Thank you for a great first season.

We at Dancing Fox Music Park would like to express our gratitude for the support of our friends, old and new, that helped to make a memorable first season. Seeing all the happy faces, watching a kid catch his first fish, listening to the music through the trees, the sky filled with stars provided a magical event each time.

We enjoy sharing this wonderful space, and hope to be able to provide an experience all will remember for years to come. We look forward to an adventurous next season, and hope you share the spirit, and help the cause as you are able.

This year’s memories inspire next year’s adventures.

The park’s support structure continues to grow and the dream is coming true, but we have a long way to go. Many have contacted us expressing hope that there will be a second season. At this point we would like to give you an opportunity to become more of a part of the Dancing Fox family.

We have decided, in order to ensure many more seasons to come, to begin a Friend’s of The Park campaign. There are rewards for membership beyond the knowledge that you are helping something you enjoy, to continue.

Membership opportunity will begin at the basic level and step up from there. A fifteen-dollar gift will include you on a list for reduced admission next season, if you wish. A twenty-five dollar contribution will provide reduced admission and a music cd of some of the music you enjoyed last season. All funds will be used to make the Dancing Fox more enjoyable for all.

The cosmic success of the first season and the inspiring moments people shared listening and dancing to music in the natural amphitheatre set in the woods on the Haw River is a memory not soon forgotten. Join all of us who are committed to many more seasons at the Dancing Fox Music Park.

For more information call Rick (919-632-1430).

Photos on this post by Dwain Ritchie.

See Saturday lineup below. Note: It has come to our attention that our map had an error. The exit 147 coming from the west should be exit 148 (Hwy 54). Sorry about any confusion.

September Flyer–Click to download a printable
PDF flyer with map and directions.

All show times are approximate. Schedule is subject to change.

Friday Sept 18th

10:00-until…
Gooseberry Jam
Spread that tasty jam!
Formerly known as D~Railed, the new line-up that we call The Gooseberry Jam is a force of melodical honesty & integrity to be reckoned with.
The band squeezes the gooseberry “juice of truth” out of each & every note while singer/songwriter, Darrell Craig pours every ounce of being into each song, evoking emotions from listeners of all backgrounds & lifestyles. Eric Norris on bass & Mike Kelleher on drums lay down a solid foundation of musical bricks that can’t be denied & “Dirty” Mike Stafford (the last member inducted into the band), rounds out the group with soulful, sometimes “slow-drawn & whining” & sometimes “screaming for life” riffs that make you shake, dance & long for more!
If you like true to the core Roots Rock & Americana music. I mean True Grit Rock & Roll with a Southern Fried taste of Soul, then don’t miss…The Gooseberry Jam!

8:00-10:00
The Lasting Happiness
(formerly Ministry of Love)
Jazzy, bluesy, sexy and sweet, The Lasting Happiness plays comfort food for your ears. Featuring vocalist Valerie Suzanne, guitarists David Long and Andrew Hoover, bassist Eric Smith, drummer Keith Cannon, and Jennifer Leonard on flute and vocals, they dive deeply into the well of American music to play an esoteric mix of intelligent, humorous tunes - call it acoustic eclectica.
Valerie’s vivacious, velvety voice captivates the crowd with rootsy renditions of songs from Nina Simone, Lucinda Williams, Bob Wills, Fats Waller, R.L. Burnside and more. You might even hear some Sly Stone or J.J. Cale as if filtered through the lens of a 1930s jazz siren. Seductive yet smart, danceable yet demure, The Lasting Happiness will make you a true believer.

Saturday September 19th

Join us for a potluck dinner! Grill will be available.

10:00-until…
Blues World Order
with special guest
Will McFarlane!
Look out Blues World, the Order is on the rise. Blues World Order is bringing its style of House Rockin music to the public. These veteran N.C. musicians are ready to open the gates and convert the ungrooved and the boogie deprived. BWO, as their many fans refer to them, started Ten years ago as an “off-night” band in a local Greensboro watering hole. Blues World Order has a style rooted in Rockin Blues with a big helpin’ of West Coast Jump. The band plays original music and favorites from The Fabulous Thunderbirds, James Harman Band, Chuck Berry and many more. BWO has just published their first CD “LIVE” and LIVE is the only way to fully enjoy these guys. The timing is right and this music kicks butt.

9:00-10:00
Burning Love Fire Performance
“Talk about HOT!! Burning Love Fire Performance spins Love through Fire that you will feel! While you tap your feet to the popular music they fire dance to, you’ll hold your breath with amazement by the fiery choreography! Sizzling and sexy, exciting and electric, this passionate and powerful fire performance troupe will have you feeling … all those things!
Burning Love Fire Performance showcases various blazing performers skilled in all kinds of fire dance tools such as poi, triple poi, staff, double staves, hoop, fans, snakes, sliding orb, devil sticks, juggling, plus single and double 6-foot long bullwhips ~ all on FIRE!
Be sure to come watch and get your fill of Burning Love!”

