Events

Live Performances

FESTIVAL '23 PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE

We have a full slate of first-class entertainment for adults and kids alike at this year's FESTIVAL! Multicultural and educational performances will take place at the end of the Spigel Pavilion at the Children's Hill area throughout the weekend, and live music from local/regional musicians will take place in the Music Tent located just behind the Spigel Pavilion.


- FRIDAY - 

BLAIR CRIMMINS & THE HOOKERS - PREVIEW PARTY + TASTE OF DALTON BAND

Blair Crimmins began his current music career in Atlanta, Georgia, with a drive to bring Ragtime and 1920’s style Dixieland Jazz to new audiences. While playing small rock clubs around the Southeast he developed a sound that is at once modern while being deeply rooted in the past. He has toured the U.S and Italy playing festivals and has opened for acts such as Preservation Hall Jazz Band and Old Crow Medicine show. A multi-instrumentalist on guitar, banjo and piano, Crimmins writes songs and arrangements for a classic New Orleans style horn section consisting of trumpet, clarinet and trombone. His debut release “The Musical Stylings Of” became a college radio sensation on WRAS Atlanta making him the most requested band on the air. In 2012 Crimmins showed his musical diversity by writing and recording the full score for the independent short film “Old Man Cabbage”. The following year, Crimmins was the critics pick for Best Song Writer of 2013 in Creative Loafing’s Best of ATL issue. His next album entitled Sing-a-longs! earned him a nomination at The Georgia Music Awards for Best Jazz Artist. After years of relentless touring the country and abroad Blair Crimmins released his 4th album of original ragtime music You Gotta Sell Something (2017), as well as a children’s album All Aboard (2019) and a 5th full length record featuring swinging covers of his favorite artists ranging from Louis Armstrong to David Bowie entitled “Okay Boom!” in 2021.

- SATURDAY - 

KRISTEN HALMAN - MUSIC TENT

Kristen Halman (Kras) is a singer-songwriter and guitarist who has been writing music for as long as she can remember. Music is her best emotional outlet - she wants to use it to bring people together and make them feel less alone in their experiences.

INDIAN FOLK DANCE - CHILDREN'S HILL

Help us welcome Indian Folk Dancers Prerna Patel, and Sushma and Aayesha Patel.

Prerna is a microbiologist at Erlanger hospital in Chattanooga downtown. She is also the founder and owner of pblends, she teaches yoga online and at home, and she runs health page called “health energy” on Instagram and Facebook.  She began learning Indian classical dance when she was 7 years old and at the age of 14, she performed classical dance for 3 hours on stage in India.  She also performed drama and Bollywood dances in her school time. 

Sushma is a pharmacist and owner of Hixson pharmacy in Tennessee. She also is an accomplished painter and has decorated her home with her paintings.  From an early age, she danced on Bollywood songs and her 8 years old daughter, Aayesha is following closely in her footsteps.  Aayesha is a talented singer and dancer, and is always up for any challenge while keeping a positive attitude.

Prerna, Sushma, and Aayesha will be dancing to spread world-awareness of a conscious planet through Save Soil which is a global movement to address the soil crisis by bringing together people from around the world to stand up for Soil Health.

GREG PARTON - MUSIC TENT

Greg Parton is one of this region’s most well-known and respected musicians. Music has always played an intrinsic role in his life and his warmth and easy-going nature has made him a sought-after musical collaborator. Through the years he has played in a number of groups in and around his Murray County home base.  

Currently playing solo gigs, teaming up with fellow Social Folk band mate Ryan Scoggins for some not-to-be-missed duo gigs, and, of course, holding down a lead role with Social Folk itself, Greg’s great vocal delivery paired with strong guitar work, makes him an endearing presence whenever he gets in front of a mic.  

When he’s not playing out, you can find him teaching English Language Arts at one of the Dalton area’s public schools.

MUSIC PLAY WITH ANNA FAITH - CHILDREN'S HILL

Joining us on Saturday is Dalton native, Mercer University graduate, and art lover, Anna Faith.  One of her most cherished pastimes is singing and dancing with her six beautiful grandchildren.  Anna helps children ages 2-5 discover the world of music through activities, songs, and playing instruments in her Music Play class on Tuesdays at the Guild.  Today at Festival, she hopes to show kids of all ages that music is a vital part of our world.

KILOUGH - MUSIC TENT

Your Neighborhood Songwriter, Kilough (Ky-low), is an independent artist currently based in Nashville. Featuring influences from folk, country, and pop, and drawing inspiration from artists like Kacey Musgraves and Noah Kahan, she creates an upbeat, refreshing sound that is uniquely her own.  

Born in the Midwest, raised in the South, and touring throughout the East, Kilough’s life and music have taken her across America. Her sophomore EP, States Between, is out now. It features previously released singles “What If” and "Follow Me", as well as a few more favorites. Stemming from her own experiences, she hopes listeners will hear a little of themselves in her songs. 

