Big Stone Gap, VA. The "Gathering in the Gap" Music Festival at the Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park offers a one-of-a-kind evening of performances by Grammy award winning artist Rhonda Vincent, who was crowned the New Queen of Bluegrass by the Wallstreet Journal and who recently won IBMA Female Vocalist of the Year. Also featured on the main stage, well known cellist, pianist and composer Dave Eggar as well as IBMA Momentum Band of the Year — the Stillhouse Junkies!  This year's festival, which coincides with the park's 75th anniversary, will be held on Saturday, May 27 on the park's grounds. "Gathering in the Gap" is a celebration of the rich tradition of old-time, Americana and bluegrass music found in Southwest Virginia. Tickets can be purchased online at www.gatheringinthegap.org, by calling the park at 276-523-1322 or be stopping by the park during regular operating hours.

Entries Sought for Lonesome Pine Short-Story and Poetry Contests

Big Stone Gap, VA -- The MECC Foundation is pleased to announce the 47th annual John Fox, Jr. Literary Festival, featuring New York Times bestselling author Silas House, Wednesday, March 15 from 10 a.m. to noon. The festival is free and open to the public.
 
In coordination with the festival event, the MECC Foundation will host the 36th Annual Lonesome Pine Short Story Contest and the 19th Annual Lonesome Pine Poetry Contest. The deadline for submitting entries is Tuesday, February 28 at 4:30 p.m. Entry categories include adult, high school (grades 9 through 12), and middle school (grades 5 through 8) categories. Contest rules and information about the festival is available on the MECC Foundation website at https://www.mecc.edu/jffestival/. Winners of the contest will be announced during the Literary Festival Event. All winners will receive a cash prize.
 
The 47th Annual John Fox, Jr. festival will return to a live format in 2023, with a featured discussion on House’s latest novel, Lark Ascending. Following House’s presentation, the MECC Foundation will feature a special luncheon with House at the John Fox Jr. home in Big Stone Gap beginning at 12:30 p.m. Tickets for the luncheon are $30 and can be ordered by calling the MECC Foundation office at 276-523-7466. Tickets are limited, so please reserve early for this event.
 
Silas House is the New York Times bestselling author of eight books whose work frequently appears in The Atlantic and The New York Times. He is a former commentator for NPR and his work has been widely published in journals and magazines such as Time, The Advocate, Oxford American, Garden & Gun, and many others. He has lectured internationally and is widely regarded as one of the major writers of the American South.
House was born and grew up in Southeastern Kentucky. House’s first novel, Clay’s Quilt (2001), is now known as a foundational text for Appalachian Literature. Its two companion novels, A Parchment of Leaves (2003) and The Coal Tattoo (2005), were recently re-issued in new editions and are now known as The Appalachian Trilogy. House wrote Something’s Rising: Appalachians Fighting Mountaintop Removal (2009) with Jason Howard. House’s fourth novel, Eli the Good (2009) emerged as a number one bestseller on the Southern lists and received the first annual Storylines Prize from the New York Public Library system, an award given to a book for use in the ESL and literacy programs of New York City. Same Sun Here (2012), co-written with Neela Vaswani, has received more than a dozen awards including the Nautilus, the Parents Choice, the E.B. White Honor Book Award, and many others. In 2018 his novel Southernmost appeared on Best of the Year lists of many magazines and was given the Weatherford Award and long listed for the Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Fiction. House has also written three plays that have been produced throughout the country.
In 2020 House received the highest honor for an artist in the Commonwealth of Kentucky when he was given the Governor’s Award for the Arts. He has also won the Appalachian Book of the Year, the Judy Gaines Young Award, the Intellectual Freedom Prize, the Caritas Medal, three honorary doctorates, and many other honors. In 2021 he was chosen as the Appalachian of the Year by a poll conducted by the podcast Appodlachia.
House served as a writer-in-residence at Eastern Kentucky University in 2004 and 2005 and at Lincoln Memorial University from 2005 to 2010. At LMU he also directed the Mountain Heritage Literary Festival. In 2010 House became the NEH Chair in Appalachian Studies at Berea College. He has served on the fiction faculty at the Naslund Mann Graduate School of Writing since 2005. House is also an editor at the University Press of Kentucky’s Fireside Industries imprint.
His latest work, Lark Ascending, has received critical praise. As fires devastate most of the United States, Lark and his family secure a place on a refugee boat headed to Ireland, the last country not yet overrun by extremists and rumored to be accepting American refugees. But Lark is the only one to survive the trip, and once ashore, he doesn’t find the safe haven he’d hoped for. As he runs for his life, Lark finds an abandoned dog who becomes his closest companion, and then a woman in search of her lost son. Together they form a makeshift family and attempt to reach Glendalough, a place they believe will offer protection. But can any community provide the safety that they seek?
For readers of novels such as Station Eleven, The Dog Stars, and Migrations, Lark Ascending is a moving and unforgettable story of friendship, family, and healing.
For more information on the MECC Foundation, please visit our website at www.meccfoundation.org. 

​Bristol, Tenn./Va. (Jan. 26, 2023) - Nickel Creek and Margo Price are among the top tier of what's shaping up to be an eclectic Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion lineup in 2023. The award-winning festival returns to Historic Downtown Bristol, Tenn.-Va. for its 23rd annual event September, 8-10.

