North Carolina Songwriters in the Round returns to The Cary Theater at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 3. This year’s showcase features two sets of songwriters sharing the stories behind the songs they’ve written, performing in the round, Nashville style.
Performers include Jason Adamo, Stephen Jenkins, George Hage, Reeve Coobs, Julie Mcknight, Jeremy Gilchrist, Brooke Hatala and Amy Gerhartz.
The temps may be frigid, but things will be heating up in Wilmington the weekend of Feb. 1-3, 2024, during the 44th annual North Carolina Jazz Festival.
All evening concerts begin at 7:30 p.m. and will be held at the Hotel Ballast ballroom.
Thursday Night Showcase Thursday night, our “Special Event” night, is when the festival features different styles of jazz. This year we will open with The Port City Trio, a Wilmington-based group that is well known in the area for the Jewell Family’s tradition of playing jazz, blues and pop styles of music. “We welcome them to our stage, as they feature their daughter Annie, a violinist who was in our very first masterclass, given by Bucky Pizzarelli and Jonathan Russell,” the website states. “Not giving away ages, but Jonathan was about 12 then, and so was Annie!”
“Our main event for the evening will be The Emmet Cohen Trio. Emmet, a multifaceted young American jazz pianist and composer has emerged as one of his generation’s pivotal figures in music and the related arts. Last year he came to Wilmington as pianist for Tootie Heath, who gave a concert at UNC-Wilmington. The reception by the local jazz community was spectacular, and now we have the opportunity to present Emmet with his own trio as our very special introduction to his ‘style’ of jazz.”
The evening’s music will come to a close with some of the weekend’s All-Stars in a Traditional Jazz Jam.
Friday and Saturday Nights “We will continue our celebration with 15 All-Star musicians playing in the traditional seven sets of six or seven players, each set with a different leader. You will see/hear many of our favorite NCJF musicians plus new additions to our lineup. These will be 4½-hour concerts.
Patron Brunch “On Saturday from 10:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. we treat our patrons to a musical brunch, when all of our All-Star musicians play for their pleasure while everyone enjoys a delicious brunch. During the last hour we have a ‘jam’ when the patrons who are musicians have the opportunity to play with the All-Stars.”
Tickets start at $15 and can be purchased at this link.
“We have a lot of exciting shows coming up over the next few weeks, including at one of our favorite restaurant venues, The Purple Onion in Saluda, and opening for our pals the Steep Canyon Rangers at Oskar Blues in Brevard! We will also be performing in Winston-Salem for Fiddle & Bow and presenting our annual Valentine’s concert at the BMCA in February.”
“WE ARE GOING TO IRELAND IN JUNE!! We are so excited to go back overseas to the Emerald Isle for the Wesport Folk and Bluegrass Festival in the beautiful coastal town of Westport. Come join us!”
“We were so pleased that “Songs of Our Grandfathers” came in at No. 31 on the WNCW Top 100 of 2023 countdown! Thank you so much to everyone who voted for us and don’t forget to follow us on the streaming platforms and add us to your playlists.
The Big What? is back with three nights of Big Something & friends plus more artists TBA
THE BIG WHAT? is set for Aug. 22-24 at the Shakori Hills Community Arts Center in Pittsboro, about 30 minutes from Raleigh.
From the band: “The Big What? is back! We are so grateful and beyond excited to announce the 10th anniversary edition of our Music Festival & Campout this summer!”
Ticket Info
General Alien (GA) Weekend Passes include (1) GA ticket, GA tent camping, and GA parking for 1 person.
GA Tent Camping is included with a GA pass but Car Camping ($65) or RV Camping ($150) will require a separate pass per vehicle (available as an add on at checkout).
Very Important Alien (VIA) Weekend Passes include (1) VIA ticket with souvenir laminate, reserved tent camping in a prime location, access to a reserved viewing area in front of the main stage, access to private bathrooms, 1 hot meal each night plus access to refreshments during the day, and a free download of each Big Something set.
Supreme Very Important Alien (SVIA) Weekend Passes include (1) VIA ticket with everything from the VIA program above plus an exclusive Saturday afternoon acoustic Big Something performance in a secret location, plus (1) signed screenprint Big What? poster, and (1) signed Big Something setlist from all three nights.
Reserved TENT Camping in a prime location is included with every VIA/SVIA pass but Car Camping ($65) and RV Camping ($150) will still require a separate pass per vehicle (available as an add on at checkout).
Kids 12 and under are $30 each and can only be purchased day of show at the gate.
Please Note: a Parent or Legal Guardian must accompany anyone under 18 at all times.
The Big What? is a rain or shine event. All tickets are non-refundable. Tickets available at this link.
Mega Raffle tickets and Acoustic Kids Showcase sign ups begin Feb. 1
Music lovers, listen up: There is no better way than to catch the magic of MerleFest (and many other music festivals) than to volunteer! You get to listen to a slew of fantastic artists for FREE plus you get free parking and even a discount on camping for a few hours of your time.
MerleFest Volunteer applications are now open. As a volunteer, participants will receive free entry to the festival for the entire day of their shift, free parking, and shuttle, and 10% off camping at River’s Edge Campground. Most importantly, volunteers will be supporting a major fundraiser for Wilkes Community College.
