By DAVID DUPONT
BG Independent News
During its Main Stage show Friday night at the Black Swamp Art Festival, Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band gave the Sunday school standard “This Little Light of Mine” a raucous late night rendition.
Peyton sang that he was going to let his little light shine on the whole neighborhood, and that it did on downtown Bowling Green as the 29th Black Swamp Arts Festival got underway.
A steady stream of festivalgoers was on hand even before the official opening of the Juried Art Show stretching three blocks along Main Street.
Artists were already busy chatting with acquaintances from past years, and making new friends. Some wandering to greet fellow artists.
Astou Dioum was introducing herself to festivalgoers. New to the show, her booth was redolent with the scent of the sea grass she uses to weave her baskets and hats.
Other artists talked about how their art has changed over the years.
Nicholas Ringelstetter, a 2018 Best of Show winner, said a workshop taught him new painting techniques. Formerly listed as mixed media, his work is now strictly painting – glossy abstract landscapes populated by cartoon characters.
The art shows, including the Wood County Invitational, continue today (9/10) through until 6 p.m., and Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Kids and teen art activities also take place on Saturday and Sunday.
Back in City Parking Lot 2, Noah I MUA was warming up the stage with burning set of psychedelic rock, then Jon Stickley delivered tunes that shifted gears from bluegrass to rock and back again.
Early diners were starting to cruise the row of food trucks. The line was already forming for steak tips, a perennial festival favorite.
The Main Stage area was packed by the time The Suffers, fronted by Kam Franklin, a woman with a big voice and big personality, took the stage.
The seven-piece band delivered a funky blend of jazzy soul. The groove, fitting the scene, was party-ready. Some songs delivered powerful messages. “How Do We Heal?” invoked the names of Black victims killed by police. Others gave relationship advice while others just celebrated life.
Franklin noted that this was a good start for their tour.
Rev. Peyton’s Big Damn Band brought the first night of the festival to a foot stomping conclusion. With a rack of guitars waiting in the wings Peyton delivered set of country finger pickin’ boogie guitar backed by washboard, played by his wife, Breezy, and drums courtesy of Max Senteney.
When it came time to introduce “the bass player,” Peyton looked around and then introduced his thumb. Then he demonstrated how he got bass, rhythm and melody out of a single guitar.
The trio delivered a sound promised by its name.
Music continues today (9/10) until midnight and then Sunday (9/11) until 5 p.m.
