28 Free Music Events Included in the Marshall Music Festival
Music is always a must in Marshall, Texas.
MARSHALL- Beginning Friday, September 13, and continuing through Saturday September 21, music will be center stage withMarshall’s Music Festival 2013 with 28 events or performances free of charge. A rich blend of vastly different musical styles showcase the uniqueness of Marshall. Coupled with the charm of Marshall’s historic downtown, visitors are sure to enjoy this fun-filled celebration of music for a day, a weekend or an extended stay.
Friday, September 13, East Texas Baptist University will kick off the festival by hosting the Great East Texas Hymn Sing. Beginning with a noon lunch on the campus, and followed by an enthusiastic congregation of hundreds of participants singing your favorite old hymnals. For lunch reservations, call 903-923-2042.
Marshall has been nationally recognized as the birthplace of boogie woogie music, an African American style of piano-based blues influenced by the sounds of the steam engines that were mainstays in the area during the late 1930s. Second Saturday, on September 14, an all day event downtown, offers a perfect venue for a monthly boogie woogie show. The Matthew Davidson Band will be featured in a free outdoor concert on Telegraph Stage beginning around dusk. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and coolers are also welcome.
Sunday, gospel music returns to downtown Marshall when the Marshall Convention and Visitors Bureau host a church choir competition at the First United Methodist Church’s Christian Life Center, downtown. The competition begins at 1:30 p.m., and a large number of choirs are expected.
A large community of singer/songwriters call Marshall home. Almost any night of the week, you will find informal groups of these musically minded people gathered downtown, playing free shows, or entertaining each other while swapping songs. Visitors to Marshall during Marshall’s Music Fest 2013 will enjoy two nights of entertainment from this remarkable group. On Monday, September 16, join them for Monday Night Music on North Washington Avenue, and then on Thursday, September 19, they’ll present the electric jam on Telegraph Stage. Both of these events are free and fun for those who gather and watch. If you happen to be musically talented, jump in and join the fun, you’ll be welcome.
Perhaps the anchor of Marshall’s widely varied music scene is the Marshall Symphony Orchestra. The symphony presents several concerts each year, as well as providing a free downtown performance, Dixieland on the Square. The Marshall Symphony will present this yesteryear inspired program during Marshall’s Music Fest on Wednesday, September 18, at noon. On Thursday, visitors will have the opportunity to meet members of the Marshall Orchestra during Meet the Orchestra, held at Central Perks inside the Weisman Center downtown. Meet the Orchestra is free to attend and begins at 6 p.m.
On Friday and Saturday nights, the Marshall Symphony will be center stage again. The symphony is preparing for what has become one of the biggest annual musical events in Marshall, the Jeans and Classics performance. A fabulous blend of popular music accompanied by Marshall’s symphony, the show is always a great time. The fun will begin on Friday September 20, with the annual Jeans and Classics dress rehearsal. Free for the public to attend, the rehearsal begins at 8 p.m. If you are looking for something a little different, East Texas Baptist University will be hosting contemporary Christian rock band United We Stand in concert on their campus at the same time, tickets are $15.
Marshall’s Music Fest 2013 will culminate on Saturday, September 21 with the Jeans and Classics concert. This year, the show will blend the sounds of classic rock and R&B. The concert will be held on North Washington Street in downtown Marshall. For ticket, table and dinner information, contact the Marshall Regional Arts Council at 903-935-4484.
A wide variety of musical entertainment will be center stage during the Marshall Music Festival 2013. During the festival, live music will be available at almost every downtown restaurant, pub and music venues. For information regarding any of the activities during the Marshall Music Festival, lodging, or information about Marshall, contact the Marshall Convention and Visitors Bureau at (903) 702-7777, or, visit visitmarshalltexas.org.