7:00-9:00
SLIM N M
Considered by many to be “Old time blues with a new twist”, Slim N M plays some old blues favorites and also original music. These guys love playing outdoor events and benefits, and are ready to have some fun and music with you. Together for over 10 years, the Slim N M band is more like a family, and their friends always show up where they are playing. Slim N M band is Slim Wilke on vocals and guitar, Tim “T-Buff” Buffington - harmonica, Roy Avery - drums, Greg “Gringo King” Smith - piano, and Jeffrey Dickerson on bass.

3:00-6:00
The Chris Carroll Band
Incredible musicianship and heartbreakingly awesome blues — Chris Carroll plays bass and has played with the likes of The Fairlanes, Bob Margolin, The Messengers, and many other greats! A classic performer. Chris will be joined by Tim Betts and another special guest.

Sunday Morning July 19th

Join us for a potluck breakfast! Grill will be available. No refrigeration in kitchen. Please bring donations in the morning.
Schedule subject to change.

10:00-until…
The Ralph Roddenbery Band
The Ralph Roddenbery Band is a dynamic blend of Americana, roots rock, and a twist of blues. By combining four part harmonies with energizing riffs, captivating lyrics, remarkable stage presence and a driving rhythm section, RRB is able to connect with their audience in a way that makes them feel as if they are having a one on one conversation about life.

In a review from the Charleston City Paper, Michael Andrews stated that Ralph Roddenbery has a “undeniable knack for tapping into the emotional undercurrent of his songs, many of which are just as likely to make you laugh as they are to cause moistening of the lids all within the same four minutes.”
The Ralph Roddenbery Band consists of Ralph Roddenbery (lead vocals/rhythm guitar), Ted Norton (lead guitar/vocals), Richie Jones (drums/vocals), Tommy Jones (bass) and Samantha Alessi-Jones (vocals).

8:00-10:00
Big Mama E & the Cool
Big Mama E and the Cool is a five piece rock & roll band from Raleigh, NC. They play original music with a southern R&B influence. The band has been performing in the Triangle area since 1997.

They have completed two full length studio recordings, and have been traveling throughout the southeast to play their music and make new friends. The band continues to write and perform new songs to share with their audience.

Saturday July 18th

Join us for a potluck dinner! Grill will be available.

10:00-until…
The Allison King Band
Allison and the band display a wide variety of musical talent and taste appealing to all generations. The band plays beach music, rock and roll classics as well as hits from the sixties and seventies. Allison will amaze the crowd with her soul-stirring voice.

Her voice has a melodic gospel tone giving her the freedom to sing very similar to Aretha Franklin, Bonnie Raitt, and Carole King. The band’s enthusiasm is zealous. The audience will sing along with the music performed by the band. The bands “soul variety” sound pours out of the speakers quenching the audience’s thirst. There is a unique chemistry between the members of the Allison King Band. Surprisingly, the members have only been playing together since January 2002. Allison King is the lead vocalist. She is backed up by a talented group of musicians.

bluesville_hambone logo

8:00-10:00 Bluesville — Life Changin’ Soulful Blues
Bluesville was formed around 1999 when Cecil “Sandy” Blair (vocals/guitar) and Gary “Big Leg Hambone” Nowicki (vocals/harmonica) wanted to change the way blues covers were done with their own original twist as well as new original blues songs. Since then Bluesville has been playing clubs, festivals, and parties in N.C., S.C., Virginia and Tennessee. Opening for bands like Elvin Bishop, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, The Nighthawks, Duke Robillard & Houseful of Blues, Cephas and Wiggins and more. Others members include John David Eliason (drums) and Tim Richardson (vocals/bass).

In 2000 Bluesville won 1st place in the blues division at the House of Blues Battle of the Bands and in 2003 won Cape Fear Blues Challenge and went to Memphis, TN as a semi-finalist in the International Blues Challenge in 2004. Bluesville has two CD’s released “Goin’ Home” (2002) and “Hoochie Coo” (2004). Sandy Blair left the band in 2006 to pursue a music career in Nashville, TN and since then Big Leg Hambone has kept the Bluesville magic alive. Come party with us and catch those happy blues.

6:00-8:00
Fathers and Sons
Here’s the story… The Past: Fathers, Richard and Allen, played together in various bands for years — good friends, good times, and a few good gigs between them. Jobs and families overrode musical ambitions and the two separated for a decade or so. Fathers re-established their friendship and started recording new songs. The Present: Fathers introduce Sons, Derek and David. Sons start recording together, playing together, and generally having a great time. Fathers assist Sons with recording. Sons dub the band Stych and end up with two cds worth of neo-metal.

