A logo featuring a sketch of a barn with the text "The Listening Barn," established in 2025, on a beige background.

The Listening Barn

Live at the Grove

Read what Bluegrass Today has to say about The Listening Barn!

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Music, fun, and friends! What more do you need? The Listening Barn hosts a variety of American music; whether it is bluegrass, jazz, or country, one thing is for sure, folk music is what the barn is all about. The Listening Barn is a place where you can gather to relax and enjoy good music, or get up and dance! At The Listening Barn, you are sure to enjoy an evening where you can unplug and reconnect.

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Read what Bluegrass Today has to say about The Listening Barn!

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Four men dressed in overalls and hats standing in front of a red train car, holding musical instruments. The front of the train car has the words 'HEAVY TRAFFIC' written on it.

Heavy Traffic

Heavy Traffic

July 17th, 2026

July 17th, 2026

Heavy Traffic is based out of Burgaw, North Carolina, bringing warmth, heart, and some amazing pickin’ wherever they play. The band features Mark Tatum on guitar and lead/back-up vocals, Travis Joyner on bass and backup/lead vocals, David Farrior on mandolin and backup vocals, and Shack Humphrey on banjo and back-up vocals. Rooted in traditional bluegrass and gospel music, Heavy traffic delivers a sound that feels like home. Their rich, tight harmonies and heartfelt performances is guaranteed to leave you smiling, and even knock your socks off!

5:30 PM - Doors open and jamming starts

6:00 PM - Poor Piggy’s food truck starts serving

7:00 PM - Jamming ends and band starts

7:45 PM - Dance lesson

8:15 PM - Band continues

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Food

Logo for Poor Piggy's Food Truck & Catering featuring a cartoon pig dressed as a farmer, holding an apple and a sack of produce, walking on a farm path with a house and green fields in the background.

Poor Piggy's is Wilmington NC's FIRST & BEST food truck specializing in North Carolina BBQ, Beef Brisket, Dry Rubbed Ribs, & Chicken.  We slow cook our  Pork BBQ, Certified Angus Beef Brisket, Dry Rubbed Ribs, & Chicken over Hickory for long hours to give you that mouth watering fall apart meat that we all LOVE. No gas or propane ever touches our meats!

&

Dance

Logo for Cripple Creek Dance Studio, established in 1982, located in Burgaw, North Carolina. 
Cripple Creek Corner is a dance studio in the heart of Burgaw, NC that has been enriching lives with dance education throughout our community for more than 40 years.  We're glad you found us and hope you'll stick around to see what Cripple Creek has to offer.

Upcoming Shows

  • Four men in overalls and hats standing in front of a large red train car, each holding a musical instrument, with the words 'Heavy Traffic' written across the top.

    Heavy Traffic

    July 17th, 2026

    Heavy Traffic is based out of Burgaw, North Carolina, bringing warmth, heart, and some amazing pickin’ wherever they play. The band features Mark Tatum on guitar and lead/back-up vocals, Travis Joyner on bass and backup/lead vocals, David Farrior on mandolin and backup vocals, and Shack Humphrey on banjo and back-up vocals. Rooted in traditional bluegrass and gospel music, Heavy traffic delivers a sound that feels like home. Their rich, tight harmonies and heartfelt performances is guaranteed to leave you smiling, and even knock your socks off!

    Tickets
  • Four musicians standing outdoors near a river with green trees, holding musical instruments, smiling at the camera, dressed casually in shirts and jeans.

    GrassStreet

    August 21st 2026

    GrassStreet, from central North Carolina, brings you bluegrass music steeped in the tradition of Flatt & Scruggs and Doc Watson, while at the same time producing a fresh sound that is their own. From hard driving bluegrass to toe tapping swing tunes to soulful ballads, there is something for every listener. Their music is a combination of traditional bluegrass favorites, original compositions and some surprises along the way. The band always brings a high-energy show where their love for the music and each other is evident by the fun that they have on stage. Together since 2003, they recently released their 6th album, “He Took My Place”, which features many familiar gospel favorites.

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  • A vintage black car with white-walled tires, surrounded by six men outdoors during daytime, some sitting on the ground and others standing by the car, with trees in the background.

    Carolina Connection

    September 18th, 2026

    Carolina Connection started playing in the 1970’s playing locally and were originally known as “The Sounds of Bluegrass.” Around 1998 they changed their name to “Carolina Connection” and have played festivals all over North Carolina and beyond with top bands like IIIrd Tyme out, Mountain Heart, Lonesome River band, James King, and Bass Mountain Boys. The current line up has been together since 2005.

    *** TICKETS AVAILABLE SOON

FAQ

  • The Listening Barn is located at the events barn at Poplar Grove Plantation, 10200 US-17, Wilmington, NC 28411.

  • You must purchase a ticket in order to attend the shows at the listening barn. We have a no refund policy. Twelve and under are free, but you must reserve a ticket for them.

  • Absolutely! Twelve and under are free, but you must reserve a ticket.

  • We love our four legged friends, but please leave your pets at home.

  • Yes! We encourage everyone, no matter their skill level to come out and jam.

  • Absolutely, come and hang out!

  • No alcohol permitted on premises.

People dancing to a bluegrass band at a rustic barn.
Group of people jamming outdoors, some playing guitars, sitting on white chairs.
A group of four young musicians playing instruments on a stage with an audience watching, decorated with string lights and rustic decor.
People gathered around a wooden table in a rustic, barn-like setting with wood-paneled walls and string lights hanging from the ceiling. Some people are standing and chatting, while others are seated.