BellaDonna

"Love Me or Leave Me"
1930s prohibition-era music

​6-8 pm Saturday, February 17, 2024
Live at ​Second Stage | Amherst
​194 2nd Street  •  Amherst, VA 24521
Vocalist and songwriter Donna Kay joins multi-instrumentalist and singer Laurabella Owens for a haughty and sometimes naughty take on vintage jazz and blues. Prohibition-era music of the 1930s is featured prominently among originals by both performers. Rounding out the combo for their February show are Worth Proffitt on drums and Bob Bowen on bass.

​Be sure to join us for this Valentine's-inspired show!
Donna Kay, who was born in Lynchburg and attended Amherst County Schools, spent her earliest years in front of the television, memorizing every commercial jingle during the Golden Age of TV Advertising. She began formal music studies at age 8, and has been playing something-or-other ever since. From piano, she moved to voice studies, picked up the bass in a post-punk grunge band, made beautiful sounds for Atlanta’s Liar's Club, and played keyboards and sang back up for the Americana band Wonderful Johnson in a paradise called Naples, Florida.

In 2008, Donna moved to Greenville, SC, where she met jazz bassist Shannon Hoover, who mentored her and helped her become a reputable jazz singer. Her collaboration with jazz and experimental percussionist Daniel Zongrone led her to an artist in residence in Berlin, Germany, in the summer of 2014. There she became part of the duet, Vibe Vox, performing stripped-down versions of their electronic soundscapes in Berlin and Prague.

Later on Donna decided to start a Gypsy Jazz/Western Swing/Boogie Blues band she called The Carousers. She enlisted the musical direction of Monty Craig, who was then an adjunct Professor of Guitar Studies at Clemson University. The band spent seven years playing all over South Carolina. They recorded a CD (Possessed), and EP (Devil Water) and two singles. (Across the Alley From the Alamo and the original tune, Free and Easy (Monty Craig).
​
Donna moved back to Lynchburg in 2021. She then met Laurabella Owens, who agreed to accompany her. “It is wonderful to play with women, I must say! I enjoy playing with Laurabella.” Together they formed the duo BellaDonna and enjoy playing with local and regional talent presenting composer-based jazz sets.
Laurabella Owens (piano) is a music educator and performer working in the genres of blues, jazz and classical music. She is a member of the Lynchburg Symphony Orchestra on violin. Laura co-founded and wrote music for the band “Feng Sway” and played with local reggae artists. Her unique approach to the piano and her depth of repertoire make her a versatile performer. Laura has lived in Central Virginia for many years and has taught piano and violin both in the Lynchburg school system and privately. She comes from a musical family; Lynchburg singer and guitarist David Owens is her brother.
Tickets: (Includes one free cup of coffee, water, or soda from ​Baine’s Books & Coffee. Food is available for purchase.)
  • $12 adults
  • $6 students 
  • ​Free: VCA Passport*
​
  • Pay at the door, cash or checks only; doors open at 5:30 pm.​
  • Advance tickets available at Eventbrite. Click on button below. 

*AGAR is part of the VCA Passport Program for those in the WIC Program. Our performances are suitable for Women and Children over 12; not for infants or small children. For more information, call 434-989-3215 or click on this link below.
 https://www.amherstglebeartsresponse.org/passport.html