West Alexander has been the site of plenty of parties in the past. After all, this was where couples came across the border from Virginia (before it was West Virginia) just a few miles away for expedient weddings and, we'd assume, subsequent celebrations.

But the tiny two-century-old town hadn't seen anything quite like the festivities that took place Friday night at the old bank building on Main Street.

Keith Sparbanie owns the building, is a big-time music enthusiast, and came up with a great idea of how to combine the two. Meanwhile, one of his favorite performers, Vanguard Records artist Garrison Starr, sometimes visits fans to play good, old-fashioned house parties.

"It's kind of a way for fans to take charge, to get the artists they want to see in their area," explains Garrison (aka G Starr), who's in the midst of a six-week East Coast tour. "It helps fill the holes on the tour and also to connect more with the fans."

In this case, Keith made it a bank party, converting part of the venerable financial institution into a concert venue (the refreshments were set up in the friendly confines of the old vault). About three dozen folks were able to sit comfortably and enjoy a relaxed, intimate show by a pair of talented artists.

Accompanying G Starr on her current tour is Nini Camps. Both are singer-songwriters who have what you'd call the complete package: musicianship, stage presence, tuneful original compositions and stunning vocal abilities. They shared the stage Friday, trading turns at the helm, sometimes accompanying one another but often watching in rapt attention as each put forth a stellar effort song after song.

Garrison played a number of tracks from her well-received 2004 Vanguard album, "Airstreams and Satellites." Highlights included "Hey, Girl," which is a tribute to the fighting spirit of her grandmother; "Gasoline," a vocal showcase that remarks on the volatility of relationships (as do many of her compositions); "Runner-Up," inspired by, as she tells it, a Bugs Bunny cartoon; and "Superhero," which has been a fan favorite since an early version appeared on a previous recording. She also drew from her forthcoming album, "The Sound of You and Me," which is scheduled for release in March.

"I put this tour together to let fans know about the new record," she says. "It's a good way for me to practice, to be up there playing the new songs." Plus, she's noticed, "The fans are digging them."

The fans in West Alex also enjoyed the sounds put forth by Nini, who's put out several independent releases. (The one I picked up after the show, "So Long," is a well-produced by Nini and David Seitz, and is a worthy listen.) She also was in fine voice on her originals and, as an added bonus, took time to put her guitar work firmly in the spotlight.

On one tune - Nini called it simply "The Instrumental," while Garrison offered "Hail Mary" - she employed a Boss loop unit to layer sounds, then played some wicked open-tuning slide guitar to come up with the aural effect of a full band. The musicians in the crowd were quite impressed.

The ladies played for well over two hours, then visited with audience members for some friendly chat, photo opportunities and merchandise sales, which seemed to be going well.

"The way the (music) industry is, you've got to be willing to reach out and touch your fans," says Keith, who's thinking about putting on more shows at the bank. "What do you do with those open dates? You try to hook up with your fans. She can really bond with her existing fans and create some new ones in the process."

That concept certainly worked for the folks who caught Garrison Starr and Nini Camps while partying in West Alex.

PHOTOS: 1) Garrison; 2) Nini during "The Instrumental; 3) Garrison, Nini and fan Mary Malysko of Scott Township