Advance tickets sales began March 1 for “Something About Mary,” a music festival on the beach at Willaby’s, 327 Old Ferry Road, White Stone. The festival will be held from noon-5 p.m. May 1. Tickets will not be sold at the door.
The fee for this rain-or-shine, 21-and-over event is $50 and all proceeds raise money for MJ Anderson and her family to mitigate the costs of cancer treatment, said Susan Johnson, one of the event organizers.
The lineup will include Grammy-award winners Resa & Jackie of MSG, Mercy Creek, Christine Whitaker Wiggins, Midnight Coal and DeadRise.
Anderson (aka “Mary”) is the former regional executive for the YMCA of the Virginia Peninsulas and the owner of That Damn Mary Brewing Company in Hayes. She is also a singer/songwriter and the bandleader of Mary and the Janes. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in February 2018, yet opened That Damn Mary Brewing in July that same year. In 2021, she was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer with metastasis to the bone and brain.
Despite these setbacks, Anderson continues to steadily move forward with her treatment and with That Damn Mary. She credits her remarkable healing with the unconditional support of her family and her DamNation tribe.
“MJ is one of the most positive people I know, and her positivity has drawn countless people into her circle, who’ve all benefitted from her energy,” said Dr. Gregg Shivers, a physician with the Riverside Health System who’s known Anderson for 25 years and is also a member of DeadRise. “I’m so excited to share in this day to show my gratitude for our friendship. And how better to express this love than through music?”
Tickets include all-day admission and a “Silipint” silicone pint glass. Beer, wine and food will be available for purchase. Coolers and outside cups are not allowed. Festival-goers should bring their own chairs and are kindly asked to leave tents and pets at home, said Johnson. Due to limited parking, carpooling is strongly encouraged.
To purchase tickets, email Marnie Leichty at msdudette@gmail.com.
