Toe-Tappin’ Weekend

This year is IBMA’s last World of Bluegrass Festival being hosted in Raleigh and they’re going out with a bang! IBMA week is always one of our favorites as it transforms downtown Raleigh into a celebration of roots music, culture, and community. If you’re looking for a good time with good music and people, here are some of the top things to do:

• Get in on the jams. Bring your instrument to the Bluegrass Jam Class from 10 a.m. to noon on Friday at the Raleigh Convention Center main lobby and join Pete Wernick and Gilbert Nelson for a little jam session.

• Shop the Art Market. You don’t want to miss the giant IBMA festival along Fayetteville Street on Friday and Saturday, where you can shop for bluegrass-inspired art and snack on tasty treats from the food trucks. When you’re ready for a break, grab a meal from The Mecca (13 E. Martin St.), Raleigh’s oldest restaurant, or a specialty cocktail at Foundation (213 Fayetteville St.)

• Nothing goes better with bluegrass than barbecue! Stop by The Pit Authentic Barbecue (328 W. Davie St.) for whole-hog pit-cooked Eastern North Carolina barbecue and more. Fuel up on your Southern favorites like baby back ribs, fried chicken, macaroni and cheese and homemade hush puppies. 

• Hit the Ramble. For $55, buy a three-day ticket that gets you into the IBMA Bluegrass Ramble, which features more than 200 live bluegrass performances in clubs and venues throughout downtown, from the Raleigh Convention Center to The Pour House. You’ll get to see some of bluegrass's newest talent before anyone else!

• Beyond the Bluegrass @ The Times. Hang out on Hargett Street in front of The Raleigh Times on Saturday from noon to 10 p.m. to dance to live music, drink local beer, enjoy food truck favorites and shop the vendor marketplace.