Music and mental health will come together on Saturday, Sept. 19 at Painted Stave Distilling when The Happiness Project Music Festival takes place from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. The event benefits the National Alliance on Mental Illness and mental health awareness, and features 18 regional performers on two stages as well as food vendors, local retailers, and non-profit organizations. It is free to attend and is a family friendly event.
“This is an important event because mental health awareness doesn’t get a lot of attention,” co-organizer Jason Burlew said. “It’s something people think they shouldn’t talk about, when talking about it is the only way to get help.
“This event will shed light on this topic in both an educational and entertaining way. We hope people will come out with friends and family, bring chairs and blankets, get some good, enjoy our amazing performers, and make a day of it.”
Headlining the musical performances are Harleysville, PA natives Danielle & Jennifer, who have an acoustic-pop sound, and Jocelyn Faro & The Ragazzi, of Annapolis, MD, who have a great blend of rock, pop, and blues. Joining them are Flemington, NJ natives Nalani & Sarina, who perform acoustic soul, Delaware’s own country/folk performer Clifford Keith, and New York City EDM group NOHC.
Several other Delaware performers are also included in the lineup. Classic rock band The Dug, acoustic singer-songwriters Single Origin, multi-instrumentalist JANI, rocker Tyler Greene, pop singer Grace Otley, and acoustic singers Chelsea Rae and Joe Brellahan will all bring their talents to the event.
In addition, there are four performers making their Delaware debuts. Rock band Chasing Verity, of Baltimore, MD, R&B/soul singer Brianna Cash, of Philadelphia, PA, pop music sister duo Cecilia Grace, of Baltimore, MD, and Annapolis, MD alternative folk band Brothers Clair will all be in the First State for the first time.
“We have made great partnerships and friendships with all of our performers and vendors,” co-organizer Candy Fortney said. “We are excited to present this lineup and hope that everyone can come out to enjoy themselves and support a great cause.”
Sponsors for the event are the Delaware State News, Dover Post Co., CrossFit 1806 in Smyrna, and The Young Bean coffee shop in Smyrna. Sponsorship opportunities are still available. If you are interested in sponsoring, email happinessmusicfest@yahoo.com.
If you would like to make an online donation to the event, visit www.gofundme.com/hpmusicfest. All proceeds from the event will be donated to NAMI Delaware.
For more information about NAMI Delaware, visit www.namidelaware.org.
For more information about The Happiness Project Music Festival, visit www.facebook.com/happinessprojectmmh.
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Danielle & Jennifer are an acoustic pop sister duo from Harleysville, PA who have performed at the Dewey Beach Music Conference, Dewey Beach Popfest, The Ladybug Festival, The Bitter End in New York City, and World Café Live in Philadelphia and Wilmington.
Jocelyn Faro & The Ragazzi are a band from Annapolis, MD who combine pop, rock, blues, and jazz to create a sound all their own. They are regulars at venues all across the Baltimore and Annapolis area.
Nalani & Sarina are a twin sister acoustic soul duo from Flemington, NJ who have performed at World Café Live in Philadelphia and Wilmington, The Bitter End in New York City, The Ladybug Festival, and Fager’s Island in Ocean City, MD.
Clifford Keith and his band have become a Delaware favorite in a short amount of time. They have performed all across Kent and Sussex County at places like The Bottle & Cork, Delaware State Fair, Bethany Blues, Paradise Grill, and Jimmy’s Grille.
The Dug are Rehoboth Beach natives who are fixtures at restaurants and bars up and down the Delaware coast performing classic rock songs.
Single Origin are twin brothers Sean and Shannen Norris from Dover who have performed their acoustic blues style at a variety of Kent County restaurants and bars.
Chasing Verity, a Baltimore, MD classic and alternative rock band, will be making their Delaware debut at The Happiness Project Music Festival.
The Happiness Project Music Festival Set Times
Outdoor Stage
11 a.m. – Clifford Keith (Milton, DE – country/folk)
Noon – Nalani & Sarina (Flemington, NJ – acoustic soul)
1 p.m. – Brothers Clair (Annapolis, MD – alternative folk)
1:45 p.m. – Cecilia Grace (Baltimore, MD – pop)
2:30 p.m. – The Dug (Rehoboth Beach, DE – classic rock)
3:15 p.m. – Chasing Verity (Baltimore, MD – rock)
4 p.m. – Brianna Cash (Philadelphia, PA – R&B/soul)
4:45 p.m. – Single Origin (Dover, DE – acoustic)
5:30 p.m. – Jocelyn Faro & The Ragazzi (Annapolis, MD – pop/rock/blues)
6:30 p.m. – NOHC (New York/New Jersey, EDM)
7:15 p.m. – Danielle & Jennifer (Harleysville, PA – acoustic pop)
Indoor Stage
11:15 a.m. – Chelsea Rae (Wilmington, DE – singer/songwriter)
12:30 p.m. – Joe Brellahan (Dover, DE – singer/songwriter)
1:30 p.m. – Heather Anne Walter (Parkville, MD – folk)
2:30 p.m. – Grace Otley (Wilmington, DE – pop)
3:45 p.m. – Tyler Greene (Millsboro, DE – rock)
5 p.m. – JANI (Brandywine, DE – acoustic/rock)
