2010 Music Lineup

Simba (Friday, July 2, 6:30 p.m.)

Simba is southern Vermont's premier world beat dance band. Started in 1989, its eight members work throughout the New England area as soloists, accompanying other artists and doing recording work.

Simba is where they bring their personal creative talents together. The band has evolved into a high-energy dance band, drawing upon African, reggae, Caribbean, Latin, jazz and funk influences to create their own unique and vibrant sound. Simba features several multi-instrumentalists allowing their sound to range from guitar/horn section funk to Caribbean steel drum, from West African balafon grooves and hand percussion to jazz sextet and even klezmer orchestra.

They love to play hard and keep everyone on the dance floor.

Red Molly (Saturday, July 3, 2-4 p.m.)

Red Molly consistently brings concert-goers to their feet with stunning three-part harmonies, crisp musicianship and a warm, engaging stage presence. They have earned a devoted and ever-widening fan base, and have begun to tour nationally. Laurie MacAllister, Abbie Gardner and Carolann Solebello have a lot of fun on stage, and it's contagious.

The Boston Globe says: "Everything Red Molly sings is delivered with tick-tight arrangements, crystalline vocals, and caramel harmonies. But what is most striking is the ardor they bring to everything they do, whether snuggling into the sweet parochialism of an old spiritual, or the gritty pathos of a Gillian Welch tune. They come on less like stars strutting for their minions than pals sharing their favorite songs. In the friendly world of the coffeehouse, that remains a star-making quality."

Vermont Symphony Orchestra (Saturday, July 3, 7:30 p.m., gates open at 4 p.m.)

With 45 annual performances statewide in concert halls, beautiful natural settings, and historic and community buildings, the Vermont Symphony Orchestra has proven its value and sustainability, not only as the nation's oldest state-supported orchestra, but as one of the finest of its size. In addition to concert programming, over 175 school performances are provided annually, reaching 45% of Vermont's school children. The VSO serves year round with outreach programs, children's concerts, and composer residencies, as well as choral and chamber music concerts.

The July 3rd show is part of the VSO's 2010 TD Bank Summer Festival Tour, and will include favorites by Rossini, Tchaikovsky, Scott Joplin, John Williams, and much more!  Bring a picnic, blanket, and bottle of wine… and enjoy this unique Grafton tradition! 

This concert benefits the Brattleboro Museum & Arts Center. Ticket information.

GATES OPEN AT 4 P.M.

Special Music Service with the Stockwell Brothers (Sunday, Jun 4, 10 a.m.)

Enjoy a special music church service at the White Church in Grafton, to celebrate the July 4th holiday.

After almost four decades playing together across the U.S. and in Europe, The Stockwell Brothers are Vermont’s longest running folk/ bluegrass group.  Starting out in 1969, they won a handful of contests, released their first album “The Green Mountain Boys” and appeared in concert with artists from Earl Scruggs to the Mahavishnu Orchestra - all by their mid teens. The Stockwell’s repertoire spans traditional and progressive styles, but their trademark acoustic trio sound focuses on new singer/ songwriter material recast with banjo, alternative rhythms and three-part harmonies.