Lightning Bug Tiny Music & Arts Festival
Rare Bird Farm | Spring Creek, NC
June 26–27, 2026
Photo by Fiasco Media, Lightning Bug Festival 2025, Rare Bird Farm.
Lightning Bug is a small, intentional gathering where music, art, and community come together in the Appalachian mountains of rural Madison County, NC. Rooted in listening, connection, and care for the land, it’s a place to slow down, share in something intimate, and be part of a creative community.
A festival with purpose—supporting Rare Bird Cultural Arts’ inclusive creative work with adult artists with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
LINEUP
JAKE XERXES FUSSELL
Jake Xerxes Fussell is a North Carolina–based singer, guitarist, and folklorist known for his deep engagement with traditional American music. Drawing from old ballads, field recordings, and vernacular song traditions, he reinterprets these sources with a warm, modern sensibility. His work bridges past and present, offering a thoughtful and quietly powerful take on the folk canon.
BELLA WHITE
Bella White is a singer-songwriter known for her timeless voice and emotionally resonant songwriting rooted in country and folk traditions. Raised in a musical family and deeply influenced by bluegrass, her songs carry a quiet honesty and depth that feel both classic and contemporary.
TATIANA HARGREAVES & SONYA BADIGIAN
Tatiana Hargreaves & Sonya Badigian are acclaimed old-time musicians known for their expressive, deeply rooted approach to traditional string band music. With Hargreaves on fiddle and Badigian on banjo, their playing is both intimate and dynamic, drawing from Appalachian traditions while bringing a fresh, contemporary sensibility to the music.
RAIMEE SORENSON
Raimee Sorenson is the co-founder of Blawesome, a flower farm outside Chapel Hill, NC. A young farmer and musician, he brings the spirit of Blawesome to life through years of experience volunteering on community farms throughout Orange County. Raimee carries a joyful energy and is committed to being an agent of positive change in the world. When he’s not in the garden, he’s making music and reciting poetry. He also enjoys watching Hayao Miyazaki films, writing stories, and spending time with the crew at Reality Ministries.
THE POWERS ENSEMBLE
The Powers Ensemble is a Western North Carolina–based group bringing together local musicians in a collaborative exploration of traditional and contemporary sounds. Their work reflects a deep connection to place, community, and the evolving landscape of regional music.
ZOH AMBA
Zoh Amba is a boundary-pushing saxophonist and composer whose work blends free jazz, folk, and spiritual improvisation. Raised in the American South and shaped by both traditional music and experimental forms, her performances are raw, intuitive, and deeply expressive, creating a sound that feels both ancient and entirely of the moment.
THOMAS DOLLBAUM
Thomas Dollbaum is a singer-songwriter whose work blends folk, indie rock, and country influences. Known for his evocative songwriting and atmospheric sound, his songs explore memory, place, and the quiet emotional landscapes of everyday life.
FRANK HURRICANE
Frank Hurricane is a spiritual blues and folk musician/storyteller from NC. He has been traveling and performing in the underground and DIY music scenes for 15 years, gathering tales and touring the world.
CRESCENT CHOIR
A choral project led by Sophia Corinne, bringing original music by local artists to life. Rooted in the Asheville area, Crescent Choir brings skilled musicians and experienced singers together to make ambitious new work. The project is made up of two interconnected ensembles: Crescent Choir, a larger mixed-voice choir, and Moon Choir, a small femme-centered ensemble that grows out of the full group. Together, they form a single artistic container devoted to collaboration, rigorous listening and music-making, sharing carefully shaped work through live performance.
PAPER FLOWERS MOVIE
The Paper Flowers proof of concept / movie teaser will debut at the 2026 Lightning Bug Music & Arts Festival, offering audiences a first glimpse into this inclusive, music-driven film rooted in Appalachian storytelling with a modern twist and creative collaboration.
Paper Flowers is a project of Rare Bird Cultural Arts, developed in collaboration with Open Hearts Art Center and Fiasco Media, and is part of the work supported by the festival—with 50% of net proceeds directly funding the creation of the full film.
