Journey from the Heart
Music has been a part of the Virginia Highlands Festival, Abingdon, Virginia, for decades. This year is no exception.
The kick-off concert is July 25 at 7 p.m. at the Delta Blues outdoor stage with Virginia Ground Tribute Band performing. That same day, Logan Fritz and McKenna Blevins perform at noon at Delta Blues indoor stage.
Tunes at Noon continues with Gerald Sheppard and Ryan Adkins at Sweetbay Brewing Company, July 26. David and Ann Ledgerwood perform July 27 at Tumbling Creek Taproom. Momma Molasses and Adam Bolt perform July 28 at Wolf Hills Coffee. Jamie Collins and Cody Jackson take to the stage July 29. Quentin Horton and Benny Wilson are on stage July 30 at Delta Blues indoor stage. Hannah Rae Adams and Julia Still perform July 31 at White Birch. Jennifer Gillenwater and Barbara Walton perform Aug. 1 at Tumbling Creek Taproom. Clay Bevin and Adam Clouse perform Aug. 2 at Sweetbay Brewing Company. Darris Stanldy and Jon Bolt perform Aug. 3 at Wolf Hills Coffee. Tunes at Noon is free.
Other musical events include Busker Fest which is centered about the Penn-Fields House and occurs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., July 26. Musicians perform at six different stations, with musicians performing for 25 minutes and then moving to the next tent.
Old World Ballads and The Mountain Dulcimer is held at Sinking Spring Presbyterian Church July 27 from 2-4 p.m. Jack Hinshelwood, Sarah Kate Morgan, Elizabeth LaPrelle and Corbin Hayslett pay a musical tribute to Andrew Rowan Summers. Tickets are $10 for adults; $5 for children 12 and younger. (see related story on page 9)
Samantha Grey Band performs rhythm and blues, blues and soul July 31 at 7 p.m. at Sweetbay Brewing Company. Grey, formerly of The Detroit Specials, performs Motown tunes and other classics by Junior Walker, Etta Jemes, Ray Charles and Gloria Jones. The concert is free.
Cassette Rewind, a tribute band that performs classic ‘80s hits, performs Aug. 1 from 7-9 at the Meadows Sports Complex. This kicks off a weekend of balloon glows and launches. The concert is free.
The Billy Crawford Band brings its blues to the BBQ and Blues on Remsburg Drive Aug 2 from 1-3 p.m. The band entertains while the barbecue contest is going. The concert is free. Tickets for the BBQ and beer are additional.
The finale concert of the festival is Aug. 3 from 2-6 p.m. at the Moonlite Drive-In Theatre. Journey from the Heart performs. This classic rock tribute band captures the joy of Journey, known for “Any Way You Want It,” “Wheel in the Sky,” “Lovin’ Touchin’ Squeezin” and “Don’t Stop Believing.” Opening acts are Rusty Steel and Lance Stinson. Tickets begin at $25.
For more information, visit www.vahighlandsfestival.com.
