CultureFix is asking for help in its mission to put on various events in the Williamsburg area. The nonprofit organization will hold its first fundraising event at the Virginia Beer Company Wednesday.
“They do a lot to bring entertainment into Williamsburg,” said Kendra Law, who volunteers for the organization and helped envision the event. “It creates a lot of pride for the locals.”
Local blues musician and frequent CultureFix collaborator Bobby “BlackHat” Walters will lead the charge behind a Celebrity Beertender Fundraiser, which will have area musicians take the stage at VBC and take turns behind the bar.
“CultureFix is always trying to think outside the box and make things entertaining, and there’s probably nothing more entertaining than Bobby ‘BlackHat,’ ” Law said.
The organization reached out to many of the musicians who have collaborated on its past events, including Winter Blues Jazz Fest and tribute concerts at the Kimball Theatre. Walters said participants joining him to perform include Scott Varney, Tony Mata, Brian Eubanks, Ron Fetner and more than a dozen others.
The lineup may continue to grow as Wednesday draws closer. Walters said they’ll work to make sure everyone gets time to shine onstage as they work to show support for CultureFix.
“They’ve been a strong supporter of live music and I’ve just been a fan of them for a long time,” Walters said. “They have put a lot of bands on a lot of stages around Williamsburg, and that’s huge.”
Invitations were also sent to Williamsburg Mayor Paul Freiling, Sen. Monty Mason and other non-musicians.
The event features VBC’s brews, such as the Somebody’s Baby American pilsner that debuted Saturday, combined with food from Toano-based Matchsticks BBQ.
The money raised will help fund future CultureFix events, such as the fifth Winter Blues Jazz Fest in January and recurring 2nd Sundays festivals in the streets around Colonial Williamsburg.
“Our number one goal is to continue to create a sense of community and to bring great events to the city of Williamsburg,” said CultureFix’s Odessa Dowdy.
Want to go?
The Celebrity Beertender Fundraiser runs 5-9 p.m. Wednesday at Virginia Beer Company, 401 2nd St. Free admission with donations encouraged.
