WMMT Community Arts Calendar
April 28th - May 5th 2008

MUSIC EVENTS

Friday May 2nd The Hemphill Community Center in Letcher Co will present East KY Tyme on Friday May 2nd

Saturday May 3rd
The Country Cabin II in Josephine, VA (near Norton) features Bluegrass & old time music as well as cake walks, clogging, & broom dances. Performing Saturday May 3rd will be the Bluegrass Circle. 276 - 679-2632

The Gordon KY Fire Dept will feature East KY Tyme on Saturday May 3rd at 7pm.
The Tacoma Community Center on the big road between Norton & Coeburn
features bluegrass & old time music on Saturdays at 7. The South Mountain Boys will perform May 3rd. Cakewalks & Refreshments available & everyone is welcome. For info: Roosevelt Stanley 276-679-1855

The Mountain Empire Gospel Opry will present a benefit for the Red Cross on Saturday May 3rd featuring guitarist Richard Kiser and Jimmy Davis, the John Denver of Country Gospel, on Saturday May 3rd at the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center in Abingdon. It will be hosted by Sheila Osborne & Larry Barrett. 276-628-2435

Sunday May 4th
All the folks at the Historic Lay’s Hardware in downtown Coeburn VA invite music lovers & Fans of WMMT to a mighty fine big benefit show for 88.7 WMMT Real People Radio on Sunday May 4th beginning at 2. The Midnight Ramblers, Lawrence Winstead & Friends, Just Dovie, Town Branch Bluegrass, Kentucky Red & Rich & The Po Folks.Refreshments, Soup Beans, 50-50’s, Cake Walks and lots of fun. All proceeds go to helping keep Mountain Community Radio strong & true. For info call Andy Shepherd 276-395-3534 or WMMT 606-633-0108.

Thursday May 8th
Ernie Thacker & Rt 23, one of the greatest singers in all of Bluegrass, will return to 88.7 WMMT’s Bluegrass Express Live in the Appalshop Theater Thursday May 8th at 7:30. Please join us for this very special evening as we welcome back Ernie Thacker. Tickets are $15 for Adults and $5 for Students. For reservations call the Appalshop or your favorite WMMT DJ 606-633-0108

Saturday May 10th
The monthly Carcassone Square Dance at the Carcassone Community Center near Blackey in Letcher County, the oldest community square dance in Kentucky, will start back up after the winter’s hiatus on Saturday May 10th at 7. Calling will be Charlie Whitaker. Refreshments and good times for all. For info: Dale Johnson 606-633-2092

Fri & Sat May 16 & 17
The 3rd Annual Old Time Music Festival at The Breaks Interstate Park. For info: 276-865-4413

Saturday May 24th
“The 2nd Annual Gathering in the Gap” will take place Saturday May 24th at the Southwest Virginia Museum in Big Stone Gap VA. Performers will include the Carolina Chocolate Drops, Dirk Powell, 3 Fox Drive, Ginny Hawker & Tracy Schwartz, the White Top String Band, Boozy Creek, Ron Short & Rich & the Po Folks. There will be workshops, children’s activities, crafts & more. 276-523-1322

June 10-14
The 22nd Annual Seedtime on the Cumberland Festival of Mountain Life will take place June 10th through the 14th at the Appalshop in downtown Whitesburg. Music with Kathy Mattea, Darrell Scott & his father Wayne Scott, Jesse McReynolds & The Virginia Boys, Lee Sexton, Kentucky Wildhorse, Brett Ratliff & the Clack Mountain String Band, Rich & the Po Folks, the Music of Coal, instrument contests, Open stages, Crafts, Appalshop Films, Quilting, Readings, Storytelling, Youth Activities, Hikes, Food & much more. www.appalshop.org

June 23-27
The 7th Annual Cowan Creek Mountain Music School will take place at the Cowan Creek Community Center June 23rd through the 27th. Courses with some of the country’s very finest Old Time Musicians will include 4 levels of Banjo & Fiddle, Rhythm & Lead Guitar, mandolin, old time string band, singing, square dancing, storytelling, dulcimer making & much more. The school invites students 11 & older and Adults. For info call Suzanne or Stacy @ 606-633-3187

