Orville Hicks, a traditional storyteller from Watauga County, will entertain on Friday (Sept. 7) from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. in the Pleasants Family Assembly Room in Wilson Library.
Hicks will tell Jack Tales that have been handed down in his community and stories about his experiences growing up in the southern Appalachian mountains. The event is co-sponsored by the curriculums in American Studies and Folklore, and is free and open to the public.
Cultural critic Greil Marcus will speak on the American ballad tradition in the 21st century, accompanied by traditional country band The Handsome Family from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Sept. 14 in the Pleasants Assembly Room in Wilson Library. Marcus is the author of books including “Mystery Train: Images of America in Rock ’n’ Roll” and “Invisible Republic: Bob Dylan’s Basement Tapes.” The Handsome Family is a husband-and-wife duo that blends traditional bluegrass and country murder ballads into modern scenery. A reception will precede the event at 5 p.m. Both the reception and event are free and open to the public.
The Southern Folklife Collection has released a CD called “When I Get My New House Done: Western North Carolina Fiddle Tunes and Songs.” The album includes 26 field recordings of fiddle tunes and songs performed by Marcus Martin, one of Western North Carolina’s finest old-time musicians. The album was jointly produced by the Southern Folklife Collection and the N.C. Folklife Institute and can be purchased through the N.C. Folklife Institute’s online store at www.ncfolk.org/shop/pagemaker.cgi?1185373378
Southern Folklife Collection contact: Steve Weiss, (919) 962-1345