Per Montgomery County:
Silver Spring Blues Week is continuing with mostly in-person events and a few virtual programs. It will conclude with a star-filled lineup for the 13th Annual Silver Spring Blues Festival on Saturday, June 18. The event is presented by Silver Spring Town Center, Inc.The festival was not held in person for the past two years due to the COVID-19 health crisis.
The Daryl Davis Band will headline an array of other blues artists at the June 18 festival. The lineup will include Patty Reese, Matt Kelly, Sol Roots, the Archie Edward’s Blues Heritage Ensemble.
For the Blues Festival, attendees are encouraged to bring their own chairs. A variety of food and beverages will be available at local eateries.
For virtual events, get Zoom links by sending an RSVP to [email protected].
Blues Week venues include:
- Festival Main Stage: Ellsworth Drive between Fenton Street and Georgia Avenue.
- J. Hollinger’s Waterman’s Chophouse: 8606 Colesville Road.
- El Golfo Restaurant: 8739 Flower Ave.
- McGinty’s Public House: 911 Ellsworth Dr.
- The Koiner Farm: 737 Easley St.
The schedule of events for Blues Week:
- Friday, June 10. 8-9 p.m. Blues Through Poetry with Poet Brenda Bunting. Presented virtually on Zoom.
- Saturday, June 11. Noon-2 p.m. Don’t Forget the Blues Preview with Host Ida Campbell and special guests. Presented virtually on Zoom.
- Sunday, June 12. 5-7 p.m. Blues Week Kick-Off with Moonshine Society Trio at J Hollinger’s Waterman’s Chophouse.
- Monday, June 13. 8-9 p.m. The Barbershop Series: In the Studio with Artist Schroeder Cherry. Presented virtually on Zoom. The Barbershop Series is inspired by places where men gather to get shaves and their hair cut. While waiting to be serviced, and later in the chair, customers share an environment ripe with conversation, political views and perspectives on everyday events. Works in this exhibition were inspired by visits to barbershops in Baltimore, Maryland and Washington, D.C.
- Tuesday, June 14. 6-8 p.m. A Very Soulful Evening of Blues with Ursula Ricks at J. Hollinger’s Waterman’s Chophouse. Born in Baltimore and raised in Texas, Ursula’s music takes you on a journey through a life of funk/soul/ and neo-blues. Even when belting a non-original composition, she has an uncanny knack to convey the originality of the music. For more than three decades, she has been the real deal, Her music, voice and message transcends so many of the divides experienced today.
- Wednesday, June 15. 9-10:30 p.m. Spring Fling Comedy Show. Hosted by Chipp Jones. Presented virtually on Zoom.
- Thursday, June 16. 6-8 p.m. Stacy Brooks Under the Stars on the Patio at El Golfo. Once Stacy Brooks took a deep dive into the Blues, she was quickly dubbed Queen of the Blues. Winner of the D.C. Blues Battle of the Bands, the Stacy Brooks Band has competed in a number of competitions, including the 30th Annual International Blues Challenge in Memphis (2014) and the International Blues Challenge in Memphis (2012). She has been nominated for many other awards, including for Best Female Blues Vocalist with the Washington Area Music Association every year from 2009-12.
- Friday, June 17. 6-8 p.m. The Red Castle Blues Band at McGinty’s Public House.
- Saturday, June 18. 10 a.m.-10 p.m. The 13th Annual Silver Spring Blues Festival at the main stage on Ellsworth Drive. The festival headliner is Daryl Davis, an international recording artist, actor and band leader. He is considered one of the greatest blues, boogie woogie and rock’n roll pianists of all-time. He has played with The Legendary Blue Band (formerly the Muddy Waters band) and Chuck Berry.
More information about Blues Week and the Blues Festival is available at www.facebook.com/SSBluesFest,www.silverspringblues.com and www.silverspringtowncenter.com.
