How the time flies. It’s not been one, but two decades since the inception of the Cape Fear Blues Festival. Port City blues fans have a lot to look forward to this Friday, July 24, through Sunday, July 26, as new acts and old favorites head into town. Continue reading CRUISING ALONG: The Cape Fear Blues Festival enters its 20th year
“All the guys who play with me bring to life the whole intent of the song,” he says. “That’s a big part of the connection that happens between all of us [in JJ Grey & Mofro] … and it’s because of the way these guys play the songs. I think that really moves past any language or cultural barriers.” Continue reading A Universal Connection: JJ Grey & Mofro returns to Greenfield Lake Amphitheater
One night a year it is perceived socially acceptable to release our inner freaks from their cages. As children we dress up in costumes and go knocking from door to door, shouting “trick-or-treat” whenever someone appears with candy. When we are thrust into adulthood, our perception of Halloween tends to warp a bit, but costumes are still a must as is celebrating a night of … Continue reading GETTING ZOMBIEFIED: SOUTHERN CULTURE ON THE SKIDS HEADLINE FIFTH ANNUAL ZOMBIEFEST
Since moving to the Port City from Kinston, NC, Clay Whittington has found more opportunity to stretch his range of talents as an actor, singer, songwriter, pianist, and overall entertaining fella. Whittington will perform at Costello’s (211 Princess St.) through March, with his monthly January schedule including the 3rd, 9th and 31st. His “Hymnprov” show is slated for February 9th at Grainger-Hill Performing Arts Center in Kinston; his debut album can be purchased through iTunes, Amazon and Google Play. Continue reading Faith in Talent: Clay Whittington lands standing gig at Costello’s through March
While The Infamous Stringdusters are no strangers to our fair Port City, it is their deep connection with Colorado that has them coming back to us this Saturday. Since releasing their new EP in November, “Road To Boulder,” featuring Bruce Hornsby on the accordion, the ‘Dusters have taken to the road with Colorado band Paper Bird, for their Road To Boulder tour. “Road To Boulder” … Continue reading One Big, Happy ‘Jamily’: The Infamous Stringdusters return for live show
TONIGHT’S SHOW HAS BEEN MOVED TO BROOKLYN ARTS CENTER It’s hard to imagine bluegrass being embraced and even thriving outside its original Appalachian upbringing. Yet, Yonder Mountain String Band, founded more than a decade ago by a few of our Yankee brothers, help expand the genre with progressive and inventive mixtures of rock. The latest testament to their craft comes with the release of “YMSB … Continue reading Our Bluegrass Brothers
Marti Jones and Don Dixon Fri., 11/11, 7 p.m. $10 adv. or $12 at door http://www.soapboxlaundrolounge.com How great were the ‘80s? big hair. Rainbow Brite make-up. Shoulder pads. OK, maybe they were questionably great. Where I grew up, we held onto the ‘80s until at least 1993 (even now, it’s normal to see a frosted perm lingering in honky-tonks and bars). Sure, the ‘80s gave … Continue reading Married with Music:
Riverfest Music Main Stage Water Street Federal Building Fri. – Sun., 10/7-9 • Free! http://www.wilmingtonriverfest.com Riverfest, per usual, offers free family entertainment on the main stage throughout the weekend of October 7th through 9th. Set up in front of the Federal Building on Water Street, with a beer garden quite literally on tap closeby, dancing is sure to take place daily and especially into the … Continue reading Rockin’ on the River
Béla Fleck and the Flecktones Greenfield Lake Amphitheater Sun., 8/14, 5:30 – 10 p.m. Tickets: $35 at Gravity Records http://www.flecktones.com Inevitably as we age, there are times when the world jades us into cynicism. Nothing is ever new or unexpected. This is the worst feeling one undergoes when it comes to their job or passion. The key? Not to let it happen. That’s the main … Continue reading Reuniting After 20 Years:
Mary Chapin Carpenter Brooklyn Arts Center 516 N. 4th Street Thurs, 8/11, 7:30 p.m. $40-$65 • http://www.brooklynartsnc.com Enough can’t be said about music’s ability to soothe, comfort or pump up the soul. Growing up in the South, countless country tunes got me through some pretty good, bad and ugly days—and as a young pre-teen there was never a shortage of them. It seems like nothing … Continue reading Writer, Musician, Activist:
Shannon Rae Gentry 