The Down by Downtown festival is about to go Galactic.
New Orleans funk juggernaut Galactic is scheduled to play April 18 at Elmwood Park, the annual festival’s climactic event. Young guitar wizard Isaac Hadden, from Asheville, North Carolina, via Blacksburg, and Roanoke act Cinémathèque will open the show.
The Elmwood event is a festival within a festival, according to DxDT organizers. Keeping with tradition, it will be a post-race celebration for the Blue Ridge Marathon and what a news release terms an “open call” to a “funky spring show” to kick off the outdoor festival season.
Galactic tickets went on sale Tuesday, and a limited number were listed on special at $26.20 apiece, in honor of the Blue Ridge Marathon’s 26.2 mile distance. Remaining tickets will be $35 online and $45 at the gate. Registered runners and marathon volunteers may purchase tickets for $15 online and $20 gate.
Get tickets and more festival information via DownByDowntown.com. To run the race or volunteer, visit BlueRidgeMarathon.com.
Galactic has played Southwest Virginia frequently, including sets at FloydFest and The Lyric Theatre, in Blacksburg. Anjelika “Jelly” Joseph will make this gig as featured vocalist. Joseph has shown on multiple recording dates with the band and at the Blacksburg show that she is a powerhouse song-belter with broad stylistic versatility and charisma aplenty.
Also booked for the April 16-19 DxDT run are shows at Martin’s Downtown and 5 Points Music Sanctuary, with more venues and bands to be announced. Richmond-based Carbon Leaf will play 5 Points on April 17. Martin’s will host Glu on April 16, Hello Gorgeous with Talking Cake on April 17 and Gordon Sterling and the People with Hello Gorgeous the next night, the official Galactic after-party.
Other venues scheduled to host performances include The Spot on Kirk, Golden Cactus, Fork in the Alley and Sweet Donkey Coffee House, according to the DxDT news release.