When the leaves begin to turn, the festival season is about to wind down. Music lovers throughout the Southeast know we still have the finale for the season: Art of Sound (known as AOS to the locals).  

The date this year is October 20-22, so ink us on your calendar and come visit.

Sponsored by the Cleveland County Arts Council, AOS is a music festival by and for lovers of the arts. 

It began as a local festival, and by word of mouth has grown into a respected regional event. AOS now attracts headliner acts from the national scene. In spite of being bigger and better, it retains its home town charm. 

The festival is in uptown Shelby, N.C., the home of Earl Scruggs and Don Gibson. It is held on the historic court square and nestled in several venues that afford the listener an up-close experience with the artists.  Jack Lawrence once said it reminded him of the European festivals he and Doc used to play. The venues are tucked away at a variety of indoor stages around the square. It is a crisp, cool, time of year, but you can enjoy in comfort regardless of the weather.    

AOS prides itself on a presentation of a variety of traditional music styles. You might have bluegrass or jazz on one stage, then Cajun, county rock, or old time on the next. Like MerleFest, there are often spontaneous moments of improvisation in jam sessions you won’t hear elsewhere.

The venues this year include the outdoor stage on Washington Street (free, Saturday), the Arts Center and Don Gibson Theater on Washington Street. Come join us for Thursday and Friday evenings and Saturday mid day to late evening. We’d love to have you come by.