Concert in the Park: Andra Faye & Scott Ballantine

Andra Faye and Scott Ballantine bring the sounds of original blues, roots, Americana and more to Lakeside with a performance at the Steele Memorial Bandstand at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 12.

Ballantine is well known for having had the best vintage guitar shops in Indianapolis for many years and for founding the much-loved band The Strugglers in the ’70s, who was the house band at the Hummingbird Cafe.

He’s a teacher and a wonderful jazz, country, blues & roots guitarist, who is equally at home on acoustic and electric guitar. He is adept at playing solo shows or leading bands.

Faye is known for her strong vocals and her abilities as a multi-instrumentalist, playing bass, mandolin, fiddle and guitar.

She has been featured on the cover of Mandolin Magazine and was called “First Lady of The Blues Mandolin.” As an instrumentalist, she has twice been nominated for Blues Music Awards.

Her love for the blues took her on a journey away from Indiana when she joined a band called Saffire-The Uppity Blues Women, touring the world and recording for Alligator Records. She toured for 17 years with Saffire until the band’s retirement in 2009.

Returning home in 2011, she formed a rootsy band called Andra Faye & The Rays and began playing as a duo with Ballantine in 2012.

Their albums, Laying Down Our Blues and Coulda Woulda Shoulda received rave reviews for their instrumental and vocal talents, as well as their songwriting. They were voted No. 1 Blues Act for 2015 by NUVO Magazine’s Best of Indy Readers Choice Awards.

In the case of inclement weather, the concert will move to Orchestra Hall. For announcements, check the ‘Event Changes’ button on Lakeside’s homepage.