Artist Highlights
Shirley Caesar
Durham native Shirley Caesar, the “First Lady of Gospel Music”, has had an incredible career spanning more than 40 critically acclaimed albums. Her list of awards (too long to list in full here) includes 12 Grammys (including being honored with The Lifetime Achievement Grammy Award), 14 Stellar Awards, 18 Doves, a RIAA certified gold record, and the list goes on and on. See the Gospel Legend July 4 at 4pm on the Meadow Stage. The Hamiltones
The trio of North Carolina natives started as background vocalist for Grammy winning soul singer Anthony Hamilton. What the Hamiltones have evolved into since then is a new sound with an old vibe, which they call “Young Vintage”. The exceptionally talented trio of background singers have come to the fore in their own right with a series of viral videos, late night TV appearances and their own dynamic and uplifting live shows. See the Hamiltones July 4 at 2:45pm on the Meadow Stage.
Sarah Shook & The Disarmers
North Carolina’s Sarah Shook sings with a conviction and hard honesty sorely lacking in much of today’s Americana landscape. Writing with a blunt urgency—so refreshing these days it’s almost startling—Sarah’s lyrics are in turn smart, funny, mean, and above all, uncompromising. The Disarmers hit all the sweet spots from Nashville’s Lower Broad to Bakersfield and take Sarah’s unflinching tales out for some late-night kicks. See Sarah Shook & the Disarmers July 3 at 3:45pm on the Meadow Stage. Jake Xerxes Fussell
Durham, North Carolina singer and guitarist Jake Xerxes Fussell is a master interpolator of folksongs. His renditions stay true to each song’s intent and spirit while unearthing the cosmic vibes hidden below the cracks and pops of the original recordings. See Jake Xerxes Fussell July 3 at 2:15 pm on the Grove Stage.
Blue Cactus
The North Carolina duo of Steph Stewart and Mario Arnez make Cosmic Americana: a blend of grit, glitz, groove, and twang that evokes a celestial soundscape of mid-century heartbreak. See the Blue Cactus July 4 at 3:45pm on the Grove Stage. Coconut Cake
Led by guitarist/multi-instrumentalist Michael Libramento, this Asheville, NC based ensemble pays enthusiastic tribute to Congo’s great dance bands and pioneers of African rumba. See Coconut Cake July 4 at 5:00 pm on the Grove Stage. Sluice
Durham based songwriter Justin Morris dives in the same sonic oceans that proved so fruitful for 90s Drag City acts such as Bill Callahan and Palace Music. Sluice’s self-titled album is one of the most promising local debuts in recent memory. See Sluice July 3 at 5:00 pm on the River Stage.
Activity and Demo Schedule 10am-6pm each day
Backyard veggies and home farming - Durham Master Gardeners Booth 39 Beekeeping observation hive - Beekeeper’s Associations of Chatham, Durham, and Hoke counties Booth 94 Caricature drawings - Charlotte Runde Booth 120 Carnivorous Plants! Where, why, how? - Duke Gardens Booth 81 Drunk Driving simulation - Durham Co Sheriffs Booth 45 Dung Beetle Races!!!! and coloring handouts - NC State Parks Booth Under the Big Top Fairy Hair Flair Booth 42 Henna Painting Booth 20 Kayak Rentals and Demos - Frog Hollow Outdoors Booth 84 (Saturday Only) Learn to Play Ukulele Workshops - High Strung Music Booth 41 Mist area - Alternative Aire/Amana below the Meadow Stage Musical Marvels and Instrumental Oddities - High Strung Music Booth 41 Reptiles & Amphibians - NC Herpetological Society Booth 80 Solar energy demos - NC Solar Now Booth 74 Streamside Habitat, Macroinvertabrates and more - EEEK! Eno River Theremin Musical Instrument Demos - High Strung Music Booth 41 Noon- 5pm each Day
50 years of Eno River Calendars - Eno River Association Mangum Photo Museum Noon Sunday Only
Pack House/ Hugh
Wheat and corn grinding Historic West Point Mill Puppet parade - Paperhand Puppet Intervention behind the River Stage