CHARLESTON, W.Va. — For the 24th year, Charleston residents treated themselves to a night of free entertainment during FestivAll’s GoodNight event.
The night included performances across 10 venues in the Capital City, with shows featuring bluegrass bands, small ensembles and choruses among other groups.
“It’s being a part of the community,” said David Gladkosky, musical director of the Presby Pickers, a Christian bluegrass ensemble. “It’s helping to promote local musicians and local talent in the area, and giving the chance for people to come out and see that local talent.”
Gladkosky and the Presby Pickers performed two 45-minute sets at Baptist Temple Fellowship Hall.
“We really enjoy being here and playing the old-time music, mountain music and songs about West Virginia,” he added.
On the other side of town, Moonage Daydream: The Bowie Songbook was performing at the Charleston Civic Center’s Little Theater. The group, in its 7th year, performed a variety of David Bowie pieces.
When asked what he wants the audience to get out from the evening, pianist Mark Scarpelli said it is to realize Bowie was “a genius.”
“The music he wrote is going to be around awhile. We’re trying to keep it alive,” he added.
The Kanawha Valley Regional Transportation Authority ran free bus routes between venues to provide event goers the opportunity to see multiple acts at no additional cost.