4th Annual Derby Day Gala- May 5, 2012- Tickets now available!
January 12, 2012 by Larry
Filed under Derby Day Gala, Our Events
Don’t miss out on THE event of the year;
the Fourth Annual Derby Day Gala at Rockledge.
This fabulous event, on Saturday May 5, 2012, is in its fourth year of fund-raising for EventZone and it’s Festival in the Park’s Scholarship for the Arts Program, which has donated over $125,000 to area students who are pursing a degree in arts. Don’t just hear about this event, be a part of it! Tickets purchased are tax deductible. See photos of the past Derby Day Galas. Read more about last year’s Derby Day Gala, continue scrolling.
Buy your 2012 Derby Day Gala Tickets
Roanoke’s Elmwood Park – for 100 year it’s been a City park – now it’s getting a facelift!
Sister Hazel at '10 Festival in the Park
Jason Michael Carrol at '08 Festival in the Park
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.
2011 Festival in the Park
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.
BB&T's Party in the Park - crowded dance floor
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.
"Elmwood" circa 1914. What will it look like in 2014?
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.
A packed park for BB&T's Party in the Park - it happens every Thursday night May - Sept.
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.
The Elmwood Park pond was located where the stage currently sits
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.
Celtic Crossroads – World Fusion Tour Show kicks off the 2012 Roanoke St. Patrick’s Day Celebration
Friday, March 16, 2012 at Jefferson Center.
Get ready for Grammy winning blues & smokin’ ribs – Sat. Oct. 1
September 14, 2011 by Larry
Filed under Music, Our Events
As the summer is winding down and fall festivities begin, make sure you’ve got one of Roanoke’s Best Festivals marked on your calendar. The fifth annual SunTrust Big Lick Blues Festival will take place on October 1, 2011 in Elmwood Park
downtown Roanoke.
This year we’ve got an award winning musical line up in store. Three time Grammy winner, Delbert McClinton is back to headline this rockin’ blues festival and he’s not coming alone! As members of Texas R&B/country Delbert McClinton’s band, the musicians of Dick50––Steve Mackey, Kevin McKendree, Rob McNelley, Lynn Williams will be sharing the stage with the soul legend. SunTrust Big Lick Blues Festival is thrilled that we were included in one of the few U.S. shows that Bernard Allison has scheduled this year. Bernard Allison totes the same smokin’ six string shooter that his late father Luther Allison assaulted the blues with. And he is blessed with his father’s soulful voice, spiritual devotion, and a musical freedom which experiments with the blues.
As if thes
e tremendous national acts weren’t enough, a local legend, The Fat Daddy Band will grace the stage at BLB. Since 1995, The Fat Daddy Band has been delivering what many call exceptional Blue Ridge blues to the Roanoke Valley and beyond. This band’s success has allowed them to open for headliners such as The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Train, Susan Tedeschi, and the legendary Nighthawks! To start this day of fantastic blues music, from early funk, blues, rock and soul, Skinny Velvet will be sure to get you on your feet and groovin’ to the smooth sounds of your favorite blues tunes. Who is Skinny Velvet? That’s a great question that is not easily answered. As a man, Skinny is an enigma….a dark, southern, musical mystery. As a band, Skinny Velvet is the brainchild of four of the Carolina’s most talented and determined troubadours! Skinny Velvet was conceived from several of North Carolina’s finest groups. These boys have toured the U.S. in their well respected bands for years and now come together 
to make one of the strongest line-ups around!
The music is not the only award winning aspect of this festival- what goes hand in hand with blues music? Mouth watering ribs- not only mouth watering but award winning! That’s right; we’ve got your favorite rib vendors back again to battle it out for the bragging rights of best rack in town! It’s not just the familiar veterans such as Martin’s Downtown Grill, Blue 5, Thelma’s Chicken & Waffles and Bastians.; there are some rookie competitors stepping up this year! And for those of you with a competitive edge yourself; be sure to sign up for the popular 
Martin’s Rib Eating contest. This festival is sure to leave you with a full stomach and a satisfied soul!
The 5th annual SunTrust Big Lick Blues Festival kicks off at 2:00pm on Saturday, October 1. Music begins at 2:15pm with the winner of the Blue Ridge Blues Society competition, Skinny Velvet. And in case you’re wondering how you are going to be able to catch the game and enjoy all this event has to offer- we thought of that too! We will have a game day area with a big screen showing college football as well as all your favorite tailgate games brought to you by Tailgaters United! Tickets are $24.00 in advance and if you’re a SunTrust customer, it’s cheaper than that! Tickets are available at all local SunTrust branch locations as well as online at 
www.BigLickBlues.org
Atlanta Rhythm Section will kick off ‘11 BB&T Party in the Park season
May 11, 2011 by Larry
Filed under Community, Music, Our Events
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!
This Wed., Oct. 13, its’ Jim Quick’s “Down South” CD Release concert – FREE!
October 10, 2010 by Larry
Filed under Community, Music, Our Events
The date and location of Jim Quick’s CD Release FREE concert in downtown Roanoke is all set.
