The North Carolina African American Heritage Commission is sponsoring a free African American Music Trails Festival Saturday, Oct. 21, 12-5 p.m., in Rocky Mount Mills, 1151 Falls Rd. in Rocky Mount.
This inaugural music festival is free, family friendly and open to the public. Enjoy live performances from North Carolina artists including Nu Gospel Trumpeters, Carter Minor, Jus Once Band, Joe Brown Band, Deep Rooted, Tish Songbird and more!
The event will also feature children’s activities, vendors, educational sessions and exhibits, panel discussions, and community events.
African American Music Trails is an exploration of the long and rich heritage of African American music in Eastern North Carolina – funk, blues, jazz, and gospel in Kinston, Tarboro, Wilson and everywhere in between. Originally developed by the North Carolina Arts Council to celebrate some of the most transformative figures in the history of jazz, gospel, and popular music, the African American Music Trails of Eastern North Carolina is now under the stewardship of the North Carolina African American Heritage Commission.
“The commission works with all things history, art, and culture, so music fits naturally into our work,” said Adrienne Nirdé, director of the African American Heritage Commission. “We’re excited to host this inaugural music festival and continue our mission to breathe new life into the trail.”
Learn more and register for this free event at: https://aahc.nc.gov/news/events/african-american-music-trail-festival-0
About the N.C. African American Commission
Created in 2008, the African American Heritage Commission is a division of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. The Commission works across the department to preserve, protect and promote the state’s African American history, art and culture for all people. Its endeavors include the identification of heritage sites, compiling resources for educators, extending the work of national programs such as the National Park Service’s Network to Freedom Underground Railroad, and independent initiatives including the NC Civil Rights Trail. aahc.nc.gov
About the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) manages, promotes, and enhances the things that people love about North Carolina – its diverse arts and culture, rich history, and spectacular natural areas. Through its programs, the department enhances education, stimulates economic development, improves public health, expands accessibility, and strengthens community resiliency.
The department manages over 100 locations across the state, including 27 historic sites, seven history museums, two art museums, five science museums, four aquariums, 35 state parks, four recreation areas, dozens of state trails and natural areas, the North Carolina Zoo, the North Carolina Symphony, the State Library, the State Archives, the N.C. Arts Council, the African American Heritage Commission, the American Indian Heritage Commission, the State Historic Preservation Office, the Office of State Archaeology, the Highway Historical Markers program, the N.C. Land and Water Fund, and the Natural Heritage Program. For more information, please visit www.ncdcr.gov.