While the arrival of the cool autumn air reminds us that summer slipped by, the town of Bynum is gearing up for a “last hoorah” that promises a night of local bluegrass and folk as well as support for an important community cause.
As the end of the popular summer Bynum Front Porch music series, which runs Friday nights May through September, the Saturday, Oct. 2 Bynum Front Porch Concert and Auction will finish the successful concert series as well as help fund a scholarship for two Chatham County high school students.
“We really were just looking for a way for us to use our talent to help fund our scholarship fund and provide some general operating expense and doing a musical show is really what we know best,” said Luke Barrow, a Bynum resident and concert organizer.
Since the Bynum General Store closed for business in 2006, the Bynum community has worked hard to preserve the store’s history. The community has hosted the front porch series every summer since 2001, with bands like the Gravy Boys and Mandolin Orange performing this past summer.
On Saturday, Bluegrass Experience and Birds and Arrows will take to the porch starting at 5 p.m., playing their unique blends of folk, bluegrass and traditional Southern tunes. In an easy-going and close knit community like Bynum, this style of music settles in quite comfortably.
In addition to the music and items up for bid, which include a pair of tickets to Shakori Hills and a spa gift card, the porch also offers kids’ activities. Local Bynum artist Clyde Jones will be raffling a few of his kid-friendly folk art “critters” in addition to the auction items.
Although the shows often draw the community together, Bynum welcomes a decent number of people who drive in from out of town.
“I know some people who drive in from the Raleigh area, on 64 and come in, so it does bring out people other than the community, but it really is a strong community based thing as well,” said Andrea Connolly, a member of Chapel Hill duo Birds and Arrows.
Connolly is excited to be back on the porch at Bynum. Although this is the duo’s first performance, she previously participated during the series with her former band Sweet Bye and Bye. For artists, the performance space and oxverall atmosphere the Bynum General Store embodies is refreshing and laid- back vibes characteristic of a small town.
“I am looking forward to being in that area and hanging out with all the people,” said Connolly. “Also, I am interested and excited to see Clyde Jones and what he is auctioning off, because I really love his stuff. I think it is really neat and adds a lot of character to Bynum, so I am excited to see what he has.”
The charm that Bynum is known for has allowed it to flourish as a community, but also branch out. In recent years, the population of Bynum began changing to a younger crowd and it was the new energy that drove Barrow and others to help organize the series.
“Even though we’re tiny, almost everyone in this town gets along with each other and it’s as close to a modern day Mayberry as you’ll find anywhere. Where else do you find that these days?” said Barrow.
Between the traditional Southern music, the family friendly environment and the community’s commitment to providing for local youth, the Bynum General Store has established itself as the unofficial community center. In a town where life moves a little bit slower, the ability to share a little bit of history and fellowship can go a long way, creating an atmosphere that is generally hard to come by.
“It’s just this sense of people being able to take a sigh of relief when they get here and they just want to chill out, it’s a little locked away community where things go slower. I think that’s really appealing.”
Photo courtesy of Dave Horne.
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