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!