NORFOLK – The Virginia Arts Festival has partnered with a Norfolk resident known for hosting bands in his own backyard to bring two national acts to city stages next month.
The Black Lillies, a Tennessee-based Americana band, and singer-songwriter Karla Bonoff will both play shows as part of the North Shore Point House concert series.
For more than 15 years, Jim Morrison hosted renowned artists in his own home – ranging from Grammy winner Dave Alvin of The Blasters to Prairie Home Companion regular Aoife O’Donovan.
“I’m a big fan of Jim’s house concerts,” said Virginia Arts Festival Director Rob Cross in a news statement. “The focus on artistry and the listener experience dovetails beautifully with our mission, and these shows are a welcome addition to the Virginia Arts Festival calendar.”
The partnership is an attempt to recreate the intimacy of Morrison’s house shows in downtown theaters, according to the release, and are sometimes the “only chance to see a sought-after songwriter in a town.”
Fronted by songwriter Cruz Contreras, The Black Lillies most recent album “Hard to Please” was well received by both Rolling Stone and NPR and earned a slot on Billboard’s Top Country Albums.
For three decades, Bonoff has written and performed hits like “I Can’t Go On,” “Personally,” and “Tell Me Why.” She has written songs for major artists Linda Ronstadt, Wynonna Judd, Aaron Neville, Bonnie Raitt and more.
The Black Lillies will play Sept. 9 in the Virginia Arts Festival Courtyard. Karla Bonoff will perform on Sept. 16 in the Festival’s Robin Hixon Theater. Both performances begin at 8 p.m.
Tickets and additional information can be found online.
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