sometimes i really miss living in carrboro, where there's a show every single night...and sometimes i don't. lately, my feelings have veered more toward the latter--this summer has been full of amazing bands and music. so, wv summer music in a nutshell!
1. vandalia festival: every memorial day weekend at the state capitol. where else can old-time musicians party in the shadow of the golden dome? the competitions are great (the CUTEST little boy placed 2nd in the dulcimer contest this year!) and if you know me, you know i love charleston. any excuse to go to taylor books & try a new restaurant.
2. allegheny echoes: this one may as well be called the pocahontas county drunkfest, because that's what it essentially amounted to. not that most of the week wasn't devoted to music/writing workshops--but the real event started when the sun went down & everyone gathered at the marlinton motor inn to play music. my old organization paid for me to attend (really!) and i had tons of fun...perhaps a little too much. still, i managed to gather an appreciation for pocahontas county resident and former wv poet laureate, louise mcneill. if you're at all interested in poetry, gauley mountain is a wonderful telling of pocahontas county history.
3. clifftop: some people complain that clifftop is a bougie, out-of-stater's old-time festival, and yeah, i can see that. but it's also probably the best time i've had in west virginia. a weekend of camping, music, river swimming, and square dancing was about as good as it gets. i even got married! (really? not really. but there was a ring? weird.) i only stayed for a couple of days, but plan on going for the full week next year. also, dogs are allowed, which is great for all of you pseudo-responsible, adult types.
