Music and dance have been a vital part of the Folk School since its founding in 1925. As we celebrate our 100th year, Centennial Sounds honors this legacy by spotlighting the cultural richness of Appalachian music and the many voices that shape it. This special performance series will feature five headliners whose work expands and redefines the story of Appalachian music. Through these concerts, we aim to create new opportunities for our community in Western North Carolina to experience the full spectrum of Appalachian sound. Admission is $25 for adults and $5 for youth. * Buy tickets online at folkschool.org/sounds Doors 6 p.m. Music 7 p.m. in the Festival Barn Tray Wellington Band Banjo player Tray Wellington’s approach to the quintessential American instrument is all about looking forward. An International Bluegrass Music Association Award winner, Wellington is critically acclaimed not only for his technical prowess, but also for leveraging his unique point of view to craft a one-of-a-kind voice on the instrument. It’s a feat that’s all too rare in these roots genres that seem to value emulation and regurgitation over all else. Instead, Wellington has time and time again reasserted that his playing style, and all of the many varied and disparate parts that combine within it, is wholly his own. Cherokee Language Repertory Choir Opening this special concert is the Cherokee Language Repertory Choir, a group dedicated to preserving and celebrating the Cherokee language through song and performance. This choir uses the Christian Harmony shaped note tradition, but instead of singing it traditionally, in English, they sing in Cherokee. This effort revives a documented tradition of shaped note singing in the Cherokee community while helping to keep the Cherokee language a part of cultural practice in Western North Carolina. Amythyst Kiah, an acclaimed singer-songwriter and banjoist from Chattanooga, blends folk, blues, country, and R&B with powerful vocals and bold storytelling. Joining her is Atlanta-based cellist and composer OkCello, whose genre-defying sound fuses classical, jazz, funk, and looping.

Brasstown Farmer’s Market NC 9-1pm every Wednesday! Join us at 10956 Old Hwy 64W, Brasstown, NC! Representing handmade, homemade and locally grown in WNC and North GA! 🥰❤️👍 The Shoppes of Brasstown are open as well 🙌 Scroggs Farm Shoppe Pine Needles and Things Silva Gallery The Bear

Brasstown Farmer’s Market NC 9-1pm every Wednesday! Join us at 10956 Old Hwy 64W, Brasstown, NC! Representing handmade, homemade and locally grown in WNC and North GA! 🥰❤️👍 The Shoppes of Brasstown are open as well 🙌 Scroggs Farm Shoppe Pine Needles and Things Silva Gallery The Bear

The staff band includes Betsy, Peter, Jared, and Rick. (Dance Musician's Week Kick-off Party) Betsy Branch is a contra and English country dance fiddler from Portland, Oregon. She teaches fiddle privately out of her home and is associate music director for the Portland Revels® theater company, where she arranges music for chorus and instruments. Betsy also plays in several dance bands, including Campaign for Reel Time and Fine Companions. Her fiddling can be heard on a number of recordings - most recently Midnight in Montague - a collection of fiddle duets with David Kaynor. Betsy is committed to making the art of dance fiddling accessible to anyone who wants to try. Peter Siegel plays guitar, banjo, and mandolin with the innovative Gaslight Tinkers in western Massachusetts and with the Beverwyck String Band around Albany, New York. He also performs extensively as a folk singer-songwriter and has shared the stage with such performers as Noel Paul Stookey (of Peter, Paul, and Mary), Judy Collins, and Pete Seeger. He also recorded mandolin on Seeger's Grammy award-winning CD, Tomorrow's Children. Jared Kirkpatrick (Starling, Flamingo Sketches) has been immersed in the contra dance world all his life, and has been lucky enough to play with multiple dance bands. With broad musical influences from Balkan harmony singing to fusion and jazz music, he loves focusing on the possibilities that arise when these styles influence each other and come together. Having studied jazz vibraphone at Temple University, Jared is now based in NC - taking every excuse to travel to dances across the country, with either a mandolin or a mixing board in tow. Rick Mohr has called and played dances for decades, from local barn dances to dance weeks and weekends across North America. His insights and experience as caller, fiddler, and rhythm player have helped many people become proficient dance musicians and callers. He also loves singing, songwriting, stories, tessellations, and luring people into the world of music and dance. A donation of $10-20 per adult is suggested for our bigger weekend dances, but all are welcome regardless of contribution. Lineup and schedule are subject to change. We hope to see you soon!

