CALENDAR


 

March 24 – June 30 Vanishing Appalachia: Photographs by Don Dudenbostel, Field Recordings by Tom Jester”

A traveling exhibition of more than 90 photographs captured by famed Knoxville photographer, Don Dudenbostel, and field recordings by media producer, Tom Jester, documents aspects of Appalachian culture that are fading from existence. These include roadside culture, moonshine, cockfighting, and snake handling. The black and white photographs will be augmented by items from the Museum’s collection and some borrowed from the community. The exhibit is an award-winning project of the Museum of East Tennessee History in Knoxville and is made possible through a grant from the Gene and Florence Monday Foundation. The exhibition is sponsored locally by Cooke’s Food Store.
March 24 Stories of Vanishing Appalachia-1:00 p.m.

Join nationally-known photographer Don Dudenbostel and field recorder Tom Jester for this fun and informative walk-through of the exhibit, Vanishing Appalachia. Hear their stories about traveling through the back woods of Appalachia to explore mountain culture from moonshining, to cock fighting, to snake handing. They have some great stores to tell and you won’t want to miss this chance to hear them! Free to museum members, $5 for non-museum members. No reservations are required for this program.

Saturday, March 31  Appalachian Face Mug Party Day! Morning Workshop 10:00 – Noon, Afternoon Workshop 1:00 – 2:00

 Face muggery is loads of fun! Join potter Rob Withrow for this awesome workshop for all ages. Rob, a potter at the John C. Campbell Folk School in Murphy, NC  will throw  stoneware mugs on his potters wheel and show attendees how to create their own face on a mug. One week later he returns with your glazed mug that is microwave and dishwasher safe that you’ve created yourself! These workshops are open to all ages, though children under 7 must be accompanied by an adult. $23 for adult members, $25 for adult non-members, $13 for member’s children, $15 for non-member’s children. Reservations and pre-payment required by Wednesday, March 28.  

Saturday, April 28 9:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Polk County Ramp Tramp Van Tour

Join Tracy and Lisa on this fun excursion into the hills of Polk County to explore a piece of our own Appalachian folk culture – the Polk County Ramp Tramp! Attendees will get to sample excellent home cooked food made with just picked mountain ramps, listen to some great country music, watch buck dancing, and view mountain crafts. This should be a fun day! Members $15, Non-Members $18 with lunch on your own. Reservations and pre-payment are required by Wednesday, April 25 by calling Tracy at 339-5745.

Saturday, June 9 – 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Appalachian Wildwoods Ramble in Fletcher Park

Doug Elliott, an Appalachian treasure from the mountains of North Carolina will lead participants on an exploration of Fletcher Park. Elliott is an expert on the uses of native plants which he learned from old-timers and elders. On this lively and informative walk you will learn how Appalachian plants were used for healing, food and other practical uses. We will meet at Fletcher Park for this event. Members $5, Non-Members $8. Reservations and pre-payment are required by Wednesday June 6by calling Tracy at 339-5745.

Saturday, June 9 – 7:00 p.m. An Evening of Appalachian Humor, Stories, and Lore with Doug Elliot

Doug Elliott, an Appalachian treasure from the mountains of North Carolina who is known nation-wide for his storytelling, comes to Cleveland to amaze us with his evening of Appalachian heritage through humor, stories, and legends. Please note that this event will be held in the Community Room of the Cleveland Public Library. The event is co-sponsored with the Cleveland Public Library and the Cleveland Storytelling Guild. Thanks to a donation from Jordan Fabricating, Inc., this event is free of charge.

Thursday, June 14 and Friday, June 15 Five Points Writers Festival

This two-day festival will begin Thursday night with an authors’ reception and book signing. Friday will include writing workshops and readings by authors including poet Lora Creasman, The Mystic Order of East Alabama Fiction Writers authors of the recently published book Be the Flame, and Donny Seagraves author of Gone from These Woods published by Random House. Cost to attend this event and further details will be announced closer to the date.