SlipJig and Judge and Jury

SlipJig and Judge and Jury to perform at the
August 24, 2009 Concerts by the River in Decatur

Come out to Concerts by the River on Monday, August 24, 2009 and you will return a verdict of guilty…of a good time had by all! The City of Decatur Parks and Recreation Department invites everyone to enjoy music from SlipJig and Judge and Jury in this free concert to be held at Rhodes Ferry Park. Concerts begin at 6:00 PM and usually conclude by 8:00 PM. For updated schedule information, please call 341-4818 or visit http://www.decaturparks.com/. In case of inclement weather, cancellation decisions will be made after 4:00 PM.

Experience St. Patrick’s Day in August as North Alabama’s own Celtic band, SlipJig, make their Concerts by the River debut! The name “SlipJig” comes from a traditional Irish dance with the band offering a wild ride through the best of traditional and Celtic music. The five talented multi-instrumentalists combine tight melodies and rhythms with rich vocal harmonies to make the music of Ireland, Scotland and Cape Breton come alive. The group is composed of seasoned musicians from a variety of musical backgrounds including Classical, Folk, Rock, Blues and Jazz who have found their true passion in the Celtic music tradition that tells the stories of the joys and sorrows of a simpler life. Though the members have been performing together since 2004, they have a combined 150 years of performance experience! Band members include: Mike Clem (mandolin, tenor banjo, whistles, guitar, bodhran), Stephenie Holtkamp (fiddle, mandolin, vocals), Mike Lyon (whistles, bagpipes, vocals), Garrett Smith (mandolin, fiddle, guitar) and Phil Williamson (fiddle, bones, vocals.) Stomp your feet to high-energy jigs and reels, sing along with pub songs, or just close your eyes and listen to ancient airs and ballads. For more information on SlipJig, please visit http://www.slipjigband.com/.

Local favorites Judge and Jury will sentence the concert crowd to an evening of great music and entertainment, performing a fun blend of classic oldies and folk rock from the 1950’s, 60’s and 70’s. The group’s acoustic blend of mandolin, guitar, harmonica and bass and appealing mix of music from artists such as the Drifters, CCR, Van Morrison, Otis Redding and others will take you back in time, and is the perfect accompaniment to a southern summer evening on the river. Judge and Jury performs at area festivals and special events, and band members include retired Lawrence County Circuit Judge Philip Reich, “the Judge, ” and “Jury” members Mitch Mardis, Don Shelton and Richard Thompson.

Concert-goers are invited to bring their picnic baskets, lawn chairs or a blanket and enjoy an evening of free entertainment on the banks of the beautiful Tennessee River. For more information, please call Melinda at 341-4818.