Peter Rowan headlines local music, beer fest

The third annual North Carolina Brewers and Music Festival will take place in historic Rural Hill in Huntersville May 11. Influential progressive bluegrass musician Peter Rowan, best known for his work with David Grisman and Jerry Garcia in Old & in the Way, will appear with the Peter Rowan Bluegrass Band. The bluegrass group does a combination of Rowan's originals as well as classic songs by the Carter Family and his former band leader Bill Monroe (Rowan was a Bluegrass Boy early in his career).

Western Carolina's Acoustic Syndicate, Charleston's Sol Driven Train, funk outfit Sister Sparrow and the Dirty Birds, jazz-grass quartet Milkdrive, and Asheville's Brushfire Stankgrass round out the roots music bill.

Of course the other attraction is the tasting. Over twenty regional and national breweries will participate and a limited number of tasting tickets, which includes admission to the festival, are available now for $25 here. Discounted tickets are available for designated drivers, evening only attendees, and children 15 and under. A variety of camping options are also available for an additional $12-$35. For more information visit www.ncbrewsmusic.com.

(Photo courtesy of www.peterrowan.com)