Virginia Humanities

Exploring the Wilds: The Violin in Early America

In an era before recordings, live music was prevalent, and the violin was king. The same instrument was used in barns and at royal courts, for rustic country dances and for fashionable classical concerts—and the same players would do it all. Join national fiddle champion Tim MacDonald to enjoy a huge range of early violin […]

Farms, Mills & Shops

Shenandoah Valley 1750-1850

This presentation by Ken Koons, Professor of History at Virginia Military Institute, will explore the history of manufacturing in the Shenandoah Valley, from the frontier era through the early Republic and late antebellum period. Grist mills, sawmills, iron furnaces, tanneries, and the wide array of goods and services provided by artisanal craftsmen of the Valley […]

Fiddlin

Film Screening

Fiddlin’ is a foot-stomping celebration of true Americana and artistic expression. An old time and bluegrass music documentary that takes place at the Galax Fiddler’s Convention, Fiddlin’ focuses on Wayne Henderson, a world-renowned luthier known as the “guitar god.” His friendship with 11-year-old guitar prodigy, Presley Barker, shows the enduring relationship between mentor and prodigy […]

Learn from This Place

Bringing Arlington to Halls Hill

Learn the history of Arlington’s Halls Hill and other African American neighborhoods at this free panel discussion and performance. The event includes a panel moderated by Arlington County Board Chairman Christian Dorsey, with panelists comprised of former and current African American community residents and educators and performances by the Phil Wiggins Blues House Party and […]

VA Folklife Area at Richmond Folk Festival to Showcase Car Culture

Virginia Humanities joins the Richmond Folk Festival in announcing the Virginia Folklife Area theme for the 2019 Richmond Folk Festival: “Hot Rods and Hot Licks.” When: The 15th annual Richmond Folk Festival takes place Friday, October 11, beginning at 6:00 PM, through Sunday, October 13 at 6:00 PM. The Virginia Folklife Area will be open […]

Tastes & Tales from Tangier

Live stream available

Watch the live stream of this event from Oct. 24 in Norfolk at The Hermitage Museum and Gardens.

John Jackson Piedmont Blues Festival

Sept. 28, Woodville

John Jackson was born in 1924 in Rappahannock County, VA to a tenant farming family who were also extremely musically talented. He received the National Heritage Fellowship in 1986 from the National Endowment for the Arts, America’s highest honor in the folk music world. Jackson performed for Presidents Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan, the US […]

Virginia Folklife Apprenticeship Program Gallery

Portraits from the Virginia Folklife Apprenticeship Program will be on display at the 292 North Gallery at The Church of the Incarnation in Harrisonburg during the months of August and September. The fifty-six portraits were made between the years of 2012 and 2018 by Pat Jarrett. There will be a First Friday opening reception on […]

La Nona Kanta

The Remarkable Life of Flory Jagoda

“La Nona Kanta” is a tale of survival and courage. The program is a celebration of the life and work of Flory Altarac Jagoda, the National Heritage Award-winning, Bosnian-born Sephardic singer and composer, with live music by Susan Gaeta, Tina Chancey, and Howard Bass of Sephardic ensemble Trio Sefardi. Join us to explore archival family photographs, […]

Liberation and Belonging in Community through Song

Join us and Springhouse Community School for a five-day series exploring the themes of liberation and belonging in community through song. Wednesday May 15th, 7:30pm: a concert by Tim Eriksen at the Floyd Country Store Thursday May 16th, 9:30-11:30am: workshop with Tim Eriksen at Springhouse Community School. We will explore several musical traditions and connections to […]

Soul Supper: Cora Harvey Armstrong

Our Virginia Folklife Program has partnered with The Front Porch to bring celebrated gospel singer and piano player Cora Harvey Armstrong to Charlottesville for a special performance as part of the Front Porch’s “Soul Supper” monthly concert series. This concert series, highlighting masters of American Roots Music, will feature a family style dinner at 5:30 pm and music at 7 pm. Dinner […]

Lua Project Announces Mexilachian Son

New Sones from an Emerging Virginia Culture, May 11-12

Announcing a weekend of public performances featuring Veracruz, Mexico based Son Jarocho master musician and poet Zenen Zeferino in collaboration with roots music ensemble the Lua Project. Luray, Va—Mexilachian Son is a multimedia project featuring extensive interviews with Latino immigrants in Central Virginia and the Shenandoah Valley. With support from Virginia Humanities, Lua Project artists […]