The Brad Linde Octet performs bebop jazz at the Del Ray Music Festival. (Photo: Regan Kireilis)
By Carla Branch
alexandrianews.org
There was Celtic music, rock, rockabilly, blues, folk, swing, bluegrass, Caribbean and jazz; all part of Saturday’s Del Ray Music Festival.
The all-day festival began at 10:00 a.m. and ended 12 hours later to the sounds of Dagmar and the Seductones. During the day, the festival welcomed children with face painting, games and, of course, that fixture without which no Alexandria event would be complete, the Moon Bounce. As the children were entertained, so were their parents and those who just wanted to enjoy some music on a sunny afternoon.
Children enjoy a variety of games at the Del Ray Music Festival. (Photo: Regan Kireilis)
The festival was held in the fields next to the Mt. Vernon Recreation Center on Mt. Vernon Avenue. The free event drew hundreds of guests who strolled in for an hour or so and moved on to another activity. There was food, too, courtesy of the Del Merei Grille, Evening Star Cafe, Let’s Meat on the Avenue, Pizzaiolo Cafe and Bar and Taqueria Poblano.
People find seats at the Del Ray Music Festival to enjoy the sights and sounds of the day. (Photo: Regan Kireilis)
It was, though, all about the music. Twenty-one different musical groups performed during the day. Headliners such as Sioban Quinn and Michael Bowers, The Brad Linde Ensemble, The Kate Moran Band, Gulley Jimson Quartette, Dave Dodd and his band Elroy, Naked Flames and Chicken Fried Swing featuring Karl Straub, performed40-minute sets on the main stage. Between those performances, groups such as the T. C. Williams Jazz Band, Celeste Starchild, Tim Parks, Jeff Stapleton, Paul Caffrey, Steven Selman and Melissa Smith, The 24-7 Band and Pond Scum played for 15 minutes.
The audience sat on bales of hay and enjoyed the weather and the diverse music. All in all, the third annual Del Ray Music Festival was a rousing success.