Their latest album, Temporarily Breathing, celebrates friendship, family, and love of music. It is the creative union of two fathers and two sons. As a consequence it echoes with the experiences and attitudes of two generations of music fans - bringing love and respect to the craft that they care for deeply.

Sunday Morning July 19th

Join us for a potluck breakfast! Grill will be available. No refrigeration in kitchen. Please bring donations in the morning.

Schedule subject to change.

July Flyer
Click to download a printable PDF flyer with map and directions.

Come out and see Slack Racket, The Chris Carroll Band, and The Fairlanes.

Bring you tents and dancing shoes. The show is up and runnin’. We expect amazing fun for tonight!

Hope to see you there!

Thanks for visiting our site. The premier show at Dancing Fox Music Park was a big hit!  A wonderful time was had by all (see message from Martha below). Join us for our next weekend event. There is some amazing talent to behold!

Friday, June 5th

10:00-until… Old Stone Revue
New Grass and Roots music has gained worldwide acclaim in the last decade — from the back porches, to the Ryman Auditorium, Americana is stronger than ever. The Old Stone Revue was formed to carry on the tradition of singer songwriting but not feeling confined to the boundaries of traditional bluegrass and country music. With influences from John Prine, Johnny Cash, Del McCoury, Jazz Is Dead, Gram Parsons, The Old Stone Revue mix traditional bluegrass with country, rock, and soul.

8:00-10:00 The Shucks
In The Shucks, some of Raleigh’s most accomplished rock and rollers, bluegrass pickers, reggae groovers and folk singers have joined forces to bring you alt-country music that is high on soul, rhythm and grit. The Shucks combines original and cover music to conjure some of the great spirits of country and blues music of the past century in all their big-hearted, establishment-bucking, boozing and bruising, soul-searching glory. We bring it all home for your foot stomping and enjoyment with love, humor and a fresh coat of piss and vinegar. The Shucks are: Travis Creed (songwriter, vocals, guitar, also heard in The Recollectors, formerly with Memphisto), Mike Edwards (lead guitar, vocals, also heard in Big Mama E and The Cool, formerly heard in Mike Edwards and The Banned,The Dead Frogs From Hell), Billie Karel (vocals, formerly heard with Memphisto and Roger Gupton), Kelly Biggers (drums, percussion, vocals, formerly heard in The Amateurs, Mike Edwards and The Banned, The Dead Frogs From Hell) and Al Felton (bass guitar, formerly heard in The Amateurs, The Dead Frogs from Hell).

Saturday, June 6th

Potluck dinner will be served. Bring your favorite dish.

10:00-until…
The Fairlanes
The Fairlanes, a Greensboro, NC based trio has been playing in the central NC, southern VA area for two decades. The current three piece line-up has been together for seventeen years combining Blues, Rockabilly, Soul and Country influences into one big bag of fun!

7:00-10:00 The Chris Carroll Band
Incredible musicianship and heartbreakingly awesome blues — Chris Carroll plays bass and has played with the likes of The Fairlanes, Bob Margolin, The Messengers, and many other greats! A classic performer. Chris will be joined by Tim Betts and another special guest.

6:00-7:00 Slack Racket — Four-Piece Blues Played in the Key of Rock
Slack Racket is a throwback to the 1970’s and the driving blues-rock of the period-with a new edge. Sophisticated guitar riffs, smooth harmonic vocals and a very “layered” rhythm section. A mostly original “indie” band from the Triangle and Eastern NC, they evolved doing classic rock and blues only to find their own sound was much better. Their self-titled CD was released in 2006.

Sunday Morning, May 3rd

Breakfast donations would be appreciated! Grill will be available. No refrigeration in kitchen. Please bring donations in the morning.

Schedule subject to change… check back often!

June Flyer
Click to download a printable PDF flyer with map and directions.

The following is a message from Rick, Martha and their lovable canine Axel, your hosts at Dancing Fox Music Park. Thanks to everyone who attended the virgin showing of Dancing Fox!

HURRAY!  It’s finally summer! Joyful THANK YOU to every lovely soul who came to the opening of Dancing Fox Music Park! (We know you had plenty of choices for that weekend). Each of the bands put on a polished WOW YOUR SOX OFF show. We can never say how truly thrilled we were to see what they put out there for us to ENJOY, emphasis on JOY! The surprises also make the great stories and memories. Airplane acrobatics, Burning Love and whips (an especial surprise to the innocent locals), the hoop dancer who was dancing with the log which was on fire (who you know), the arrowhead Rick found the week of the opening, the new friends you made (just when you thought you knew everybody)…

Since you all got first choice, we hope you picked out the perfect wooded campsite to decorate with wildflowers and to trim to your personal preference to fit your tent. Over time we hope it becomes your sweet space to retire to recover your self amongst friends, protected by gorgeous woodlands.

