the Author