Today’s Forecast

48º | Mostly sunny | 0% chance of rain | Sunrise: 7:32 a.m. | Sunset: 5:23 p.m.

Banding together for centuries

Salem Band continues musical tradition centuries in the making

Summer concerts in Salem Square usually draw around 500 people. | Photo by Charles Beaman via Salem Band

Every Tuesday night for two centuries, musicians have gathered in what is now Old Salem to play their instruments. They are members of Salem Band — a full community concert band and the oldest continuous mixed wind ensemble in the US.

Musical roots

Moravian settlers in Salem, who were devout musicians, formed a mixed trombone ensemble in 1771 and the band evolved over time. There are now currently about 70 people playing in Salem Band — and Music Director Eileen Young says there’s a waitlist for musicians who want the opportunity to join.

“We have some professional players. We have a lot of public school band directors or retired band directors — and then we have folks at a more amateur, intermediate level,” Young said.

Continuing traditions

Musicians don’t just honor the band’s Moravian heritage by continuing to play on Tuesday nights. They play hymns as they were written centuries ago. The band also delights audiences during the summer in the same place the group’s founding members played — Salem Square. Young says it’s an experience unique to Winston-Salem.

“There’s just nothing more all-American than that. Because in the early 20th century in this country, town bands performed everywhere and that was a main source of entertainment for people — and that’s kind of gone by the wayside except for here.”

Future performances

Salem Band is preparing for its upcoming fall concert on Sunday, October 1. It will be free and open to the public, like all of the band’s performances. Young says attending a concert — and sharing your experience with others — is the best way and support the band’s future.

“We do what we can to involve and engage with the community here and I think that’s been an important part of our growth.”

Asked

Kid-friendly bars and breweries are:

A. A lifesaver for me and my family
B. A fun place to gather with a group of friends
C. Places I actively avoid

Did you know you could be the winner of a $50 gift card to our online shop, Six & Main? Answer this week’s survey questions for a chance to win!

Submit your answer

Events

Wednesday, Sept. 6

Mount Valley Monthly Veterans’ Coffee | Wednesday, Sept. 6 | 10 a.m. | Brighton Gardens at Sunshine Senior living, 2601 Reynolda Rd., Winston-Salem | Free | All veterans are welcome to enjoy coffee and pastries with friends and hear from speakers on various topics of interest.

Thursday, Sept. 7

Fireside: Forest to Flame | Thursday, Sept. 7 | 6-8 p.m. | Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art, 750 Marguerite Dr., Winston-Salem | Free | Artists-in-Residence Sam McCall, Rebecca Juliette-Duex, Carey Nathanson, and Max Saunders discuss their approaches to sculpting in clay and wood.
Texas Hold’em Fundraiser — All-In to Fight Cancer | Thursday, Sept. 7 | 5:30 p.m. | 170 W. 9th St., Winston-Salem | $75-$300 | Play cards and enjoy live entertainment, food, merchandise, and raffles at this inaugural fundraising event.

Friday, Sept. 8

Flashback Fridays @ MUSE Winston-Salem | Friday, Sept. 8 | 6:30 p.m. | 226 S. Liberty St., Winston-Salem | Free | See a free showing of “Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark” while enjoying beer, food, and playing in a giant sandbox.
Native Plants of Note - Forks on Friday | Friday, Sept. 8 | 12-1 p.m. | NC Cooperative Extension, Forsyth County Center, 1450 Fairchild Rd., Winston-Salem | Free | Get a preview and learn about some of the choice native plants to be offered in the Forsyth County Extension Master Gardener Plant Sale on Saturday, Sept. 16.

Saturday, Sept. 9

Community Day | Saturday, Sept. 9 | 11 a.m.-6 p.m. | Delta Arts Center, 2611 New Walkertown Rd., Winston-Salem | Free | Winston-Salem Delta Fine Arts, Inc. says thank you to the community with a day of crafts, vendors, entertainment, food trucks, dancing, and more.
Nailed It! 5K/1Mile Fun Run/Walk | Saturday, Sept. 9 | 8 a.m. | 152 S. Main St., Kernersville | $20-$45 | Walk, run, or donate as part of this annual event to collect school supplies for WS/FCS students.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Civic

Citizens are encouraged to use the City of Winston-Salem’s website or dial CityLink at 311 to conduct business with city departments while repairs are made to the Bryce A. Stuart Municipal Building. An air conditioning problem forced the city to close the building on Tuesday.

