Folk pioneer Rhiannon Giddens is launching a new festival celebrating Black music, art, and culture, Biscuits & Banjos.
A celebration of Black music, art and culture, it will take place from April 25-27, 2025, in downtown Durham, in her home state of North Carolina.
Giddens will serve as the Artistic Director for this one-of-a-kind bespoke festival, created to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Black Banjo Gathering, celebrating the legacy of the event that launched Giddens’ tremendous career and the formation of her GRAMMY-winning band Carolina Chocolate Drops.
The initial line-up includes a much-anticipated reunion of the Carolina Chocolate Drops, playing together in their original lineup plus members from over the years, for the first time since 2014, as well as Rhiannon Giddens, Taj Mahal, Leyla McCalla, Christian McBride, Rissi Palmer, The Legendary Ingramettes, and New Dangerfield. More performers, authors and chefs will be announced soon. Tickets go on sale to the general public on October 25.
Biscuits & Banjos, curated by Giddens, will span three days at multiple indoor and outdoor venues throughout downtown Durham.
It will offer a unique festival experience where attendees can walk from location to location to watch performances, hear talks, and participate in interactive sessions that celebrate the rich tapestry of Black culture – including music, literature, food, and visual arts – while showcasing the diversity of voices and traditions that exist outside the mainstream narrative.
Giddens emphasizes that “Black culture is not a monolith,” and Biscuits & Banjos will provide a space for underrepresented creators to shine.
Throughout the weekend, attendees will enjoy an eclectic blend of musical performances, lectures, workshops, and readings. Unique programming includes a celebrity chef biscuit bake-off, square dances, and free banjo lessons. Giddens will perform multiple times in different formats, including leading a revue-style show with special guests and friends.
“This festival has been a long-time dream of mine,” says Giddens. “It’s about honoring the connections that tie Black culture together across time and geography, whether it’s through music, food, or storytelling.”
“The Black Banjo Gathering was such an important milestone for me personally, and I want Biscuits & Banjos to bring that same spirit of discovery and community to today’s generation of artists and fans.”
Rhiannon selected Durham as the festival’s home due to her deep personal connection to the city and its thriving contemporary culture, rooted in a rich Black heritage. “Durham is the perfect place to launch Biscuits & Banjos,” Giddens explains. “It has a vibrant community, an incredible artistic scene, and a history that aligns with the festival’s mission to uplift and honor Black culture.”
In the wake of Hurricane Helene, now more than ever Giddens is focused on the mission of uplifting and preserving North Carolinian culture. A portion of both ticket sales and merchandise income will go to hurricane relief efforts at next year’s festival; the recovery of Western North Carolina will be measured in years, not months.