Other acts included in the initial lineup announcement include Bruce Hornsby & The Noisemakers, Watchhouse, The Mavericks, 49 Winchester, Larkin Poe, Allison Russell, Amythyst Kiah, and Walderado, with more artists to be announced in the spring.

After much deliberation, we are excited to announce that Alley Fest 2022 has been successful in securing local Kentucky American Idol WINNER, Noah Thompson for performances on both Friday AND Saturday nights! Early Access Tickets are still available at a heavily discounted price. Hurry and grab yours for your chance to see none other than American Idol, Noah Thompson, before ticket prices go up on August 1st.
This fall, Alley Fest returns for its second year in beautiful downtown Paintsville, Kentucky! Fantastic artists take the stage in historic downtown Paintsville to create a weekend you will never forget. 
Nestled in the heart of the Appalachian Mountains, Alley Fest is the getaway festival that introduces you to the best of Appalachian Music and talent. You can expect an exclusive lineup with over 20 artists, 20+ food trucks, opportunities for non-profit groups, and support for Christmas for Kids as well as other non-profit organizations.
This year’s Alley Fest includes a Pre-Party Show on Thursday, September 29th, with artists Luke Trimble, River Tramps, Jack Marion and the Pearl Snap Prophets.
Then, the main event will begin Friday, September 30th and will feature Les Masters Band, The Dreaded Laramie Band, Spooky Fox, The Hill Figs, Grayson Jenkins, Scott T. Smith, Mike and the Moonpies, Crystal Gayle, Noah Thompson.
Alley Fest 2022 will continue on Saturday, October 1st, featuring Andrew Crawford, Brandi Colt, Brett & Donnie, The Brothers Gillespie, Jordan Allen and the Bellwethers, Bedford, Wolfpen Branch, Nicholas Jamerson & the Morning Jays, Logan Halstead, a special set with Noah Thompson and Nicholas Jamerson, American Aquarium, John Michael Montgomery.
Alley Fest 2022The ONLY music festival in Paintsville, Kentucky! The biggest and baddest lineup in EKY this year! Enjoy music, food vendors, craft vendors, drink vendors, and MORE! Sept 29th- October 1st!
Check out the lineup of artists and get your Early Access Tickets ON SALE NOW (online at https://alleyfest2022.com/tickets)!
Head to the Alley Fest 2022 Official Site (https://alleyfest2022.com/) and get access to exclusive content, tickets, and info, while supplies last!

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For The 17th Year Food City Will Once Again Be Hosting The Annual Johnia Berry Toy Drive. The Drive Will Kick Off November 6th And Run Through December 3rd. Area Food City’s Will Have Specially Marked Collection Containers Throughout The Tri-Cities. Toys Will Be Distributed On December 6th The Anniversary Of Johnia’s Death.

The Salvation Army’s Yearly Angel Tree Program Is Now Underway. Walmart Has Teamed Up With The Organization To Provide Online Shopping Opportunities This Year. To Find A Tree Or Learn More, Visit salvationarmyusa.org

Wise, VA – Seven-time Grammy Award nominated artist John McCutcheon will perform an exclusive livestream concert on Sunday, April 18th, 2021 at 7:00 PM as a part of Pro-Art’s Spring 2021 season. Every April, like clockwork, John McCutcheon visited his old stomping grounds of the mid-Atlantic music world. He'd start at the iconic Barns of Wolf Trap—a venue he's played more than any other. Charlottesville, his home for two decades, was often the following night, and the Richmond Peace Education Center annually brought up the rear. A host of other presenters, including the Pro-Art Association, were added to his itinerary through the years. But McCutcheon couldn't imagine missing another year visiting these old friends and neighbors.
John McCutcheon is a folk music singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who has produced 41 albums since the 1970s. As an instrumentalist, he is a master of a dozen different traditional instruments, most notably the rare and beautiful hammer dulcimer. His songwriting has been hailed by critics and singers around the globe, and his recordings have garnered every imaginable honor including the aforementioned seven Grammy nominations. McCutcheon has produced over twenty albums of other artists, from traditional fiddlers to contemporary singer-songwriters to educational and documentary works. His books and instructional materials have introduced budding players to the joys of their own musicality, and his commitment to grassroots political organizations has put him on the front lines of many of the issues important to communities and workers.
This April, with the safety of our community in mind, the Pro-Art Association is thrilled to welcome John McCutcheon back for this exclusive live performance on Sunday, April 18th, 2021 at 7:00 PM. Pro-Art is offering a limited number of free tickets on a first come, first served basis through request form submissions at proartva.org/johnmccutcheon. Prior to the performance, patrons will be emailed instructions to create a free account through Mandolin, the digital platform hosting the livestream. Mandolin’s fan support team will be standing by to help, should patrons have any technical questions throughout the streaming process.
Join "Folk Music's rustic renaissance man" (Washington Post) for a fun-filled all-request evening, and be sure to leave your requests in the chat!
The Pro-Art Association is offering this performance, and all events of their 2020-2021 season, at no cost to its community. This performance is supported in part by a grant from the Virginia Commission for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts. If you have any questions, please visit proartva.org, call the office at (276) 376-4520, or send an email to pro-art@uvawise.edu.