TwoFifty Briefs - June 20, 2007

From staff reports / News Virginian
Published: June 20, 2007

Summer of Praise 2007 is beginning its free Tuesday night concerts at 7 p.m. starting July 3 at the Ridgeview Park Amphitheater in Waynesboro. Each Tuesday night, the acoustic-alternative band Satellite will open for a featured band from local churches, such as Destiny Family Center, Church On the Hill, Community Fellowship Church of the Nazarene and others. Bring a lawn chair, meet some neighbors and enjoy some music Tuesday nights at 7 p.m. in the Waynesboro Park. Questions- Contact Josh Micah Akin, 434-760-0161.

Nelson County Summer Festival kicks off Saturday

With summer here at last, it's time to mark your calendars for the Nelson County Summer Festival (now in its 15th year!) happening this Saturday and Sunday, June 23-24.

On the last full weekend of June every year, this non-profit, family-friendly event attracts thousands of music appreciators to the shaded front lawn of historic Oak Ridge Estate for a weekend packed with great performers and a full schedule of activities from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

This year, the top-notch entertainment begins at 11 a.m. on Saturday, with music from Barbara Martin and Mac Walter. Shortly afterward, at 12:30 p.m. and then again at 3:30, The Deanna Bogart Band will return to the Nelson County Summer Festival stage with two sets of rocking jazz with sax, piano and vocals. At 2 and 5 p.m., bluesman Big Bill Morganfield (son of blues icon Muddy Waters) and his swinging band will shake the audience with solid dance tunes.

On Sunday, the musical excitement continues. At 11 a.m., Jay and Morwenna, a Charlottesville duo performing a snappy mix of guitar and violin, will open the day. At 12:30 p.m., Kevin Davis and his ever-popular Ban Caribe will set a tropical tone sure to get everyone dancing. As a grand finale, from 4:30-6 p.m., expect to be wowed by the renowned, Washington DC-based Seldom Scene, contemporary bluegrass with deep roots.

But the festivities go far beyond the lineup on the music stage. At the Festival Marketplace, shoppers will appreciate the browsing opportunity with numerous artisans and merchants displaying quality wares, from jewelry to birdhouses to pottery and more.

And no matter if you consider yourself a connoisseur-of-fine-cuisine or just plain-hungry-folk, you'll love the tantalizing array of delicious food offered at numerous booths in the Festival Food Court, and even - again this year - cold beer from local brewery kegs.

But wine-lovers, never fear! There just isn't anything that better compliments good food than fine wine. Eight award-winning local vineyards (Afton Mountain Vineyard, Cardinal Point Vineyard, Wintergreen Winery, Mountain Cove Vineyard, Hilltop Berry Farm Winery, Veritas Winery and Delfosse Vineyard, along with Amherst County's Rebec Vineyard) will be set up to serve samples of their most popular blends to wine-loving adults at the Festival for a $5 tasting fee, which includes a souvenir wine glass.

Whether your children want to watch a lamb or piglet in the Rural Living area or prefer a pony ride in the Kids' Fest arena, country surprises and experiences are everywhere at the Festival. Kids' Fest is a zone bursting with activities for the younger set, which might include anything from puppet-making, bead jewelry projects, Tom Sawyer fence-painting, an obstacle course, to a giant colorful parachute (with its own array of games) - all under the enthusiastic guidance of the parents, faculty and students of North Branch School in Afton.

The musical circle jam has been a favorite happening since the birth of the Festival. Lively interaction between talented performers and "the rest of us" is what the circle jam is all about. So dig up, dust off and pack along your instrument, for some spontaneous music-making.

Always entertaining and educational, the Rural Living Tents feature the everyday aspects of country life not always available for public view. One might see a booth detailing the dangers of farming and recommended safety techniques, or a participant sharing sustainable agriculture methods. And the "Almost Home Pet Adoption Center" can always be counted on to introduce some fuzzy faces to potential new owners.

Frequently on display are soap-making demonstrations, an exposition of honeybees hunkering down to work on their sticky-sweet creation and logs supporting the growth of shitake mushrooms. Festival-goers are likely to meet a fiber artist spinning wool into yarn, or learn about goats valued for their wool or milk (used in soaps and cheeses). And visitors shouldn't miss finding the team of giant Percherons, owned by Heidi and Wiley Cochran. The enormous equine duo will be busy both days, pulling wagonloads of passengers on a circular route past the Oak Ridge mansion, gardens and greenhouse for a nostalgic view from all sides.

The Nelson County Summer Festival is a non-profit event and the planners are proud to present the Nelson County Summer Festival Scholarship and author Rita Mae Brown's John Holland III Scholarship to two deserving Nelson County High School graduating seniors. The scholarships, both in honor of John Holland III (Rhonda and John Holland's late son), are given to students who have demonstrated a commitment to community service.

The Nelson County Summer Festival Scholarship is $1000 per year, renewable for up to 4 years, for a possible total of $4000 toward the student's higher education. The John Holland III Scholarship is a total of $1000 toward the student's continuing education. Both scholarships are paid directly to the educational institutions, no matter if they are 2-year or 4-year trade schools, colleges or universities.

So set aside the weekend for the whole family to kick back and enjoy this memorable event, which takes place rain or shine. Advance tickets are $15 per day; admission at the gate is $20. Children under 12 are admitted free, accompanied by a paying adult. Advance tickets will be sold at several shops in Nelson County, Charlottesville, Waynesboro, Amherst and Lynchburg, and can also be purchased at the Nelson County Visitor Center by calling 800-282-8223.

Art Shop on the Wharf to host auction

The new kid in town, Art Shop on the Wharf, located at 29 Middlebrook Road in Staunton, will be hosting a Fourth Friday Silent Auction. From 5-9 p.m. on Friday, June 29, art enthusiasts will have the opportunity to bid on such varied items as matted and framed prints, photography, jewelry, pottery and textile art. One lucky bidder will win the opportunity to have a piece of their own art (up to 16x20 inches) custom framed by Art Shop owner Sonny Cubbage. Visitors will be treated to light refreshments and musical entertainment while they view the items up for auction.

A percentage of the proceeds from the evening's festivities will be donated to the Children's Art Network. Said Cubbage, "It seems a natural fit, for us to donate some much-needed funding to the Children's Art Network. Today's artists supporting future artists' endeavors."

For further info, please stop by the Art Shop on the Wharf, or call the shop's "art line" at (540) 886-7641.

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