DJ SPARKY
Special guest Alex Pott, aka DJ Sparky, will be spinning records and joining us for the screening of the Paper Flowers movie teaser, in which he plays the lead role. Alex is an artist at Open Hearts Art Center where he DJs the music and keeps things lighthearted and fun. DJ Sparky will bring his beats to our first-ever Silent Disco, with music experienced entirely through headphones.
BODY ART with Jane Sleeper
Spring Creek artist Jane Sleeper brings a sweet and energetic presence and a beautiful touch with the brush. Time with Jane is transformative—come get in the festival spirit with her special touch.
BABA YAGA’S PHOTO HUT with Taryn Piana
Hidden deep in the haints and hollers of Southern Appalachia there is a mythical hut that runs about on chicken feet. It’s glass eye capturing glimpses of the folks that dare sit down and stare back. Follow your intuition into the hut and bare your beautiful souls for the eye of the witch within. Baba Yaga’s Photo Hut creates timeless tin-type-style photography, and polaroids printed on site or archived to the oracle(internet). We aim to capture magical moments in time and memories of beautiful gatherings. Whether you seek the rough and rustic, beautiful and ethereal, folky fun, or childhood innocence captured, we welcome all within.
CAMP LAKEY GAP
The artists and interns from Camp Lakey Gap will perform a musical story they create together.
NATURE JOURNALING with Spencer Beals
Spencer Beals is a naturalist, artist, and educator based in Western North Carolina who guides people in slowing down and deepening their connection to the natural world. Through nature journaling, he invites participants to observe closely, draw, write, and engage with their surroundings in a thoughtful and creative way.
APPALACHIAN DANCE with Linda Block
Learning various Appalachian Dance styles including Flatfooting and Clog with Linda Block while accompanied by live music.
TEA TENT with Primrose Coke
Relax with artist Primrose Coke in her calming tea and tent.
FULL SCHEDULE TBA
Friday
6pm doors
Thomas Dollbaum, Powers Ensemble
SATURDAY
12:00 pm - Doors
Tatiana Hargreaves & Sonya Badigian, Frank Hurricane. Raimee Sorenson, Zoh Amba, Camp Lakey Gap, Crescent Choir, Bella White, Jake Xerxes Fussell
Workshops & Experiences
Appalachian Dance with Linda Block
Nature Journaling with Spencer Beals
Jane Sleeper Body Art
Baba Yaga’s Photo Hut
Paper Flowers teaser viewing Booth
Primrose's Tea Tent
DJ Sparky’s Silent Disco
Art and Craft Vendors
🎟️ TICKETS
Friday Night Pass — $30
Join us for an intimate opening night of music and community.
No parking coordination needed for Friday.
Saturday Pass — $45
Full day of performances, workshops, and festival experiences.
Two-Day Pass (Friday + Saturday) — $60
Experience the full weekend.
🚗 PARKING PASS
One pass per vehicle is required for all Saturday and Two-Day attendees.
Parking Pass — $15 per vehicle
Vehicles arriving with 3 or more people do not need a parking pass.
We encourage guests to carpool and arrive together—some of the best festival experiences begin on the ride in.
Limited to 100 vehicles.
IMPORTANT
If you are riding with others, only one person in your group needs to purchase a Parking Pass and parking is FREE for vehicles arriving with 3 or more people.
PLACES TO STAY NEARBY
A number of nearby cabins, farms, and short-term rentals are available throughout Madison County. Many guests choose to stay locally and make a weekend of it.
🚗 RIDE SHARE
Have extra space or need a ride? We’re happy to help connect guests traveling from similar areas.
→ Email farrah@rarebirdfarm.org to join the Ride Share list.
👨👩👧 CHILDREN & FAMILIES
Children (13+) → Standard ticket price
Ages 6–12 → Half price
5 & under → Free with accompanying adult
Policy: Children must be supervised at all times. Our festivals are family-friendly while prioritizing a listening atmosphere.
Photo by Taryn Piana of James, Farrah, and Nuki running check-in at Lightning Bug Festival 2024.
Lightning Bug is intentionally small—shaped by the land, the people, and the experience we create together.
We hope you’ll join us.