Folkmoot USA North Carolina's International Festival

July 18 - 29   Folkmoot USA  - the International Festival of North Carolina, is a two-week celebration of the world's cultural heritage through folk music and dance. Held each summer in a variety of locations across the mountains of Western North Carolina, Folkmoot features performances, a parade and workshops by up to 350 performers from about ten countries.

Performers demonstrate cultural heritage through colorful, authentic and original reproduction costumes, lively dance and traditional music. During its 28-year history, over 200 folk groups from more than 100 countries have shared their heritage and culture at the Folkmoot Festival.

Highlights of this year's festival include:
 

• The Parade of Nations and Folkmoot at First Friday Street dance in downtown Waynesville on July 20
• The Grand Opening at the Stompin’ Ground in Maggie Valley on July 20
• Haywood County Arts Council’s International Festival Day on  Main Street in Waynesille on July 21
• World Friendship Day held in the  Stuart Auditorium at  Lake Junaluska on July 22
• Performances in towns across Western North Carolina including: Canton, Burnsville, Bryson City, Asheville, Flat Rock, Cullowhee, Franklin, Waynesville, Maggie Valley, Cherokee, Clyde and Lake Junaluska
• Extravaganza Matinee and evening performances at the Stompin’ Ground in Maggie Valley on July 27
• Candlelight Closing at Stuart Auditorium in Lake Junaluska on July 29.

Get a link for details and a
schedule of Folkmoot USA
on the NC Events Calendar

Flat Rock Playhouse Music on the Rock Series Continues with "Stayin' Alive"

Date: June 12-14    Music on the Rock Series: Stayin' Alive - the Music of the Bee Gees The 10 concert 2012 series produced by The Flat Rock Theatre offers a celebration of music form country to pop to Sinatra.The Series is performed at the Playhouse Downtown is located in downtown Hendersonville at 125 South Main Street, Hendersonville, NC

Lúnasa Performs this week at Diana Wortham Theatre

March 24, 8 PM at Daian Wortham Theatre, 2 South Pack Square in Asheville NC - Lúnasa, the Irish Music Dream Team.  "The hottest Irish acoustic group on the planet" is back for the Theatre's Mainstage Series.  Recognized as Performers of the Decade by liveireland.com  Lúnasa has sold out shows across North America, the UK, Europe, and Japan. Get details and tickets HERE.

 

Live at the Arcade Tonight in Asheville

February 17 from 5-8 PM  - Downtown buskers Blind Boy Chocolate and the Milk Shieks will perform at Live at the Grove Arcade, the new series featuring free local music taking place the third Friday of January, February and March.

The band describes themselves as “a dirty street-performing band that is occasionally allowed inside to do our little diddely-dee on a stage.” The group features Dwight “Sawman” Hawkins on wood saw, tenor banjo and vocals; Nicky “The Squirrel” Marshall on mandolin, harmonica and vocals; Antone “T-Bird” Costa on guitar, kazoo and vocals; and Alex “Spiders Nest” Brady on washtub Bass.

The band performed at Merlefest 2011. The repertoire is largely drawn from a bank of early American music consisting of both black and white string and jug band music and draws on the pre-war blues, ragtime, early jazz and songster traditions.

The Grove Arcade Merchants Association sponsors the Live at the Grove Arcade evenings of music, food and drinks and most stores are open late. Beer and wine are available for purchase and attendees get free popcorn with each drink purchase.

Get more information about Asheville NC HERE

Chase Away the Winter Blues at the Tryon Fine Art Center

January 28 - TFAC (Tryon Fine Art Center)  brings together players living in the area to play a nonstop night of music from 4:00 in the lobby and on the Main Stage. Proceeds will benefit the TFAC Arts in Education programs.

The evening's performers include Daryl Ryce, Shane Pruitt Band, Rudy Blue Shoes Wyatt, Asheville’s Dr. Blues, and more. Food and drink will also be available. Music will start in the lobby when the doors open at 4:00pm. Concerts on the Main Stage begin at 4:30 PM and will end about 10:30 PM.  Ticket prices are $35 for General Admission and $65 for the VIP Lounge. Beer, wine and food will be available for purchase.  For more information, call Tryon Fine Arts Center at 828-859-8322 ext. 213.

