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Winston-Salem strikes a chord with music lovers.

By: LaurA Lee

The city’s lively music scene celebrates a symphony of sounds, from Amadeus to Zydeco. Nearly every night of the week, local venues, including performing art centers and nightclubs, play host to a variety of talented musicians. Outdoor festivals and special events also draw headliner acts.

The Classics

The Winston-Salem Symphony, Piedmont Opera, and Piedmont Wind Symphony wow audiences with their diverse programming and performances throughout the year.

“We’re really a talented community,” says Mariedith Appanaitis, director of marketing for Piedmont Opera. “Many of our chorus members are doctors and lawyers who just love the arts. We’re excited to host well-known principal performers from all over, as well as previous students of the UNC School of the Arts, like Tichina Vaughn, who’s performed at the Met and in Europe.”

While their home stage, the historic Stevens Center, is undergoing renovations, the opera and symphony will offer special performances at other venues around town. The show must go on!

wssymphony.org, piedmontopera.org, piedmontwindsymphony.com

A LITTLE BIT COUNTRY, A LITTLE BIT ROCK ’N’ ROLL

Since opening five years ago, The Ramkat has brought in big names like Lucinda Williams, Jerry Douglas, The Wood Brothers, Ben Folds, Drive-By Truckers, The Wallflowers, and Amy Ray. The venue also regularly promotes up-andcoming musicians, heralded by fans and music critics. “Winston-Salem has always had a vibrant music scene — the Moravians who founded the town were very musical people — and we’re building on that legacy,” says Andy Tennille, partner at The Ramkat. “We present music from all genres to audiences of varying demographics to serve the entire Winston-Salem community.”

Across the street from The Ramkat, Earl’s Whiskey Bar is a lively honky-tonk venue with live country, folk, and bluegrass several nights a week. Since 1981, the Fiddle and Bow Society has celebrated the city’s Southern roots with a range of traditional and contemporary folk music, blues, Americana, and more.

Originally constructed in 1906 as federal building and post office, The Millennium Center has been restored to its original grandeur and transformed into a special event space. Its robust calendar occasionally features a range of live music from various genres. ramkat.com, earlsws.com, fiddleandbow.org, millenniumevents.ws

FREE CONCERTS & FESTIVALS

Hosted by Incendiary Brewery, Coal Pit Live brings new energy to the old R.J. Reynolds power plant. The free concert series is held spring through fall. The Downtown Winston-Salem Partnership produces a Summer Music Series, including Downtown Jazz held select Fridays at Corpening Plaza and Summer on Fourth held each Saturday in front of Foothills Brewpub during the summer months. The city is gearing up for its 10th annual cycling and music festival Gears & Guitars, held Aug. 4-6. Admission is free to all concerts, most of which are held at Bailey Park in the Innovation Quarter. incendiarybrewing.com, downtownws.com, winstonsalemcycling.com

Arts Council Leads The Way

Winston-Salem is known as the City of Arts and Innovation, and one of the driving forces behind that name is Arts Council of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County. Founded in 1949 as the first arts council in the country, it maintains its deep commitment to lead and uplift the arts and cultural sector throughout the community. Unique to downtown Winston-Salem, Arts Council owns and operates a campus of three theatres, two art galleries, and is home to Sawtooth School for Visual Art.

Looking for something fun to do? Arts Council’s campus showcases more than 400 events each year featuring area arts organizations and local, regional, national, and international artists. With hundreds more great happenings throughout the community, be sure to take advantage of the incredible arts and cultural scene that IS Winston-Salem. IntoTheArts.org

336.722.2585 • artscouncilwsfc

In 1963 and 1964, a small group of craft artists and collectors established Piedmont Craftsmen, a nonprofit arts organization that quickly became one of the nation’s premier craft guilds. Today, we showcase nearly 400 artisans throughout the US, working across the spectrum of craft techniques in clay, fibers, metals, wood, glass, printmaking, jewelry, photography, and mixed-media. We champion the work of our Exhibiting Artists through our Gallery and Annual Craft Fair.

Discover unique, handmade gifts and wearables at Piedmont Craftsmen’s Gallery, located in the heart of the Downtown Arts District at the corner of 6th and Trade Streets. Here you’ll find beautifully crafted objects from sumptuous jewelry and wearables, turned wooden bowls, colorfully glazed pottery, brilliant blown glass, forged metal sculptures, and artfully designed etchings. Let us help you build your crafts collection and hold the creative spirit in your hands.

