Southern Storytellers Series at Folkmoot, starts Sept. 6

Press release from Folkmoot:

Folkmoot, Blue Ridge Books and the Haywood County Public Library have joined together to create The Southern Storytellers Supper Series, bringing southern culture and our region’s authors and musicians together for a unique night of food, fun and discussion. Three special evenings have been planned for fall 2018, all held at the Folkmoot Friendship Center. Blue Ridge Books will be on hand to offer books for purchase.

There is no better way to kick off our Southern Storyteller’s Series than spending an evening with two of Haywood County’s favorite sons and brightest lights in the world of music and storytelling, Buddy Melton and Milan Miller. Recently named IMBA male vocalist of the year, Buddy sings and plays fiddle in Balsam Range, one of the most acclaimed bluegrass bands in the world. Milan Miller is not only an accomplished multi-instrumentalist and recording artist, but an incredible songwriter whose list of achievements includes thirteen number one songs on the bluegrass charts, including songs he wrote for Balsam Range. Buddy and Milan will be at Folkmoot on Thursday, September 6, 2018 at 6:00pm, tickets are $25.

Our second event, Thursday, October 4th at 6pm, features Ashley English. Homesteader, author, and blogger Ashley English has crafted a “homespun” life with her husband and two sons in a small Western North Carolina mountain community. She is the author of the Homemade Living book series which showcase a variety of topics related to small- scale homesteading. This most recent book shows how to build a from-scratch Southern pantry with 50 essential recipes. Ashley understands how food tells the story of culture and is a charming and engaging storyteller. Dinner will feature recipes from Southern from Scratch so come hungry! Tickets for this event are $15.

Southern Suppers continue on Saturday, November 3, 2018 at 6:00pm with Affrilachian author and artist, Ann Miller Woodford who will share her research, photographs and writings that lead to the book, When All God’s Children Get Together: A Celebration of the Lives and Music of African American People in Far Western North Carolina. The author’s intent is to tear down walls that divide people in our region and build up relationships between the racial groups, religions and youth with our regional elders. Woodford adds, “There are so many people who have played a role in developing our region, including many people who are not represented well in our history. This work is intended to make the invisible, visible.” Tickets are $15, available at folkmoot.org.

The Affrilachian Southern Supper is co-sponsored by WCU’s Mountain Heritage Center, whose exhibit will be on display at the Folkmoot Friendship Center Friday, October 5 – Friday November 16, 2018, weekdays, from 10am until 5pm. The exhibit focuses on the history and musical traditions of African-American communities in far western North Carolina as manifested in their churches, schools, and workplaces.

Tickets for all Friendship Center events can be purchased in advance at Folkmoot.org or by calling (828) 452-2997. Limited seating is available. Parking is encouraged in the back of the Folkmoot building for year-round events. Ticket sales and contributions support Folkmoot programs that sustain cultural arts for youth & families in western North Carolina.

Folkmoot’s year-round programming initiatives have been made possible by the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina and the Cherokee Preservation Foundation.

Folkmoot is a nonprofit organization dedicated to celebrating many cultures in one community.  The Folkmoot Friendship Center is located in the Historic Hazelwood School at 112 Virginia Avenue in Waynesville. Staff can be reached by phone at (828) 452-2997 or by email at info@folkmoot.org.