Roanoke’s Elmwood Park – for 100 year it’s been a City park – now it’s getting a facelift!

You may have heard about the City of Roanoke’s plans to provide much needed renovations to Elmwood Park.  We encourage you to share your vision of the future of Elmwood Park and get more details at the City of Roanoke’s web site. This historic urban park has such a rich and vibrant history and has played such an important part in the lives of so many Roanoker’s we thought it would be nice to share some interesting information and history.

In addition to being downtown Roanoke’s only major green space, Elmwood Park is currently the home for at least 17 annual events, and is utilized for these events an average of 54 days each year for these activities.  These festivals and events collectively attract over 120,000 people to downtown Roanoke each year.  They include Festival in the Park, Party in the Park,  Big Lick Blues Festival, Microfestivus, Henry Street Festival, Strawberry Festival, Blues Ridge Blues Festival, Movies in the Park, Pride in the Park, Latino Festival, Festival of India, Local Colors and many others of various sizes and types.

So as you might imagine EventZone and other event organizers enthusiastically support renovations to the park that include updated and improved features and design.  But we also are thrilled that the direction this project is taking stresses keeping this space a multi use park with a vision for many types of gathers and uses.  The renovation of Elmwood Park can serve Roanoke on many levels and be the next big boost to downtown development.  It’ll generate greater activity, revenue for downtown businesses, the city and other organizations and continue to be a focal point for social gathers and recreation for downtown and the region – as it has for so many years.  It’s our hope that it will become an improved festival/concert venue as well with improved comfort features for the thousands that attend!

Let’s look a little closer at the park’s history while many are seriously considering it’s future.

Early History
In the early 19th century, the Tosh family owned 200 acres, which included the property that became Elmwood Park. In the mid-1830s, Jonathan Tosh built the house which contemporary Roanoker’s know as the Terry home, for the last family that owned the property. Thomas Tosh, the son of Jonathan, sold the property to John T.J. White in 1841, who in turn sold it to Col. William Madison Peyton in 1846.

Col. Peyton named the estate “Elmwood” and is credited with planting the elms and many other species including the Japanese magnolia, still alive and blooming today. The tree was a gift from Commodore Matthew C. Perry, who brought it from Japan around 1855. Sold to a Benjamin Dennis in 1858, then to Benjamin Tinsley later that year, the property was eventually purchased by Mr. Peyton Leftwich Terry. After the death of his widow in 1910, the city purchased what is now Elmwood Park for $150,000 in 1911. This fulfilled a long-standing goal of the Woman’s Civic Betterment Club (WCBC) which was given a few rooms in the Terry house. The WCBC is the same group that commissioned urban planner John Nolen’s Remodeling Roanoke, a plan which included recommendations to integrate the facilities for city government and services with beautiful public spaces. Elmwood Park is Roanoke’s third park. It is predated by Highland Park created in 1901 and Melrose Park of 1907.

The Park Changes
In the 1920s and 1930s the Roanoke Valley Garden Club created rose beds with more that 100 varieties and planted trees and shrubbery. As of the mid-1970s, only a few boxwoods remained. The stone wall around the property and the iron gate gave way to street widening, and most of this early landscaping was lost. In those early days, as in the park upgrades of the early 1980s, garden clubs and individual citizens donated funds to purchase much of the parks trees and shrubs.

Accompanying the library addition of 1982, many changes came to Elmwood Park. The Mayor’s Monument was moved from its original location at Church and Fifth Streets to the corner of Elm and Williamson in the park. Erected in 1892 by P.L. Terry and F.J. Kimball, president of the Norfolk & Western, it was an “Industrial Monument to mark progress of the City of Roanoke.” It was cleaned and a new star pedestal added in 2008.

A “Breathing Space” for Roanokers
Since the park’s creation it has been a gathering place and a green space. In 1913 an editor for the World News wrote “People of Roanoke bought Elmwood for a park, a playground and a breathing space.” In the early decades tennis courts brought in crowds for tournaments, as did the bandstand for weekend concerts. There was even a pond with the requisite ducks. In the 1910s and 1920s there were numerous large gatherings, often celebrations with parades which culminated with speeches in the park attended by thousands of citizens. Open air concerts began again with Event Zone, in 2003, continuing the Easter Seals Summer Concert Series (renamed Party in the Park). And into the present the park is busy from late spring through fall with a variety of cultural events for all ages and interests including festivals, concerts, and film showings.

Developing Urban Center Looks to Park’s Open Space
These events created strong support for maintaining the parks open spaces, in sharp contrast to the voices in support of development. Since its inception, its open spaces have invited development. In 1912 and 1913 there were proposals that the park be the site of a new municipal building and jail. In 1947, a report of City Council’s War Memorial Committee suggested making the park a war memorial. In 1953, the year the Academy of Music was razed, 1955 and again in 1961, it was suggested that an auditorium or arena be erected in the park. In the late 1970s there were proposals to move the library to the old post office building and establish a cultural center, including the Historical Society and art museum in Elmwood Park. The existing library was built in 1952, with an addition built in 1982. The old Terry house in the park, the city’s first public library, was torn down in 1964.

