Bob Grubel of Grace Notes

Bob Margolin

Scott Perry

People across Floyd County can the hear sounds of music and smell the aromas of good food this weekend. Several events offer opportunities for entertainment in the New River Valley on Saturday and Sunday.

On Saturday, Sweet Providence Farm Market and Bakery hosts singer/songwriter Bob Grubel, a musician who uses uplifting music to relax and inspire others. Grubel will perform with his band Grace Note, which includes Tom Williams on acoustic guitar and Jack Bagby on bass.

"We offer a blend of original material from a wide scope of musical genres, and we have songs with familiar sounds for many generations," Grubel said. "There will be a few a cappella pieces as well, with lots of three-part harmony."

Also Saturday, the Allen Boys will perform as part of the Oak Grove Pavilion family-friendly outdoor concert series at the pavilion stage behind Zion Lutheran Church in Floyd. The event is free, but donations will be accepted to benefit local charities, such as the Floyd Free Clinic, the NRV Women's Resource Center and others. Last year, Oak Grove Pavilion gave $791 to six different organizations in Floyd County through the goodwill donations.

Another Saturday event is the Black Dog Wine and Blues Festival, which takes place at Chateau Morrisette winery. The all-afternoon event features crafts, artisans and vendors, in addition to barrel-shaving demonstrations. Some of the vendors expected to attend will sell funnel cakes, coffee, handmade jewelry, dog treats and gifts, decorative pottery, hand-blown glass items, fruity health drinks and handmade soaps. Two local musicians will also perform.

Scott Perry will perform first at the winery with his repertoire of traditional and acoustic blues and roots music. Perry has his own music store, promotion company and record label, Oh Papa Music, and his music is fast-paced, mirroring today's busy, high-tech atmosphere.

"Scott Perry's traditional finger-picking blues has drawn widespread praise from music reviewers and East Coast blues fans," said Nora Kuper, vice president for marketing at the winery. "Scott is a local favorite."

The second artist to perform at the Black Dog festival will be Steady Rollin' Bob Margolin, former guitarist for Chicago blues legend Muddy Waters. Margolin continues singing the blues worldwide and recently won the 2008 Blues Music Award for his guitar playing from the Blues Foundation.

"I'm really looking forward to the Black Dog festival, where folks escape today's challenging world for an afternoon of music and wine, the outdoors and the company of nice people," Margolin said. "I've played at it a couple of times before, and the audience really parties to blues music, which has a lot of joy in it, as well as depth and soul."

The festival is a great way to unwind from the daily grind, Kuper said.

"Our cool-breeze mountaintop elevation and Blue Ridge beauty make the winery an exceptional place to relax and have fun," she said.

The fun continues at Chateau Morrisette with Sunday Sounds, free music in the winery courtyard with live performances by local and regional musicians and entertainers. There will be grilled foods, soft drinks and wine available for purchase. Wayne Brodie, a self-taught folk-rock artist who plays cover tunes of everyone from the Allman Brothers to Bruce Springsteen, will perform Sunday.