An Occasion For The Arts provides Williamsburg with an arts extravaganza. It is the area’s premier art and music festival. Come hear your favorite local musicians, check out the Youth Art Show which features students from around the area and see fabulous original art. Something for everyone!

Join us for our opening event!

An Evening for the Arts 2023

An Evening for the Arts, October 6, 2023 from 5pm to 9pm is our kickstart fundraising campaign for the AOFTA Artist in Residence Program benefitting the Williamsburg-James County Public Schools. In partnership with the schools we envision placing skilled artists in the schools to enhance the art education for all students. All proceeds from An Evening of the Arts will go toward this program.

$75 Basic Package

Ticket for October 6, 2023 from 5pm to 9pm

AOFTA Artist Preview Night – Private shopping from 5pm to 7pm

Good Shot Judy Performing from 7pm to 9pm

Food tastings from Merchant's Square Restaurants

Wine and Craft Beer

$250 VIP Package

2 Tickets for October 6, 2023 from 5pm to 9pm

AOFTA Artist Preview Night – Private shopping from 5pm to 7pm

Good Shot Judy Performing from 7pm to 9pm

Food tastings from Merchant's Square Restaurants

Reserved Table at Event

Wine and Craft Beer

Commemorate Wine Glass

AOFTA Pin

AOFTA Retro Poster

Invitation to Artist in Residence Reception – Date TBD

$1000 VIP Table

Reserved table for 8 

+ everything included in VIP Package

Buy Tickets

Saturday October 7 

10:30AM

JOHN TURNER

SCOTTISH FIDDLING

10 time National Scottish Fiddling Champion, recording artist, composer, teacher, carries on the traditional style of the Golden Era of Scottish Fiddling. Hear him live and unaccompanied once again at the Occasion for the Arts.

11:15AM

DANIEL SCRUGGS

MULTICULTURAL DRUMMING

Daniel Scruggs is a world citizen, professional musician and experienced educator who is on a mission to educate, inspire and unite.  He has traveled extensively throughout our world as a student and educator of human cultures and global music making traditions.  These journeys have provided him opportunities for learning immersion in twenty three countries throughout five continents. Throughout his travels, Daniel has collected hundreds of rare musical instruments, as well as cultural artifacts, curiosities and unique geological wonders from around the world.  This collection forms the basis of his interactive educational programs.

NOON

WINSOME

ACOUSTIC POP

Winsome is a guitar based acoustic group covering popular music from the 60s, 70s and beyond with a focus on well crafted vocal harmonies. Members are Jane Ferguson, John Trindle, Rob Weinberg and Niki Worrell.

1:00PM

SCRAPPER TUESDAY

ROOTS

Scrapper Tuesday is a trio that plays pop and rock and makes it sound like Americana. They mix in blues, bluegrass and roadhouse to create their good time sound. Phil Casey writes toe-tapping originals, often about the people, places and history of Hampton Roads, and plays guitar, mandolin and cigar box guitar. Matt Houser, Phil’s son-in-law, plays the tasty licks on electric guitar and cigar box guitars (which he also makes.) Mark McGowan ensures the center holds on bass. They started playing together in 2016.

2:00PM

DANIEL SCRUGGS

MULTICULTURAL DRUMMING

2:45PM

SKIP FRIEL

ACOUSTIC ROCK

“Friel is a very talented vocalist with a big and unique voice,” writes Toronto Exclusive Magazine. Whether performing original compositions or favorite cover songs, award-winning songwriter Skip Friel delivers an energetic and moving performance. Friel’s music spans from acoustic variety to tasteful rock. Cover songs include both contemporary and popular tunes of the past. Skip is at home in large festival venues, as well as on intimate, acoustic-friendly stages.

3:45PM

JOE’S DAY OFF

OLDIES

Joe’s Day Off (JDO) is a local Williamsburg Virginia band that covers country, rock, standards, & oldies with great harmonies and a variety of instruments. They’ve been rocking the town since 2007. Frontman, Joe Duggan, can play solo, or the band can perform as a duet, trio, quartet, or quintet. For small venues and special occasions, JDO can perform acoustic sets, or for large event, they can add additional players.

