For our readers in the southern half of the east coast, an absolute MUST see event this summer is the Fly Around Music and Arts Festival in Lansing, North Carolina.

Set for August first and second, this festival is being held to celebrate the musical heritage and natural beauty of Appalachia, and to raise funds to support the recovery from the region’s destructive floods from Hurricane Helene.

The event has strongly devoted itself to honoring the deep and varied history of Appalachia’s musical traditions by hosting artists who respect and lovingly expand the horizons of those traditions. Another mission of the festival is to offer a platform for cultural expression while simultaneously contributing to the ongoing recovery efforts from Helene’s tragic destruction. A gathering of music centered around something so genuinely compassionate and pure could only produce the finest of vibes. This is going to be a truly special happening (and we haven’t even gotten to the amazing acts yet!!) 

Alongside crafts demonstrations and community activities that were designed to foster resilience and unity, the festival will feature a dazzling range of sonically diverse artists like acclaimed singer-songwriter Myriam Gendron and fingerstyle guitarist Liam Grant, alongside RCU favorites like Joan Shelley with Nathan Salsburg, Elkhorn, Magic Tuber Stringband, Powers/Rolin Duo, Black Twig Pickers and more!

If there’s one thing that will help us through our uncertain times, it’s unity and solidarity amongst the people. It’s just us, folks. We’re all we’ve got. Community care is the way. This festival’s intention to bring people together to save and celebrate their community through the love and heritage of music and art is an inspiring one, and may we all take note of their outstanding example.

Tickets can be found here. More information about the event can be found here. If you happen to go (I envy you!), please report back in the comments and let us know how it goes!

-KH

Other upcoming gigs for our local (Tristate area) readers:

7/19 – Rose City Band and the Powers/Rolin Duo at The Bowery Ballroom, Manhattan

7/20 – Emergency Group, Jeffrey Alexander & The Heavy Lidders and Deep Brain at Mama Tried, Brooklyn

7/24 – The Royal Arctic Institute at Sinatra Park, Hoboken, NJ

7/26 – Matt Check, Sophie Swanson and Forever King Clark at Pino’s, Highland Park, NJ

7/30 – Mountain Movers, Human Adult Band and Spectre Folk at Soupçon Salon, 15 Bridge Street, Lambertville, NJ

8/8 – Pine barrens Folk Night with Ornamental, Jackson Pines and Blood Red Moon at Anchor Rock Club, Atlantic City, NJ