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26th Annual Appalachian Heritage Festival to feature series of events, Writer-in-Residence Barbara Kingsolver

By Tabitha Johnston - Chronicle Staff | Sep 16, 2022

From left, Center for Appalachian Studies and Communities Director Sylvia Bailey Shurbutt, Shepherd University President Mary J.C. Hendrix and Shepherd University Foundation Executive Vice President Monica Lingenfelter hold the Anthology of Appalachian Writers, Volume XIV: Marie Manilla. Courtesy photo

SHEPHERDSTOWN — The 26th Annual Appalachian Heritage Festival is nearly ready to commence, with its busy schedule beginning next Friday and ending on Sept. 30.

Many aspects of the event series will revolve around the completed work started with last year’s festival, the Anthology of Appalachian Writers, Volume XIV: Marie Manilla. The volume centers around the work of Marie Manilla, the 2021 Appalachian Heritage Writer-in-Residence and One Book One West Virginia author, and includes a variety of submissions handpicked by Manilla to accompany her own writing.

“This 2022 volume has some of the finest poets, fiction and nonfiction writers and photographic artists in the country, including poet laureates and award-winning fiction writers,” said Center for Appalachian Studies and Communities Director Sylvia Bailey Shurbutt. “The book’s 257 pages have stories and poetry that touch the heartstrings, will make you laugh and provide you with moments to ponder literature that centers around the themes and ideas in Marie Manilla’s work — that is, themes of social justice, prejudice, self-revelation and awakening and most importantly, the complexity and challenges of being human.”

Two specific events will focus directly on the volume: a 5 p.m. special reading from the volume at Four Seasons Books on Sept. 24 and a 7 p.m. official unveiling on Sept. 27, as part of “A Celebration of Appalachian Storytellers, Anthology of Appalachian Writers, Volume XIV” in the Robert C. Byrd Center for Congressional History and Education auditorium.

As the completion of this volume is being celebrated at this year’s festival, another will be beginning, with the arrival of 2022 Appalachian Heritage Writer-in-Residence and One Book One West Virginia author Barbara Kingsolver. Having Kingsolver as the writer-in-residence has been a long-held dream of Shurbutt’s, which hadn’t been possible until this year, due to the internationally acclaimed writer’s busy schedule.

Kingsolver

“We are delighted to finally have Barbara Kingsolver as the Appalachian Heritage Writer-in-Residence!” Shurbutt said.

All of the Appalachian Heritage Festival’s events are free and open to the public, though donations will be accepted at them. The anthology’s annual photographic art exhibit in the Scarborough Library Reading Room is open throughout this month, during regular library hours, while all the rest of the events are more strict on time.

Sept. 23:

7 p.m. “Dark Waters” screening and discussion, Shepherd University Robert C. Byrd Center for Congressional History and Education auditorium. The Shepherdstown Film Society will screen the award-winning film “Dark Waters,” based on a true story about a West Virginia farmer and his lawyer, who fight and win a legal battle with the DuPont Corporation. A discussion led by Peter Vila, associate professor of environmental and physical sciences, will follow.

Sept. 24:

Manilla

1 a.m. “Community Sing,” Reynolds Hall, 109 N. King Street, Shepherdstown. Shared singing is an important part of Appalachian traditional culture. Join us for songs and learn a little about the stories they tell.

12:30 p.m. “Contemporary Appalachian Songwriting: A Conversation with Olivia Ellen Lloyd,” Reynolds Hall. Lloyd’s first album has garnered critical acclaim and earned her recognition as one of the most significant emerging voices in Americana music. Get a sneak peek into the process and mind of a songwriter, as well as hear some of the songs that inspire her.

2 p.m. Film Screening of “Those That Came Before,” followed by a discussion with filmmaker Lady D, Reynolds Hall. “Those That Came Before” is a 45-minute documentary-style look into the musical history and heritage of Black West Virginians, featuring interviews with artists, such as jazz musician Bob Thompson and poet Crystal Good.

3:30 p.m. “Fiddle and Banjo Music in West Virginia,” Reynolds Hall. Clifftop, Vandalia and Galax champion musicians Tessa Dillon, Cody Jordan and Jesse Pearson will share an overview of the unique fiddle and banjo traditions of West Virginia.

7 p.m. “Showcase Concert: Women’s Voices in Appalachia,” Butcher Center Plaza. Bring your favorite lawn chair or blanket and enjoy an outdoor concert, featuring The State Birds, Lady D, and Olivia Ellen Lloyd. In case of inclement weather, the concert will move into the Frank Arts Center Theater.

Sept. 26:

7 p.m. “Connected: Reflections on Ecology, Technology and the Human Condition with Dr. Jeff Groff,” Shepherd University Robert C. Byrd Center for Congressional History and Education auditorium. Groff is the 2019 West Virginia Professor of the Year and the chair of the Shepherd University Department of Environmental and Physical Sciences.

Sept. 27:

7 p.m. “A Celebration of Appalachian Storytellers, Anthology of Appalachian Writers, Volume XIV,” Shepherd University Robert C. Byrd Center for Congressional History and Education auditorium.

Sept. 28:

7 p.m. “The Writing Life” with Barbara Kingsolver, Shepherd University Robert C. Byrd Center for Congressional History and Education auditorium. Kingsolver will discuss her work, the writing process and her journey as an author and an Appalachian.

Sept. 29:

2 p.m. Writers’ master class with Barbara Kingsolver, Robert C. Byrd Center for Congressional History and Education auditorium.

7 p.m. “Challenges to the Global Village: Appalachia and the Ties that Bind” Scarborough Society lecture and keynote address, Shepherd University Frank Arts Center Theater. Barbara Kingsolver will receive the Appalachian Heritage Writer’s Award, present the West Virginia Fiction Competition awards and give the Scarborough Lecture. The event will be followed by a reception and book signing.

Sept. 30:

7 p.m. “Stories from the Heartland” with storyteller Adam Booth, Shepherd University Robert C. Byrd Center for Congressional History and Education auditorium.

To join virtually, visit https://www.shepherd.edu/ahwirweb/kingsolver/schedule.