When you visit the 10th annual Arts in the Middle Fine Arts Festival on Saturday and Sunday, June 1 and 2, at Hewick Plantation near Urbanna, you will once again experience an extravaganza of fine arts offerings: a weekend full of visual, performing, literary and culinary arts.
The art, along the shaded pathways, is amazing, but don’t forget about the music. Local musician and Arts in the Middle (AIM) team member Clayton Neal has arranged an impressive line-up of live performances throughout the weekend.
Performances will be at two sites on the festival grounds — the main stage under the big tent and the smaller acoustic stage nestled under the trees with the artists. Back by popular demand on both stages this year are a number of highly entertaining and musically-gifted performers.
Husband-wife duo Jeff and Sherry Wagner will kick off music on June 1 on the acoustic stage. They have delighted audiences for years with their acoustic Americana music and original award-winning songwriter compositions. The Wagners music is always a popular draw and they will be sharing their talents once again this year as will Gary Archer, Clayton Neal and Paige Melton.
Gary Archer, a multi-talented instrumentalist and vocalist, who honed his local reputation as the lead guitarist with the award-winning band, Jumbo Lump Daddy and the Backfin Boys, will entertain festival audiences with a solo performance that reflects his joy and life-long passion for music. Local favorite Clayton Neal will also be performing on the acoustic stage on June 1 with a solo performance of “rivahdacious” music that will put a smile on your face and joy in your heart.
On June 2, Clayton Neal and Gary Archer, founding members of Jumbo Lump Daddy and the Backfin Boys, return to the acoustic stage to deliver a duo performance. Also at the acoustic stage on Sunday will be Jeff and Sherry Wagner and a solo performance by Paige Melton. Melton, who grew up in King and Queen County and currently resides in Philadelphia, will be offering a diverse selection of music delivered with an innocent 60s and 70s “flower child” attitude.
Bill and Pam Gurley get the music started on Saturday at the Main Stage. The Gurleys are a husband/wife duo from the Northern Neck. They delight concert goers with the sounds of Bill on guitar, banjo, and fiddle, and Pam’s warm and captivating vocals.
Performing solo on the main stage, Hartfield’s blues rock star, Tom Euler, an award-winning song writer/singer and guitarist tagged as the “young guy with an old soul” amazes audiences wherever he plays. Euler excels in traditional blues and original compositions delivered with blistering guitar playing and tasteful vocals.
Richmond’s Haze and Dacey return to AIM Fest this year with the addition of mandolinist, Doug Austin. The Haze and Dacey Trio will have your toes tapping and bodies swaying at the Acoustic Stage with their homegrown organic sounds ranging from folk pop to alt country to roots rock, all performed with lilting melodies, tight harmonies, and compelling rhythms.
George Robinson and the Gospel Robins are loved for their performances of gospel, contemporary, country, and soul music with both local and regional choirs. George’s performance on the main stage will be supported by the vocal talents of the Gospel Robins and Gospel vocalists from the area.
Paige Melton will be returning with her father, Randy Melton. Together they form The MelTones, which will perform an eclectic style of music that features Randy on keyboards and Paige on guitar and vocals.
Arts in the Middle has become well-known for its line-up of popular returning performers, the vast array of musical genres, and always for the new groups who join for the festival weekend.
Peyton Brabrand is a youthful, tenor saxophonist whose soulful-stirring playing channels the spirit of the jazz age, transporting listeners to smoky jazz clubs of yesterdays. His techniques are homage to the masters, yet uniquely his own.
Ray Pittman is a well-known local musician, who has been a leading force for several popular bands including The Kingpins, The Ray Pittman Project, and Julius Pittman and the Revival Band. His music is always dynamic and soulful whether it be old school rock and roll, blues or funky soul.
On June 2, Arts in the Middle presents a special group of musicians, the Urbanna Songwriters Group, on the acoustic stage. They are comprised of several local singer/songwriters, who enjoy performing both their own songs and those of others. Performers will include Roxey Coke, Heather Dodson, Jim Gale and Sage Tietjen. They have been tooling their songwriting skills through participation in a series of workshops in Urbanna while developing and nurturing musical talent within the community.
The festival is open to all, with no admission fees, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, June 1, and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday, June 2, at Hewick Plantation at 5123 Old Virginia St. near Urbanna. Parking is free.
A donation to help fund future festivals is appreciated.
