MUSIC
April 13, 2025
An Intimate Evening with Jagged Edge
8:00 PM
Admission: $60+
An Evening with Jagged Edge: 25 Years of J.E. Heartbreak, celebrating 25 years of the R&B legends’ double platinum album. The Grammy award-winning group will embark on their special anniversary tour, treating fans each night to classic hits from J.E. Heartbreak, like “Let’s Get Married” and “Promise,” plus more unforgettable tracks from the group’s decades-spanning discography, including “Where The Party At” and “I Gotta Be”.
Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts
2 E South Street, Raleigh, NC 27601
www.martinmariettacenter.com
April 25, 2025
The October Nights: Calling All Lovers Tour
Featuring October London, Tamar Braxton, and Ro James
8:00 PM
Admission: $77+
This tour promises a mesmerizing blend of soulful melodies, heartfelt storytelling, and electrifying performances, all designed to captivate fans and ignite emotions. Known for their unparalleled vocal talent and commanding stage presence, October London, Tamar Braxton, and Ro James will leave fans breathless with a show that celebrates love, life, and the unshakable groove of R&B. Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to witness an evening of sultry sounds and unforgettable energy—an essential experience for any R&B fan.
Durham Performing Arts Center
123 Vivian Street, Durham, NC
(919) 680-2787
www.dpacnc.com
April 25 - 26, 2025
Biscuits & Banjos: A New Festival by Rhiannon Giddens
GRAMMY & Pulitzer Prize-winning artist Rhiannon Giddens’ new festival is dedicated to the celebration and exploration of Black music, art and culture in her home state of North Carolina. Biscuits & Banjos is a 3-day festival to exchange ideas, expand conversations, uplift traditions, and trace the musical and geographical connections of old time, country, Americana, folk, jazz and blues to highlight their complicated origins. The festival will champion Black artists and creators, offering robust musical performances alongside secondary programming to include lectures, workshops and readings from authors, chefs, visual artists, and more. Black culture is not a monolith, and this gathering will provide an opportunity for those working outside the mainstream to come together in community, as well as showing the similar journeys the culture has taken across music, food, and literature.
Durham Performing Arts Center, The Armory, Carolina Theater, and more locations.
www.biscuitsandbanjos.com
May 4, 2025
The 13th Annual Raleigh Blues Festival
6:00 PM
Admission: $84+
The Blues is a musical storytelling filled with stark emotion and a revolving reality check. It's authentically raw; transforming tragedy adversity and heartache into a visceral and cathartic experience. This special night of emotive lyrics and guitar-driven accompaniment features performances by Tucka, Pokey Bear, West Love, J-Wonn, Theodis Ealey, and Live in the Flesh Band.
Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts
2 E South Street, Raleigh, NC 27601
www.martinmariettacenter.com
June 5, 2025
Samara Joy
7:30 PM
Admission: $65+
A native of the Bronx, Samara Joy became entranced by classic R&B as a child and cut her teeth as a singer in her church’s gospel choir. And while her family history is deeply musical—her grandparents helmed the Philadelphia gospel group the Savettes, and her father, the musician and songwriter Antonio McLendon, has produced, composed and arranged his own astounding original work—she didn’t delve into the jazz tradition until college at SUNY Purchase. Joy released her self-titled debut on the Whirlwind label in 2021, followed a year later by Linger Awhile, her breakout Verve debut, of which DownBeat said, “With this beautiful recording, a silky-voiced star is born.” The album earned her a Grammy for Best Jazz Vocal Album in addition to a headline-making win for Best New Artist.
Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts
2 E South Street, Raleigh, NC 27601
www.martinmariettacenter.com
June 7, 2025
Ledisi with Special Guest Marsha Ambrosius
8:00 PM
Admission:$70+
The twelve-time nominated powerhouse vocalist with a career that has spanned almost two decades is bringing her highly anticipated 2024 album on tour. Born in New Orleans and raised in Oakland, CA, Ledisi has wowed fans with her unparallelled vocals ever since she burst onto the scene. She has truly earned a place in the pantheon of the greatest singers of her generation. Ledisi is a favorite of a long list of icons including the late-Prince, Patti LaBelle, Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder, Chaka Khan and so many more.