The Tryon Fine Art Center is located at 34 Melrose Ave in Tryon  N. Get a link for the Art Center and other Tryon NC attractions HERE.

DePue Brothers Band Performs in Asheville

January 19 at 8:00  PM at The Diana Wortham Theatre, 2 south Pack Square in Asheville NC - The powerhouse DePue Brothers Band takes the stage.  Like Leahy, which has performed several times at the DWT, the DePue brothers offer the thrill of experiencing the high energy of a family united by its musical virtuosity. This iconic family is a classically trained phenomenon - joined by symphonic friends, including percussionist Don Liuzzi of the Philadelphia Orchestra - all in a vivid, high caliber blend of bluegrass, classical, rock, folk, and blues. Don't miss it! 

Get a link and more information for the Diana Wortham Theatre HERE

The Incredible B.B. King Performs in Asheville

January 14    B.B. King Performs in the Thomas Wolfe Auditorium at the Civic Center  in downtown Asheville NC.  Universally hailed as the reigning king of the blues, the legendary B.B. King is without a doubt the single most important electric guitarist of the last half century.  The Asheville Civic Center is located at 87 Haywood Street in Asheville NC.

What to do this Weekend: Dec 16-18 from Christmas Music to Classic Car Shows

Dec 16   BREVARD   4th Friday Gallery Walks  An evening of Art, Wine and Food in Downtown Brevard every 4th Friday of the month, from May through December. 5 PM -9 PM.   Get a link for details

Dec 17   FRANKLIN   Ricky Skaggs a Skaggs Family Christmas   From carefree fun to traditional or contemporary sentiments, you'll hear cheerful instrumental work on "Deck the Halls" and outstanding harmony on "Hangin' Round the Mistletoe." For old-fashioned family values sung with tuneful sincerity, A Skaggs Family Christmas has it by the stocking full.  Get a link for details

Dec 17   CHEROKEE   A Holiday Homecoming   at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park Oconaluftee Visitor Center in Cherokee. From 10 am - 1 pm there will be demonstrations of old-fashioned crafts, live music, refreshments, and walking tours. Make a corn shuck doll, buzz button, and cinnamon ornaments. From 1-3 pm there will be an old-time acoustic jam session focused on holiday music. Get a link for details

Dec 17   HENDERSONVILLE   Henderson County Crafters Association Craft Show   The Henderson County Crafters Association will host a craft show at the Blue Ridge Mall. Fri and Sat 10 am-9 pm & Sunday 1-6 pm

Dec 17   BEECH MOUNTAIN   Santa visits Beech Mountain   Santa will visit Fred's Gazebo for fun and picture taking, 4-5 p.m. Afterwards, there will be the Christmas tree lighting at the Chamber office, 5-6 p.m. Hot cocoa, cider, and cookies will be served.  Get a link for details

Dec 18   ASHEVILLE   Swannanoa Solstice  The annual performance of A Swannanoa Solstice. Headlined by world renowned musicians Al Petteway, Amy White, and Robin Bullock playing guitar, mandolin, fiddle, Appalachian dulcimer, piano, harp, and world percussion, these performances are enhanced further by the voices and talents of special guest musicians, storytellers, dancers, and host Doug Orr. Gather with family and friends for one of the two performances offered to accommodate ticket demand for this holiday tradition.  Get a link for details

Dec 18   ASHEVILLE   USDAA Dog Agility Trials  The Blue Ridge Agility Club of Western North Carolina will host a United States Dog Agility Association (USDAA) agility trial. Spectators are welcomed to attend and admission is free. Over 150 purebred and mixed bred dogs, from throughout the southeast, will compete at various levels of difficulty.  Get a link for details

 

Dec 18   ASHEVILLE   Asheville Symphony Presents Holiday Pops  Enjoy the glowing voices of the Asheville Symphony Chorus under Michael Lancaster and the Asheville Symphony Children's Chorus under Timothy Wilds. This Holiday Concert has become a favorite of Asheville audiences over the years.  Get a link for details

