NEWS

Art and music celebrated in Shelby Saturday

Diane Turbyfill
The Shelby Star
Dave Bonivtch performs outside on the lawn of the Earl Scruggs Center in downtown Shelby Saturday morning, June 26, 2021, during the 18th annual Art of Sound Festival.

Uptown Shelby will be the stage for three festivals this Saturday. 

Held in tandem with the 19th annual Art of Sound will be Arts on the Square and the first ever Flea Fest. 

Paying homage to the local ukulele band, the Dancing Fleas, Flea Fest will include a series of workshops and classes leading up to the Saturday night performance of the popular band along with participating musicians. 

Here’s what you need to know about activities this weekend: 

Five-year-old Evie Richard checks out the jewelry at the Katie Earl booth on the lawn of the Earl Scruggs Center in downtown Shelby Saturday morning, June 26, 2021, during the 18th annual Art of Sound Festival.

Art of Sound 

Hosted by the Cleveland Arts Council, the festival is in uptown Shelby with an outdoor stage on the historic court square on Washington Street. There will also be indoor venues that afford listeners an up-close experience with the artists in area businesses. 

Art of Sound began as a local festival, and by word of mouth has grown into a respected regional event. While it draws national headliners, the festival supports local and regional musicians and is a free event.  

Schedule of performers 

11 to 11:45 a.m. – Robyn Springer 

12:15 to 1 p.m. – Medicine Crow 

1:30 to 2:15 p.m. – Steel Roots 

2:45 to 3:30 p.m. – Finklestein 3  

4 to 4:45 p.m. – The Baggage Brothers 

5:15 to 6 p.m. – Wiregrass 

6:30 to 7 p.m. – 100 Ukes 

7 to 8:30 p.m. – The Dancing Fleas 

Samantha Absher and Ben Hoyle check out the art at the Janis Elle Art booth on the lawn of the Earl Scruggs Center in downtown Shelby Saturday morning, June 26, 2021, during the 18th annual Art of Sound Festival.

Arts on the Square 

Buffalo Creek Gallery will host the annual Arts on the Square with art and fine craft vendors from around the region. There will be lawn games and food vendors on the courthouse lawn throughout the day. Attendees are encouraged to bring a picnic, blanket and chairs and stay all day. 

Visitors will have a chance to purchase art and fine craft from local artists and expect to see pottery, jewelry, weaving, metal works, painting, woodworking and mosaics. 

The event runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is free. 

Flea Fest 

Flea Fest has been organized by Jason Lineberger and the Dancing Fleas and takes place at the Arts Council. 

Participants may register for the series of workshops between 5 and 7 p.m. Friday at the Cleveland County Arts Council, 111 S. Washington St., Shelby. 

Musicians will participate in various workshops that night and Saturday culminating in a performance Saturday evening on the Art of Sound stage.