Just four days beforeMoogfest opens in Durham, festival organizers are announcing the addition of a free stage and a "sonic playground" to this weekend's festivities.

Called "Grandmother," the semi-modular analog synthesizer will explore vibrations with a built-in arpeggiator, sequencer and spring reverb tank. "Grandmother's semi-modular design ensures that human beings of any skill-level can easily explore and experience the joys and magic of analog synthesis," said Moogfest organizers.

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Grandmother is located in the Moog Pop-Up Factory at 318 Blackwell Street and is free and open to the public from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. for the duration of the festival.

Another new, free element introduced at this year's festival is a new stage, which opens Saturday in the heart of the American Tobacco Campus. Performers will include legendary hip-hop DJs and producers Pete Rock (Pete Rock & CL Smooth) and Ali Shaheed Muhammad (A Tribe Called Quest), plus a set by indie-soul singer-songwriter Moses Sumney, who is returning to Moogfest for the second time.

Guests can also stop by the stage to enjoy Moogfest’s much-beloved "Modular on the Spot Picnic," a family-friendly outdoor modular synth performance started in Los Angeles by modular synthesist and skate photographer Eric “Rodent” Cheslak.

Moogfest runs May 17-20 throughout downtown Durham with dozens of free and ticket events exploring science, technology, music, art and more.

Visit moogfest.com for tickets and a full schedule.