Gospel, Soul, Rock And Blues Artist Coming To W&L
Bette Smith ‘Puts Soul Back Into Fashion’
Bette Smith, a well-known Brooklyn-based gospel, soul, rock and blues artist, will be featured at the Lenfest Center on the Washington and Lee University campus in three events scheduled for Jan. 14-15 — a meet and greet session sharing her music and storytelling over lunch, a Soul, Rock & Blues themed dinner at the Marketplace on campus, and a concert on the Keller stage.
Of Trinidadian descent, Smith is a New York Blues Hall of Fame inductee and has worked with Jimbo Mathis, Kirk Fletcher, Luther Dickinson, Patterson Hood and Jimmy Hogarth.
Featured in Lenfest’s Winter Outreach & Engagement Series, Smith will be highlighted in January’s Table Talks at the Kamen Gallery: Art, Insight & Lunch with a Listening Party on Jan. 14 at noon.
The Table Talks event invites area residents to participate in an intimate meet and greet with Smith. She will share her music choices, provide insights into her creative process and discuss the inspiration behind her artistic journey. Smith’s listening session playlist includes the following songs: “Ain’t No Way” by Aretha Franklin, “I Wish” by Stevie Wonder, “But You Know I Love You” by Dolly Parton, “Astral Plane” by Valerie June, “Mileage” by Ruthie Foster and “Tennessee Whisky” by Bette Smith.
Tickets are free, but required and lunch is available during the listening party.
For tickets, visit https:// wlu.vbotickets.com/event/ Table_Talks_at_Kamen_ Gallery_Bette_Smith_Listening_ Party/176344.
Smith will also be featured in a Soul, Rock & Blues themed dinner at the Marketplace beginning at 5:30 p.m. on Jan. 14. The dinner will celebrate her near-Southern roots with a down-home cooking feast — complete with buttermilk fried chicken, mashed potatoes and collard greens with ham. Additionally, dry rubbed beef ribs, blackened catfish, vegetarian gumbo and red beans and rice will be served. Visit https://my.wlu. edu/dining-services/campusdining- venues-and-menus/ the-marketplace.
On Jan. 15 at 7:30 p.m., Smith will perform on the Keller stage. With a touch of near-Southern sass, homages to her Brooklyn upbringing and vocal prowess, Smith brings both gritty energy and heartfelt storytelling to the stage, said a spokesperson.
Born and raised in Bedford- Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, Smith can trace her music back to the core elements of her childhood. From summer block party bands to the gospel music she heard in church, her music is a living celebration of culture and history, the spokesperson said. She is a cousin of gospel singer Wintley Phipps.
The Rolling Stone describes Bette Smith as an artist who “puts soul back into fashion.”
Her music has taken her on tour around the world, shaking stages in places from Switzerland to London to her hometown of New York City.
Tickets are required for the concert performance. Tickets prices are $35 for the general public, $32 for seniors, $29 for W&L faculty/ staff and $8 for students. Online ticket sales are available at https://my.wlu.edu/lenfestcenter/ bette-smith.
The box office will reopen for in-person sales Jan. 8. Patrons can contact the box office by calling (540) 4588000 or emailing [email protected].
