Sights & SoundsRemembering Gerald Anderson
I’m sure we join so many throughout Southwest Virginia and beyond in our sadness and shock to learn of the passing of Gerald Anderson. Gerald was a fine luthier, player, …
Sights & SoundsSherman Holmes Project: The Richmond Sessions
The first solo recording in his more than fifty-year career, Sherman Holmes’ The Richmond Sessions carries on the spirit of the revered Holmes Brothers by reimagining songs and making them …
Sights & SoundsFrank Newsome: Gone Away with a Friend (Free Dirt Records)
On Gone Away with a Friend, Frank Newsome sings a more than four-century-long American tradition into the present. His arresting style—the lined-out hymn singing of the Old Regular Baptists from …
NewsApprenticeship Showcase Schedule and Special Guests
You will not want to miss a minute of the Virginia Folklife Apprenticeship Showcase at James Monroe’s Highland on Sunday, May 5 from noon to 6:00pm. We will kick off …
Sights & SoundsBrian Calhoun and Adam McNeil and Jake Hopping
Brian Calhoun grew up in Rockbridge County, an area rich with many fine players of bluegrass and old-time music as well as a wide variety of acoustic styles. Already a …
Sights & SoundsEmily Spencer and Lisa Ring
Returning to the Folklife Apprenticeship Program in 2019 is the beloved Grayson County clawhammer banjoist Emily Spencer. The clawhammer banjo style is an essential aspect of old time music, an …
NewsAnnouncing Apprenticeship Class of 2019–2020
The Virginia Folklife Program at Virginia Humanities announces the 2019-2020 class of Master Artists in the Virginia Folklife Apprenticeship Program. Master Artists are selected through a competitive process in all …
Sights & SoundsLight the Candles with Flory Jagoda’s internationally loved Hanukkah anthem “Ocho Kandelikas”
As the holidays enter full swing, Christmas songs—ranging from the insipid to the sublime—become a seemingly ubiquitous presence in our lives. Largely buried in a sonic avalanche of sleigh bells, …
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 & 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 …
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 …
NewsEddie Bond receives 2018 National Heritage Fellowship
The Virginia Folklife Program at Virginia Humanities is proud to announce that Eddie Bond, celebrated old-time fiddler from the small southwestern Virginia town of Fries, has been honored with the …
