Events

The 15th annual Culturefest World Music and Arts Festival will take over Appalachian South Folklife Center in Pipestem, WV September 6-9 with a weekend long immersion in the creative arts featuring music & dance performances, unique artisan and retail vendors, workshops, a robust roster of kids’ activities, camping and much more. This unique event is a cornerstone of the dynamic creative community in Southern West Virginia. Three stages feature artists from all around the East coast with styles ranging from Americana and Appalachian Folk to Soul, Rock, Funk and World Fusion to experimental genres like Quantum Dub, plus performance art, performance poetry, fire dance and more. Workshops are offered in yoga, drumming, belly dance, hoop dancing, up-cycled art and more, plus facilitated discussions called “Conversations at Culturefest” explore topics such as Appalachian art, cultural exploration and finding and following your passion. Astronomer Dave Buhrman of WV Sky Tours will be on hand with his telescopes for star and planet gazing and fire spinners will light up the night.

Artisans will vend their wares from handmade clothing to jewelry to fine art and more. The children’s village will feature 2 different craft activities each day, special yoga classes, found object art, a kids’ costume parade, a bounce house and other activities. Furniture lounges make relaxing spots to kick back and relax, and provide shelter so the fun can continue in case of rain. Guests may camp on site for the weekend, and immerse themselves in the colorful experience in the beautiful WV Mountains, or they may enjoy the amenities of nearby Pipestem State Park. The goal of the festival is to promote unity and respect for diversity, and bring people together though music and the arts in a beautiful mountain setting.

Organizers say they take great care in curating the performance lineup, searching for musicians who have passion and purpose, unique styles and seasoned skills. This year’s performance lineup is, as always, stacked with amazing talent:

• Based in Kentucky, Appalatin’s foot-stomping, hip-swinging sounds organically unite Appalachian folk and high-energy Latin music. The name, Appalatin, reflects the unexpected meeting in Louisville, KY of Kentucky-raised musicians and masterful Latin émigrés from Ecuador, Nicaragua, and Guatemala. Their all-acoustic performances of traditional strings of guitar, mandolin, upright bass, and charango, indigenous Andean flutes, hand percussion, harmonica and vocal harmonies have brought joy and happiness to listeners of all ages. In 2014, the band was awarded the Americana Award by the Louisville Music Awards Academy. They are also the feature of an Emmy-nominated PBS-affiliate documentary in the KY Muse series, now distributed nationwide on public stations. appalatin.com
• Africa Unplugged is a dynamic group, led by djembe master, guitarist and songwriter Atiba Rorie. The band uses traditional percussion instruments from West Africa in combination with guitars and bass to play traditional rhythms while drawing from influences across the world. Their creativity results in a funky, soulful blues and dance music that keeps the audience moving as they tell stories from the old world and the new. reverbnation.com/africaunpluggedmusic
• The Company Stores are a folk fusion band from Charleston, WV, that smoothly blends elements of many genres from Delta blues, Appalachian folk, gospel, jazz, and other Americana music, then layer in their own modern styles and rhythms. Vocalist Casey Litz’s sultry and soulful voice captivates the audience, while the band lays down bluesy grooves between dynamic builds. Since their start as a full band in May 2013 they have released two albums, have been on the iconic Mountain Stage Radio Show, countless festivals and have toured all over the East coast. Their latest album “Little Lights," released in April 2017, has received countless positive reviews proclaiming it as one of the best regional releases of the year. thecompanystores.com
• Mystic Warriors is dedicated to exposing the essence of Andean Music in a completely unique way. While their music style appears to fit into the “New Age” category, it often sounds like world music, contemporary jazz, Latin or mainstream popular. They believe their music is a fusion that crosses over all of these without leaving the boundaries of Andean Music. More important than categorizing their style is their ability to deliver a message of universal peace and harmony transmitted by the combination of Andean ancient flutes and panpipes with contemporary instruments. Joining the ancestral sounds of the Incas with today’s newest sounds, Mystic Warriors will transport you to places and times long forgotten, but yet to come. mysticwarriors.com
• Fresh off of a performance debut on the world renowned Mountain Stage, Beckley’s The Parachute Brigade is soaring. The sounds of this 5 piece Indie/Folk Rock band is a mixture of acoustic Americana and ambient Indie Alt Rock. Their vocal harmonies and driving instrumentation provide a unique sound and an emotional listening experience.They recorded a 5 song EP of original music in Nashville, TN over the summer of 2017, and are in the process of touring these songs as emerging artists at festivals and venues this summer. You can soon find the album, titled “The Gold EP,” on their website, ITunes, and Spotify. theparachutebrigade.com
• After Jack is a musical celebration of togetherness. Named 2014 Americana Vocal Group of the Year by the Appalachian Cultural Music Association, the trio combines expressive songwriting, captivating vocals and a unique take on traditional mountain music. Combine your most beloved musical memories with a foot-stomping string band and top it off with harmonies that spring straight from the soul of the mountains, and you’ve got After Jack. afterjackband.com

