Staunton Jams at Blackfriars Playhouse: GRAND FINALE CONCERT feat. The Judy Chops & The House Guitar

Get ready for a spectacular Grand Finale as we conclude the Staunton Jams 2026 Spring Festival with hometown heros, The Judy Chops & The House Guitar! SUNDAY, MAY 3, 2026 6:30PM Doors Open 7:00-9:30PM Concert with Intermission The Sunday Finale brings together community-music icons with decades of experience to honor the collaborative traditions of jamming in Old Time, Honky Tonk, Bluegrass, Jug Band, Blues, and Neo-Folk styles as they pay tribute to local legends and our beloved musical community. Join us at the beautiful Blackfriars Playhouse for an evening filled with good vibes, great players, and collaborative, acoustic tunes. THE CONCERT: – Advance tickets can be purchased online or in person at Queen City Music Studios (16 W. Beverley St.). – General admission tickets will also be available at the door on a first-come, first-served basis, as space allows. – Tickets are donation-based on a pay-what-you-will sliding scale, with a suggested range of $10–$100+. – Each donation equals one ticket for advance online purchases. Doors open at 6 PM. Concessions and the Staunton Jams merchandise table will be open throughout the evening. – All sponsors and volunteers receive complimentary tickets to the Sunday Finale Concert as a thank-you for their generous support; additional donations are welcome. – There will be an intermission, but guests are free to move about as they wish. THE JUDY CHOPS: Since 2008, The Judy Chops have been wowing audiences with their deft musicianship and high-energy live shows. This six piece band has evolved from a Shenandoah Valley favorite into one of the hottest acts in the Virginia music scene. Their unique take on Americana is a fusion of modern and vintage musical styles, blending elements of swing, blues, rock, and soul for a sonic experience Huffington Post calls ‘genre-defying!’ William (Reverend Bill) Howard- electric guitar + vocals Molly Rose Murphy- rhythm guitar + vocals Mike Pressel- trumpet, aux percussion + vocals Rachel Smith- baritone saxophone, aux percussion, vocals Jims Hinkle- bass Jess Bergh- drums THE HOUSE GUITAR: “The House Guitar” is the name of a group of Staunton musicians who’ve played together forever and a day – often gathered around a beat up old Gibson LG that lived on a shelf in a back room in another era. If you’re a musician in Staunton you’ve probably played it; If you’re a music lover in Staunton, you might have heard it! The band is dedicated to seeing that this instrument keeps on keeping time, staying in tune, and ringing out loud- and the good news is that this guitar knows a lot of songs! Including some local chestnuts written by Dwane Knowles that were probably written on the house guitar. At the Sunday Finale with The Judy Chops at Blackfriars Playhouse, The House Guitar will be joined by more guitars, fiddles, strings, reeds, and voices all gathering in song to celebrate the best part of Staunton: it’s Jams! Pete Aaslestad- guitar, vocals Sarah Lynna- bass, vocals Chris Davis- guitar, vocals Rene Devito- fiddle Ted Lawhorn- lap steel, guitar, fiddle, vocals Billy Friar- guitar, vocals Emerson- harmonica, vocals TJ Crow- (in absentia) mandolin, vocals THE VENUE: American Shakespeare Center’s Blackfriars Playhouse is open year-round for performances of Shakespeare’s plays and contemporary works in productions hailed by The Washington Post as “shamelessly entertaining.” – Visit Staunton Nestled in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley, the American Shakespeare Center’s Blackfriars Playhouse has delighted hundreds of thousands of audience members from all over the world. “At the American Shakespeare Center, our mission is to advance understanding, imagination, and community by illuminating Shakespeare through performance, research, and education in the Blackfriars Playhouse and beyond. We are a theatre for all—welcoming new audiences and deepening engagement through accessible programming and outreach. Our commitment to Staunton, VA, and the surrounding community includes student aid, local partnerships, and collaborations with universities, businesses, and cultural institutions—strengthening ties between arts, education, and culture on a local and global scale.” – American Shakespeare Center STAUNTON JAMS: Staunton Jams was founded in 2004 by Sarah Lynch, owner of Baja Bean Co. Featuring a west-facing stage and professional sound production, the event became a twice-yearly, all-day celebration held each spring and fall for over a decade, until a brief hiatus in 2018. This free outdoor music tradition celebrated the Staunton community and showcased local talent, with performers donating their time and downtown businesses contributing gift cards and products to support the event. Early proceeds from Staunton Jams were donated to aid those affected by Hurricane Katrina. After a 20+ year tradition in Downtown Staunton, Staunton Jams is in the process of achieving official nonprofit status. Staunton Jams is 100% community-funded and offers free, outdoor music at the E&E Main Stage on Beverley Street as well as some ticketed events at Sponsoring Satellite Venues. Growth and development since 2022 include extending this one-day event into a vibrant three-day downtown festival featuring multiple venues, regional talent, and fair pay for performers—all while supporting local philanthropic efforts, and building community through music. This spring, our focus is on raising awareness and support for local mental health services, as May is National Mental Health Awareness Month. All sponsorship, donations, and proceeds from The Festival go straight back into our mission to build community through music. Live music serves as a vital community “glue,” strengthening social bonds, enhancing mental well-being, and driving local economies through shared experiences. By creating vibrant spaces for connection, live music turns strangers into acquaintances and strengthens cultural pride. Staunton Jams is presented by 106.3 WQSV, Queen City Music Studios, and The Judy Chops, and is organized by an all volunteer administrative team.