By Mark Mozingo
The “Appalachia in the Bluegrass” concert series kicks off today with Roy Book Binder. This concert is one of several in the series taking place this fall at UK’s John Jacob Niles Center for American Music. Photo courtesy of www.roybookbinder.com.
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Aug. 30, 2024) — The renowned “Appalachia in the Bluegrass” concert series returns this fall, celebrating the rich music and cultural heritage of Appalachia. The series opens at noon today with a performance by Roy Book Binder, followed by a welcome back reception at 6 p.m.
Concerts presented as part of “Appalachia in the Bluegrass” are free and open to the public and begin weekly at noon on Fridays, in the Niles Gallery of the John Jacob Niles Center for American Music, located at the University of Kentucky’s Lucille C. Little Fine Arts Library.
An annual series, “Appalachia in the Bluegrass” celebrates the old-time roots of American folk music, while simultaneously representing a variety of different musical expressions. There will be 12 different performances by noted Appalachian soloists, duos and groups. The “Appalachia in the Bluegrass” concert series is sponsored by the John Jacob Niles Center for American Music and the UK College of Fine Arts.
The Fall 2024 Appalachia in the Bluegrass series artists and their performance dates are:
- Roy Book Binder, Aug. 30;
- Sparky and Rhonda Rucker, Sept. 13;
- Dance workshop with Carla Gover, Sept. 20;
- Tall, Dark, and Handsome 4, featuring Karen Jones, Bev Futrell, George Neel and Nathan Wilson; Sept. 27;
- Finn Magill, Oct. 4;
- Mash Grass, six-piece Bluegrass band from Versailles, Oct. 11;
- Rose and Vine, the duo of Andy Duckworth and Stephanie Jeter, Oct. 18;
- Colin Cutler, followed by a lecture from the artist, Oct. 25;
- CornMaiz, nouveau old-time family string band, Nov. 8;
- Sarah Kate Morgan, Nov. 15; and
- Sam Gleaves and the Berea College Bluegrass Ensemble, Nov. 22.
The Niles Center is a collaborative research and performance center maintained by the UK College of Fine Arts, UK School of Music and UK Libraries.
For more information on the concert series, contact Niles Center Director Revell Carr at revell.carr@uky.edu or visit the Niles Center website at https://finearts.uky.edu/music/john-jacob-niles-gallery-and-center-american-music.
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