The Alleghany Jubilee is located at:
562 N. Sparta Parkway
Sparta, NC 28675
The Historical Site: The Alleghany Jubilee was a narrow storefront building located on downtown Sparta’s Main Street. The building housed a snack bar, dance floor, and performance stage. Adorning the walls of the hall were snapshots of patrons dancing, eating, and having fun; group portraits of various bands that appeared there over the years; a few reproductions of William Harnett paintings depicting vintage musical instruments; several large plywood silhouettes of dancing couples; and a variety of other mountain music and dance-related decorations.
The original address was:
25 North Main Street
Sparta, NC 28765
For 31 years, the Alleghany Jubilee called the old Spartan Theater on Main Street home. In December 2024, the dancing hall went abruptly silent as the building was sold. However, the Jubilee is more than just a building; it’s an ongoing event rooted in Southern traditions and several generations. It would not stay silent for long.
Ernest Joines was an old-time, bluegrass, and gospel musician born in Alleghany County. He played in several bands and also formed a duet with his wife, Agnes. In 1990, the couple purchased the old Spartan Theater in downtown Sparta. The Joines began hosting weekly music and dance events, and they renovated the interior in 1994. The theater remained a mainstay in downtown
Sparta even after Ernest died in 2016.
Agnes continued to run the Jubilee for several years with the help of friends and family. However, in December 2024, the building was sold. Undeterred, the new owners, Elizabeth and Ron Murray, relocated the Jubilee to a temporary location in Sparta and have been working on plans for a new, permanent location.
And so, the traditional music and dancing of Alleghany County (and Western North Carolina) will be carried on. The community still gathers most Saturday nights to listen to music, cut loose on the dance floor, and bond with one another, keeping the heritage alive for future generations.
