Folk, or mountain music, has always been a vital piece of Southern heritage. With roots in both European and African American traditions, folk music has always been a part of southern Appalachian life, especially in North Carolina.
You can do many free things during your Asheville, NC, visit, but you won’t want to miss The Shindig On The Green. Hosted by the Folk Heritage Committee, this incredible concert series is completely free to attend. Enjoy some live mountain music during this summer concert series and learn about the southern Appalachian region’s folk heritage.
If you enjoy mountain music or want to learn more about the region’s folk heritage, this is an event you won’t want to miss! This is one of our favorite free things to do in Asheville NC!
About The Folk Heritage Committee
The Folk Heritage Committee is the group responsible for many of the music events in the Asheville area. Some popular music events they organize are the Mountain Dance and Folk Festival and the Shindig on the Green.
The Folk Heritage Committee is a small group of volunteers dedicated to preserving the Southern Appalachians’ musical heritage and presenting that music to audiences who attend their events for entertainment and education.
While the Folk Heritage Committee operates under the umbrella of the Community Betterment Foundation, the committee does not receive funding from the foundation to hold events, such as the Mountain Dance and Folk Festival or The Shindig on the Green. Instead, the Folk Heritage Committee relies on donations and fundraising in order to pay for the events.
If you ever attend any folk music festivals in Asheville, the Folk Heritage Committee is likely the one who has organized the event. These events ensure that the folk heritage of the region continues to live on and that those who do not live in the area can learn more about the history of the place they are visiting.
The History of Bluegrass in WNC
Bluegrass is one of the main types of music that you will come across in the southern part of the United States, especially around the Southern Appalachians. While Bluegrass music is typically associated with the state of Kentucky due to it first being recorded playing in the state, North Carolina also has some strong roots when it comes to Bluegrass.
Bluegrass music is derived from the Europeans and African Americans who settled in the region. The term “bluegrass” was not widely used until the 1950s when the term was taken from the band created by Bill Monroe, who formed the band “Blue Grass Boys” in 1939.
While Bluegrass is a popular style of music that has been played in the southern part of the United States, many attribute the classic bluegrass sound to the addition of Earl Scruggs, a banjo player, and North Carolina native, who joined Bill Monroe and the Blue Grass Boys in 1945.
Earl Scruggs was an innovator of bluegrass music. He developed the syncopated three-finger style on the five-string banjo. Another innovator of bluegrass music, who was also a native of North Carolina, was Doc Watson. Doc Watson created a style for playing the guitar known as flat-picking.
Plan Your Visit
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About Shindig On The Green
Shindig On The Green is one of the biggest bluegrass music and dance festivals you can participate in while staying in Asheville. You can find the festival being held on Roger McGuire Green at Pack Square Park in front of city hall in downtown Asheville.
The festival lasts from sundown, around 7 pm, until around 10 pm. During the event, there are scheduled stage shows each evening, along with informal performances and jam sessions. This is a great festival to go to if you enjoy bluegrass music or are looking to experience some authentic Southern music.
The festival also has food available. You can find concessions at both The Hop Ice Cream Cafe and Okie Dokies Smokehouse, and you’ll find awesome drinks at one of the nearby Asheville bars. You can also bring a blanket to relax on with a picnic while you enjoy the music.
The Folk Heritage Committee holds the Shindig On The Green to support the preservation of the Southern Appalachians’ traditional music, dance, and storytelling heritage.
What To Expect
There are so many amazing things to do and see during the event! From the beautiful music and dancing to the delicious snacks and sweets, it’s no surprise Shindig on the Green is considered one of the best concerts in Asheville, NC, since 1967.
The gathering starts “along about sundown,” or around seven, and goes on until about 10. You’ll find a mix of wonderful performances from clog dancers, ballad singers, bluegrass, old-time string bands, and many jam sessions amongst the crowd open for anyone to join in.
If you get hungry between performances, stop by Bear’s Smokehouse for some of their delicious North Carolina BBQ, or try some fresh made local ice cream from the Hop Ice Cream Cafe!
Parking is available in marked and metered parking spaces in downtown Asheville. This can make it very convenient to get to the event and leave once the event is over.
If you do not have your own vehicle that you can use to get to the Shindig On The Green, you can use public transportation. You can look at maps and schedules beforehand in order to determine where you will need to get on and off your method of transportation if you choose to use public transit.
It is also important to note you cannot bring any pets to these festivals. For the safety of both pups and people, the city of Asheville prohibits pets from being present at outdoor special events.
Overall, the Shindig On The Green is designed to be a great time for everyone and to help keep the folk heritage alive. With many dates throughout the summer, you can definitely find time to attend this amazing music and dance festival.
Book Your Asheville Vacation Rentals With Pete Key Properties
The folk heritage of Asheville is very prominent, and there are many ways in which you can take part in this piece of southern heritage. While it is important to have fun while staying in Asheville, it’s also important to find the perfect place to call home during your stay.
You can find the perfect place for your stay by booking with Pete Key Properties. With rentals in Asheville as well as in Brevard, North Carolina, finding your home away from home is easy. Browse all our Asheville rentals and rentals in Brevard, NC, find the perfect home for your adventure, and plan a trip as magical as the mountains!
