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A black and white photo of the band Brek. Photo courtesy of artist.

Hank & Pattie with Brek

Week-long artist residency with NC State LIVE.

Hank and Pattie. Photo by Josh Potter.
Pattie Hopkins Kinlaw and Hank Smith. Photo courtesy of artist.
Icelandic folk band Brek holding their instruments gathered around a piano. Photo courtesy of artist.
The band Brek. Photo courtesy of artist.

About the Residency

Presented in partnership with PineCone’s Raleigh Wide Open Music Festival, bluegrass visionaries Hank & Pattie return to NC State LIVE for a week-long artist residency with Icelandic folk band Brek.

The residency will take place from September 27 to October 3 and include class visits, traditional music jams, artist talks and more. See the full schedule of public events below.

Residency events

Hank and Pattie play instruments in front of theatre of seats.

University Honors Forum
September 28
4:30 p.m.
Witherspoon Cinema
FREE

During this lecture demonstration, Hank, Pattie and Brek will lead a conversation about the history, tradition, and context of Icelandic folk and American bluegrass music.

Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions.

Special thanks to the University Honors Program for sponsoring this event.

DETAILS: This event will be held in the
Cinema in Witherspoon Student Center (2810 Cates Ave).

The band Brek on a leather couch with their instruments. Photo courtesy of artist.

Music Jam: Songs and Stories of Home
September 28
6:30 p.m.
Witherspoon Student Center
FREE

Stick around after the University Honors Forum for a jam session with Hank, Pattie and Brek. Bring your own instrument, song and/or story from home to share.

The jam will be interactive and conversational, providing an open atmosphere for all students and community members to learn, engage and participate.

DETAILS: This event will be held in the
Sankofa Room in Witherspoon Student Center (2810 Cates Ave).

Sign up form coming soon.

Five band members of Hank, Pattie & the Current pose with their instruments in front of a black backdrop.

Beer & Banjos
September 29
6:30 – 9 p.m.
Bowstring Pizza & Brewyard
FREE

Beer & Banjos is a free, family-friendly music series hosted by PineCone, the Piedmont Council of Traditional Music. Featuring live bluegrass and acoustic music, the Raleigh series takes place on Tuesday evenings.

DETAILS: This event will take place off campus at Bowstring Pizza and Brewyard (1930 Wake Forest Road). 

Beer & Banjos website
Brek around a leather couch and piano with their instruments. Photo courtesy of artist.

School Matinee
Wednesday, September 30
11 a.m.
Stewart Theatre

The School Matinee Series gives school groups the opportunity to attend weekday performances that support North Carolina school curriculum. The experience is fun for students and easy for teachers. From the moment you arrive on campus, we are with you every step of the way.

Register your school group.
Hank and Pattie. Photo by Josh Potter.

Kickoff Celebration for PineCone’s Raleigh Wide Open Music Festival
October 1
The Corner
FREE

This celebration will take place at The Corner on NC State’s Centennial Campus. Music will start at 6 p.m. and go until 9:30 p.m. Hank & Pattie will perform with Brek at 8:30 p.m.

DETAILS: The Corner is located at 941 Main Campus Dr.

Event Details

About the Artists

Hank & Pattie

Hank Smith (banjo) and Pattie Hopkins Kinlaw’s (fiddle) are noted for their innovative twist on traditional bluegrass music mixing in influences of classical, Motown, jazz and pop influences.

Hank & Pattie bridge the gap between hard-hitting bluegrass and symphonic classical music. Their layered vocal harmonies and soulful arrangements build a bluesy folk sound that showcases their musicianship.

Fun fact: Hank & Pattie previously toured with Brek in Iceland.

Brek

Formed in 2018, Brek is an Icelandic band that plays original folk music inspired by multiple genres, creating a unique soundscape that transcends musical boundaries. Brek has performed around the world, including at festivals in the United States, Finland, Norway, Denmark and Ireland.

They are two-time Icelandic Music Award nominees whose self-titled debut won Folk and World Album of the Year in 2022. The four members of the band are:

  • Harpa Þorvaldsdóttir (vocals and piano)
  • Jóhann Ingi Benediktsson (vocals and guitar)
  • Guðmundur Atli Pétursson (mandolin) and
  • Sigmar Þór Matthíasson (double bass).

Accessibility

NC State LIVE strives to make our programming accessible to everyone. If you have an access need or an accommodation request, please email Liza Green, director, at [email protected]. Learn more about accessibility at NC State LIVE.

It Takes a Village

NC State LIVE is supported in part by grants from the City of Raleigh based on recommendations of the Raleigh Arts Commission and the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural & Cultural Resources. Our State Magazine is our official media sponsor.