Enjoy a concert by Andrew Adkins Trio & Grace Campbell, part of the First Friday Concerts in the Square series, explore artisan vendors of The HeART Market, meet & greet the Featured Artist Ian Bode at The RiffRaff Art Boutique, and explore our blossoming neighborhood! The events are FREE & open to the public. ❤ Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs & picnic blankets, and enjoy dining, strolling the shops, creative activities and all our blossoming neighborhood has to offer.
About the artists:
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“Andrew Adkins is without a doubt the embodiment of the current state of roots music in West Virginia, as well as it’s most profound songwriter” -No Depression Magazine
After 7 years of fronting the popular Appalachian Stompgrass band The Wild Rumpus at countless festivals, concerts and clubs including Merlefest, Bristol Rhythm and Roots, and the AMA (American Music Association) as well as writing nearly all of the songs for their 3 studio albums, Andrew has now firmly established his own voice with the release of his 4th solo album. “Who I Am” on Mountain Soul Records. Produced by Mountain Stage musical director Ron Sowell, recorded by virtuoso guitarist and engineer Bud Carroll and featuring an all star line up of WV musicians, the album showcases Andrew’s wry insightful songwriting and his soulful authentic voice. He is not only a talented singer songwriter, he is held in high regard as performer by his peers.
Grace Campbell:
Grace Campbell is a singer/songwriter from Princeton, WV with a charm all of her own. A world traveler and classically trained vocalist, Grace's multifaceted influences have coalesced into a well versed, intelligent young performer. Grace's impeccable songwriting skills and charismatic personality have warranted her quite the fan base in Southern WV - and it's only growing!
Her inaugural performance at Culturefest in 2019 (and later in 2020 and 2021) gained her the attention and respect of many in the area. Soon, she was playing as far as Pittsburg, PA. Grace is a bright light in the Grassroots District of Mercer County, WV, but she wants to grow to be a shinning light even further. She lives by the motto: "Never turn down a gig!" Now living in Morgantown, WV, Grace is utilizing her talents through hard work. Her song "Who'd You Fall in Love With Now?" Is out on Spotify, and there is an album in the works. She is ecstatic to see where her future in music will go.
Ian Bode
Ian Bode was born and raised in Charleston, WV. After leaving WV in his late teens and traveling around the country, he returned to become a self-taught, full-time artist. His work is displayed in galleries, public buildings, and private collections across the country. He also collaborates with other visual artists and graphic designers on commercial projects. In addition, he has individually and collaboratively made several 2D and 3D public art projects. His most recognizable style is a graphically narrative, cartoon-oriented world filled with his black and white faceless characters collectively called “The Passenger.” This faceless cartoon is a vacuum into which the viewer’s identify and awareness can be filled in. The viewer is in the emotive driver’s seat, much like a passenger. Using repeating themes, colors, and icons, he aims to establish a visual language that makes each piece relatable to the other creating a universe with loose laws and a sequential narrative that does not intrude or contradict itself. He was recently named WV Artist of the Year 2018 by West Virginia Living magazine. You can find his work by quick google search, and in person at The Art Emporium in Charleston, and RiffRaff Art Boutique in The Grassroots District!