By SABRINA BERNDT

Washington Daily News

 

The sounds of traditional music will fill the halls of the Turnage Theatre on Thursday night.

The Beaufort County Traditional Music Association will host a free performance by Wyldwood as a part of their Spring Regional Concert Series. The local bluegrass and folk band will play at the Turnage Theatre Gallery from 7 to 9 p.m.

Wyldwood — which features Sarah Hollis on fiddle, Caroline Tanner on banjo and Phil Lanier on guitar — focuses mainly on “fine acoustic instrumentation and close harmonies,” making the band perfect for fans of traditional music, according to Linda Boyer, the chairperson of BCTMA and secretary of the Arts of the Pamlico Board. Boyer found the band through a connection with Hollis.

“Sarah Hollis played for us in her father’s band,” Boyer said. “She played for us many times, but formed a band about a year ago, and I had the opportunity to see them. I enjoyed it so much, I asked her to play for us.”

In partnership with Arts of the Pamlico, BCTMA provides a space for new and experienced musicians to perform at the Turnage Theatre through solo performances, variety shows or weekly jams on Thursday evenings and Saturday mornings.

“It’s very casual. We welcome anyone and any musicians with traditional instruments,” Boyer said.

BCTMA started in 2008 with a small group of musicians, including Boyer, that performed on a corner near the Washington waterfront. With a shared love of traditional music, they found a permanent home at the Turnage Theatre after the closing of the Inner Banks Artisans’ Center in 2015.

Since their start, the nonprofit has made it their mission to spread the love of traditional music to the people of Beaufort County.

“People who don’t know what we’re doing will walk in the Turnage Theatre and start smiling,” Boyer said. “It makes us happy because you know people are enjoying the music.”

Wyldwood’s performance is family friendly and free to the public, but donations to BCTMA will be accepted. For more information about the event or BCTMA, visit bctma.org.