The gig: Darin & Brooke Aldridge Bluegrass Festival
The site: darinandbrookealdridge.com
The place: Cherryville
The buzz: A nice little family festival, with free camping
One(s) to watch: Lots of indigenous music including the Grascals and Balsam Range
Book it: April 1-2
How much: $20/day, $35 weekend
The gig: Big Lick Bluegrass Festival
The site: www.biglickfestival.com.
The place: Big Lick Festival Park
The buzz: Traditional bluegrass festival at a “wide spot in the road between Charlotte and Albemarle.” Worth going just for the T-shirt.
One(s) to watch: Balsam Range, the Rye Hollar Boys, the Grascals, Junior Sisk and Ramblers Choice, among others.
Book it: April 7-9
How much: $5 Thursday, $25 Friday, $30 Saturday. Primitive camping available for $15
The gig: World Beer Festival
The place: Moore Square, downtown Raleigh
The site: www.allaboutbeer.com
The buzz: More than 250 beers from around the world gathered in one great place, from All About Beer magazine
One(s) to watch: Joystick and the Plaids, with a few more local heroes on tap in the VIP tent.
Book it: April 9; 12 p.m. -4 p.m. and 6 p.m.-10 p.m.
How much: $40 per session in advance; $50 day of event; VIP sold out
The gig: Asheville Earth Day
The place: Pack Square Park, downtown Asheville
The site: avlearthday.org
The buzz: “[P]eople of all ages and backgrounds of the Asheville community, gathering to educate and celebrate that every person can make a difference for environmental change.”
One(s) to watch: Come for Toubab Krewe and the Lee Boys. Stay for the Asheville Middle School of Rock.
Book it: April 16
How much: FREE (VIP available)
The gig: ClydeFEST
The site: www.chathamarts.org/programs/clydefest.html
The place: Bynum Ballpark
The buzz: “[C]elebrating legendary folk artist Clyde Jones.”
One(s) to watch: Tommy Edwards & Friends, Sandbox, the Northwood High School Jazz Band, Dan the Magic Man and Girls Rock North Carolina.
Book it: April 17
How much: $7 adults, $3 children
The gig: Spring Shakori Hills Grassroots Festival
The place: Silk Hope
The site: www.shakorihills.org
The buzz: “A family-friendly festival of music, dance, art, and education” over four days in the country.
One(s) to watch: More than 60 bands in four stages, with big names that include Arrested Development, Big Daddy Love, Donna the Buffalo, Holy Ghost Tent Revival, Pat “Mother Blues” Cohen, Ron Hunter and Tift Merritt.
Book it: April 21-24
How much: $25-$45/day, $100 4-day pass
The gig: NC Herring Festival
The site: ncherringfestival.com
The place: Jamesville
The buzz: Something fishy on Easter weekend
One(s) to watch: As always, Friday night headliner Craig Woolard Band
Book it: April 22-23
How much: FREE (herring costs extra)
Lyle Lovett. (photo by Ryan Snyder)
Robert Plant (courtesy photo)
The gig: Merlefest
The site: merlefest.org
The place: Wilkesboro
The buzz: The granddaddy of them all, Merlefest honors the legacy of Doc and Merle Watson featuring a few dozen bands, camping and art.
One(s) to watch: Good lord. Robert Plant & the Band of Joy. Lyle Lovett, the Doobie Brothers, Randy Travis, the Infamous Stringdusters, Joan Osborne, Sonny Landreth and so many more it’s downright freaky.
Book it: April 28-May 1
How much: $35-$55 single day, $135-$250 multi-day.
The gig: NC Pickle Festival
The site: www.ncpicklefest.org
The place: Mt. Olive (of course)
The buzz: It’s more than just pickles… but there’s gonna be a lot of pickles.
One(s) to watch: Band of Oz on Friday night
Book it: April 29-30
How much: FREE
The gig: Party on the Plank
The site: partyontheplank.com
The place: Downtown High Point
The buzz: “Party on the Plank desires to continue promoting cultural renewal and a fun community gathering place in downtown High Point.”
One(s) to watch: Beatles cover band the Spongetones April 28, Old Southern Moonshine Revival May 5
Book it: Every Thursday April 28-May 12
How much: FREE
The gig: French Broad River Festival
The site: frenchbroadriverfestival.com
The place: Hot Springs
The buzz: Named for the river, not some French broad
One(s) to watch: Boombox, the Bottle Rockets, Snake Oil Medicine Show, Great American Taxi, the Honeycutters and 11 more
Book it: April 29-May 1
How much: $65 early bird, $75 after April 20, limited to 2,500 tickets
The gig: BBQ Festival on the Neuse
The place: Kinston
The site: bbqfestivalontheneuse.com
The buzz: Fireworks, golf tournament, street dance, pigs in costumes and the Great Neuse River Duck Race. Formerly known simply as the Festival on the Neuse, it is mnt the largest barbecue cook-off in the state.
