Riverfront Park Concert Series Archives - Academy Center of the Arts

Riverfront Park Concert Series Finale: Wynona and the Big Noise

August 31, 2018 by Morgan Yeatts

Even before the gates opened at 5:00 for happy hour, fans were camped outside, waiting to claim their spot in the grass to see Wynonna Judd and her band, The Big Noise. They were soon joined by hundreds more who trickled through the entrances in pairs and groups. The mixed drinks and beer were provided by Blue Ridge Beverage. With plenty of time before the concert began, those in attendance enjoyed pizza, fries, and other crowd favorites from local food trucks Uppercust Pizza, Uprooted, Hibachi Guys, and Bistro Bros. VIP ticket holders enjoyed refreshments provided by {RA} Bistro in the shade of the VIP tent. Although the forecast had called for rain, when former Lynchburger Josh Wolfe took the stage to open the show at 6:30, the sky was blue and clear. Kids played frisbee, while the adults lounged in lawn chairs or stretched out on blankets. The ages of those in attendance ranged from infants and toddlers to the older couples slow dancing to the music, with a mix of ages between. Shortly after Josh Wolfe finished his set, The Big Noise took the stage. Led by Cactus Moser, Wynonna Judd’s husband, the group of four […]

Riverfront Park Concert Series: Wynonna & The Big Noise

August 11, 2018 by Brittany Griffith

Join the Academy Center of the Arts and Framatome, Inc., as we end the 2018 Riverfront Park Concert Series with Wynonna & The Big Noise and Josh Wolfe on Saturday, August 11, 2018, at 5:00pm! Respected by the millions of fans who are drawn to her music and undeniable talent, Wynonna’s rich and commanding voice has sold over 30-million albums worldwide spanning her remarkable 34-year career. As one-half of the legendary mother/daughter duo “The Judds,” Wynonna was once dubbed by Rolling Stone as “the greatest female country singer since Patsy Cline.” This iconic performer has received over 60 industry awards, with countless charting singles, including 20 No.1 hits such as “Mama He’s Crazy,” “Why Not me,” and “Grandpa, (Tell Me ‘Bout The Good Ole Days).” Wynonna and her band The Big Noise, led by her husband/drummer/producer, Cactus Moser, released their debut full-length album in February 2016 via Curb Records to critical acclaim. Wynonna has described the new sound as “vintage yet modern” and a “return to the well.” It’s a rootsy work encompassing country, Americana, blues, soul and rock. The album features special guests Derek Trucks, Jason Isbell, Susan Tedeschi and Timothy B. Schmit. NPR’s Ann Powers noted that, “With her tight band behind her after touring together for several years, she just sounds like she’s home…You can […]

Riverfront Park Concert Series: The Spin Doctors and Arrested Development

July 14, 2018 by Brittany Griffith

Join the Academy Center of the Arts and Centra Health for the July Riverfront Park Concert featuring The Spin Doctors and Arrested Development on Saturday, July 14, 2018, at 5:00pm! The Academy Center of the Arts has set out to make the Riverfront Park concerts as accessible as possible by offering affordable general admission ticket prices. General admission tickets are on sale for $11.00, with fees and taxes included. A $53 VIP Ticket option is also available (fees and taxes included).VIP packages are on sale in advance and include a private VIP only entrance, premier covered seating, light refreshments by {RA} Bistro, a koozie, and two drink tickets. Please note: VIP tickets are SOLD OUT! Food trucks and adult beverages will also be on-site for sale! Stay updated through our Facebook event for a food truck listing and drink menu. Gates open at 5:00pm for Happy Hour. The Dundies perform at 6:00pm. Arrested Development performs at 7:15pm. The Spin Doctors perform at 9:00pm. Please note: seating is not provided for general admission ticket holders. We suggest bringing chairs and/or blankets, should you wish to sit during the concert. A standing room area will be located infront of the […]

