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1/12/07, 5:45 pm EST

Assignment One Finalist: Betty Wilkins on Blacksburg, Virginia

Think you can do better? Prove it, by entering our our contest. Win prizes and get your work published. We’ll announce week two’s assignment Monday, 12:00 p.m. EST.

Note: This is not an official Rolling Stone article. What follows is a submission to the “I’m From Rolling Stone” writing competition.


WELCOME TO BOOGIEBURG: POPULATION MAY VARY

by Betty Wilkins
Age: 26

Downtown merchants sell shirts proclaiming that Blacksburg, Virginia is a “drinking town with a football problem”. But look closer, and you will discover that the entertainment options afforded to you in this sleepy college town reach far beyond Beamerball. There’s a sound for every season in the ‘burg.

On those sticky, summer nights, head down to the Rivermill or the She-Sha, and groove to a rotating cast of local DJs battling to see who can mix the sickest rhythms in town. Or if it’s an all-girl punk show that you’re looking for, check out The Two Funerals playing after hours at Oasis World Market. For townies looking for one last hoorah before the students return, walk down to the Steppin’ Out festival. Held the first weekend in August, it blends crafts, food, and melodies suitable for all ages and tastes. The main stage at College Avenue and Draper Road plays host to a goulash of bluegrass, funk, jazz, and rock that changes every hour during the two-day event.

When the weather turns brisk and you realize why this place is nicknamed “Bleaksburg”, grab a white chocolate mocha and a couch at the Easy Chair, and soak up the brilliant songwriting of two neo-folksters with guitars. Afterwards, walk over to Attitudes to catch True Sound, a hip-hop/funk/reggae ensemble and a staple in the Blacksburg music scene.

Whether you are jamming along with The Kind at Champ’s Sports Bar on any given Tuesday, or throwing back a few shooters at TOTS’ annual Battle of the Bands competition, music is as much a timeless tradition in Blacksburg as doing the Hokie Pokie.

-- Rolling Stone

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Comments

ThatBettyGirl | 5/11/2007, 3:03 pm EST

Sorry for being a little out of the loop, Dominique. I got a little carried away thinking about the summer music scene of last year. My apologies!

Dominique | 5/2/2007, 3:31 pm EST

Also - one thing to note - Oasis doesn’t do shows anymore, and they hadn’t for awhile in January when this was written…so Betty, do your research next time!

Dominique | 5/2/2007, 3:29 pm EST

I just stumbled upon this through google - I’m in The Two Funerals. Thanks for the mention!

ndsmr kbtjzf | 4/19/2007, 10:04 pm EST

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SP | 2/27/2007, 6:39 pm EST

glad to see True Sound mentioned.. great live hip hop group.. SOJA comes thru with some nice reggae from time to time… Sol brings da funk on occasion to B’burg… over all good article, but I can see what the first comment was stating about needing more excitment…

W. | 2/15/2007, 2:26 pm EST

this article is okay, but living in blacksburg, myself. it needs more. there’s a lot more to catch someones interest in the blacksburg music scene than what is listed there.

one thing ill point out thats awesome in this article: mentioning the two funerals. they’re amazing!

B'buster buddy | 1/18/2007, 1:23 am EST

I think this was a great submission. Living only two towns away I can say that she informed me of things that I didn’t even know existed. The football is great, but now I have even more reasons to visit Blacksburg.

Where's the music??? | 1/15/2007, 12:32 pm EST

I think that this is an extremely great submission. I live in “MARTINSVILLE, VA” and we have NO Local Muisc Scenes at ALL! Our town consists of a Race Track and two nightclubs only open on the weekend!! True we do have two races a year but, what do you do on the in between? Find someone like this writer and you will know where to go!! She let me know more about the Blacksburg Music Scene than I could have found anywhere, if this person doesn’t care, how the heck does she know so much about what is in her area. She has made us aware of the festival in August and I will be there! Some people take alot for granted!! Us “SMALLTOWN” folk have to stick together! Again I say, Great Job and I think this in an excellent submission. Wish you could have done an article on my town! Good Luck! We need more “writers” like you who are to the point and not sooo emotional, the FACTS….that is what I like reading!

R. | 1/15/2007, 12:19 am EST

There is only one ‘burg and it happens to be Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

Dare To Hear A Fool | 1/13/2007, 2:10 pm EST

Wow, I’m not going to say this was bad but where’s the excitement; the personal interest? I just did’t feel like she cared about what she was writing or even was that into her local music scene. It seemed to me like she was just telling the reader, “here it is…”

I wish I would have more time to write my article up and submit it. Darn college classes…

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