Great Folk Links

Dedicated to promoting the ongoing enjoyment and preservation of traditional
and contemporary folk music, dance, crafts and lore in the Carolinas Piedmont, since 1982.

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Tosco Music Party
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WNCW 88.7 FM
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Levine Museum
of the New South
Levine Museum
of the New South

Creative Loafing
Available at over 1,400 locations throughout Charlotte metro or visit us online at Creative Loafing

Foundation For The Carolinas
Proud Grantee

The Charlotte Museum of History
Charlotte Museum of History

Neighborhood Theatre
Neighborhood Theatre

Cook Shack
Cook Shack

Maxx Music
Maxx Music

Charlotte Shout
Charlotte SHOUT!

Hetzler Fakebook
Hetzler's Music Archive

Laurie Koster's 
Weekly Charlotte Events Calendar
Charlotte Events Weekly Newsletter

Click on a category in the table below to go to the fuller list on this page. Please feel free to suggest a link by emailing here.

Annual Events/Conventions Art, History & Culture Organizations Carolina Musicians Crafts Dance Live Music Venues
Music Sites Other Folk Societies Other Links Sites Learn (Schools, Camps, etc.) Storytelling Vendors

ANNUAL EVENTS IN THE CAROLINAS/VIRGINIAS (back to top)

Date Event (click for website) Location
October 19, 2007 Carolina in the Fall Festival North Wilkesboro NC
February 15, 2008 Kinston Winter Bluegrass Festival (15th Annual) Kinstons NC
February 22, 2008 Bluegrass First Class Festivel (13th Annual) Asheville NC
February 28, 2008 Tommy Jarrell Festival Mt. Airy NC
April 17, 2008 Shakori Hills Grassroots Festival Sharkori Hills NC
April 19, 2008 23rd Annual Yadkinville Bluegrass Contest & Fiddlers' Convention Yadkinville, NC
April 24, 2008 Merlefest Wilkesboro NC
April 26, 2008 Storytelling Festival of Carolina (2nd Annual) At the Historic John Blue House Laurinburg, NC
May 9, 2008 LEAF (Lake Eden Arts Festival) Black Mountain NC
May 10, 2008 Cooleemee Civitan Club's OT Fiddlers' and Bluegrass Convention Cooleemee NC
May 12, 2008 Carolina Legends Festival Andrew Jackson State Park, Lancaster SC
May 23, 2008 Fiddler's Grove Union Grove NC
May 23, 2008 32nd Vandalia Gathering Charleston WVA
May 24, 2008 Gathering in the Gap Big Stone Gap VA
June 6, 2008 Mt. Airy Bluegrass and Old Time Fiddlers' Convention Mt. Airy NC
June 13, 2008 Charlie Poole Music Festival Eden NC
June 13, 2008 Galax Leaf & String Festival Galax VA
June 19, 2008 North Carolina State Bluegrass Festival (34th Annual) Cherokee NC
June 19, 2008 Maury River Fiddlers Convention Buena Vista VA
June 19, 2008 West Virginia State Folk Festival Glenville WVA
June 21, 2008 Wayne C. Henderson Music Festival and Guitar Competition Grayson Highlands State Park in Mouth of Wilson, VA
June 21, 2008 Mountain Music Championship Stecoah, NC
June 22, 2008 Allegheny Echoes Summer Workshops Marlinton WVA
June 27, 2008 Grayson County Fiddler's Convention Elk Creek, VA
June 28, 2008 Eastern Music Festival Greensboro NC
June 28, 2008 Shindig on the Green Asheville NC
July 1, 2008 Red, White and Bluegress Festival (5th Annual) Morganton NC
July 4, 2008 Festival for the Eno Durham NC
July 5, 2008 Shindig on the Green Asheville NC
July 11, 2008 Uncle Dave Macon Days. National Championship for Ole Time Banjo, Buckdance, & Clogging, in Murfreesboro TN Murfreesboro TN
July 11, 2008 MusicFest 'n Sugar Grove near Boone NC
July 12, 2008 Shindig on the Green Asheville NC
July 17, 2008 Mineral Bluegrass Festival (25th Annual) Walton Park, Mineral VA
July 18, 2008 Alleghany Fiddler's Convention Sparta NC
July 19, 2008 Shindig on the Green Asheville NC
July 25, 2008 Bele Chere Festival Asheville NC
July 30, 2008 Clifftop -- Applachian String Band Music Festival Clifftop WV
July 31, 2008 Mountain Dance and Folk Festival Asheville NC
August 1, 2008 Jeffersons Rotary Club Olde Time and Bluegrass Fiddlers' Convention Jefferson NC
August 4, 2008 Old Fiddler's Convention (73rd Annual) Galax VA
August 9, 2008 Shindig on the Green Asheville NC
August 14, 2008 Cherokee Bluegrass Festival (26th Annual) Cherokee NC
August 16, 2008 Shindig on the Green Asheville NC
August 23, 2008 Shindig on the Green Asheville NC
August 30, 2008 Happy Valley Heritage Old Time Fiddlers Convention Jones Farm near Lenoir NC
August 30, 2008 Shindig on the Green Asheville NC
September 5, 2008 Rockbridge Mountain Music & Dance Festival Bristol VA
September 18, 2008 Festival in the Park (44th Annual) Freedom Park, Charlotte NC
September 19, 2008 Hoppin' John Fiddlers' Conention Shakori Hills, NC
September 19, 2008 Rhythm and Roots Reunion Bristol VA
September 20, 2008 Hagood Mill's Old Time Fiddlin' Convention Pickens SC
September 26, 2008 Flat Rock Music Fall Festiva Camp Ton-A-Wandah in Flat Rock NC
September 27, 2008 Mountain Heritage Day Western Carolina University, Cullowhee NC
September 28, 2008 Carrboro Music Festival Carrboro NC
October 3, 2008 National Storytelling Festival Jonesborough TN\
October 9, 2008 Shakori Hills Grassroots Festival Sharkori Hills NC
October 10, 2008 Autumn Leaves Festival Mt. Airy NC
October 17, 2008 Harvest Festival Stecoah, NC
October 17, 2008 LEAF (Lake Eden Arts Festival) Black Mountain NC
October 18, 2008 Art of Sound Music Festival In Uptown Shelby
October 25, 2008 Blue Ridge Folklife Festival Ferrum VA
October 25, 2008 Halloweenfest Brevard NC
November 24, 2008 South Carolina State Bluegress Festival (38th Annual) Myrtle Beach SC

