
Mandkhai Erdembat and Ella and Emma Chuluunbat
Mongolian contortion has existed since the 12th century as a dance called Uran Nugaralt, which translates to artistic bending. This kind of dance was prominent in the royal palaces of …

Nam Phuong Nguyen and Anh Dien Ky Nguyen
The đàn bầu is a monochord (one-stringed) instrument with a central role in Vietnamese folk music. Popular legend claims the đàn bầu was first played by a blind woman in a …

Jeff Bennett and Jeremy Bennett
Ever since the automobile went into mass production by the assembly lines of Detroit, it has been revised, altered, elaborated, and reconstructed in small garages and car shops throughout America. …

Phyllis Gaskins and Anna Stockdale
The regular mountain dulcimer is a fretted string instrument from the zither family which first appeared in the 19th century among Scots-Irish communities. Phyllis Gaskins, of Elkton, Virginia, plays a variant called the Galax dulcimer. …

Bert Carlson and Danny Knicely
While Virginia is seldom thought of a fertile ground for jazz, the state has produced a disproportionate number of artists who have put their indelible stamp on this uniquely American …

Get Ready: The Blue Ridge Folk Festival at Ferrum College
The Blue Ridge Folk Festival returns to Ferrum College Sat., Oct. 28th, and it’s is as authentic as it gets.

From the Folklife Archives: WTJU presents best of Virginia Folklife Program recordings
On Wednesday, June 7, Virginia State Folklorist Jon Lohman joined Larry Minnick on his show “Left of Cool” to present some of the best recordings from the Virginia Folklife Program’s …

Rahim AlHaj in Harrisonburg
While visiting and performing in Harrisonburg, National Heritage Award-winner Rahim AlHaj was able to share his love of music with school children, musicians and the robust refugee community here.

2017 Apprenticeship Showcase Photo Recap
Photos from the 2017 Virginia Folklife Apprenticeship Showcase.

Apprenticeship Showcase FAQs
Please join us for the 15th Virginia Folklife Apprenticeship Showcase this Sunday, May 7 from 12:00 to 5:00pm at James Monroe’s Highland. Do I need a ticket? How much does …