visitsouth
Photo courtesy Mr. S. Fox
Live on the Levee, Schoenbaum Stage

Live on the Levee, Schoenbaum Stage

Image by http://www.flickr.com/photos/chris_parr/4722499096/sizes/l/, via Creative Commons

Live on the Levee, Charleston, WV

The Best Live Music in the City

by Gino J. Orlandi | July 12, 2010

1 Comments

“Goin’ down to the river, get me a tangled rockin’ chair. . .”

If you’re searching for live music this summer, then head on down to the sloping banks of the Kanawha, where on summer late afternoons, a current of folk and blues laps at the shoreline like smooth-running water, floating through the city like the river itself. Bring a blanket, bring a chair (tangled or otherwise), and let the music bring you the rest of the way, as you enjoy the dripping sunlight in one of the most beautiful spots in the city.

Every Friday throughout the summer, Charleston, WV plays host to a festival of outdoor concerts. Featuring a sundry collection of local and regional bands, Live on the Levee embraces the heart of this artistic city, in the heart of the city itself.

Locals start to gather on the brick steps and grassy knolls of Haddad Riverfront Park as early as 6:00pm, lining the park with picnic blankets and lawn chairs, or swarming the river with private boats. Beginning at 6:30pm every Friday evening, Live on the Levee plays to an audience on both sides of the bank. The canopied Schoenbaum Stage, elevated at the edge of the water, spreads 360 degrees of summer jams throughout the city, sweet and sonorous and wholly circumfused.

While there, feel free to grab some food and beverages from the local vendors who come out for the event. Everything from cold beer to iced coffee will be available, as well as an assortment of BBQ stands, hot dog carts, and fresh pizza. All the makings for a fun family outing or a casual evening with friends. Live on the Levee has something for everyone. Eat, drink, relax, and listen as you watch the sun set behind the hills. This is Charleston.

If you want, you can check out the Event Schedule before attending. Performances range from jazz to blues to symphonic orchestra to Rock and Roll. Lie back and let the music carry you.

“. . . And if the blues overtake you, go on and rock away from there.”

Featured In:


Gino J. Orlandi's photo

Meet the Charleston, WV Insider

Gino J. Orlandi

Gino Orlandi is a native Charlestonian with an affinity for travel. He is currently working… more

charleston, wv, live music venues in charleston west virginia, things to do in charleston west virginia

1 Comment

wv native

July 31, 2010 - 4:33 pm

While I was in Charleston on vacation (July 2010), I took time out from visiting relatives to check out the Friday concert.  It’s a shame Charleston no longer has its annual Regatta, but Live on the Levee is the next best thing.  You can’t beat it for free entertainment.  The canopy over the main seating area is a good idea except for one thing…in the evening the sun is at an angle, of course, so only a fraction of the seats are in the shade.  That could come in to play on a hot evening, like it was when I was there.  But by no means would I let that stop me from going there again; great music will cure heat and humidity any time.



Post a comment:

Name: (Required)

Email: (Required) - Your e-mail address will never be published.

URL:

Please type in the word from the image below: (Required)


Comment: (Required)

Remember me

Send follow up comments to your email?

UA-16744459-7