Join us for one of our many community programs in 2024!
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Elkins Barn Dance Collective Dance Series
Monthly in Elkins, WV
We are excited that community dancing is back in Elkins, WV! Look for announcements of monthly dances at various locations around Elkins, including the Arts Center, Big Timber, the YMCA and the downtown Augusta Heritage Center.
Come out and dance!
All dances start at 7pm unless otherwise specified. General Admission: $10; Students/AmeriCorps/Fixed Income: $5
January 25, 2024 | Contra Dance @ Elkins YMCA | Music by Bob Smakula and Denice Reese | Calling by Joyce Rossbach
February 29, 2024 | Square Dance @ Big Timber Brewing | Music by Born Old | Calling by Tony Minney
March 22, 2024 | Square Dance @ Big Timber Brewing | Music by Emily Miller, Josh Wanstreet & Nate Druckenmiller | Calling by Mary Alice Milnes
April 25, 2024 | Irish Concert & Ceilidh Dance @ Big Timber Brewing | Music by the Mudlarks, calling by Mike Miller | Concert at 6 pm (suggested admission $15, which includes dance admission); Dance at 7 pm
May 31, 2024 | Square Dance @ Augusta Dance Pavilion at Davis & Elkins College | Music & Calling TBA
Fall dates TBA!
Voices of Augusta
February 6 – May 2, 2024
The Voices of Augusta, now in its 3rd season, is an exciting new choir program for singers in 1st through 6th grade. Singers will experience the joy of singing in a group while learning musical traditions from Appalachia and around the world, improving their musicianship, and having fun with their friends. The choir will be co-directed by Olivia Perske and Kaitlin Exline.
The choir meets on Tuesdays, 4:30-5:30 pm in Elkins, WV. Click on the links below for more information or to register.
Augusta Strings Program
Feb 8 – May 2, 2024
The program will feature group lessons in fiddle, banjo and guitar for students in 4th through 12th grade. The classes will meet on Thursdays starting February 8, 5:45 pm – 7 pm, with a dress rehearsal on Tuesday, April 30 (4:30 – 5:30 pm) and a concert on Thursday, May 2. Rehearsals will be held in Elkins, WV. Classes will not meet when Randolph County Schools are out of session (Spring Break or snow days).
Foodways Classes
March – June, 2024; August – December 2024 All classes held in Elkins, WV.
Augusta is presenting a series of foodways classes in Elkins, WV. The classes will be taught by experienced chefs and home cooks from a variety of cultures represented in Appalachia today. Classes will cover specific dishes (In 2023 we covered arepas, hand pies, pizzelles, pancit noodles, pepperoni rolls, dumplings, and collard greens, as well as addressing topics such as using local seasonal ingredients and home-canning techniques). Students can expect to come away from each class with hands-on knowledge about how to make a dish and hopefully a deeper understanding of the importance of that dish to the people whose kitchens it sprang from.
What are foodways?
Foodways are more than food itself — they are the beliefs and context surrounding food, the person-to-person teaching of its preparation, as well as the community in which the food is enjoyed. The passing down of food traditions from one generation to the next is an integral piece of a community’s identity and culture. We use food to deepen community ties, celebrate important holidays, mark milestones, and enrich our lives. A community’s values are readily communicated in the ways that food is celebrated and shared within it.
Lift Your Voice Choir
Rehearsals: Tuesdays, 6-8 pm, April 2 – June 11, 2024
Final Concert: June 14, 2024.
Elkins, WV
Augusta’s Lift Your Voice Community Choir is an inclusive and joyful outlet for folks who already love to sing and those who would like to experiment with using their voices. The repertoire features traditional vocal music from exciting singing traditions found right here in West Virginia, including gospel, old-time, shape-note and more. Singers will come away with a beautiful repertoire of new songs, a deeper understanding of the cultures they grew out of, and the lasting joy of singing together. Singers of all levels, ages and vocal ranges are welcome! The project, supported by the WV Department of Arts, Culture and History, is aimed at increasing opportunities for creative aging and lifelong learning in our community.
Augusta Festival & Craft Fair in Elkins City Park
Augusta Festival & Craft Fair in Elkins City Park
July 27, 2024
10 am – 5 pm
Location: Elkins City Park
Get ready for a day filled with creativity, music, and family fun at the Augusta Festival and Craft Fair, set to take place at Elkins City Park on Saturday, July 27. This highly anticipated event will bring together talented vendors from around the state, offering their exquisite handmade items, delicious food, and much more! With craft demonstrations, kids’ activities, jams, and even an open fiddle and banjo contest, there will be something for everyone to enjoy. Rain or shine, this festival promises to be a memorable experience for all attendees.
The festival grounds will be buzzing with excitement from 10 am to 5 pm, providing ample time for visitors to explore the various attractions.
With an exciting lineup of events and activities, the Augusta Festival and Craft Fair is the perfect destination for a day of family fun and cultural enrichment. Don’t miss this opportunity to support local artisans, enjoy lively performances, and create lasting memories.
The first round of vendor applications is due April 12, 2024 and notifications will be made shortly thereafter. If spaces remain, rolling submissions will be accepted.
