The Cat’s Cradle is turning 50, and there are six nights of concerts to celebrate
When was the last time every show of the week was the same price? Likely never. All of the following concerts start at the very reasonable price of $15. That’s a great way to ring in 2020.
Cat’s Cradle turns 50
The venerable music venue in Carrboro is turning 50, and with that comes six concerts over two weekends featuring some of the Cradle’s favorite acts that have made it what it is today.
The details: Cat’s Cradle, 300 E. Main St., Carrboro. Tickets start at $15. 919-967-9053 or catscradle.com
Here’s a look at the schedule:
▪ Dec. 27, Night 1: The Whom, The Bad Checks, The Veldt, Dexter Romweber, Tift Merritt and Ellis Dyson & the Shambles. Doors open at 6 p.m. Show at 6:30 p.m.
▪ Dec. 28, Night 2: Birds of Avalon, Dove Legs, The Scaries, Kerbloki, Kaze and BumRush, Solar Halos, Shannon Dawn O’Connor, Hardworker, Violet Bell. Doors open at 4:30 p.m. Show at 5 p.m.
▪ Dec. 29, Night 3: Billy Warden and the Floating Children, Patriot, Sibannac, The Spectacles, Some Antics, Sound System Seven. Doors open at 6 p.m. Show at 6:30 p.m.
▪ Jan. 3, Night 4: Superchunk, Bandway, Lud, Zen Frisbee, Ben Davis & The Jetts, Michael Rank, Torch Marauder. Doors open at 6 p.m. Show at 6:30 p.m.
▪ Jan. 4, Night 5: The White Octave, Sorry About Dresden, The Popes, What Peggy Wants, The Mayflies USA, Big Fat Gap, Jon Shain and Mark Simonsen’s Flyin’ Mice Reunion, Doors open at 4:30 p.m. Show at 5 p.m.
▪ Jan. 5, Night 6: Mandolin Orange, Speed Stick, Pipe, Southern Culture on the Skids, John Howie Jr. and the Rosewood Bluff, Mellow Swells, Nikki Meets the Hibachi, Mickey Mills and Steel
Branford Marsalis
The details: Dec. 28, 8 p.m. Motorco, 723 Rigsbee Ave. Durham. Tickets start at $15. 919-901-0875 or motorcomusic.com
During a recent chat with Wynton Marsalis, the trumpet playing virtuoso revealed why there are so many prominent musicians that have come from the Marsalis home.
“Music was always on and we all love music,” Marsalis said while calling from Lincoln. “We all consumed it and worked at it.”
His brother Branford Marsalis is also regarded as an exceptional player. The sax whiz, who is an acclaimed solo artist and the leader of Buckshot LeFonque, is headlining a fundraiser concert for Pierce Freelon, who is running for District 20 in the N.C. State Senate. G Yamazawa and M8alla will also perform.
Sarah Shook and the Disarmers
The details: Dec. 29, 8 p.m. Motorco. Tickets start at $15.
There is plenty of innocuous country out there, but Shook and the Disarmers craft meaningful, deep country songs. “Years,” the latest album from Shook and her band, is full of defiant, angst-ridden and earnest tunes. It’s just what we all need in order to get through some strange times. Severed Fingers will open.
Made of Oak
The details: Dec. 31, 8 p.m. Motorco. Tickets start at $15.
Nick Sanborn, the keyboardist from Sylvan Esso, has taken a solo break and is recording under the moniker Made of Oak. The electro-acoustic songs are catchy but heavy. Kir, Oak City Slums and Chaos Control are also on the bill.
This story was originally published December 24, 2019 at 1:32 PM with the headline "The Cat’s Cradle is turning 50, and there are six nights of concerts to celebrate."