UNC’s Center for the Study of the American South and the Sonja Haynes Stone Center for Black Culture and History will sponsor a program on the influence of African musical traditions on fiddle and banjo music in the southeastern United States at the Stone Center today (Thursday) from 4 to 6 p.m.
Cece Conway, a folklore professor at Appalachian State University, will trace origins of the gourd banjo. West African musician Cheick Hamala Diabaté and singer and old-time fiddler James Leva will provide the music. Diabaté will play the n’goni, a Malian stringed instrument and Leva will fiddle.
The program is free and open to the public. The Stone Center is located off South Road, west of the bell tower. Limited parking may be available on Stadium Drive or in the Rams Head deck off Ridge Road. For more information, visit unc.edu/depts/csas/Conferences/AfricanMusicalInfluence.html.