Sights & Sounds

A Family’s Drag Tradition in Bristol

Seventeen-year-old Anna Fleenor of Bristol first raced on a drag strip as part of a youth racing class. From the passenger seat, her father, Chris—a seasoned racer—offered tips to quell her nerves. But as soon as the light turned green, he gave Anna a command that she still hears in her head when it’s time to race: “Mash it.”

Event

Radio Bristol’s Farm and Fun Time

For this special Farm and Fun Time® episode, two Bristol duos join Bill and the Belles: Bluegrass sweethearts Linda and David Lay and traditional mountain ballad singer Elizabeth Laprelle and her student in our Virginia Folklife Apprenticeship Program, Elsa Howell.

October 14, 2023 | 5:15PM – 6:30PM | Richmond
Event

Music from the Crooked Road

Join us in celebrating the 20th anniversary of the creation of the Crooked Road, southwest Virginia’s “heritage music trail.”

March 23, 2024 | 7:30PM | Vienna
Sights & Sounds

 A Tribute to Virginia Folk Hero “Uncle Wade” Ward

Beloved clawhammer banjoist “Uncle Wade” was born on Saddle Creek, just outside of Independence, Virginia, on October 15, 1892 and lived in Grayson County all his life.

Sights & Sounds

Celebration of Virginia Folklife at the Library of Virginia Recap

Last weekend, we presented a two-day “Celebration of Virginia Folklife” on July 7 and 8, 2023 at the Library of Virginia in Richmond, as part of the Library’s year-long 200th anniversary celebration.

Sights & Sounds

Bart Long Shares His Clydesdale Team With Bristol

Bart Long of Bristol, VA, has a hitch of Clydesdales that he regularly brings to community parades, including to the recent Memorial Day parade in Marion, VA.

Event

Floyd Living Traditions Festival

The festival will showcase traditional and contemporary expressions of crafts, including basket making, quilting, spinning, weaving, instrument making, blacksmithing, woodworking, and more.

August 26, 2023 | 10AM – 6PM | Floyd
Sights & Sounds

Linda Skeens’s ‘Blue Ribbon Kitchen’

This year, Linda Skeens of Russell County returned to the VA-KY Fair with a new book in tow: “Blue Ribbon Kitchen: Recipes and Tips from America’s Favorite County Fair Champion.”

Sights & Sounds

geonovah: Big Stone Rap

Hip-hop artist Geonoah Davis was born and raised in Big Stone Gap, and he is making it his mission to build a supportive community for artists like him—artists that do not fall into stereotypical Appalachian categories.

News

$52,000 in Awards Distributed to Support Folk Arts and Culture in Bristol Region

The Greater Bristol Folk Arts & Culture Team is thrilled to announce the recipients of its grant and fellowship program to support folk arts and culture in the region.

Betty Vornbrock is seated next to Sharon Andreucci who is standing in Vonrbrock's music room, surrounded by colorful tapestries and instruments on the walls.Sights & Sounds

Betty Vornbrock & Sharon Andreucci

Betty Vornbrock of Hillsville has spent the last year teaching Sharon Andreucci of Galax old-time fiddle tunes—particularly repertoire played by Appalachian women.

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