Heart of Folk sponsors estimate that 4,000 people have attended musical shows at Talia Espresso on Main Street, North Wilkesboro and the Wilkes Heritage Museum on Main Street, Wilkesboro.
The musical series began a year and a half ago featuring over 30 performances by local and regional acoustic groups.
Daniel Isom and Jens Kruger, with Heart of Folk, located in Wilkesboro, are pleased with the turnout.
“We are trying to do it right by bringing the best music to create a music movement and we are thankful for the crowds that have made these events successful,” said Kruger.
“One of our regulars put it this way,” said Dale Isom, another sponsor with Spectrum Hospitality. “Before Heart of Folk, we didn’t have a social life, now we do.
“That is what we are doing; it is about community and offering a place for that to happen.”
Particularly large crowds have attended performances by the Kruger Brothers and one held on June 6 by Josh Day. The 2015 season will conclude once again with a performance by the Kruger Brothers entitled “Home for the Holidays” at the Wilkes Heritage Museum.
People have come from outside Wilkes, including Asheville, Boone, Galax, Va., Statesville and Hickory. The series will continue in 2016.
Performers have also enjoyed their time in Wilkes, said Daniel Isom.
The Isoms said the open mic performances, featuring local groups and individuals, has steadily grown in attendance. The June 12 Open Mic featured students of Larry Skipper and six local bands.
Helping to make the open mic successful has been the inclusion of the Wilkes Acoustic Folk Society (WAFS), particularly John Logsdon, said the Isoms. They are now running the open mic monthly performances.
The next Heart of Folk/Music on Main performance will feature Zoe and Cloyd of Asheville at The Bassment Club on the first floor of Talia Espresso at 7:30 p.m. Friday, June 26.
Tickets are available online at www.heartoffolk.com and at 990-0746. Tickets are $10 in advance and $10 at the door.
Carolina in the Fall
The success of the musical series has led sponsors to hold a two day concert on Friday, Sept. 25 and Saturday, Sept. 26 called Carolina in the Fall Festival on Main Street, Wilkesboro.
Ticket sales are going well, said the Isoms during an interview Tuesday afternoon.
The purpose of the festival is to celebrate the heritage of western North Carolina through music, food and festival.
Kruger said organizers hope Carolina in the Fall will help with economic development in the area.
“We want to bring people to the area so they can see Wilkes and consider moving here,” said Kruger.
“This is a beautiful area,” said Kruger, who moved to Wilkes in the late 1990s from Switzerland with his brother and fellow band member, Uwe Kruger. The Kruger Brothers, which also includes Joel Landsburg, who also lives in Wilkes, were introduced to the area through MerleFest.
Kruger stressed that Carolina in the Fall will have its own identity and will feature quality performers, workshops in the Wilkes Heritage Museum, food and beverages through local vineyards and wineries.
“We want to become known as a place for music, just like Abingdon, Va., is known as a place for drama,” said the Isoms.
“Carolina Celebration” will close out the first day of the festival on Friday, Sept. 25. The “Celebration” will be hosted by the Kruger Brothers and will feature performances by Rhonda Vincent and the Rage, Balsam Range, The Barefoot Movement and Zoe and Cloyd.
Performers will be playing music with its roots in North Carolina.
“This will be a wonderful way to close out the first day of this new festival. The purpose of Carolina in the Fall is to celebrate the season, the culture and our region of North Carolina and this collaboration of artists will do all of those things,” said Michelle Isom, director of the festival.
“We are honored to host this evening ending celebration. As citizens of Wilkes, we feel a great responsibility to present the wonderful heritage of our home. The people, the place and the beautiful time of year, will come together in Wilkesboro and make this a special celebration,” said Jens Kruger.
The presenting sponsor for the festival is Wilkes Communications, Inc. Platinum level sponsors include Tourism Development Authority (TDA) and Carolina West Wireless.
Other sponsors include Tyson Foods, LP, Interflex, Venture Properties, Hampton Inn, Holiday Inn Express, VisitWilkesboroNC.com, Bob Kogut Violins and WNCW 88.7. Anyone interested in being a sponsor can call Dale Isom at 990-0746.
Volunteers are needed for the festival to tend to the entrance gates and to keep the grounds in a clean and orderly condition.
“Our volunteers are important to the success of the Festival and will present the face of our local community to those that are coming to Wilkes,” said the Isoms.
“We have ticket sales from all over the country, as far away as California, so we are excited to have the opportunity to introduce people to our home,” said the Isoms.
Volunteers for the festival will receive free passes to the festival. Anyone interested in volunteering should contact Mrs. Isom at 990-0746.
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