10 time National Scottish Fiddling Champion, recording artist, composer, teacher, carries on the traditional style of the Golden Era of Scottish Fiddling. Hear him live and unaccompanied once again at the Occasion for the Arts.

Winsome is a guitar based acoustic group covering popular music from the 60s, 70s and beyond with a focus on well crafted vocal harmonies. Members are Jane Ferguson, John Trindle, Rob Weinberg and Niki Worrell.

Scrapper Tuesday is a trio that plays pop and rock and makes it sound like Americana. They mix in blues, bluegrass and roadhouse to create their good time sound. Phil Casey writes toe-tapping originals, often about the people, places and history of Hampton Roads, and plays guitar, mandolin and cigar box guitar. Matt Houser, Phil’s son-in-law, plays the tasty licks on electric guitar and cigar box guitars (which he also makes.) Mark McGowan ensures the center holds on bass. They started playing together in 2016.

“Friel is a very talented vocalist with a big and unique voice,” writes Toronto Exclusive Magazine. Whether performing original compositions or favorite cover songs, award-winning songwriter Skip Friel delivers an energetic and moving performance. Friel’s music spans from acoustic variety to tasteful rock. Cover songs include both contemporary and popular tunes of the past. Skip is at home in large festival venues, as well as on intimate, acoustic-friendly stages.

Joe’s Day Off (JDO) is a local Williamsburg Virginia band that covers country, rock, standards, & oldies with great harmonies and a variety of instruments. They’ve been rocking the town since 2007. Frontman, Joe Duggan, can play solo, or the band can perform as a duet, trio, quartet, or quintet. For small venues and special occasions, JDO can perform acoustic sets, or for large event, they can add additional players.

The march of the Fifes and Drums is an indispensable part of the Colonial Williamsburg visit. The shrill fife and the resounding drum broadcast a wave of sound throughout the Historic Area, announcing the red-and-blue-uniformed regiment moving through the streets of Williamsburg.Standing along Duke of Gloucester Street as the Fifes and Drums march by, today’s guests experience exactly what the soldiers of the 18th century felt as the vibrations of sound resonate not just in their ears, but through their whole bodies.

Magician performing family friendly magic

Rooted in blues tradition, Sammy Lee has a soul that wails. Cadence-driven, acoustically inclined, Motown folk is showcased in his pristine and energetic performances, with stylistic nods towards the cities that have provided him with his unique sound. Many vocalists of closely related genres seem tepid and soft spoken by comparison. Sammy offers a shock to the system with a skilled and polished delivery that provides a glimpse into the expertise developed over the many evolutions his career has endured. Over a decade of vocal expertise allows this rough and dirty baritone to stun audiences with a range that bewilders, a devastatingly honest lyrical vulnerability, and a power and range that leaves Sammy in a category all his own. Needing no pretense and no disguise, Sammy’s show is a stripped down and naked performance by design. His thoughts in a world of processed and filtered pretenders? Less is more, passion speaks for itself, and authenticity reigns.

Poisoned Dwarf is a Celtic music group that plays virtuosic, innovative and passionate renditions of traditional Irish and Scottish music on acoustic instruments. Five talented musicians create a driving sonic energy that has been captivating audiences for over a decade with whistles, flutes, violin, guitar, percussion, and Uilleann pipes together with exciting and lyrical vocals. Poisoned Dwarf performs at a wide variety of musical venues from highland festivals to theaters, from churches to sophisticated listening venues throughout the East Coast, to the occasional pub just for fun.

Clan MacCool is a highly interactive band that specializes in Irish/Scottish traditional music, occasional piracy and constant fun! We offer an array of Celtic traditional (and not so traditional) songs, tunes and reels, and during Pirate season, we'll don our best piratic finery and treat adults and kids alike to a rollicking good time with sea chanties, sword demos and other interactive fun! Pulling from old Celtic music, sea chanties and our own music over the course of nearly two decades, Clan MacCool continues to entertain, educate and enthrall! Whether Celtic or Maritime music is your fancy, look to Clan MacCool for music, merriment and a bit of mayhem!

Runaway String Band features four long-time Williamsburg-area musicians whose mix of traditional and contemporary bluegrass, old-time, and swing music builds on the spirit of the early string bands.

Crazy X is a high energy, rock ‘n country showband that makes entertaining and connecting with crowd the number one priority. Crazy X was formed in 2007 and consists of Heather Pabalate (Vocals), Dane Davis (guitar &  vocals), Kenny Thompson (drums), Robert Bingham (keyboards), Ric Donzell (lead guitar) and John Shifflette (Bass). With a wide array of musical backgrounds from which to draw, Crazy X authentically delivers country & rockin’ tunes with engaged audience participation! Crazy X understands that it is all about YOU – the audience! Get on your feet --- We look forward to seeing you soon!