Festival Guide: North Carolina
Your Guide to This Season’s Arts Festivals in
NORTH CAROLINA
Leaf Festival
MOOGFEST
May 19 – 22, 2016 | Durham, NC
Moogfest is the synthesis of music, art, and technology. This mind-expanding conference attracts creatives and tech fans for three days of participatory programming. Performing artists include early pioneers in electronic music, alongside pop and avant garde experimentalists of today.
NC BREWERS AND MUSIC FESTIVAL
May 6 – 7, 2016 | Rural Hill, NC
A celebration of music, NC, and its craft brewing traditions, NCBMF will delight you with eight bands and gobs of NC brewers, serving free tastings of their finest brews for over three hours, all in the confines of one of the largest open and beautiful areas in Mecklenburg County.
MERLEFEST
April 28 – May 1, 2016 | Wilksboro, NC
Wilkes Community College’s fundraiser will keep to their tradition of celebrating music from the Appalachian region along with genres such as country, rock, Americana, and bluegrass. Over 50 bands including John Prine, Jason Isbell, The Wood Brothers, and Brandi Carlisle will grace 13 stages during this four-day festival.
LEAF FESTIVAL
May 12 – 15, 2016 | Black Mountain, NC
LEAF, a non-profit who’s mission is to create a community by expressing individuals cultures through music and the arts, hosts the LEAF Festival each year to celebrate global gratitude. Individuals from more than 30 countries participate in this festival by sharing their culture through music, dance, handcrafted arts, poetry, culinary arts, and healing techniques.
BEER, BOURBON & BBQ FESTIVAL
May 7, 2016 | Charlotte, NC
Beer, Bourbon, and BBQ are the three key ingredients to this traveling festival with a portion of the proceeds going to Spirit of Hope Childrens Foundation. Admission grants access to tastings of over 60 beers and 40 bourbons, and barbeque vendors will be nearby for when the hunger kicks in.
SOUTH END HOPS FESTIVAL
May 14, 2016 | Charlotte, NC
Back for its third year, this dog-friendly festival brings 25 NC breweries, three food trucks, and four bands together. The festival proceed will benefit the RescuedMe, a nonprofit dog rescue program focused on adoption.
THE RALEIGH ARTS FESTIVAL
May 20 – 22, 2016 | Raleigh, NC
Raleigh’s local art scene is brought to the city center with performances, an art market, juried art exhibitions, rhythm performers and drummers, and street pianos. A highlight of this event is ArtBeat, where the public is encouraged to participate in the creation of an instillation using LED lights, bio reactive technology, and Gamelan instruments.
Raleigh Arts Festival
MONTFORD MUSIC & ARTS FESTIVAL
May 21, 2016 | Asheville, NC
Two historic streets in the Montford community will be lined with over 100 artists, craftsmen, plants, and food vendors. Live music will be played non-stop throughout the day with more than 20 bands scheduled to perform on two stages.
TASTE OF CHARLOTTE
June 10 – 12, 2016 | Charlotte, NC
Get your taste buds ready for the Taste of Charlotte festival, featuring more than 30 local restaurants. Using token coins, guests are able to sample appetizers, entrees, and desserts while being entertained by street performers and music. Participating restaurants will be entered in the Best ofTaste competition, and the Corona Light Race to theTaste 5k and the Cupcake one-mile run/walk will be held on Saturday morning.
Food Trucks at Taste of Charlotte
ART IN THE PARK
June 11, 18, 25, 2016 | Asheville, NC
At this outdoor festival, you’ll experience a unique art market with creations made from natural materials by hundreds of regional artists, as well as contributing to a good cause, with 10% of the proceeds going to a local non-profit.
EASTERN MUSIC FESTIVAL
June 27 – July 30, 2016 | Greensboro, NC
Learn from the master. The Eastern Music Festival brings experienced conductors and musicians such as Gerard Schwarz and Cynthia Phelps to conduct intensive summer study programs for aspiring musicians ages 14 to 23, and highlights the faculty and students through daily performances. Guest musicians will perform with the Festival orchestra, including Jualia Adolphe, Jason Vieaux, and Awadagin Pratt.
Explore More in Asheville:
DOWNTOWN ASHEVILLE ART WALK
April 1, May 6, June 3, 2016 (First Friday of April – December) | 5 – 8pm
Visit over 25 of Asheville’s best galleries, museums, and jewelry studios, for changing exhibitions, opening reception, artist talks, and demonstrations—all within a walkable half-mile radius.
RIVER DISTRICT ARTISTS STUDIO STROLL
May 21 – 22, 2016
Get the chance to stroll through nearly 25 buildings in West Asheville, where you can meet the artists, see special demos, and purchase artwork from the 185 talented and diverse artists of the River Arts District.
EARTH DAY PALLET PARTY
April 22, 2016 | 5pm
Eco-Depot Marketplace, 408 Depot Street
Enjoy sips, nibbles, and a unique pallet art and furniture auction at the grand opening celebration of the River Arts District’s newest art and artists venue that has an eco-friendly twist.Your bid on a piece of pallet art will go to benefit Asheville Green Works.
ecodepotmarketplace.com/pallet-party
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