Greensky Bluegrass began making music in 2000 and stood out for their non-traditional take on bluegrass, where they fused rock and acoustic influences.
Known for their improvisation on stage as well as performing multiple sets at one show, this five-piece band began in Michigan and has since has seen many changes, particularly to their line up. However, what remains the same is their original sound, compelling performances and indisputable passion. As well as their original songs, the band has also covered The Rolling Stones, Prince, Aerosmith and Bruce Springsteen, just to name a few.
You can check out this unique group at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 18, at The Ritz in Raleigh. Tickets are $49 for general admission and can be found at this link.
Donna The Buffalo & The Steel Wheels 2024 Tour comes to the Carolina Theatre of Durham on Thursday, Jan. 18, 2024.
Tickets to see Donna The Buffalo & The Steel Wheels in Durham are on sale at the Carolina Theatre box office and the venue’s website.
According to the Carolina Theatre’s website, Donna the Buffalo offers everything you want in a roots band — songs that matter, a groove that makes you dance, an audience that spans generations, and a musical voice that evokes a sense of community. The band has become a lifestyle for its members and audiences who gather at the countless festivals they perform at across the country, including the band’s own festival, the Finger Lakes Grassroots Festival in Trumansburg, New York.
The Steel Wheels, known for their rootsy brand of Americana, also gathers their fans at their own festival, the Red Wing Roots Music Festival. The festival, a weekend-long celebration of music, community, and the beautiful Shenandoah Valley allows The Steel Wheels to showcase their music informed by traditional sounds from the Virginia mountains where the band was formed.
About The Carolina Theatre of Durham
Carolina Theatre of Durham is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization which manages the city-owned Carolina Theatre at 309 W. Morgan Street, Durham, NC 27701. The Carolina Theatre of Durham is dedicated to presenting vibrant, thought-provoking film and live performances that contribute to the cultural and economic vitality of downtown Durham and the Triangle Region. Visit carolinatheatre.org for more information.
Want to whisk away the winter blues and get a preview to one of Rooster Walk’s artists?
Acclaimed singer/songwriter/guitar virtuoso, Daniel Donato, will perform at The Ramkat on Feb. 2, the good folks at All Eyes Media have announced. (ticket info). Donato is on tour in support of his recently released album, Reflector (Retrace Music). The 15 songs on this new record are Donato’s first collection of all original songs. They embody the progressing musical space he has created for himself, which he refers to as “cosmic country.” You can listen to the new album on your preferred DSP HERE.
“A longtime fixture on the stages of Nashville’s Broadway district, Donato has transitioned into a force in the rock and jam-band worlds…” – Rolling Stone
“It’s a feeling pitched between the retro country associated with Sturgill Simpson and Chris Stapleton and the “conversational music” (his term) of the jam world. It comes across with uncommon clarity on Donato’s latest album, ‘Reflector’…” – UPROXX
“’Reflector’ is, literally, a reflection of his well-developed tastes, like a kaleidoscopic color wheel of the music that seasoned him, from the jam-heavy Grateful Dead to the crooning country of Willie Nelson.” – No Depression
“Prepare yourself for one of the most interesting, omnivorous, and immersive experiences that you can discover in music that still claims an allegiance to ‘country.’ It’s Daniel Donato’s Reflector, and it’s the realization of his “cosmic country” dream first envisioned years ago, but finally coming to fruition in its full form now.” – Saving Country Music
Donato released a music video for the joyful track “Hi-Country.” You can watch it HERE.
Donato’s “cosmic country” is a combination of Southern rock, bluegrass, classic country, and honky-tonk with Southern California folk and Northern California musical exploration. His album opener, “Lose Your Mind,” perfectly demonstrates this incredible blend. You can listen to his single “Lose Your Mind” HERE.
Reflector possesses such an energetic yet vibey sound that encompasses everything Donato is about. Donato is dedicated to his craft and exemplifies incredible work ethic. It also helps that he is a monster of a guitar player. You can see him in action with Billy Strings on stage at the Double E Performance Center in Vermont HERE.
Reflector was also produced by multi-Grammy Award winning producer/engineer/mixer Vance Powell (White Stripes, Arctic Monkeys, Chris Stapleton).
The Shakori Hills GrassRoots Festival of Music & Dance is a collaboration between the Shakori Hills Community Arts Center and the GrassRoots Festival Organization, providing a family-friendly celebration of music, dance, art and education. Activities for all ages! Yoga classes, sustainability discussions, food vendors, local beverages, demonstrations, workshops and much more! There are a variety of camp site options on a bucolic 72 acre site in Pittsboro, North Carolina. Find tickets for the May 2-4, 2024, event on sale at this link: https://www.shakorihillsgrassroots.org/
From the good folks at Hopscotch: Act fast, y’all! These are the lowest prices available for 2024, and quantities are extremely limited. New for 2024: payment plans are available during checkout! Buy your 3-day GA or VIP passes for just 20% down, and split the remaining balance over four additional payments. For more info on payment plans, visit our website. We can’t wait to reunite with you all for another Hopscotch Music Festival in the heart of downtown Raleigh
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