Ginny from the Blog

Two incredible North Carolina bands will perform in the Triangle over the next two days, and you really should make an effort to see one or both if you’re into Bluegrass-ish music.

I say Bluegrass-ish because the first band is Holy Ghost Tent Revival, and while their banjo invokes the feel of Bluegrass occasionally, I really have no idea how to describe their music. But what I can say is that their unique sound lured me to the tent they were performing under at the Shakori Hills Grassroots Festival this spring. Yep, I was listening to another band and I overheard Holy Ghost’s spirited noise at another tent so I headed to their tent and was entranced by their sound. They’re playing at the Pour House at 9:30 p.m. Thursday, June 17. Tickets are $8, which is an amazing deal b/c I’m pretty sure this is going to be an incredible, energetic show. Get a feel for them here:

The second show I highly recommend you see this week is The Kickin Grass Band, which is undeniably Bluegrass. I first heard them on WKNC, my favorite radio station since I ditched my Sirius subscription a few months ago. They perform at 6 p.m. Friday, June 8 for free at the American Tobacco free concert series: Back Porch Music on the Lawn. Here’s a sample for you:

If you go to the Friday show at American Tobacco, you can turn your Friday evening into a night on the town in Durham. After the concert, you might consider:

* Go to the American Dance Festival. The Inbal Pinto & Avshalom Pollack Dance Company performs a dance at 8 p.m. Friday based on a short story by filmmaker Tim Burton. The show is across the street at Durham Performing Arts Center, so you should have plenty of time to fit in both.

*Get dinner at one of Durham’s many fantastic restaurants. Perhaps you can try Pop’s now that it’s located in its new home in West Village. Or go to The Federal and get the pork sandwich (it’s not BBQ Pork) and then send me an e-mail thanking me for introducing you to one of the best sandwiches in the Triangle. Go have a cocktail at Whiskey or throw back a beer at The Pinhook.

* Check out Retrofantasma, a double-feature of classic horror movies at Carolina Theatre. Friday’s lineup includes a 7 p.m. showing of the 1953 “It Came From Outer Space” in 3-D followed by a 9 p.m. showing of the 1986 movie Invaders from Mars.

Let me know if there’s anything else cool going on in Durham on Friday night.

If you still haven’t been to Durham’s American Tobacco complex, you might consider checking it out on Labor Day. There will be a free concert in the lawn from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday featuring John Brown & The Groove Shop Band, an R&B and funk band that are likened to Earth Wind and Fire, Stevie Wonder and KC and the Sunshine Band.

It’s a good opportunity to explore the restored tobacco warehouses while enjoying some free music. Bring a blanket or some lawn chairs, a cooler with snacks and make a Labor Day evening of it. American Tobacco is a must-see for Triangle residents who don’t visit downtown Durham as often as they should. My favorite part is the urban stream that runs through it and the strategically placed concrete slabs that allow you to cross it.