Join first-timers and experienced dancers for Community Dances with live music every Tuesday, and occasional other nights. Traditional acoustic bands and kind dance leaders are a great intro to community dance forms. If new to set-dancing, come early for simple walkthroughs and instruction on the easier dances. Century-old traditional dances are taught and have folks holding hands and smiling in no time. You can expect CONTRAS, SQUARES, CIRCLES, LINES and other traditional and modern PARTNER dance forms from various cultures. No pressure to dance, and there are willing dance partners as we switch throughout the evening. No special attire is required, though clean hard soled shoes make it easier. Our focus is on traditional music and dance, but watching, jamming, playing games, crafting, and other pastimes are welcomed and encouraged. There is a family friendly space in the Library, but we do ask that kids not be given free rein. Sitting in to play with the band in the "second line" is encouraged if space allows and hired musicians approve when asked. *Lineup and schedule are subject to change. Our most up to date listings can be viewed at folkschool.org/dances You can also subscribe for weekly schedule emails or sync with your online calendar. For questions email music@folkschool.org

Brasstown Farmer’s Market NC 9-1pm every Wednesday! Join us at 10956 Old Hwy 64W, Brasstown, NC! Representing handmade, homemade and locally grown in WNC and North GA! 🥰❤️👍 The Shoppes of Brasstown are open as well 🙌 Scroggs Farm Shoppe Pine Needles and Things Silva Gallery The Bear

Beginning at 9:00 AM, there will be an introduction to singing Sacred Harp and Christian Harmony music for beginners. Some loaner books are available. Led by Esther Morgan-Ellis. Singing: 10:00 AM. - 3:00 PM, July 11, 2026 Dinner on the grounds at Noon After party potluck at 5:30 and dance 7pm. Come sing, learn the shapes, contemplate the poetry, and relish the power of voices raised together in song. These events welcome first-timer and experienced shape note singers to sing from the tune books Christian Harmony and The Sacred Harp. Experience the beauty of singing 4 parts unaccompanied. All shape note singings are free and open to the public.

Join first-timers and experienced dancers for Community Dances with live music every Tuesday, and occasional other nights. Traditional acoustic bands and kind dance leaders are a great intro to community dance forms. If new to set-dancing, come early for simple walkthroughs and instruction on the easier dances. Century-old traditional dances are taught and have folks holding hands and smiling in no time. You can expect CONTRAS, SQUARES, CIRCLES, LINES and other traditional and modern PARTNER dance forms from various cultures. No pressure to dance, and there are willing dance partners as we switch throughout the evening. No special attire is required, though clean hard soled shoes make it easier. Our focus is on traditional music and dance, but watching, jamming, playing games, crafting, and other pastimes are welcomed and encouraged. There is a family friendly space in the Library, but we do ask that kids not be given free rein. Sitting in to play with the band in the "second line" is encouraged if space allows and hired musicians approve when asked. *Lineup and schedule are subject to change. Our most up to date listings can be viewed at folkschool.org/dances You can also subscribe for weekly schedule emails or sync with your online calendar. For questions email music@folkschool.org

Brasstown Farmer’s Market NC 9-1pm every Wednesday! Join us at 10956 Old Hwy 64W, Brasstown, NC! Representing handmade, homemade and locally grown in WNC and North GA! 🥰❤️👍 The Shoppes of Brasstown are open as well 🙌 Scroggs Farm Shoppe Pine Needles and Things Silva Gallery The Bear

