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Musings on folk, Americana, country, bluegrass and newgrass


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N.C. Museum of History presents bluegrass powerhouse Henhouse Prowlers on Saturday, July 20

The North Carolina Museum of History will host the Henhouse Prowlers as part of its Tar Heel Troubadours series, a celebration of Americana, roots, bluegrass and traditional music performed by artists from or living and working in North Carolina, on Saturday, July 20.

A music performance at the North Carolina Museum of History is unlike any other, according to the museum. “You’ll enjoy an intimate experience with an artist in our 300-seat venue. Every seat in the house has a fantastic view and the sound is exceptional.

“Our Tar Heel Troubadours series works to keep music accessible to our community by keeping ticket prices affordable. Visit the museum’s website for up-to-date information and tickets.”

The Henhouse Prowlers are bluegrass ambassadors. Founded nearly two decades ago with the simple desire to play original and powerful bluegrass, this Chicago-bred quartet now finds itself at the intersection of performance, diplomacy, and education.

Onstage, the group’s enthralling performances give audiences a sense of how much the musicians love what they do. On records — including their latest offering, 2023’s “Lead and Iron,” released via Dark Shadow Recording — the band explores their collective life experiences through songwriting and intricate instrumentation. While bluegrass is the undeniable foundation of the Prowlers’ music, the band bends and squeezes the traditional form into a keenly developed sound all their own.

Working with the U.S. State Department and under their own nonprofit, Bluegrass Ambassadors, the Prowlers have toured more than 25 countries across the globe. The group’s experiences with people and musicians across Africa, Asia, Europe and the Middle East have shaped the band’s worldview and broadened the group’s direction toward bridging cultural gaps with music, educational programs, and workshops. Using traditional American music as a foundation while connecting folk music, customs, and history the world over, including in North Carolina classrooms, the Prowlers incorporate international elements into their already robust repertoire of unique traditional American music.

Whether playing live or presenting seminars, the Henhouse Prowlers find and spread the commonality we share as human beings through the universal language of music.

IF YOU GO

Tar Heel Troubadours: Henhouse Prowlers

Saturday, July 20, 6:30 p.m. doors open, 7 p.m. performance

Tickets: MOHA/museum members $12; general admission $15

Purchase tickets at this link.


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Visit ‘The Power of Women in Country Music’ exhibit for free on Saturday, Dec. 3, at the N.C. history museum

RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA — Christmas is coming early to the North Carolina Museum of History, which is celebrating its 120th birthday on Saturday, Dec. 3.

In honor of the occasion, the museum is featuring free admission all day to its current ticketed exhibit “The Power of Women in Country Music.” And from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. there will be live on-site broadcasting from the Triangle’s country music station WQDR, specially themed treats, a special birthday promotion in the Museum Shop, and more, according to the museum’s website.

From international superstars, including Emmylou Harris, Dolly Parton, Rosanne Cash, Shania Twain and Taylor Swift, to contemporary North Carolina artists, such as Rhiannon Giddens, Rissi Palmer and Kasey Tyndall, “The Power of Women in Country Music,” is on loan from the GRAMMY Museum® in Los Angeles. The exhibit highlights the past, present and future of country music’s greatest female trailblazers.

Artifacts include Swift’s white “Mean” dress and banjo as well as a replication of the wooden cabin the pop star performed in front of at the 2021 Grammy awards. Palmer’s microphone she uses on her podcast, “Color Me Country.”

The exhibit opened to rave reviews on Oct. 28 and runs through Feb. 26, 2023. “This empowering exhibition will be amplified with a special concert series, author series, family events and activities, and much more,” the museum website states.

One of the concerts, Southern Songbirds: Alice Gerrard and Friends, is free and set for 3 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 11, at the museum. “Gerrard will join us with special guests for a screening of her biopic, “You Gave Me a Song,” followed by a short performance and Q & A with the artist. Gerrard will be joined by Tatiana Hargreaves and Dashawn Hickman. This event will be emceed by legendary North Carolina native Jim Lauderdale,” the museum stated in an email.

Watch a video about the exhibit here.