This column is sponsored by Arlington Arts/Arlington Cultural Affairs, a division of Arlington Economic Development.
The event that “Arlington Magazine” calls “Arlington’s best block party,” the 27th annual Columbia Pike Blues Festival takes place on Saturday, June 15 (1-8:30 p.m.), celebrating women in the blues with an all-woman-fronted lineup headlined by New York Blues Hall of Fame inductee Bette Smith.
“The New York Times” had this to say about this year’s headliner, “Bette Smith moved effortlessly across the stage wearing a tight holographic vinyl dress and five-inch-heeled thigh-high boots, strutting like Tina Turner.”
Get an advanced taste of Smith’s third album, Goodthing (Kartel Music Group), with Grammy-winning UK producer Jimmy Hogarth. The lineup of all-woman-fronted bands continues with:
- Three-time Blues Foundation Awardee Eden Brent
- Mama Moon & the Rump Shakers
- The Stacy Brooks Band
- The Honey Larks (Carly Harvey, Jenny Langer and Holly Montgomery)
Bring your whole family to this free event spanning three blocks at the intersection of S. Walter Reed Drive and Columbia Pike in Arlington.
The Columbia Pike Blues Festival draws thousands of blues fans to the Pike each year. Now in its 27th Year, the Columbia Pike Partnership presents the event in collaboration with Arlington Arts. Click here for the complete schedule and detailed Columbia Pike Blues Festival information.
Here’s a preview of this year’s lineup:
Bette Smith — 6:35 p.m.
New York Blues Hall of Fame inductee Bette Smith returns with her third studio album — Goodthing — a triumphant injection of soul music and gospel into rock & roll. Produced by Grammy-winning producer Jimmy Hogarth (Amy Winehouse, James Bay, Paulo Nutini, Sia), the album showcases Bette Smith’s penchant for anthemic, feel-good Soul Rock carried by her signature raspy, soulful vocals inspired by legends Tina Turner, Aretha Franklin and Etta James. The album sees her sound scale new heights and builds on the accolades she received on 2017’s debut Jetlagger and 2020’s The Good, The Bad, and The Bette. Smith’s tremendous range and power combined with her infectious energy to solidify her position as a dynamic rising force in soul music.
Eden Brent — 5 p.m.
Three-time Blues Foundation Awardee Eden Brent is a modern-day piano-pounding, juke-joint hollering powerhouse of American music. A legendary performer and southern songwriter, she spent the first two decades of her career under the tutelage of Abie “Boogaloo” Ames, before winning the Blues Foundation’s Blues Challenge and bouncing onto the international scene. Since then, she has earned steady honors, three Blues Music Awards among them. Her new album Getaway Blues presents nine original songs recorded in London with a four-piece band and will be officially released on June 21, 2024. Laid down in London. Mixed up in Memphis. Made in Mississippi.
Mama Moon & The Rump Shakers — 3:40 p.m.
Infusing a distinctive creativity into the blues genre, this dynamic six-piece blues fusion ensemble honors its soulful roots while crafting a unique musical identity. At the helm is Mama Moon, renowned as D.C.’s “Goddess of the Blues.” The band claimed the title of 2022 DC Blues Society “Battle of the Bands” champions and made it to the semi-finals of the prestigious 2023 International Blues Challenge in Memphis, TN. Currently in the throes of crafting their debut EP, the band is deeply immersed in the rich tapestry of Washington, D.C.’s lively music scene.
The Stacy Brooks Band — 2:20 p.m.
Winner of the DC Blues Battle of the Bands, The Stacy Brooks Band has competed in the 30th Annual International Blues Challenge in Memphis (2014) and the International Blues Challenge in Memphis (2012). She has been nominated multiple times as “Best Female Blues Vocalist” by the Washington Area Music Association. Brooks has shared the stage with numerous greats, including: Bobby Parker, Eddie Shaw, Sugar Blue, and opening for the legendary Buddy Guy at his Chicago club.
The Honey Larks — 1 p.m.
Featuring Carly Harvey (D.C.’s Queen of the Blues), Jenny Langer (Blues Hall of Fame) and Holly Montgomery (Blue Elan Records). In 2020, these three best friends shared their love of the blues in a virtual concert in the absence of live concert opportunities during the pandemic. What was intended to be a fun, one-off show turned into a female super-group with fans requesting more.
Bette Smith — I’m A Sinner (official video)
Eden Brent — Getaway Blues (official video)