Over the years Letters to the Editor, and newspaper articles and editorials have debated the potential costs and benefits of maintaining the park in its current configuration, moving or keeping the library, and whether to create a cultural center and amphitheater. This is a debate which continues in one form or another to this day.

In the April 1985 dedication of the park makeover, Mayor Noel Taylor, who previously had been a member of the library advisory board, stated “Elmwood Park today is a tribute to the vision of the Roanoker’s who supported its purchase by the city in 1911.” The history of Elmwood Park in many ways reflects the inherent challenges Roanoker’s face as the city and its citizens balance shared values of pride of heritage with modernity while preserving green and open civic spaces in a busy urban center.

Band of Oz at the ‘12 Kroger Cabin Fever Series!

Friday, March 9, 2012.

The ‘11 BB&T’s Party in the Park finale – Thurs. Sept. 15!

It’s the conclusion of Roanoke’s award winning Thursday night concert series – BB&T’s Party in the Park.  As we like to say, “It’s Where Your Friends Are on Thursday Nights.”  Gates open at 5:30pm, and music from 6:00 – 8:30pm.    Party in the Park features music you can dance to, and that’s exactly what you’ll get, plus lot’s of fun and you’ll likely meet up with friends you haven’t seen in a while too.  It’s all family friendly and a great way to transition into your weekend!

This Thursday, Sept. 15, it’s the season finale featuring one of the hottest new bands on the scene – Atlantic Groove.

Plus it’s School Employee Appreciation Night – so if you present your school ID at the gate, you’ll get in for FREE!

It’s our way of saying “thanks” for all you do for our children.

It’s really the most fun place to be in Roanoke on Thursday night!

See the BB&T Party in the Park web site for complete details.

And be certain to “Like” us on Facebook!

Atlanta Rhythm Section will kick off ‘11 BB&T Party in the Park season

We know lots of folks just can’t wait for the start of the award winning BB&T Party in the Park season to begin.  With warm weather upon us, where else would you rather be on Thursday nights then Elmwood Park?   Well get ready and mark your calendars for May 26th.  EventZone keeps raising the bar on the entertainment and this year’s schedule is no exception.  Get you dancing shoes ready for the smooth southern pop rock rhythms of the Atlanta Rhythm Section on opening night and then all throughout the summer.

Here’s the 2011 BB&T Party in the Park schedule

May 26 – Atlanta Rhythm Section & Project 4
June 2 – Craig Woolard Band
June 9 – Chairmen of the Board/ Remembers General Johnson
June 16 – Jim Quick & Coastline
June 23 – SuperHold
June 30 – Domino Band
July 7 – Part-Time Party-Time Band
July 14 – The Tams
July 21 – The Attractions
July 28 – Fantastic Shakers
Aug. 4 – Holiday Band
Aug. 11 – The Embers
Aug. 18 – Hip Pocket
Aug. 25 – Danny Woods & the Board of Directors
Sept. 1 – The Kings
Sept. 8 –Band of Oz
Sept. 15 – Atlantic Groove

Expect lots of fun and surprises all summer long.

Admission is just $6.00 at the gate ($10.00 on opening night).  Or get your  “Any-10 Pass”  for $52.00.  Also if you buy an “Any-10 Pass” on opening night at the gate or before (at any BB&T Bank location) you can use it on opening night (thus your admission for that night will be just $5.20).

For all updated and to get BB&T Party in the Park info fast.  “Like” the BB&T Party in the Park Facebook page.

The non-profit partner organizations for the 2011 BB&T Party in the Park have also been announced.  These worthy Roanoke focused non-profit organizations will provide volunteers throughout the 2011 season and in return each will receive a portion of the net proceeds at the end of the year.  To date you and EventZone have been able to provide over $67,000 to Roanoke non-profits!

Ribs and other good eats at SunTrust Big Lick Blues Festival- Oct. 2

Come hungry to the  4th Annual SunTrust Big Lick Blues Festival on October 2 in Elmwood Park.  There will be five rib and BBQ vendors battling to take the title of “Best Rack in town!” Don’t worry, if you don’t want BBQ that day, there will be plenty of other options.  Shrimp and grits, hot dogs, hamburgers, gyros and popcorn are just some of the other great food items that will be available.  You definitely won’t leave the park with an empty stomach! Fantastic food and Grammy winning Blues performers… couldn’t be a more perfect combination!

*Click on the logos below for more information on each vendor.

Now accepting merchant vendor applications for SunTrust Big Lick Blues Festival- Oct.2

The 4th annual SunTrust Big Lick Blues Festival will take place October 2, 2010 in Elmwood Park, downtown Roanoke, Virginia. For the past three years, this all day event has drawn large crowds from all over the east coast. From now until September 22, EventZone will be accepting vendor applications for product/service, craft artisans and goods and product sampling.