ARTS, HISTORY & CULTURE ORGANIZATIONS (back to top)

The American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress -- The American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress was created by Congress in 1976 "to preserve and present American Folklife." The Center incorporates the Archive of Folk Culture, which was established at the Library in 1928 as a repository for American Folk Music.

Carolina Music Ways Music Heritage Resource Group is a grassroots organization dedicated to increasing awareness of the diverse music traditions of North Carolina's Northwest Piedmont, working with people from around our region to highlight some of the best heritage music performed anywhere in the United States, including bluegrass, jazz, blues, gospel, old-time stringband, and Moravian music. The group inventories the heritage music traditions of Davidson, Davie, Forsyth, Stokes, Surry, and Yadkin counties in North Carolina.

Catawba Valley Scottish Society

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Arts & Science Council -- Our regional arts council and supporter.

The Charlotte Regional History Consortium -- a membership organization of regional history-oriented sites.

The Davie County Arts Council

The Levine Museum of the New South -- An excellent New South museum, located in uptown Charlotte.

North Carolina Arts Council

North Carolina Folklore Society -- the North Carolina Folklore Society promotes the appreciation and study of North Carolina's folklife.

The North Carolina Folklife Institute-- To promote the preservation and understanding of folklife in North Carolina.

The Piedmont Council of Traditional Music (Pine Cone) -- a private, non-profit, charitable organization dedicated to preserving and promoting traditional forms of music, dance, and other performing arts.

CAROLINA MUSICIANS (back to top)

Alan Barrington

Ashley Broder

Buffalo Creek Stringband

Carolina Chocolate Drops-- African-American String Band Music.

Carolina Gator Gumbo -- Jumbalaya and great music from the bayous.

The Circuit Riders

Doug Elliott -- Naturalist, Herbalist, Storyteller.

Wayne Erbsen

Full Grown -- Full Grown is a folk/blues/rock band based in Charlotte.

Michael Reno Harrell

Jamie Laval -- One of the premier Celtic violinists on the international music scene today.

Little Windows --

Joe Newberry --

Pilot Mountain Bobcats -- Old time stringband music since 1989.

Polecat Creek -- Original Roots Country Music.

Riley Baugus-- Old Time Banjo, Guitar, Fiddle & Song.

Rick Spreitzer--

Steel Magnolias-- Traditional Bluegrass

Stevens Mill Band-- A variety of original music and takes on popular tunes blended with a Newgrass kick

Wood and Steel Band-- Traditional North Carolina Bluegrass.

CRAFTS (back to top)

The American Craft Show in Charlotte -- Nov. 2-4, 2007. 13th annual American Craft Show in Charlotte at the uptown Convention Center.

Penland School of Crafts -- a national center for craft education located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina.

Piedmont Fiber Guild -- Organized in the early 1970'S as the Charlotte Handweavers Guild, our group has evolved into a regional membership comprised of people interested in all aspects of the fiber arts: spinning, weaving, knitting, doll making, surface design, basketry, and beadwork, to name a few.

