Saturday, March 14, 2026

Rock, country, bluegrass and jazz: Virginia Arts Festival announces lineup for expanded Williamsburg summer music event

Plus: Severe weather is expected on Monday, WJCC students urged the Board of Supervisors to approve a lacrosse proposal, an acclaimed author is set to visit Williamsburg Library and the community is invited to vote in the 2026 Bus Art Contest.
 ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

March 14, 2026

Good morning, Historic Triangle!


Pleasant weather will set in today as we kick off the weekend. We'll see mostly sunny skies with high temperatures in the low to mid 60s, according to WTKR News 3 Meteorologist Tony Nargi. Lows tonight will drop into the 40s.


Sunday will be mostly sunny but breezy, with afternoon highs in the upper 60s. Clouds will increase in the afternoon, and rain is likely during the overnight hours.


The entire region will be under a rare, widespread level 3 threat on Monday. Severe storms are expected in the afternoon and evening.


Severe weather is expected to impact much of the region on Monday. (Meteorologist Tony Nargi/WTKR)

Damaging winds, large hail and strong tornadoes are possible. Forecasters say anyone in the impacted area should remain weather aware throughout the duration of the alert. 


A cold front moving in with the storm system will cause temperatures to plunge into the 30s Monday night into Tuesday morning.


Afternoon highs on both Tuesday and Wednesday will only be in the 40s.


Now to the news.


-Christin

Rock, country, bluegrass and jazz: Virginia Arts Festival announces lineup for expanded Williamsburg summer music event

A large crowd gathers for Williamsburg Live. (Photo courtesy of the Virginia Arts Festival)

The Virginia Arts Festival will return to the heart of Colonial Williamsburg this summer with a lineup of well-known rock, bluegrass, jazz and country artists. 


The annual outdoor music festival is set to expand to four days this year and will be held June 25-28, with a Thursday night performance added to the schedule for the first time. 


The addition of the extra day, according to event coordinators, is a testament to both the popularity of the event and a unique partnership with Colonial Williamsburg, the City of Williamsburg and Visit Williamsburg.


"Williamsburg is pulling out all the stops in their celebration of our nation's 250th birthday," said Virginia Arts Festival's Artistic Director Robert W. Cross. "It's the perfect place and time to celebrate great music that is defined by our country's diversity and continues to make the United States an arts superpower."


In 2025, Williamsburg Live drew visitors from 30 states and the District of Columbia. Guests traveled from near and far to enjoy live performances by their favorite artists, which included Grammy award-winning country group The Band Perry and the iconic Beach Boys.


This year's program is expected to draw record numbers.


"With so much to see, do, taste and discover in this historic region, and such an array of Grammy-winning, critically acclaimed artists from bluegrass to rock to jazz and beyond, Williamsburg Live is the place to be this summer," Cross added.


Celebrated artists Melissa Etheridge and Wynonna Judd will headline the show for the event's kickoff on Thursday evening. Judd and Etheridge are currently embarking upon a 23-date national tour, "Raised on Radio," which celebrates childhoods spent with an ear to the radio.


Etheridge, an award-winning singer-songwriter and guitarist, left her mark on the rock world in the 90s with hits like "Come to My Window" and "I'm the Only One." Etheridge will also perform songs from her new album, Rise, which is set for release later this month.


Wynonna Judd, a five-time Grammy winner, first rose to prominence in the country music realm as half of the legendary duo The Judds. She went on to launch a chart-topping solo career marked by anthems like "No One Else on Earth" and "To Be Loved by You."

From left to right: Melissa Etheridge, Wynonna Judd, Trombone Shorty, Alison Krauss and Grace Potter. (Courtesy of Virginia Arts Festival)

The Friday, June 26 show will feature jazz/funk icons Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue and special guest Dumpstaphunk. Born Troy Andrews, Trombone Shorty got his start in music at the age of four, when he debuted at the New Orleans Jazz Fest alongside Bo Diddley. By the age of six, he was already leading his own brass band.


Dumpstaphunk has earned a reputation as one of the most respected New Orleans musical groups. The funk-fusion group features vocalist and keyboardist Ivan Neville and guitarist Ian Neville, sons of R&B hitmaker Aaron Neville, alongside original bassist, guitarist and vocalist Tony Hall.


Saturday night's concert will feature bluegrass and roots music, headlined by Alison Krauss & Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas. A musician, fiddler and producer, Krauss's recording career began when she was just 14 years old. Since then, she has sold over 12 million albums and earned a staggering 27 Grammy wins. 


Jerry Douglas is widely recognized as one of the nation's top dobro and steel guitar players. Special guest Theo Lawrence, a French-Canadian singer-songwriter, will also perform.


The festival will close out on Sunday with singer-songwriter Grace Potter. Often compared to Bonnie Rait, Potter is known for her powerful voice. She has collaborated with the likes of Allman Brothers Band, the Rolling Stones and Kenny Chesney. Her music spans a variety of genres, including blues, rock, country and soul.


