Artsplosure, NCMA, American Tobacco highlight Triangle music weekend

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A cornucopia for Triangle music fans this weekend.

Artsplosure, downtown Raleigh’s annual music & arts street festival, presents Music in the Park in Moore Square Saturday & Sunday.  Holy Ghost Tent Revival and BoDeans top the Saturday lineup (1:00 to 9:30) and the Wailers headline on Sunday (11:00 to 6:30).  The Kidsplosure stage, with “music, storytelling and performances for kids of all ages,” has acts from 11:00 to 5:00, including the Enloe High School Jazz Band both days.  As big a draw as the music, the Art Market offers works for sale including ceramics, glass, jewelry, metal, wood, painting, photography & fiber art.  All events are free to the public.

The North Carolina Museum of Art kicks off its Summer Concert series in the Museum Park Theater with Los Lobos Friday at 8:30.  The Wolves, who have become something of a regular in the series, are celebrating the 20th anniversary of their album Kiko.

Durham’s American Tobacco music series undergoes a change of name (now dubbed Center Stage at American Tobacco) and location, moving from the American Tobacco lawn to the lawn in front of the Durham Performing Arts Center.  The free concerts have also expanded to 3 hours.  This year’s first show is Friday from 6:00 to 9:00, and features the Irish-American band Solas (video below with Rhiannon Giddens from Carolina Chocolate Drops).

Texas swing legends Asleep at the Wheel visit Durham’s Motorco Music Hall on Saturday.  Magnolia Collective opens and the show starts at 8:00.

Chicken Fried Blues — featuring one of my favorites, guitar wiz Alan Heckle — play Saturday from 8:00 to 11:00 at Durham’s Blue Note Grill.

Papa Mojo’s Roadhouse in Durham has The Papa Mojo’s Allstars with Mel Melton and special guest, blues man John Dee Holeman, Saturday from 9:30 to 12:30.  John Dee also performs with Tad Walters on Sunday from 4:00 to 7:00 at Blue Note Grill.

The Willie Painter Band plays Pittsboro Roadhouse Friday at 8:00; Rootzie is Saturday at 8:00. Also in Pittsboro, the City Tap has Sarah Shook & the Devil Friday and Andy Coats & the Bank Walkers Saturday – music at 8:30 both nights.

If that’s not enough, a reader reminds us (below) about the Carolina Blues Festival, Saturday in downtown Greensboro.  Music starts at 2:00.

3 thoughts on “Artsplosure, NCMA, American Tobacco highlight Triangle music weekend”

  1. Probably the biggest music weekend of the year, because the weather is perfect. I will give you my report on the http://fest.piedmontblues.org/festival-info/ Sat. May 18, 2013 Downtown Greensboro, NC
    2:00 – Sunnyland Steve
    2:45 – Toot & The Longshots
    4:00 – Armand & Bluesology with Will McFarlane
    5:45 – Mac Arnold and Plate Full O’ Blues
    7:30 – Janiva Magness
    9:15 – Kenny Neal

    • OMG, I’m gonna miss Janiva! Still in Memphis (oh poor me) right now. Stuck inside of Memphis with the Triangle Blues again?!

      • If you’re in Pittsboro stop by the Pittsboro General Store for the Willie Painter Band….
        Los Lobos tonight at the Museum of Art in Raleigh too. They rocked the Jazz Fest this year. So many choices…..