Kilough is set to perform throughout the Southeast this fall, as well as release new music. Stay tuned to @KiloughOfficial on social media and kiloughofficial.com.

ENSAMBLE DE MEXICO FOLK DANCE - CHILDREN'S HILL

Welcome Mexican folk-dancers Marcos Gomez and Ariadna Ascencio of Ensamble de Mexico as they present dances from Jalisco, which include “El Son de la Negra,” “El Gusto,” and “El Jarabe Tapatío.”  The last one has become the national dance of Mexico.  All of these dances are marked by Mariachi music.  The word Mariachi comes from the Otomí language and means fiesta, or party, and Jalisco, which comes from the Nahuatl language, which means over the sand.  This style shows the mixture of the indigenous culture with the culture that arrived with the Spanish conquistadors.  Jalisco marks the cultural identity of the nation of Mexico.

ARIEL OMARZU - MUSIC TENT

Chattanooga singer/songwriter Ariel Omarzu writes her own music for those interested in passionate, raw, feral, female vocalists. She has won Eddie's Attic in Atlanta and the SingerSongwriters stage in Chattanooga in 2019 and has played the acclaimed Bluebird Cafe in Nashville. 

Recipient of awards such as the Chattanooga Camp House Singer/Songwriter competition and Atlanta’s Eddie’s Attic contest, the South is taking notice of Ariel’s unique and powerful voice. 

Ariel lists some of her important influences as Amy Winehouse, Janis Joplin, and Karen Dalton. She plays frequently at the Chattanooga Choo Choo, Gate 11, 1885, Southern Belle River Boat, and Dalton Brewing Company. 

Truly genre-bending, Ariel’s interpretation of music will give you new perspectives on classic covers and have you tapping your foot to songs you never thought you would.

ACT 2 PRESENTS EXCERPTS FROM CHARLOTTE'S WEB - CHILDREN'S HILL

Dalton's own ACT 2, the Children's Wing of Artistic Civic Theatre, proudly presents three songs from ACT’s upcoming show Charlotte’s Web The Musical.  Fun fact…Charlotte’s Web was ACT’s very first children’s show back in 1992.  It has now been brought back for their 32nd season!  The show runs now through September 23rd on their mainstage and includes elementary and middle school students from 2nd-8th grades.  Please enjoy these moments from ACT’s upcoming Charlotte’s Web!

THE CREATIVE ARTS GUILD'S BALLET DALTON - CHILDREN'S HILL

Ballet Dalton was established in 1991 for pre-professional students of Dalton School of Ballet, now the Creative Arts Guild Dance Department.  Our mission is to offer these students the same opportunities that they might have in a larger city as well as to educate our local audiences with a better understanding of quality dance.  Ballet Dalton strives to place these students on a professional track so they may continue their career in dance, whether it is teaching or performance, beyond the high school experience.  The company’s commitment to quality has produced a polished group of more advanced dancers who perform a varied repertoire of classical, modern, jazz and other contemporary works.  Ballet Dalton has also had an impressive number of students accepted into the Georgia Governor’s Honors program over the years.  The Company’s season includes an annual winter production of The Snow Queen, a spring concert and recital, and various community performances. They will be presenting excerpts from the 18th annual The Snow Queen, as well as Jazz, Ballet, and Modern works from past and future concerts.

RACHEL MCINTYRE SMITH - MUSIC TENT

With her lyrically driven songs, Rachel McIntyre Smith’s comfort twang music reminds listeners of the classics while also adding a relevant and fresh perspective. Holler magazine calls her "Loretta Lynn for the TikTok Generation."

GLASS HARP WITH BRIEN ENGEL - CHILDREN'S HILL

We are excited to present to you Brien Engel. He is one of few professional virtuosos of the Glass Harp, an instrument comprised of drinking glasses. Each one is chosen for musical pitch. Brien serves up a fascinating program of music, sound physics, American history, and more in this unique presentation. Also included are demonstrations of musical saw, bottles, singing bowls, and Ben Franklin’s invention (and coincidentally, the first American musical instrument), the glass armonica.

SOCIAL FOLK - MUSIC TENT

Social Folk is a band made up of several local veteran musicians from North Georgia who have all played in various bands (sometimes together) for over 15 years. Each member brings a wealth of influences as well as their own unique talent to the table. Many different music influences have helped shape and inform their sound which drifts from Folk and American to Country and Rock…. Think Ryan Adams, Counting Crows, Shovels and Rope, Tyler Childers ... Stuck in a one genre is just not their vibe and their rich repertoire offers plenty for everyone to hear something they like!

- SUNDAY -

ANDY GILES - MUSIC TENT

Andy Giles has been a regular on the local music scene for well over a decade delivering a heaping helping of unique sounds and hip shattering grooves to those in search of a different tune.  Come open your ears and your mind to his soundscapes of the moment. 