Wed., Oct. 13 – 6:00pm start, Elmwood Park – it’s FREE!
Since announcing this free concert EventZone has been so impressed with the cooperation, momentum and excitement that immediately emerged. Not only from existing fans of Jim Quick locally, but also those on a regional basis. Additionally, many Roanoke citizens and civic, business and government leaders have expressed their support and enthusiasm for this concert in downtown Roanoke.
Jim is certainly a fan favorite in the Roanoke Valley and all points south. His music is a unique blend of soul, blues, rock and country all with that unmistakable beach music rhythm – or as Jim Quick describes it, “Carolina swamp music.” His last CD, released under the alias band name of King Tyrone & The Graveyard Ramblers, contained the smash hit, “Mama’s Drinkin’ Liquor Again” (see video below).
It’s now time for Jim Quick to move to the next level on the national music scene – and his latest CD, “Down South” (produced in Nashville by multi-Grammy award winning producer Gary Nicholson) will likely do just that. (See the CD credits at bottom of this page).
Listen to the Title Track – “Down South”
Don’t just take our word for it – fans and music lovers in the Roanoke region will get to judge for themselves, because Roanoke has been selected as one of the sites that will host a CD Release Concert – and what’s even better is it’s FREE and presented by Haley Toyota and Clear Channel radio stations (Sunny-FM, WROV, Steve-FM, WYYD & WJJS) and WDBJ-7 “Your Hometown Station.”
Wed. Oct. 13, 2010!
Elmwood Park, downtown Roanoke – starting at 6:00pm.
After-Party with Meet & Greet and autograph signing at Corned Beef & Company
(starting approx. 9:00pm)
We’re told the band will perform some of their classic hits, but also plan to play
most of the the entire new CD during this show.
Lawn chairs will be permitted – and beer, wine and soft drinks will be available for purchase within the concert venue.
Become a Facebook Fan of this concert so we can keep you up to date on the latest news and also so we can provide you with a sneak preview from the “Down South” CD when we get it.
“Down South” CD Credits
1) Livin’ On Love
2) Rewind
3) Stronger Than You Need to Be
4) Down South
5) I’m a Dog
6) Deal With It
7) Ain’t No Good Place to Cry
8)Forever Man
9) Strongest Weakness
10) Brilliant Conversationalist
11) It’s Too Late
12) Hurt That Bad
13) It’s Always Something
14) Don’t Shoot the Snake
Produced by Gary Nicholson
© 2010 iSuwanee Records
Quick-Warren Entertainment, LLC
P.O. Box 201 Dunn, NC 28335
All rights reserved. Unauthorized duplication is a violation of applicable laws.
swampsoul.com coastlineband.com isuwanee.com
Musicians:
Lynn Williams – Drums, Percussion
Steve Mackey – Bass
Rob McNelley – Electric Guitar
Gary Nicholson – Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar
Kevin McKendree – Piano, Rhodes, B3 Organ
Colin Linden – Slide Guitar
Al Anderson – Guitar (It’s Always Something)
Jim Hoke – Saxophones, Harmonica, Jew’s Harp
Steve Herman – Trumpet
Chris Charmichael – Strings
Delbert McClinton – Harmonica, “Barking” (I’m a Dog)
Lead Vocals: Jim Quick
Background Vocals: Bekka Bramlett, Perry Coleman, Regina McCrary, Ann McCrary, and Frieda McCrary
Produced by Gary Nicholson
Executive Producer: Irvin Warren
Recorded at The Sound Emporium and Fearless Studios – Nashville, TN
Recorded by David Z, assisted by Patrick Granado
Production assistance by Nathan Nicholson and Casey Meyer
Mixed by Ray Kennedy at Room and Board – Nashville, TN
Mastered by Ray Kennedy at Zen Masters – Nashville, TN
Artwork by Michael Walker
Web Design by Justin Wells
Thanks to: Irvin Warren, Gary Peacock, Larry Sanderson, Brian Crews, Amy Byrd, and Gary Nicholson
Special thanks to my band and brothers: Sam Bryant, Casey Meyer, Albert Rogers, and Glen Tippett
Eternal thanks to my parents, my sister, and my best friend and love of my life… Crystal.
Now accepting merchant vendor applications for SunTrust Big Lick Blues Festival- Oct.2
August 31, 2010 by Larry
Filed under Community, Music, Our Events
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.
Festival in the Park concert artists have 17 – Top 30 Hits!
May 9, 2010 by Larry
Filed under Community, Music, Our Events
We added up the Top-30 hits from the artists at this year’s Festival in the Park, May 28-31, and wow! We were blown away. Collectively the artists performing at this year’s Festival in the Park concerts have 17, Top-30 hits. And we’re not counting the Beatles music performed by 1964: The Tribute or the hits of Big & Rich (Big Kenny will be appearing solo on Friday Night).
