CULTURE FESTIVAL is the new name for the familiar Colorful out in District. Saturday, September 2, 2023 is the day again. Dance, art, film, theater, workshops and, of course, lots of music. An annual free event in downtown Wijk, which is then completely turned upside down and attended by thousands of visitors. Traditionally, BluesinWijk is there with a blues stage and three bands:LITTLE HAT en BARN&BELLE, the winner of the Dutch Blues Challenge 2022 and FIVE DOLLAR SHAKE, a nice fresh band from Utrecht. Just like last year, we will be in the Klooster Leuterstraat from 2 PM to 6 PM, on the square opposite the HEMA and coffee house THUYS. Admission is free.
BARN & BELLE Barn & Belle is an Americana & Roots duo from the south of the Netherlands. Close-harmony accompanied on an arsenal of Country & Folk instruments. Washboard, Banjo, Dobro, Melodica and their “Travellers Drum Machine” all come by! Barn & Belle play a mix of Americana & Roots music, where the chemistry between the two multi-instrumentalists is key. Having met at the Maastricht Conservatory, they found each other in their love for Americana, Ragtime and Swing. After many concerts and jam sessions, they decided, in early 2018, to start making music together. Their first performance took place in March 2018, during the preliminary round of “Podiumvrees Bandcontest”. That year they immediately won the finals, allowing them to open the Mama’s Pride Festival in Geleen.Later that month they were also allowed to provide Dutch support for “Pokey LaFarge”. In November that same year they won the B.R.F.L-contest (Blues & Roots From Limburg) which allowed them to open the 23rd edition of Southern Bluesnight. On October 2, 2022 the duo won at the finals of the Dutch Blues Challenge after which they were allowed to represent the Netherlands at The International Blues Challenge 2023 in Memphis, Tennesseetween 200 other international acts . Here they advanced to the semi-finals after 2 successful quarter-final shows. In March 2023 their new EP called ‘The Dead Don’t Dance’.
