Sights & SoundsBlue Ridge Folklife Festival: scenes from the day
The Blue Ridge Folklife Festival at Ferrum College celebrates the traditional crafts, music, foods, storytelling, horse handling skills, dog training skills, and moonshine folklore of southwestern Virginia. This festival features …
Sights & Sounds2018 Richmond Folk Festival Recap
We wrapped up the 14th annual Richmond Folk Festival on October 14, and can’t help but marvel at that event’s feeling of togetherness and belonging that draws us in, year …
Sights & SoundsRemembering Bert Carlson
We are deeply saddened to report the passing of our friend Bert Carlson. Bert was a remarkably gifted guitarist, and a sweet and generous soul. He will be fondly remembered …
NewsExplore the Art of Masquerade at the 14th Annual Richmond Folk Festival
The Virginia Folklife Program joins the Richmond Folk Festival in announcing the Virginia Folklife Area theme for the 2018 Richmond Folk Festival: “Masquerade.” When: Friday, October 12, beginning at 6:00 …
NewsFirst place finishes for Folklife Apprentices at Galax Fiddlers’ Convention
Virginia Folklife apprentices and dynamic sister-brother duo Aila Wildman and Eli Wildman took first place in adult old time fiddle and mandolin, respectively, at the 83rd annual Galax Fiddlers’ Convention. Congratulations to …
Sights & SoundsRemembering Mama-Girl
With profound sadness, we mark the passing of one of Virginia’s most beloved folk artists, Eastern Shore painter, sculptor, and pastor Mary “Mama-Girl” Onley, at age 64.
NewsThank you to the Founding Friends of Folklife
For twenty-nine years, the Virginia Folklife Program at Virginia Humanities has presented, documented, and celebrated new and traditional cultures of Virginia, preserving treasured cultural traditions for future generations and reaching audiences across Virginia. From …
Sights & SoundsHoustonFest 2018: Sherman Holmes Project, Harris Brothers, Del McCoury Band, and so much more
Born out of a community’s grief over the tragic passing of Houston Caldwell, a gifted banjoist and dedicated contributor to the civic life of Galax, HoustonFest is one of the …
Sights & SoundsFrom Sublime to Divine: Apprenticeship Showcase in Pictures
Thank you to all who came out for an awesome Virginia Humanities Folklife Apprenticeship Showcase this past Sunday at James Monroe’s Highland. While setup was done in what was at …
Sights & SoundsApprenticeships Keep Treasured Traditions Alive and Thriving
Why should you attend this event? Why do Apprenticeships matter? Virginia State Folklorist Jon Lohman explains: “When I began my tenure as Virginia State Folklorist in 2001, I visited communities …
NewsApprenticeship Showcase FAQs
Rain or shine, please join us for Virginia Folklife Apprenticeship Showcase on Sunday, May 6 from 12:00 to 5:00pm at James Monroe’s Highland. Do I need a ticket? How much …
Sights & SoundsMongolian Contortion: The Art of Bending
Many of the traditions on display at the Virginia Folklife Apprenticeship Showcase date back centuries in Virginia, but others are deeply established art forms that are new to this country, …
