The Stanly County Historical Society, Inc. plans to observe International Play Music on the Porch Day on Aug. 28 at the historic setting of the 1852 Isaiah Snuggs House and the Freeman-Marks House at 112 N. Third St. in Downtown Albemarle.

International Play Music on the Porch Day was founded in 2013 by Milwaukee-born and Los Angeles-based artist Brian Mallman as a simple idea to play music around the world on the same day. International Play Music on the Porch Day is always the last Saturday in August and thousands of musicians have found common ground through music in more than 70 countries and 700 cities.

When SCHS President Kent Harkey learned of this international observance he felt the historic setting in Downtown Albemarle would be a perfect venue for such an event.

“We have a 12-hour music concert planned for 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. featuring local and regional musicians performing a wide variety of music genres. We hope that our residents and tourists will bring a lawn chair and spend an hour or the day with us,” Harkey said.

This free community event is made possible in part by a grant from The Stanly County Community Foundation and event sponsors. Performances begin at 10 a.m. The headline band Radio Flyer Bluegrass Band will take the porch at 8 p.m. A portion of North Third Street will be closed for additional lawn
chair seating.

The current musician lineup features Tom Lipe, Tim Harris and Music on Main students, Tim and Carmella Hedrick, Charlotte Maness Trio, Bucky Hinson, Brent Bowers, Nick Stow, The Dancing Fleas of Shelby, with former Albemarle residents Jeff Hamilton, Laura Wheeler and son Silas, Becky Wall and Connected Spirits, Rod Almond, Jacob’s Creek and Jacob Almond with Coastal Mountain Connection. There are still several 30-minute musician sets and interested musicians can schedule a performance time online using the Sign Up Genius link at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60b0444aea722a4f58-play
or message the Stanly County Historical Society on its Facebook page.