Summer Solstice celebrated with music Photo by Jim Ridolphi Published: June 26, 2009 By Jim Ridolphi Java Jodi’s in Goochland took advantage of the longest day of the year to stage an all-day music celebration. The county’s first Summer Solstice Celebration featured a variety of bands and activities. The summer solstice, or midsummer, represents the point when the sun is at its highest direct point, then stops and changes direction. During that period, the sun is in a period of declination, resulting in the maximum amount of sunlight and minimum nightfall. Java Jodi’s owner Jodi Duffy said she came up with the idea to continue a tradition started last summer with an altered schedule. “Last year, we had a midsummer party in August, so we thought today would be cooler,” Duffy said as the thermometer reached over 95 degrees outside the coffee cafe. “Today’s the longest day of the year so we thought we’d have a party,” Duffy added. Events began around noon with an Irish music jam featuring a variety of local musicians. Each participant named a selection and the rest was, well, music. “We thought it would be a great opportunity to feature local Goochland bands,” Duffy said. The Trongones, a local family group who plays Southern Rock and Blues, highlighted the afternoon bill. The group seemed like just the right mix for a Father’s Day Weekend. Father and bass guitarist John Trongone is joined by his three sons to make a May-December musical relationship that rocks. Johnny, 14, plays the drums and Tommy assists on percussion. Andrew plays lead guitar and handles most of the vocals. Michael and Company worked the evening shift and provided some well recognized standards. They often play events like the Lions Club picnic. Duffy said this won’t be the last special event of the summer. The coffee café features live music and jam sessions throughout the summer, and there’s another special treat on the agenda. Java Jodi’s won a nationally sponsored ice cream party, and Duffy plans to celebrate by offering free Edy’s delights to her customers later in the summer. In business for a little more than two years, Duffy said the café is finding its place in the community. “It’s getting there,” she said. “We’re finding that a lot of people use us for meetings and community events,” she said. Groups will often schedule meetings for closing time and the café remains open to accommodate. “I figure if we can do a little something extra, we should,” Duffy added. Duffy retired from the Richmond Police Department after 23 years of service, but quickly opened Java Jodi’s. She’s still running at break neck speed two years later. “I still think it’s a great idea, but it’s hard work,” she said. “I’m here about seven days a week, and I’ll occasionally take a day off,” she laughed. “It’s maybe not the retirement gig that I was thinking of when we opened.”
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