Tucked away in the foothills of Great North Mountain in western Shenandoah County is the small, unincorporated community of Orkney Springs. Anchoring the rural enclave of 30 full-time residents is Shrine Mont Retreat and Conference Center, where guests relish the slow pace of Orkney Springs and enjoy the unique blend of historic architecture, pristine landscaping, and majestic mountain views.
It’s only during the summer that the pace of life in Orkney Springs picks up and a new vibe sets in. From mid-July through Labor Day weekend, Shenandoah Valley Music Festival is the main attraction on the stage of Shrine Mont’s outdoor pavilion, drawing thousands of excited concertgoers who come to see live performances by some of the biggest names in music.
When SVMF was founded in 1963, its concert program was purely symphonic. But in recent years, the lineup has diversified to include a variety of other genres. Past performers have included Arlo Guthrie, Bruce Hornsby, Kris Kristofferson, America, Kansas, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, The Temptations, and The Beach Boys, among many others.
This summer, Shenandoah Valley Music Festival’s concert lineup continues to bring well-known acts to the stage. Kicking off the summer season will be Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives. Stuart is a five-time Grammy Award winner, a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, and is best known for his chart-topping hits, such as “The Whiskey Ain’t Workin’,” “Tempted,” and “Hillbilly Rock.”
Then there’s the legendary Dionne Warwick, who will be coming to SVMF on July 26. Warwick is a six-time Grammy Award winner and international music icon, who has recorded more than 75 chart-topping songs, such as “Don’t Make Me Over,” “Walk on By,” “Say a Little Prayer,” “Alfie,” and “Déjà Vu.”
Pop-rock bands known for their chart-topping 70s hits — The Atlanta Rhythm Section and Orleans — will play at SVMF on August 16. The Atlanta Rhythm Section’s hit songs include “Imaginary Lover,” “Do it or Die,” and “I’m Not Gonna Let It Bother Me Tonight.” Likewise, Orleans many chart-topping hits include “Still the One,” “Dance with Me,” and “Love Takes Time.” Following that concert will be a bittersweet night for country fans coming out for the Oak Ridge Boys’ Farewell Tour on August 17.
Renowned soul, blues, and R&B singer and three-time Grammy Award winner Mavis Staples, another legendary artist, will be coming to SVMF on August 31. Other concerts include the Lynchburg Symphony Orchestra, “Back to the 80s,” on July 20 and an evening of Celtic Music on August 31, featuring The High Kings and Riverdance’s original fiddler Eileen Ivers, with her all-female band, The Brigideens.
Closing out the concert season will be SVMF’s Hot Strings and Cool Breezes, a mini-fest of Americana music featuring Grammy Award winner and acclaimed singer-songwriter Steve Earle, plus Dom Flemons, and other artists to be announced at a later date.
Go to musicfest.org to buy tickets and learn more about our Package Deals that include discounts on tickets and overnight stays at Shrine Mont.
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