Pokey LaFarge
The 2014 free Nightfall Concert Series continues its schedule of summer musical programming Friday at Miller Plaza with a headline show by Pokey LaFarge at 8 p.m. Opening at 7 p.m. will be the 9th Street Stompers. Nightfall is hosted each Friday at Miller Plaza through Aug. 29.
Review for Pokey LaFarge:
Pokey LaFarge is a musician, songwriter, bandleader, entertainer, innovator and preservationist, whose arsenal of talents has placed him at the forefront of American music. From St. Louis Mississippi, Pokey and his band bring a focus and energy to the American Roots genre with infectious material that sits at the crossroads of early jazz, country blues and western swing. With his effortless charisma and magnetic charm, Pokey has crafted a genre all his own.
Over the last decade, Pokey has won the hearts of music lovers across the globe with his creative mix of early jazz, string ragtime, country blues and western swing. After signing with Jack White’s Third Man Records to release his fifth full-length album (Pokey LaFarge) in 2013, he performed as a musical guest on The Late Show with David Letterman. Pokey’s rendition of “Lovesick Blues” with Vince Giordano and the Nighthawks, featured on an episode of Boardwalk Empire, was selected for inclusion on the series’ official soundtrack (Vol. 2). Additionally, Pokey appeared in Disney’s The Lone Ranger (both on screen and on the original score), was featured on A Prairie Home Companion and NPR’s World Cafe, and recorded for ATO Records’ Divided & United: Songs of the Civil War, produced by Randall Poster.
Opening the Nightfall show at 7 p.m. is the 9th Street Stompers. Hailing from Chattanooga, their sound is based on the gypsy jazz they associate with the Big Nine era in Chattanooga. They cull up the musical scenery of an era when swing, gypsy jazz, blues, rockabilly, and tango were all encompassed with the lifestyle of hard times, big music and big dancing. They have captured the look, sound and feel of early 20th-century American music, and bring it to life on stage.
Presented and produced by Chattanooga Presents, Nightfall brings an eclectic mix of music to downtown Chattanooga. Nightfall showcases Chattanooga’s local arts community by featuring Chattanooga musicians for each opening act, followed by headline performances by national and international talent. Food, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drink concessions are available on site. No outside food or beverages are allowed.
One promotion made available again this year is the sale of discount ticket booklets, good for beer and wine. Each booklet contains twenty tickets and costs $80 (this is a 20 percent savings off the regular ticket price.) The ticket booklets will be sold at the Nightfall shows through the end of June. These tickets save time and money by allowing ticket holders to avoid the regular ticket lines at Nightfall, and simply get their wristbands with a photo ID.
Nightfall has been made possible for 27 years thanks to corporate sponsors. Supporters for this year’s series are Shock Top, The Fletcher Bright Company, Kelly Cars, EPB Fiber Optics, Coca-Cola Bottling Company, River City Company, Big River Grille & Brewing Works, ChattanoogaNow, Warehouse Row, Southern Honda Powersports, Track 29, Walden Security and UTC, with media support from and NPR/Music 88.1 and WTCI.
For more information on the Nightfall Series, call 265-0771 or visit NightfallChattanooga.com for a complete, interactive website that includes music samples by each headliner, as well as other important information for first-time attendees.