This event is a part of the Rivanna Roots 2026 Concert Series, presented by The Front Porch and Rivanna River Company. Doors open at 5:30 pm and music runs from 6:30-9:30 pm. This is an outdoor show and all concerts are rain or shine. For more information about what to bring, parking, and policies, check out our FAQS! 

Chamomile & Whiskey

Chamomile and Whiskey came about like all good, simple things--by making two things into one.  In the case of this group, Marie Borgman and Koda Kerl--native musicians of Nelson County, Virginia--combined chamomile tea with Evan Williams whiskey one evening.  They decided that what they had made tasted like their sound.

Although the group has evolved since forming in 2011, it, like the subtle mixture of herbal tea and whiskey, has matured and found its own sly, subtle voice.  If a band has feet, then Chamomile and Whiskey has both on them firmly on the ground.  But if a band is a living thing like a plant--which the best bands are--Chamomile and Whiskey has grown from roots set deep in Americana,  blues, Celtic, old-time and the singer-songwriter tradition of the south.  

The group has developed a more electric sound with Drew Kimball on guitar and enhanced the foundational fiddle and guitar sound with drummer Stuart Gunter. Their last studio album was recorded in 2019 in Nashville by Ken Coomer of Wilco and Uncle Tupelo. It sounds like music that is lived in and lived through.  Their sound tastes like Chamomile and Whiskey.--

Sweet Afton

Sweet Afton is an “Appalachian Dream Pop” band with double fiddle and triple female vocal harmonies. Marina Madden (songwriter, vocals, guitar), Marie Borgman (fiddle, vocals), Hannah Pocock (fiddle, vocals), and Phillip St. Ours (songwriter, guitar, vocals) play a mix of originals and rare covers blending sounds from a wide range of genres including vintage country, folk, and indie pop. Cierra Mills (drums) and Brian Gregory (bass) will be joining for this special occasion show. 

Leah Grams Johnson

Leah Grams Johnson is an artist and songwriter, hailing from the rugged coast of Northern California. With a distinct timbre akin to the untamable spirit of the American West, Leah’s authentic take on Folk and Country music has resonated with fans of all musical backgrounds nationwide. Raised on the voices of strong impassioned women like Emmylou Harris and Joni Mitchell, Leah discovered early in life the magic of music and power of a well-written song. She is an alumna of both the Berklee College of Music and the Helene Wurlitzer Foundation, and has been a finalist in numerous songwriting contests including the Telluride Bluegrass Festival and the Rocky Mountain Folks Festival. As she prepares to release her debut full length record in the spring of 2026, Leah divides her time writing songs in Nashville— where she has resided for over a decade— and working horses in the West. 

Sponsors

It takes a village to make these magical concerts possible! A huge thank you to our sponsors: Alloy Architecture & Construction, Bottle House, Woodard Properties, Tandem Friends School, WNRN, and C-ville Weekly.

We'd also like to extend special thanks to Random Row Brewing Company and Potter’s Craft Cider, our exclusive beverage partners, and Hogwaller Brewing,  our artist hospitality sponsor. Please support these local businesses – they’re passionate about our community, and we’re grateful to feature them at Rivanna Roots 2026!