One(s) to watch: Hip Pocket and the Embers
Book it: May 4-7
How much: FREE
The gig: Carolina Blues Festival
The site: www.piedmontblues.org
The place: Festival Park, downtown Greensboro
The buzz: One of our favorites, and not just because we’re sponsors
One(s) to watch: Two stages, including sets by local heroes Bob Margolin (with Ann Rabson), Ladies Auxillary and Lawyers, Guns & Money; appearances by Cigar-box busker Richard Johnston and former porn star Candye Kane and her band; and offerings by Andy Squint, Oern Poteat and the Misdemeanors. But we’re going for the guitar heroics of headliner Ronnie Baker Brooks.
How much: $18 advance, $30 day of show
The gig: Shine to Wine Festival
The place: Downtown north Wilkesboro
The site: www.downtownnorthwilkesboro.com/shinetowine
The buzz: Wine, food and song, and the 4th annual Culinary Chefs Challenge
One(s) to watch: Music TBA
Book it: May 7
How much: FREE, wine tasting $20
The gig: Spring Folly
The site: www.kernersvillespringfolly.com
The place: Kernersville
The buzz: Water wars, NASCAR simulator, petting zoo, antique cars, a lumberjack show and Korner’s Folly
One(s) to watch: “Kernersville Idol” talent search plus an Elvis impersonator
Book it: May 6-7
How much: FREE
The gig: Mayfest
The site: townofpilotmountain.com/mayfest.htm
The place: Pilot Mountain
The buzz: Annual Mothers Day weekend festival.
One(s) to watch: Lineup TBA
Book it: May 6-8
How much: FREE
The gig: Daniel Boone Family Festival
The site: danielboonefamilyfestival.com
The place: Mocksville
The buzz: Seriously outdated website, with little or no information regarding music, food or anything else, really, but it seems like an homage to the great woodsman and fighting man Daniel Boone — or, at least, a great place to bust out your coonskin cap
One(s) to watch: Local heroes DC Express and the David Mayfield Parade, with headlining beach band Mixed Emotions in the coveted 4:30 p.m. slot
Book it: May 7
How much: FREE
The gig: Ham & Yam Festival
The site: www.hamandyam.com
The place: Smithfield
The buzz: A tribute to the two of the state’s biggest agricultural products, featuring the winner of the Miss Ham & Yam Pageant
One(s) to watch: Headliner Night Ranger. Seriously.
Book it: May 7-8
How much: FREE
The gig: Lake Eden Arts Festival
The site: theleaf.com
The place: Camp Rockmont, Black Mountain
The buzz: “[S]pontaneous and great music from all corners of the globe,” with fiddle, dance and poetry contests, dancing and a killer drum circle
One(s) to watch: Tons, including Maceo Parker, Spam Allstars, Acoustic Syndicate, Man Arnold & Plate Full O’ Blues, and Voice of the Wetlands featuring Anders Osborne, Cyril Neville, Johnny Vidacovich and Big Chief Monk Boudreaux
Book it: May 12-15
How much: $34-$42 day pass, $99 weekend (no camping). $151-$175 weekend (w/camping)
The gig: Beaufort Music Festival
The site: beaufortmusicfestival.com
The place: The historic Beaufort waterfront
The buzz: An outdoor festival in one of the state’s most charming waterfront communities
One(s) to watch: Bands TBA, but last year’s lineup included Steep Canyon Rangers, American Aquarium, Rosebuds and Crucial Fiya
Book it: May 13-14
How much: FREE
The gig: Dale Earnhardt Chevrolet Newton Mayfest
The site: newtonmayfest.com
The place: Downtown Newton
The buzz: Word is Dale himself may show
One(s) to watch: Lineup TBA, but sure to include few local and high school bands, rock, beach and country
Book it: May 14
How much: FREE
The gig: Englehard Seafood festival
The site: englehardseafoodfestival.com
The place Englehard:
The buzz: Hold out for the Miss Seafood Pageant
One(s) to watch: 4 Star Edition, a military Top 40 band, plus Saints of Soul, a karaoke contest and a gospel tent
Book it: May 21
How much: FREE
The gig: NC Potato Festival
The site: ncpotatofestival.com
The place: Elizabeth City
The buzz: “The North Carolina Potato Festival is a family festival celebrating one of Northeast North Carolina’s largest crops.” With a potato-peeling contest and Little Miss Tater Tot pageant
One(s) to watch: Three stages, lineup TBA.
