Appalachian Heritage Week
The John C. Campbell Folk School will conclude its centennial celebration with Appalachian Heritage Week, Aug. 23-29, inviting the community to experience a week of music, dancing, history, craft, and storytelling. Throughout the week, visitors are welcome to enjoy concerts, presentations, community dances, and social gatherings held across campus, including special programs in the Keith House Community Room.
The celebration begins Monday, Aug. 23, with Morningsong, a Danish tradition of sharing music and song. From 7:45 to 8:15 a.m., Kanute Rarey will lead the gathering while offering a musical look into the Folk School’s history.
On Monday evening at 7 p.m., acclaimed musician Riley Baugus will perform in the Keith House Community Room. A native of the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, Baugus is known for preserving Appalachian musical traditions through banjo, ballads, storytelling, and song.
Tuesday, Aug. 25 at 4:45 pm, artist and author Anna Fariello will present and sign copies of “Craft & Community.” Originally published in 2018, the book’s newly revised second edition commemorates the Folk School’s 100th anniversary and explores the ideas that inspired the school’s founding and early history.
Tuesday evening concludes with a Community Dance featuring Riley Baugus in the House Band and School’s House Caller. Open to dancers of all experience levels, the event features live traditional music and instruction in century-old community dances.
Wednesday, Aug. 26 kicks off with Morningsong with Karen “Sugar” Barnes. At 4:45 p.m., Fariello will give an engaging presentation on curators Allen Eaton & Olive Campbell, examining their influence on Western North Carolina and the broader Appalachian region.
Thursday, Aug. 27, from 4:45 – 5:45 p.m., Fariello will present “Why Craft? Why WNC?” She will explore the guilds, exhibitions and makers whose work helped shape the region’s enduring appreciation for handmade craft. That evening, guests are invited to The Crown restaurant for an old-time Community Jam, where musicians gather around the fire to play traditional acoustic music while enjoying views of Brasstown. The Crown is located at 135 Emily Lane, just a short walk from the Folk School.
Friday, Aug. 28, begins with Morningsong led by Captain Gene & Ken Conner. The performance will also be livestreamed on the Folk School’s Facebook page for remote viewing. From 7 to 8 p.m., the community is invited to attend the weekly Craft Social. Participants may bring a craft project to work on, an instrument for the jam circle, or simply stop by to see instructors’ work, watch demos, and learn about what happened in the studios this week.
The Folk School is honored to commemorate its 100th anniversary with the local community as we celebrate this historic milestone and the traditions that continue to inspire creativity, connection, and lifelong learning.
Visit folkschool.org to learn more.
