Since its 2016 debut, Funhouse Fest has become a pillar of summertime in Williamsburg, spearheaded by native son Bruce Hornsby.
As the music festival returns for its third year on the lawn of the Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg Friday and Saturday, it continues the trend of bringing A-list acts to the Historic Triangle while shining a light on lesser-known talents.
“What has been special about the festival is, I think, the different genres that Bruce is able to touch on,” said Rob Cross, executive director of the Virginia Arts Festival. “I just like the fact that there’s really something there for everyone.”
The first Funhouse Fest emphasized bluegrass sounds, with bands such as Kentucky Thunder and Greensky Bluegrass joining Hornsby and his ensemble, the Noisemakers. The following year featured Sheryl Crow, Rhiannon Giddens, Lake Street Dive, The Staves and others.
“I’ll only do it if I feel like I can come up with a great lineup,” Hornsby said in a phone interview Friday.
Luckily for Funhouse fans, he and the VAF navigated the complicated availability of touring musicians and the logistical limitations, both financial and necessitated by the venue, to assemble another eclectic lineup of artists.
The latest festival features the Wood Brothers folk trio, the acoustic musings of Amos Lee and soul singer Deva Mahal, among others.
Mahal, originally from Hawaii, said there’s value in the symbiotic relationship between performers and the audience during a music festival; the artists reach new ears and the audience experiences something previously unfamiliar.
“It means that you can listen to music from outside of your wheelhouse,” the indie rhythm and blues singer said. “I’m always looking forward to bringing music that makes people feel good.”
Country singer Alison Krauss, known for songs such as “Whiskey Lullaby” and “When You Say Nothing at All,” also joins the lineup as the biggest headliner alongside Hornsby.
“She has one of the great voices. She could sing the content in the phonebook and move you,” Hornsby said, also praising her instrumental prowess.
The second Funhouse took heavy inspiration from Eaux Claires Music and Art Festival, which Hornsby played not long after Funhouse’s debut. He appreciated the Wisconsin festival’s setup, particularly the second stage that kept the music coming and highlighted less-mainstream acts.
Funhouse Fest returned in 2017 with a second stage of its own, featuring sets from the Virginia Symphony Orchestra String Quartet, chamber ensemble yMusic and a special duo performance featuring Hornsby alongside his drummer, Sonny Emory.
“Sometimes the most interesting music happens on the second stage,” Hornsby said. “This year, hopefully, will be no different.”
The acoustic stage will once again feature the VSO String Quartet Friday; on Saturday, it welcomes chamber music trio Angela on the Arts, Americana songwriter Gibb Droll and art-rock guitar Chris Forsyth.
The latest Funhouse Fest follows in similar footsteps with its presentation, with new acts taking the two stages. Besides the VSO, there are no past performers returning, although Hornsby said he’s not opposed to the possibility in the future.
The biggest change sees the festival scaling back from a three-day format that spanned an entire weekend to a two-day one that skips Sunday.
“Sundays have been ill-attended both years, so it made total sense to just not do it,” Hornsby said.
Cross said ticket sales have been “fantastic” thus far, running 15 percent ahead of 2017 as of June 7, as he hopes the latest festival will top last year’s attendance.
“We sold more tickets for two days than we did for three last year so far,” he said.
As Funhouse packs its festivities into two days, Cross said the the organizers rearranged the lawn layout to allow for more space and worked to enhance food and drink offerings.
Food truck offerings include Bodacious Pizza’s woodfired wonders, Prost’s schnitzel and bratwurst, Colonial Williamsburg’s traditional fare and barbecue from Cast Iron Catering Company. Craft beer lovers can partake in the likes of Alewerks Brewing Company’s Noise Maker creation and the Devil’s Backbone Vienna Lager from Billsburg Brewery.
Hornsby remains hard at work on other projects beyond Funhouse Fest. He’s collaborating on an album with Rob Moose of yMusic, who performed at last year’s festival, and his joint efforts with Spike Lee continue as he helped contribute music for the filmmaker’s upcoming biopic, “BlacKkKlansman,” which hits theaters in August.
In the meantime, he said he’s not concerned with trying to sell people on Funhouse.
“If they don’t want to come, there’s no stopping them,” Hornsby said. “Every year, we do our damnedest to put on something special that is not typical, but also accessible. It’s adventurous, but accessible.”
The complete lineup
Friday: Gates open 5:30 p.m. Bruce Hornsby and the Noisemakers take the main stage at 7 p.m. The Virginia Symphony Orchestra String Quartet performs on the second stage at 8:30 p.m. and Alison Krauss concludes the evening on the main stage at 9:15 p.m.
Saturday: Gates open 3:30 p.m. Deva Mahal kicks things off on the main stage at 4 p.m., followed by the Wood Brothers at 5:30 p.m., Amos Lee at 7 p.m. and Bruce Hornsby alongside the Virginia Symphony Orchestra at 9 p.m. The second stage features Angela on the Arts at 5 p.m., Gibb Droll at 6:30 p.m. and Chris Forsyth at 8 p.m.
Parking
Free parking is located at the Colonial Williamsburg Visitors Center, 101 Visitor Center Drive. Free shuttle bus service runs 9 a.m. to 11:15 p.m.
What to bring and what to avoid
All bags and containers are subject to 100 percent search.
Blankets and cushions are permitted. Chairs are permitted on the lawn only. Point-and-shoot cameras only.
Glass, coolers and outside food and drinks are prohibited, except for one factory-sealed water bottle per person.
Also prohibited: banners, signs, umbrellas, weapons, explosives, hula hoops, frisbees, balls, tables, hoverboards, skates, skateboards, bikes, drones, laser pointers, flammable lanterns, candles and fire of any kind as well as pets, except service animals with appropriate paperwork.
Admission
Tickets start at $39.25 for one day or $74.50 for both days, available online at funhousefest.com, by phone at 282-2822, or in person at the Williamsburg Municipal Building, 401 Lafayette St. Lawn seating is free for children younger than 6.
