A special event partnership between the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area (BRNHA) and Rare Bird Farm will take place on Saturday, May 4, and will feature artists from the BRNHA Fine Tuned program and other regional and national acts with musical roots in Appalachian and Americana music.
Event proceeds benefit the BRNHA’s Fine Tuned music program. The mission of BRNHA is to sustain, cultivate, and promote the natural and cultural heritage of Western North Carolina, including traditional music.
The family-friendly event will be held at Rare Bird Farm on May 4th, 2024 with gates opening at 10:30 am and music starting at noon. The event will end at 7 pm, but there will be camping options available. Some later night acoustic sets are planned for overnight guests. Rare Bird Farm, located 18 miles north of Asheville, is an agri-cultural nature retreat and farm that presents intimate barn concerts featuring local, regional and national touring acts from April-October in beautiful Madison County. There will be six acts across two stages with the event built as an intimate music experience, and only 100 tickets being sold. For those purchasing a weekend ticket there will be acoustic and fireside sets on Friday and Saturday night in addition to the full show.
“We are aiming to bring a small group of people into a beautiful and intimate setting and let them have a unique live music experience, said Rare Bird Farm partner Mitchell Davis. “The lineup is a creative mix of old time music and modern Americana with a cross-pollination that will create something very special. Keeping the event small will ensure connection with the artists and provide space for visitors to explore the farm and experience nature along with the music.”
Rare Bird will partner with a local restaurant to provide on-site food options at the event.. “We are also very appreciative of the support of the Madison County Tourism Development Authority,” stated Mitchell. “Their support is helping us keep the event affordable, while we help raise money for the future of the Fine Tuned program.”
Fine Tuned is a mentorship and collaboration-based professional development project for emerging traditional musicians in Western North Carolina. The initial project produced a concert series, an album, and a cohort of artists with new skills and focus. The Fine Tuned Sessions will celebrate this effort and continue the momentum of this dynamic project.
As part of its cultural offerings, BRNHA also manages the Blue Ridge Music Trails of North Carolina, a cultural trail featuring more than 255 sites where locals and visitors can hear traditional music in 29 counties. BRNHA’s Blue Ridge Music Trails offers promotion and interpretation through its website, social media, a newsletter, an annual magazine, podcasts and other programs.
“BRMT is so excited to partner with Rare Bird Farm for this one-of-a-kind event,” said Brandon Johnson, Blue Ridge National Heritage Area program manager. “Rare Bird’s focus on authentic and unique creative opportunities falls right in line BRNHA’s mission and work. What better place to gather that a beautiful farm in the heart of Madison County to celebrate our musical heritage while adding new chapters to our region’s musical traditions?”
Rare Bird Farm and BRNHA recently partnered on the creation of Madison County – Where Music History is Alive, a mini-documentary film featuring several artists that will also perform at the Fine Tuned Sessions event. See the documentary on YouTube: Madison County – Where Music History is Alive
Early bird tickets and concert + weekend camping options are available on the Rare Bird Farm website at https://rarebirdfarm.org/performingarts/fine-tuned.
Written by Rare Bird Farm and BRNHA.