Mike Proffitt 11am - 2pm

Mike Proffitt is a native of Virginia Beach, Virginia. He has been a professional performing musician in the Hampton Roads area for several years. He has released two CD's, "If You're Scared...Say You're Scared" (1996) and, "Versatility" (1999). The likes of Santana, James Taylor, and Eric Clapton are felt in the soulful array of Proffitt's material. These recordings have gained notoriety with local radio stations, and listeners alike, selling more than 3,500 units to date. His unique ability for writing around a "hook line" and expressing relationship minded lyrics, which people from all walks of life can relate to, has earned him awards like: 3rd Round Semi-Finalist in Musician Magazine's 1997 "Best Unsigned Band" competition; Winner of the 1997 Tidewater Entertainer's Association songwriter's competition; and was the Winner of the 1999 Meona award for Best Male Performer in the Hampton Roads area. Currently Mike is performing in the Hampton Roads area, where he was raised, and regionally in Richmond, Va. and Nags Head, N.C.

Julie Clark: 2pm - 5pm

 To listen to Julie Clark's music is to plunge into emotion... sometimes splashing playfully on the surface of light-heartedness, sometimes diving deeply into more complex feelings. Regardless of which emotion is stirred, you'll find her unique voice and lyrics to be remarkably expressive. "Despite the different tones and themes," Clark says, "all the songs on Change Your Mind share an underlying theme of hope. They all speak to the strength and resiliency of our dreams and desires." Clark's personal story is one of radical transformation. It's hard to imagine now, but for much of her life Clark weighed 200 pounds more than she does today. Few artists have undergone such a profound physical and emotional change. Her lifelong struggle with obesity, and her ultimate success, have forever shaped her music and view of the world. Clark first committed her songcraft to disc on her debut CD Feel Free (Great Big Records, 2003). Despite the many songwriting awards bestowed on Feel Free, her continued development as a songwriter is evident throughout Change Your Mind, proving that the intervening time was very well spent. The disc is rich in wordplay, such as the darkly ironic humor in her song about the death of Superman: "The funeral was today / The Super Friends were all super-busy / and though they couldn't come / The Super Friends were super-bummed." Clark has garnered considerable acclaim as an emerging artist. Her many accolades include winning the Kerrville New Folk Songwriting Competition (adding her name to a list of luminaries that includes Lyle Lovett, Steve Earle, Nanci Griffith and Shawn Colvin); winning 1st Place in the Great American Song Contest; and being named Folk/Acoustic Artist of the Year at the Virginia Music Awards. From her home base in Norfolk, Virginia, Clark maintains a busy national touring schedule of performances at premiere festivals and clubs. "I love it when people are moved by songs I've shared with them," Clark explains. "That human connection is what keeps me going. It keeps me driving long distances and striving to reach my true potential as an artist, and as a person." With the release of this much-anticipated new CD, Clark's true potential appears limitless. One thing is clear - Julie Clark is an artist whose time has come!