Community Corner

Blues Festival Aims to Attract Outsiders to Falls Church

Blues festival planners predict event could make Falls Church a destination.

For almost two decades, the Tinner Hill Blues Festival’s following has grown each year and could grow even larger in the coming years.

Nikki Graves-Henderson, executive director of the Tinner Hill Heritage Foundation said part of the idea is to use the blues festival to attract more people to Falls Church. Visitors eating and staying in the city is a way to build the tax base, she said.

“That helps the city,” she said Friday. “We want to preserve the history of this changing area.”

Find out what's happening in Falls Churchwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Now in its 19th year, the blues festival will run June 8 through the 10th. Themed “Call it the Blues,” the festival will host activities in Cherry Hill Park, the , the , the Farmer’s Market, , , the and . Tickets start at $15 for general admission and $25 for a Headline Pass, which includes designated/reserved seating on the lawn. Proceeds of the fundraiser benefit the Tinner Hill Heritage Foundation of Falls Church.

The festival will feature several blues artists including local performer Brooksie Wells. The WAMMY nominated artist will host a special musical event for young musicians during the festival at the Styles Library. Wells, who has performed for more than 40-years and has released three CDs, will perform a variety of songs from around the world.

Find out what's happening in Falls Churchwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“To me it’s a dream come true,” said Wells who performed Friday at a Bike to Work Day pit stop in Falls Church on Friday. “I’ve always been a fan of the blues. It’s a real honor to play in this festival.”

The weekend kicks off June 8th with a free V.I.P. Opening Reception at Stifle & Capra featuring live music by Clarence “Bluesman Turner”.  The annual fundraiser concert will be held at the State Theatre that evening with the down home blues of Texas native Diunna Greenleaf & Blues Mercy. 

Food will be sold by vendors and will include a hot fish fry from Friends at the Second Baptist Church. Beer and wine including the “Tinner Hill IPA” from Mad Fox will also be sold at the festival.

Graves-Henderson said there will be more venues around town this year than there have been in the past. She said that is because word is getting out to blues performers and lovers alike.

“The next three to 5-years, local hotels will be sold out,” she said. “Next thing you know, we’ll have to say ‘reservations needed’.”

For a complete schedule for the blues festival, click here.

To buy tickets for the event, click here.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here