Today we begin the final third of this the seventh season of the Bridgeport Farmers Market with a bang. I’m willing to bet that this is the only place in the world where you will find the four things named in today’s headline all together at the same time. There are so many great things happening today that I hardly know where to begin. Actually that’s a lie. I’m a musician so anytime we have a truly unique performer under the Music Tent that’s where I’m going first.

 

So far this season we’ve had new-age music, world music, funk, R&B, Americana, country, classic rock, new Appalachian music, and an original rock and roll band. Today we’re taking the word ‘eclectic’ to new heights. Jazz accordion, yes you heard me right and it’s not an oxymoron, I said Jazz accordion. This, my friends, is going to be good.

 

Simone Baron is a classically trained pianist who is a Jewish native of Rome, Italy, and now lives in the Washington, DC, area. Growing up Jewish meant that Simone was exposed to the wonders of klezmer music at an early age, hence, her affinity for the accordion. Later on she also developed a love of Jazz and the blues. That’s a lot of musical influences for a 26-year old and it shows in her deep, expressive playing.

 

Simone comes to us today courtesy of the West Virginia Jazz Society who has kept her busy all weekend. Her main gig was at the Jazz Society’s Crossroads Jazz Festival which took place in Morgantown Saturday night in conjunction with BOPARC. She was also the strolling accordionist at the Italian Heritage Festival’s Pasta Cook-Off Saturday afternoon and played for the diners at Washington Square in Clarksburg Friday night.

 

After today’s show at the Market Simone will move across the parking lot and do a set at Mia Margherita. At both of today’s shows she’ll be joined by a veteran of the Market’s Music Tent, guitarist Seth Maynard of Elkins. Seth, along with his band, also performed with Simone at her Friday and Saturday night gigs.

 

 

One of our most requested and beloved WV chefs returns to the Chef’s Demo tent today. I speak of none other than the punk rock chef himself, MK Ohlinger. As usual, I have no idea what MK will be demonstrating. How could I know that when even MK himself doesn’t know yet? Stop by at noon and be surprised with the rest of us!

 

We also have a really cool new vendor debuting at the Market today. Dirty Hippie Creations is a new candle business making the Bridgeport scene. The thing that makes Dirty Hippie’s candles unique is that they are made with soy wax and have wicks fashioned from hemp. They also give their candles intriguing names to go along with some very unusual scents: Black as my Soul Coffee, Kismet, and Amber is the Color of your Energy just to name a few.

 

“Hipness, what it is, and sometimes hipness is what it ain’t.” Hint: Find the survey taker at today’s Market and name that tune for a $10 Market gift certificate.

 

Finally, I want to tell you about a very special non-profit organization that will be handing out info and answering questions under the Market’s Non-Profit tent today. Stars & Strides is a Bridgeport based outfit whose mission is to “help individuals overcome challenges through integration and use of horses in a therapeutic environment”. The folks they help suffer from such ailments as autism, post-traumatic stress, social anxiety, and other psychological and physical challenges. Please stop by and check them out today and go here for more info or to donate to the cause: http://www.starsandstrides.com

 

Until next week, Stay Fresh!

 

The Bridgeport Farmers Market Association is the seven member all volunteer board of directors that governs the Bridgeport Farmers Market. It is supported by a wonderful group of community volunteers who help in the setup and maintenance of the market. For more information on the Farmers Market or to see how you can help please e-mail us at bridgeportfarmersmarket@yahoo.comor, better yet, LIKE us on Facebook and follow us on both Twitter and Instagram. You can also check out the Market’s own YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/BridgeportFarmersMktor for more BFM video content you can now go to http://vimeo.com/bridgeportfarmersmarket/videos

Go here to see all of the entries in the Let’s Get Fresh blog: http://tinyurl.com/kdv4mhl