This week marks the beginning of The 32^nd Annual Highland Summer Conference, held at Radford University.  It is a two-week lecture-seminar workshop that combines well-known Appalachian guest-writers with aspiring writers and students.  I took the class in 2007 and the instruction I received not only made me a better writer, but opened my mind to so many different thoughts and possibilities.   While it is too late to register for the class, it is not too late to take advantage of the true gem of the class—each Tuesday and Thursday of the 2 week class, there are readings and receptions by the visiting authors.  These take place from 7:30-9:30 in the McConnell Library on Radford’s campus and all are free and open to the public. 

The first week’s readings kick off tonight with Writer and RU professor, Jim Minick.  Minick is the author of two books of poetry, Her Secret Song and Burning Heaven. Also he has written a collection of essays, Finding a Clear Path, and edited All There Is to Keep by Rita Riddle. Currently he’s working on a memoir titled The Blueberry Years.

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Every day, Marion jeweler Avery Cornett looks out the window of his jewelry store on Main Street and sees the same thing; the wonderfully beautiful Lincoln Theatre.  The Lincoln, originally built in 1929 is one of three remaining Art Deco Mayan Revival theaters in the Country.  It’s recognized on the Virginia register of historic places for its beautiful murals depicting Virginia and United States history and its feature of Mayan inspired art.

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Are you in Southwest Virginia?  Do you look for things to do, or are you one of those who want to come to the area and are afraid of the lack of things to do?  Well, fret not. It really depends on where you are in the area and where your interests lie, but regardless of that, there are many things to do!   

For example, if you’re in Floyd County, a good Friday night can mean going to the Blue Ridge Diner (I highly recommend their black bottom pie) and then going to the Floyd Country Store for live music and dancing.  Often there is not only music going on inside the store, but outside on the porch and around the corner as well.  If you’re looking for other music venues, try The Rex Theatre in Galax, the Bristol Country Music Alliance’s Pickin’ Porch in Bristol or the Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion in Bristol in the Fall which is a phenomenally huge traditional music festival! 

Music abounds in the mountains and can be found anywhere from a square dance in Grayson County to a fire department Friday night jam in Smyth County to anywhere along The Crooked Road.

In the area, we are blessed to have a plethora of natural wonders just waiting to be explored.  From Tazewell County’s Burkes Garden, which is known as “God’s Thumbprint,” to the Creeper Trail, Appalachian Trail or Mount Rogers, Virginia’s highest point, there are many things to do and see.  The Blue Ridge Parkway and many hiking and biking opportunities offer you the best views for miles around.  It has been rumored that on a clear day, one can see Detroit, Michigan from the summit at Mount Rogers, but you’ll have to look and see for yourself!

In the New River Valley (Blacksburg, Christiansburg and Radford), you can enjoy a busier scene with shopping and dining options.  Also, you can benefit from having the colleges close by for quality entertainment whether it be concerts, plays, lecture series, etc… 

Going down I-81 gives you the option of dinner and a show at the Wolfhart Haus in Wytheville, several wineries in the region such as Chateau Morissette and the Davis Valley Winery, performances at The Lincoln Theatre in Marion, The Paramount and Theatre Bristol in Bristol and The Barter Theatre in Abingdon– the state theatre of Virginia.  There are many other cultural opportunities such as The Carter Fold in Hiltons and plenty of fine dining experiences to be had between The Martha Washington Inn, The Tavern and The Hardware Company, just to name a few. 

The area is also rich in consignment, second-hand and antique shops.  The areas of Floyd, Abingdon Bristol are particularly rich in these stores.  In the summer months you can attend the Virginia Highlands Arts and Crafts Festival in Abingdon which features a huge antiques market.

I could literally go on all day and suggest things that are not only great food and a good time such as The Dip Dog Stand in Marion, In the Country in Damascus, or Cuz’s Barbeque in Tazewell County, but I would be depriving you of your chance to explore on your own!

–Shai Cullop

Nearly in the center of our region is a gem of culture and history; Barter Theatre. Celebrating it’s 75th year of operation, not only does it present top-caliber plays and performances, it’s history is rich, it’s physical plant is simply lovely and quant. . .what’s there not to love?

