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  • From: Heather LaGarde <heather AT barnstarvintage.com>
  • To: ch-scene AT lists.ibiblio.org
  • Subject: The Can Kickers Kick Off Saturday's in Saxapahaw starting May 2nd
  • Date: Mon, 27 Apr 2009 16:57:21 -0400

The Can Kickers Kick Off Saturday's in Saxapahaw

Historic Town's Free Summer Music Festival Starts May 2nd.

The Saxapahaw Rivermill Farmer’s Market and Music Series launches Saturday, May 2nd in this historic mill town on the banks of the Haw river. Kicking off the series is the high energy, upside-down Appalachia The Can Kickers playing "old timey riot music for dancing." Now in it’s 5th year, Saturdays in Saxapahaw combines performances by top bands with a thriving Farmers Market and Front Porch Crafts. Every week organizers set up free exciting events and activities for children including a handmade slip-n-slide, face painting, children's arts & crafts and a weekly kid's parade.

The series attracts 700-1000 people every weekend and draws from Orange, Alamance and Chatham Counties. Festivities take place every Saturday from 5pm-8pm through the end of August and include a special Oktoberfest Celebration October 24th. Admission is free though donations are appreciated. Organizers pass around a "Swan Bucket" each week for the band.

A wide variety of music is featured on the haywagon stage facing what organizers call the “Meadow Amphitheater.” Audience members bring picnic blankets and set up on the lawn before shopping the market and picking up dinner from vendors like The Saxapahaw General Store and The Barbeque Joint rolling in a mobile kitchen in each week to feed the throngs. Children play on the hillside in a specially designated “Kid’s Area” and march in a parade through the market to roaring applause before the band’s intermission each week. This year organizers will be running a weekly "Capture the Flag" game and hoopers, belly dancers, potters, solar workshops, puppeteers, storytellers, and critter captures with The Haw River Assembly will be featured as part of the summer program.

After the success of last year's Salsa Saxapahaw organizers have expanded the musical scope with bands from the acclaimed latin group Orquesta Gardel, to Mississippi's hill country afro-world boogie Afrissippi. Alt country, back porch, blues, folk and bluegrass, celtic and gospel will all be featured as part of the summer celebration. John Howie Jr and The RoseWood Bluff, Holy Ghost Tent Revival, The Mighty Gospel Inspirations, Aminal, Woodwork Roadshow, Dana and Susan Robinson, Kenny Roby's Mercy Filter, No Strings Attached and Megafaun are some of the new bands featured this year. Full schedule at: http://www.rivermillvillage.com/bands07.html

The Farmers' Market has grown each year and represents many of the leaders in the Triangle Slow Food Movement including Braeburn Farm, Cane Creek Farm, Benjamin Vineyards, Dutch Buffalo Farm, Blessed Earth Farm, Aimless Farm, PlowGirl and The Accidental Baker. A full list can be found at: http://www.rivermillvillage.com/farmers.html

Saxapahaw has undergone a major renaissance in recent years with a successful renovation of the former cotton mill into townhomes, lofts and apartments. Renovation of the Upper Mill, the former Dye House, is underway and local leaders are working to expand river trails and recreation areas in an area already popular with canoers, kayakers, hikers and cyclists. Saxapahaw is the anchor for a vibrant and growing environmental, artisanal, farm-focused, historic rehab and slow food culture. The historic town is home to Paperhand Puppet Intervention's studio and performance space and the Saxapahaw General Store, the town's renowned "5 Star Gas Station" featuring gourmet wines and cheeses, organic and local fresh food, with microbrews and mussels alongside motor oil and fishing tackle. It's the welcome combination of past and present, old time and new that's part of what makes it such a special place.

The series is sponsored by the Saxapahaw Rivermill and by local businesses including The Saxapahaw General Store, Benjamin Vineyards, the Haw River Kayak and Canoe Company, Riverlanding Inn, Open Eye Cafe, Townsend & Bertram and The Barbecue Joint.

Saturday events are free and open to the public and take place outside in downtown Saxapahaw next to the Post Office. For more information, a schedule, directions, pictures and more please visit www.rivermillvillage.com or call 336 675 7704.

With the growing number of people attending festivities, drivers are encouraged to park at the Saxapahaw General Store or the Community Center. Dogs are not allowed at the event.

Band Schedule:

MAY 2 The Can Kickers, 9 Aminal, 16 No Strings Attached, 23 John Howie & Rosewood Bluff, 30 Orquesta Gardel
JUNE 6 Thistledown Tinkers, 13 Afrissippi, 20 Haw River Rounders, 27 Jimmy Magoo & Paperhand Puppet Friends
JULY 4 Holy Ghost Tent Revival, 11 WoodWork Roadshow, 18 Django Haskins, 25 Hushpuppies
AUG 1 The Mighty Gospel Inspirations, 8 Kenny Roby’s Mercy Filter, 15 Dana and Susan Robinson, 22 Red Rover, 29 MEGAFAUN
OKTOBERFEST -Oct 24 The Kickin Grass Band, Tommy Edwards, Wood & Steel & More!


  • The Can Kickers Kick Off Saturday's in Saxapahaw starting May 2nd, Heather LaGarde, 04/27/2009

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