Here’s the breakdown
Rodney Atkins – 7
Honesty (#4 – 2003)
If You’re Going Through Hell (Before the Devil Even Knows) (#1 – 2006)
Watching You (#1 – 2006)
These Are My People (#1 – 2007)
Cleaning This Gum (#1 – 2007)
It’s America (#1 – 2008)
15 Minutes (#20 – 2009)
Sister Hazel – 6
All For You (#1 – 1997)
Change Your Mind (#5 – 2000)
Champagne High (#22 – 2000)
Mandolin Moon (#26 – 2006)
Your Mistake (#27 – 2003)
Happy (#27 – 1998)
Life Got In The Way (#36 – 2003)
Chris Young – 2
The Man I Want To Be ( Currently #2)
Gettin’ You Home (The Black Dress Song) (#1 – 2009)
Jaron & The Long Road To Love – 1
Pray For You (Currently #22)
The Band Perry – 1
Hip To My Heart (Currently # 20)
By the way Concert admission is just $10.00 at the gate, or purchase a Festival EZ 4-Pass for $32.00 (that’s four admissions to be used in any combination. You can’t go to the movies for that! Festival EZ 4-Pass tickets will be on sale soon at all area Kroger stores.
You’ve got to love the “new” Embers!
The Embers kick off the '10 Kroger Cabin Fever Series - Jan. 22, 2010
For decades The Embers have been making music by playing a mix of rhythm and blues and heart and soul. Rhythm and Blues became the foundation and essence of SOUL music and the Motown sound, but in North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Georgia, Florida and Alabama, the name that applies is “Beach Music.” Some believe that Beach Music is simply lyrics that are easy to sing with simple melodies and pretty harmonies that accompany them. Bobby Tomlinson, drummer and leader of the band, believes that Beach Music is music with a memory.
To say “The Embers play Beach Music” is an understatement. After eighteen albums and numerous single releases, THE EMBERS are one of the most popular and active groups in the country. THE EMBERS boast an average of two hundred fifty dates per year all ranging from Toronto to Florida and westward to California, Hawaii and most recently South Korea. Over the years they’ve played for presidents and princes, students and bankers, at the beach and in the city, on record and in concert, for our armed forces and audiences all around the world.
A musical marvel, the EMBERS have survived disco, punk, new wave, and hip-hop and continue to take the stage as one of the most entertaining bands ever to perform. Named North Carolina’s Official Musical Ambassadors, they were inducted into the South Carolina Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame. They’ve opened for the Rolling Stones, done commercials for Budweiser, performed for the Olympics, President Clinton’s inaugurational ball and created the soundtrack for endless summers. THE EMBERS were involved in a video commercial for the Sands Hotel in Atlantic City where their captivating premier performance resulted in a return engagement for a sold out New Year’s Eve show. Pepsi released a commercial performed by The Embers to the title tune Beach Music from their Beach Music, Super Collaboration Album. In December of 2007 and 2008, The Embers were invited to perform their Christmas program for our troops and their families at various military camps and bases throughout South Korea.
The Embers at BB&T's Party in the Park - July 2, 2009
The EMBERS Beach Music, Super Collaboration (2004) is an album of internationally known recording artists that has received international critical acclaim. This album evokes the best of memories and emotions for anyone who has been touched by the magic of Beach Music and introduces newcomers to the same passion that has made these enchanting melodies one of the greatest music phenomena of all time. Their most recent album, The Show Must Go On was released in early 2008 and was produced by Charles Wallert (George Benson, O.C. Smith, The Main Ingredient, Dionne Warwick, etc.) with compositions by Wallert, (”Brenda”) and multi-Grammy nominee Jimmy George (”I’ll Always Love You”, “Just To See Her”) and the Steals Brothers (”Could It Be I’m Falling In Love”), among others. The first single release, “The Last Time I’m Saying Goodbye”, from the album The Show Must Go On, debuted at number 4 on the UK’s Soulwalking charts.
THE EMBERS of today consist of: Bobby Tomlinson (Leader/Drummer), Wayne Free (Lead Vocalist/Trombone), Stephen Pachuta (Trumpet), David Dixon (Guitar), John Ray (Bass) Matt Kosma (Saxophone), and Rick Sanders (Piano). THE EMBERS are truly one of the finest entertainment experiences of our lifetime.
If you’ve seen their show once, you’ve undoubtedly come back for more. And the best way to see them again soon is at the 2010 Kroger Cabin Fever Series kickoff on Jan. 22, 2010
For complete details and tickets go to the Kroger Cabin Fever Series web site.
SunTrust Big Lick Blues Festival
April 24, 2009 by Larry
Filed under Music, Our Events
What a great day for blues and ribs in downtown Roanoke! Over 2,000 enjoyed one of Southwest Virginia’s favorite festivals – and folks came from as far away as Canada!
Stay tuned for what’s in store for 2010 – tentative date is Oct. 2, 2010 It’ll be another “Sizzlin’ Hot Blues and Smokin’ Ribs Fest”. With music and eats sure to satisfy your soul at the Big Lick Blues Festival. Special thanks to SunTrust Bank for their continues support of this great festival.
Watch the 2009 SunTrust Big Lick Blues Festival – Recap video – on YouTube
