Spotlight on Performers at The Playhouse Family Music Festival
Nationally acclaimed songwriter and “multi-instrumentalist” Billy Jonas returns to the Playhouse Family Music Festival in Sugar Grove on August 21st. Now in its fourth year, this family-friendly festival combines a diverse slate of performers including Jonas, Ras Alan, and OrisiRisi with their lowest ticket prices ever.
The Playhouse Family Music Festival will be held 10 am-5 pm, Saturday, August 21st at the Historic Cove Creek School in Sugar Grove, North Carolina, just 7 miles west of Boone.
Saturday’s headliners include three-time Parents’ Choice Gold award-winner Billy Jonas whose album Happ
y Accidents was listed on NPR’s “2009's Best Music For Kids, And Their Families.” Critic Anne Hart said of Happy Accidents “[It] really is one you will love so much, you'll find yourself playing the funky folk music even AFTER you dropped your kids off at school.”
A past featured performer in the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, Ras Alan
presents “Appalachian Reggae” that, as quoted on his website, is like “’Doc Watson meets Bob Marley at the Carter Family picnic.’"
Husband and wife performer Don and Tutu Harrill of OrisiRisi African Folklore, have brought their African drumming, dance and storytelling to audiences around the world, including visitors to Disney’s Epcot Center.
Other performers at the festival are Ancient Moon Belly Dance, a drumming workshop with Nia and Jeff Dickens, and a clogging demonstration by Appalachian Rhythm.
Families can now purchase “early bird tickets” for $10 for adults and $5 for children. Kids under 2 are free. 
In addition to music, festival-goers will enjoy airwalks, art activities, water play, and kids’ craft market, plus food and high quality crafts vendors.