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Welcome to the Sixties Weekend at Bertha’s Festival offers a nostalgic retreat By JulieAnne Cross
Derrick Manley performing at last year's event. His band Zu Zu Ya Ya returns this year. Photos by Kevin Francis
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wayne and Rich Todd are the founders of the second annual Weekend at Bertha's festival, which descends on the otherwise quiet hamlet of Townsend from Friday, July 29 through Sunday, July 31. Sure, one could look at Weekend at Bertha’s and think it’s just another concert weekend, but the Todd brothers, who are members of American futurist band Urban Shaman Attack, have bigger things in mind. And it all began during the pandemic. “I drive a truck during the week, and when the pandemic hit, we were essential,” recalls Rich. “We thought, ‘Let’s throw a party for the people who have to keep working.’”
Molly Hatchet brought a hard rock vibe to the inaugural event in 2021, followed the next night by Live Dead 69/71. This band featured Grateful Dead pianist Tom Constanten, playing into the Dead-themed vibe that would characterize this year’s lineup. This year’s headliners are Johnny Neel (Friday) and Midnight North (Saturday). Neel, a Wilmington native and one-time member of the Allman Brothers Band, has had his songs recorded by the likes of Gov’t Mule and Travis Tritt. Widely known in the music industry as a songwriter, he rocks his bluesy shows with a powerful voice, funky harmonica, and skillful piano and organ playing. ► JULY 2022 | OUTANDABOUTNOW.COM 49