DANCE (back to top)

Boone Country Dancers

Carolina Classic Cloggers. Dancing to a variety of music (traditional mountain music, familiar tunes , and contemporary arrangements), this team is full of energy and will soon have you tapping your feet to the beat. Several members are winners of individual and team competitions.

Contra Dance Carolina.

Charlotte Dance Page -- The Charlotte Country Dancers & Dance Gypsies Schedule, with links to other dance organizations, as well.

Dance With Adele -- Clogging performances and demos of both traditional and contemporary clogging styles for special events. With or without audience participation and lesson. Salsa line dance is also available. No partner needed for this fun program.

Fiddle and Bow Country Dancers -- The Fiddle and Bow Country Dancers sponsor a contra dance every Tuesday night in Winston-Salem, NC from 8 until 10 at the beautiful Vintage Theatre.

Old-Time Music and Dance Group (OTM&DG) -- a group of old-time music and dance enthusiasts from Blacksburg, Virginia and neighboring towns. The primary purpose of the group is organizing the Southern Mountain Square Dance.

Rince na h'Eireann. -- School of Traditional Irish Dance

Triangle Country Dancers.

LIVE MUSIC VENUES (back to top)
The Arts Center -- in Carrboro NC.

Asheville Civic Center -- Asheville NC.

The Ashe Civic Center -- in West Jefferson NC.

Blue Ridge Music Center -- in Galax VA.

The Blue Vine -- 209 S. Main St., Salisbury NC.

Blumenthal Theater -- Charlotte NC.

Brock Performing Arts Center -- in Mocksville NC.

Broyhill Civic Center of Caldwell Community College -- in Lenoir NC.

Charlotte Live Music -- a web site devoted to what's happening in the Charlotte area in live music.

Comet Grill -- 2224 Park Road, Charlotte.

Cook Shack Concert Series -- Union Grove, NC.

Crossroads Coffee House -- 112 N. Broome St., Waxhaw NC.

Diana Wortham Theater at Pack Place -- in Asheville NC.

Dilworth Coffee House at Quail Corners -- 8502 Park Road, Charlotte NC.

Dilworth Coffee House in Cornelius -- 9696 Bailey Road, Ste. B, Cornelius NC.

Dirty Linen -- Concerts in NORTH CAROLINA

Double Door Inn -- Charlotte's Home of the Blues

The Evening Muse -- Music venue in Charlotte's Noda district.

Fairview Ruritan Club Concerts -- in Galax VA.

The Garage -- in Winston-Salem NC.

Grey Eagle Tavern & Music Hall -- in Asheville NC.

The Handlebar -- A listening room, cafe & pub in Greenville SC

Holly Springs NC Cultural Center -- PineCone and the Town of Holly Springs have teamed up to launch a new music series. The Listening Room Series will take place in the intimate 200-seat performing arts theater at the Holly Springs Cultural Center in downtown Holly Springs, NC.

Julia's Coffee Re-Store-- 1133 N. Wendover Rd, Charlotte NC

Live at Leatherwood's -- in Shelby NC

McCelvey Center -- A music venue in York SC

McGlohon Theatre at Spirit Square-- in Charlotte. Part of the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center.

Neighborhood Theatre -- For the love of music and more! The Theatre is relaxed and comfortable, relaxed & fun, relaxed & acoustically correct, relaxed & intimate, relaxed and available for lease to other promoters and artists, and just relaxed.

Old Rock School -- in Valdese NC.

On Stage in NC -- neat online search engine for what's happening in NC.

Orange Peel -- in Asheville NC.

Puckett's Farm Equipment -- in Derita NC.

Purple Onion -- Saluda NC.

Ri-Ra Irish Pub -- in Charlotte NC.

Rodi -- in Gaston NC.

Sawbriar Acoustic Stage -- in Pilot Mountain NC.

Summit Coffee -- check out the "Live Music" list on the menu at left of homepage.

Sylvia Theater -- A music venue in York SC

Tosco Music Party -- Each music party includes the Tosco's trademark sing-alongs, and still retains the original "living room" feeling. The format of these Music Parties is generally 5-10 minute sets of acoustic music by a variety of scheduled performers (professional and amateur alike) who donate their time and talent.

The Visulite Theatre -- One of Charlotte's old neighborhood theaters, this one in the Elizabeth neighborhood, is brimming with talent and shows.

MUSIC SITES (back to top)

Acoustic Music Scene an online publication providing news & commentary for the folk, roots and singer-songwriter communities.

Fiddle & Bow Society-- FIDDLE & BOW, founded in 1981, is a non-profit, educational organization dedicated to the promotion and preservation of folk music and dance, and their related arts.

The Carolinas Flute Circle -- Folks dedicated to the ethereal sound of Native American flute playing.

folkmusic.org -- the most comprehensive source for folk and acoustic music resources on the World Wide Web.

