Labor Day weekend’s coming up and it’s time for our annual bonus “Groovin’ in the Park” on the waterfront stage at Deltaville Maritime Museum (DMM), Saturday, Sept. 4, from 5 to 8 p.m. This is our annual visit as the Josh Walker Trio becomes a quartet with songstress Sharon Rae North bringing their smooth as silk renditions of our favorite old standards and popular jazz tunes. If you haven’t heard Sharon Rae channeling Billie Holiday onstage you do not know what you are missing!
Gates open at 4 p.m. and all Groovin’ 2021 tickets will be honored at this event.
The Groovin’ 2021 season is sponsored by Primis Bank.
Josh Walker is an internationally known musician with strong Middlesex County ties, performing on the waterfront stage at this special bonus Groovin’ in the Park. Josh Walker has performed internationally as far away as Japan.
The concert will be presented on Deltaville Maritime Museum and Holly Point Nature Park’s waterfront stage area Saturday, Sept. 4. Toby Gillie and his aptly named “Unpredictables” will open from 5-6 p.m.
This is a “bring your own lawn chair and cooler” concert.
Josh is a multiple-award jazz guitarist who has played at both the Montreal and Toronto jazz festivals! He composes, plays in multiple groups and he has recently become a professor of Jazz Guitar at Shepherd University in West Virginia. Josh will have his original CD, “Inertia,” available at the concert. For all things Josh, check out www.joshuawalker.net.
The Trio, taking the stage from 6-8 p.m., is the seamless guitarist Josh Walker, standout, stand-up bassist Karine Chapdelaine, jazz drummer extraordinaire Kevin Gaines and the vocal artistry of Sharon Rae North. This is a “don’t miss” for easy listening and jazz enthusiasts. Whether you are a fan of old standards, classic or popular jazz , Groovin’ in the Park, Saturday, early evening, is the music event for you.
As to Sharon Rae, check out her website at www.sharonraenorth.com. As Jay Edwards, host of Jazz Tones, WCLK, Atlanta says, “Line up all of the female jazz vocalists you can think of and Sharon Rae North can sing them all under the table.”
Speaking of tables, the “Bistrobunch” working out of the DMM Tea House, will be serving their killer all-beef hot dogs along with bottled water, snacks and a full service bar. Plenty of rum by gum! Marty and his tasty swineskins and kettle corn will also be right next door.
The unusual, wacky, and fun combination of Toby Gillie and his “Unpredictables” will open for Josh and Sharon Rae, 5-6 p.m. Toby’s been known to break out both his tuba and guitar when performing. “Who’d a’ thunk it!”
Showing my age here but when Toby takes the stage reminds me so much of a 50s band I loved, “Spike Jones and the City Slickers.” Spike had a TV show in the late 50s. While Spike worked his magic mainly in percussion, used odd vocals and off-the-wall soundmakers, Toby uses mainly wind instruments to bring a sense of fun, variety and the unexpected to the stage. Everyone has a great time!
Groovin’ in the Park 2021 is Deltaville Maritime Museum’s casual, “bring your own lawn chair and picnic” outdoor music series. What could be a better fit into your enjoyment of this last long weekend of summer with friends and family than to, when you’ve finished with your daytime activities, grab your lawn chairs, and come on out to the waterfront park for the bonus Groovin’ concert on our waterfront Saturday evening, Sept. 4. Some chairs are available if you can’t bring yours.
Advance tickets are $10 per person and are available at the DMM office, during open hours and at Nauti Nell’s store in Deltaville. Tickets at the door are $15 per person. Children younger than 12 are admitted free to Groovin’. Groovin’ will happen, rain or shine.
Due to COVID-19 concerns we will limit tickets to all shows this year. This may cause sellouts. Check the website. Tickets may only be purchased online or at the locations above. Unless there is a sellout you will be able to get tickets at the door from the gatekeepers. You may still purchase online using your Smartphone and showing your virtual receipt at the gate. You will be required to have a ticket to enter. We are asking anyone who has not been vaccinated to please consider others and mask.
There is plenty of parking in our spacious lots and concert goers are encouraged to drive through and drop off their passengers and gear before parking.
Please watch the Southside Sentinel or our website for any changes. We will follow all Virginia COVID-19 regulation changes as they occur.
Deltaville Maritime Museum and Holly Point Nature Park is located in Deltaville at 287 Jackson Creek Road, and by water on Mill Creek. To get to the DMM and its park, follow General Puller Highway (Route 33) east through Deltaville and turn right across from Chris Mart (the Citgo convenience store).
Boat and maritime equipment donations are welcome.
To find out more about DMM, its offerings, open hours, events schedule, event tickets, become a member, donate or volunteer, visit the website at www.deltavillemuseum.com, or Google “Deltaville Maritime Museum.” You may also email the DMM office at office@deltavillemuseum.com or, write to P.O. Box 466, Deltaville, VA 23043 or call the office at 804-776-7200.
(Bill Powell is the DMM events coordinator and lives in Deltaville.)
