The 16th annual Sounds of the Mountains Festival will be April 28-29, 2017 featuring:
Donald Davis * Dolores Hydock * Ed Stivender * Kim Weitkamp * After Jack
Donald Davis * Dolores Hydock * Ed Stivender * Kim Weitkamp * After Jack
Donald Davis
Donald Davis grew up in a Southern Appalachian mountain world rich in fairy tales, Jack tales, mountain lore, ancient Welsh and Scottish folktales. Davis is a graduate of Davidson College and Duke Divinity School, a former chairperson of the National Storytelling Association, a featured teller at the Smithsonian Institution, and the World’s Fair. He is a prolific author and producer of books and CDs, a teacher of workshops and storytelling courses, a guest host for the National Public Radio program Good Evening, and a father of four sons. For Donald storytelling “is not what I do for a living… it is how I do all that I do while I am living.”
Dolores Hydock
Dolores Hydock’s vivacious style fills the stage with what one reviewer called “a swirl of characters and a cascade of lovely language.” Her funny, affectionate stories about family fireworks, food fads, true love, turnip greens, and other peculiarities of everyday life are full of wit and energy, and her award-winning adaptations of oral histories, medieval adventures, and traditional tales make the magic of other lives and other times come alive. She has served as Teller-in-Residence at the International Storytelling Center, and has won Resource Awards from Storytelling World Magazine for her nine CDs of original stories.
Ed Stivender
Ed Stivender has appeared in schools, churches, and theaters, as well as at major storytelling festivals in Ireland and Austria (and Fincastle, VA!). Combining skills as a banjo player, juggler, Shakespearean actor, mummer and raconteur, Ed has entertained audiences around the world. The Miami Herald called him "the Robin Williams of storytelling." The National Storytelling Association inducted Ed into its Circle of Excellence in 1996, and WE inducted Ed into our Hexagon of Hilarity as he kept us laughing all weekend.
Kim Weitkamp
As the redheaded child of exhausted parents, Kim Weitkamp grew up enjoying the role of the middle child. Her imagination was ripened by a life lived outdoors. She wrote and performed plays and pageants for her family, did impersonations and comedy bits for visiting guests, and frazzled her teachers with grandiose stories of her daily adventures. Kim survived numerous attempts by adults to cut and curb her rambunctious behavior and prolific imagination. Lucky us, because now we get to enjoy the wildflower heart and wonder of that little girl projected through a mature and seasoned artist. In her work as a humorist, storyteller, singer and songwriter, she has taken home an armload of awards. She has several audio collections, and she travels the continent full time performing in theaters and at festivals.
After Jack
After Jack is a musical celebration of togetherness. Named 2014 Americana Vocal Group of the Year by the Appalachian Cultural Music Association, the trio couples a modern sensibility with distinctly old-time energy to blend bluegrass, gospel and folk elements. Combine your most beloved musical memories with a foot-stomping string band and top it off with soulful mountain harmonies, and you’ve got After Jack. After Jack’s first full-length album (Travianna Records) was produced by Aaron Ramsey of Mountain Heart, and received international airplay. The album’s title, “Echo,” is a notion that describes the band’s songwriting – a collection of stories to be shared and experiences that can only be lived. It’s also an invitation, to all who encounter it, to share those moments.
Our festival is held at Camp Bethel (in Fincastle) located in Virginia's Blue Ridge. The Jefferson National Forest adjoins our 470 acres of forests, streams, open meadows, and hiking trails. Conveniently located 5 miles off I-81 at exit 156, 10 miles north of Roanoke, we offer a beautiful spring setting for a storytelling festival. Driving directions here.
FOOD: Snacks and drinks (sodas/water) available all weekend. Friday night hot soups and fresh salads available. Saturday’s fare includes homemade soups, chili, with vegetarian options and gluten-free snacks too! Food trucks and other food vendors for Saturday lunch and dinner.
Our festival is a fundraiser for the outdoor ministries of Camp Bethel, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Sponsorships are tax-deductible.
Save the Dates:
April 27-28, 2018; April 12-13, 2019.
FOOD: Snacks and drinks (sodas/water) available all weekend. Friday night hot soups and fresh salads available. Saturday’s fare includes homemade soups, chili, with vegetarian options and gluten-free snacks too! Food trucks and other food vendors for Saturday lunch and dinner.
Our festival is a fundraiser for the outdoor ministries of Camp Bethel, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Sponsorships are tax-deductible.
Save the Dates:
April 27-28, 2018; April 12-13, 2019.