Did you get into the river? It will change your life. Bring inner tubes, canoes, kayaks next time, and RELAX. Thank you all most especially for keeping the trash up and not throwing cigarette butts on the ground. Thank you for respecting the land.

We can offer work2party exchanges. You can work the gate for a designated time of 2 hours and that would be able to cover your ticket in for the weekend.  We just ask that you schedule the time at least 2 weeks before with Rick (919) 632-1430.

Incredible bands offering their stunning heartfelt best and being received in honor. Thank you for the gentle loving vibrations. We were better humans after that weekend. THANK YOU… THANK YOU… for the gentle loving vibrations.

See you real soon!

Martha, Rick & Axel

Friday May 1st

8:00-10:00 Rocky Stone & Friends — A Rockin Roll Review

10:00-until… Bluesville — Life Changin’ Soulful Blues
Bluesville was formed around 1999 when Cecil “Sandy” Blair (vocals/guitar) and Gary “Big Leg Hambone” Nowicki (vocals/harmonica) wanted to change the way blues covers were done with their own original twist as well as new original blues songs. Since then Bluesville has been playing clubs, festivals, and parties in N.C., S.C., Virginia and Tennessee. Opening for bands like Elvin Bishop, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, The Nighthawks, Duke Robillard & Houseful of Blues, Cephas and Wiggins and more. Others members include John David Eliason (drums) and Tim Richardson (vocals/bass).
In 2000 Bluesville won 1st place in the blues division at the House of Blues Battle of the Bands and in 2003 won Cape Fear Blues Challenge and went to Memphis, TN as a semi-finalist in the International Blues Challenge in 2004. Bluesville has two CD’s released “Goin’ Home” (2002) and “Hoochie Coo” (2004). Sandy Blair left the band in 2006 to pursue a music career in Nashville, TN and since then Big Leg Hambone has kept the Bluesville magic alive. Come party with us and catch those happy blues.

Saturday May 2nd

Boys will be cooking some meat Saturday night. Please bring cover dish sides. Bring your own plates, cups, utensils and beverages. Cash donations will also be accepted. Supplies may be limited.

6:00-7:00 Ministry of Love
Jazzy, bluesy, sexy and sweet, The Ministry of Love plays comfort food for your ears. Featuring Valerie Suzanne on vocals, David Long on guitar, Eric Smith on bass and Keith Cannon on drums, they dive deep into the well of American music to play an esoteric mix of intelligent, humorous tunes - call it acoustic eclectica.
Valerie’s vivacious, velvety voice captivates the crowd with rootsy renditions of songs from Nina Simone, Lucinda Williams, Bob Wills, Fats Waller, R.L. Burnside and more. You might even hear some Sly Stone or T. Rex as if filtered through the lens of a 1930s jazz siren. Seductive yet smart, danceable yet demure, The Ministry of Love will make you a true believer.

7:00-10:00 The Ralph Roddenbery Band
The Ralph Roddenbery Band is a dynamic blend of Americana, roots rock, and a twist of blues. By combining four part harmonies with energizing riffs, captivating lyrics, remarkable stage presence and a driving rhythm section, RRB is able to connect with their audience in a way that makes them feel as if they are having a one on one conversation about life.
In a review from the Charleston City Paper, Michael Andrews stated that Ralph Roddenbery has a “undeniable knack for tapping into the emotional undercurrent of his songs, many of which are just as likely to make you laugh as they are to cause moistening of the lids all within the same four minutes.”
The Ralph Roddenbery Band consists of Ralph Roddenbery (lead vocals/rhythm guitar), Ted Norton (lead guitar/vocals), Richie Jones (drums/vocals), Tommy Jones (bass) and Samantha Alessi-Jones (vocals).

10:00-until… Big Mama E & the Cool
Big Mama E and the Cool is a five piece rock & roll band from Raleigh, NC. They play original music with a southern R&B influence. The band has been performing in the Triangle area since 1997.
They have completed two full length studio recordings, and have been traveling throughout the southeast to play their music and make new friends. The band continues to write and perform new songs to share with their audience.

Burning Love Fire Performance
Burning Love Fire Performance features Burke and Neidra WhiteFire. This sizzling male/female performance utilizes multiple media working with an array of fire performance tools, stage props and special lighting, all choreographed to popular songs.
Coordinated costumes, accessories and make-up add to the enlightening visual feast. Tools utilized during their performances typically include: fire poi, multiple fire poi, fire staff, double fire staves, fire fans, fire snakes, fire orb plus single and double fire whip!

Sunday Morning, May 3rd

Breakfast donations would be appreciated! Grill will be available. No refrigeration in kitchen. Please bring donations in the morning.

Yoga for Musicians… and we’re all musicians!
Decompress yourself with yoga before heading home.