Sights & SoundsA 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.”
NewsAnnouncing the Virginia Folklife Area at the 2023 Richmond Folk Festival
We’re thrilled to share that our Virginia Folklife Area at this year’s Richmond Folk Festival will focus on the crafts, music, and culture of Bristol.
EventRadio 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.
EventMusic from the Crooked Road
Join us in celebrating the 20th anniversary of the creation of the Crooked Road, southwest Virginia’s “heritage music trail.”
Sights & SoundsA 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 & SoundsCelebration 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 & SoundsBart 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.
EventFloyd 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.
Sights & SoundsLinda 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 & Soundsgeonovah: 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.
Sights & SoundsBetty 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.
