Good Ole' Blues Music on Monarch Way
The University Village will kick off the 2nd annual Music on Monarch Way concert series Saturday, June 20, with the band Black White Blues.
Keeping Hampton Roads grooving since 1988, the sextet serenades audiences with rich sounds of guitar, vocals, drums, bass and harmonica.
Sponsored by the Old Dominion University Real Estate Foundation and the University Village, the Saturday evening concerts will be held from 5-7 p.m. on the lawn behind ODU's Ted Constant Convocation Center along Monarch Way. Concert admission and parking are free.
Information about the concert series and a full list of shops and restaurants at the University Village are available at http://www.oduvillage.com or by calling 683-4504.
The concert schedule is as follows:
June 27 Lewis McGehee - Aggressive Acoustic Rock
Locals have voted McGehee as the top acoustic act for three consecutive years and he was recently voted Best Musician. He has performed with national acts such as John Prine, Robert Palmer, Talking Heads, Christopher Cross and Bruce Hornsby.
July 4 No concert, Celebrate Independently!
July 11 Jesse Chong - Eclectic Reggae, Funk and Rock
Chong hails from Virginia Beach and has opened for a variety of bands, from Steely Dan to Steel Pulse. He is known for impeccable musicianship and excellent songwriting.
July 18 Laura Martier with Joe Mapp and the Coordinates - Classic Jazz
Cool jazz is infused with a little soul featuring VSOJAZ recording artist Laura Martier, guitarists Joe Mapp and Dan Martier, and Mick Vaughn on rhythm.
July 25 Robbin Thompson - National Recording Artist
Thompson was the lead singer in the Bruce Springsteen band Steelmill, won the American Song Festival twice and has recorded 12 albums. Thompson and friend Steve Bassett authored the song "Sweet Virginia Breeze," which is considered by many to be the unofficial state song of Virginia.
Aug. 1 Session Rockers - Reggae Roots Music
Session Rockers has been nominated for best reggae band by Virginia Reggae Awards for 2009.
Aug. 8 Corporate Woods Drive - Blues/Rock
The band "paints itself in the Stevie Ray Vaughan and Cream shade of blue," according to reporter Jeff Maisey in The Virginian-Pilot. Playing at venues such as the Norva and the Jewish Mother, the band has a growing and diverse audience that includes everyone from high schoolers to baby boomers.
Aug. 15 Luke Hartman Band - Soft Rock
This trio's music appeals to people of all ages with cover songs ranging from the '70s to today. While the acoustic guitar is the main staple of their music, the rhythm section adds a funky groove, giving the band its unique and enjoyable sound.
Aug. 22 Harwell Grice Band - Bluegrass
This group delivers hard-driving bluegrass fresh from the mountains of southwest Virginia. These talented young musicians offer a wide repertoire of traditional, cover and original music.