On npr.org there is a series of music performances called “Tiny Desk Concerts” where
touring musicians of all genres perform behind the show producer’s desk for the
staff, and for a camera broadcasting the intimate performances to the world.
Black Swamp Arts Festival patrons can experience their own “Tiny Desk Concerts” all
day Saturday and Sunday by visiting the Family Stage in front of the Wood County
Library and the Acoustic Stage on Main, in the atrium of the old Huntington
Bank.
Throughout the weekend music fans will be able to see and hear local, national and
even world musicians performing in an up-close-and-personal environment. This
includes 12 Main Stage acts performing second, and in some cases third, sets
throughout the festival weekend, offering a unique opportunity for each band to
perform on both the large stage, and the more intimate Family and Acoustic
Stages.
Year after year festival patrons cite performances from the Family and Acoustic
stages as some of their most memorable moments, both for the diversity in music
and for the ability to be so close to the performers.
The Family Stage will feature a wide variety of performers Saturday and Sunday
ranging from jazz, to blues, to world music, to funk.
Saturday kicks off at 11 a.m. with the jazz styling of the Bob Rex Group. The jazz
quartet will be releasing its LP on the Grounds for Thought label at the
festival. Main Stage opener Joshua Panda follows at noon. At 1:30 p.m. the
powerful blues group Mississippi Heat follows up from their Friday night Main
Stage, and a late night show Howard’s Club H. Solo violinist and auditory
chemist Casey Driessen performs one of his three weekend sets at 3 p.m.. At 4
p.m., in what promises to be a festival highlight, headliners the world music
stars Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars close out the day.
Sunday picks up where Saturday left off with the Bowling Green State University Vocal
Jazz Ensemble at 11 a.m.. They are followed by the soul, funk and rhythm ‘n’
blues of The Dynamites featuring Charles Walker at noon. Doko Benjo brings its
hip-hop laced funk, jazz and rock to the Family Stage at 1:15 p.m. Sultry jazz
and blues singer Akina Adderley & the Vintage Playboys close out the
Family Stage at 2:30 p.m..
In case you miss a performance from the Main Stage, the Acoustic Stage on Main will
feature eight Main Stage bands doing additional sets all day Saturday and
Sunday, in addition to six area performers and bands.
Local singer-songwriter Tim Tegge opens the Acoustic Stage, with guest Dick Hermes,
at 10 a.m.. They are followed by local old time string band aficionados, The
Root Cellar Stingband at 11 a.m.. Doko Benjo takes over at noon. At 1 p.m. the
bluegrass/jazz/swing quartet Acoustic Penguin performs. They are followed by
local jazz hornman Bob Manley and Friends at 2 p.m. Main Stage and Family Stage
performer Joshua Panda performs at 3 p.m.. He is followed by the vintage rock
sounds of Sallie Ford and the Sound Outside at 4 p.m.. At 5 p.m. 2008 BSAF
favorite Eilen Jewell and her band close out the stage.
On Sunday local singer-songwriter, and host of the popular Grumpy Dave’s Hump Day
Review, Tim Concannon opens the Acoustic Stage at 11 a.m. At noon
singer-songwriter Tom Gorman, who has performed at all 20 of the festivals,
takes the stage with his former touring partner Tom DelGreco. Violinist Driessen
completes his festival hat trick with a 1 p.m. set. He is followed by Cameron
Bedell & the Skunks at 2 p.m.. At 3 p.m. young folks/bluegrass/Americana
performers Wheels follow up their Main Stage set, and at 4 p.m. Sanctified
Grumblers close out the Acoustic Stage and the 20th Black Swamp ArtsFestival
with their take on early 20th century blues and jug band music.