This is a unique opportunity because this event has grown to become a highly anticipated festival every year and unlike other events, Big Lick Blues will not have rigid guidelines for vendors (approval based upon application review). Fabulous local restaurants cooking up ribs and BBQ, People’s Choice awards, Rib eating contest and great blues and jazz music are just some of the elements that make this event so popular.

This year SunTrust Big Lick Blues is excited to bring Grammy winning performers like Jimmie Vaughan, Teresa James and John Lee Hooker Jr. to the Roanoke Valley. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to have prime space during an event that brings over 3,000 people to Elmwood Park.

Click here to print your merchant vendor application or e-mail amanda@eventzone.org.

If you have any questions or need additional information please do not hesitate to contact Amanda Gaylor.

John Lee Hooker, Jr. has truley lived the “life of a bluesman.”

John Lee Hooker Jr. was born in Detroit “Motor City” with Delta blues-filled blood running through his Motown veins. The son of the great John Lee Hooker, he was exposed the life of the blues from a young age. At only eight years old Jr. performed on Detroit’s WJBK radio and knew from that moment that he wanted to follow the path of his father and become a world-class musician. Touring alongside Hooker, Sr. throughout his teens, Jr. had already performed in prestigious venues such as Detroit’s Fox Theatre with acclaimed musicians like Jimmy Reed by the time he was 16. In 1972, an eighteen year-old John Jr. was singing vocals alongside his father for the recording of Hooker, Sr.’s album Live at Soledad Prison.

Unfortunately, while living the “life of a bluesman” he succumbed to the demons that surround it, derailing his musical career for many, many years. Drugs, alcohol, divorce, incarceration, and death nearly brought his once promising career to a screeching halt, but it was living the blues and his faith in the Almighty that resurrected Jr. Hooker. With the support of his family and friends, and a crew of talented musicians who never ceased to believe in him, Jr. Hooker finally found his own inner muse, making music that expresses the depth of emotion he has experienced in his personal life.

His first album, Blues with a Vengeance, is what he called his “celebratory redemption.” After struggling through years of extreme hardship and nearly losing himself to the streets, the remarkable John Lee Hooker Jr. overcame the adversity to begin a rapid emergence into the blues spotlight. Released in April 2004, Blues with a Vengeance certainly lived up to its name by wrapping up 2004 with a Grammy nomination in the Traditional Blues Album category and a nomination for a distinguished W.C. Handy Award as Best New Artist Debut. The California Music Awards (formerly the BAMMYS) named Blues with a Vengeance 2004’s Outstanding Blues Album of the Year, and the Bay Area Blues Society presented John Lee Hooker Jr. with the 2004 Comeback Artist of the Year award, as he performed alongside world-class musicians Jimmy Reed, BB King, Bo Diddley, Lenny Kravitz, Taj Mahal, Koko Taylor, Charlie Musslewhite, Etta James, and John Lee Hooker.

Cold As Ice, Jr. Hooker’s second album, was released in June of 2006 and showed his progression as a contemporary blues artist. Blending his roots with a modern sound, his style is indicative of his Motown base. Music enthusiasts describe his style as R&B, Jazz, Funk, and “down home blues”. While the record did not gather as much attention as his debut, it received positive reviews across the board and solidified Jr. Hooker as one of blues’ rising stars. Epitomizing the synthesis between traditional blues and the new age funk, the record at times pays homage to his father while at others it blazes a trail of its own.

John Lee Hooker Jr. releases his third CD, All Odds Against Me only to discover the impact it has made worldwide in its infancy… it generated a ‘08 Grammy nomination. Jr. Hooker continues to carry the blues into the 21st. century. The 12-song album was his first effort to include only new original tracks, a contrast to either of his previous solo projects.

Additionally, Jr. continues to stretch the envelope, becoming blues’ first animated superhero in a cartoon included on the enhanced disc. The first episode of “Bluesman” introduces Jr. Hooker. as a crime-fighting musician, singing in clubs by night and cleaning up the streets by day. Conceived by Frenchman Laurent Mercier at the Callicore Animation Studios in Paris, the video series has also inspired work to begin on a comic book. Mercier, son of a French jazzman contemporary of Hooker Sr., dreamt up the idea as a way for the two sons to pay tribute to their fathers’ legacies and Jr. immediately embraced the vision. Set to “Blues Ain’t Nothing but a Pimp” from Blues with a Vengeance, the video is the first of three to be released in 2008.

From the gravely blues of the Detroit streets to a new era of sound; from the shadow of his father’s accomplishments to standing apart from his namesake; from criminal to crime-fighter; from San Quentin to the Red Carpet, its no wonder the album is called All Odds Against Me. John Lee Hooker Jr. has built upon his colorful past as he continues to distinguish himself as a contemporary “Bluesman.”

See John Lee Hooker. Jr, at the Sat. Sept. 2, 2010 SunTrust Big Lick Blues Festival in Elmwood Park, downtown Roanoke.  Advance discount tickets are available now online or at all regional SunTrust Bank branch locations for just $22.00. Also appearing are Teresa James & The Rhythm Tramps and 4x Grammy winner, “Mr. Tuff Enough” Jimmie Vaughan.