Morning, gang.

It’s N.C. Folk Festival weekend, and we hope you’re making plans to get out there and enjoy it. Today we’re revisiting our sit-down with Jodee Ruppel, the festival’s executive director, and ethnomusicologist Savannah Thorne, who is its programming chair.

We’ve also got Gale Melcher’s trip to Country Barbeque, a Greensboro institution, as a vegetarian.

Photo courtesy of NC Folk Festival.

Finding Common Sound at This Weekend’s N.C. Folk Festival

The N.C. Folk Festival will return to downtown Greensboro this weekend with an eclectic roster of Grammy award-winning headliners, up-and-coming stars, home-grown talents, and world music legends. This year’s theme: “Find Common Sound.”

Jodee Ruppel is the festival’s executive director and ethnomusicologist Savannah Thorne its programming chair. We caught up with them to talk about what that means and how the festival, held in Greensboro since 2015, continues to evolve.

Read the full story here.

— Joe Killian

Thanks for reading The Thread, a 3x week newsletter written by Greensboro editor Joe Killian and reporters Sayaka Matsuoka and Gale Melcher. Reach us with tips or ideas at greensboro@theassemblync.com.

Not a subscriber yet? Good journalism is expensive–and we need your support to do more of it. For just $6 a month or $60 a year, you’ll unlock full access to our archives and help us grow in 2025.

Already a subscriber? Consider giving the gift of The Assembly to a friend.

Subscribe To The Assembly
A variety of side dishes at Country Barbecue in Greensboro. (Gale Melcher for The Thread)

I’ve been a vegetarian since I was 16. When I tell people, they ask, “Why? For the environment? For the animals? Do you just not like the taste? How do you get your protein? Do you like beans? They’ve got a lot of protein.”

Passing the plate of meat honestly makes my decisions easier when I go to restaurants. I only have to pick between a few things on the menu. But sometimes meat stars in all the dishes. Or I run into a waitstaff’s apologetic, “Sorry, we don’t have veggie burgers,” or a dreaded “No substitutions” note in fine print at the bottom of a menu. Then, I have to order sides. Which begs the question: How many sides does it take to make something a meal?

Last week, I decided to find out at lunch at Country Barbeque, a beloved 50-year-old joint situated between a strip club and an auto shop on West Wendover Avenue.

Read the full story here.

— Gale Melcher

This weekend is a big one, y’all. The Folk Festival returns, and also the statewide Comedy Festival. There is excitement brewing for next week’s Pride festival, with some businesses starting a bit early. No matter what you’re feeling, there’s plenty of opportunities to get out and have some fun.

FRIDAY, Sept. 12

North Carolina Folk Festival @ Downtown Greensboro

It’s back! The free annual folk festival, which brings hundreds of musicians to the city for the weekend, is back in town. A mix of genres from funk to folk to soul to Latin and hip hop will grace numerous stages over the next few days. It’s a great way to see lots of musical talent. Find the full lineup here.

The 2025 North Carolina Comedy Festival @ The Idiot Box

While this festival started on Thursday, the laughs run through the weekend, so there’s plenty of time to catch some of the best comedians from around the country performing. Find tickets and the full lineup here.

Magic for Adults @ The Comedy Zone
7 and 9:30 p.m.

The comedy continues at the Comedy Zone. With shows on both Friday and Saturday evening, magician Eric Eaton will bring his sleight of hand tricks plus plenty of jokes for an adult audience. Tickets here.

SATURDAY, Sept. 13

Downtown Greenway Walking Tour @ LoFi Park
9 a.m.

Get your steps in early with this free walking tour around downtown. The tour will take about three hours to complete the 4-mile loop of the Downtown Greenway. Wear comfy clothes and shoes. Learn more here.

6th Annual Fall Vintage Market @ Körner’s Folly
9 a.m.-3 p.m.

While this is technically a little outside of Greensboro, we added it because it’s set to be a beautiful day, and the historic house is worth a visit. The vintage market will take place on the grounds and lawn of the museum and will feature more than 45 vendors. Learn more here.

Fall Equinox x Suicide Prevention Awareness Flash Day @ Opalus Tattoo
12-6 p.m.

This one-day event features flash tattoos by artists at Opalus Tattoo that celebrate fall or raise awareness about suicide prevention. The pieces are for arms or legs only for customers 18+. Appointments are first-come, first-served. The shop recommends arriving early to secure a spot. Find the designs on their Instagram @opalustattoo.

GSO Pride 2025 Kick-Off Dance Party @ Twist Lounge
6 p.m.-2 a.m.

Dance the night away at Greensboro’s local LGBTQ+ bar. To help kick off Pride, which officially takes place next weekend, the club is hosting a dance party. Get dressed, get ready, and get down.

Woods of Terror Opens! @ Woods of Terror

Feel that slight crispiness in the air? You know what that means. Halloween season is upon us. And that means fun scares at Woods of Terror. The popular haunted attraction opens this weekend and promises to deliver top-notch fright. Learn more here.

SUNDAY, Sept. 14

Fall Sweat Series feat. Refuge Healing Studio @ Pig Pounder Brewery
10:30 a.m.

This free pop-up class at Pig Pounder will set you right and make you feel rested and relaxed. Check-in starts around 10:15, and the class starts promptly at 10:30. Participants are encouraged to sign up online. Bring your own mat and water bottle.

Big Sweep at the Audubon Natural Area @ 111 Tankersley Drive
2-4 p.m.

Looking to do some good and help the environment? Join others to help clean up the Audubon Natural Area in town. Sturdy shoes and tick repellent are encouraged. For more info, email eldrett.jim@gmail.com. 

— Sayaka Matsuoka

Want to see your message here? Contact advertise@theassemblync.com to learn how you can reach The Assembly’s 120,000 readers statewide.

Joe Killian is The Assembly's Greensboro editor. He joined us from NC Newsline, where he was senior investigative reporter. He spent a decade at The News & Record covering cops and courts, higher education, and government.

Gale is a Report for America corps member and Greensboro-based reporter for The Assembly. She previously covered local government and community issues for Triad City Beat. She holds a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences from N.C. State University.

Sayaka Matsuoka is a Greensboro-based reporter for The Assembly. She was formerly the managing editor for Triad City Beat, an alt-weekly based in Greensboro. She has reported for INDY Week, The Bitter Southerner, and Nerdist, and is the editorial/diversity chair for AAN Publishers.