ONE OF THE remarkable things about our little historic town is the music.

It often gets overlooked amid all the commuting and shopping and Civil War re-enacting that clutter our daily lives in Fredericksburg, but live music is one of the things we do best.

From the massive stage shows at Celebrate Virginia Live to the traditional bluegrass at Mr. B's to the soft acoustic guitar strums at the Griffin Bookshop and Coffee Bar, Fredericksburg has a musical heart that is beating loud and proud.

It is getting easier to explore the wide range of Fredericksburg music, thanks to a host of venues that provide outlets for the outstanding artists who live in our region. They may or may not be dedicated music venues, but they provide the stages where you can see and hear some of the greatest art Fredericksburg has to offer.

All you really have to do is take a walk downtown to discover music that rivals anything you could pay too much for in a major city. Jazz, blues, bluegrass, rock, punk, country--all of it happens on a regular basis in our town, and sometimes where you least expect it.

Check out open-mic night at the Colonial Tavern. Slide down to the cozy Kenmore Inn basement. Cowboy up and pound some domestic brew at Q Ball Cafe. Leave your local-music skepticism at the door and check out the Fredericksburg Songwriter's Showcase at Picker's Supply Concert Hall.

Look, we may not be Austin or New York City or even Washington, but the music you will find in Fredericksburg is every bit as authentic, moving, inspiring and entertaining as what you will find in any of those cities.

Thanks to our own talented musicians and many quality venues, now might be the best time in Fredericksburg's history to see live music.

Jonas Beals: 540/368-5036
Email: jbeals@freelancestar.com