The Library of Virginia and the Virginia Folklife Program of Virginia Humanities are presenting a two-day “Celebration of Virginia Folklife” on July 7 and 8, 2023, as part of the Library’s year-long 200th anniversary celebration.
Join us on Saturday, July 8, for performances, displays and activities highlighting old and new Virginia musical traditions including blues, Bomba and Plena, fiddling, shape-note singing and more. Performers include Kadencia, a Richmond-based band dedicated to playing, promoting and preserving Afro-Puerto Rican music; Eddie Bond, an Appalachian old-time fiddler from Fries, Virginia; and the Richmond Shape Note Singers, who will lead a participatory singing based on the early hymnals and songbooks published in the Shenandoah Valley. Please note: Eddie Bond is unable to join us; fiddlers Jared Boyd (of Twin Creeks Stringband and past Folklife apprentice) and Ben Smith will be performing in his place.
The Library will also display rare items from our music collections and provide activities for young visitors. Children’s activities will include drawing and coloring activities based on musical themes, crafting with quilt squares, and building a didley bow (a simple, one-stringed instrument). Kids will also enjoy an instrument petting zoo where they can experience everything from ukuleles to mountain dulcimers. Refreshments will be available.
Be sure to attend Day 1 of the celebration on July 7, where we’ll honor three 2022–23 Virginia Folklife Apprenticeship with a reception, film screening, and conversation. More info.
The Library of Virginia is wheelchair accessible. If you have requests for other accessibility accommodations, please be in touch at folklife@virginiahumanities.org by Friday, June 23.
