The Virginia Arts Festival unveiled Monday the remaining musicians who will join previously announced headliners Bruce Hornsby, Alison Krauss and Amos Lee when Funhouse Fest returns to Williamsburg June 22-23.
The new additions, hand-picked by Hornsby, will perform on the festival’s smaller second stage and continue its trend of diverse offerings. The Virginia Symphony Orchestra String Quartet takes the stage during the festival’s opening night, in between the two main stage sets, Bruce Hornsby and the Noisemakers followed by Krauss.
On day two, the jazz and chamber music influences of Angela on the Arts will kick off the second stage festivities. The trio features John D’earth, who plays trumpet, flugelhorn, and percussion in the group, alongside bass clarinetist Michelle Oliva and violist Bonnie Gordon.
A Virginia native who has toured with Hornsby and the Noisemakers, Gibb Droll will perform next, using the event to preview a collection of Americana-influenced original material. Art-rock guitarist Chris Forsyth, lauded by NPR Music as “one of rock’s most lyrical guitar improvisers,” will close out the second stage on the festival’s second and final day.
The main stage lineup also includes the Wood Brothers folk trio and soul singer Deva Mahal on day two. Hornsby will close the festival with the help of the Virginia Symphony Orchestra.
Karen Riordan, president and CEO of the Greater Williamsburg Chamber and Tourism Alliance, said she was pleased to see the full lineup incorporating bluegrass, classical, rock and country.
“There is a lot here to appeal to many different music lovers,” she said. “A very diverse music lineup should attract many people, of all ages.”
Funhouse Fest returns June 22-23 on the lawn of the Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg. For a detailed schedule and to purchase tickets, visit funhousefest.com or call 282-2822.
Birkenmeyer can be reached by email at sbirkenmeyer@vagazette.com, by phone at 757-790-3029 or on Twitter @sethbirkenmeyer.
