Posted on Apr 26, 2009 - 07:21 PM

Rivertown Music & Arts Festival in Conway This Saturday

http://www.mbsun.com/assets_c/2009/04/Main-Street-thumb-250x250.jpgThe 23rd Annual Conway Main Street Rivertown Music & Arts Festival, presented by HTC, is set for Saturday, May 2, 10 a.m. - 10 p.m. in historic downtown Conway - offering great music, art, a variety of cuisine, and an antique car show.

Local and regional bands provide music ranging from jazz to gospel to steel drum ensembles. The music begins at 10 a.m. and continues throughout the day and evening. Festival-goers are encouraged to bring a chair to enjoy the musical performances on two outdoor stages.

The Kids for the Community Stage located on Laurel Street offers a selection of local talent for the entire family. The Sally Woody School of Dance Cloggers & Dancers and Beautiful Tension are joined by area youth acts with music ranging from contemporary Christian to country to Broadway show tunes.

The Main Stage on Third Avenue hosts local and regional talent including the Carolina Forest High School Steel Drum Band, guitarist Jay Lynn, the Latin-jazz offerings of Free Passage, the Low Country Barbershop Chorus, EGBE Family Kilimanjaro African Drum & Dance, and local rock & blues band Archive. Festival headliner The Rick Fowler Band takes the stage at 8:30 p.m.

At a special ticketed event in the Main Street Theatre, Beth Chorneau joins local favorite the Arlin Strader Trio. With a full career playing Jazz festivals across the country and a discography of six solo recordings, Chorneau's voice is infectious to people of all ages ("I could listen to Beth sing the phone book," says the Charlotte Observer). The concert begins at 3 p.m. in the Main Street Theatre (337 Main Street, Conway). Tickets for this event are $15, and are available by calling the Conway Main Street office at 843-248-6260.

Artists, crafters and merchants will offer an assortment of wares including pottery, wood, glass, photography, jewelry and paintings from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Gourmet food, hot dogs and local cuisine are offered in the food court area from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m. Conway merchants host the Historic Stroll starting at 10 a.m. Shops throughout downtown offer special activities and exhibitions, and the Chicora Antique Car Club's Rivertown Music & Arts Festival Car Show (sponsored and hosted by Palmetto Chevrolet) runs from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.

Visitors are invited to bring a chair (no coolers, please). Admission is free. For more information, call 843-248-6260.