LIVE MUSIC | HAPPENINGS | POP-UP SHOPS

RUNNING CLUB UPDATE
From Matt "Riff" Riffle

THIS WEEK:

WEDNESDAY AT 5:45p
SATURDAY AT 10a

COUNTDOWN TO THE SUPPORT SMALL BUSINESS 5K:

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From Ian at the Bar

Last weekend, Waterfront Hall was invited to tour the Big Timber Brewery in Elkins, WV.

Our departure time was scheduled for 9:30am, and I skidded into the parking lot at 9:29am thinking I was holding us up, but like usual, no one except our driver (who doesn't want to be mentioned by name in the WF Times) had made it yet. Corralling 10 members of Waterfront Hall staff into a van before 10am would give the most hardened Kindergarten teacher a stress headache, but somehow we pulled it off. The ride down was rather tame, it featured lots of terrible music, but the DJ did have the decency to play Creed.

We arrived at the Brewery ready to drink and learn about some delicious beer. As we walked in, we were all amazed at the craftsmanship and woodwork in the brewery - it was beautiful. The whole place smelled like the lumber section at Lowes in the best way possible. While we waited on our tour guide Wayne (who was waking himself up out of a tryptophan high from his turkey dinner that afternoon) we had several hours to checkout the place on our own and took full advantage.

We were immediately drawn to the outdoor area with a gorgeous patio with a fire pit, corn hole boards, and even a grassy area where they are starting to grow their own hops which I have never seen before. We all guzzled down flights of some delicious beer, many of which were seasonals only available at the brewery - then brother Wayne showed up.

The tour started with Wayne showing us their badass stage and music venue, followed by the area where they brew the beer and finally their canning facility. It was all super interesting and we thank Wayne for spending part of his Sunday with us and for giving just such a great tour. After our tour we headed to an amazing BBQ restaurant where we filled our tummies and then headed back to good ol' Waterfront Hall.

From Dan

Last Saturday night I was blown away by Sturgill Simpson! I'd never been to one of his concerts and this was a real treat.

The first thing I noticed was the high percentage of men that were present. It was 75/25 I'll bet. I can see why: on the surface and on a more superficial level, Sturgill comes at you as a tall, broad shouldered, ex-military man's man. He's cloaked in double denim, has serious chops as a guitarist, and sings with a low Kentucky drawl.

All of these characteristics serve his true nature as a trojan horse.

Once you've let Sturgill in the gates - you notice the pure emotion, sensitivity, and vulnerability in the music. For many men in the crowd, we get to express ourselves in that way by being there to witness him express himself. He helps us do it. Of course, that's one of the most sacred things about live music.

Sturgill's voice has an oceanic depth - it sounds haunted, and old, like the ringing of a country church bell. The lyrics and turns of phrase are often hiding behind all that. For many songs, you just have to go look them up to connect with his writing.

Throughout Saturday night, I heard synchronized toe tapping coming from cowboy boots and sneakers alike. I saw cowboy hats, flat bills, and well-manicured quaffs. I saw well-to-do, well adorned, straight shooters, and I saw psychedelic spinners. He calls on all kinds.

Song highlights for me - two originals called "Mint Tea" and "Jupiter's Faerie" both off of his new album Passage du Desir. The cover of "Midnight Rider" by the Allman Brothers simply transported me.

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