In just a little over two months, Merlefest will be taking place on the beautiful campus of Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro, NC. I have been to Merlefest once, a few years ago, and I got to see the multitalented Emmylou Harris. Since it’s so close to where I live [around an hour away] and has such a fabulous lineup, I am totally planning on going this year. And, the Merlefest Acoustic Kids Showcases are returning this year. That sounds super cute and I would definitely love to check that out!
Merlefest Acoustic Kids Showcases Return For 2018
MerleFest, presented by Window World and slated for April 26 – 29, is pleased to announce the return of the Acoustic Kids Showcases to the 2018 festival. The Acoustic Kids Showcases allow the next generation of pickers and singers to highlight their talents for music fans at the four-day festival. Musicians under the age of 17 are welcome to participate, and we will accept registration forms until the showcases are full or until one week before the festival, whichever comes first. These showcases, which played to standing-room-only crowds last year, reflect an elevation and encouragement of young musicians that have been part of the festival from its early days.
Hosted by performer and beloved MerleFest veteran Andy May, the showcases provide an opportunity for young musicians through age 16 to perform in a supportive environment on a festival stage. Selection is not based on how advanced a child’s performance might be, but rather it is based on a child’s ability to perform a complete piece in front of an audience. In fact, beginners are encouraged to apply. Additional instructions and details about the Acoustic Kids Showcases, may be found at http://andymay.com/acoustic-kids/application-instructions/. You may register online or download a printable form at http://andymay.com/acoustic-kids-application-merlefest/.
The Acoustic Kids Showcases are held on Friday and Saturday on the Austin Stage, Cabin Stage, Dance Stage, and Walker Center (official schedules can be found inside the program or on the MerleFest app). Additionally, from among this year’s pool of applicants, several performers will be chosen for a special “Acoustic Kids Ambassadors” performance hosted by Andy May on the Cabin Stage Saturday evening. Andy May is well known to MerleFest fans as a singer, songwriter, guitarist, mandolinist, producer, educator and visual artist. His Acoustic Kids Showcases have given many hundreds of young musicians supportive performance opportunities for over 25 years.
The MerleFest 2018 free mobile app with complete stage schedules will be available on March 1. This year, we teamed up with Aloompa to upgrade the app’s user experience. Included in the new app will be the ability for each user to receive push notification about lineup announcements and festival news, preview all of the 2018 official MerleFest merchandise, have a more streamlined and interactive personal schedule than ever before, and set alerts for each set of music within their personal schedules so they don’t miss a thing at the festival.
The complete 2018 lineup may be viewed at www.MerleFest.org/lineup.
Tickets for the festival may be purchased at www.MerleFest.org or by calling 1-800-343-7857. MerleFest offers a three-tiered pricing structure and encourages fans to take advantage of the extended early bird discount. Early Bird Tier 1 tickets may be purchased from November 14 to February 18, 2018; Early Bird Tier 2 tickets from February 19 to April 25. Tickets will be sold using Tier 3 pricing at the gate during the festival.
About MerleFest
MerleFest was founded in 1988 in memory of the son of the late American music legend Doc Watson, renowned guitarist Eddy Merle Watson. MerleFest is a celebration of “traditional plus” music, a unique mix of traditional, roots-oriented sounds of the Appalachian region, including old-time, classic country, bluegrass, folk and gospel and blues, and expanded to include Americana, classic rock and many other styles. The festival hosts a diverse mix of artists on its 13 stages during the course of the four-day event. MerleFest has become the primary fundraiser for the WCC Foundation, funding scholarships, capital projects and other educational needs.
