UPSTATE — The inaugural Shoeless Jam 2016-West Greenville Music and Arts Festival will kick off Aug. 19 in Greenville’s West End, providing some end of summer entertainment while using music to promote unity.

With a tip of the hat to South Carolina baseball legend Shoeless Joe Jackson, the Shoeless Jam is the inaugural presentation of the event and will feature 10 bands over two days in a variety of genres to attract just about any music lover.

The two-day event will feature live music, food trucks, craft beer, artisan vendors, a live painting workshop and a kids zone to keep younger audience members entertainment geared for their satisfaction as well.

“The event is called Shoeless Jam because of Shoeless Joe. It’s his neighborhood and where he grew up and lived,” organizer Katie Hughes said. “He is a local icon and we wanted to give a nod to him, but the festival is celebrating more than that with an opportunity to kick off your shoes and dance.”

The festival, beginning Aug. 19, will be a two day effort to promote unity and also the arts in the Upstate.

“This area hasn’t been focused on as of yet with revitalization and we want to create what would be an art district,” Hughes said. “The businesses in this district have gotten together to create an area of performance art and have pulled together events such as a concert series, unity and culture festivals, and this two-day music event to promote the area and bring people together.”

Beginning at 6 p.m. Aug. 19, the first day’s offerings include opening act the Darby Wilcox Birthday Jam and headliner Stop Light Observations, along with food and other fun and games. The lineup for Aug. 20 includes a local gospel showcase, Kelly Jo and Buffaloe, The Fritz, and the day’s headliner The Marcus King Band.

Also providing musical entertainment will DJ’s throughout the day along with the other on-site entertainment.

Admission is free but there will be a VIP tent available. Tickets are on sale now for $10 for a single day or $20 for the entire event for the VIP tent featuring among its benefits shade and misting fans should temperatures remain high, along with food and drink specials.

Shoeless Jam 2016 is being held at 1282 Pendleton St. in the West End in Greenville.

For further information, see the event’s website at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/shoeless-jam-2016-west-greenville-music-and-arts-festival-tickets-26440744980.

For questions or to become involved, send inquiries to katiehughespro@gmail.com.

Stop Light Observation, seen here following a recent show in Asheville,N.C., will be the headliner Aug. 19 during the two-day Shoeless Jam-West Greenville Music and Arts Festival.
http://pickenssentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/web1_SLO.jpgStop Light Observation, seen here following a recent show in Asheville,N.C., will be the headliner Aug. 19 during the two-day Shoeless Jam-West Greenville Music and Arts Festival. Courtesy photo

By D. C. Moody

dmoody@civitasmedia.com

Reach D. C. Moody at 864-855-0355.