Carolina Music Festivals is a comprehensive calendar and guide to multi-act, daylong or multiple-day music shows in North Carolina.

April 2011

April 12 - 14    Big Lick Bluegrass Festival - Oakboro

Big Lick expanded to three days and moves the festival from June to April for 2011 to take advantage of cooler weather.

Artists
Thursday: Open mic night.
Friday: Rye Holler Boys, Goldwing Express, Balsam Range, Little Roy & Lizzie Show.
Saturday: Lonesome River Band, Deeper Shade of Blue, Goldwing Express, Junior Sisk & Ramblers Choice, Movin' On Bluegrass.

Festival site: Big Lick Festival Park


View Larger Map		 6 p.m.-until Thursday, 2 to 11 p.m. Friday, noon to 11 p.m. Saturday.

Three-day pass: $35 before March 31, $45 afterward.
Thursday: $5.
Friday: $20 in advance, $25 at the gate.
Saturday: $25 in advance, $30 at the gate, $15 after 6 p.m.
Ages 12 to 16: $5 Thursday, $10 Friday, Saturday.
Younger than 12 free.

Camping on-site with limited hookups.

April 13 - 14    The Darin & Brooke Aldridge Bluegrass Festival - Cherryville

The event is one of several shows sponsored by Catawba Valley Music Revival, which is dedicated to preserving and promoting live music in the Unifour and surrounding areas of North and South Carolina.

Artists
TBA. 2011 lineup included Darin & Brooke Aldridge, Balsam Range, The Grascals, Unspoken Tradition and five more.

Festival site: Coot Williams Road


View Larger Map		 Shows start with open stage 4 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. Saturday.

Two-day pass: $35 in advance.
Friday: $20 advance, $25 at gate.
Saturday: $20 advance, $25 at gate.
Younger than 13 free with paying adult.

Thursday night jam and supper.

Free camping. No hookups but a bathhouse is available.

April 14 - 15    Carrboro Gets the HINT - Carrboro

The two-day, two-stage outdoor show begun in 2011 benefits the Future of Music Coalition's Health Insurance Navigation Tool, which provides musicians with free, personalized, artist-friendly advice about their health care options. There's also be a raffle for goodies donated by local merchants.

Artists
TBA. 2011 lineup included Robolly, Dick Move, The Ill Family, Jeremey Current, Jane Francis, Jeff Hart, and more than 20 more.

Festival site: Jessee's Coffee Bar


View Larger Map		 11 a.m. to midnight Saturday, 10:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Sunday.

It's a free show, with donations accepted.

April 19 - 22    Shakori Hills Grassroots Festival - Silk Hope

The semiannual Shakori Hills Grassroots Festival of Music & Dance (see October schedule) is a growing festival with four stages presenting an eclectic mix of music - from rock to jazz and Americana, Cajun and klezmer. There are also musicians' competitions, art and craft vendors, food vendors, games, a drum circle, children's activities and more. Click on the photo for more information.

Artists
TBA. Donna the Buffalo is the festival host. 2011 lineup included Tift Merrit, Scythian, The Lee Boys, Cool John Ferguson, The Bluegrass Experience, Big Al Hall & Marching Rams, and many more.

Festival site: Shakori Hills


View Larger Map		 Four-day pass: adults $75 11/21 to 12/31, $85 until 2/21, $95 until 4/19, $100 at gate; ages 13-15 $5 11/21 to 2/21, then $55.
Thursday: $20 in advance, $25 at gate.
Friday: $30 in advance, $35 at gate.
Saturday: $40 in advance, $45 at gate.
Sunday: $20 in advance, $25 at gate.

Camping: Tents $10; RVs $50 through 4/19, $60 at gate. RV more that 25 feet long or a vehicle and trailer pays double.

April 20 - 21    BBQ Cook-Off & Bluegrass Jam - Asheville

It's mainly a barbecue competition, but live bluegrass and gospel go down great with 'cue - and it's free. Kids' activities will be available, too.

Artists
TBA. 2011 lineup included N.C. 63 Band, Mountain Feist, Buncombe Turnpike and five more.

Festival site: Western North Carolina Farmers Market


View Larger Map		 Noon to 8 p.m. Friday, music starts 5 p.m.; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, music starts 11 a.m.

April 21 - 22    Annual Spring Festival and Tribute to the Troops - Salemburg

The spring festival is held the first weekend after April 15th each year to celebrate the end of tax season and the start of bluegrass season. The weekend starts Thursday with a free pig pickin' and jam session (bring a covered dish).

Artists
TBA. 2011 lineup included Jimmy Fortune, Country Fried Grass, Mark Templeton & Pocket Change and four more.

Festival site: Laurel Lakes Family Campground & Music Park


View Larger Map		 2 p.m. Friday, 12:30 p.m. Saturday.

Two-day pass: $35 before February 15, $45 in advance, $50 at gate; veterans $35.
Daily: $25 in advance, $30 at gate; veterans $10 Saturday, free after 6 p.m. Saturday.

Camping: sites with hookups for fewer than three nights available on first come, first serve basis at the gate at $25 for 30-amp sites, $30 for 50-amps and $35 for full hookup (water and electricity); camping with no hookups free with a two-day pass.

April 21    North Carolina 'Cuegrass Festival - Raleigh

The daylong show put on by The Pit restaurant in downtown Raleigh's Warehouse District presents bluegrass and roots music, barbecue and locally brewed beer. Proceeds benefit North Carolina farmers via Animal Welfare Approved. Click on the photo for more information.

Artists
TBA. 2011 lineup included American Aquarium, Yarn, Big Daddy Love, Tres Chicas, The Thompson Brothers.