Mandolin Cafe-- All things mandolin

Native Ground Music Company -- Historic American Music & Folklore

Old Hat Records-- Quality Reissues of Vintage American Music.

Old-Time Herald online edition! -- The Old-Time Herald celebrates the love of old-time music -- grassroots or home-grown music and dance.

Old Time Music Page-- quite a site for old time fans.

Sugar in the Gourd-- Old Time, All the time.

Weenie Campbell-- Preserving Country Blues through Education, Performance and Technology.

OTHER SOCIETIES PROMOTING MUSIC (back to top)

Acoustic Stage -- Acoustic Stage is an all volunteer non-profit organization located in Hickory, NC.

Banjo in the Hollow: The Acoustic Instrument Musician's Association -- Banjo in the Hollow (BITH) is a private, non-profit, corporation dedicated to preserving and promoting bluegrass and old-time music.

Bluegrass in Galax -- Dedicated to promoting Bluegrass Music since 1996

The Carolina Accordianists Association -- Devotees of the stomach piano.

Folk Arts Society of Greenville (NC)-- The Folk Arts Society of Greenville (FASG) is a membership organization dedicated to enriching the community through the arts.

Harvest Moon Folk Society -- an organization whose mission is to promote, sponsor, and encourage participation in folk and traditional dance for people in and around the Upstate of South Carolina.

High Lonesome Strings -- High Lonesome Strings is an association for Bluegrass musicians and Bluegrass fans who get together to celebrate and promote Bluegrass music. They are located in Pleasant Garden, North Carolina.(Greensboro area)

The North Carolina Mountain Acoustic Music Association -- A statewide association dedicated to promoting acoustic music.

PineCone-- the Piedmont Council of Traditional Music, was formed in 1984 to honor the traditional music heritage that makes North Carolina unique.

SouthEastern Bluegrass Association! -- If you like to listen to bluegrass music, play bluegrass music, or would like to play bluegrass music, SEBA is the organization for you!

Triangle Folk Music Society -- Triangle Folk Music Society (TFMS) is a non-profit, volunteer-staffed organization.

Wilkes Acoustic Folk Society. We're a non-profit organization focused on nurturing musical appreciation and talent.

OTHER LINK SITES (back to top)

Sugar in the Gourd's links page (new window will open)

Old Time Music Page's links page

Weenie Campbell's links

LEARN (SCHOOLS, CAMPS, ETC.) (back to top)

Augusta Heritage Center -- Davis & Elkin College.

Blue Ridge Old Time Music Week -- Mars Hill College.

East Tennessee State University Bluegrass & Country Music Program -- East Tennessee State University is an ideal place to pursue studies in bluegrass and country music.

EZFolk.Com isn't a folk group, but is Richard Hefner's instructional website for banjo (bluegrass & clawhammer), folk guitar, ukulele, and harmonica. Hundreds of pages of tablature, tutorials, and more to make your learning experience an enjoyable one. Tablature may be viewed on screen and tablature may be downloaded and viewed, played at any speed, or printed using the excellent tablature program, TablEdit, or the free viewer, TabView. Computer generated midi files are also provided on the site, as well as a link directory to over 2500 acoustic music sites (mostly folk & bluegrass).

Folk Chords. Pat Raedy has a personal web site that has a wonderful set of folk music chords, especially handy for Charlotte Folk Society post-Gathering monthly jams! Also check out his instructions on guitar bass notes and runs.

Homespun Tapes-- Terrific selection of instructional DVDs covering all instruments and genres.

John C. Campbell Folk School -- Teaching time-honored crafts, music and dance since 1925 in the mountains of western North Carolina.

Penland School of Crafts -- a national center for craft education located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina.

Stefan Grossman's Guitar Workshop-- Great selection of instructional DVDs,focusing on guitar.

Swannanoa Gathering-- Five weekly camps each summer at Warren Wilson College in the Carolina mountains.

STORYTELLING (back to top)

August House -- publisher of storytelling guides and folk-tale anthologies

Doug Elliott -- Naturalist, Herbalist, Storyteller.

National Storytelling Festival -- 35th National Storytelling Festival, October 5-7, 2007 in Jonesborough, Tennessee.

Saundra Porter Thomas -- "singing storyteller" and multi-cultural educator.

Storytelling links from August House

Storytelling Festival of Carolina -- At the Historic John Blue House Laurinburg, North Carolina

VENDORS (back to top)

Jack Coobs, Luthier -- Jack is an excellent Charlotte-area luthier and craftsman, located in Matthews, N.C.

Satisfied Mind -- Carol and Pat Raedy provide a wide array of products and services: dulcimer and banjo kits for kids, how to make simple instruments, information on folk music shows and workshops.

TAXI -- A commercial site that connects artists, musicians and song writers with arrangers and recorders.