The seventh annual Culturefest World Music & Arts Festival will take place September 9-12 at The Appalachian South Folklife Center in Pipestem, WV. The event features two stages of music and dance performances from Appalachia and around the world, workshops, children's activities, healing arts, artisan vendors, drum circles, comedy, camping and more. Organizers call the event "a weekend long immersion in the creative arts" and "an inspired, forward thinking diversion from the norm." The goal of the festival is to celebrate diversity and promote unity.
The performance lineup includes:
-- Seattle-based group Hejira, made up of 2 Conservatory trained musicians from opposing cultures collaborating on energetic world music to lift the spirit.
-- Latin ensemble ¡Eduardo Canelón y su Comparsa! of Charleston, WV return to Culturefest with their musical blend of styles from Spain, the Caribbean, and South America.
-- Musicians Carrie and Michael Kline play West Virginia songs, from the ancient ballads of the Hammons Family in the central highlands, to mining laments and songs of resistance in the coal fields.
-- Blacksburg based HopeHop fuses organic hip-hop with jazz undertones with lyrics that promote spreads peace, love and oneness.
Also on the line-up are Option 22 (world folk), The Boatmen (harmony driven folk/funk), SoulGrass Rebellion (roots/reggae/bluegrass), The Spurgie Hankins Band (acoustic/rock/jamband), Kathleen Coffee (folk/singer-songwriter), Big Phat Delicious (jazz/rock/funk), Melissa McKinney & The Borrowed Band (blues/rock), The Captain Lazerblast Band (techno-folk), Briddy Morris (alternative/lyrical), Albert Perrone (healing folk), Chally Erb (movement theatre/comedy), Miss Behavin' (rock), Io & the Ions (theatrical/art-folk-rock), ~El Gleno Grande (physical theatre/comedy), Glowing Dragon Puppet Rodeo (alternative media), Liberty High School World Percussion Ensemble, Pseudo Ethnic Salad (world fusion), Samadhi Tribal Fusion Belly Dance, Shakira Al Fanninah and Firelight (folk dance), Wild Earth Hoops (hoop dance) and a Open Mic on Thursday (those wishing to participate should call ahead to reserve a time slot). The event will be MC'd by Keli Semelsberger of Charlotte Comedy Theatre along with Arden Hamrick.
Workshops include instruction in world percussion, belly dance, improv comedy, yoga, meditation, and hacky sack skills. The children's area will include art & craft activities, open mic, song and dance, story telling and more.
The full schedule and program can be found online at culturefestwv.com.
Tickets are available on the website and at the gate. Advance tickets are recommended. A full weekend pass costs $30 and includes all four days plus camping. Day passes are $15 (price does not include camping) on Friday and Saturday. A Thursday only pass is $7 and a Sunday only pass is $12.
The event is presented by LLyniuM entertainment and The RiffRaff Arts Collective with assistance from these sponsors: Create West Virginia, Sleep Inn & Suites (the official hotel of Culturefest), East River Arts, WVVA, Ramey Row, Cole Kia, Star 95, Adventure Radio, Little Buddy Radio, and a host of advertisers.
Additional information can be found online at culturefestwv.com and by calling 304-425-6425.
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Photos attached are scenes from previous Culturefests.
SHORT INFO. BLOCK
WHAT: Culturefest World Music & Arts Festival
WHEN: September 9-12
WHERE: Appalachian South Folklife Center - Pipestem, WV
TICKETS: $30 full weekend pass including camping / $15 day pass Fri. & Sat. , $7 Thurs. only, $12 Sun. only
Purchase online at culturefestwv.com or at the gate.
INFO: www.culturefestwv.com / 304-425-6425
MEDIA: Call Lori McKinney to arrange advance interviews with any of our acts, web links and to receive print-quality photos for publication. We welcome your reporters and camera people on site. Videographers are welcome Friday after 5pm and all day Saturday. 304-425-6425 / lori@culturefestwv.com
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