We took this photo a few years ago, but it gives you a glimpse of City Stage—the very spot where one of The Roots will perform at 8:30 p.m.! Thanks to a $120,000 grant secured by the NC Folk Festival from Visit Greensboro, the festival is able to bring a nationally recognized group like The Roots to the festival. This concert is expected to be so big that we’ve heard there will even be a Jumbotron to help everyone see the action!

What a wonderful investment in Greensboro and in the NC Folk Festival. Support like this demonstrates what can happen when the Greensboro community comes together to make a major cultural event even stronger. September is a busy month for outdoor music and cultural festivals across North Carolina. There are only so many weekends, and many wonderful events are competing for the same audiences. Events such as the Hoppin’ John Fiddlers’ Convention at Shakori Hills and Festa Italiana in Apex are also happening this weekend. All of these events celebrate music, culture, and community in their own unique ways.

It would be exciting to see communities and organizations across the state find ways to coordinate and support the NC Folk Festival weekend so that even more people can experience everything Greensboro and the festival to offer. Greater alignment could help build attendance and visibility for everyone—and give our state’s folk festival an even stronger future.

Please consider heading to downtown Greensboro and enjoying the Folk Festival! Every food-truck meal purchased, piece of merchandise bought, and performance attended helps support musicians, vendors, and organizers who make this celebration possible.

Happy Saturday! Let the music begin!