Riverfront Park Concert Series: Naughty By Nature and Big Daddy Kane

June 9, 2018 by Brittany Griffith

Join the Academy Center of the Arts and the Historic Theatre Restoration Partners for the June Riverfront Park Concert featuring Naughty by Nature and Big Daddy Kane on Saturday, June 9, 2018, at 5:00pm! The Grammy Award winning, Platinum-album selling, New Jersey super-group, Naughty By Nature, has a twenty-year track record of creating the hits and party anthems that have become the soundtrack to our lives. Their music has smashed through mainstream barriers all while remaining true to the sound, message and grit of the hood. And now, these three kings of the Hip-Hop anthem have formally claimed their titles with the 20th Anniversary album, Anthem Inc. “We wouldn’t have reunited if we didn’t think we could give people that authentic Naughty feeling,” says the group’s master lyricist Treach. “This new album is definitely gonna take you back, but just like we always did, we’ve invented a new sound, a bunch of new flows and after being without an album for so long, we’ve gotta lotta things to say.” Big Daddy Kane undisputedly defined the term “lyricist” in the world of hip-hop. Along with the lyrical ingenuity he brought to the genre, he also introduced innovative live performances. Kane was […]

Academy Center of the Arts Announces July 2018 Riverfront Park Concert Artists

March 22, 2018 by Brittany Griffith

ACADEMY CENTER OF THE ARTS ANNOUNCES JULY 2018 RIVERFRONT PARK CONCERT ARTISTS The Academy Center of the Arts, through the support of Centra Health, is excited to announce the third concert of the 2018 Riverfront Park Concert Series, which features national, regional, and local music acts performing in Riverfront Park, 1100 Jefferson St. This event will continue the Academy’s efforts to serve our community through arts and culture by bringing world-class music to our city’s beautiful downtown park. The Academy Center of the Arts will continue the 2018 Riverfront Park Concert Series on Saturday, July 14, 2018, with headlining artists The Spin Doctors and Arrested Development. On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the Spin Doctors’ landmark debut album Pocket Full of Kryptonite, the band’s four original members, front man Barron, guitarist Eric Schenkman, bassist Mark White, and drummer Aaron Comess, can still appreciate the uncanny, enduring musical rapport that’s allowed them to maintain the upbeat energy and restless creativity that first endeared them to their fiercely devoted fan base. “When you get the four of us in one room, things just start to happen,” Schenkman asserts. “It instantly feels like the old days. The […]

Academy Center of the Arts Announces June 2018 Riverfront Park Concert Artists

March 15, 2018 by Brittany Griffith

ACADEMY CENTER OF THE ARTS ANNOUNCES JUNE 2018 RIVERFRONT PARK CONCERT ARTISTS The Academy Center of the Arts, through the support of the Academy’s Restoration Partners, announce the second concert of the 2018 Riverfront Park Concert Series, which features national, regional, and local music acts performing in Riverfront Park, 1100 Jefferson St. This event will continue the Academy’s efforts to serve our community through arts and culture by bringing world-class music to our city’s beautiful downtown park. The Academy Center of the Arts will continue the 2018 Riverfront Park Concert Series on Saturday, June 9, 2018, with headlining artists Naughty By Nature and Big Daddy Kane. The Grammy Award-winning, Platinum-album selling, New Jersey super-group, Naughty By Nature, has a twenty-year track record of creating the hits and party anthems that have become the soundtrack to our lives. Their music has smashed through mainstream barriers all while remaining true to the sound, message and grit of the hood. And now, these three kings of the Hip-Hop anthem have formally claimed their titles with the 20th Anniversary album, Anthem Inc. “We wouldn’t have reunited if we didn’t think we could give people that authentic Naughty feeling,” says the […]

Academy Center of the Arts Announces April 2018 Riverfront Park Concert Artists

March 8, 2018 by Brittany Griffith

ACADEMY CENTER OF THE ARTS ANNOUNCES FIRST HEADLINER OF THE 2018 RIVERFRONT PARK CONCERT SERIES The Academy Center of the Arts, through the support of BWX Technologies, Inc., announces the first headlining artist of the 2018 Riverfront Park Concert Series, which features national, regional, and local music acts performing in Riverfront Park, 1100 Jefferson St. This event will continue the Academy’s efforts to serve our community through arts and culture by bringing world-class music to our city’s beautiful downtown park. The Academy Center of the Arts will kick off the 2018 Riverfront Park Concert Series with headlining artist Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives, along with the Secret Sisters on Saturday, April 21, 2018. Hot off the heels of his tour with Chris Stapleton, Stuart and his band will head to Lynchburg, VA as a stop on the Way Out West tour, performing music from his album, Way Out West, one of MOJO’s “Best Americana Albums of 2017.” The Secret Sisters, recently announced headliner of the 2018 Red Wing Roots Musical Festival and Grammy-nominee, will open for Marty Stuart. Leah Blevins, a nashville native, will open the show. The Academy Center of the Arts has set out to make […]