Ad Astra Music Festival is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization based out of Lynchburg, VA. The organization hosts a two-day music festival each spring at the Sedalia Center in Big Island, VA. The mission is to strengthen community bonds, support local artists, empower young leaders, and give back to the Lynchburg community that has given us so much.

The idea for Ad Astra Music Festival developed after the untimely passing of two Lynchburg boys, Hal Sigler and Hall Sykes, in unrelated events in the spring of 2008. In the weeks following the boys deaths, the Lynchburg community provided an astounding amount of support for their friends and family. A small group of college-aged volunteers recognized the significance of this community support and wanted to create an event that would bring the community together again in a more positive context. Thus, Ad Astra Music Festival was born. Ad Astra, meaning “to the stars” in Latin, honors the timeless bond that our community has.

While founded in Hall and Hal’s memory, the Lynchburg community has suffered the loss of more young lives since Ad Astra began. In response, Ad Astra has broadened its purpose to include all who have lost someone close to them and ultimately establish a sense of unity and compassion for one another. Music is an expressive way to bring people together in both difficult and harmonious times and thus Ad Astra has brought music from various genres to the stage to get their own messages heard and to create a positive environment for appreciative fans.

Our inaugural festival, held at the Sedalia Center on April 18 and 19, 2009, was wildly successful, allowing Ad Astra Music Festival to donate $10,000 to non-profits with ties to the Lynchburg area. In addition to supporting the arts and strengthening the community, all of the proceeds from the festival were donated to deserving non-profit organizations chosen by the families of Hall and Hal. The Sykes family allocated their portion to St. Luke’s Primary Anglican School in Lemonal, Belize and the Sigler family allocated their portion to Mental Health America of Central Virginia. This year’s recipient has not yet been chosen.

This year’s festival will be held Friday, May 28 and Saturday, May 29 at the Sedalia Center in Big Island, VA. It is our hope that Ad Astra will reinforce a strong sense of unity among friends, family, and strangers that will continue to grow as our festival evolves. We welcome any support or involvement that you offer. See you in May!

May 28 & 29, 2010

Sedalia Center
Big Island, VA

F.A.M.I.L.Y.
FUTURE
Major Magick
The Dog Boys
Nick Sharp
The Mark Miller Band
Jazz Chronic
The Harwell Grice Band