Blues meets brews

It was perfect weather Saturday, September 28, at the Charlottesville Downtown Amphitheater for the Blues & Brews Festival. Local blues band The Blueshakers and my own dear husband's The Danny Beirne Band started things off, entertaining the crowd with some hard-driving, rockin' blues. Headlining the event was Sauce Boss, a band with a special twist. Singer/guitarist Bill Wharton sings, plays electric guitar and, last but not least, cooks a big pot of gumbo on stage that he feeds to the audience at the end of the show. Quite a feat!

Charlottesvillians lazed on blankets or in chairs, taking it all in, sippin' on microbrews, eatin' barbeque. The sun was hot, but not too hot, and a welcome breeze carried the promise that fall is on its way. The festival is put on annually by local radio station 3WV and a host of other sponsors.