Durham Performing Arts Center
123 Vivian Street, Durham, NC
(919) 680-2787
www.dpacnc.com
April 13, 2025
An Intimate Evening with Jagged Edge
8:00 PM
Admission: $60+
An Evening with Jagged Edge: 25 Years of J.E. Heartbreak, celebrating 25 years of the R&B legends’ double platinum album. The Grammy award-winning group will embark on their special anniversary tour, treating fans each night to classic hits from J.E. Heartbreak, like “Let’s Get Married” and “Promise,” plus more unforgettable tracks from the group’s decades-spanning discography, including “Where The Party At” and “I Gotta Be”.
Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts
2 E South Street, Raleigh, NC 27601
www.martinmariettacenter.com
April 25, 2025
The October Nights: Calling All Lovers Tour
Featuring October London, Tamar Braxton, and Ro James
8:00 PM
Admission: $77+
This tour promises a mesmerizing blend of soulful melodies, heartfelt storytelling, and electrifying performances, all designed to captivate fans and ignite emotions. Known for their unparalleled vocal talent and commanding stage presence, October London, Tamar Braxton, and Ro James will leave fans breathless with a show that celebrates love, life, and the unshakable groove of R&B. Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to witness an evening of sultry sounds and unforgettable energy—an essential experience for any R&B fan.
Durham Performing Arts Center
123 Vivian Street, Durham, NC
(919) 680-2787
www.dpacnc.com
April 25 - 26, 2025
Biscuits & Banjos: A New Festival by Rhiannon Giddens
GRAMMY & Pulitzer Prize-winning artist Rhiannon Giddens’ new festival is dedicated to the celebration and exploration of Black music, art and culture in her home state of North Carolina. Biscuits & Banjos is a 3-day festival to exchange ideas, expand conversations, uplift traditions, and trace the musical and geographical connections of old time, country, Americana, folk, jazz and blues to highlight their complicated origins. The festival will champion Black artists and creators, offering robust musical performances alongside secondary programming to include lectures, workshops and readings from authors, chefs, visual artists, and more. Black culture is not a monolith, and this gathering will provide an opportunity for those working outside the mainstream to come together in community, as well as showing the similar journeys the culture has taken across music, food, and literature.
Durham Performing Arts Center, The Armory, Carolina Theater, and more locations.
www.biscuitsandbanjos.com
May 4, 2025
The 13th Annual Raleigh Blues Festival
6:00 PM
Admission: $84+
The Blues is a musical storytelling filled with stark emotion and a revolving reality check. It's authentically raw; transforming tragedy adversity and heartache into a visceral and cathartic experience. This special night of emotive lyrics and guitar-driven accompaniment features performances by Tucka, Pokey Bear, West Love, J-Wonn, Theodis Ealey, and Live in the Flesh Band.
Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts
2 E South Street, Raleigh, NC 27601
www.martinmariettacenter.com
June 5, 2025
Samara Joy
7:30 PM
Admission: $65+
A native of the Bronx, Samara Joy became entranced by classic R&B as a child and cut her teeth as a singer in her church’s gospel choir. And while her family history is deeply musical—her grandparents helmed the Philadelphia gospel group the Savettes, and her father, the musician and songwriter Antonio McLendon, has produced, composed and arranged his own astounding original work—she didn’t delve into the jazz tradition until college at SUNY Purchase. Joy released her self-titled debut on the Whirlwind label in 2021, followed a year later by Linger Awhile, her breakout Verve debut, of which DownBeat said, “With this beautiful recording, a silky-voiced star is born.” The album earned her a Grammy for Best Jazz Vocal Album in addition to a headline-making win for Best New Artist.
Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts
2 E South Street, Raleigh, NC 27601
www.martinmariettacenter.com
June 7, 2025
Ledisi with Special Guest Marsha Ambrosius
8:00 PM
Admission:$70+
The twelve-time nominated powerhouse vocalist with a career that has spanned almost two decades is bringing her highly anticipated 2024 album on tour. Born in New Orleans and raised in Oakland, CA, Ledisi has wowed fans with her unparallelled vocals ever since she burst onto the scene. She has truly earned a place in the pantheon of the greatest singers of her generation. Ledisi is a favorite of a long list of icons including the late-Prince, Patti LaBelle, Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder, Chaka Khan and so many more.
Durham Performing Arts Center
123 Vivian Street, Durham, NC
(919) 680-2787
www.dpacnc.com