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Events for March, 2010

Exhibit: "Virginia Rocks: The History of Rockabilly in the Commonwealth"

Friday May 1, 2009 - Wednesday March 31, 2010
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Blue Ridge Institute and Museum
20 Museum Drive map it
Ferrum, VA 24088

Rockabilly is the smart-mouthed teenage child of country music and blues-driven boogie. "Virginia Rocks" tells early rock's story with rare film footage and audio tracks, biographical information, vintage photographs, records, stage costumes, concert promotional materials, juke boxes, studio recording equipment, and, of course, guitars. A double CD and a gallery guide fill out the show. Admission is free. Call (540)365-4416 or visit http://www.blueridgeinstitute.org/index.htm

"The Portent: John Brown's Raid in American Memory"

Saturday October 10, 2009 - Sunday April 11, 2010
Virginia Historical Society
428 North Boulevard map it
Richmond, VA 23220

This exhibition is the first-ever critical analysis by a southern institution of an episode that, on the eve of the Civil War, broke open sectionalist fissures. Brown demanded that his contemporaries take a moral stance on slavery, and to this day a mention of his attack spurs debate about issues of justice, terrorism, liberation, and vigilantism. The story of Brown’s early life, his fervent religious beliefs, his turn to violence as an abolitionist in Kansas, and his Virginia raid and its aftermath will be told in the exhibition, part of the national acknowledgement of the 150th anniversary of John Brown's raid on the Federal Armory at Harpers Ferry, Virginia. Contemporary reactions to the raid and to the trial and execution of John Brown will be discussed and visitors will see a display of objects and books related to the raid. See www.vahistorical.org for gallery hours and admission fees.

Come In and Have a Seat: Vernacular Chairs of the Shenandoah Valley

Friday December 18, 2009 - Sunday June 20, 2010
Museum of the Shenandoah Valley
901 Amherst Street map it
Winchester, VA 22601

A new exhibit, curated by Jeffrey S. Evans, opens at the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley as the first ever exhibit to focus exclusively on vernacular chairs made in the Valley from the 18th to the 20th century, shedding light on not only their contribution to American furniture-making, but also fostering appreciation for the rich cultural heritage of the Valley. For museum hours and more, see www.shenandoahmuseum.org, or call either 540-662-1473 or toll free, 888-556-5799.

Course: Traditional Music

Tuesday February 9, 2010 - Tuesday March 30, 2010
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Bel Rio Restaurant
407 Monticello Road map it
Charlottesville, VA 22902

What is traditional music? What relevance does it have for us today in the 21st century? This noncredit series explores these questions through the lens of folklore, ethnomusicology, and performance. Students gain access to the world of traditional music by attending private performances,multimedia presentations, and engaging in conversations with musicians, folklorists, and ethnomusicologists. Guest performers from the Virginia Folklife program will include Maggie Ingram and family on February 16. Traditions under study include old-time, bluegrass, samba, jazz, blues, gospel, Sephardic, and Mande/Voltaic. Students will gain an insider's knowledge and a greater appreciation for traditional music and some of its greatest artists and experts in the Commonwealth today. Eight Tuesday evening sessions. Fee: $150. Registration recommended by early February. Call (434) 982-2779 or visit www.scps.virginia.edu/

Concert: Steel Wheel Duo

Wednesday March 10, 2010
7:00 PM
Village Concerts
Main Street map it
Palmyra, VA 22963

Trent Wagler and Jay Lapp, the Steel Wheels, grew up in the Mennonite community of Harrisonburg, singing four-part harmony, and absorbing the rich influences of that tradition. They�ve gone on to share the stage with Robin and Linda Williams, Marshall Crenshaw, Carrie Newcomer, John McCutcheon, and Adrienne Young & Little Sadie among others. Their acoustic styles are shaded with old time, country folk, gospel, blues, and rock and roll. They have developed a strong local following and their national and international audiences are growing.

To make reservations, please an email to pk24paws@comcast.net with the number of seats you want to hold, or call 434-960-8895. Suggested contribution: $15-20 per person, which includes dinner. BYOB. http://www.myspace.com/pekingdawgdays

Piedmont Blues Showcase with Rick Franklin

Tuesday March 16, 2010
9:00 PM
Bel Rio
407D Monticello Rd map it
Charlottesville, VA 22902

Rick Franklin is a great proponent of the highly syncopated, intricate guitar technique of Piedmont or East Coast Blues from Virginia and North Carolina, following in the footsteps of such past greats as John Jackson and John Cephas. Since 1981, Rick has been playing and singing the Blues at festivals and community events, clubs and cafes in an around Washington, DC. Admission $5. Call 434-979-5299 or go to http://www.belriocharlottesville.com/index.html

Give My Poor Heart Ease: Voices of the Mississippi Blues

Thursday March 18, 2010
2:00 AM
The Southern Cafe and Music Hall
103 South First Street map it
Charlottesville, VA 22902

The Virginia Folklife Program and the Virginia Festival of the Book present author Bill Ferris, UNC Professor of History, former NEH Chairman and folklorist. Ferris will share the words and music of blues and gospel musicians from the Mississippi Delta, recorded in interviews he conducted in the 1960s and 70s and documented in his new book, Give My Poor Heart Ease, published by the UNC Press. Moderated by Virginia Sate Folklorist Jon Lohman, this event is free and open to the public. http://www.vabook.org/site10/program/details.php?eventID=149

Concert & Forum: Appalachian Music Masters

Saturday March 20, 2010
4:30 PM - 9:30 PM
Christiansburg High School
100 Independence Boulevard map it
Christiansburg, VA 24073

"Back to the Blue Ridge" radio program host Kinney Rorrer will moderate a Forum on Appalachian music from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. Admission is free. Showcase concert featuring Buddy Pendleton, Herschel Sizemore, Sammy Shelor, and many other terrific musicians begins at 7:30. Admission 418/$20 at the door. Call the Montgomery-Floyd Regional Library, 540-382-6965, ext. 21 for more information. http://www.montgomery-floyd.lib.va.us/

Don't Miss This! Sunday Sept. 12