Sunday October 8

10:00AM

COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG FIFES AND DRUMS

HISTORIC

The march of the Fifes and Drums is an indispensable part of the Colonial Williamsburg visit. The shrill fife and the resounding drum broadcast a wave of sound throughout the Historic Area, announcing the red-and-blue-uniformed regiment moving through the streets of Williamsburg.Standing along Duke of Gloucester Street as the Fifes and Drums march by, today’s guests experience exactly what the soldiers of the 18th century felt as the vibrations of sound resonate not just in their ears, but through their whole bodies.

10:30AM

WILLIAM THE CONJURER

MAGIC

Magician performing family friendly magic

11:15AM

SAMMY LEE

MOTOWN FOLK

Rooted in blues tradition, Sammy Lee has a soul that wails. Cadence-driven, acoustically inclined, Motown folk is showcased in his pristine and energetic performances, with stylistic nods towards the cities that have provided him with his unique sound. Many vocalists of closely related genres seem tepid and soft spoken by comparison. Sammy offers a shock to the system with a skilled and polished delivery that provides a glimpse into the expertise developed over the many evolutions his career has endured. Over a decade of vocal expertise allows this rough and dirty baritone to stun audiences with a range that bewilders, a devastatingly honest lyrical vulnerability, and a power and range that leaves Sammy in a category all his own. Needing no pretense and no disguise, Sammy’s show is a stripped down and naked performance by design. His thoughts in a world of processed and filtered pretenders? Less is more, passion speaks for itself, and authenticity reigns.

12:15PM

POISONED DWARF

IRISH

Poisoned Dwarf is a Celtic music group that plays virtuosic, innovative and passionate renditions of traditional Irish and Scottish music on acoustic instruments. Five talented musicians create a driving sonic energy that has been captivating audiences for over a decade with whistles, flutes, violin, guitar, percussion, and Uilleann pipes together with exciting and lyrical vocals. Poisoned Dwarf performs at a wide variety of musical venues from highland festivals to theaters, from churches to sophisticated listening venues throughout the East Coast, to the occasional pub just for fun.

1:15PM

CLAN MACCOOL

Clan MacCool is a highly interactive band that specializes in Irish/Scottish traditional music, occasional piracy and constant fun! We offer an array of Celtic traditional (and not so traditional) songs, tunes and reels, and during Pirate season, we'll don our best piratic finery and treat adults and kids alike to a rollicking good time with sea chanties, sword demos and other interactive fun! Pulling from old Celtic music, sea chanties and our own music over the course of nearly two decades, Clan MacCool continues to entertain, educate and enthrall! Whether Celtic or Maritime music is your fancy, look to Clan MacCool for music, merriment and a bit of mayhem!

2:15PM

RUNAWAY STRING BAND

Runaway String Band features four long-time Williamsburg-area musicians whose mix of traditional and contemporary bluegrass, old-time, and swing music builds on the spirit of the early string bands.

3:15PM

CRAZY X

ACOUSTIC ROCK

Crazy X is a high energy, rock ‘n country showband that makes entertaining and connecting with crowd the number one priority. Crazy X was formed in 2007 and consists of Heather Pabalate (Vocals), Dane Davis (guitar &  vocals), Kenny Thompson (drums), Robert Bingham (keyboards), Ric Donzell (lead guitar) and John Shifflette (Bass). With a wide array of musical backgrounds from which to draw, Crazy X authentically delivers country & rockin’ tunes with engaged audience participation! Crazy X understands that it is all about YOU – the audience! Get on your feet --- We look forward to seeing you soon!

Date: October 7-8, 2023

Friday, October 6 (An Evening for the Arts): 5pm - 9pm

Saturday, October 7: 10am - 5pm

Sunday, October 8: 10am - 5pm

Location: : Colonial Williamsburg's Merchants Square

134 N Henry St, Williamsburg, VA 23185

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