Whatyouwill is an annual outdoor festival held at a beautiful spread on a stone carver's countryside workshop in Sunbury, Ohio. The festival is devoted to the art of improvisation and serves as a showcase for compelling and unique improvised music from around the Midwest. We've hosted musicians and bands from Detroit, Chicago, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Toledo, Akron, and Indianapolis.

 

Everything from progressive modern jazz to uncommon fusions and the avant-garde is featured in this day full of sets starting at NOON and going roughly til MIDNIGHT. Camping is available as are outdoor restroom facilities. The food scene is largely potluck with festival goers occasionally springing for pizza. This year we will be having a stone soup and ask for attendees to bring vegetables and grains for our stew. There is a grill available for anyone wanting to grill meat or fish. 

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The festival grounds offer a bounty of interesting vistas and areas to explore, with host Dale Johnson's sculptures and art installations spread throughout.

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Every year there is a featured artist and this year our featured artist is Nashville, by-way-of-Chicago composer and improviser, JAYVE MONTGOMERY.

 

For musicians and those interested in the creative process, FRIDAY JUNE 10th will function as a kind of artist's retreat this year for improvisers. We will play all day long and Jayve will be giving a workshop on improvisation and sampling. 

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Festival is generally rain-or-shine with the only exception being persistent severe weather. Updates will be made to this event page. There is a suggested donation of $10-20 for the full day of performances on the 11th.