Ocracoke band Molasses Creek always draws a crowd wherever they may be performing. Saturday night at the Turnage Theatre in Washington will not likely be the exception. Known just as much for their elegant harmonies and quirky senses of humor, as their skillful performances, the four-piece band out of Ocracoke has a following that spans two decades and the country.

Gary Mitchell (vocals, guitar), Fiddler Dave Tweedie (vocals, fiddle), Kim France (vocals, acoustic bass) and Gerald Hampton (mandolin, mandola, guitar, acoustic bass) will take the Turnage stage at 8 p.m. Saturday, but it is what they, as Molasses Creek, will be doing earlier in the day that does not fall in with the usual Turnage programming.

On Saturday mornings and Thursday evenings, Beaufort County Traditional Music Association invites anyone who wants to pitch in a few notes to join their jams in the Turnage Theatre gallery. Molasses Creek will be stopping in to share stories and their music with the regular crowd, according to Linda Boyer, BCTMA chairman.

“BCTMA is very excited to have Molasses Creek as special guests at our Saturday morning jam,” Boyer said. “I’m thrilled they’re going to play with us. Everyone’s definitely looking forward to it.”

Boyer said the members of Molasses Creek are very supportive of players all over eastern North Carolina as sponsors of Music Across the Sounds, an event held each year in Hyde County that gives musicians a performance opportunity in a place where performances can be scarce. Boyer said that the band takes part in such events, including the BCTMA jam, is a testament to their commitment to both music and community.

“They’re community oriented. They like doing things on the grassroots level, and we’re definitely grassroots,” Boyer laughed. “They support traditional music; they support our organization. They believe in what we do to try to keep traditional music alive.”

Their outreach creates just as much of a universal appeal as their music, Boyer said.

“Well, they’re darned good musicians to start with. They have great stage presence and play songs that people enjoy hearing,” Boyer said. “They play songs from every decade, songs people remember from those times. So people are tapping their toes and singing along and they haven’t sung that song in 40 years.”

Arts of the Pamlico Executive Director Joey Toler refers to the members of Molasses Creek as colleagues and arts collaborators and said he’s proud of the role the arts council has played in supporting the band’s 23-year career.

“A lot of us have had the opportunity to see Molasses Creek in many different settings, but this time … This one will be special,” Toler said.

The BCTMA jam runs from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday; there is no fee for the BCTMA jam. Saturday night’s performance at the Turnage begins at 8 p.m.; tickets are $18 and available by calling 252-946-2504 or artsofthepamlico.org.