Arts on East: Rebecca Porter

For the penultimate Arts on East concert, Rebecca Porter with her band the Rhinestone Roses performs unflinchingly personal songwriting that cuts straight through. Blending Appalachian honky-tonk with cinematic storytelling, she pushes at the edges of country and Americana. Her work centers identity, resilience, and voices often left out of the traditional country canon.

This evening is curated by Country Soul Songbook, a Durham-based collective dedicated to amplifying marginalized voices in American roots music through performance, collaboration, and community-centered programming.

Arts on East concerts will take place every Wednesday from May 27 through June 24 on Duke’s East Campus. Previously called Music in the Gardens, this series has been renamed to reflect its new location. This year, each event will be hosted by Stormie Daie and curated by a different Durham-based partner, highlighting the breadth of artistic voices that shape the city.

Each Arts on East concert is free and open to all – no tickets are required. Events will feature a community market organized by Kamara Thomas and food will be available to purchase from The Palace International and food truck partners. Visitors are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, picnics, and blankets.