Located in the center of the town of Abingdon, Barter Theatre is a prime example of a cultural arts institution embedding itself in its community in a meaningful way, and has served in this capacity since it began in 1933.

Robert Porterfield (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Porterfield) returned from New York to his native Virginia a trained, seasoned, and experienced actor to give back the fruits of his experience to his community—a great Return to Roots example. Because it was the height of the Great Depression, Porterfield knew that although people didn’t have the money (tickets were 40 cents in those days) to pay for entertainment and art, that they desperately needed it, especially in those hard times. He also knew the reality of starving artists in New York, many that were his friends. Yes, the people of Southwest Virginia didn’t have much money, but they had a lot of food. So he instituted the barter system, and the rest is history. Theatre goers would arrive with vegetables, fruits, and livestock still clucking. The slogan was “ham for Hamlet”. The tradition is honored today as special performances are tagged “pay what you can”, or on Barter Nites, audiences can donate non-perishable food items for admission. All food collected will be donated to the Second Harvest Food Bank, Appalachian Branch. They do request you not bring live animals. . . . . . .

I can’t say enough good things about the Barter. My experience was as a winner of their Appalachian Playwright’s Festival (http://www.bartertheatre.com/festival/)
in 2004 with my play Feeding On Mulberry Leaves (http://www.playscripts.com/play.php3?playid=778) which premiered in Barter’s 2005 season. The Festival promotes regional playwrights or plays that involve the region. It was a grand experience. I was so pleased with the direction, acting, design and overall production quality. The festival is just one way Barter engages with the region. Other examples within their own community include partnering with organizations such as Boy Scouts of America, the American Cancer Society and the Muscular Dystrophy Association. In addition they offer youth classes in all aspects of theatre.

If this theatre can survive and thrive for 75 years, surely they are doing something right. I have heard the whine “the arts aren’t sustainable”. Barter proves them wrong. But they have also had something many arts orgs don’t: in their 75 years they have had only 3 Artistic Directors that understood theatre, and the community they live in. Current Artistic Director Richard Rose knows how to make his patrons feel valued. He maintains tradition while keeping abreast of cutting edge material and innovations in theatre arts. I would like to bet he also has one heck of a board of directors that trust him to do his job.

The Barter continues to live because it works with the community, and the community recognizes the importance of its presence in the community esthetically, fiscally, and morally. When put like that, one wonders why every community doesn’t have the equivalent of its own Barter Theatre, huh? For more info on Barter Theatre, http://www.bartertheatre.com/.

-Lucinda McDermott Piro

Last week I received a call from a former student to come bring the family to see Disney’s Beauty and the Beast at Wohlfahrt Haus Dinner Theatre in Wytheville. She is currently in the cast, and so—okay. I admit Disney musicals aren’t my theatrical cup of tea, but we love her, so we went. I also admit I can be a bit critical when it comes to theater because that’s my background—oh alright, I can be ruthlessly critical. Dinner theater in SWVA? I wasn’t expecting much.

The worse part about going to see a friend in a show is that afterwards you have to see them and say something. What if you didn’t like it? What if the show was just horrific or worse yet—their performance? “That was interesting”, only goes so far.

My worries were unfounded. Man, was I pleasantly surprised! The quality of Wohlfahrt’s production was above anything I’d seen in a dinner theater production. But the performances were extraordinary. Fabulous voices across the board, engaging choreography and well trained dancers. These actors aren’t second rate because they’re not in New York—they are top tier, building their resumes while sharing their talents. The set was well done considering this is a large scale Disney/Broadway musical scaled down to a smaller stage. I was impressed all the way around. Disney’s Beauty and the Beast plays through June 15th, Smokey Joe’s Café opens next.

This production was a grand example of what I often tell people; art happens in the mountains.

I didn’t have dinner so I can’t report on the food, but if it’s theatrical art you want—get thee to Wohlfahrt Haus Dinner Theatre.

- Lucinda McDermott Piro