Written by Mike Forristell

John Kadlecik

If you happen to find yourself in Washington DC this Thursday through Saturday, consider stopping in at Gypsy Sally’s for John Kadlecik’s Summer Solstice Jam featuring Melvin Seals, Jay Lane, Robin Sylvester, Mary Lankford and Jess Lake. Kadlecik is best known for his founding role in the band Dark Star Orchestra, as well as being the sideman to Grateful Dead members Bob Weir and Phil Lesh. Join him and his friends while they play some of our favorite music and celebrate the summer solstice.

Harpers Ferry Outdoor Festival returns to The Blue Ridge Center for Environmental Stewardship for the 20th year in a row.  This year will be the final year for the festival, so make sure to show up and help raise environmental awareness, and celebrate clean water.  Tickets are $20 on Friday, $25 on Saturday at the gate. Visit HFOF.org to purchase tickets in advance and save a few bucks with the weekend pass.  Children under twelve will be granted access to the festival for free. The whole family can have fun taking part in several activities throughout the weekend, including a silent auction, and several races.  Each evening will feature live music from the acts like The Plate Scrapers, Split String Soup, Brokedown Hustlers, The Woo Yeahs, and many more.  Come have a good time, while fighting for a good cause.

Two Roads Brewing Company will be hosting the biggest Road Jam Music Festival to date this weekend at their brewery in Stratford, CT.  The fifth annual road jam will be bigger than ever, with live music Friday evening and an entire day’s worth of stuff to do on Saturday.  Each ticket grants admission to the event, as well as a free pint of beer.  The two stages will feature Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, Lotus, Deep Banana Blackout, The Motet and many more great artists.  Come support an awesome local business, and enjoy a great beer while listening to some groovy tunes. Hope to see you there!

If you’re looking to have fun on a budget this weekend, there are a couple of great options for you! Dog Daze Music Festival, in Ivanhoe, VA, is a 3 day festival with camping included.  Single day entry will set you back a mere $10, and just $20 grants you access all four days.  If you’re willing to shell out a few extra bucks, try the VIP experience for just $100.  Lineup includes LITZ, The Fatz Catz, DJ Perspective, $ir Mike, Fryenation and many more. Another cheap option for great music, great vibes, and delicious food, is the very first Wagz Family Reunion, presented by Grateful BBQ, held at LaLa Land in Romney, WV.  This one-day event on June 23rd is only $10 and includes music and a cup for the keg!  There will be tons of great BBQ served at 3PM and music starting at 2PM, including We the People, DJ Perspective, Sun & Rain, Blue Hour, and more, with a special “Jam the People” performance featuring members of We The People, ODM, and Sun & Rain.  Another great one-day fest is SOS (Start of Summer) Festival presented by Garefest, going on in Sandy Lake, PA at The Garefield, featuring music from Brahctopus, Stationary Pebbles, Sweet Earth, and many more.

The Heavy Pets

More notable acts this week include The Jauntee and Paris Monster at The Stage at Karma in Pittsburgh, PA, on June 20th; The Heavy Pets at Charleston Pour House in Charleston, SC on June 20; Wanyama and The Jauntee at Woodlands Tavern in Columbus, OH on June 21; Joe Keyes & The Late Bloomer Band w/The Trailheads at Dante’s Bar in Frostburg, MD on June 23.

Festivals:

06/19-23 – Rudy Fest Bluegrass Festival – Morehead, KY

06/22-23 – Funhouse Fest – Williamsburg, VA

06/22-24 – Harry’s Hoe Down – Starks, ME

06/22-23 – Road Jam Music Festival – Stratford, CT

06/22-24 – Bayou Boogaloo Music & Cajun Food Festival – Norfolk, VA

06/22-24 – Ithaca Reggae Fest – Ithaca, NY

06/22-23 – Strange Days – Newmarket, NH

06/21-24 – Dog Daze – Ivanhoe, VA

06/22-24 – Harpers Ferry Outdoor Festival – Harpers Ferry, WV

06/22-24 – Stonehenge Music Festival – Jermyn, PA

06/23 – Old Lion Reggae Fest – Scranton, PA

06/23 – Wagz Family Reunion – Romney, WV

06/23 – SOS (Start of Summer) Festival – Sandy Lake, PA

 

Concerts:

06/19 – Brit Floyd – North Charleston Performing Arts Center – North Charleston, SC

 

06/20 – The Jauntee and Paris Monster – The Stage at Karma – Pittsburgh, PA

06/20 – The Heavy Pets – The Charleston Pour House – Charleston, SC

 

06/21 – The Jauntee – Woodlands Tavern – Columbus, OH

06/21 – The Heavy Pets – Tap Shack – Duck, NC

06/21 – John Kadlecik – Gypsy Sally’s – Washington, DC

 

06/22 – The Jauntee – Octave – Covington, KY

06/22 – The Heavy Pets – The Whiskey – Wilmington, NC

06/22 – John Kadlecik – Gypsy Sally’s – Washington, DC

06/22 – The Motet – The Capitol Room – Harrisburg, PA

06/22 – Keller Williams – The Windjammer – Isle of Palms, SC

 

06/23 – The Jauntee – Octave – Covington, KY

06/23 – The Heavy Pets – Tradition Brewing Company – Newport News, VA

06/23 – John Kadlecik – Gypsy Sally’s – Washington, DC

06/23 – The Motet – Two Roads Brewing Co. – Stratford, CT

06/23 – Keller Williams – The Stage on Bay – Savannah, GA

06/23 – Dead Alliance Buffalo – Hat Trix – Hamburg, NY

06/23 – Perpetual Groove – The Firmament – Greenville, SC

 

06/24 – John Kadlecik – Gypsy Sally’s – Washington, DC

06/24 – The Cabot – Beverly, MA