16 Mar John C. Campbell Folk School Announces Centennial Sounds Concert Series as Part of 100th Anniversary Celebrations
The John C. Campbell Folk School is thrilled to present Centennial Sounds, a special five-concert series celebrating the rich musical traditions of Appalachia while amplifying diverse voices shaping its future.
Funded in part with a grant from the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina, the series is part of the Folk School’s yearlong 100th anniversary celebrations and will take place on select Monday evenings from May through September 2026 in the school’s historic Festival Barn.
Music and dance have been central to the Folk School since its founding in 1925. Centennial Sounds honors that legacy by showcasing acclaimed artists whose work both preserves and expands Appalachian musical traditions. Each performance will begin at 7 p.m. and offer audiences an opportunity to experience live music in a welcoming community setting.
The Centennial Sounds concert lineup includes:
• May 18: Tray Wellington Band with Cherokee Language Repertory Choir
• June 22: Amythyst Kiah and OkCello
• July 27: Cornbread & Tortillas with Zoe & Clyde
• Aug. 10: Rebecca Porter Band with The Wilder Flower
• Sept. 14: Jake Blount with Hubby Jenkins and special guest Hannah Mayree, in
partnership with the Black Banjo Reclamation Project
Ticket sales begin March 23. Admission is $25 for adults and $5 for youth.
“Music has always been a vital part of community life at the Folk School,” said T Claw Crawford, Music & Dance Events Coordinator at the John C. Campbell Folk School. “As we celebrate our 100th anniversary, Centennial Sounds reflects both where we’ve been and where we’re going: honoring the roots of Appalachian music while highlighting artists who are bringing new perspectives and energy to these traditions. We’re excited to welcome our community and visitors alike to experience these powerful performances.”
Centennial Sounds was created to deepen community connections and provide greater access to live Appalachian music in western North Carolina. The series reflects the Folk School’s ongoing commitment to preserving cultural heritage while fostering creativity, inclusion and lifelong learning.
Learn More about Centennial Sounds
All concerts will be held in the Festival Barn on the Folk School’s Brasstown campus, rain or shine. Ticket sales begin March 23. Admission is $25 for adults and $5 for youth. Tickets and more information can be found at www.folkschool.org/sounds.
Additional announcements and individual concert details will be released in the coming months.
About the John C. Campbell Folk School For 100 years, the John C. Campbell Folk School has transformed lives and brought people together in a nurturing environment in Brasstown, N.C. for experiences in learning and community life that spark self-discovery. Our values are joy, kindness, stewardship and noncompetitiveness in our vision of community that awakens, enlivens and enlightens the world in accordance with the Danish folk school tradition and Appalachian craft.
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