2018-19 Guide To Yellow Springs

61 Y e l l ow S p r i n g s N ews the Guide to YelLow Springs y 2018 - 1 9 The AACW Blues Fest in full swing in 2009. Among the pIctured are, from left, the late Faith Patterson, original organizer of the event, her son Nerak Roth Patterson on guitar, and Guy Davis on harmonica. Below, daughter Karen Patterson performed blues and jazz on the cello.  AACW's Big Event —  y  A look at blues fest y • Photos by Robert Hasek By YS NEws Staff As much a fall tradition as the changing leaves, the AACW Blues Fest was long a staple of Springs’ cultural palette. The event celebrated the role of African Americans in the progression of Ameri- can music — from gospel, blues and jazz to rock ’n’ roll, hip hop and R&B, bringing in national acts and elevating local talent to grateful crowds at the Antioch College Amphitheater. The annual event ran for 16 straight years, from 1997–2013, with encores in 2015 and 2016. By the end it had expanded to include other events through- out the weekend, such as Gospel Fest, Blooz N Poems and Innovation Stage. Blues Fest was organized by African American Cross-Cultural Works, or AACW, a local nonprofit dedicated to the promo - tion of diversity, community and education. That organization, and its annual festi - val, was the conception of educator and community activist Faith Patterson and the late Antioch College music professor Bill Chappelle, who built on the the successful African American Cultural Week put on in 1991 by Antioch College student John Sims. “It celebrates community and cultural diversity — it’s not just a concert,” Patter - son told the News in 2010. “It’s not about musicians standing up but people learning.” Patterson died in 2016 and was memo - rialized at that year’s Blues Fest. Bill Chappelle died in 1998. His son, famous comedian Dave Chappelle, went on to MC an extra day of the event in 2006. That event, held on the Antioch College golf course, featured the R&B singer Erykah Badu, harmonica player Frédéric Yonnet, and neo-soul singer Goapele, swelling the crowd from an already-impressive draw of 3,000 attendees to an estimated 7,000. Patterson’s musical children, Karen Pat - terson and Nerak Roth Patterson, have also been deeply involved in the festival and its organization. Karen is a jazz cellist and instructor who has traveled the world, playing at the Lagos Jazz Series Festival in Lagos, Nigeria, and soloing with the Dayton Philharmonic. Nerak Roth Patterson travels and records with his own band, the Nerak Roth Patterson Band, playing a signature mix of rock ’n’ roll, metal and blues. The group has toured with Journey, Jethro Tull, the Doobie Brothers and B.B. King. 1 JOHN BRYAN COMMUNITY POTTERY A community studio offering classes, workshops, & studio rentals. For over 40 years, this non-profit studio has been providing opportunities for learning and working with clay to the Yellow Springs community and surrounding areas. The studio is well equipped with a wood kiln, a gas reduction kiln, raku kiln, electric kilns, 12 wheels, slab roller, extruder and glaze room. Renters have 24-hour access to the studio. Visitors welcome. Open Studio Hours Saturday & Sunday from 12-4 P.M. 937.767.9022 100 Dayton Street Yellow Springs Look for a schedule and description of upcoming classes at www.communitypottery.com PeiferOrchards &FarmMarket 4590 US 68 North, ½mile north of Yellow Springs Open during the season, 7 days a week 767-2208 www.PeiferOrchards.com • Farm Fresh Apples • Farm Fresh Peaches • U-Pick Blackberries • U-Pick Pumpkins • U-Pick Red Raspberries • Jams & Jellies • Baked Goods • Farm Fresh Vegetables • Handcrafted Gifts by Local Artisans • Fresh-Pressed Cider FIND US ON FACEBOOK