National Folk Festival: September 11-13, Greensboro, NC

First held in 1934, the National Folk Festival is the oldest multicultural festival of traditional arts in the nation. It is a traveling festival produced in partnership with communities around the country and the National Council for the Traditional Arts. The National Folk Festival’s three-year stay in a host city is intended to lay the groundwork for sustainable, locally-produced festivals and events that continue after the National moves on, such as has happened in Richmond, Virginia, which this years marks its eleventh annual event after hosting the National from 2005 to 2007. To date, the National has been presented in 26 cities. Musicians and craftspeople from every state in the Union and most US.. territories have participated in this “moveable feast of deeply traditional folk arts.” The Virginia Folklife Program will be on site this September 11-13 as the National presents its first year in Greensboro, North Carolina.

The festival features an amazing roster of international stars: Mavis Staples, Dale Watson, Trouble Funk, and Bobby Hicks Band, to name but a few. The festival will also highlight incredible local musicians in the North Carolina Folklife area: the Harris Brothers, John Dee Holeman, Shelia Kay Adams, the Jeff Little Trio, and so many more. And of course, some of Virginia’s finest will be in attendance too including Wayne Henderson and the Ingramettes.

Don’t miss this great, free event! Full festival details here.