Tell us what YOU think!

We are so lucky to have the most wonderful volunteers on the planet who help with everything for Bluemont in Ashland including sound, set-up, outreach, hosting the bands, flyer/poster distribution, e-mailing, fundraising, flower arrangements, and lantern set-up- just to name a few things that make it possible to have our concerts on the lawn each summer!  This year, starting with last weeks music, two of our favorite volunteers, Ann Glave and Jeremy Witt developed and distributed mini-surveys to find out what YOU think! We asked questions relating to membership, concert location, concert days and times, outreach and provided a comments section as well.  We are so happy to have received so many positive comments and want to say THANK YOU for taking the time to complete a survey if you were on the lawn last week. If you haven't completed one yet, look for Jeremy (shorter, great hair and very nice!) walking around handing them out or visit us at the Friends Table and we'll give you one ourselves! See you soon!

Our 3rd Concert is this weekend with King Teddy!

Our 3rd concert is just a few days away and we're ready to put on our dancing shoes for a little swing music with King Teddy, Swing for the Modern Age!  King Teddy was recently nominated for Best Swing Band at the Wammie Awards (Washington Area Music Association). King Teddy's original music reflects the brief period when swing was becoming early rock and roll. The sound is Beatles meets Prima, making for feel-good music. 
Check out more about their music and the band by visiting their website:
http://www.kingteddy.com/index.html

We can't wait to get our swing on! Come on out and dance on the grass under the stars this Sunday, August 19 at 7:00!

Community Group Spotlight

Rachel and Roger Reynolds, Co-Founders CJ's Thumbs Up Foundation

We are so glad to be friends with Rachel and Roger Reynolds of CJ's Thumbs Up Foundation and honored to be able to help support their mission:

To provide financial assistance to families of children with chronic and life threatening illnesses through individual giving and partnerships with organizations that share similar goals.

To find out more about their story and help support their wonderful organization, visit http://www.cjstuf.org/

We welcome Rachel and Roger back to Bluemont this Sunday, August 19 so please visit their table, buy a goodie and talk to them about ways to lend your support. Thanks!

Congratulations Lily!

Congratulations to Lily Dunning, Bluemont's New Executive Director! We love her so much and can't imagine a more perfect fit as she takes over all the day to day operations of all of the Bluemont communities.  Her dad, Peter Dunning tells us he is taking a bit more time to be with his family- hmmm, we loved seeing him last Sunday though! Lily is working incredibly hard with all the Bluemont Communities, especially focusing on fundraising and community involvement.  To meet Lily, come on out to one of our concerts and we'll introduce you! You'll love her as much as we do!

Elizabeth, co-chair and wonderful Lily!

Our 2nd concert is here and we're so excited to welcome The Guy Mendilow Band back to Ashland!

It's here! Sunday, August 12 is our 2nd concert of the summer and we are more than excited to welcome The Guy Mendilow Band back to the Center of the Universe!  These amazing performers have visited Bluemont in Ashland previously so we know first hand how wonderful they are and how much you'll enjoy their music first hand! To learn a little more about the band and listen to some of their unique musical gifts, visit their website  http://www.guymendilow.com/about/in-concert.html.
Come early and have a picnic on the lawn, listen to a local performer and have a chance at winning a door prize at intermission from one of our generous local businesses, buy some dessert from a local community group and most importantly, have a wonderful evening with friends and family under the stars! See you soon for The Guy Mendilow Band!

Trackside Grill is Open Late on Sundays!

Are you hungry when you leave a Bluemont in Ashland concert?  Do you wish that you could pop in and have a bite of dinner or a later night snack after dancing on the lawn to awesome music under the stars? Well, you're in luck! Our friends at the Trackside Grill are staying open a bit later "after the show" on Sundays in August following eat concert. The Trackside Grill is just a walk across the lawn, one block from the concert and is a perfect way to end a perfect summer evening. So go ahead- take a walk across the tracks for a burger or a salad- and do it every week if you like! We think Bluemont and the Trackside Grill make a terrific pair. You do know that great music + great food = much happiness, don't you?!

Local Talent during Intermission!

We are so excited to have a new addition to intermission this summer! Ashland is full of our own special talents and we'd love to share them with you! Just before our band for the evening returns to the stage following intermission, a local performer will delight you by sharing their voice and love of music!
During the Black Sheep concert, we were thrilled to have Max Cook sing an amazing number from the current production of Guys and Dolls at The Arts and Activities Center this weekend! The closing performance will take place tomorrow, Sunday August 12 at 1:30. Hope to see you there!
Tomorrow, during our 2nd concert, Elena Reiderer will warm your heart as she takes the stage to share her talent. Come on down tomorrow night and find out how lovely she is and hear The Guy Mendilow Band!  Hope to see you there!

The 1st summer concert was Wonderful!

Last Sunday was the first concert of the summer and it was absolutely wonderful!
Black Sheep played reggae under the stars for a perfectly crowded lawn of friends and family.  Prior to the concert, Black Sheep played for the residents of Omni Senior Apartments- from what we've heard, they really enjoyed listening and moving to the music. Thank you Paige Christy for coordinating this event!
Special thanks to Ashland Street Parties and our sweet Town of Ashland for lending their tent and especially to Hank Lowry! A big thanks also to the Hanover Arts and Activities Center and to Sara Holloway for lending us their beautiful lawn.  It wouldn't be the same anywhere else!
Richard Hubbard, founder of the Basic Needs Program, sold baked goods along with Carmen Courtney to help children in Bangladesh.  The Hanover Arts and Activities Center sold drinks and the Knights of Columbus made everyone smile selling Sno-Cones. Thank you to our very thoughtful community groups for coming!
Several generous businesses donated door prizes- Thank You! to: Good Chi Yoga, Arbonne International, Ashland Coffee and Tea, Fin and Feather, Ashwood Garden and Nursery and Pine Grove Farm.
We are very lucky to have so many people that are part of our Bluemont in Ashland concerts! Thank you for the best 1st concert of the summer!

Music Lover's Weekend is coming on August 18-19th!

Get ready for Music Lover's Weekend - August 18th & 19th in Downtown Ashland!   Check out the following link to find out  how to get tickets for both the Ashland Street Parties and Bluemont concerts which includes discounts for meal vouchers and much more!   There is a limited supply so call 798-9131 as soon as possible!   We hope to see you at 'the Plaza' and 'on the lawn'!!!

Community Groups and Refreshments

If you've been to a Bluemont concert, you've had the chance to visit one of our community group refreshment tables for a little something sweet during intermission! At every concert, several local community groups sell refreshments to raise money for their organization.  Over the years, we've been honored to have CJ's Thumbs Up Foundation, local PTA groups, Ashland Preschool, Knights of Columbus, Hanover Arts and Activities Center, Patrick Henry High School Drama Club and many others.  Come out this week, August 5 for Black Sheep and talk to the volunteers from the Basic Needs Program for the Children from Bangladesh, Knights of Columbus, and Hanover Arts and Activities Center and buy some yummy treats to help support their outstanding organizations.