This Weekend in Stanly County

There’s music in the air in Stanly County this weekend. With the weather cooling off a little it’s the perfect time to get out and sit on a shady porch or under an awning and listen to some of the area’s talented musicians. If the heat is still too much for you, visit one of the county’s air-conditioned art galleries or antique shops and find that perfect item to take home, or sit in the cool comfort of a theater and enjoy a charming dance recital.

Begin your weekend Thursday at Market Station in downtown Albemarle where the Albemarle Parks & Recreation Department host a free summer concert series titled “Thursdays @ The Station”. Each week from May through August on Thursdays, Market Station comes alive with music. All types of music! Gospel, Rock, Pop, Bluegrass, and more. This Thursday bring a yard chair and settle down between 7 pm and 9 pm to listen to some good gospel music from Forever Forgiven.

Friday evening head over to the Stanly County Agri-Civic Center for the Ta-Dah Dance Academy recital. Artistic Director and owner, Elizabeth Smith puts her pupils through their paces from ballet to zumba.  The event is free.

Friday evening is also the time for the Badin Inn’s popular Pickin’ on the Porch. From 7 pm to 10 pm you can lounge on the breezeway or enjoy food and drink on the porch or in the pub while you listen to the music of Thom Crumpton.

Thom has been performing around the southeast for nearly 15 years. Music was a part-time endeavor until 2007 when he started pursuing what had always been his true passion as a full time job. This decision has him performing nearly 300 shows per year, from the Virgin Islands, to NYC, and many points in between.

Thom grew up in the South. Listening to his dad’s record collection on their old Wurlitzer Juke Box, Thom was inspired by the voices of some of the best original soul artists; Otis Redding, Al Green, Marvin Gaye, Ray Charles, and pretty much anyone signed with MoTown. You hear many of those influences through his soulful, raspy vocal style. Yet his songwriting style has often been compared to his more modern influences such as Ray Lamontagne, Damion Rice, Amos Lee, even Ben Harper. Along with a whole catalog of well crafted original material, Thom may also be found uniquely covering many of the artists who inspired him.

Saturday morning brings the Stanly County Farmers’ Market to Market Station in downtown Albemarle. From 8 am to noon shoppers can browse the stalls for farm fresh locally grown produce. And leave a little room in that market basket for some home-baked goodies and an item or two from the crafts and plants stalls. On second thoughts, better bring two baskets.

There’s more Pickin’ on the Porch this Saturday evening out at Badin as young Carson Hill performs at the Badin Inn. From 7 pm to 10 pm you can listen to this talented fourteen year old singer/songwriter from North Carolina. An aspiring country music artist, Carson is known for her ability to write songs that tell stories that capture the listener. She began singing and playing the piano in church at a very young age. At the age of eleven, she taught herself to play the guitar and began performing at local events. After her very first show she knew that the stage was where she was meant to be and has determined that she will have a career in music one day. .

Music, dance, art, antiques, and more, it’s all here waiting for you in Stanly County this weekend.