Sights & Sounds

Broomlore: Witches, Weddings & More

There are more histories tied to your everyday house broom than you may realize, as many contemporary broom makers will tell you.

Sights & Sounds

Anna Mullins Documents the Richmond Folk Festival

Anna Mullins, a documentary photographer from Coeburn, shares thoughts and images from the 2023 Richmond Folk Festival.

Sights & Sounds

Bringing Bristol to the 2023 Richmond Folk Festival

Bristol, Virginia, was in lights this weekend in the Virginia Folklife Area of the 2023 Richmond Folk Festival.

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

50th Annual Blue Ridge Folklife Festival

Experience musicians, moonshiners, craftspeople, cooks, motorheads, and more for a celebration of the rich heritage and traditions of the region.

October 28, 2023 | 10AM – 5PM | Ferrum
Event

Virginia Czech-Slovak Folklife Festival

The 9th Annual Virginia Czech-Slovak Folklife Festival honors the cultural heritage of thousands of immigrants from the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Romania, Ukraine, and other Eastern European countries who chose to …

October 21, 2023 | 11AM – 4PM | Prince George
Event

3rd Annual Festival of Virginia Fiddling

Performing at the Festival of Virginia Fiddling 2023 are fiddlers from the jazz Romani diaspora, the Scottish American tradition, Old-Time string band music, and multi-style influences.

August 19, 2023 | 12PM – 10PM | Richmond
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
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