St. Mary’s City, Md. – St. Mary’s College of Maryland will host the 2025 Mulberry Music Festival on Friday, June 20, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on the Townhouse Green, launching Juneteenth weekend celebrations. The free, public event will feature performances by Dumpstaphunk, Carly Harvey, and the Kelly Bell Band, showcasing a vibrant mix of blues, R&B, funk, and jazz. A fireworks display will cap the evening at 9 p.m., marking a festive highlight typically reserved for the college’s Fourth of July River Concert. Now in its sixth year, the festival continues to unite the community in honor of Juneteenth, commemorating the emancipation of enslaved people in the United States.
The 2025 lineup brings together three acclaimed acts. Dumpstaphunk, a New Orleans funk-fusion institution, is led by Ivan Neville (keyboards/vocals) and Ian Neville (guitar), sons of Aaron Neville and Art “Poppa Funk” Neville. Joined by Tony Hall (bass, guitar, vocals) and new members Deven Trusclair (drums), Alex Wasily (trombone), Ashlin Parker (trumpet), John Michael Bradford (trumpet), Ari Teitel (guitar), and Viveca Hawkins (vocals), the band carries forward its legacy following the 2024 passing of co-founder Nick Daniels III. Known for collaborations with artists like Carlos Santana, Flea, and Trombone Shorty, Dumpstaphunk has earned critical acclaim for its four studio albums and performances at venues like the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival in 2024 and the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in 2019. Their set will blend complex funk, rock, and R&B with soulful harmonies and Big Easy traditions.
Carly Harvey ’07, dubbed “D.C.’s Queen of the Blues” by Dr. Nick Johnson of WPFW Radio, returns to her alma mater with her dynamic fusion of blues, jazz, soul, and Indigenous American styles. A Wammie Award winner for Best Blues Artist in 2018, Harvey’s debut album Kamama reflects her Afro-Indigenous roots and commitment to music’s healing power. Her commanding stage presence and original sound, featured in Big City Blues magazine as one of the youngest blues artists to watch, promise to captivate the festival audience.
The Kelly Bell Band, a Baltimore-based powerhouse, rounds out the lineup with a genre-expanding blend of hip-hop, funk, and blues. Praised by Blues Revue Magazine for combining “elements of hip-hop, funk, and blues—electrified here, Delta there, horn-driven elsewhere,” the band delivers sincere and poetic performances. Frontman Kelly Bell, a multifaceted entertainer with credits in professional wrestling, radio, commercials, and television, brings charisma and authenticity to the stage. The band’s ability to transition seamlessly across styles ensures a high-energy set that resonates with diverse listeners.
Initiated by St. Mary’s College President Tuajuanda C. Jordan, the Mulberry Music Festival embodies the college’s liberal arts mission of fostering creativity, diversity, and community engagement. Jordan emphasized the event’s purpose, stating, “At St. Mary’s College, we value our liberal arts foundation – the diversity of thought and expression, creativity, and respect for self and others. We teach students how to express themselves in order to add color and life to our world in a way that only each unique individual can. In this spirit of creativity, I initiated the Mulberry Music Festival in order to bring people together around the universal language that is music”. Held annually on the eve of Juneteenth, the festival honors the historical significance of June 19, 1865, when enslaved people in Texas learned of their emancipation.
The Townhouse Green, located along Route 5 on the college’s picturesque campus, will host the open-air event. Attendees are invited to bring lawn chairs, blankets, and food, though pets are not permitted to ensure a safe environment. Southern Maryland’s favorite food vendors, including Blue Wind, Calvert Crabs, Cousins Maine Lobster, Crumbl, Farm Fork Soul, FLAVAZ Catering, Freeze Daddy, Heidi’s Eats & Sage Treats, Johnson’s Icy Bites, Kneaded Baking Co, Rips, and The Salted Scoop, will offer a variety of dining options. Festival merchandise, featuring tie-dye T-shirts in “tidal wave of blue shades” on 100% cotton, will be available for purchase, with pre-orders recommended to avoid lines at the merchandise table.
Parking will be accessible along Route 5, with signage directing visitors to designated lots. The event’s free admission and family-friendly atmosphere make it a cornerstone of St. Mary’s County’s Juneteenth celebrations. The fireworks display, scheduled for 9 p.m., will provide a stunning finale, visible across the campus and surrounding areas. In past years, the festival has drawn significant crowds, fostering community spirit and cultural appreciation.
Since its debut in 2019 with a gospel theme featuring Jason Nelson, the Mulberry Music Festival has grown in scope and impact. The 2021 event, dedicated to the late Richard Brewer ’79, an SMCM alumnus and employee, included a blues focus and a vaccination clinic, reflecting the college’s commitment to public health. The 2024 festival featured Gabe Stillman, Walking Eagle, and Shamans of Sound alongside Carly Harvey, earning praise for its vibrant performances. The 2025 edition continues this legacy, spotlighting artists who embody the region’s musical heritage and the festival’s inclusive ethos.
St. Mary’s College, Maryland’s public honors college, has a tradition of hosting culturally significant events, including the River Concert Series and Alumni Weekend. The Mulberry Music Festival aligns with the college’s flagship publication, The Mulberry Tree magazine, which has covered the event extensively and won a 2013 GOLD award in the CASE District II competition. Nationally recognized for its low tuition, generous financial aid, and high graduation rates, St. Mary’s College fosters an environment where creativity and expression thrive, as evidenced by the festival’s diverse lineup.
The festival complements other Juneteenth events in St. Mary’s County, such as the United Community Action Committee (UCAC) Juneteenth Celebration on Saturday, June 7, 2025, at the St. Mary’s County Fairgrounds. Visitors are encouraged to make a weekend of it, staying at local B&Bs or hotels and enjoying the region’s fresh seafood and dining options. The college’s website provides detailed information on performers, vendors, parking, and merchandise, with updates posted as the event approaches.
The 2025 Mulberry Music Festival promises an evening of musical excellence, community connection, and historical reflection. With Dumpstaphunk, Carly Harvey, and the Kelly Bell Band leading the lineup, attendees can expect a dynamic celebration of blues, R&B, funk, and jazz, followed by a spectacular fireworks display. St. Mary’s College invites the public to join this free event, reinforcing its commitment to creativity, diversity, and the universal language of music.
