Justin Golden w/Shanna in a Dress - Wednesday May 20th @ The Reveler

Justin Golden brings the blues to the Reveler (3108 W. Cary St.) Wednesday May 20 at 6:00 pm. Quirky folk popster (and native Virginian) Shanna in a Dress opens the show.

Justin Golden

Justin Golden's origins are deeply vested in the blues, with roots in the Mississippi Delta, Chicago and the Piedmont of Virginia. Golden has carefully studied country blues, with influences ranging from Blind Boy Fuller to Taj Mahal to indie guitar. And as a traditional roots music stalwart, he’s passing the inspiration to youth by teaching them to play as well. His training as an archaeologist has taught him to view music through a historical lens. Studying historic cemetery sites throughout Virginia, he noted that old burial grounds could be lost within a generation, which made him realize that the historic memory of music should also be preserved. Since 2016, Justin has been an instructor of Piedmont Blues Guitar at Augusta Heritage Center's Blues and Swing Week at Davis and Elkins College in West Virginia. While he is keenly versed in traditional styles, he has an extremely diverse musical palette and brings new ideas to traditional blues forms.

Justin performs with his Virginia supergroup DEVIL'S COATTAILS, featuring Trey Burnart Hall (mandolin, tenor banjo, electric guitar), Chris Gatens (upright bass, clawhammer banjo) and Drew Barnocky (drums and washboard). Golden has created a sound where country, blues and bluegrass converge. Together the group has just released Golden Country: Volume 1 to rave reviews.

In early 2025, Justin received a Stage 4 cancer diagnosis, which significantly limited his ability to tour full-time or maintain a consistent out-of-town performance schedule. Rather than stepping away from music, Justin redirected his energy into building this concert series — creating space for collaboration, bringing musical peers to RVA, and continuing to serve the community through live performance.

For more information about Justin see www.justingolden music.com

Shanna in a Dress

Shanna in a Dress is your quirky best friend who refuses to wear pants. She says what everyone has felt but no one else will say and you'll get an uncensored journey of clever humor and heartbreak, extreme candor, and a hefty side of entertainment at her shows. This witty wordsmith is known for taking you on an emotional roller coaster, sometimes within the same song. Think John Prine mixed with Ingrid Michaelson with a twist of Phoebe Buffay from Friends all wrapped up in a sweet voice accented by guitar, piano, and ukulele.

Originally launching her career at the University of Virginia and later finding inspiration in Boulder, Colorado, Shanna now calls St.Louis home when she’s not touring across the U.S. and Europe. Known for her spontaneous banter and playful stage presence, no two shows are ever the same. Her accolades include wins at the Kerrville New Folk Competition, Rocky Mountain Folks Fest Songwriting Contest, and Great River Folk Fest Song Competition, along with recognition at Falcon Ridge and Songwriter Serenade

 More info on Shanna and her music at www.shannainadress.com

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