Highlands Outdoor Concert Series

Written By: Luke Osteen | Issue: June 2023

Launching the month are Highlands natives Katie & Ezra, who’ll enrapture their audience at Town Square at 6:00 P.M. Friday, June 2. A husband-and-wife duo, Katie & Ezra have been playing acoustic music together for over 10 years. They recently spent seven years in Los Angeles pursuing their creative endeavors: writing, acting, and performing small acoustic shows around the city. They are heavily influenced by folk music, country, and traditional Appalachian hymns, looking to Americana art Nu-Blu Awards Country Band of The Year artists such as the Avett Brothers, Langhorne Slim, John Prine, and Miranda Lambert as inspirations. They are excited to be playing in their hometown again.

Ezra & Katie

The next afternoon, June 3, it’ll be a live performance by Highlands Bagpipers at 4:30 P.M. downtown.

Highlands Bagpipers is comprised of musicians Margaret Tooke and Glenn Morris who have previously performed as part of the Highlands Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting events. The performances honor Highlands’ heritage, which includes settlers and laborers from Scotland and Ireland as well as a history of serving as a cultural center for artists and musicians.

That evening, June 3, Nu-Blu takes the stage at Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park at 6:00 P.M. Host of TV’s Bluegrass Ridge Show, which appears in over 160 million homes across the US each week, Nu-Blu has been bringing their unique sound to audiences around the world. A former Carolina Music Awards Country Band Of The Year,

On Friday, June 9, perennial favorite The Johnny Webb Band returns to Town Square. The Johnny Webb Band is one of Western North Carolina’s premier country bands, serving up laidback yet seasoned performances. They’re known for delivering a truly exceptional musical experience with a down-home flavor.

Firecracker Jazz Band takes the stage at Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park at 6:00 P.M. Saturday, June 10. In hundreds of performances since 2003, this Asheville band has played everywhere from street corners, secret speakeasies, jazz festivals nationwide, swing-and-swill dance halls, Bonnaroo, and the Kennedy Center.

Friday, June 16, brings Steady Hand String Band to Town Square. This is an old-time string band based out of Long Creek, South Carolina. Steady Hand performs tunes that originated mostly before the 1930s with a handful of oldcountry tunes thrown in as well.

The Troupers will perform at Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park on Saturday, June 17. The Troupers are seasoned professional entertainers, collectively appearing on more than one hundred CDs and albums, performing in 12 countries. Stellar vocals, musicianship and delightful entertainment energy qualify The Troupers as a must for your event.

On Friday, June 23, it’s Southern Highland Band at Town Square. The heart of Southern Highland Band are life-long friends and business partners Tom Nixon and Dean English, who are the proprietors of Blue Ridge Music in Clayton, Georgia. Together with other rotating band members (depending upon the venue), they have performed at countless regional festivals and events, private parties, weddings, and receptions.

Byrds & Crows will take to Town Square on Friday, June 30. Byrds & Crows, who live in Transylvania County, enjoy playing songs that are deeply rooted in the Appalachian Mountains that consist of bluegrass, bluegrass gospel, folk, and early country music.

All these performances are free and open to everyone. Dancing is encouraged.

The bagpipe performances, Friday Night Live and Saturdays on Pine Outdoor Concert Series are organized and hosted by the Highlands Chamber of Commerce/Visit Highlands, NC.

For more information about these or other events, go to visithighlandsnc.com, call (828) 526-2112 or send an email to [email protected]