Blues, bluegrass and traditional African drumming will lift spirits at the Jubilee Music Festival at Historic Stagville on July 13, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. It’s the second of the summer’s 2nd Saturdays programs at state historic sites and museums statewide this summer. Renowned bluesmen Boo Hanks, Ironing Board Sam and Big Ron Hunter are headliners for the free family-friendly program. <!– –>
The program will highlight the African American influence on music with traditional drummers from Akapoma African Music and Dance, and the bluesmen playing bluegrass. Widely used in country music, the banjo was first fashioned by Africans in colonial America based on instruments from the African continent. The instrument became popular with whites and was widely used in minstrel shows and its popularity continued after the genre faded.
Bring a picnic basket, blanket or lawn chairs and enjoy authentic American music at what was one of the South’s largest plantations. Kids can make a drum or banjo craft. The Kona Ice Truck will have free shaved ice also. For information call (919) 620-0120. Historic Stagville is located at 5828 Old Oxford Highway in Durham. It is within the Division of State Historic Sites in the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources.
