NC Reads @ WFHM | Step It Up and Go

About NC Reads at the Wake Forest Historical Museum

North Carolina Reads is a statewide book club exploring issues of racial, social, and gender equality and the history and culture of North Carolina. North Carolina Humanities is a statewide nonprofit and affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. All five books chosen in 2023 pose critical questions about how North Carolinians view their role in helping to form a more just and inclusive society.

The Wake Forest Historical Museum is one of many community groups across North Carolina that host a local, on-site program of their own to accompany NC Humanities’ virtual events. Each month, we’ll meet at the museum to discuss a book and join people across the state in watching a live conversation with the author and subject-matter experts.

This is a great chance to meet neighbors who share your interest in the history and culture of North Carolina! At the heart of North Carolina Reads is NC Humanities’ desire to connect communities through shared reading experiences. Reading is important because it helps develop critical-thinking skills; strengthens minds, vocabulary, and mental health; and creates opportunities to empathize with others’ stories and experiences.

NC Humanities has graciously given the museum a limited number of free books that will be available to participants. When registering please note if you would like to be considered for one of these books. Books can also be purchased from our local bookstore, Page158 Books, or checked out from Wake County Libraries. 

If you have any questions, please email Sarah Soleim at soleims@wfu.edu. 

June 27th | Step It Up and Go by David Menconi

About the Book

Non-Fiction. This book is a love letter to the artists, scenes, and sounds defining North Carolina’s extraordinary contributions to American popular music. Menconi shows how working-class roots and rebellion tie North Carolina’s Piedmont blues, jazz, and bluegrass to beach music, rock, hip-hop, and more.

“Locates the soul of North Carolina music in its people’s humble pragmatism. . . . Menconi’s loving testament to our state’s musical heritage is brisk and fun but will also be cited as a reference for years to come.”
—IndyWeek

About the Meeting

Participants will meet at the Wake Forest Historical Museum on Tuesday, June 27, 2023. This panel will explore how working-class roots and rebellion tie blues, jazz, and bluegrass to beach music, hip-hop, and a celebration of North Carolina popular music. This event features author David Menconi and founder of Ramseur independent label and North Carolina Music Hall of Fame Trustee Dolphus Ramseur in a conversation moderated by NC Humanities’ Board Trustee Elizabeth Carlson.d. The live-streamed program begins at 6:30 PM in the auditorium. We will have a small group conversation about the book following the program guided by museum staff. Feel free to arrive early to visit with fellow readers or browse the exhibit gallery. Refreshments will be served. 

How to Get a Copy of the Book

The museum has a limited supply of free books for participants. Please indicate your interest in the book below.

Step It Up and Go is available through Wake County Public Libraries.

Paperback and hardcover copies of the book can also be purchased from Page 158 Books, our local bookstore. Please let the store know that you are participating in the museum’s book club to receive a special discount. If you are in the local area, the bookstore can deliver orders of $20 or more to these zip codes: 27587 and 27571. They also offer curbside pickup 11 am-6 pm Monday thru Saturday, and Books can be shipped to your home.

NC Reads at WFHM is supported by North Carolina Humanities, an affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities, nchumanities.org.

Any views, findings, conclusions, opinions, or recommendations expressed do not necessarily represent those of NC Humanities or the National Endowment for the Humanities.