STORYTIME WITH THE DALTON-WHITFIELD PUBLIC LIBRARY - CHILDREN'S HILL

Our favorite books are really special aren’t they?! They light up our brains and our imaginations and teach us things that we may never have yet experienced. They can also connect us to our culture and traditions. In this multicultural story time Miss Jillian, the Children's Coordinator for the Dalton-Whitfield County Public Library, will be entertaining you with a story from around the world! Gather round and enjoy with us!

SAM STEADMAN - MUSIC TENT

Sam is a guy who has dabbled in a bit of everything to find his niche in life. 

After trying multiple career paths, he realized his love for music was undying. Knowing this, he was on his way to creating his own sound; with influences from many genres and artists you will hear hints of blues, rock, pop, outlaw country and more. 

Growing up in the small town of Ringgold, Georgia, he was immersed in 80s rock, southern rock, classic country, and bluesy soul music from his dad. Through any tribulations in his life, he could always lean on music. Coming from a talented family and by singing in church during his youth, Sam was introduced to the piano and drums and often sang with his brother who played the guitar. Playing things like The Beatles, Johnny Cash, Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughn, and many other greats, this is where Sam started to write songs. He would write poetry while listening to tunes that his younger brother played in the room next to his. 

As a young adult, just like many, Sam struggled with his purpose in life. Listening to the typical advice of “you need to find a steady career with decent pay, a wife, and plan for retirement”, Sam worked a nine to five for several years, miserably, and eventually was influenced by a friend to Join the United States Marine Corps. Although he loved the Marine Corps and the life that came with it, it wasn’t his purpose in life. Now living in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and, after the Marine Corps and several years of soul searching, Sam decided to chase his dream and focus on writing, singing, and making music in his own vision.

AFRICAN DRUMMING WITH KOFI MAWUKO - CHILDREN'S HILL

Kofi Mawuko is a native of Ghana, West Africa, where he began learning traditional drum rhythms at the age of 10.  He has an extensive background in both performance and education and works tirelessly to promote the arts through organizations around the southeast.  He has traveled expansively throughout the world performing both as a dancer and musician. This weekend, he joins us with an interactive percussion performance.

NUEVA DELTA FEATURING YUNUEN MEZA - MUSIC TENT

Nueva Delta is a Sierreno Trio, made up of 2 guitars and a bass. They have been together for 1 year and their goal is to continue to grow in their craft and bring enjoyable music to the community. Yunuen Meza is a solo artist who is currently in high school. She has been a singer and an actor since she was in the early years of elementary school. Yunuen particularly enjoys singing different genres of music and is excited to collaborate with Nueva Delta and believes that together they can give life to a great fusion of music.

MUSIC PLAY WITH ANNA FAITH - CHILDREN'S HILL (See bio above)

JB & THE FIRE - MUSIC TENT

JB has built a reputation for being one of the best performers in the area. His blend of classic hits and chart toppers are exceeded only by his guitar style and vocal prowess. Some have dubbed his performances as “ear candy."

POLYNESIAN DANCE WITH DAWN MAHEALANI - CHILDREN'S HILL

Mahealani's Polynesian Entertainment is an award-winning entertainment company based in Atlanta and Honolulu sharing the culture of their ancestors from the Pacific Islands of Hawaii, Tahiti, New Zealand, and Samoa through song and dance.  Joining us today is owner Dawn Mahealani Douglas.  She is a hula dancer with traditional training from a halau in Hawaii who has also performed in luau shows across the island of Oahu.

CALL ME SPINSTER - MUSIC TENT

“They’re an Indie Rock Andrews Sisters armed with more instruments and grit. Amelia, Rachel and Rosalie are Call Me Spinster. The trio come loaded with the traditional guitar and bass, adding banjo, glockenspiel, and ‘trash percussion’ to zip through clever Pop, the instrumentation on their self-titled EP an exclamation point on the bright, airy, and at times Doo Wop vocals.” -The Alternate Root 

After unearthing their grandfather’s accordion in a closet, sisters Amelia, Rachel, and Rosie decided to ditch their teaching jobs and start a band. They began playing covers, refashioning covers from A-ha to Drake, melding three-part harmony with driving upright bass, dance beats on a washboard, and accordion solos. 

Call Me Spinster began applying their unorthodox arrangements to their own songs and was soon spotted by Athens, GA Strolling Bones label head George Fontaine. George introduced the band to producer Drew Vandenberg (of Montreal, Faye Webster) to create their first EP in 2020.  

“The result is a set of songs that they can certainly be proud of, a series of soft, shimmering melodies that convey both youthful enthusiasm and elegiac indulgence.” -American Songwriter. Tracks range from “an excellent blend of retro rock” to “a slinky R&B radio hit,” and “something you might hear in a late-50’s soda shop” with “a dash of 60’s Soul and a dish of 70’s sunshine Pop.”  

The band continues to metamorphose as they finish their first full-length album, venturing into pop and modernizing folk and Doo-Wop roots with dreamy synth and guitar.