A tried-and-true method for regional entertainers to expand their market has been to try and grow the overall size of the bluegrass scene in their area. If you are trying to increase the exposure of your band, a great way to do so is to try and increase the bluegrass footprint where you live.
And that is just what Dear MariBella & The Pigkickers, an aggressive young sibling group from Wilmington, NC, is doing. Made up of four young Trakimowitz siblings, they already host a one-day summer festival, Bluegrass in the Grove, which brings in top artists to perform at the historic Poplar Grove Plantation near their home.
Now the Pigkickers have announced a monthly concert series at Poplar Grove they are calling The Listening Barn – Live at the Grove. Starting May 1, the shows will kick off with an open jam beginning at 5:30 p.m. At 6:00, a food truck from Poor Piggy’s BBQ Food Trucks & Catering will arrive to serve up quality east Carolina-style BBQ. Then at 7:00, the jamming will cease and the concert begin, this first featuring music from Dear MariBella & The Pigkickers.
The band features Isabella on the fiddle, AnnMari on the guitar, Pete on the banjo, and Chris on the mandolin, with their dad, Joel, on bass.
An interesting twist is that these monthly shows will feature traditional dance lessons in between sets, so attendees can pick up a few new steps with their music and food.
All are invited to bring their instruments for the pre-show jam, and tickets can be purchased in advance online. Familes are welcome with children 12 and under admitted for free.
They plan to book in a different band each month, so keep an eye on the Live at the Grove web site for announcements.
Wilmington is a tourist destination during the warm weather months, so best of luck to the PigKickers with this new concert series.
