As the calendar turns from March into April, spring begins to unfurl in full force here in central Virginia.  And with the return of spring comes a return to outdoor dining on the downtown Mall, backyard barbecues, and hiking trips into the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains. 

Spring also marks the beginning of the outdoor music festival season and in today’s Sunday Feature we remind you to leave a few weekends on your calendar open for what promises to be a jam-packed music festival season.  And here’s the kicker:  You can see it all without even leaving the Commonwealth! (almost).  We’ve got all the details after the jump:

Friday’s After Five, Charlottesville, VA
Season begins April 18th and continues Fridays through the summer

While not a music festival in the traditional since, this ongoing free concert series held Friday evenings at the Pavilion on the downtown Mall is the way that many in Charlottesville kick off their weekends.  Fridays After Five has also become a place to showcase the talents of Charlottesville’s music scene.  The concert series kicks off on April 18 with our favorite country-rockers the Sons of Bill.  Other local artists on the schedule include Eli  Cook, Kings of Belmont, Trees on Fire, and 6 Day Bender just to name a few.

Buffalo Creek Music Festival, Lexington, VA
May 23 and May 24, 2008

This festival is celebrating its 16th anniversary this year and is a non-profit event run by students from Washington and Lee University.  About an hour’s drive from Charlottesville, the festival is held at the Zollman’s Pavilion just five miles outside of Lexington. 

This year’s line-up includes the Bluegrass Underground, as well as a couple of local performers, namely our very own Hackensaw Boys as well as Nathan Moore from over in Staunton, VA.  More details can be found here.

Graves Mountain Festival of Music, Syria, VA
May 29 - May 31, 2008

If you’re a fan of traditional bluegrass music, then this is the festival for you!  Held annually over Memorial Day Weekend, the Graves Mountain Festival of Music brings some of the finest pickers around to the hills of Madison County, VA.  Noted performers over the three-day festival include the Steep Canyon Rangers, Blue Highway, Dr. Ralph Stanley, and Peter Rowan.

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Virginia Blues and Jazz Festival, Warm Springs, VA
June 14th, 2008

This one day event, which takes place at the Garth Newel Music Center in Warm Springs, VA, is in its third year of operation.  This year’s line-up is without a doubt its finest to date.  Scheduled performers includes Taj Mahal, the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Tab Benoit, Eric Lindell, and the Bert Carlson Quartet featuring Danny Knicely.  As an added bonus, cvilleMUSE is going to be giving away a pair of tickets to this one in the first week of June!  Stay tuned for details.

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FloydFest 7, Floyd, VA
July 24 - July 27, 2008

The big daddy of Virginia music festivals, FloydFest has established itself as one of the best music gatherings on the festival circuit by combining an eclectic line-up of musicians from around the world with the stunning beauty of the Blue Ridge Parkway.  In addition to headliners Amos Lee, the Avett Brothers, and Railroad Earth, a number of C’ville artists are scheduled to perform including Jan Smith, the Sons of Bill, Eli Cook, Kings of Belmont, and William Walter & Co.

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Bristol Rhythm & Roots Festival, Bristol, TN
September 19 - September 21, 2008

This one is so close to the Virginia state line, that we felt it would be a disservice to leave it out.  Wrap up the summer and plunge into fall in the town that lays claim to the “Birthplace of Country Music”.  The 8th Annual Bristol Rhythm & Roots Festival is steeped in both history and incredible live performances.  Here’s a small sample of what’s on tap for this year:  Doc Watson, the Hackensaw Boys, Jim Waive & the Young Divorcees, Larry Keel & Natural Bridge, and Scott Miller and the Commonwealth.

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There you have it.  A run-down of what lies ahead as we move into my favorite time of year.  It’s springtime in Virginia, get out there and enjoy it.  But don’t forget to leave a couple weekends open to go see some great live music!

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