Pipestem, WV - The eighth annual Culturefest World Music & Arts Festival will take place September 8-11 at The Appalachian South Folklife Center in Pipestem, WV, just an hour west of Blacksburg. The event features two stages full of music and dance performances, workshops, a children's village, healing arts, artisan vendors, drum circles, a parade, an after hours cabaret, 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 event has become an annual convergence of creative minds from Southern WV and has been referred to as "a creative oasis."
-- Richmond, VA's Ethio Jazz and World Groove powerhouse Rattlemouth blazes through spirited instrumental updates of classic tunes from around the world (Mali, Ethiopia, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Cuba, Jamaica, Lebanon, etc.), plus similarly flavored originals. They have been together for 22 years.
-- Dark Water Rising, Natives of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina, deliver their powerful, genre-bending music with soul, truth, and harmony. Front woman Charly Lowry was a Semi-Finalist in American Idol Season 3.
-- World/Reggae/Folk ensemble Appalatin has a mission is to share original, folkloric and popular songs from Appalachia and Latin America and bring a message of a fair and just world, one of hope, joy and love. They are based in Lousville, KY.
-- Pittsburgh-based Dream Job are conservatory trained musicians who create original Alternative / Indie / Soul / Pop / Rock compositions featuring cello, squeeze-box and an urban spin.
--The fresh Americana sound of The Lizzy Ross Band garnered Lizzy the title of "2011 Best Female Rock artist" by the NC Music awards.
-- WV Music Hall of Fame inductee, Nat Reese, is a blues legend who has toured the world with great musicians like B.B. King. Having grown up in the coal camps of McDowell County, Nat is a local treasure.
-- The revolutionary sound of Princeton, WV's eclectic World Beat ensemble Option 22 captures the spirit of the Culturefest with their message of unity and love.
Several popular West Virginia acts are featured in the line- up as well: Option 22 (world folk), The Carpenter Ants (Gospel Soul / Americana), 600LBS of Sin! (Rock, Jam-band), Kathleen Coffee (folk/singer-songwriter), Melissa McKinney & Soul Mountain (blues/rock), The Captain Lazerblast Band (techno-folk), Jimmy & The Beast (-w- members of the former Big Phat Delicious- jazz/rock/funk), Albert Perrone (healing folk), Chally Erb (movement theatre/comedy), Miss Behavin' (rock), The Ions (theatrical/art-folk-rock), Soul Shuttle (jam/funk/rock), Liberty High School World Percussion Ensemble, Briddy Morris (alternative/lyrical), and Samadhi Tribal Fusion Belly Dance.
Other out -of- state acts include Blacksburg's Groova Scape (funk/jam), OH's Shakira Al Fanninah and Firelight (folk dance), VA's Wild Earth Hoops (hoop dance) and SC's Four 14 (jam). There will also be an After Hours Cabaret each night featuring a variety of artists and an Open Mic on Thursday (those wishing to participate should call ahead to reserve a time slot).
Workshops include instruction in hoop dancing, world percussion, belly dance, art, yoga, meditation, and Zumba. The children's area will include arts & craft activities, open mic, song and dance and more.
The full schedule, program and additional information can be found online at culturefestwv.com or by calling 304-425-6425.
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. Children's tickets are discounted; see the website for those prices. Kids 5 & under are free.
The event is presented by LLyniuM entertainment and The RiffRaff Arts Collective with assistance from these sponsors: East River Arts, WVVA, Princeton Health & Fitness Center, Coal River Mountain Watch, Ramey Row, Cole Kia, Star 95, Adventure Radio, Little Buddy Radio, Radio am Radio 1380, and a host of advertisers.
WHAT: Culturefest World Music & Arts Festival
WHEN: September 8-11
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. / Discount rates for kids- check website for pricing. Kids 5& under are free.
Purchase online at culturefestwv.com or at the gate.
INFO: www.culturefestwv.com / 304-425-6425