Dec 18   OLD FORT  Classic Car Show   Bring your car, truck, or motorcycle. Downtown Old Fort, 1-5 p.m.; free. Sponsored by Route 70 Cruisers. For more information, call 828-442-5135.  Get a link for details

Ricky Skaggs Christmas Performance at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts

December 17  Ricky Skaggs a Skaggs Family Christmas  From carefree fun to traditional or contemporary sentiments, you'll hear cheerful instrumental work on "Deck the Halls" and outstanding harmony on "Hangin' Round the Mistletoe." For old-fashioned family values sung with tuneful sincerity, A Skaggs Family Christmas has it by the stocking full.  The Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts is located at 1028 Georgia Road in
Franklin, NC.

Get  a link for A Skaggs Family Christmas and more Franklin NC events and information.

Christmas Event: Home for the Holidays from The Flat Rock Playhouse

December 5 - 22   "Home for the Holidays" is presented in a Two-act concert with humor, warmth and high-spirited yuletide excitement. You can expect a new look at old holiday standards sprinkled with a handpicked selection of new material by contemporary composers and lyricists. An audience participation number, a few historical carols with a twist and a novelty number or two reflecting current views of the holiday will add variety and freshness to the traditional favorites.

Home for the Holiday is performed by a quartet of multi-talented and well-seasoned performers comprised of Broadway veterans and new Flat Rock Favorites.  Conceived and co-written and by director Michael Marotta and Musical Director Edward Reichert, this concert is the result of years of collaboration by two old college chums who have spent many happy holidays celebrating this most wonderful time of the year on concert stages. 8 PM performance times with matinees at 2 PM wed and Sat.   Performed at the NEW DOWNTOWN VENUE, 125 South Main Street in Hendersonville NC.

Get a link for the Flat Rock Playhouse and other Flat Rock NC attractions here. Find information about Hendersonville NC HERE 

Brevard Music Center First Monday Concert Series - December

December 5, 1:30 PM at the First United Methodist Church of Brevard, 325 N Market Street in Brevard NC  -  The Robert McDuffie Center For Strings performs a program of:

DVOŘÁK String Quartet No. 10 in E flat major, Op. 51  and DVOŘÁK String Quintet No. 2 in G major, Op. 77

Founded as a special institute within Mercer University's Townsend School of Music, the McDuffie Center for Strings' enrollment is limited to 26 students: twelve violinists, six violists, six cellists and two double bassists.

The distinguished artists of the McDuffie Center perform, collaborate and record with the finest orchestras, string ensembles and conductors around the world. They are at the top of their fields. And, each McDuffie Center student interacts with these distinguished artists on a regular basis, which enhances the students' private lessons, master classes, chamber music coaching sessions and orchestral sectionals, all a part of their required curriculum.

Combining this intensive, conservatory experience with the practicality of a specific business-oriented curriculum, the McDuffie Center for Strings prepares the entrepreneurial musician for success in the real world.

Enrichment opportunities abound within the Center for Strings and the Townsend School of Music. Partnerships with the prestigious Rome Chamber Music Festival, Aspen Music Festival, Brevard Music Festival, Amelia Island Chamber Music Festival and New World Symphony in Miami provide McDuffie Center students with additional performance and learning possibilities.

Dwight Yoakam Performs in Cherokee

December 2 -  Dwight Yoakam performs at Harrah's Cherokee.  Multi-platinum Grammy winning singer-songwriter, actor director and country music pioneer Dwight Yoakam returns to Cherokee for a live performance in the Event Center! Come dance and sing in your chairs to some great hits like "A Thousand Miles From Nowhere", "Honky Tonk Man" and more!

Get a link for Dwight Yoakam at Harrah's and other 

Cherokee NC events, lodging and information HERE

The Flat Rock Playhouse Presents Kings of Country Music on the Rock Concert

October 16 - 31     Flat Rock Playhouse Music on the Rock  Kings of Country.   Summer Music on the Rock Concerts offer audiences a variety of music of well-known artists performed by exceptional singers and musicians.

