Creative Loafing Charlotte

07/22/2026

Americana Trailblazers The Jayhawks Close Out An Appalachian Summer Festival August 1st. Appalachian State University The Jayhawks

Legendary band brings four decades of acclaimed songwriting — and a preview of its forthcoming album, Sanctuary Park — to Boone for the festival's grand finale.

07/17/2026

☀️An Appalachian Summer Festival will host The Jayhawks Saturday, Aug. 1 at the Schaefer Center. Over the course of four decades and countless memorable live shows, country roots-rock band has soared to heights few ever achieve while winning the hearts and minds of numerous critics, fans, and peers in the process.

🎟️For more information on this performance, and to purchase tickets, visit https://appsummer.appstate.edu/event/the-jayhawks/

— Paid partnership with An Appalachian Summer Festival | Appalachian State University | The Jayhawks

07/10/2026

☀️An Appalachian Summer Festival’s will hosts Rick Springfield on Thursday, July 23 at the Schaefer Center. The creator of some of the finest power-pop of the ’80s, a Grammy-winning singer-songwriter-musician who has sold 25 million albums and scored 17 U.S. Top 40 hits, Springfield has worn many hats as an entertainer and performer.

🎟️For more information on this performance, and to purchase tickets, visit https://appsummer.appstate.edu/event/rick-springfield/

— Paid partnership with An Appalachian Summer Festival | Appalachian State University | Rick Springfield

07/01/2026

Straight No Chaser Brings the Beach Bash to the High Country.
Appalachian State University An Appalachian Summer Festival Straight No Chaser

Acclaimed vocal group serves up pop hits, R&B favorites and smooth summer jams on Friday, July 10 at 7:30pm at the Schaefer Center for the Performing Arts.

06/26/2026

☀️An Appalachian Summer Festival’s will hosts Complexions Contemporary Ballet on July 16 at the Schaefer Center. Complexions Contemporary Ballet explodes onto the stage with boundary-breaking artistry under visionaries Dwight Rhoden and Desmond Richardson. Raw athleticism meets sleek precision, where 16 powerful dancers command the stage with fierce grace and technical brilliance that’ll leave you breathless.

🎟️For more information on this performance, and to purchase tickets, visit https://appsummer.appstate.edu/event/complexions-contemporary-ballet/

— Paid partnership with An Appalachian Summer Festival | Appalachian State University | Complexions Contemporary Ballet

06/19/2026

☀️An Appalachian Summer Festival’s will hosts Straight No Chaser Beach Bash July 10 and Darren Criss July 18 at the Schaefer Center. Straight No Chaser has emerged as a phenomenon with a massive fanbase and a long list of accomplishments. Darren Criss burst into the pop-culture scene with the TV hit show “Glee” and is currently starring in the award-winning Broadway hit “Maybe Happy Ending.”

🎟️For more information on both of these performances, and to purchase tickets, visit https://appsummer.appstate.edu/event/

— Paid partnership with An Appalachian Summer Festival | Appalachian State University | Straight No Chaser | Darren Criss

06/12/2026

☀️An Appalachian Summer Festival’s will hosts Straight No Chaser Beach Bash at the Schaefer Center July 10. Neither strait-laced nor straight-faced, SNC has emerged as a phenomenon with a massive fanbase and a long list of accomplishments including 2 RIAA Gold Certified albums, over 1.5 million concert tickets sold, over 1 billion streams on Pandora, and over 2 million albums sold worldwide.

🎟️To purchase tickets, visit https://appsummer.appstate.edu/event/

— Paid partnership with An Appalachian Summer Festival | Appalachian State University | Straight No Chaser

06/05/2026

☀️An Appalachian Summer Festival’s will host Punch Brothers at the Schaefer Center June 27. Known for pushing the boundaries of acoustic music, the band has garnered critical acclaim, including a Grammy for Best Folk Album for “All Ashore” in 2018.

🎟️To purchase tickets, visit https://appsummer.appstate.edu/event/punch-brothers/

— Paid partnership with An Appalachian Summer Festival | Appalachian State University | Punch Brothers

05/15/2026

☀️An Appalachian Summer Festival’s 2026 lineup features events with a diverse mix of music, dance, theatre and visual arts and film.

🎟️Tickets are on sale now! For the full schedule and more details, visit AppSummer.org

— Paid partnership with An Appalachian Summer Festival | Appalachian State University