10-10:20: Triple Threat Performing Arts Academy

The first performance this morning comes from Triple Threat Performing Arts Academy of Sylva. Owner Valerie Dietz Tissue offers classes at the academy in tap, jazz, ballet, musical theatre, hip hop, and more.

10:30-11:15 a.m.: Sugar Barnes

Karen “Sugar” Barnes has been a fan and student of vintage blues styles for decades, and has created her own engaging persona as a result of singing (and writing) in the genre she loves most. Between performances and her arts advocacy work, she is in business with husband Brant and daughter Zan at Riverwood Pottery in Dillsboro. Accompanying Sugar is Dave Magill, one of those musical chameleons who blends in with whatever genre is currently on the playlist. After many years of playing and touring out of Austin, Texas, he settled with his wife Cyndi in Webster and established the Music Room sound studio, a wonderful resource and haven for local musicians.

11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.: The Donnie Clay Band with the Rough Creek Cloggers

The Donnie Clay Band has been playing together for 15 years. Their music style is Country and Southern Rock. Band members include Donnie Clay on keyboard and vocals, G.C. Collins on fiddle, Conrad Hefner on vocals, Rick Morris on vocals and Gene Williamson on steel guitar.

1-1:30 p.m.: Earth Day Element

1:30-3:30 pm – Balsam Range

Marc Pruett on banjo, Caleb Smith on guitar, Darren Nicholson on mandolin, Tim Surrett on bass, and Buddy Melton of fiddle make up Balsam Range. Bluegrass says a lot of what this band is about, but equally important are the aspects of gospel and country music. The band members grew up in the rich musical heritage of the Appalachian South, surrounded by culture and heritage steeped in traditions of The Grand Ole Opry, as well as the important influences of the Scotch-Irish settlers of the Southern Mountains, English ballads, Western songs...and tunes written by the band members themselves.

3:45-4:30 pm — Fiddling Dills and the Cullowhee Valley Boys

Amanda Dills Stewart started playing the violin at the age of 5. Her sister Sharon Dills started going to violin lessons with her at the age of 3. The sisters formed the group “The Fiddling Dills Sisters and the Cullowhee Valley Boys.” They have played together for many years. Some of their performances include playing at benefits, weddings, churches and festivals around the area. The Cullowhee Valley Boys are made up of local musicians Trevor Burns, Bobby Burns, Michael Morgan, and Bruce Fox.