Arguably the most fun weekend in Greensboro is on the horizon. On Sept. 12-14, musicians, vocalists, artists, and dancers will turn downtown Greensboro into a big jam session for the 11th annual North Carolina Folk Festival (NC Folk Fest). It’s the biggest festival in Greensboro and UNCG will be there – on the stages, at the booths and sponsor tables, and in the audiences moving and grooving through downtown.
Folk Music is All Music
The best part about the NC Folk Fest is the range of music you can absorb there. Whether you’re into Americana, R&B, bluegrass, or funk, you’ll find your favorite and something new you never knew you liked – all in one weekend.
Sammy Rae and The Friends headline on Friday night with their soulful indie rock vibe and the Steep Canyon Rangers close out the festival on Sunday with bluegrass. But on Saturday night, 90’s R&B band, Arrested Development will take to the stage with an introduction from our very own Chancellor Franklin D. Gilliam, Jr. The place to be on Saturday night is front row with Chancellor G singing along to the band’s Grammy award-winning song “Tennessee.”
As a warmup to the headliners, stroll through downtown’s eight stages and hear up and coming bands like Tumbao bringing Latin beats, country newcomer Stella Prince, or the indescribable percussion talent of Jonathon Scales Fourchestra. Spartans should make sure to check out singer-songwriter Lora Mouna ‘22, who brings her intimate music and powerful lyrics to the folk festival after building a surging career in New York clubs and venues.
Between acts, grab some street food from local food trucks and vendors on every corner. Whether it’s the empanadas, fresh squeezed lemonade, turkey legs, or funnel cakes that call you, no one leaves the Folk Fest hungry.
Spartan Pride Shines at Folk Fest
UNCG has been a sponsor of the NC Folk Fest since its inception over a decade ago. Swing by our sponsor table for UNCG swag and look out for Minerva’s Mobile Health Unit where nursing students will be offering free health screenings. The cheer and dance teams will be there, along with Spiro, so make sure you wear your blue and gold so fellow Spartans can recognize their own.
Faculty and alumni can be found around every corner at the NC Folk Fest. Ethnomusicology professor Gavin Douglas is leading an Irish music session at Center City Jams; alumna Magali Morano ‘20 of Greensboro Dance Project helped to organize dance workshops for the festival; and students and alumni can be found selling their art in the NC Makers Marketplace.
At NC Folk Fest, Greensboro’s warm community and ardent appreciation for arts and culture is on full display. The scene makes residents proud to live here, visitors take notice, and UNCG students, faculty, and alumni rally to help build the festival every year.
Lora Mouna ‘22 remembers attending every festival when she was at UNCG and feels fortunate to be shaped by artists she met in Greensboro. Her advice to current students: “Go to live shows and be inspired. There is such a wealth of creativity and inspiration in Greensboro. Just look around. Art is everywhere.”
This is especially true at the NC Folk Fest. See for yourself Sept. 12-14 in downtown Greensboro.
Story by Becky Deakins, University Communications.
Photography by Sean Norona, University Communications.
Videography by David Row, University Communications.