Other WV acts include Black Garlic (Instrumental Rock Fusion), The Charleston Rogues (Irish Punk & Folk), Kathleen Coffee (Healing Folk), CassieRaye (Post-Ambient Folk), Ball & Chain (Blues/Rock), The Gin Mills (Blues/Rock), Independent State (Americana), James Hart (Blues/Soul), Holly and the Guy (Soul/Pop), Nathaniel Altare & Amy McIntire (Folk), Douglas John (Singer-Songwriter), Liberty High (Unconventional Marching Band), The One Voice Project (Pop/Rock), Jermaine Jay Lane (Poetry), Samadhi Tribal Fusion (Belly Dance), Silly Strings (Old Time), Ashleigh Surface (Contemporary Christian) Tiffany Freed (Poetry) and Tim & Maggie (Celtic).

Other out-of-state acts include Lobo Marino (earth-folk/experimental/indie), Gypsy Funk Squad (World Music), Spaceship Earth (QuantumDub), Richie Olivera (Instrumental Music with Andean Flutes), Groova Scape (Funky Blues/Reggae/Rock), AllTheBestKids (Alternative Hip Hop ), Ignes Proles (Fire Dance), Star Baby & The Rolling Oms (Folk/Hip-Hop), LucasTheFlow (Electronic), J.Q. Yay (Contemplative World Roots Mystic Folk), Mr. Daywalker (Glitter Soul) and Spunday Morning (Indie Rock).

Attendees will also have the chance to participate in music-making during facilitated workshops in West African drumming, Mid-Eastern Doumbek and Mouth Council, a space for free vocal expression as well as drum circles in early evening and at midnight. Late night jams by the fire pit are a popular feature, and guests will encounter opportunities to connect with the performers and workshop providers in a laid back atmosphere throughout the site. A popular Culturefest tradition is the community art boards, which will be available throughout the weekend stocked with paint and brushes, and anyone is welcome to leave their mark. These spontaneous, collaborative works of art are a vibrant centerpiece of the festivities. A variety of delicious food and drink will be available for purchase including but not limited to homestyle Mexican, sandwiches, vegetarian options, specialty teas, coffee and ice cream.

Tickets are available online at culturefestwv.com and at the gate; advance tickets are recommended. A full weekend pass costs $50 online and includes all four days’ activities plus camping. Day passes do not include camping. They are $15 on Thursday, $20 on Friday, $25 on Saturday and $15 on Sunday. Children’s tickets are sharply discounted; see the website for those prices. Kids 5 & under are free.

The event is presented by LLyniuM entertainment and The RiffRaff Arts Collective in cooperation with the Appalachian South Folklife Center with assistance from these sponsors: Princeton Health Care Center, Princeton Community Hospital, Seaver Funeral Home, Star-95, Kiss-FM, WVVA, Ramey Princeton, Princeton Rescue Squad, Adventure Radio, Little Buddy Radio, Princeton Health & Fitness Center, and a host of advertisers. The program is presented with financial assistance from the West Virginia Division of Culture & History, and the National Endowment for the Arts, with approval from the West Virginia Commission on the Arts.

Additional information can be found online at culturefestwv.com and by calling 304-320-8833.