Main stage
The BeSides are a contemporary jazz quartet from Richmond VA. The quartet consists of Dan Young on alto saxophone, Rahib Amin on guitar, Jack Byrnes on Bass, and Stephan LaRue on drums. The BeSides artfully blend together traditional bebop language, impressionistic collective improvisations, original compositions, and traditional standards into a unique voice that stands out among the jazz scene in Richmond. The BeSides have shared the stage with many special guest artists including; Tim Turner, Calvin Brown, Jason Scott, Dr. Weldon Hill, Nate Clark, Reyna Nicole Pannell, Morgan Burrs, among many more. They regularly perform every other Sunday night at Reveler Experiences in Carytown after the Michael Hawkins Jazz Workshop.
Master of Ceremonies
Meteorologist and musician Mike Goldberg will be emceeing the Richmond VegFest for the 21st year! Mike is an Emmy-winning meteorologist for CBS 6 and the afternoon classical music host at VPM Music, where he also serves as the station’s Coordinator of Classical Music Initiatives.
Mike is always out in the community, promoting music and science education in the schools and presenting talks to various groups of all ages. He has served as a judge for the Virginia Science and Engineering Fair and the Metro Richmond Science Fair, and has also been the Master of Ceremonies for various events including the Richmond Vegetarian Society, Richmond SPCA, and the Richmond Animal League. An avid animal lover, Mike is dedicated to helping local animal adoption and welfare groups, and hosts the Paws for Pets segments on CBS 6 every weekend morning. He has served on the Board of Directors for the Henrico Humane Society and has received a Guardian Angel Award from Save Our Shelters for outstanding contribution to animal welfare in Virginia.
Mike remains active as a musician and is both the founder and Artistic Director for Crescendo, a professional chamber music ensemble. Passionate about music education, he serves as Adjunct Instructor of Clarinet at Randolph-Macon College, while maintaining a private clarinet studio of younger students. Also an accomplished conductor, he is co-founder and Music Director of the Central Virginia Wind Symphony, a group of the most talented high school musicians in the region.
You can catch Mike on CBS 6 Saturday and Sunday evenings. You can hear him on VPM Music (93.1 and 107.3FM) hosting “Classical Music with Mike Goldberg” each weekday afternoon and “Breakfast Classics” each weekend morning from 8AM-10AM.
While Zack Salsberry cut his teeth on the music scene in Hampton Roads Virginia, he is a VCU Arts alum and has called Richmond “home” since 2018. Credited with multiple live television and radio appearances along with performances at venues and festivals from Washington D.C. to Memphis, TN, Zack is thrilled to return to the Richmond VegFest stage this year with a couple of the best in the biz to round out his power trio! Expect a little something for everyone…blues, classic rock, pop, r&b, alt/indie rock and more…a reflection of Zack’s passion for music across genres. For more info, follow @Zack Salsberry Music on Instagram and Facebook. Better yet, catch a show and see what all the fuss is about!
Nested For Rest is a two-piece alternative electronic pop-rock band from Virginia. The band is led by Jay Payne, who sings and plays bass guitar, piano/keys, and ukulele. His brother Joshua “Jetho” Edwards is the other member of the band, who sings backing vocals and plays drums. Josh also plays guitar, keys, and bass guitar during acoustic portions of their live show, or when the duo is joined by a backing band on stage. Since Nested For Rest is a two-piece band, they utilize technology and some DJ techniques to trigger samples and sounds from their studio productions, that Jay and Josh sing and play over live. The band is known for their high-energy antics, theatrical flair and attention to storytelling. You will often see hints of an underlying narrative being woven through their music & performance.
Key facts:
Established on: October 12th, 2023
Genre: Alternative
Musical influences: Radiohead, Tame Impala, Twenty One Pilots, etc.
First album title: Realign
Fan favorite songs: The Middle, Reflection, Echo
Laterna Dance Company is a diverse collective dedicated to exploring fusion in bellydance. Each member is unique in their dance experience so choreographies have been inspired by American Cabaret, Swing, Hip-hop, FatChanceBellydance style, Modern and more. They carry on the legacy the lovely vegetarian bellydancer, Twila Jane, began with Electric Nomad Studio.
Rachel Ana Dobken is a powerhouse musician (drums, guitar, piano, vocals, producer) with a knack for blending heavy, indie-rock & soul. Described as “My Morning Jacket meets Amy Winehouse,” she’s been featured by Relix Magazine, Guitar Girl Magazine, the New York Times, & more. She worked closely with famed music photographer Danny Clinch as Music Director of his Transparent Gallery in Asbury Park, NJ and has sat in with Mike McCready (Pearl Jam), G. Love, Robert Randolph, Rayland Baxter, Brian Fallon (Gaslight Anthem), Grahame Lesh, Nicole Atkins, Blind Melon, Tash Neal & more. Dobken’s recent release “Acceptance” was produced by Dobken in conjunction with Erik Romero (The Front Bottoms) and Paul Ritchie (The Parlor Mob). It features Dobken on drums, guitar, keys and vocals, along with a whole slew of special guests. For more info, follow @rachelanadobken on Instagram and rachelanadobken.com
Music spot
Donald Coles is a lifetime musician and singer. He enjoys playing multiple instruments to name a few: banjo, guitar, harmonica, ukulele, Dulcimer. The genres of music are jazz, R&B, bluegrass, country. He views his job as a way to put a smile on everyone’s face through his music.
