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RALEIGH, N.C. — PineCone's 2020 Down Home Concerts celebrate how music crosses cultures and borders while also acknowledging North Carolina's unique cultural heritage. These concerts showcase artists from around the state, nation, and globe whose music finds connection and expression here. Since 2005, PineCone has been a resident company at the Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts, alongside the North Carolina Symphony, North Carolina Opera, Carolina Ballet, North Carolina Theatre, and Theatre Raleigh. The 2020 season includes:

• The Steel Wheels — Jan. 10 — a Virginia-based acoustic roots music collective with impeccable harmonies.
• The HillBenders — Feb. 28 — The HillBenders bring their new WhoGrass show to the PineCone stage in Raleigh, along with some of their own catchy, original songs from their fourth studio album.
• The Wailin' Jennys — March 5 — By popular demand, PineCone favorites The Wailin’ Jennys return to Raleigh! One of today’s most respected folk groups, The Wailin’ Jennys are steeped in the artistry and elegance that has defined their career for more than 15 years. Presented in partnership with the Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts; Memorial Auditorium.
• Diali Cissokho and Kaira Ba featuring Tony Williamson — April 3 — Senegalese kora player Diali Cissokho has called North Carolina home for more than a decade, and his band, Kaira Ba, is made up of Piedmont musicians. For this show, they team up with NC Heritage Award recipient and mandolin virtuoso Tony Williamson.

All Down Home Concerts will take place in Fletcher Theater, except The Wailin' Jennys concert, which will be held in Memorial Auditorium. PineCone members get pre-sale access and ticket discounts beginning on Wednesday, Aug. 14 at 10 a.m. Tickets go on sale to the general public on Wednesday, August 21 at 10 a.m. Tickets can be purchased online via Ticketmaster.com, by calling PineCone's box office at 919-664-8302, or in person at the Duke Energy Center Box Office, located in the front of the building on South St.

PineCone is committed to making programs accessible and welcoming to all people, including people with vision, hearing, sensory, and/or mobility concerns. The Duke Energy Center’s services include assistive listening devices, on-site wheelchairs, shuttle services, and wheelchair-accessible parking, entrances, and seating areas, as well as audio description (by request) and sign language interpretation (by request). Please contact the Center directly if you have specific questions: 919-996-8700. Or ask PineCone staff questions when you call PineCone’s box office.

PineCone has plenty more concerts and music programs coming up in addition to this fall's seventh annual PNC presents Wide Open Bluegrass festival:

• First Friday featuring Chris Frisina — Friday, Aug. 2, 6-8 p.m. — City of Raleigh Museum.
• Make live music part of your First Friday plans in August with PineCone and Chapel Hill-based singer-songwriter Chris Frisina. All are welcome to drop in for a laid back evening with fellow music and art lovers.
• Zoocrü, Saturday, Aug. 10, 7 p.m. — Sertoma Amphitheatre, Bond Park, Cary.
• Zoocrü formed amidst the thriving music and arts community of Durham. Common interests and experiences brought together founding members Jonathan Curry (drums), Christian Sharp (bass) and Alan Thompson (vocals) on the campus of North Carolina Central University for early collaborations that laid the foundations for the group. Russell Favret (guitar) joined the band in 2014. Zoocrü creates from the core belief that all American music is born from the seeds of Black music. Jazz serves as the foundation, with added elements of hip hop, blues, rock, and gospel.
• The Trailblazers, Saturday, Sept. 14, 7 p.m. — Sertoma Amphitheatre, Bond Park, Cary.
  Based out of Wilkesboro, The Trailblazers have taken a step back to the roots of bluegrass, Americana, folk, and jazz music. They were named IBMA's 2018 Momentum Band of the Year, and it isn't hard to hear why. The band has a solid foundation in the music they love, and they're constantly looking for new ways to make their mark in progressive acoustic music. The Trailblazers make original music and put their own twist on endless classics, and they released their debut album, A Place to Call My Own, in 2016.
• Che Apalache with special guests Circus No. 9, and all-ages jam with Russell Johnson, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2-6 p.m.
  Just in time to get in the spirit of IBMA's World of Bluegrass and PNC presents Wide Open Bluegrass, join PineCone and Midtown Events for an afternoon of bluegrass with two exciting young bluegrass bands in North Hills! Che Apalache (4:30-6 p.m.) began as a bluegrass band, but eventually incorporated Latin American styles into their repertoire. Combining instrumental prowess with tight vocal harmonies, they have created an authentic blend of genres to reflect the nature of their lives. Kicking off the afternoon will be Circus No. 9 (3-4 p.m.), one of the most exciting new bands on the acoustic music scene today.

Starting at 2 p.m., join us for a pre-show bluegrass jam — participants of all ages and abilities are welcome. Russell Johnson returns as jam facilitator this month. Johnson is an award-winning singer and songwriter who has performed in multiple bands throughout his career, including his current band, Diamond Creek. He has worn several different hats in the music business: singer, songwriter, producer, mandolinist, recording and sound engineer, band leader, and record label and studio owner. He is also the director of the Carolina Bluegrass Band at UNC-Chapel Hill.