What’s your favorite word for party? Maybe a soiree, a big bash, a hootenanny? We can tell you one word that brings to mind fun times ‘round these parts. And that’s a shindig.
Welcome to Shindig on the Green. Going on 60 years young, Shindig on the Green kicked things off in Asheville as a place for musicians to gather and play on summer Saturday nights downtown, at City County Plaza. For decades this has been the place to experience the celebration, preservation, and continuation of the traditional music, dance, and storytelling heritage of the Southern Appalachian Mountains.
The fun gets going along about sundown – or 7PM for those of us who wear a watch. You’ll be here with a couple thousand of your closest friends. Bring a lawn chair, your instrument if you play, and your appetite.
Food here is provided by Bear’s Smokehouse and the Hop Ice Cream Cafe. And we highly recommend you take in the tasty vittles as you take in the music and dancing.
These volunteer musicians and dancers span generations. From kids perfecting their square dance steps to great-grandmothers singing ballads passed down through the years, the region’s wealth of traditional talent takes center stage.
And that talent is always changing. Each performer gets just two music numbers to help provide opportunities for many musicians and dancers to showcase a range of talents throughout the evening. All of this is presented by the Folk Heritage Committee, who not only continue the tradition of Shindig on the Green, but also the Mountain Dance and Folk Festival – the longest running folk festival in the nation dating back to 1928.
As you bask in the beauty of a summer evening with the sounds of the southern Appalachian all around you, it’s hard not to wear a smile on your face; this is where community comes together to celebrate life.
And what a celebration it is. It’s a toe-tapping good time for sure. A place to marvel at the magic of some fancy fiddle playing. Admire the fast feet of the dancers. Make new friends. And appreciate old traditions. It’s a good time, and a great event – at Shindig on the Green.
