Let's Do It Again (FestivAll)

I going to say upfront and from my heart: this past weekend was one of the nicest that I've ever had, in part, because one of my lifelong dreams was fulfilled...to see music everywhere as well as cultural events.

This past weekend in Charleston the city held its first ever (and hopefully annual) FestivAll.
FestivAll is an event designed to bring out the best in West Virginia, in terms of the arts, and it did so in the grandest of fashion.Everywhere you looked there were musical events, cultural happenings, and people smiling broadly.
More than anything what I liked most of all, was that although the weather was sweltering, the Sun was beating down like Ahmed Solomon and Jupie Little together on the drums people at every event smiled and treated each other like old friends.
The only negative thing that I heard the entire weekend was that the weekend was coming to an end.
I want to take this forum and personally thank Mayor Danny Jones, Event Director Larry Groce, all of the many volunteers, and all of the musicians, artisans and participants for being at your best and bringing out your best.
I also want to issue a challenge to the people of the great state of West Virginia; if you were here over the weekend you saw first hand, the power and beauty of working together. We have put up a jewel in the rough with FestivAll, let's polish it and make it better next year...in short, let's do it again.
For all of the musicians artisans and partipants, give yourselves a hand because you were the best !!!

This post is dedicated to Mayor Danny Jones for having the courage to be a true leader and helping make the dream a reality...FestivAll lives !!
The post is also dedicated to Larry Groce who pulled off one helluva citywide party, and still managed to host Sunday's Mountain Stage...you get the Superman award.

Please, when the call goes up for next year's event, get involved, get involved, get involved, no matter how small, your help will be needed.
Come visit Wild Wonderful Charleston West Virginia, a Capitol city.

Lastly, watch for the coming of the West Virginia Music Hall of Fame