Live at the Grove Arcade, a new series featuring free local music, continues on Friday, February 17th with Asheville buskers Blind Boy Chocolate and the Milk Shieks. The series takes place the third Friday of January, February and March from 5 to 8 p.m.
The band describes themselves as “a dirty street-performing band that is occasionally allowed inside to do our little diddely-dee on a stage.” The group features Dwight “Sawman” Hawkins on wood saw, tenor banjo and vocals; Nicky “The Squirrel” Marshall on mandolin, harmonica and vocals; Antone “T-Bird” Costa on guitar, kazoo and vocals; and Alex “Spiders Nest” Brady on washtub Bass.
The band performed at Merlefest 2011. The repertoire is largely drawn from a bank of early American music consisting of both black and white string and jug band music and draws on the pre-war blues, ragtime, early jazz and songster traditions.
The Grove Arcade Merchants Association sponsors the Live at the Grove Arcade evenings of music, food and drinks and most stores are open late. Beer and wine are available for purchase and attendees get free popcorn with each drink purchase.
The final performance will take place on March 16 with Motownblue.
