A musical event aimed at supporting the renovation of the Julian Town Square in the heart of the historic mountain town will take place June 7.
Hosted by the Julian Community Heritage Foundation, the 4th Julian Town Square Music Festival will help to raise funds for continued work on the Square.
Organizers plan to make the area at 2712 Washington St. a permanent community park and outdoor entertainment space. The square is envisioned as an epicenter of art, theater and community gathering, said Tyler Stamets, a member of the Community Heritage Foundation board and the concert coordinator.
Stamets is also president of the Julian Chamber of Commerce. A musician in the Sun Valley String Band, he has a background in live entertainment production.
“We are thrilled to host this concert in support of the Julian Town Square,” Stamets said. “Not only will attendees enjoy a fantastic full day of music, but they’ll play a vital role in shaping the future of our community.”
The family friendly festival from noon to 6:30 p.m. will feature bands performing Americana, rock, hip hop, blues and folk.
Julian-based Donn Bree and Friends will kick off the event at noon with his singer/songwriter Americana tunes.
“Don’s been playing in the Julian area for many years and hasn’t missed a Julian Town Square event,” Stamets said, noting it will be Bree’s fourth annual appearance.
At 12:45 p.m. Subconscious Culture, a hip hop-influenced band led by Julian resident Erin Miller, takes the stage.
“I’ve been calling it avant-guard hip hop,” Stamets said. “Miller’s been working on this project and is very excited to bring a little bit of hip hop to the event.”
At 1:30 p.m., The Ordeal, featuring Cathryn Beeks and John Katchur, will offer Americana/rock.
Stamets described Ramona resident Beeks as a “San Diego institution.” The singer/songwriter was inducted into the San Diego Music Hall of Fame in 2024, hosts the ListenLocalRadio podcast and is a member of numerous bands.
Katchur, who is also well-known in the area, haseen part of the San Diego folk scene since the 1990s.
Thea The Band, also from Ramona, brings her singer/songwriter cosmic Americana music, which Stamets described as a mix of rock’n’roll, country, soul and Americana, beginning at 2:30 p.m.
Led by singer/songwriter Ashley E. Norton of Ramona, Dolly’s Revenge — formerly known as Lady Psychiatrist’s Booth — will rock the venue with “straight up, high energy female-led original Americana,” Stamets said.
At 4:30 p.m., Tim Flannery and the Lunatic Fringe will perform bluegrass Americana tunes.
Singer/songwriter Flannery, who has 14 albums, blends bluegrass, country and rock. He was also a three-time World Series champion coach with the San Francisco Giants (2007-14) and a fan favorite player with the San Diego Padres from 1996 to 2002.
At 5:30 p.m., Kimmi Bitter and Westside Twang close out the event.
“Kimmi plays country music with a lot of traditional twang,” Stamets said, adding that Bitter won Best Country or Americana Album for “Old School,” as well as Song of the Year for “Country Kind of Girl” at the 2025 San Diego Music Awards.
“I love bringing music events to Julian and Ramona, and have a goal to make this region a music destination,” Stamets said. “Together, we can create a year-round home for the performing arts that make Julian the heart of the East County.”
Admission to the festival is free; donations for the renovation will be accepted on site or at Juliantownsquare.org. VIP sponsorships opportunities are available.
In addition to food and drink vendors on site, the venue is within walking distance of several of the restaurants and attractions in town.
Some seating is available; guests are encouraged to bring chairs, hats and personal-sized umbrellas.
Several paid parking lots are located in town, and free street side parking is also available.
The grass-roots Julian Community Heritage Foundation was formed in 2017 with the dream of creating a Julian Town Square. For more information, call 760-703-7593 or visit: www.juliantownsquare.org.
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