| Date: | October 20, 2018 |
| Time: | 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM |
| Venue: | Heth Lawn (Radford University) |
| Organizations: | Appalachian Events Committee at Radford University, Dori Freeman, The Wolfe Brothers String Band, Willard Gayheart |
| Description: |
The Appalachian Events Committee at Radford University presents the 33rd Annual Folk Arts Festival on Saturday, October 20, 2018 on Heth Lawn on the campus of Radford University. The Folk Arts Festival features live demonstrations of traditional crafts and music throughout the day with a silent auction as part of Radford University's Homecoming Weekend Festivities. Crafts will be available for sale. Silent auction proceeds will benefit the Robert Glen and Cora Green Scholarship. Band Line-Up: • 10:00 am Dori Freeman • 11:00 am: Tim Frye & Blue Mountain Boys • 12:00 pm: The Virginia Carolina Ramblers • 1:00 pm: The Wolfe Brothers String Band • 2:00 pm: Erynn Marshall & Carl Jones • 3:00 pm: Willard Gayheart Dori Freeman’s was raised among a family of musicians in the Blue Ridge Mountains and hailed by Rolling Stone as “one of the most authentic vocalists to emerge from the hills of southwestern Virginia in recent years,” she’s a bonafide Appalachian artist, while simultaneously shattering the archetype by empowering the characters in her songs with personal strength and homegrown wisdom. Through this process, she both defies and expands notions of what it means to be from the region. Dori comes from a family rooted in art and tradition. Her grandfather is an artist and guitar player, and her father, a multi-instrumentalist and music instructor. While her style subscribes to no one genre, the influence of her Appalachian upbringing lies at the core of her music - heard especially in the lulling mountain drawl of her voice. She sings without affect and with striking clarity, delivering each song carefully and earnestly. Dori's style was shaped by American Roots music: Bluegrass, Rhythm and Blues, and Old Country. Her early introduction to musicians like Doc Watson, The Louvin Brothers, and Peggy Lee have heavily influenced her modern yet timeless sound. Dori learned how to play the guitar at fifteen and began writing her own material a few years later, citing Rufus Wainwright and his haunting melodies and achingly honest lyrics as the spark that inspired her to pen her first song. Her songs often center on heartache and pining; unrequited and sometimes unconventional love common muses for her melodies and lyrics. Links: • http://www.dorifreeman.com/ • https://www.facebook.com/dorifreemanmusic • https://www.instagram.com/dorifreeman/ The Wolfe Brothers (Wolfe Bros.) play and sing traditional old-time music and their repertoire includes some original material as well. The members of the group include Jerry Correll, Dale Morris, Casey Hash, and Donna Correll. All members live in the Elk Creek Valley of Grayson County, Virginia. Although The Wolfe Brothers String Band first formed during the mid 1970s, the group re-established their unique old time sound in the early 1990s. Featuring three vocalists, the band's repertoire ranges from rarely heard traditional songs and tunes to their own original material. The Wolfe Brothers have played at many venues including Merlefest, the Carter Fold Festival, Floydfest, the Barter Theater, and the Delaware Valley Bluegrass Festival. Bluegrass Unlimited featured an article about the group in their June '04 issue, and they have appeared on the acclaimed PBS television series, Song of the Mountains. The Wolfe Brothers String Band was named 2013 Appalachian Cultural Music Association (ACMA) Old Time Vocal Group of the Year. Link: http://wolfebrothers.blogspot.com Willard Gayheart is a pencil artist and musician from Southwest Virginia. He is originally from Eastern Kentucky, working mostly from the theme "Nostalgic Glimpses of the Appalachians". His works are positive images of Appalachian Culture, presenting the region as a place alive with interesting personalities. Besides his artistic talent with the pencil, Willard is also an accomplished bluegrass musician having played as a member of the bluegrass band The Highlanders. He not only picks the guitar and sings, but writes many of the songs himself. On one album, 5 out of the 10 songs were written by him. All the songs written by Willard reflect his experiences and love for the mountain way of life. Link: http://www.mtnlaurel.com/arts-and-crafts/266-willard-gayheart-pencil-artist-a-remarkable-gift.html Traditional Crafters & Demonstrations include: • Blacksmithing • Bee Keeping • Apple Butter Making • Tatting • Quilting • Cornhusk Doll Making • Basket Weaving • Woodturning • Pencil Drawing • Leather Working and much more! Admission is free and all are welcome. Chair and/or blankets are permitted. In case of rain, the festival will be moved inside. To view the event flyer, visit: https://i.imgur.com/2qkSxnJ.jpg. For more information, visit: https://www.facebook.com/events/1236067623203461/ or https://www.facebook.com/AECatRU/. |