Brasstown Farmer’s Market NC 9-1pm every Wednesday! Join us at 10956 Old Hwy 64W, Brasstown, NC! Representing handmade, homemade and locally grown in WNC and North GA! 🥰❤️👍 The Shoppes of Brasstown are open as well 🙌 Scroggs Farm Shoppe Pine Needles and Things Silva Gallery The Bear

Music and dance have been a vital part of the Folk School since its founding in 1925. As we celebrate our 100th year, Centennial Sounds honors this legacy by spotlighting the cultural richness of Appalachian music and the many voices that shape it. This special performance series will feature five headliners whose work expands and redefines the story of Appalachian music. Through these concerts, we aim to create new opportunities for our community in Western North Carolina to experience the full spectrum of Appalachian sound.

Brasstown Farmer’s Market NC 9-1pm every Wednesday! Join us at 10956 Old Hwy 64W, Brasstown, NC! Representing handmade, homemade and locally grown in WNC and North GA! 🥰❤️👍 The Shoppes of Brasstown are open as well 🙌 Scroggs Farm Shoppe Pine Needles and Things Silva Gallery The Bear

Brasstown Farmer’s Market NC 9-1pm every Wednesday! Join us at 10956 Old Hwy 64W, Brasstown, NC! Representing handmade, homemade and locally grown in WNC and North GA! 🥰❤️👍 The Shoppes of Brasstown are open as well 🙌 Scroggs Farm Shoppe Pine Needles and Things Silva Gallery The Bear

The Big Monthly 2nd Saturday Community Dance Series. Dances have brought people together at the Folk School for 100 years. Saturday nights feature some of the best callers and contra dance bands in the world. Newcomers are encouraged as dances are taught for every skill level. Or just grab a seat and enjoy the music! Most Saturday dances feature modern contra on the school's original, community-built oak floor. Other genres such as trad squares, balfolk, swing, two-step, line dance, and waltz are occasionally featured as well. A donation of $10-20 per adult is suggested for our bigger weekend dances, but all are welcome regardless of contribution. Lineup and schedule are subject to change. We hope to see you soon! For questions email music@folkschool.org Our most up to date listings can be viewed at folkschool.org/dances You can also subscribe for weekly schedule emails or sync with your online calendar.

Music and dance have been a vital part of the Folk School since its founding in 1925. As we celebrate our 100th year, Centennial Sounds honors this legacy by spotlighting the cultural richness of Appalachian music and the many voices that shape it. This special performance series will feature five headliners whose work expands and redefines the story of Appalachian music. Through these concerts, we aim to create new opportunities for our community in Western North Carolina to experience the full spectrum of Appalachian sound.

Brasstown Farmer’s Market NC 9-1pm every Wednesday! Join us at 10956 Old Hwy 64W, Brasstown, NC! Representing handmade, homemade and locally grown in WNC and North GA! 🥰❤️👍 The Shoppes of Brasstown are open as well 🙌 Scroggs Farm Shoppe Pine Needles and Things Silva Gallery The Bear

Brasstown Farmer’s Market NC 9-1pm every Wednesday! Join us at 10956 Old Hwy 64W, Brasstown, NC! Representing handmade, homemade and locally grown in WNC and North GA! 🥰❤️👍 The Shoppes of Brasstown are open as well 🙌 Scroggs Farm Shoppe Pine Needles and Things Silva Gallery The Bear

Brasstown Farmer’s Market NC 9-1pm every Wednesday! Join us at 10956 Old Hwy 64W, Brasstown, NC! Representing handmade, homemade and locally grown in WNC and North GA! 🥰❤️👍 The Shoppes of Brasstown are open as well 🙌 Scroggs Farm Shoppe Pine Needles and Things Silva Gallery The Bear

Brasstown Farmer’s Market NC 9-1pm every Wednesday! Join us at 10956 Old Hwy 64W, Brasstown, NC! Representing handmade, homemade and locally grown in WNC and North GA! 🥰❤️👍 The Shoppes of Brasstown are open as well 🙌 Scroggs Farm Shoppe Pine Needles and Things Silva Gallery The Bear