Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, March 27, 1990 TAG: 9003272230
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV4 EDITION: NEW RIVER
SOURCE: ELAINE VIEL SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES & WORLD-NEWS
DATELINE: DUBLI LENGTH: Long
And those of us who were reared in the Appalachians sometimes have bought into Hollywood's depiction of our mountain life.
Hollywood's Appalachia is filled with folks who can barely talk, certainly don't read and have hookworms and bad teeth.
Those of us who live here know that isn't true and for 14 years the Appalachian Awareness Committee of New River Community College and Pulaski County High's Appalkids have put together a celebration of everything that is Appalachian.
Appalachian Awareness Week this year will go a long way, organizers hope, toward dispelling the myth of illiterate, unshod hillbillies.
This year's theme is "Weaving the Tapestry." The tapestry analogy was used because, according to committee chairwoman Debbie Lineweaver, "Despite the diversity of these cultures, I think you'll find a fine thread that weaves them all together, creating a common connection."
While the dominant culture is Scotch-Irish, Lineweaver said other groups who made the Appalachians their home added their own cultural aspects. Other European groups, as well as Blacks and Indians, have left their marks.
Lineweaver and her committee have scheduled programs Saturday through April 7 that will present the various cultures of Appalachia.
Appalachian Awareness Week opens with a concert by the Dillards. Appearing with the Dillards will be the Smith Sisters, who three years ago performed with Doc Watson during the awareness week.
The concert will begin at 8 p.m. Saturday at Pulaski County High. Admission is $10. It's the only event for which there is a charge.
"Loyal Jones is a biggie in the Appalachian field. . . . [and] he will be our scholar in residence throughout the week," Lineweaver said.
Jones will visit classrooms and will conduct to public classes. His field is "the linguistic legacy" of the Appalachians, Lineweaver said.
Sparky Rucker is another scheduled expert. A "flamboyant performer," according to Lineweaver, Rucker's field is black musical history. Also appearing will be the Blue Earth Singers and Dancers, who are North Carolina Cherokees.
Following is the week's schedule. Unless noted, events take place at New River Community College.\ Saturday
\ 8 p.m. The Dillards and the Smith Sisters in concert, 8 p.m., Pulaski County High School. Admission, $10.\ Monday
\ 10 a.m. Andy Kegley of Wythe County will speak about life then and now on the family farm.
\ 11 a.m. Concert with Wayne Seymour and Fred Reynolds.
\ 1 p.m. Crandall Shifflett will speak on life in mining towns.
\ 7 p.m. Idlewilde will perform folk music.
\ 8 p.m. Jean Speer of Virginia Tech will speak on the European cultural mix in Appalachia.\ April 3
\ 9:30 a.m. Sharon Wood of Floyd will speak on the Dunkards of the New River Valley.
\ 5:30 p.m. Art and writing award winners will be announced.
\ 7 p.m. Blue Earth Singers and Dancers will perform.
\ 8 p.m. University of Tennessee professor John Finger will speak on Indians in Appalachia.\ April 4
\ 9 a.m. Rich Kirby will give a musical history of Appalachia.
\ 10 a.m. and\ 11 a.m. The Appalkids will perform for area students at Pulaski County High School and former Radford Mayor Margaret Duncan and New River Community College assistant professor Lewis Martin will talk about their memories of life in a company town.
\ 2 p.m. Garry Borrow, folklife coordinator of the Virginia Foundation for the Humanities and Public Policy, will speak about the Scotch-Irish of Appalachia.
\ 7 p.m. The Appalkids will perform "Celebrating Appalachia," a drama written by the troupe.\ April 5
\ 9:30 a.m. Betty Waldron will perform on the autoharp.
\ 1:30 p.m. Denise Giardina, author of "Storming Heaven," will speak about mining life and its future.
\ 4-6 p.m. Loyal Jones will conduct a class on community ballads.
\ 7 p.m. Appalachian Film Festival.\ April 6
\ 9 a.m. Loyal Jones will speak on "Language and Laughter in Appalachia."
\ Noon Sparky Rucker will speak on black musical history.
\ 4-6 p.m. Loyal Jones will again conduct a class on community ballads.
\ 7 p.m. William Turner, co-author of "Blacks in Appalachia," will speak.
\ 8 p.m. Sparky Rucker will again speak on black musical history.\ April 7
\ 10 a.m. The Highlanders with Ray Chatfield and Greg Hooven will perform.
\ 11 a.m. Performance by the Appalkids.
\ Noon Galax Fiddlers Convention winners' jam session, Featured will be Betty Waldron, Evelyn Farmer, Jessee Lovell and Rhoda Kemp.
\ 1 p.m. Anndrena Belcher storytelling session.
\ 2 p.m. Black Student Union Gospel Ensemble performance.
\ 3 p.m. Closing concert by the Highlanders.
Throughout the week, crafts will be exhibited and demonstrated at the college campus.
On Saturday at Pulaski County High School, the Appalkids will sell funnel cakes and coffee at 10 a.m. and beginning at 11 a.m. Randolph Avenue United Methodist Church will be selling ham and sausage biscuits, barbecue, chicken, beans and desserts.
by CNB