The 5th and last concert of the Bluemont in Ashland Summer Concert Series

Wow- just looking at the title of this post makes me sad- it's been the most amazing month of music! However, this Sunday will surely be a wonderful way to end the 6th season of Bluemont in Ashland- Eric Brace and Peter Cooper will be playing along with friends from Last Train Home.  Eric and Peter as well as Last Train Home play often in Ashland and always deliver a terrific show.  To find out more about them, visit www.redbeetrecords.com - you can listen to a little music and even order a CD if you like.

Bring lots of friends and family and help make this last concert the best one yet! We'll have amazing door prizes and yummy treats for sale from the John M. Gandy PTA, CJ's Thumbs Up Foundation and the Knights of Columbus.

Hope to see you on the lawn!

We really need your help!

Truly, we are in danger of losing Bluemont in Ashland because of the significant cuts in funding from grants at the state and federal level. Each summer, the situation grows more dire and we really need your help!  Did you know that your $5 admission goes directly to our Artists-In-Education program? It's what helps to bring the performers to our local schools so that our children can enjoy Bluemont performers at a reduced cost. So, how are the performers paid you might wonder? Through memberships and sponsors- most bands cost at least $1,500 per performance with well known groups costing twice that- that doesn't even account for the salaries of those that work tirelessly in the Bluemont office, travel to and from the concerts setting up, running sound and scheduling performers.  We need your help! We can't imagine a summer without Bluemont on the lawn. Have you joined Bluemont yet? Has your company sponsored an evening concert? Do you know someone who can help? Please let us know.  Our local businesses are helping as much as they can and we are so grateful- most are small and are always asked by local groups to donate in one way or another- I just know that there are other ways and other businesses that can join us in our efforts to keep Bluemont in Ashland-can you help?
Click here to join today! 

4th Summer Concert this Sunday with Mandalele!

So, hmmm, in writing this post, I realize that there are only two more evenings of music on the lawn. Make sure you grab your blankets and chairs, family and friends and come on down this Sunday for Mandalele!  No matter what your musical taste, it's fun to experience music that may be new to you- who knows?!  From their Facebook page:
Mandalélé, a collaboration of three women singer/songwriters, weaves delicate textures which carry listeners on journeys from deep introspection and the beauty of nature to joyful expressions of life.
That description peaks my interest- how about yours?
Don't forget that all concerts are rain or shine- our rain location is in the Blackwell Auditorium on the college of Randolph-Macon College, just a few blocks from the lawn- it's easy! Just give us a call 804.337.1573 if your unsure about the weather!
Hope to see you!

The Guy Mendilow Band was pure perfection!

I'm hoping that you were able to enjoy the sweet sounds and amazing instruments last Sunday evening! Guy Mendilow and his band were wonderful- not only musically but so lovely to meet and talk with- a treat for us in so many ways.  It's what makes Bluemont in Ashland so special. If you have a minute, check out their website and buy a CD or two. You won't be disappointed- that's for certain!

3rd Concert of the Summer - Guy Mendilow Band

On the lawn is the place to be this summer. Check out Guy Mendilow Band at 7pm on Sunday- our 3rd concert of the season. The concerts are awesome and so are our amazing volunteers.

Thanks Lee & Susan

Thanks Jake, Mark & Doris

2nd concert of the summer- The Taters!

Just a couple of days to go before we meet again on the lawn of the center to hear The Taters!  Oh boy- I can hardly wait.  These boys have been around Ashland for some time now as well as many other venues in Richmond and all over Virginia.  I know there will be a fun loving crowd for this band and hopefully lots of people out of their lawn chairs and up off their blankets!  On their website, www.thetaters.com, they're described as 'country roots-pop, dashed with the genius songwriting of 60's & 70's power-pop, like a curious, accidental mix of the Mavericks, the Everly Brothers, Roy Orbison and the Beatles' by CD Baby.  I think that describes them well! Watching and listening is a musical treat and lots of fun too!  Hope to see you on Sunday!

An amazing first concert last Sunday!

I'm so happy to be writing about how much fun the first Bluemont in Ashland concert was right this moment! Despite very cloudy black skies, the crowd was the largest one I can remember at the first concert of the summer. The Hanover Concert Band played at 5:30- it was such a special treat, especially for those under the big tree in front of the Hanover Arts and Activities Center.  Then a little before seven, Bill Emerson and Sweet Dixie played bluegrass and sang into the night.  If you love old-school bluegrass, you'll want to see this band in another Bluemont town- hopefully we'll have them back another summer!

Evening Sponsors and Membership

We are ever so grateful to the local businesses and friends that have become members of Bluemont this year and for the past five summers. With the struggles that continue in the economy and the budget cuts that help fund Bluemont and many other important art and music programs, Jen and I are asking for your help more than ever.  The costs to bring music to Ashland are more than one could imagine- without more memberships and evening sponsors, there is great danger that Bluemont will be unable to return to Ashland next summer.  We were $3,000 short of reaching our $11,000 goal last year so it's even more important to go above and beyond this summer. We'd love your help!  Please visit us at the concert Welcome Tables to find out more information about joining Bluemont.  If your company or someone you know may be interested in becoming an evening sponsor, please let us know.  We appreciate you all so much and know you'll join with us to keep Bluemont in Ashland!

First Concert of 2010!

Yippee! The first Bluemont in Ashland Summer Concert is just a few days away.  This Sunday, August 1 is Bill Emerson and Sweet Dixie- what a perfect way to start this exciting month of music.  Called "a banjo legend" by the "Washington Post", twice awarded "Banjo player of the Year" by the Muleskinner News Bluegrass Magazine, credited with giving start to the careers of both dobro legends Mike Auldridge and Jerry Douglas, credited by Ricky Skaggs as being responsible for his post Ralph Stanley musical career, Bill Emerson was also inducted into the "Virginia Folk Music Association" Hall of Fame in 1984 and June 10th was proclaimed "Bill Emerson Day" by the governor.  You can check out more about this incredible band by visiting www.bluegrassville.com/billemerson/
Also this week, the Hanover Concert Band will be opening the show at 5:30-so come on over to the center early and bring a picnic dinner. Double music- double fun! Can't wait to see you!

Summer Concert Schedule 2010!

Oh boy-the summer music schedule is here and we can't wait! Hurry, hurry- turn your calendar to August, grab your big BLUE pen and write these great bands on every Sunday evening for the month:

August 1: Bill Emerson and Sweet Dixie
August 8:  The Taters
August 15:  Guy Mendilow
August 22:  Mandalele
August 29:  Last Train Home

How about that? Get ready for some sweet sounds on the lawn and lots of dancing with family and friends! See you at the Hanover Arts and Activities Center on Sundays at 7! If you'd like to volunteer at any of the concerts, please let us know!

Summer 2010

Yippee!  Hooray!  The 2010 Bluemont Concert Series is just around the corner and we can hardly wait!  We've been making plans and getting excited for five evenings of wonderful music on the lawn.  It's hard to believe that this will be our 6th summer for Bluemont in Ashland and it just keeps getting better.  If you'd like to volunteer at a concert, with mailings, fundraising or you'd like a little more information, let us know.  Looking forward to seeing you!