Virginia Folklife Area
Experience the crafts, music, and culture of Bristol and beyond in the Virginia Folklife Area of the 2023 Richmond Folk Festival! The Virginia Folklife Area is co-presented by the Virginia Folklife Program of Virginia Humanities and the Center for Cultural Vibrancy.
Appalachian Traditions
Meet the artists and cultural organizations that make Bristol one of the most distinct cities in Virginia in the Virginia Folklife Demonstration Tent. Most of the participants in “Appalachian Traditions” were nominated by their peers in April 2023 to receive funding in recognition of their contributions to regional culture in and around Bristol.
Read more and see the participants
Center for Cultural Vibrancy Stage
The Center for Cultural Vibrancy Stage at the Virginia Folklife Area will honor the musical past and present of Bristol by showcasing some of the most accomplished and exciting emerging artists from the city and surrounding region. Experience a live recording of Farm and Fun Time, a vintage-style radio show presented by the Birthplace of Country Music Museum, hosted by Kris Truelson and his band, Bill and the Belles, and featuring Southwest Virginia natives Linda Lay, Elizabeth LaPrelle, and Elsa Howell. The “New Sounds of Bristol Showcase'' presents six artists from in and around Bristol who are shaping its sound today and spanning musical genres from old-time to hip-hop.