Veteran performers Eric Anthony and Ryan Dunn bring you some of the greatest country songs ever recorded. This powerhouse of a show features hits from Garth Brooks, Johnny Cash, Keith Urban and many more. Fans of great country music won't want to miss this limited engagement event.

Buddy - The Buddy Holly Story, a live music extravaganza continues on the Main Stage through October 30.

Get a link for the event and other  
Flat Rock NC events, lodging and information HERE

The Blue Ridge Music Center Final Scheduled Performance

October 23 - This performance will mark the end of the 2011 musical programming at the Blue Ridge Music Center. Informal Mid-Day Mountain Music Jams will continue from noon to 4 p.m. daily until the end of the month before the music center closes for the winter.
Ballads & Songs of the Blue Ridge.  Traditional singers from North Carolina and Virginia will converge at the Blue Ridge Music Center for a special, free, performance-talk: Ballads and Songs of the Blue Ridge. It will be the last heritage event of the 2011 season.

Come Go Home With Me, a collection of short stories drawn from life in Madison County, and My Old True Love, a novel of love and family in Civil War-era Madison County. In 1997, Sheila Kay Adams won the North Carolina Society of Historians' Clark Cox Historical Fiction Award, and received the North Carolina Folklore Society's Brown-Hudson Award for outstanding contributions to the folklore of her home state.

  

Robert Lynn "Bobby" McMillon, a North Carolina Folk Heritage Award recipient, was heir to numerous strands of Appalachian culture. From his father's family in Cocke County, Tennessee, he learned Primitive Baptist hymns and traditional stories and ballads. From his mother's people in Yancy and Mitchell Counties, North Carolina, he heard "booger tales, haint tales," and legends. Because these songs and tales have deep roots in his own family and experience, Bobby has a passion for them and for sharing them. "Eventually, I began to realize," he says "that if I didn't perform the songs I was learning, most of the repertories of the people I learned from would be lost because they didn't have family members of their own to hand them down to." His greatest gift is his rare ability to convey to listeners a feeling for the world from which the stories come.

Musical duo, Martha Spencer and Jackson Cunningham, are known as the Whitetop Mountaineers. They both live in Whitetop, Virginia, in the highest mountains in Virginia and have been steeped in traditional music from a very early age. They are known internationally for their fine instrumental playing and beautiful duet singing. Martha has composed many moving songs about the Blue Ridge. Jackson is a well known as a luthier, (instrument maker), of the region. Both musicians also sing and perform with the Whitetop Mountain Band - one of the most popular stringbands in Virginia. The Whitetop Mountaineers have recorded two CDs: "Home on the Mountain" (2008) and "Go Away with Me: Songs from Virginia's Hills and Hollers"(2010). This is the first time that Martha Spencer, Jackson Cunningham, Sheila Kay Adams and Bobby McMillon have appeared on stage together and it sure to be an event not to miss.

Seating opens at 1:45pm. Free admission. Phone (276) 236-5309 x112 to reserve seating. Those with reserved seats must show up 15 minutes prior to the start of each event. At start-time remaining seats are given to drop-in visitors.  All October Heritage Events are free thanks to support from Friends of the Blue Ridge Parkway and the National Council for the Traditional Arts.

Award-winning virtuoso guitar duo performs at the Hayes Center in Blowing Rock

October 8, 7:30 PM, the Hayes Performing Arts Center,152 Jamie Fort Rd. in  Blowing Rock   "The brilliant Katona Twins ... their performances could hardly be bettered for charm, zest, wit and colouristic flair." -Daily Telegraph . Award-winning virtuoso guitar duo Peter and Zoltan Katona perform a concert ranging from Bach and Vivaldi, to Piazzolla's tango music, to their own arrangements of pop classics, including delicious takes on the music of Michael Jackson.

The Kotona Twins have performed recitals in the major concert venues throughout the world including Carnegie Hall, the Wigmore Hall, the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, the Konzeerthaus in Vienna, the Suntory Hall in Tokyo and the Philharmonie I Cologne. Sample their incredible talent by watching this great medley ranging from Sweet Home, Alabama to Nirvana:

The Capital Steps Perform at The Flat Rock Playhouse

September 14-25 FLAT ROCK The Flat Rock Theatre hosts "The Capital Steps"  One of America's favorite political satire Performers, The Capital Steps have recorded over 30 albums, bipartisan political fun and good old-fashioned American satire.

