Following the American Civil War, a group of freed people fled violence and bought land in Western North Carolina. In the summer of 1873, these people formed a Black communal society they named “The Kingdom of the Happy Land.” A new novel tells a story set in the kingdom, both in the past and in the present day. It’s titled, “Happy Land.” Host Mason Adams spoke with its author, Dolen Perkins-Valdez.
Thursday, Dec. 12 and Friday, Dec. 13, 2024 West Virginia Culture Center Theater in Charleston, WV
CHARLESTON, WV: Bob Thompson’s annual holiday jazz celebration is back! For over 30 years, Joy to the World has been delighting audiences with old and new holiday favorites. Joining Thompson on stage is his long-time bandmates Timothy Courts on drums, Ryan Kennedy on guitar, John Inghram on bass, plus special guest vocalist Judith Owen with James Moore on trumpet.
Doors will open at 7:30 p.m. and the show will begin at 8pm.
“To say that we are excitedly looking forward to this year’s edition of Joy to the World is really an understatement. Our special guest will be the fabulous Judith Owen. Judith is a truly dynamic performer, and a wonderful jazz vocalist who, true to her Welsh heritage, really loves Christmas. She is also a fine songwriter, and plans to include a couple of her original Christmas songs in this show.
Judith is bringing, New Orleans based saxophonist, Ricardo Pascal along with her. Ricardo will be joining our guest trumpet player, James Moore. And as always you will hear Ryan Kennedy on guitar, John Inghram on bass, and Tim Courts on drums. I’m sure glad I’ll be playing piano, otherwise I’d be definitely buying a ticket to this show. Hope to see you there!”
The world-renowned jazz pianist Bob Thompson is the Mountain State’s best-loved musician and ambassador of jazz. Since 1991, he has been a pianist, and regularly featured artist, on WVPB’s syndicated radio show, Mountain Stage, distributed by NPR Music. For 32 years now, he has also been co-producer and host of Joy to the World, a holiday jazz show broadcast on public radio stations nationwide. In October 2015, Thompson was inducted into the West Virginia Music Hall of Fame. He makes his home in Charleston, West Virginia, and has enjoyed a long and active career as a performer, composer, arranger and educator. Learn more about his work at colortones.com.
Joy to the World is presented by West Virginia Public Broadcasting.
All seats are general admission and are available online at Eventbrite.
Member Tickets on sale Tuesday, Oct. 15 at 10am ET: $25 Early Bird Tickets on sale Friday, Oct. 18 at 10am: $25 (Sales end on Tuesday, Nov. 26 at 10am) General Admission Tickets on sale Thursday, Nov. 26 at 10am: $30 Day of Show Tickets: $35
Watch and listen for last season’s show coming in December on WVPB radio and television. More info coming soon.
Production funding provided by West Virginia Lottery
Maestro André Raphel who served as music director of the WSO from 2003-2018, will be taking the podium once again at the Capitol Theater in Wheeling on Thursday May 15 to conduct La Valse by Maurice Ravel, to celebrate the 95th anniversary of the WSO as well as the 150th anniversary of the birth of Ravel.
This week’s broadcast of Mountain Stage features a collection of five memorable sets from five different episodes recorded in 2024. Our “Five Favorites” special includes performances by Blitzen Trapper, Amy Helm, Kyshona, Chuck Prophet &...
