Free Music Concerts and Celebrations This Weekend In Marshall, Texas
MARSHALL- No matter what your musical tastes include, Marshall is center stage this weekend with spectacular concerts and special musical performances during Main Street’s Second Saturday weekend event.
The festivities begin Friday evening, April 12, with the Marshall Regional Arts Council sponsoring a performance of the East Texas Baptist University Jazz Band. The Jazz Band will perform hits including Charlie Parker’s Anthropology, Bag’s Groove by Milt Jackson, and a fabulous tribute to the Blues Brothers. The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. at the Marshall Visual Art Center, 208 East Burleson in downtown Marshall. Admission is $5 at the door.
Live music continues Saturday, April 13, with the Words and Voices Concert Series 10th anniversary concert showcase. The free musical festival will be held at the Blue Frog Grill on the square in historic downtown Marshall. The show kicks off at 11:30 a.m. with the musical talents of Robert “Blind Dog” Cook, a popular Marshall musician. Three-time Grammy nominated artist Buddy Flett is slated to perform, and popular band Airheart will also take the stage. Marshall’s own “Blues Superstar” Bobbie Oliver is also a featured performer. The Mansion Family along with Grady Lee, accompanied by Lucky Boyd and Bill Smith are some other Marshall musicians sharing their musical talents during the festival.
On Saturday evening, more musical fun is center stage as Marshall, the Birthplace of Boogie Woogie, throws a huge boogie woogie concert.Germany’s Axel Zwingenberger, a world-renowned boogie woogie pianist, as well as vocalist Lila Ammons, the granddaughter of Albert Ammons, a boogie woogie legend, will be the featured performers during this event. Mississippi native Little Boogaloo, Eden Brent, will also be a highlighted performer. Other acts on the bill include the Wiley College Collegians, Bobbie Oliver, and the Jive Jumpers. Dr. John Tennison, the man who discovered Marshall as the birthplace of this exciting musical genre, will also be performing during the event. The show begins Saturday evening at 6:30 p.m. at the Marshall Visual Art Center. Tickets can be purchased online a tboogiewoogiemarshall.com.
The backdrop to this musical weekend will be the 2nd annual Lil’ Earl’s Barbeque, a sanctioned Texas State Barbeque Championship event. Dozens of judges will taste a wide variety of scrumptious barbeque. Sandwiches will be on sale with all proceeds benefitting the Marshall Food Pantry.
All day on Saturday vendors and other activities be happening along Marshall’s North Washington Avenue including the Backroads Bunch Second Saturday car show that begins at 5:00 PM with prizes awarded at 8:00 PM.
Many of Marshall’s restaurants and pubs will also have live music and entertainment during the weekend as well. For tickets to the above events, a full list of music and other entertainment activities and lodging information, visit VisitMarshallTexas.org or, call the Marshall Convention & Visitors Bureau at 903-702-7777.