Gwinnett Daily Post

There will be bluegrass picking in the barn and picking in the yard.

The Everett Brothers Music Barn's doors will be open from noon Saturday on into the night as the Suwanee bluegrass venue hosts its annual Barn Benefit.

Donations collected during the annual all-day picking event go toward paying for insurance and property taxes for the Barn.

"It's sort of like a church gathering, or a family reunion almost," said Diane Dunaway, whose late father Leroy was an original member of The Everett Brothers Band, which originated in the 1960s in Suwanee. Dunaway helps her uncle, Roger Everett, run the Barn. Saturday's Barn Benefit will include a potluck supper, and those who attend are invited to bring a dish to share.

"You'll find a lot of home-cooked vegetables, barbecue, fried chicken," Dunaway said. "You'll have all kinds of cakes and pies. Oh my goodness, desserts galore."

About 14 groups from around northeast Georgia are lined up to play throughout the day, including Peachtree Station, Georgia Bound, Counterpoint, Broad River and the Everett Band, featuring Roger Everett. The first group will take the stage about 1 p.m. with bands to follow about every 30 minutes. After a break for dinner at 5 p.m., the music will continue until 11 p.m. or later.

Musicians are invited to bring their own instruments to join in the all-day picking event.

Art Walk

The newly-formed Duluth Council for the Arts invites Gwinnett residents to take a stroll down Main Street with stops at two art exhibits this evening.

The First Friday Art Walk will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. today in downtown Duluth.

The Duluth Art Gallery is one stop on the walk and will showcase works by more than 40 artists. The gallery is at 3530 W. Lawrenceville St.

Chocolate Perks café gallery will feature the work of its artist of the month, Marguerite Tarica. Guests can enjoy live piano music as they peruse the artwork on display. Chocolate Perks is at 3160 Main St.

For more information on the First Friday Art Walk, call 770-476-7981.