Yesterday it was announced that Wynonna Judd will give a special performance during the opening ceremonies of the Alltech WEG. A Kentucky native, it is fitting she will sing the state song "My Old Kentucky Home." Judd is a five-time GRAMMY award winning artist and a best-selling author. The WEG showcases the collective skills of eight equestrian disciplines. Similarly, Judd represents just one musical genre to be celebrated during the Games. If you have never heard Wynonna's pipes, check out the music video for "No One Else On Earth." Musical and entertainment performances for the opening and closing ceremonies will continue to be announced throughout the spring. Tickets for the opening ceremonies are going for $120-$150. Get yours!
In addition to lining up performances for the opening and closing ceremonies, the Alltech Fortnight Festival has been traveling the state of Kentucky reaching out to the community through music and raising state awareness about the WEG. The Alltech Fortnight Festival began in July 2008 as a "statewide, entertainment-centered countdown" to the WEG at various venues across Kentucky. The festival culminates with a "fortnight" of live music beginning September 25 and ending October 10, 2010. (I say "fortnight" because while the Games and performances last 16 days, a fortnight is actually only 14 days) Between July 2008-October 2009, AFF presented 45 events including: Alan Jackson with Lee Ann Womack, the Decemberists, and Celtic Woman.
According to the AFF website, the 2009 festival held Sept. 25-Oct 10 entertained 20,000 people at 14 venues in 9 cities across the Commonwealth of Kentucky. The AFF performances mirroring the Games will take place in several cities across Kentucky, but there will be performances in Lexington for spectators to attend after a long day of competition.
New AFF performances are being added weekly. The current line-up includes
The Temptations and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy with the Lexington Philharmonic. BBVD will be in Lexington on September 30 at the Singletary Center for the Arts. Check the schedule and get your tickets here. I am personally a big fan of BBVD, and I can imagine their swingin' beat makes for a wild and winsome live performance.
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Hey, ya know what? I happen to think this Wynonna song is PERFECT for karaoke!!;) ;) Yuck yuck yuck.