June 26th thru the 28th
ROMP, the Annual Fund Raiser for the International Bluegrass Music Museum, will take place June 26th thru the 28th in Owensboro KY. Performing will be Hazel Dickens, Cherryholmes, Claire Lynch, the Infamous Stringdusters, Dale Ann Bradley and dozens more. Camping and discounts available. For info: 888-MY BANJO or www.riverofmusic.org

WEEKLY MUSIC EVENTS/JAMS/ETC
TUESDAYS :
• “Picking and Grinning” at the Community Center in Hindman. The Community Center building is next to the Hindman Settlement School. It begins at 6 and all pickers and grinners are welcome
• Bluegrass Pickin’ at Watts Fire Department from 6pm to Midnight. The Watts Fire Department is located 7 miles south of Jackson, KY on Highway 15. GV Noble 606-666-7999

WEDNESDAYS
• The Down Home in Johnson City features “Open Hoots” on Wednesdays
• Summit City in downtown Whitesburg features an Open Mike Night on Wednesdays. All performers are welcome. 606-633-2715

THURSDAYS
• The Auction House on Main Street in Hyden KY has a jam session every Thursday evening from 6pm - 10pm. Everyone is welcome and everyone gets a chance to play and sing. For more info: Vernon Couch @ 606-374-7285

FRIDAYS :
• Hemphill Community Center in Letcher County has bluegrass every Friday night at 7:30pm. For info call Red Roberts 855-4396
• The Historic Lay’s Building in downtown Coeburn presents bluegrass on Friday evenings at 7. The South Mountain Boys will perform May 2nd. Also, everyone is welcome to the weekly jam session on Thursdays at 6. Refreshments and cake walks too. 276-395-3534

SATURDAYS :

• The Appalshop hosts its monthly Old Time Jam on the first Saturday of each month beginning at 1pm. Next Jam will be Saturday May 3rd. For info call Suzanne @ the Appalshop 606-633-0108
• The Cowan Community Center in Letcher County has an old time square dance the first Saturday of each month. Next dance will be May 3rd.
• The Carcassone Community Center near Blackey in Letcher County holds its monthly Old Time Square Dance the 2nd Saturday each month with Charlie Whitaker calling. Family enjoyment & refreshments too.
• Hometown Music in Whitesburg has a monthly acoustic jam from 11 to 3 on the second Saturday each month. 606-633-8177
• The Auction House on Main Street in Hyden has Bluegrass every other Saturday night @ 8. Call Vernon Couch at 606-374-7285 to find out which Saturday.
• Mountain Empire Community College in Big Stone Gap hosts an Old Time Jam in the Goodloe Center on the 3rd Saturday of the month.
• The Tacoma Community Center on the big road between Norton & Coeburn features bluegrass & old time music on Saturdays at 7. The South Mountain Boys will perform May 3rd. Cakewalks & Refreshments available & everyone is welcome. For info: Roosevelt Stanley 276-679-1855
• The Beckham Combs Community Center at Vest in Knott County has bluegrass on Saturdays at 7. Concessions available 606-785-9288
• The Country Cabin II in Josephine, VA (near Norton) features Bluegrass & old time music as well as cake walks, clogging, & broom dances. Performing Saturday May 3rd will be the Bluegrass Circle. 276 - 679-2632
• The Carter Family Fold at the old homeplace in Hiltons, VA presents bluegrass & old time music, starting at 7:30 pm. 276 - 386-9480
• The Family Bluegrass Barn on Highway 19 in Hansonville VA features live music from 7:30 to 11. Dickenson County Grass & the Dixie River Band will perform May 3rd
• The Southwest Virginia Museum in Big Stone Gap hosts a monthly Coffeehouse & Open Mike the 1st Saturday of each month from 7 to 9. 276-523-1322

