The Roundup: Rock, Ride and Roll

By Rachael Dickson (Contact), Sydney Wilmer (Contact)

Thursday, June 26, 2008

The weekend brings several music options for all ages -- from music fests drawing huge crowds to a more intimate affair at Notaviva Vineyards -- and a rousing rodeo with professional bull riders to benefit the Lucketts Community Center.

Notaviva Vineyards Concert Series

Notaviva Vineyards, the new kid on the block in Virginia Wine country, will be hosting its first few concerts in a summer music series this Saturday and Sunday.

The free concerts will take place in Notaviva's gorgeous tasting room. The area was designed for music by owners Stephen and Shannon Mackey, who also run their own audio-visual media business.

At 2 p.m. on Saturday, 16-year-old singer-songwriter Chelsea Lee, a local Northern Virginia phenomenon, who has already performed as an opening act for the likes of Marc Cohn and Stephen Stills, will kick off the evening. Then at 4 p.m., Furnace Mountain, a fiddle and bouzouki band specializing in a variety of genres, including world music, fiddle tunes and bluegrass, will take the stage. On Sunday, Notaviva will feature classical guitarist Richard Barry, who will begin his show at 2 p.m.

Concert attendees can mingle and taste Notaviva's selection of wines while they listen. Some of the wines are named for musical terms, such as Vivace and Cantabile, while others are named based on the building and creation of Notaviva. The vineyard's Web site offers specific suggestions for wines that are meant to be paired with the music.

Photo: Rachael Dickson

An outside view of Notaviva Vineyards.

You should also get owner Stephen Mackey to talk about his home business if you can -- the story of how the Mackeys turned their dream home into a reality is quite the treat. The HGTV series, Dream House will chronicle the creation of Notaviva in an eight-part series that will air in October. And guests can expect a visit from the Mackey's oldest son, Tristan, who will turn 3 next month -- a budding host in his own right.

While Notaviva is a little off the beaten track -- north of Purcellville at 13274 Sagle Road -- it's well worth the visit. For more information about the vineyard visit their Web site or call 540-668-6756.

-RMD

Loudoun's Summer Music Fest

This weekend's Loudoun County Summer Music Fest shows may be about rock n' roll and raw folk music, but Tracey Parents, president of sponsor Loudoun Foundation, stressed that the weekend is about family, too.

So if you want to rock out -- or jam out -- feel free to bring the kids.

"It is a family-oriented event," Parents said. "Kids six and under get in free, so we hope kids come in. On average we get a few hundred children at every show"

Snapp-Shot Photography / www.snappshotphotography.com

The crowd enjoys the June 1 Foreigner concert, part of the Loudoun Summer Music Fest.

The event will take place at the Belmont Country Club. On Saturday, headliner REO Speedwagon with Shane Hines & The Trance will play. Then on Sunday, folk artist Keller Williams will perform with the Yonder Mountain String Band.

Parents explained that the event is slightly different this year in that the headliners and the opening acts will play for equal amounts of time. "In this way we sort of upgraded the opening acts," she said.

Explaining the change, Parents said that while REO Speedwagon is a well known band, Shane Hines & The Trance is a group that has a local following and is experiencing success as well. "The group was recently featured on the MTV series 'The Hills,' " she said.

Similarly, The Yonder Mountain String Band is relatively well known because it plays with Keller Williams frequently, thus enjoying some name recognition.

The Loudoun Foundation began sponsoring the Summer Music Fest series in 2005. Parents expects the event, now in its third year, to do well again this summer.

"We are just hoping for good weather and strong crowds," she said.

Doors open both nights at 5 p.m. and music begins at 6:15 p.m. Both headliners will begin at 7 p.m. General admission in advance is $17 on Saturday, $15 on Sunday and both shows are $20 at the gate. Gold circle seating both evenings is $35.

For more information visit www.liveatbelmont.com or call Tracy Parents at 703-728-9500.

-SW

Lucketts Rodeo Extravaganza

Saturday afternoon Loudoun County residents will get a chance to experience first-hand what the county's unofficial nickname "horse country" really means. And the best news is that it's all for charity.

Chapel View Farm will host Luckett's Rodeo Extravaganza this weekend, starting at 5 p.m. The main event begins at 7 p.m., but you might want to come early to get a jump-start on open barrel racing and bull riding.

The community of Lucketts is hoping to raise money for several special projects, most importantly one to enhance the community center, said Lisa Cox, event coordinator and one of the owners of Chapel View Farm.

"This is the first year the Chapel View Farm, the Lucketts community center and the community has sponsored or held the event," said Cox, who has lived in the community since 1968. Professional bull riders Twisted K Productions will put on the rodeo.

In addition to riding, there will be live music, food and a best-dressed cowboy and cowgirl contest.

The event is for the whole family -- children under six get in for free. Otherwise, tickets are $12 in advance or $15 at the gate. Chapel View Farm is located at 14290 Chapel Lane off of Lucketts Road.

For more information about the event, call 703-443-6730 or visit www.luckettscommunitycenter.org.

-SW

Jazz on the Potomac

Lansdowne Resort's Jazz on the Potomac series continues this Friday with a performance by Rob Maletick, a gospel-jazz saxophonist.

The annual concert series has stayed strong going into its third summer with about 300-500 attendees each week. One of the draws for audiences is the dinner that is available for purchase each week.

"Our chefs do a wonderful job," said Marjorie Lane, the director of marketing for Lansdowne Resort. "We usually have four or five different grilled items, cooked right outside there."

Lane said that past dishes have included shrimp and barbeque-pulled pork sandwiches. Both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are available. No outside food is allowed.

Throughout the weekend, attendees can enter drawings to try to win prizes such as Sunday brunch at the resort, a spa gift card, or weekend packages. The family-friendly event also offers a kid's night out package for an additional charge that includes dinner and movie.

Special seating is offered for those who purchase the Jazz on the Potomac weekend package from the resort.

Maletick, a Washington D.C. native, will take the stage at Lansdowne tomorrow at 6 p.m. The show will end around 10:30 p.m.

Guitarist and vocalist Joyce Cooling will be performing at next week's July Fourth concert, an event that Lane says should bring out a large crowd.

Seating at the event is first-come, first serve -- so arrive early if you'd like a seat up close! Blankets aren't necessary as the resort provides tables and chairs. Lansdown Resort is located at 44050 Woodridge Parkway in Leesburg.

--RMD

Tagged: arts, concert, entertainment, Loudoun Summer Music Fest, music, Roundup, wine, winery

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