The Capitol Steps began in December of 1981 when a group of Senate staffers set out to satirize the very people and places that employed them. Their first idea was to stage a nativity play, but in the whole Congress they couldn't find three wise men or a virgin. So, they decided to dig into the headlines of the day, and they created song parodies & skits which conveyed a special brand of satirical humor.

Hendersonville's Blue Note Grille offers a full week of music

The Blue Note Grille is a favorite historic downtown Hendersonville restaurant. The dining and entertainment venue is known for it's excellent food and vast selection of wine and beer, and The Blue Note is also home to some of the area's best local and regional musicians. This week's schedule includes:

September 6, 2011 8:30 PM - . Marc Yaxley

September 7, 2011, 9:00 PM - Open Mic

September 8, 2011 9:00 PM  - The Naughty Pillows, a Western NC based musical group, deliver an assortment of harmonies ranging from their own original works, to traditional and folk fare inspired by our mountains, to Celtic ballads, and even to a sampling of highly recognizable tunes from the past and present day. Tana Alfrey, Carrie Morrison Arrowood, and Marian O'Neil all arrange and sing, sometimes a capella, sometimes accompanied by piano, and Jason Alfrey keeps it all together with his original percussion performed on the conga, snare drum, and Irish bodhran. Over the last few years, the NP's have played special events and several local venues, enjoying a close-knit, devoted following. For more information, visit http://www.facebook.com/thepillows.

September 9, 2011 9:00 PM -  The Eric Congdon Quartet.  Eric Congdon has assembled a new, out of this world Blues lineup featuring the best musicians he could find. Garry Segal on harmonica, Michael Fillipone on Upright Bass, and Micah Thomas on drums. You will be blown away by the musicianship and excitement these four can generate. This is a band not to miss!

September 10, 2011, 9:00 PM - . Trade Routes World music, fusion, eclectic… best describes the sounds of Nathan and Brandon Dyke.

The Blue Note Grille is located at 114 N. Main Street in Hendersonville, NC  - 828-697-7550

Labor Day Weekend Event: Inspirations Labor Day Festival

September 3-4    Inspirations Labor Day Festival   Southern Gospel singing with The Inspirations, The Primitive Quartet, The McKameys  and other groups performing old-timey gospel music.
The Primitive Quartet has been traveling and singing gospel music for thirty-seven years, and they count it a joy and privilege to spread the gospel through song. The quartet sings four-part harmony and plays their own instruments (mandolin, banjo, fiddle, guitars and acoustic bass). Old-timey southern gospel from their mouths to your heart!

The Inspirations are truly in a class by themselves. The group has sold well over a million records, been awarded numerous Singing News Fan Awards, and have charted more than 60 hit songs. The Inspirations sing from the heart, and they are true to their southern gospel quartet roots. They are The Inspirations, and they are truly an American treasure.

If there is one word that describes The McKameys, it is 'sincere.' The members of this southern gospel singing group are sincere in their love for the Lord, sincere in their love for the music they sing, and sincere in their need to spread the Word to others through song. The McKameys let their light shine through such fan favorites as "I've Made Up My Mind," "Roll that Burden on Me," "I Will Trust You, Lord" and "God on the Mountain."

The Festival takes place at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts , a 1,500 seat state-of-the-art facility presenting the finest in performing arts to the surrounding towns. Performances include passion plays, musical productions, professional drama troupes, dance and choral festivals, recitals, and various genres including country, bluegrass, gospel, pop, contemporary Christian, and more. The stunning architecture, technical facilities, and impeccable acoustics provide the highest professional standards for both the audience and the performers. The Center is located at 1028 Georgia Road in Franklin NC.

Labor Day Weekend Events: Blue Ridge Music Center Next Generation Youth Concert

September 3, The Blue Ridge Music Center - Next Generation Youth Concert with three of the hottest youth bluegrass bands: The Snyder Family Band, Loose Strings and Adam McPeak and Mountain Thunder will perform.

