The North Carolina Folk Festival brings dozens of singers, musicians, dancers, and other artists to entertain crowds with a medley of musical styles. In some cases, even audience members can become part of the band and contribute to the entertainment.
UNC Greensboro is a sponsor of the NC Folk Festival, and several Spartans will be leading those musical sessions during Center City Jams. People can bring their own instruments to Center City Park and schedule a jam session with a local artist.
UNCG’s faculty, staff, and alumni will present a wide variety of folk music from around the world:
• African Drum Workshop led by Atiba Rorie, dance music coordinator, School of Dance
• Bluegrass Jam led by alum Evan Campfield ’20
• Honkey Tonk Jam led by Mark Dillon, songwriting instructor, School of Music
• Irish Seisiún led by Gavin Douglas, professor of music and ethnomusicology, School of Music
• Old-Time and Folk Song Jam led by Christen Blanton, professor of music and ethnomusicology, School of Music
• Ukulele Americana Music Jam led by Terry Brandsma, information technology librarian, with the Triad Ukulele Club
In addition, alumni will grace the Festival stages throughout the weekend, such as Kate Musselwhite Tobey with Queen Bees.
This year, the Festival will also set aside a space for participants to store instruments in between jam sessions. They may choose to use the new Instrument Check service, located at Volunteer Check-in at Room #203 in the Greensboro Cultural Center. Instruments will be placed inside a locked, temperature-controlled space. Instrument Check will be available on Saturday, September 9 from noon to 9 p.m. and on Sunday, September 10 from noon to 4 p.m.
In addition, as a sample of the fun that is to come, UNCG’s Department of Community and Therapeutic Recreation will present a musical performance on Thursday, September 7. Jerry Joseph & the Jackmormons will play at the Van Dyke Performance Space in the Greensboro Cultural Center downtown. The show begins at 7 p.m. More information can be found here. It is free to attend, and participants may also make a cash donation to UNCG’s Spartan Open Pantry.
The NC Folk Festival runs from September 8-10. Read the schedule of performances here. Information about all the musical acts and stages can be found here.