In addition to showcasing world-renowned musical talent, the festival features local food trucks, regional wines and craft beers. The event is organized by the Virginia Arts Festival, the largest performing arts organization in Southeastern Virginia.


"As America commemorates 250 years of independence, we couldn't be more excited to welcome visitors to experience four nights of world-class live music in the destination where America's journey began," said Visit Williamsburg President & CEO Edward Harris. "Visit Williamsburg is proud to support this year's incredible lineup of artists."


Want to go? Tickets are on sale now and are available online at vafest.org, by phot at 757-282-2822 or in person at the Virginia Arts Festival Box Office at 440 Bank Street in Norfolk.

NEWS TO KNOW

WJCC students urge Board of Supervisors to approve plan to make lacrosse a VHSL sport

WJCC high school students urged the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday to approve a proposal that would make lacrosse a VHSL sport. (James City County Board of Supervisors)

Williamsburg-James City County students packed into a Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday to voice support for a proposal that would make lacrosse an official Virginia High School League (VHSL) sport in the division. 

  • Superintendent Daniel Keever's proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year includes $225,000 in funding to cover VHSL lacrosse program expenses, equipment, uniforms and coaching costs.

Why it matters: The move would "make lacrosse a more accessible sport to all high school students in the WJCC district," said Vernon Geddy, a James City County restaurant owner and parent of two student lacrosse players.

  • Geddy stressed that VHSL provides "valuable resources" for sports that are certified by its league, including transportation. Some students, he said, are having to navigate potentially dangerous travel situations just to be able to attend games. 

  • "Transportation alone is an extremely helpful resource," Geddy said. "Having students drive themselves to some of these locations where games are played is somewhat daunting for new drivers. [They're] going to places like Virginia Beach during rush hour through the endless construction of the tunnel and back."

Background: Support for making lacrosse a VHSL varsity sport has been growing among students, parents and coaches in recent years. Dozens showed up at public hearings to push for lacrosse funding during the last two budget cycles.

  • Many argued that VHSL certification would make it possible for more students to participate in lacrosse while expanding recruitment and college scholarship opportunities for players. 

  • Under the current lacrosse program offering, families must pay for club fees, equipment and transportation. 

  • WJCC's total proposed FY2027 operating budget of $202.7 million also includes funding for the development of a JROTC program, central support staff, additional school security officers and special education-related services.

What's next: The proposed budget will be reviewed in April by both the James City County Board of Supervisors and the Williamsburg City Council.

Acclaimed author Alan Pell Crawford to visit Williamsburg Library for 'One Book One Community' series

Alan Pell Crawford, author of "This Fierce People," will visit Williamsburg Library in March as part of "One Book One Community." (Image courtesy of Library of Virginia)

Alan Pell Crawford, an acclaimed author and historian, will appear at Williamsburg Library on March 24 at 7 p.m. for a discussion related to his award-winning book, "This Fierce People: The Untold Story of America's Revolutionary War in the South."


The event, part of Williamsburg Regional Library's annual One Book One Community program, is free and open to the public.

  • "We're excited to invite our community to read 'This Fierce People' and discover a side of the Revolutionary War that many of us haven't heard before," said Williamsburg Regional Library Director Sandy Towers. "As we commemorate the nation's 250th anniversary, this year's One Book One Community gives us a meaningful opportunity to welcome new perspectives into the story of our founding."

  • Topics in the program series include the Battle of the Virginia Capes, the war on Chesapeake and African American life during the Revolution. Several community book discussions will also be held.

The details: "This Fierce People" tells the story of the Southern campaign during the last three years of the American Revolution leading to the British surrender at Yorktown, highlighting the men and women who helped secure America's Victory. The book also sheds light on misperceptions and contradictions surrounding our accepted understanding of how the nation was founded.

  • Crawford is the author of four books and previously worked on Capitol Hill as a Senate speechwriter and congressional secretary. His writing has appeared in The Washington Post, The New York Times, American History, The Wall Street Journal, The Nation and Vogue. "This Fierce People" won the 2025 American Battlefield Trust book award.

Upcoming programs in the One Book One Community series include: 

For more information about One Book One Community programs, click here. "This Fierce People" is available for checkout in multiple formats at the library.

WATA, CultureFix invite public to vote in Community Bus Art contest

A WATA bus. (Williamsburg Area Transit Authority)

The Williamsburg Area Transit Authority and local nonprofit organization CultureFix are inviting the community to vote in a youth Bus Art Contest honoring the nation's 250th anniversary.


The theme, "Spirit of 1776," commemorates American independence and Virginia's role in shaping history.

  • Amateur and professional adult artists were also invited to participate. The winners in those categories will be chosen by the WATA Board of Directors and a panel of Historic Triangle-based art and subject experts.

The details: The winning selections will be professionally resized and adapted to fit on the bus wrap, allowing community residents, passengers and visitors to view the art. Winners in all three categories will also receive a $500 check prize.