Book it: May 21
How much: FREE
The gig: Artsplosure
The site: www.artsplosure.org
The place: Moore Square; downtown Raleigh, NC
The buzz: The Raleigh Arts Festival
One(s) to watch: Lineup TBA, but last year saw Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe, the Iguanas, Tinsley Ellis and our old friend Mel Melton & the Wicked Mojos
Book it: May 21-22
How much: FREE
The gig: Li’l John’s Mountain Music Festival
The site: www.littlejohnsmountainmusic.com
The place: Cane Creek Campground, Snow Camp
The buzz: “Great family-style bluegrass festival with years of tradition.”
One(s) to watch: Sixteen bands, with an undercard including Sweet Potato Pie, Lonesome River Band and Grass Cats, and headliners Willow Branch, McFarland Road and Li’l John’s All Star Band on Saturday
Book it: May 26-28
How much: $25-$30 a day, $75 three-day pass
The gig: Fiddler’s Grove Festival
The site: fiddlersgrove.com
The place: Fiddler’s Grove Campground; Union Grove
The buzz: “The oldest continuous ole time fiddler’s competition in North America”
One(s) to watch: The certified Old Time Fiddlers, open to musicians over 55 who play only by ear and have had no formal training.
Book it: May 27-29
How much: $35 adults, $15 children; camping available
The gig: Groverfest 2010
The place: High Country Motorcycle Camp, Wilkes County
The site: www.groverfest.com
The buzz: It’s all about the music.
One(s) to watch: Greensboro band the Mantras, who thrive in a festival atmosphere, with Kung Fu Dynamite, Yesterday’s Gravy and a slew of other great band names
Book it: May 27-29
How much: $45 pre-sale, $TBA after March, limited camping $25 extra
The gig: NC Wine Festival
The site: ncwinefestival.com
The place: Tanglewood Park, Winston-Salem
The buzz: A wine buzz, of course!
One(s) to watch: Chairmen of the Board, with others TBA
Book it: May 28
How much: $20 advance, $25 at the gate
The gig: NC Gold Festival
The site: ncgold.org
The place: Tom Johnson Camping Center; Marion
The buzz: Thar’s gold in them there hills! Or, at least, there used to be.
One(s) to watch: Music TBA, but expect to see some fiddlers
Book it: June 3-4
How much: FREE
The gig: Smilefest
The site: smilefest.com
The place: Jomeokee Campground, Pinnacle
The buzz: A festival begun in the aftermath of the death of Grateful Dead guitarist Jerry Garcia, back after a short hiatus
One(s) to watch: Wow. JJ Grey and Mofro, Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe, Melvin Seals & JGB, Larry Keel & Natural Bridge, Greensboro acts Doby and Electric Soul Pandemic and headliner Railroad Earth, among others.
Book it: June 3-5
How much: $115 for the weeked — if you can score an invite, that is.
The gig: Ocrafolk Music and storytelling Festival
The site: ocrafolkfestival.org
The place: Ocracoke Island
The buzz: “The festival is a life-enriching experience, full of joy and sharing… a communion of sorts, bringing together musicians, Ocracoke residents and tourists.”
One(s) to watch: Lineup TBA, but last year’s saw 28 bands worth of gospel, folk, bluegrass, Americana and rock, along with clogging, storytelling and… pirates?
Book it: June 3-5
How much: FREE
The gig: Texas Pete Twin City RibFest
The site: Twincityribfest.com
The place: Dixie Classic Fairgrounds; Winston-Salem
The buzz: Four days and nights of music and meat off the bone for this award-winning festival, now in its seventh year
One(s) to watch: Mixed-bag lineup of ’80s on Thursday, funk on Friday and Carolina music on Saturday. Sunday night lineup TBA, but they usually spring for somebody pretty big (remember Vanilla Ice?).
Book it: June 9-12
How much: $7, kids free
The gig: Galax Leaf & String Festival
The site: Galaxfestival.com
The place: Downtown Galax, Va.
The buzz: Bluegrass and old-time mountain music on two downtown stages and a headliner at the historic Rex Theater
One(s) to watch: “[A] full sampling of local music, luthiers, arts, crafts and regional and national authors on hand to meet and entertain you.”
Book it: June 10-11
How much: FREE, some ticketed events
The gig: Washington Summer Festival
The site: wbcchamber.com
The place: Washington
The buzz: Last year they had a fossil dig.