View Larger Map		 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

$5

April 26 - 28    Family Style Bluegrass Music Festival - Roxboro

Mike and Debbie Wilson, longtime partners with John Maness at the Bass Mountain Bluegrass Festival, carry on the tradition of family bluegrass shows at their own venue, and have added a May beach music festival.

Artists
Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out, Marty Rabon & Full Circle, David Parmley, Bluegrass Brothers, Balsam Range, Michelle Nixon, James King Band, Bill Yates & Country Gentlemen Tribute Band, Melvin Goins, Constant Change, Al Batten & Bluegrass Reunion.

Festival site: Willow Oak Park


View Larger Map		 Three-day pass: $65 before April 4, $75 afterward.
Thursday: $25.
Friday: $30.
Saturday: $30.
Ages 13 to 16 $15 per day with parent; younger than 13 free with parent.

Camping: Free with ticket, but a vehicle (in addition to camper) in camping area costs $5; parking free without camping. Camping $10 per night prior to festival.

April 26 - 29    MerleFest - Wilkesboro

MerleFest, one of the country's best music festivals, features bluegrass and Americana music by top acts, and old and new favorites on more than a dozen stages. Some bands play a single show but many artists play several shows throughout the weekend and sit in with other bands and performers. The festival honors the late Merle Watson and the Doc Watson family, and is a fundraiser for Wilkes Community College. Click on the photo for more information.

Artists
Doc Watson, Richard Watson, Dailey and Vincent, the original lineup of Bela Fleck & The Flecktones, Alison Krauss & Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas, Vince Gill, Los Lobos, Steep Canyon Rangers, Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives, Tedeschi Trucks Band, Punch Brothers featuring Chris Thile, Assembly of Dust, The Waybacks, Timmy and Susana Abell, Flea Alberti Circus, Banknotes, Blind Boy Chocolate and The Milk Sheiks, Roy Book Binder, Laura Boosinger, The Boxcars, Jeffery Broussard and The Creole Cowboys, Buffalo Barfield, Sam Bush, T Michael Coleman, The Deep Dark Woods, Dehlia Low, Donna The Buffalo, Casey Driessen, Enter The Haggis, Mary Flower, The Gibson Brothers, The Greencards, Mitch Greenhill, Stefan Grossman, Wayne Henderson, Bob Hill, David Holt, The Honeycutters, Sierra Hull and Highway 111, Fruteland Jackson, Johnson's Crossroad, Jubal's Kin, Kickin Grass Band, The Kruger Brothers, Jim Lauderdale, Jack Lawrence, Jeff Little, The Local Boys, Lost Bayou Ramblers, Claire Lynch Band, Dougie MacLean, Bill Mathis, Andy May, Cliff Miller, Misty River Band, Nashville Bluegrass Band, The Neighbors, Red June, Tony Rice, Michael Roach, Peter Rowan and the Free Mexican Airforce, Jonathan Scales Fourchestra, Scythian, The Sigmon Stringers, Sims Country Cloggers, Steve and Ruth Smith, Joe Smothers, Snyder Family Band, The Steel Wheels, Tut Taylor, The Tone Blazers, Happy Traum, Pete and Joan Wernick, The Wild Rumpus, Tony Williamson, Wylie and The Wild West, The Zephyr Lightning Bolts, The InterACTive Theater of Jef and more TBA.

Festival site: Wilkes Community College


View Larger Map		 Gates open 2:30 p.m. Thursday, 9 a.m. Friday-Sunday

14 stages; some in tents, three indoors.

Four-Day Watson Stage reserved seat: row 1-35 $225 through March 12, $250 after; row 36-49 $200 through March 12, $225 after.
Four-day general admission: $140 through March 12, $155 after.
Friday-Sunday general admission: $125 through March 12, $135 after.
Daily: $35 Thursday, $50 Friday, $55 Saturday, $40 Sunday.
Midnight Jam (Saturday in Walker Auditorium): $40.
Gold Patron Packages ($2,100) and Platinum Patron Packages ($2,500) are also available.

Several campgrounds are located nearby and are served by continuous bus shuttles. Limited camping is available on campus.
On-campus RV, four days: $450; primitive tent camping, four days up to four people: $75.

April 27 - 28    Annual Spring Bluegrass Festival - Stella

A campground-based show on the edge of the Croatan National Forest.

Artists
Friday: Fishin Musician, Boys From Carolina, Damascus Ridge, Southridge Bluegrass, Sourwood Mountain.
Saturday: Bethesda Bluegrass, Al Batten and the Bluegrass Reunion, Hagar's Mountain Boys, Roby Huffman, Unshackled.

Festival site: White Oak Shores Camping & RV Resort


View Larger Map		 Music begins at noon each day; each band plays afternoon and evening sets.

Two-day pass: $50.
Daily: $25 in advance, $30 at gate.

Camping package: $190 for two nights and two tickets for each day.

April 28    All Go West - Asheville

The All Go West street fair embraces the ideals of Asheville’s local music, art, fashion, food and beer.

Artists
TBA. 2011 lineup included Josh Phillips Folk Festival, Floating Action, Do It To Julia and 12 more.

Festival site: Harvest Records


View Larger Map		 Noon to 10 p.m.

The festival is free, except for beer and barbecue "tastings."

April 28    Triangle Beach Music Festival - Garner

The Triangle Beach Music Festival has been bring top beach music acts to Garner each spring since 1999.

Artists
TBA. 2011 lineup was Chairmen of the Board, Band of Oz, Jim Quick and Coastline, Hip Pocket, Spare Change.

Festival site: Bryan Farms


View Larger Map		 Gates open 9 a.m. for a 9:30 start.

$23 in advance online, $30 at gate.

Beginning with the 2011 show, the festival will charge a fee to erect a pop-up tent and allow you to reserve space for a tent.

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