  • "We are excited to partner with CultureFix again to show off our local talent, and what better time to do so than to celebrate our nation's 250th birthday in the Historic Triangle," said Matthew Scalia, Executive Director of WATA. "The art will be enjoyed not just by our community, but by the tens of thousands of tourists who will visit this year to celebrate with us."

To vote in the contest, click here. Voting will close on March 15 at 11:59 pm. 

EVENTS THIS WEEKEND

The VA250 Mobile Museum will stop in Williamsburg on March 14. (Photo courtesy of VA250 Commission)

  • Yorktown Market Days: St. Patrick's Day Winter Market | Riverwalk Landing | March 14 | 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. | Stroll through a St. Patrick's Day-themed winter market at Riverwalk Landing. Vendors will be on site selling golden baked goods, rainbow-colored art, magically delicious chocolates and more. Live music will be provided by The Fifes & Drums of York Town and Deputy Ryan Houdashelt, York-Poquoson Sheriff's Office Bagpiper. Family-friendly activities will also be offered, including a Pot of Gold coin toss. Free & open to the public. 

  • VA250 Mobile Museum | Abram Frink, Jr. Community Center | March 14 | 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. | Step back in time and experience Virginia's central role in the American Revolution when the VA250 Mobile Museum Experience, "Out of Many, One" arrives in Williamsburg. This traveling exhibit brings the story of the nation's founding to the parking lot of the Frink Community Center located at 8901 Pocahontas Trail. Free & open to the public. 

  • One Book Discussion | James City County Library | March 14 | 11 a.m. - noon | As part of the One Book One Community event series, join a discussion focused on this year's selection, "This Fierce People." Free

  • Fido Fest | Jamestown Beach Event Park | 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.  | This family-friendly festival features dog-centered activities, games and contests. Food, merchandise and community vendors will be present. Admission is $5 per car. 

  • On National Commemorations and How We Do History Now | Jamestown Settlement | Jamestown Settlement | March 14 | 3 - 4 p,m. | M.J. Rymsza-Pawlowska will draw from her book on the 1976 Bicentennial to discuss how national commemorations help clarify and accelerate trends in historical engagement. Included with paid museum admission. Registration recommended. 

  • Monthly Volunteer Work Day | York River State Park | March 14 | 10 a.m. - noon | Join park rangers in helping to maintain the beauty of the York River. Locations and tasks vary monthly. Supplies and tools are provided. Parking fees are waived for those who are volunteering. 

  • Fossil Frenzy Hike | York River State Park | March 14 | 10 a.m. - noon | Join park staff in discovering relics of very old creatures while hiking to a fossil beach. Included with park admission. 

  • Jen Malia Author Visit: Living Life with Autism | Tabb Library | March 14 | 1 - 2:30 p.m. | Join an interactive author event featuring Jen Malia, author of the children's chapter book series "The Infinity Rainbow Club" and the picture book "Too Sticky! Sensory Issues with Autism." A Professor of English at Norfolk State University, Malia is an autistic mom with three autistic children. Her work has appeared in publications such as New York Times, The Washington Post and Woman's Day. Free.  

  • Campfire Social | Chickahominy Riverfront Park | March 14 | 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. | Celebrate the warmer weather with an old-fashioned campfire gathering featuring s'mores, activities and storytelling. Free

  • Youth Choir Concert: City Singers | Bruton Parish Church | March 14 | 8 - 9 p.m. | Enjoy a concert presented by the youth voices of the City Singers from Richmond, directed by Leslie Dripps. Free; donations gratefully accepted. 

  • Italian Film Festival: "Amarcord" | Williamsburg Library Theatre | March 15 | 2 - 4:05 p.m. | This film series is presented by The Colonial Italian American Organization (CIAO), a social club for all who love Italy and Italian culture. The March 15 feature is Amarcord (1973, R), a semi-autobiographical about an adolescent boy growing up in a small village in 1930 Fascist Italy. Free

  • Natural Solutions for the Home | James City County Library | March 15 | 3 - 4 p.m. | This hands-on program focuses on how to reduce toxins by swapping out harsh chemicals with plant-based alternatives. Presented by wellness advocate Jamie Serafin. Includes DIY recipes. Free

  • A Selection of Trades Short Films | Hennage Auditorium | March 15 | 4 - 4:45 p.m. | Explore the trades of Colonial Williamsburg, including millinery & mantua-making, gunsmithing, farming, engraving, printing, and apothecary through this compilation of short films. Free & open to the public. 

This newsletter was written by Christin Nielsen. Thanks for reading!

📰  Sign up to receive The Triangle's weekly newsletters here.

🖥️ Visit our website to read previous articles.

📧 Want to reach out? Email christin@thetriangle.news or reply to this email.

The Triangle exists thanks to the generous donations of readers who make our work possible.

Support Our Work




Sent to: godlyman@alexanderofyork.com

Want to change how you receive The Triangle? Update your preferences here or unsubscribe here.

The Triangle, P.O. Box 7004, Williamsburg, VA 23188, United States


No comments:

Post a Comment