Houston Blues Society presents two great acts, with food trucks providing tasty treats
HOUSTON, May 18, 2018 – Direct Energy is the presenting sponsor for a free concert at Levy Park on Jun. 2, featuring Houston’s own blues sensation, Annika Chambers, from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. performing on the Pavilion Stage. Two other blues concerts presented by Levy Park (LP) earlier in the day will precede the headliner, including Houston Blues Society acts Lil’ Terry & the Blues Birds featuring Tony Vega at 12:30 p.m. and Jonn Del Toro Richardson Band at 3 p.m.
Come out to Levy Park on Jun. 2 for the Direct Energy concert at 6 p.m. on the Pavilion Stage featuring Annika Chambers. Additionally, there are Houston Blues Society concerts at 12:30 p.m. with Lil’ Terry & the Blues Birds with Tony Vega and 3 p.m. with Jonn Del Toro Richardson. All are free. Enjoy food and beverages from several food trucks. Photo by Jay Ford.
Blues and soul singer Chambers, like so many powerful vocal artists, can trace her love of music back to early childhood where she sang in church. She cites the gospel influences of Yolanda Adams, Shirley Caesar, Dottie Peoples and Whitney Houston.
However, it was during her two tours of duty in the military that Chambers realized the gift she had. One of her Army colonels heard her singing and asked her to perform the National Anthem for one of their ceremonies. She was an immediate hit and from there became part of a touring band making the rounds through Kosovo and Iraq.
Returning to Houston in 2011 brought the creation of Annika Chambers and The House Rules Band with audiences loving their combination of blues and soul. By the end of 2014, Chambers’ debut album, “Making My Mark”, was climbing blues charts across the United States and Europe and brought her the coveted nomination for 2015 BMA (Blues Music Award) “Best New Artist 2015.” Her sophomore release, “Wild & Free”, did not disappoint, with a debut at #7 on the Billboard Blues chart.
Lil’ Terry & the Blues Birds featuring Tony Vega will kick things off at 12:30 p.m. Fans may remember the Tony Vega Band playing at Levy Park in March. Lil’ Terry & the Blues Birds and Vega will combine for some genuine blues – Houston style.
Richardson, who plays at 3 p.m., comes from a musical family, but once he heard the blues, he knew he had found his place. He has released two CDs with other artists and In November 2015 came his first solo Album, ”Tengo Blues,” which earned him a Blues Blast Award nomination for best new artist in 2016. In May 2017, he won the Blues Music Award from The Blues Foundation for Best New Artist Debut Award for “Tengo Blues.”
Guests can enjoy delicious food that day between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. from Coffee Q, The Waffle Bus, Foreign Policy, and Mico’s Rolled Ice Cream. Additionally, Baby’s Badass Burgers, Coffee Q, The Waffle Bus, and Mico’s Rolled Ice Cream will be out on June 1 from 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. and then on June 3 Coffee Q, The Waffle Bus, Foreign Policy, and Mico’s Rolled Ice Cream will be serving from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Beverages, including beer and wine, will be available for purchase June 2 and 3.
Guests are invited to come out earlier in the day to enjoy a good workout with Bootcamp at 8:30 a.m. and Joy Yoga at 10 a.m. People can always enjoy other park amenities, including imagination playground blocks, arts and games carts, corn hole, the Children’s Park, dog parks, ping pong and much more.
Levy Park is located in the heart of the Upper Kirby District at 3801 Eastside St., between Buffalo Speedway and Kirby Drive and Richmond Avenue and U.S. 59. Parking is available on Wakeforest and Eastside streets and in the Kirby Grove parking garage for a fee.
For more information about the Direct Energy concerts and other Levy Park events, visit our website at levyparkhouston.org or call 713-522-7275.
About Levy Park
Levy Park Conservancy is an affiliate of the Upper Kirby District Foundation, a private, nonprofit organization managing Levy Park, a six-acre City of Houston park in the Upper Kirby District of Houston. The Conservancy oversees maintenance, operations, long-term stewardship, programs and events, and partnerships and visitor services and concessions at Levy Park. Learn more about Levy Park at levyparkhouston.org. Levy Park can also be found on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @levyparkhouston.