One(s) to watch: Just one act, yet to be named
Book it: June 10-11
How much: FREE
The gig: Charlie Poole Music Festival
The site: Charlie-poole.com
The place: Governor Morehead Park, Eden
The buzz: Two days of pickin’, grinnin’ and fiddlin’ in honor of the legacy of mill worker and banjoist Charlie Poole
One(s) to watch: TBA, but plenty of competitions and $5,000 in prizes. Winners last year came from as far away as San Rafael, Calif. and Brooklyn, NY.
Book it: June 10-11
How much: $10-$20
The gig: Fun Fourth Festival
The site: funfourthfestival.org
The place: Downtown Greensboro
The buzz: Greensboro’s 26th annual Fourth of July celebration
One(s) to watch: A big, mostly free musical weekend with the Eric & the Chill Tones and Walrus Saturday night, and the Greensboro Philharmonic on Monday night at the new White Oak Amphitheater at the Greensboro Coliseum.
Book it: June 25-July 4
How much: FREE ($10 block party)
The gig: Kernersville summerfest
The site: www.kernersvillefoundation.org/summerfest
The place: Kernersville Elementary School; 512 W. Mountain St.
The buzz: A good old-fashioned street fair with pony rides, classic cars, a petting zoo and fireworks.
One(s) to watch: The Fantastic Shakers, Craig Woolard Band and the Band of Oz
Book it: June 16-18
How much: FREE (donations accepted)
The gig: Eastern Music Festival
The site: Easternmusicfestival.org
The place: Various Triad locations
The buzz: A huge lineup of classical musicians, conductors, small groups, guest conductors and orchestras along with a Fringe series that’s a little more hip
One(s) to watch: We love the EMF Fringe series, which brings a different vibe to the event, but most acts are TBA
Book it: June 25-July 30
How much: $9-$49, but lots of deals available at the website
Twitty family. (courtesy photo)
The gig: Annual Southeast Old Threshers’ Reunion
The site: threshers.com
The place: FarmPark, Denton
The buzz: “The greatest steam, gas and antique farm machinery show in the Southeast.”
One(s) to watch: Michael Twitty, son of Conway, on June 30
Book it: June 30-July 4
How much: $14 ($6 kids)
The gig: Heavy Rebel Weekender
The site: Heavyrebel.net
The place: The Millennium Center, Winston-Salem
The buzz: Hard to pigeonhole this one, just know it’s about rock, country, punk and everything in between — 90 bands over three days on four stages — plus burlesque, cars, PBR and mud wrestling.
One(s) to watch: “Dexter Romweber is a god.”
Book it: July 1-3
How much: $35 (one day) $90 (weekend)
The gig: Red, White and Bluegrass Festival
The site: www.redwhiteandbluegrassfestival.com
The place: Catawba Meadows Park; Morganton
The buzz: A festival born of a 15-minute fireworks show on the campus of Western Piedmont Community College in the 1980s. No booze.
One(s) to watch: Eight bands a day, including Lonesome River Band, the Boxcars, Dailey & Vincent, Mountain Heart with Tony Rice and Rocky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder, as well as a bluegrass camp for kids.
Book it: July 1-4 (as always)
How much: $20/day, $45 weekend pass
The gig: Christmas in July Festival
The site: Christmasinjuly.info
The place: West Jefferson
The buzz: Now in its 25th year, activities at this one include a Civil War reenactment and a square dance.
One(s) to watch: At least nine acts, including gospel, country and bluegrass. We like the Dollar Brothers, for no particular reason other than the name.
Book it: July 2
How much: FREE
The gig: Uncle Sam Jam
The site: None
The place: Oak Hollow Park, High Point
The buzz: Annual Fourth of July throwdown in the Furniture City
One(s) to watch: Lineup TBA
Book it: July 4
How much: FREE
Carolina Chocolate Drops. (photo by Julie Roberts)
Grace Potter & The Nocturnals. (photo by Lauren Dukoff)
The gig: FloydFest X
The site: Floydfest.com
The place: Floyd, Va.
The buzz: “FloydFest is named after our one-stoplight, two-block town, or rather the special essence of our town, which residents and visitors alike experience as a respite from the restless, hurried activity of our modern society, and the cookie-cutter look and feel of many, if not most, modern places.” It is not a Pink Floyd tribute festival.
One(s) to watch: Crazy good lineup including Robert Randolph & the Family Band, Grace Potter & the Nocturnals, the Del McCoury Band, the David Grisman Sextet, Hot Tuna, Toubab Krewe, the Carolina Chocolate Drops and many, many more. But really, they had us at Taj Mahal.
Book it: July 28-31
How much: $125-$155/weekend, and day passes may be made available depending on space.