The Snyder Family Band

These groups demonstrate that the traditional music of the Blue Ridge has a strong footing with the younger generation. Alumni Junior Appalachian Musicians (JAM) from Galax and Sparta will make a special appearance. The concert is FREE thanks to public support through the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation - Your stewardship in action. These bands will dazzle and inspire! Bring the whole family.

The Snyder Family band features Samantha Snyder on fiddle, Zeb Snyder on guitar, father Bud Snyder on bass and mother Laine Snyder on some harmony vocals. Originally from Lexington, NC, Samantha started playing music at three years old and Zeb at seven. Since that time they have won numerous awards for their stellar musicianship including a fiddle hand crafted by luthier, Jimmy Edmonds and a guitar made by Wayne Henderson at the 2007 Jimmy Edmonds Homecoming. This year both Samantha (now 12) and Zeb (now 16) won first place ribbons in bluegrass fiddle and guitar categories at the Old Fiddlers Convention in Galax.

Hear the Snyder Family here.

Adam McPeak & Mountain Thunder are a six member bluegrass band featuring hot picking and powerful singing. They can be heard competing at most conventions in the VA/NC region. The group began when mandolinist Adam decided at age 13 to lead a band. Before that he had started out making appearances with his father's band, The McPeak Brothers. Adam says he is the only McPeak since his dad's generation to play music, and he feels honored to be the one to carry on the family tradition.

Watch Adam McPeak & Mountain Thunder here.

Loose Strings is an all-girl bluegrass band from Galax, VA which has performed all across the South. The wonderful music these ladies and their band make grew out of their strong friendships. Their love of music will be very evident on stage! 

Hear Loose Strings here. 

The Next Generation Youth Concert is Saturday, September 3rd and starts at 7pm. Seating opens at 5:30pm. Admission is free! Bring a lawn chair, a picnic and your friends. Smokehouse BBQ available on concert nights. The Blue Ridge Music Center is located at milepost 213 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Save on advance tickets! Info and tickets are available online at www.blueridgemusiccenter.org or by calling (276) 236-5309. No pets or alcohol in the amphitheater.

The Music Center has only one more evening concert this season (Sept 10th) at the foot of beautiful Fisher Peak (only 10 miles from Galax). The Blue Ridge Music Center is open 9-5 seven days a week through October 30. Come see the free, new Roots of American Music museum and sit awhile in our covered breezeway and listen to Mid-Day Mountain Music from 12-4pm daily. There is no fee for Visitor Center activities.

The Blue Ridge Music Center presents Virginia Bluegrass

On Saturday, August 27th,  enjoy an evening with long time Grand Ole Opry member Jesse McReynolds, of "Jim and Jess fame" and his Virginia Boys.

Jesse McReynolds

A bluegrass music icon and innovator, known for his virtuostic, cross picking technique on the mandolin, Jesse has remained at the forefront of the bluegrass scene for over 60 years and still going strong. He is a multiple Grammy nominee and award winner and in 1993 Jesse McReynolds was inducted into the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Honor. In 1997, he and his brother were presented with the National Hertiage Fellowship Award - highest folklife honor in the United States. Don't miss this renowned band's return to Galax!

Hear Jesse McReynolds here.

Also featured in this exciting double-bill event will be mandolin builder singer and picker, Gerald Anderson and his band showing us just how good hand-crafted instruments can sound as he and his band kick off the first set of the evening. Seating opens at 5:30pm. Tickets are $15 or save $2 per ticket if you purchase by Aug 22nd. Bring a lawn chair, a picnic and your friends. Smokehouse BBQ available on concert nights. Buy tickets here.

The Blue Ridge Music Center is located at milepost 213 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Save on advance tickets! Info and tickets are available online at www.blueridgemusiccenter.org or by calling (276) 236-5309. Bring the whole family. Picnic food is permitted. No pets or alcohol in the amphitheater. The Music Center has evening concerts every weekend all summer through mid-September at the foot of beautiful Fisher Peak (only 10 miles from Galax). Concessions are available on concert nights. Lawnchairs and blankets recommended.  The Blue Ridge Music Center is open 9-5 seven days a week through October 30.