Piedmont Craftsmen’s Fair is one of the most eagerly anticipated arts events in this region, visited by thousands. Held at the Benton Convention Center each November, the weekend before Thanksgiving, the Fair is an exposition and marketplace for artistry, artist demonstrations, and some of the finest works of craft you will see in one place.

Find the work of our artists anytime, anywhere at piedmontcraftmen.org

336.725.1516 piedmontcraftsmen

WINSTON-SALEM SYMPHONY

Nothing compares to the breathtaking power of a full symphony orchestra playing live music, which the Winston-Salem Symphony has been doing since 1947. The professional orchestra exceeds expectations for a city of this size as they perform classical masterworks, new compositions, and a variety of music from popular genres. In addition to hearing the symphony at the historic R.J. Reynolds Auditorium, visitors and new residents can find the symphony’s diverse programming in breweries and at various regional venues.

This season, a new music director takes the helm to showcase some of the most talented concert artists in the world, Handel’s ever-popular Messiah, and favorites by Tchaikovsky, Dvořák, and Beethoven. The orchestra also welcomes to the stage bluegrass legend Ricky Skaggs and hometown heroine, 2019 Miss America Nia Imani Franklin. This year, audiences can sing along to a Fleetwood Mac tribute or enjoy the Christmas classic Home Alone on the big screen with a live orchestra providing the soundtrack. wssymphony.org • wssymphony.org

Historic Bethabara Park

Established in 1753, Bethabara is the site of the first Moravian settlement in North Carolina and the birthplace of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County. Today, Historic Bethabara Park offers free special events for the community, 183 acres of wildlife preserve, historic gardens, over ten miles of trails, centuries-old buildings, a reconstructed French and Indian War palisade fort, and a Colonial village. Also featured at the park is the 1788 Gemeinhaus, the oldest standing church with attached residence in the United States. The gift shop, located at the Visitor Center, offers a unique array of handcrafted items.

info@bethabarapark.org historicbethabara.org

336.924.8191 bethabarapark lammuseum.wfu.edu • 336.758.5282 lammuseum

North Carolina’s only museum dedicated to the study of global cultures is at once intimate and immersive. Visitors can explore stories of humanity, from ancient archaeological sites to the celebrations and struggles of today. The Museum features changing exhibits throughout the year, highlighting its diverse collection of nearly 30,000 artifacts from more than 350 cultures and 90 countries. Don't miss the annual Day of the Dead exhibit in the fall. Whenever you visit, admission is always free.

Visual Index

Visual Index is a woman-owned independent art gallery located in the downtown arts district of Winston-Salem. Curator Toni Tronu carries contemporary craft and fine art in a range of mediums, and represents artists from all 50 states. visualindex.co

336.875.1674 visual_index_handmade

Tanglewood Park

Tanglewood is rich in history, beauty, and Southern charm. With more than 1,100 acres, the park offers an aquatic center, horse stables, indoor and outdoor rental facilities, the Manor House Bed & Breakfast, Tanglewoof Dog Park, BMX track, two golf courses, two lakes, tennis courts, and an RV Campground. Tanglewood is home to the Southeast's brightest holiday show, the Festival of Lights, celebrating its 32nd season in 2023. forsyth.cc/parks/tanglewood • 336.703.6400 tanglewood park t anglewoodparknc

TRIAD ECO ADVENTURES / TRIAD TROLLEYS

Discover Winston-Salem in multiple new ways! Locally originated, owned, and operated, Triad ECO Adventures and Triad Trolleys have the expertise and enthusiasm to guide guests in and around the community with historical and fun unique tours. Explore the city and a variety of neighborhoods on a Segway narrated excursion, a rented Pedego electric bike, or on a Jolly Trolley. Or take to one of three local lakes for a PaddleFit PaddleBoard (SUP) lesson/tour. Custom private combo packages are available to depart from your downtown hotel. Advance reservations are always recommended. triadecoadventures.com

336.772.7777 triadecoadventures triadecoadventr

Kaleideum

Imagined as a blend of two ideas – a kaleidoscope and a museum – Kaleideum is revving up for a totally new experience when it opens in its new location February 2024. The reimagined Kaleideum at 120 W. Third St. will feature four stories and nearly 70,000 square feet, including an expansive rooftop. The new location will feature nine hands-on exhibitions offering a variety of types of engagement that welcome discovery and exploration. Children and adults of all ages will find a world of both learning and fun. (Note: The Kaleideum North building at 400 W. Hanes Mill Road will remain open through the end of 2023.)

kaleideum.org

336.767.6730 kaleideum