NextThreeDays: Event Display

Free Film: "Flamekeeper: The Michael Cleveland Story"
Venue: Lyric Theatre, Blacksburg
Directions: Google Map Link
Organizations: Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper
Date: Thursday, September 17, 2026
Time: 7:30 - 9:00 PM
Event Types: Music, Arts & Theatre
Cost: Free

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Description:
The Center for the Arts at Virginia Tech presents the free film "Flamekeeper: The Michael Cleveland Story" on Thursday, September 17, 2026 at The Lyric Theatre.

Before he takes the stage at the Center for the Arts with Béla Fleck on Saturday, September 19th, experience the inspiring journey of world-class fiddler Michael Cleveland in this intimate documentary that explores his rise from a child prodigy to a 11-time IBMA Fiddle Player of the Year. Michael was born blind and lost significant hearing in one ear as a child and has overcome many challenges to become one of the greatest fiddlers of all time.

For more information on the film, visit: https://www.facebook.com/flamekeeperfilm/.

Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper is based in Indiana and has been awarded the International Bluegrass Music Association's (IBMA) 4-Time Instrumental Group of the Year led by 9-Time IBMA Fiddle Player Michael Cleveland.

Considered one of the premier bluegrass fiddlers of his generation, Mike Cleveland picked up a fiddle at age four, and his talent was recognized early. In 1993 he was chosen to be part of the Bluegrass Youth All Stars at the IBMA's award show. Later that year Mike made his Grand Ole Opry debut as a guest of Alison Krauss.

His list of guest appearances over the years is a who's who of bluegrass legends including Bill Monroe, Jim and Jesse, Ralph Stanley, Mac Wiseman, Doc Watson, Larry Sparks, Doyle Lawson, and J.D. Crowe. After high school Mike briefly toured with then-named Dale Ann Bradley and Coon Creek before joining Rhonda Vincent and The Rage in 2000. At the 2001 IBMA awards, Mike took his first Fiddle Player of the Year award, and shared the title of Entertainer of the Year with Rhonda Vincent and the Rage. He’s lent his skills to two Grammy-winning albums, and his most recent project with Flamekeeper, On Down the Line, is at the top of the bluegrass charts for 2015.

Other members of Flamekeeper include talented musicians Nathan Livers, Tyler Griffith, Joshua Richards and Cody Looper.

Links:

• http://flamekeeperband.com/
• https://www.facebook.com/mcflamekeeper
• https://www.twitter.com/MCFlamekeeper

Admission is free and all are welcome.

The Lyric Theatre is located at 135 College Avenue in Blacksburg, VA.

For more information, visit: https://artscenter.vt.edu/experiences/flamekeeper-michael-cleveland.html or http://www.thelyric.com/ or https://www.facebook.com/lyric.blacksburg or https://www.instagram.com/thelyrictheatre/ or call 540-951-4771.