Summer Moon Music Festival To Bring Oysters, Beer, Music & Charities Together At The Center of The Universe

by | Jul 15, 2014 | EAT DRINK

The Summer Moon Music Festival is back and bigger than before! This weekend, Center of the Universe (COTU) Brewing Company will host the second straight Summer Moon Music Festival in Ashland, Va.


The Summer Moon Music Festival is back and bigger than before! This weekend, Center of the Universe (COTU) Brewing Company will host the second straight Summer Moon Music Festival in Ashland, Va.

Last year COTU hosted a smaller music festival to celebrate the 44th year of man walking on the moon. The event was so successful the brewery brought it back for a second year, featuring a bigger band lineup and free admission for all guests.

“We had a great time last year, we had eight bands, had a lot of fun. Lots of beer, lots of barbecue, fresh shucked oysters, it was a really successful day. And so this year we wanted to kind of expand upon that, bring it back, make it a two-day music festival,” said Tom Porter, Tasting Room Manager at COTU.

The event will feature all day music on Saturday and Sunday from 12 bands, that can be enjoyed underneath two large tents to keep guests cool in the summer sun.

In addition to music, beer and food the festival will also be raising money for 12 different charities this year. “We kind of wanted to make it almost like a… a charitable battle of the bands,” said Porter.

Each band has selected a different local charity to donate to, at the end of the weekend the band who raises the most donations COTU will match the amount and donate to the bands chosen charity.

The addition of the charities this year hopes to be a great way for the brewery to give back to the community.

The company has kept the event free for all guests to encourage people to come out enjoy the music and donate to a charity.

“If somebody wanted to donate five bucks here or there to REACHcycle or American cancer society. Or something close to them (attendees), they can give them a couple bucks, enjoy the music, enjoy the beer have some food and have a good time,” said Porter.

The event starts at noon on Saturday at COTU brewing company in Ashland and will feature six draft beers from the brewery as well as food from Halligan Bar and Grille, Sweet Frog, and more! “Its a really fun way to come out and have a great time. its an easy way to have a beer have a bite to eat listen to some great music and give back to the community,” said Porter.

Brad Kutner

Brad Kutner

Brad Kutner is the former editor of GayRVA and RVAMag from 2013 - 2017. He’s now the Richmond Bureau Chief for Radio IQ, a state-wide NPR outlet based in Roanoke. You can reach him at BradKutnerNPR@gmail.com




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