The Nottoway Nights concerts are held weekly on Thursdays until Aug. 23. Photo by Carlyn Kranking/The Connection
To satisfy her love of concerts, Sandee Byrne chose about ten years ago to volunteer at Nottoway Nights, a summer concert series at Nottoway Park. Since then, Byrne said, she’s been able to find a community in the regular concert-goers.
“After you’ve been here a number of years, the people who come become your friends, because they come over and over,” Byrne said.
These concerts in the Nottoway Nights series bring crowds every Thursday night at 7:30. Ranging from bluegrass to Bulgarian, the music in the concerts is meant to cater to a wide audience.
Thursday, musicians Wayne Henderson and Helen White performed traditional Appalachian music.
“It’s a style that is actually older than bluegrass,” White said. “It influenced the development of bluegrass music.”
Henderson and White played various Appalachian tunes and White sang. At times, they even encouraged the audience to sing along.
At the end of the night, the performers received a standing ovation.
“[They’re] so talented with the making of the instruments, the playing, writing the songs, singing – it’s amazing,” Susan Jewell of Springfield said. “I just love coming out here and spending a beautiful summer evening with my friend. You can’t beat it.”
Nottoway Nights will run through Aug. 23, with a much-anticipated performance by bluegrass group The Seldom Scene in the series’ penultimate performance on Aug. 16.
“The Seldom Scene is very popular in this area,” said Ken Quincy, Providence District Representative and Vice Chair of the Park Authority Board. “If you come when they’re here, you will have to come at 6:30 to get a place.”
Vienna residents John and Christy Cushing have been coming to summer concerts at Nottoway Park for years. They agreed the music in this concert series fit their “eclectic” taste.
Nottoway Park, described by Quincy as “a jewel,” provides an intimate venue for the audience and performers alike.
“I like being able to see the people – you don’t have to deal with the audience in the dark and blinding lights in your face,” White said. “The weather tonight was just beautiful. It’s really pretty magical to play out on a night like tonight.”