By JORDAN NELSON
The Register-Herald
BECKLEY, W.Va. — The 14th annual Culturefest World Music and Arts Festival will take over Appalachian South Folklife Center in Pipestem Sept. 7-10 with a weekend-long immersion in the creative arts.
The event will feature three stages of music and dance performances by artists from around the East Coast ranging from Americana and Appalachian folk to soul-rock, funk and world fusion to experimental genres like quantum dub, plus performance art, performance poetry and fire dancing.
In addition to performances, the festival will offer workshops in yoga, drumming, hoop dancing and up-cycled art, plus facilitated discussions called “Conversations at Culturefest” on topics such as Appalachian art, cultural exploration, forrest farming and healing botanicals.
Artisans will be setting up booths to present their handmade items including jewelry, clothing, fine art and more.
“The Children’s Village” at Culturefest will feature special yoga classes, found object art and a kids’ costume parade.
Inflatable furniture lounges will be on hand for relaxation and shelter in case of rain.
Guests of Culturefest are allowed to camp on site for the weekend whether it be for the festival or to enjoy the amenities of nearby Pipestem State Park.
Culturefest coordinators said the goal of the festival is to promote unity and respect for diversity, and bring people together through music and the arts in a beautiful mountain setting.
The music line-up includes music from Africa Unplugged, Fletcher’s Grove, Gypsy-at-Heart, CassiRaye and Option 22.
West Virginia acts include The Change, Spurgie Hankins, The Kind Thieves, The Ball & Chain, Whiskey Victor, The Parachute Brigade, Adam Cox & Friends, The Magnum Opus, Jermaine Jay Lane, Crystal Good & Tuesday Taylor, Kathleen Coffee, The Gin Mills, Liberty High, Tim & Maggie, The One Voice Project, Emmalea Deal and Ashley Adair Surface.
Out-of-state acts include LeAnna Eden & the Garden Of, Soul Prospect, All The Best Kids, Spaceship Earth, Lucas TheFlow and Ignes Proles.
Coordinators said a popular Culturefest tradition is the community art boards, which will be available throughout the weekend stocked with paint and brushes, and all are welcome to leave their mark.
A variety of refreshments will be available for purchase including but not limited to barbecue, homestyle Mexican, sandwiches, vegetarian options, coffee and ice cream.
Tickets are available online at culturefestwv.com and at the gate. Coordinators said 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, and attendees can see the website for those prices. Kids ages 5 and under are free.
Additional information can be found online at culturefestwv.com and by calling 304-320-8833.
Email: jnelson@register-herald.com; follow on Twitter @jnelsonRH
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