This is where the party is on Thursday night! Join us for the unveiling of a larger-than-life sound and light show projected onto the front of the historic courthouse in Bakersville. This production—telling the story of Frankie and Charlie Silver and a chilling unsolved murder that happened in Mitchell County in 1831—was designed by the University of North Carolina School of the Arts; the same team that has created similar Halloween projections onto the White House in Washington, DC.
Did you see the show last year? Well you haven't seen anything yet! Not only will this year’s Night Festival feature the largest sound and light production of its kind in Western North Carolina history. We will also have activities for the whole family, including a free concert by the Ali Randolph Band, axe-throwing, storytelling, a neon dance party on Mitchell Avenue, and food and drink sold by local partners.
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
6:30-7:00: Singers Will Ritter and Donna Ray Norton perform, axe-throwing, food and drink sales open
7:15-8:15: Ali Randolph Band performs, including an ol’ fashioned singalong and a neon dance party
8:30: Sound and Light Projection on the historic courthouse
PARKING INFORMATION
We have arranged a variety of overflow parking options, including:
Location A: MCHP - Bakersville Health Center @ 86 N Mitchell Ave, Bakersville, NC
Location B: MCHP - Dental Center @ 89 N. Mitchell Ave, Bakersville, NC
Location C: Henline-Hughes Funeral Home @ 85 Crimson Laurel Way, Bakersville, NC
Location D: Bowman Middle School @ 410 S Mitchell Ave, Bakersville, NC
ABOUT THE PERFORMERS
William Ritter has extensively studied musical folk traditions of Western North Carolina. William received his MA in Appalachian Culture and Music from Appalachian State University. William plays banjo, fiddle, guitar, and other "string-ed things." William is listed in the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area Traditional Artist Directory, and also received an In These Mountains Apprenticeship grant to study under renown ballad singer and storyteller Bobby McMillon.
Donna Ray Norton is an eighth-generation ballad singer, the granddaughter of fiddler Byard Ray and Morris Norton, who played the banjo and mouth bow, daughter of singer Lena Jean Ray, and cousin to Sheila Adams and many other prominent Madison County musicians. Donna Ray was honored with the Bascom Lamar Lunsford Youth Award for Balladry.
The Ali Randolph Band is based in Western North Carolina and travels the Southeast performing originals as well as cover songs ranging in genre from country to rock. Ali was a favorite at last year’s event and will perform a combination of local songs from the ‘ol days and some of her own new creations. Ali is the recipient of multiple JMA awards celebrating her hard work as an independent artist.
* Please bring a blanket or a lawn chair for the special performances, get comfy and enjoy!
** For specific directions to the Bakersville Night Festival please click here to launch Google Maps, or enter the GPS Coordinates: 36.01468547437278, -82.15818984450944