Biz

City Council approved economic incentives for two local companies with plans to grow in Winston-Salem. Food distributor Purple Crow is considering relocating to a facility in Whitaker Park — a move that would create 199 new jobs. Biotech company ProKidney plans to expand its headquarters and create 50 new jobs.

Traffic

Work has resumed on the road-widening project on Meadowlark Road. Problems with curb and gutter work found in July means it will not be complete by the end of October, as originally planned. (Winston-Salem Journal)

Community

Wake Forest University will host the annual “Climb to Remember” at Allegacy Stadium on Deacon Boulevard on Thursday, Sept. 7. The public can climb the stairs at the 9/11 memorial event from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. — no registration is required.

Open

The first food truck offering African cuisine in the Triad is open at Hanes Mall Circle (in the parking lot near McDonald’s). African Avenue LLC is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Outdoors

A renaming ceremony of The Quarry at Grant Park on Friday, Sept. 8 at 11 a.m. is open to the public. The park will honor the first African American Recreation and Parks Department Director Timothy Grant.

Arts

Music students at North Carolina School of the Arts will present an outdoor performance of “Ten Thousand Birds” on Saturday, Sept. 16 at 3 p.m. on Daniels Plaza on campus. Tickets are $25 for members of the public who want to see the installation inspired by native birds in Winston-Salem.

Cause

The Black Philanthropy Initiative has awarded $1,000 Impact Grants to six organizations supporting Black communities in Forsyth County. The funds will be used to support groups’ education programs, wellness initiatives, financial literacy resources, and back-to-school haircuts.

Sports

Need weekend plans? Head to Allegacy Stadium on Saturday to watch the Demon Deacons take on Vanderbilt. Kick-off is at 11 a.m. Grab tickets.*

Eat

You deserve something delicious this weekend. Put this brunch star together Friday evening, let it sit overnight, then pop it in the oven Saturday morning for a sweet, rich, decadent start to your day.*

Finance

A Banksy got everyday investors 32% returns? You read that right. Thousands of investors are smiling all the way to the bank thanks to the fine-art investing platform Masterworks. Investors have benefited from 16 sales with returns including 13.9%, 27.3%, and 35.0%. Interested? WStoday readers can skip the waitlist and join.†*

† See important disclosures at masterworks.com/cd.

Festival

Watch muralists in action

Artists will change the scene of ARTivity on the Green at Concrete Canvas 2023 Arts and Music Festival

The back gray wall at ARTivity on the Green will soon be filled with color and creative images.
| Photo by WStoday

The arts district will look a little different this time next week. Muralists will be transforming ARTivity on the Green on Saturday, Sept. 9 — and you can get a front-row seat.

Check out these details on the outdoor Concrete Canvas Arts and Music Festival — where multiple muralists will put their vision on the back wall of the art park at 630 N. Liberty St. beginning at 10 a.m.:

Free to the public
Hosted by the nonprofit The AFAS Group (Art for Art’s Sake)
DJ TOONEZ will provide live music from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Shop goods from local vendors (handcrafted jewelry, sculptures, etc.) between 12 p.m. and 5 p.m.
Grab a mural walking tour map from WSNC Mural Project to check out creativity elsewhere in the city

Share WStoday

Share the good news. Get rewarded.

Have someone who needs to stay in the know? Get amazing rewards for every new subscriber you bring by sharing your unique referral link (below).

Facebook

Twitter

{{profile.vars.rh_totref_28}} friends are looped into all things local because of you.

See your reward status here

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Cambridge

From the editor

My husband and I are looking forward to celebrating our wedding anniversary this weekend with a delicious meal at Ryan’s. Not only is it a Winston-Salem favorite — MSN named it the most charming restaurant in NC.

Missed our previous newsletter?

›

Send Us A Scoop, Question, or Feedback

›

Advertise

›

Content marked with an * is paid advertising. Content marked with an ^ is created by our content studio. The company may also generate commission from affiliate links in the newsletter.

Change your preferences or unsubscribe here.

P.O. Box 2505, Greenville, SC 29602

ADVERTISE | CAREERS | ETHICS | PRIVACY | THE BUY