Special Event: Music By the Bay Summer Concert–Juneteenth Concert presented by the Virginia Black Film Festival

This free Juneteenth concert is in conjunction with the Virginia Black Film Festival and the City of Hampton. The Virginia Black Film Festival celebrates its second year as a partnership with the City of Hampton with over 60 films in competition, accomplished guest speakers, and a co-located Black Business Expo designed to all designed to make Black filmmakers and Black entrepreneurs more visible and accessible to the community and to each other. VBFF is a family-friendly community event with several events which are free and open to the public, including a Juneteenth Beach Party (Paradise Ocean Club) a Juneteenth Concert, a Black Business Expo and other networking events.  Proceeds from this year’s event support scholarships for HBCU students through the Black Arts Foundation (501c3) which has established a $50K scholarship endowment for Hampton University Students in the Arts.

Performer this evening include:

1. Violin Performance by Melanie The Violinist
2. Drum & Dance Performance by The Day Program
   The DAY Program Performance Ensemble, led by the accomplished Kam Kelly, brings the vibrant traditions of Guinea, West Africa, directly to your gathering. From mesmerizing drumming to high-energy dance performances, we tailor every experience to meet the unique needs of your event—whether intimate or grand.
3. Hip Hop Performance by Night Train357
   Stephen “Night Train 357” Wilkes is a creative emcee that enjoys infusing wordplay with unique subject matter not often touched upon in the Hip-Hop community. Night Train 357 (Train) is the representative for the everyman. Not hood, nor rich – he’s in the middle, trying to make it through this world like everyone else. He tells stories with a twist, constantly reminding the listener how the average can become above average. He’s a breath of fresh air, a change from the mundane, and the cure for the common cool.
4. Blues Performance by Bobby Blackhat
   Bobby BlackHat, Virginia’s Blues Ambassador, blends the influences of Chicago, Memphis, Piedmont, and Delta style blues along with a little Gospel into a Toe Tappin’, Finger Poppin’, Hip Shakin’ Blues experience. You Never Know What’s Gonna Happen at a Bobby BlackHat Show!
   Bobby BlackHat, Virginia’s Blues Ambassador, award-winning recording artist, harmonica player, vocalist, songwriter, comedian, producer has been playing harmonica for over 50 years. Bobby is a retired U.S. Coast Guard Commander with 27 years of distinguished service which included serving as Military Aide to the President and being awarded the Coast Guard Medal for Heroism.
   He has opened for music legends: B.B King, Taj Mahal, Delbert McClinton, Patti Labelle, Ramsey Lewis, and Maze. He has also performed with Eddie Shaw, Kenny Neal, Ruthie Foster, Tas Cru, Jason Ricci, Slam Allen, Mick Kolassa, Fernando Jones, Memphis Gold, and Lurrie Bell. BlackHat is a judge for the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, TN.
   In 2017, Bobby won the USAA/We Are The Mighty Mission: Music nationwide competition. In 2016, the Bobby BlackHat Band advanced to the finals of the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, TN. Bobby has won two Blewzzy Awards for “Song of the Year” (I Hear Mama’s Voice, 2012 and Please Mr. BlackHat, 2015). He was also awarded two 2016 VEER Music Awards for “Best Blues” and “Song of the Year” (HRBT Blues).
   “I bought my first harp after hearing Lee Oskar play with WAR in 1972. The sound of his harp just mesmerized me and I knew right then and there I was gonna be a harp player too.”