All Blues, all weekend, all over town is the 5th annual tribute to the world renown Blues artist John Jackson, one of Virginia's pre-eminent singer guitarists hosted by the Tinner Hill Heritage Foundation. Always held the second weekend in June, it's the 8th, 9th and 10th this year. The 18 year old music festival that went all blues 5 years ago is a treat thats hard to beat.
Held in northern Virginia in the city of Falls Church this Blues Festival has become a must do activity in June. A walkable, friendly community with only 2.2 square miles, this little city with big bang blues has over 50 businesses involved with special blues music, specials and discounts, special menu items, and even a great home brewery in the Mad Fox Brewing Company that makes the exclusive Tinner Hill Blues Festival beer.
Last years jam packed line up featured some of the most enjoyable musicians around today. It kicked off with Carol Boston Wheaterford who did a one woman show and had a book signing. Over 3 days and all over the city, Steady Rollin' Bob Margolin with Daryl Davis and Guitar Shorty, Choo Choo Charlie a harmonica artist, Curtis Blues a one man show that sounds like at least 8 people, rocked the leaves off the Cherry Hill park trees, Junior Bynum, a Blues master, Tom Principato, guitar master, and the ladies Nadine Rae, Patty Reese, and Gaye Adegbalola all got their blues on down and dirty.
Take the young'ins to this one, because it is a wonderful way to introduce them to real music appreciation. There are many kid friendly activities including pony rides, a sock puppet workshop, harmonica playing lessons, and story telling, but this is an event better enjoyed with the older children and grandchildren. There is so much to do you won't have to worry about them getting bored, and you won't have to go with them to other nearby activities if you don't want to leave the performance currently being featured on the main stage.
Falls Church is only 7 miles from Washington, D.C., so plan an extra day so you can see the Martin Luther King monument, the White House, visit the Smithsonian museums, and have dinner on U street at Ben's Chili Bowl or one of the great little blues houses along the street. If you are feeling fancy you must go to B. Smith's at Union Station for a great meal and fantastic ambiance. The Metro train has 2 stops in Falls Church is very easy to use, and it will take you steps from so many great places to explore and enjoy. So take your camera and kids and create some beautiful memories this June. www.tinnerhill.org
You Tube has great clips from the Tinner Hill Blues Festival. Check out myfoxdc-tinner hill blues festival for really fun bits and pieces of the blues festival. Also go to flickr/tinner hill blues festival for some really fantastic photos of the event thru the years.
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