Labor Day Weekend Events Announced For Lime Kiln

"Rockbridge County is the place to be on the Labor Day Weekend, and Theater at Lime Kiln is the center of activity," said Executive Director Kim Renz. "This holiday marks the premature end of summer and return to school, so we are hosting two summer music parties!"

The Key West Band, a popular "island" band (ironically from landlocked Roanoke), will perform "A Night at the Keys" on Friday, September 3, beginning at 7:30pM. Gates and concessions open at 6pm.

Key West performs a high-energy night of Caribbean-influenced music. Voted the number one party band by the Roanoke Times and Best Local Band of 1997, 2000- 2005 by the Roanoker Magazine, Key West has opened for many national acts including The Tams, The Drifters, The Coasters, The Kingsmen, Jan and Dean, The Box Tops and Cravin' Melon.

With a large supply of Jimmy Buffett songs as well as Reggae, Creole, Latin and original songs, this band can turn the darkest of winter nights into an island party. Their music crosses so many boundaries they have become a staple in the corporate, festival and college markets. The typical Key West audience is a multi-generational, energetic, loyal group of followers known as "Island Trash."

Not a bunch of city-bound Caribbean "wannabees," the members of Key West are sailors and divers who have lived and worked in Florida and the Caribbean. When the band finally takes a vacation you can expect to find them in the islands or living on a sailboat not only relaxing, but doing research for new band material.

The band's 1995 CD, Postcards From Paradise, continues to sell well due to the timelessness of its music and has gone international with distribution in the Caribbean. Their current release, Island Trash...Looking for a Party, has out sold the first disc, produced a #1 song in California and is currently in rotation on Sirius satellite radio.

On Saturday, September 4, Virginia and Washington, D.C.-based bands, Walker's Run and Borden Grant, will perform an evening-long showcase of some of the area's best bluegrass and electric roots music. The show will be a deep excursion into Americana, featuring traditional and exploratory bluegrass by Walker's Run and Borden Grant's exclusive mix of alt-country, rhythm and blues and experimental rock and roll. The night will culminate in a full-stage jam session, featuring the best from both bands along with special guests from the area.

Over the last decade, Walker's Run has developed a loyal following for its unique, fiery mountain-music. Walking the fine line between tradition and exploration, the group has packed major venues and sold thousands of copies of its albums. Featured in the band are mandolin player Andy Thacker (Adrienne Young), fiddler Nick Reeb (King Wilkie), and dobro player Bill Cardine (The Biscuit Burners). Will Lee, who led the legendary Magraw Gap and was an early musical mentor to the Walker's Run boys growing up in Rockbridge County, VA joins the group on banjo and vocals. Rounding out the group are Brennan Gilmore on guitar and vocals and Zack Blatter on upright bass. Walker's Run and its members have appeared on prestigious stages throughout the United States and overseas, including the Kennedy Center, Telluride Bluegrass Festival, and many more.

Borden Grant has been bringing D.C. and Virginia audiences along with them to brand new places since 2007. Fusing melodic rock, traditional Scots-Irish ballads, and Stax/Volt soul, the band's goal every night is simple: make music that holds you tight and won't let you go. Lead vocalist and rhythm guitar player Ryan Chiachiere is joined by Brennan Gilmore on lead guitar and vocals, Zach Blatter on bass, Bryan Holmes on keyboards, and Rob Hubbard on drums. Also performing with Borden Grant and Walker's Run is noted virtuoso multi-instrumentalist Steve Hoke, whose musical genius has inspired a generation of players in Rockbridge County and beyond.

Gates and concessions open at 6pm, and the concert starts at 7:30. Tickets for all events are on sale online at theateratlimekiln.com, at the Lexington Visitors Center at 106 East Washington Street and by calling the Lime Kiln Office at 540-463-7088.

Upcoming Performances at Theater at Lime Kiln

September 3 Key West Band - A Night in the Keys - gates at 6pm, show at 7:30pm

September 4 Walker's Run and Borden Grant - Bluegrass and Roots - gates at 5pm, show at 6pm

September 24 Punch Brothers, featuring Chris Thile - gates at 6pm, show at 7:30pm

September 26 Carolina Chocolate Drops - Mike Seeger Celebration - gates at 2pm, show at 3pm

 

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