Press Release

Local Music Talent Takes Center Stage at Maymont's Summer Kickoff Festival, Friday–Saturday, June 7–8

Richmond, Virginia – Maymont will kick off the outdoor concert season with a weekend of performances by seven talented hometown musical groups at the Summer Kickoff Festival, June 7-8. With the addition of local cultural and performing groups in the “Richmond Represents” Tent and Stage, this year’s summer kickoff weekend is perfect for rounding up family and friends, grabbing some portable chairs or picnic blankets, and checking out the breadth of Richmond’s eclectic local talent.

The music starts Friday evening at 6 pm on the CoStar Group Builds Stage with Full Moon Fever, a Tom Petty tribute band, and a set by Richmond’s favorite yacht rockers, Three Sheets to the Wind. The Hampton Street gates (1700 Hampton Street) open at 5 pm, and guests are welcome to set up chairs and blankets on the 6-acre Carriage House Lawn and visit an assortment of on-site food vendors and the beverage tent for craft beer, cider and wine (for guests 21+ with ID).

On Saturday, starting at 1 pm, five groups will take to the CoStar Group Builds Stage: Leading off is Fiesta del Sol, a Latin dance performance by Latin Ballet of Virginia; followed by a genre-defying alternative/indie soul set by Shera Shi; then Weekend Plans will play a unique blend of funk, hip hop and jazz; followed by the pioneers of indie-salsa revival, Bio Ritmo; and the night ends with a set of neo-traditional blues fusion by Justin Golden and the Devil’s Coattails.

Gates open at 11:30 am on Saturday, when interactive performances and representatives from local cultural organizations will be on hand at the Richmond Represents Tent and Stage. Before and in-between sets on the main stage, guests can learn a new dance step, create crafts and art projects, and splash around at the Goldfish Swim School water play station. Participating cultural and performing arts groups include the Valentine Museum, Virginia Museum of History and Culture, the Black History Museum, the Richmond Performing Arts Alliance, The Salsa Guy and Panamanian Traditions.

“We are so happy to showcase the wide range of local talent at Maymont to kick off the summer outdoor concert season,” said Parke Richeson, Maymont President and CEO. “There’s room for everyone on the Carriage House Lawn to dance, connect with friends and family, and enjoy local food and craft beverages.”

Per-day tickets are $20 for adults, $10 for children ages 3-16; Maymont members enjoy a half-price discount. Admission is $3 for Museums for All participants, and their children are admitted free (with a SNAP/EBT card). All event proceeds support Maymont. The event is rain or shine and ticket purchases are non-refundable, except in the case that Maymont cancels the event for severe weather.

Maymont is a well-preserved, historic 100-acre estate overlooking the James River that was given to the public by James and Sallie Dooley, who lived there from 1893 to 1925. Today, Maymont is a welcoming community gathering place, with many unique experiences for all to enjoy, including the historic Maymont Mansion, The Robins Nature Center, an arboretum, formal gardens, and habitats for native Virginia wildlife and farm animals. Consistently ranked one of Central Virginia’s top attractions by travelers and locals alike, Maymont serves over 700,000 guests annually, with free admission to the grounds, plus guided and self-guided tours, seasonal events, programs and rental spaces. Since 1975, Maymont has been maintained and operated by the nonprofit Maymont Foundation, committed to creating programs and experiences that delight, educate and inspire its guests.

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Note to editors: photos are available upon request to mabernathy@maymont.org