By Ryan Lytle
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Summer is heating up in Loudoun and that can only mean one thing: it's concert season! With multiple concerts in Leesburg and a concert in Purcellville, it is shaping up to be a very musical weekend. If you're not feeling the music, then there is a Civil War exhibit in Leesburg that might be more your tune.
"Fighting and Frolicking: The Civil War Comes to Morven Park"
Want to experience the life of a Civil War soldier in the early-1860s?
Confederate soldiers spent the winter of 1861 and 1862 at Morven Park following the battle at Ball's Bluff, and now you can see how they lived.
Morven Park is hosting this live history program, with recreated log huts, and Leesburg civilians and Confederate soldiers on hand to speak with you.
The event includes musket firing demonstrations, cooking over an open fire, military drilling, as well as a tour of the mansion and the Winmill Carriage Collection.
Morven Park is located at 17263 Southern Planter Ln. in Leesburg.
The program is being held Saturday from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. and Sunday from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. Price of admission is $7, but $1 for children ages six to 12 and free for any child under 5.
Call 703-777-6034 for more information or go to www.morvenpark.org.
Family Concert Series: "Stories with a Twist"
The first of three Family Concert Series shows scheduled for the summer begins this Saturday at the Fireman's Field gazebo in Purcellville.
The concert series is part of Pucellville's "Summer of Fun" program, which incorporates family-friendly movie nights and concerts.
The events are free, but make sure to bring a chair or blanket.
"Stories with a Twist" will be held at the gazebo, which is behind centerfield at Fireman's Field off 21st Street in Purcellville.
In the event of rain, the program will be moved to Town Hall at 130 E. Main St.
The concert begins at 4 p.m. Saturday. If you would like more information, call 540-751-2326.
Bluegrass "Pickin" Party
If Bluegrass is your music of choice, the Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve is hosting performances glorifying the music genre Sunday from noon until 5 p.m.
Sponsored by the Lucketts Bluegrass Foundation and the Loudoun County Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Services, there will be performances by Flint Hollow and Ernie Bradley and Grass Ridge.
Along with these performances, there will be the opportunity to prove your own bluegrass prowess through the open mike segment of the event.
Want to play along, but you don't want to go on-stage?
"You can come and just listen to music," said Lucketts Community Center Assistant Nancy Radcliffe. "Or you can bring your instruments and pick along."
If your knowledge for bluegrass isn't substantial, this event will expand it.
"There will be many people that know a lot about bluegrass there to talk to," Radcliffe said. "It's a learning experience."
The Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve is located at 21085 The Wood Rd., in Leesburg.
The event is free. For more information, call 703-771-5281.
Bluemont Summer Concerts: Music by Scott Ainslie
The sound of blues will be heard throughout Leesburg following shortly after the Bluegrass "Pickin" Party.
The Dodona Manor is opening its doors for the first time to the Bluemont Summer Concert Series this Sunday at 7 p.m. for the music of Scott Ainslie.
"We are very excited about this opportunity with Dodona Manor," said Bluemont President Peter Dunning. "It's an exquisite place."
Ainslie is a blues guitarist that travels the country 140 to 160 days a year treating people to the sweet sounds of the blues.
"He (Ainslie) is one of the great living blues players and singers around," Dunning said. "He's very charismatic and energetic on-stage."
The concert costs $5 for regular admission, $4 for Bluemont Friends and seniors and $2 for children ages 11 and younger.
The Dodona Manor is located at 217 Edwards Ferry Rd., in Leesburg. In the event of rain, the concert will be moved to Smart's Mill Middle School at 850 N. King St., in Leesburg.
You can bring a blanket or lawn chair as well as a picnic meal, but food will be sold at the event as well.
If you want more information, call 540-338-4640 or go to www.bluemont.org.
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