Rachel Ana Dobken is a powerhouse musician (drums, guitar, piano, vocals, producer) with a knack for blending heavy, indie-rock & soul. Described as “My Morning Jacket meets Amy Winehouse,” she’s been featured by Relix Magazine, Guitar Girl Magazine, the New York Times, & more. Based in Asbury Park, NJ, you can learn more @rachelanadobken on Instagram and rachelanadobken.com
Julian Goddard is a Richmond-based guitarist who, in his solo work, loops lush guitar, bass, and beatbox grooves with catchy yet technical guitar melodies and improvisation. You may have seen him perform at Brambly Park, Hardywood, Kindred Spirits, or other venues around Richmond but this will be his debut set at VegFest.
Lilah Moons is a solo, acoustic singer-songwriter based in Richmond, VA. Lilah’s style is a cohesive blend of sounds including folk, classic country and alternative pop. Lilah plays a wide variety of sounds from artists such as Johnny Cash, Joan Baez, The Rolling Stones and many more. Her original music cannot be defined by a single genre, and her top priority is to always tell a personal story through her songs.
Vegucation Tent
Topic: “The Science Behind the Colors in our Foods and Why it’s Important to Eat the Rainbow”
Dr Jim Loomis and Caryn Dugan “The Doc & Chef”
James F. Loomis, MD, MBA, DipABLM, FACLM is board certified in internal medicine, has completed the certification program in Plant-Based Nutrition from Cornell University, and is a Diplomat of the American Board of Lifestyle Medicine. Dr. Loomis has served as team internist for the St. Louis Rams football team and the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team, as well as tour physician for the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra. He practiced internal medicine at St. Luke’s Hospital in St. Louis, where he was also the director of prevention and wellness. He was also on the clinical faculty of the department of internal medicine at Washington University School of Medicine. Currently he practices medicine and serves as Medical Director at PCRM. When not practicing medicine, Dr. Loomis enjoys reading history books, cooking, and teaching plant-based cooking classes. He also enjoys running, biking, and swimming, and has completed numerous half marathons, marathons, and triathlons. You also might have seen him in his breakout role in the movie, The Game Changers!
Caryn Dugan, CHWC – After losing her dad to cancer in 2008 and then, just ten weeks later, she also received a cancer diagnosis, Caryn knew something had to be done. Many attempts at a healthier lifestyle finally led her to a plant-based diet. After studying under Dr. Neal Barnard at the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) in 2011 and earning her certificate in plant-based nutrition from Cornell University, she began counseling and teaching others. Caryn began STL Veg Girl traveling all around St. Louis (and eventually nationally!) speaking and presenting on the topic of plant-based cooking and meal prep to prevent and reverse our all too common chronic illnesses. In 2019 she opened the Center for Plant-based Living to offer support, resources and community to those who are looking to add more plants to their plates.
Topic: “Lifestyle Medicine: Unlock the Secrets of Longevity”
Dr. Cliff Morris is a double board-certified cardiologist and lifestyle medicine specialist, who founded the Morris Cardiovascular and Risk Reduction Center in Chester, VA. A former UNC basketball player with Michael Jordan, he pioneered a unique Medical Fitness Program to reverse heart disease and diabetes. Dr. Morris received the prestigious Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award in 2023, recognizing his commitment to holistic heart health and community service.
Topic: “Eating Vegan for Strength”
Daniel is a longtime vegan turned competitive powerlifter from Texas. After going vegan in 2005, Daniel transformed from being the stereotypically “skinny vegan” to winning competition medals on national and international platforms, setting records as he continues to hone greater strength proving that veganism is no impediment to fitness–so long as you know how to build your diet in accordance with your goals. His game-changing book, The Way of The Vegan Meathead: Eating for Strength, shows you just how simple it can be to achieve freakish levels of strength as a vegan with a meal plan that addresses protein requirements and supplementation for strength athletes. Daniel is here to help you become your newer, stronger self.
Topic: “A Vegan Approach to Living with Companion Animals”
Sam Pierce, B.A., CPDT-KA, FFCP, IAABC Member
Dognitive Behavior and Training
Sam Pierce (she/they) is the owner and trainer behind Dognitive Behavior and Training. She is a Fear Free Certified Professional and Certified Professional Dog Trainer – Knowledge Assessed who specializes in behavior modification for dogs struggling with fear, anxiety, arousal, and aggression. With almost two decades dedicated to a compassionate lifestyle—vegan for the past 8 years and vegetarian for 10 years prior—Sam’s commitment to respecting all life is a large part of her daily life and a central part of the work she does with companion animals. As a queer woman, understanding the importance for all living things to be able to communicate their needs and express their individuality safely is integral to her work. Sam’s approach to working with dogs (and humans!) is rooted in evidence-based, force-free methods, ensuring the mental and emotional wellbeing of everyone involved. She firmly believes that all animals have the right to autonomy and agency whenever possible, and works with her clients and community to help make that possible.
Roaming Performer
Juggler & Magician
Style Weekly writes: ‘Jonathan Austin… is arguably Richmond’s most popular individual performer. He has delighted crowds of all ages… since he was 14 years old. He is a staple at every major Richmond festival and he typically draws the biggest crowds… Jonathan combines an outstanding personality that relates to children and adults of all ages, with a hilarious sense of humor, timing, skill and feats to provide a truly “must see” show that you will be talking about for a long time.’
