Steve engages the greater community with an interactive art project at the Festival that highlights how the individual is part of the whole, and how creativity can be a shared experience that can lead to an inclusive community.

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 synergy created can only benefit the Williamsburg community as we highlight how the arts can bring about a positive and engaging experience through discussion and workshops at the Festival centering on the theme of Art for Wellbeing.The Art for Wellbeing sessions will be limited to 20 people per session under the direction of Sarah Balascio, Art Therapist & Adjunct Lecturer at the College of William & Mary, McLeod Tyler Wellness Center.

Performs period magic and is very family oriented

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.

The Higher Ground Big Band is a community outreach group that seeks to uplift and inspire with swing, Latin, and jazz standards as well as modern big band arrangements. The band is composed of 18 professional and amateur instrumentalists, along with a vocalist. It has played in many venues throughout the Hampton Roads area since 2006. The band is directed by Joel Joiner and we derive our motivation from a sense of service to others, but to be honest, we also play because our music is just so much fun.

The synergy created can only benefit the Williamsburg community as we highlight how the arts can bring about a positive and engaging experience through discussion and workshops at the Festival centering on the theme of Art for Wellbeing.The Art for Wellbeing sessions will be limited to 20 people per session under the direction of Sarah Balascio, Art Therapist & Adjunct Lecturer at the College of William & Mary, McLeod Tyler Wellness Center.* Limit of 20 people per session 

“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.

The music ambassadors of Colonial Williamsburg.

Steve engages the greater community with an interactive art project at the Festival that highlights how the individual is part of the whole, and how creativity can be a shared experience that can lead to an inclusive community.

Runaway String Band is "an impressive ensemble of awesome musicians with a foot tapping, irresistible sound,” say the Tidewater Friends of Folk Music. With lush vocal harmonies and hot instrumentals, the band provides their audiences with a taste of traditional and popular American music. They perform in concerts and festivals around Virginia as well as private events such as weddings and parties, combining mandolin, guitar, 5-string banjo with the 7-string viola da gamba, a family member of the upright bass with a tender, haunting sound.

The synergy created can only benefit the Williamsburg community as we highlight how the arts can bring about a positive and engaging experience through discussion and workshops at the Festival centering on the theme of Art for Wellbeing.The Art for Wellbeing sessions will be limited to 20 people per session under the direction of Sarah Balascio, Art Therapist & Adjunct Lecturer at the College of William & Mary, McLeod Tyler Wellness Center.

Premier flute choir

Crazy X is a high energy, rock ‘n country showband that makes entertaining and connecting with the crowd a number one priority. Crazy X was formed in 2007 and consists of Dane Davis (guitar and vocals), Julie Martin (bass and vocals), Kenny Thompson (drums), Robert Bingham (keyboards), and Andrew Dack (Fiddle). With a wide array of musical backgrounds from which to draw, Crazy X authentically delivers rockin’ tunes such as Def Leppard’s ‘Pour Some Sugar on Me’ to Charlie Daniels ‘The Devil Went Down to Georgia’, and everything in between! Crazy X understands that it is all about YOU – the audience! We look forward to seeing you soon!

Family oriented dance program

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.

The synergy created can only benefit the Williamsburg community as we highlight how the arts can bring about a positive and engaging experience through discussion and workshops at the Festival centering on the theme of Art for Wellbeing.The Art for Wellbeing sessions will be limited to 20 people per session under the direction of Sarah Balascio, Art Therapist & Adjunct Lecturer at the College of William & Mary, McLeod Tyler Wellness Center.* Limit of 20 people per session