The gig: BeleChere
The Site: belecherefestival.com
The place: Downtown Asheville
The buzz: “Bele chere means ‘beautiful living.’”
One(s) to watch: “Featured past performers include Grace Potter & the Nocturnals, the Fabulous Thunderbirds, Old 97’s, Cracker, the Family Stone Project, Travis Tritt, the Wailers, Original P-Funk, Cowboy Mouth, Rusted Root, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Marty Stuart, Gin Blossoms, Galactic, Gov’t Mule and many others.”.
Book it: July 29-31
How much: FREE
The gig: Cape Fear Blues Festival
The site: capefearblues.org
The place: Wilmington
The buzz: Blues on the beach courtesy of the Cape Fear Blues Society, with a blues cruise, workshops, jams and a guitar giveaway
One(s) to watch: This one, now in its 16th year, is still in the planning stages, but our favorite acts from last year were 10 Dollar Thrill, Jen & Tonic and Blind Lemon Pledge
Book it: July 29-31
How much: $TBA
The gig: Sneads Ferry Shrimp Festival
The site: Sneadsferryshrimpfestival.com
The place: Sneads Ferry
The buzz: The shrimp festival features a shrimp heading/peeling contest, a parade, a Shrimp Queen pageant, fireworks and the Shrimp Ball; also has its own song (mp3 on the website) and its own wine, Waterway White
One(s) to watch: Valerie Morales, Gaylon & Sweetwater, Classic Collection, Don Blalock & Pauline Smith, Jay Barnes, the Conductors and Billy Scott & the Party Prophets
Book it: Aug. 13-14
How much: $3, kids FREE
The gig: Winterville Watermelon Festival
The site: Watermelonfest.com
The place: Winterville
The buzz: the 26th annual festival dedicated to that most succulent of fruits, also a “womanless beauty contest”
One(s) to watch: The Four Tops on Thursday night
Book it: Aug. 25-27
How much: FREE
The gig: High Country Bluegrass Festival
The site: www.highcountrybluegrassfestival.com
The place: Boone
The buzz: Bluegrass in the setting where it’s meant to be heard: outdoors in the mountain sunshine
One(s) to watch: Much of the lineup TBA, but last year saw the Grascals, Surefire and the Darin & Brooke Aldridge Quintet
Book it: Aug. 26-27
How much: $15-$35
The gig: John Coltrane International Jazz and Blues Festival
The site: none
The place: Oak Hollow Festival Park, High Point
The buzz: “[T]o preserve and celebrate the life and music of John Coltrane and to enrich the lives of others through the introduction of jazz and other musical genres.”
One(s) to watch: Ravi Coltrane, son of John, who ably carries the torch.
Book it: Sept. 3
How much: $TBA
The gig: Happy Valley Old-time Fiddlers’ Convention
The site: happyvalleyfiddlers.com
The place: Jones Farm; Lenoir
The buzz: Lenoir is the place where Tom Dooley actually hung his head and cried in 1867 after being executed for murdering his neighbor, Laura Foster, who grew up on the festival site
One(s) to watch: Check out the competitions, especially the ones for autoharp, Appalachian dulcimer and mountain dance
Book it: Sept. 3-5
How much: $5, $10 camping
The gig: Blues, Brews & BBQ
The site: Google says it may harm my computer
The place: Uptown Charlotte
The buzz: Three very important B-words crammed into one weekend
One(s) to watch: Big Bad Voodoo Daddy on Friday night
Book it: Sept 9-10
How much: FREE
The gig: Rock the Block
The site: www.rocktheblockws.com
The place: Downtown Winston-Salem
The buzz: Big free street fest to celebrate the end of summer.
One(s) to watch: Live music on six stages, lineup TBA
Book it: Sept. 17
How much: FREE
The gig: Festival in the Park
The site: Festivalinthepark.org
The place: Freedom Park, Charlotte
The buzz: In its 46th year, the festival has been ranked among the top 200 in the United States by Sunshine Artists magazine
One(s) to watch: Special stages for kids, clowns, magicians and folk musicians. More than a dozen music acts, including Woody & the Stragglers, Criss Cross Mangosauce and Cruise O Matic.
Book it: Sept. 23-25
How much: FREE
The gig: Carrboro Music Festival
The site: Carrboromusicfestival.com
The place: Carrboro
The buzz: In its 13th year, the daylong festival takes over the city with shows at such disparate venues as bars, cafés, dance studios, garden stores and markets, as well as the venerable Cat’s Cradle.
One(s) to watch: Still booking, but last year’s event saw about 150 local acts: jazz, rock, gospel, country, folk, Americana and just about everything else you can think of.
Book it: Sept. 25
How much: FREE (donations accepted)
