Edited by Lynn Norusis
1Tinner Hill Blues Festival
Twenty years ago it was a small street festival. Now, it has grown into a three-day event known as one of the few that offers authentic, down home- and Virginia-created blues music featuring the best local, regional and national talent. This year the Tinner Hill Blues Festival features Shemekia Copeland at the State Theatre on Friday night, Teeny Tucker, Mississippi Heat, Cathy Ponton King, Tom Principata, Music Maker Review and more Saturday at Cherry Hill Park, plus a Blues Brunch Sunday at the Hilton Garden Hotel. Along with all the blues bands, families can enjoy a musical story hour for kids at the library, art exhibits, flea market, early morning blues at the farmers market and panel discussions. /June 13-15
2Loudoun YouthFest
In its ninth year, Loudoun YouthFest draws thousands of attendees for a day of teen-centered concerts. While local youth band winners of the countywide Battle of the Bands series will serve as opening acts, headlining the event Saturday night at Tally Ho are The Mowgli’s, a Southern California indie-folk band who’s song “San Fransico” reached number 11 on Billboard’s alternative chart in 2013. The festival will also host interactive exhibits focusing on healthy living, after school programs, community organizations, belonging and diversity, dancers and other stage acts. / June 21
3‘Threesomes’
Inspired by the number three, Maureen Minehan asks viewers to contemplate her photographs in sets of three, questioning the grouping as the sum of a greater work or as images supporting each other. How are they anchored to each other? And what makes them a threesome? / Through June 22
4‘The Jester’s Box’
Blue Sky Puppet Theatre presents a tale of a jester named Ralph who is off to see King NFAFETMHL (Never Found Anything Funny Enough To Make Him Laugh). If Ralph can be the first to make the king laugh, he will gain fame and gold. If he fails, he gets it with a pie. / June 11, Franklin Park Arts Center.
5‘The Ice Queen’
Being an ice queen is not easy, but true love is something that can melt anyones heart. As the Ice Queen’s sister and friend, Wise Man Charles, search for a potential mate, Jack Frost enters the picture. Who better to understand an Ice Queen. But is it true love? / Saturdays, June 21 through August 9; Workhouse Art Center.
(June 2014)
