Photo by Tom Pich. The news of the passing of Elder Frank Newsome, beloved preacher of the Little David Old Regular Baptist Church located deep in the Virginia coalfields along the Kentucky border, came with great sadness, but also with an overwhelming sense of gratitude. Gratitude for the many years…...
Announcing the Center for Cultural Vibrancy Stage Artists at the 2026 Richmond Folk Festival
The Center for Cultural Vibrancy Stage returns to the Allianz Amphitheater with a weekend celebrating remarkable musical traditions, creative energy and cultural connections from Virginia and beyond. This year’s lineup puts a special spotlight on Richmond and Virginia artists, alongside visiting performers and one-of-a-kind collaborations, including a Richmond tribute to…...
From Appalachia to Alaska: A conversation with dancer Becky Hill
For more than two decades, Becky Hill has immersed herself in the living traditions of American music and dance. A nationally recognized percussive dancer, square dance caller, choreographer, folklorist, and cultural program leader, her work bridges performance, community, and cultural preservation. In the fall of 2024, while coordinating events for…...
The Old Fiddlers Convention celebrates 90 years!
For 90 years, the Galax Old Fiddlers Convention has stood as one of the nation’s most cherished celebrations of traditional music and culture and the longest running fiddlers convention in the nation. If you’ve never experienced the convention, the first thing to do is forget whatever image the word convention…...
