Music’s in the air

Tammy Layman / News Virginian
Published: May 2, 2007

The city of Staunton's Shakin' At the Station will again function on Thursdays at the grandstand in the Johnson Street Parking Lot in the Wharf from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Proceeds from the event are donated to non-profit charities.

The concert series is sponsored by the John D. Eiland Co. Inc. in Verona. Offered at the concert will be food and alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. Patrons are welcome to bring their lawn chairs. A donation is requested at the Shakin' At the Station concert series to benefit various local non-profit organizations.

"This is intended to be family-oriented," said Todd Michael, coordinator of the event from John D. Eiland. "We are excited about this year's lineup and the charities that will benefit from Shakin'."

This year's bands scheduled to play include the Janitors on May 17, the Rhondels on May 24, the Heartbeat of Soul on May 31, the Maxx on June 7, Groovetown on June 14, Mirage on June 21, the Worx on June 28, Billy Scott and the Prophets on July 12, the Mia Jones Band on July 19 and the Rubberband on July 26. August's schedule includes Encore on Aug. 2, Fat Ammon's Band on Aug. 9, the Worx on Aug. 16 and Abby Road on Aug. 23.

Selected charities to benefit this year include the Augusta County Fire Department, the Citizen's Police Academy, the Mental Health Association of Augusta, the Children's Art Network, the Waynesboro Players, Hope, the United Way, the Arc of Augusta, Ride with Pride, the Shenandoah Valley Stargazers, ShenanArts and the Boy's and Girl's Club. Helping coordinate the event this year is the Central Shenandoah Crime Stoppers.

"Various members of the charities will assist us with volunteers during the various concerts and their group will receive a portion of the proceeds at the end of the series," said Michael.

Jazz in the Park, a 10-week series of free jazz concerts held at the bandstand in Gypsy Hill Park, will begin in July and run through August every Thursday at 8 p.m.

The Stonewall Brigade Band performs at the bandstand in Gypsy Hill Park each Monday night at 8 p.m. during June, July and August. The free concerts feature marches, show tunes, popular music, overtures and selections from American authors. Band members are from the local community.

Praise in the Park is a weekly Christian concert series sponsored by Linden Heights Baptist church. This series presents a mix of various Christian music genres, including Southern Gospel, contemporary, country, bluegrass and Christian rock. All music is intended for all ages. The concerts are held at the bandstand in Gypsy Hill Park in Staunton. Signing will be available for the hearing impaired at all Praise in the Park events and there will be activities for the children as well as hotdogs, pizza, drinks, sweets and popcorn.

The Praise in the Park kickoff will be held on July 1 in at the America's Birthday Celebration in Staunton at the July 4th weekend festivities. The specific times are yet to be determined. The Coachmen, a family-based quartet from Staunton, will be the opening act on July 1 for the Mike Bowling Group. The remaining July and August schedule for Praise in the Park will be announced at a later date.

Stone Soup Books, 908 W. Main St., Waynesboro, is set to kick off its first annual music series on Friday evenings from 6 to 9 p.m. with a special evening menu offering grilled items in addition to their regular menu of standard soups and specialty sandwiches.

"We'll have grilled items like chicken kabobs and Italian sausage," said Mary Katherine Froelich of Stone Soup Books. "This is our first season since my husband, Dan, and I opened the store in December."

The series starts this Friday, May 4, featuring Warmed Over Boys, and continues May 11 with the acoustic Afton Amblers, May 18 with singer and songwriter Mary Binda, May 25 with Afton Amblers and June 1 with old-time Brakin Nu Ground.

The music is available in the outdoor gardens and dining is available outdoors weather permitting. "We will have produce from our raised beds available," Froelich added.

The Chatterbus in Waynesboro located in the Dixie Oil parking lot across from the Waynesboro High School will have a free concert series from 7 to 9 p.m. on Fridays starting in June.

"People are encouraged to bring their lawn chairs and on occasion we will request donations for a performer who is traveling to be here," said Coleen Paixao, co-owner.

Scheduled on June 1 is Heaven's Mt. Band, playing bluegrass and gospel.

"They are a local band featuring banjo picking and guitar and just good harmony," said Paixao.

On June 8, Chris and Goose, a popular local coffee house group, will jam with fun oldies and gospel.

On June 22, Dena and husband, from Blacksburg, will be featured.

"We still have an opening on June 15," said Paixao. "It has to be family-friendly music without offensive language for us to consider it."

The Paixaos are members of Cornerstone of Albemarle, and active in their praise team.

"We are interested in any local artists that would like to display their art in our gazebos on Friday nights when we are having concerts," Coleen said.

Current hours for the Chatter Bus are from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday and until 9 p.m. on Fridays when music is scheduled.

"We like that we can provide fun, family-oriented entertainment for our downtown area that is free, " Paixao said. "The concerts on Friday evenings bring people downtown and they don't have to go to Charlottesville or Staunton for entertainment. We are here to provide more than just coffee, drink and food. We offer a place for people to utilize for special events and meet people and interact. We don't do enough of that.

"We are a drive-through, computer-oriented generation," Paixao added. "Anything overused and abused can become dangerous, such as a computer. A fire is good. It keeps you warm and its nice. But if a fire is out of control it can burn someone. Sometimes I think computers are too easily accessible. People can get to the point where they hide in their computers."

Anyone interested in performing this summer may call the Chatter Bus at 649-2039.

Tags relating to this article:

• No tags are associated with this article.

Can't find what you're looking for? Try our quick search: