2019 MAIN STAGE PERFORMING ARTISTS
Kanawha Traditions with Bobby Taylor
Friday, June 21th, 6:30 - 8:00 pm
WV VANDALIA AWARD WINNING OLD-TIME FIDDLER
Old-time music Kanawha Valley style!
Bobby Taylor and Kanawha Tradition present lively fiddle tunes with guitar and banjo accompaniment. Led by Bobby Taylor of St. Albans – a fourth-generation West Virginia fiddle player – Bobby Taylor and Kanawha Tradition thrill audiences with virtuoso musicianship and educate them with brief background comments about the tunes and the traditions behind them. They continue to explore new and exciting ways to play the great old tunes.
Big Possum Stringband
Friday, June 21st, 8:30 - 10:00 pm
What began as friends playing music together in the mountains of West Virginia has quickly developed into one of Appalachia’s hottest Old-Time Stringbands. Officially forming in the Winter of 2017, Big Possum Stringband was first comprised of Tessa Dillon, Henry Barnes and Evan Collins, with the addition of Seth Swingle in early Summer 2018. With all members being well-known award-winning individual musicians, the music that Big Possum makes as a group has everyone listening. While firmly rooted in old-time music, The Possum’s repertoire ranges from both driving, traditional fiddle tunes, to early bluegrass and country numbers that’ll have you up and dancing.
High schools that rock
Saturday, June 22nd, 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
High Schools That Rock is led by Mark Doebrich. HSTR is a free musical program offered for students in grades 1-12 in Washington and Wood Counties.
el Corazon de Mexico
Saturday, June 22nd 12:00 - 1:00 pm
In 1996 “El Corazon de Mexico”, which translates as “The Heart of Mexico”, was founded by director Elaina Hernandez. Elaina is a 31-year veteran of Mexican Folkloric Dance. She has been directing and choreographing for over 20 years. She is a certified Ballroom and Latin instructor and certified ZIN Zumba and Zumba Kids Instructor. In 2010, Elaina received the Diamente Award for Latino Adult Leadership. In 2017, Elaina received the Ohio Heritage Fellowship from the Ohio Arts Council.
GOREE Drum and Dance
Saturday, June 22nd, 1:00 - 2:00 pm
While focusing primarily on West African dance styles, this dynamic group weaves together the rich diversity of directors Balla & Ndeyekhady’s far-ranging experiences. G.O.R.E.E. Drum and Dance is committed to honoring the traditions of their teachers, culture and history of traditional West African Dance while bringing their own personal flairs that are truly invigorating and unique!
Samadhi Tribal Belly Dance Troupe
Saturday, June 22nd, 2:00 - 3:00 pm
Grab your coin skirts and get ready to have some fun dancing with Samadhi Tribal Fusion Belly Dance Troupe!
Samadhi is a performance dance troupe in the Charleston -
Huntington area of West Virginia. Their main performance art is tribal fusion belly dance but they also have fire performers, knife twirlers, hula hoopers and Hawaiian hula dancers! While performing belly dance, the dancers are entertaining themselves as much as they are entertaining the audience. They do a mix of choreographed and improvisational pieces. You'll hear them making “yip” sounds to signal changes. They will also zaghareet to one another to express their enthusiasm and excitement. They'll even laugh and smile if one of the dancers misses a cue - which is always a possibility with improv!
Since these dancers are all about the having fun themselves and making sure the audience is having fun, too, they'll frequently invite the audience to dance with them.
Sayaw FilipinOH
Saturday, June 22nd, 3:00 - 4:00 pm
Philippine cultural dancers dedicated to showcasing a repertoire consisting of Igorot, Muslim, Hispanic, Fiesta suites... and Hip Hop!
"We exist not to bring recognition unto ourselves but rather to glorify God through our sharing of our love for danc
el Corazon de Mexico
Saturday, June 22nd, 4:15 - 5:00 pm
In 1996 “El Corazon de Mexico”, which translates as “The Heart of Mexico”, was founded by director Elaina Hernandez. Elaina is a 31-year veteran of Mexican Folkloric Dance. She has been directing and choreographing for over 20 years. She is a certified Ballroom and Latin instructor and certified ZIN Zumba and Zumba Kids Instructor. In 2010, Elaina received the Diamente Award for Latino Adult Leadership. In 2017, Elaina received the Ohio Heritage Fellowship from the Ohio Arts Council.
