Where Music and Joy Meet Community: A Photo Essay on the 28th Carrboro Festival

ARTS & CULTURE

All photos and composites by Pamir Kiciman

CARRBORO — Tropical systems and heavy rain forecasts notwithstanding, the 28th Carrboro Music Festival went off without a hitch last Sunday.

Entirely free, the festival boasts 100 bands in 20 venues — a feat that belies a small town’s ability and resources, yet Carrboro has successfully pulled it off year after year since 1998.

In recent years, the festival has added open mics, free educational workshops, and a festival app.

On Sunday, music-loving families, couples, visitors, organizers, tech crews, and town staff safely enjoyed the live music permeating the town, with joyful dancing and reassuring fellowship along the way.

The outdoor area at Weaver Street Market was one of the most popular spots. To start its brief photographic coverage of the large event, The Local Reporter (TLR) was in attendance for two of the bands.

The repertoire of Beaux Mondes was vintage jazz, and they delivered upbeat swing, blues, and Americana with a New Orleans twist. The group’s sophisticated and fun sound featured Sallie Scharding on vocals and guitar, Rick Keena on guitar and some vocals, Nat Smith on bass, and Steve Cowles on saxophone. There wasn’t a dancing bone that wasn’t moving among the big crowd throughout the set, and everyone was transported to bygone eras.

Danceable uptempo tunes continued with Boom Unit Brass Band. This no-holds-barred group of musicians blasted horns with resonating bass and kinetic drumming in craveable arrangements, with tightly executed, irresistible dance rhythms.

Boom Unit consists of: Jeremy Boomhower, sousaphone; Steve Burns, trombone (not pictured); Jeff Herrick, trumpet; Luis Rodriguez, trumpet; Brannon Bollinger, baritone sax; Steve Cowles, tenor sax; James Hall, alto sax; Dan Asanov, drums.

The outdoor stage on the public lot across from Armadillo Grill was another popular spot. TLR came upon SüperTuesday, a DC band whose lead singer is from Chapel Hill and a UNC alum. Their energetic delivery of soul, funk, and rock originals had people moving on the gravel with a big, layered sound. Band members are: Nicholas Batman, vocals; Ebenezer Ademoia, guitar; Josh Cergas, bass; Schimon Dieseler, drums.

The ArtsCenter Theater was standing room only for New Orleans Masquerade. The group specializes in New Orleans jazz and blues from the 20s and 30s. Band lineup: Trumpet, trombone, clarinet, tenor sax, tuba, drums, and banjo/guitar. (TLR was not able to confirm band member names in time.)

The 5 PM time slot at My Muses Card Shop, featuring music on an electric harp, was the perfect transition to the festival’s nighttime programming. Kelly Reidy opened with comments that her set would be relaxing, and it became a wonderful meditation, accompanied by gentle interpretations of harp music. Reidy plays compositions as notated, but also puts her 22-string harp through effects and alters the rhythms. Diminutively and sensitively executed, Reidy’s sound had a deep impact.

A good spot for the evening was Speakeasy on Main St., one of Carrboro’s best music bars, with nightly programming. In her first festival appearance, Georgia Moon commanded the packed house with her powerful yet lilting voice, plump bass, and fun facial expressions. She currently plays with The Wrong Band — Sam Lind-Williams, guitar; Andrew Yesnick, keys; Chris Gonzales, drums. A multi-instrumentalist, Moon’s Americana, blues, and folk influences make for songs that are honest and tinged with both the Delta and Appalachia.

Music has always held a special place in the cultural fabric of Carrboro and Chapel Hill, dating back to the folk-blues of Elizabeth Cotten and Floyd Council, and winding through the ’60s coffeehouse scene, to the alt/indie rock of the ’90s.

Many of the musicians who performed on Sunday are longtime residents of the area, with long backstories of entertaining Triangle audiences.

The tradition remains vibrant today, reflected in Sunday’s mix of color, authenticity, and positive energy.

Pamir Kiciman is an artist who writes about a range of the arts and the creative process. This reporter can be reached at: Information@TheLocalReporter.press.