Saturday’s Craft Beer & Music Festival Is a Shore First

By DONNA BOZZA

August 20, 2013

ESO Arts Center will turn its Belle Haven lawn into a beer garden on Saturday, August 24, from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. for a Shore first — the Eastern Shore’s Own Craft Beer & Music Festival.

The oldest arts center on the Eastern Shore is pinning its hope for a successful fundraiser on the ever growing popularity of craft beers. U.S. sales of microbrews hit $12 million in 2012 and are now celebrated with craft beer festivals across the country.

Craft beers are artisan beers, typically brewed in relatively small, independently-owned commercial breweries that employ traditional brewing methods where the emphasize is on flavor and quality, instead of mass production.

There will be over 30 different local and regional microbrews available to sample. Admission includes one sampler wristband which gives each attendee ten 4 ounce pours. Along with a prime variety of craft beers the festival will offer fresh local seafood and lip smacking BBQ as well as other food offerings.

To keep things moving in the party mode festival goers will be treated to the headlining band The Mystic Soul Bubbas. Known for keeping the dance floor jammed, two Virginia blue-eyed soul legends, Ammon Tharp and Steve Bassett, along with their slamming, seven-piece group play classic soul and boogie ‘n blues.

Igniting the festivities, opening band Glasgow Kiss, which recently played the Virginia Beer Festival, will perform authentic Irish pub music. A traditional Celtic music ensemble, Glasgow Kiss weaves the melodies of guitar, fiddle and small pipes into a musical tapestry rich with the history of Scotia and Hibernia. From haunting tunes of vanquished heroes to the toe-tapping of an Irish jig or Scottish reel.

A non-profit organization, ESO Arts Center struggles to keep afloat as it receives very limited funding from sources that include the Virginia Commission for the Arts, United Way, and the towns of Belle Haven and Nassawadox, as well as the Exmore Rotary.   “Rising overhead costs, especially insurance, utilities and building maintenance are placing a heavy burden on us financially,” said Dawn Simpson, ESO’s Executive Director. “We are relying on the net proceeds from this fundraiser to provide additional funds to help ESO keep its doors open to provide quality arts education and performances for adults, and especially the children of the Eastern Shore.”

Help with the fun. Volunteer for part of the festival and enjoy free admission and a Beer sampler ticket. [21 & over] Contact ESO at [email protected]

Tickets: $20 advance, $27 event day. Designated drivers/underage guests: $10 advance, $14 event day. For more info or to buy tickets online: http://www.eventbrite.com/event/7196921185?ref=ebtnebtckt# . Tickets also available at these ticket outlets: Book Bin-Onley, ESO-Belle Haven, BB&T-Exmore, and Rayfield’s Pharmacy-Cape Charles.

No coolers, outside food and drink, or animals are allowed at this event, excluding guide dogs. ESO Arts Center is located at 15293 King St., Belle Haven.