The Prodigals
Saturday, June 22nd, 5:15 - 6:45 pm
The Prodigals are one of the most successful bands to emerge from the East Coast Irish scene. The band combines original lyrics and melody with a genuine passion for the traditional music of Ireland and a funky energy that is pure New York. The roots of the music are unmistakably traditional Irish; the branches that shoot off delve into rock, worldbeat, jazz and punk. "The best Irish trad-rock band...NYC's jig-punk answer to the Pogues." (Village Voice)
Kevin Howard
Saturday, June 22nd, 7:00 - 8:15 pm
Kevin Howard is a world class keyboardist, writer, composer, producer and businessman. Born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Kevin is President and CEO of Key Chapter Entertainment, a company which includes full service recording and production.
Howardʼs smooth dynamic sound, warm personality and infectious smile will have you yearning for more. Together with his band of world class musicians, the sounds you experience are tantalizing, smooth, dynamic , and mesmerizing. They project energy, passion and charisma in concert that is the essence of the Kevin Howard Experience. Kevin is a true entertainer.
Inner City Blues Band
Saturday, June 22nd, 8:30 - 10:00 pm
Hard hitting, star making, independent label, San-Ton Entertainment presents a band that has few equals, “Inner City Blues Band”. This group of talented professional has an extensive resume as individuals, and collectively, a high energy blues, R&B group who has open for such Legends as “Bobby Blue Bland”, the late great “Johnny Taylor” Comedian John Hinton of “ Living Color” fame. Little Milton, the late great “Bobby Womack. & “ Grammy Award Winner” The Legendary “Buckwheat Zydeco” expect to make a positive impression across the nation and around the world. “The Inner City Blues Band” is a tight unit who treats R&B as tenderly as a newborn baby and pond out hard blues with clarity and jackhammer strength.
Pipes & Drums of St Andrew
Sunday, June 23rd, 12:30 - 1:30 pm
The Pipes & Drums of St. Andrew, is a civilian pipe band based in Parkersburg, WV. The band is currently under the direction of Drum Major Curt Mitchell and Pipe Major Carl Henson. The band members come from Eastern and North Central WV and Southeast Ohio, and range in age from teens to over 70. The members have many diverse backgrounds but are brought together by their love of Scottish culture and music. The band formed in 1997 by Pipe Major "Seamus" McFadden, and was under the long time direction of Pipe Major Joe Quick. In honor of Pipe Major Quick, the band wears the Ferguson clan tartan.
Athens Irish Dancers
Sunday, June 23rd, 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm
Athens Irish Dancers was founded in 1997. The Ohio Valley School of Celtic Dance and Culture provides the local community with Irish cultural events and Irish dance lessons for ages 3 through Adult. The intricate steps that make up Irish Dance offer an excellent form of exercise, help to build self-esteem, and are fun! They enjoy the opportunity to exhibit this ancient art in the area and surrounding communities.
GOREE DRUM AND DANCE
Sunday, June 23rd, 2:30 - 3:30 pm
While focusing primarily on West African dance styles, this dynamic group weaves together the rich diversity of directors Balla & Ndeyekhady’s far-ranging experiences. G.O.R.E.E. Drum and Dance is committed to honoring the traditions of their teachers, culture and history of traditional West African Dance while bringing their own personal flairs that are truly invigorating and unique!
Steve Free
Sunday, June 23rd, 3:30 - 4:30 pm
Steve Free is an Internationally Acclaimed Award Winning singer/songwriter whose music is drawn from his Native American (Shawnee/Cherokee ) and Appalachian roots. He has won numerous Music Industry Awards including 9 ASCAP Awards, a Platinum Record, a 2016 Grammy nomination, and 3 Americana Music Award nominations. He has charted over 50 songs on The National and International Charts including 21 # 1 songs and is one of the most popular Folk/Americana Artist on European and International radio.
Stallion
Sunday, June 23rd, 5:00 - 6:00 pm
Stallion was originally formed in 1981 and performs an upbeat mix of Classic Rock and Radio hits from the 70s, 80s, and 90s- including popular works from such artists as The Eagles, ZZ Top, Doobie Brothers, Tom Petty, Styx, and Restless Heart that are sure to please. Stallion is comprised of local veteran musicians, each with over 40 years experience.