ART EXHIBITS / OPENINGS / NON-MUSIC PERFORMANCES - EVENTS

Tuesdays
The Little Shepherd of Kingdom Come Outdoor Drama is holding auditions and practice sessions on Tuesdays at 6:30 at the old Elkhorn Country Club in Jenkins. Actors of all ages are needed. Anyone interested is invited to audition. For info: Don Amburgey 606-832-2945

May 30th
The VA-KY Fair Talent Contest is now accepting entry forms for the under 15 & under and 16 & over Talent Contests. Winners will perform at the Fair & receive cash prizes. Deadline for entries is May 30th. For info: 276-679-1901

GENERAL INTEREST PSA’s

There will be a State Representative Candidates’ Forum at Hazard Community College on Thursday May 1st at 7pm at the First Federal Center. It’s being sponsored by HCC’s Student Government Assn and will be moderated by WYMT’s Neil Middleton. The public is welcome. 606-487-3141

There will be a Candidates’ Forum for the upcoming 29th State Senate Democratic Primary on Thursday May 1st @ 7 at the Mountain Arts Center in Prestonsburg. Johnny Ray Turner and Eric Shane Hamilton will answer questions & the event is open to the public. The Forum is being sponsored by the Floyd, Knott & Letcher County Chapters of Kentuckians for the Commonwealth. 606-632-0051

The Letcher County Chamber of Commerce will hold its monthly meeting on Monday May 12th at Noon at the Courthouse Cafe in downtown Whitesburg. The Chamber’s Annual Unsung Heroes Awards Celebration will be Tuesday June 10th. All members and interested folks are invited. For info call Brenda DePriest 606-832-4020

The Concerned About Our Community Coalition of Big Stone Gap is sponsoring the “Kick Butts Day” and “Breathe Walk-a-thon” on Saturday May 17th to help raise awareness to end youth tobacco use. The Walk-a-thon @ the Green Belt Walking Trail begins at 9am and the Kick Butts cigarette butt clean-up will be from 11am to 2:30. For info: 888-443-1804

From May 1st to May 17th
“Be Strong: Kick Butts – Put Litter In Its Place” is the theme of the Trash Can Paint-In for students in grades 3 to 12. Students are invited to pick up & paint a trash can with this theme & prizes will be awarded on Saturday May 17th at the end of Kick Butts Day at the Green Belt Walk Way in Big Stone Gap. 888-443-1804

Monday May 19th
Strengthening Foster Care, a one day workshop for Foster Parents & Prospective Foster Parents, Child Workers & other professionals, will be held Monday May 19th from 8:30am to 3 at the Goodloe Center of Mountain Empire Community College in Big Stone Gap. For info: Anne Newton 423-467-3714

The Letcher County Breastfeeding Support Group meets on the first Thursday of each month from 12:30 – 2:30 at the Harry Caudill Library in downtown Whitesburg. For info: Susie 606-634-9491

COLLEGE - SCHOOL RELATED PSA’S

Through May 19th
The Hindman Settlement School is accepting applications for tutors for its Summer School for children with dyslexic characteristics. The six week program will run from June 16th to July 25th. Applications can be picked up at the school or requested by calling 606-785-5475 or info@hindmansettlement.org

June 9th through the 27th
The University of KY and the UK Center for Excellence in Rural Health are hosting a 3 week Summer Enrichment Camp for 9th & 10th Graders from Perry, Letcher, Knott, Breathitt & Leslie Counties interested in a health care career. For info contact Marilyn Spencer 606-487-0135

The June Buchanan School, a K-12 private school on the campus of Alice Lloyd College, has openings for the 2008-2009 school year. For info 888-280-4252

The Leslie County Center of HC & TC is offering Dulcimer, Guitar, dobro, bass, mandolin, fiddle, & banjo lessons as well as Claw Hammer Banjo with Randy Wilson. And there’s a weekly Jam Session at the Auction House on Main Street every Thursday evening at 7. For info contact Rhonda 606-487-3487

Hazard Community & Technical College will offer a Spring Nature Walk at Natural Bridge with Wilson Francis on Friday May 2nd. For info: Laura 606-487-3531

Hazard Community & Technical College’s Hazard campus is offering Continuing Education classes in Excel, Computer, Power Point, Customer Service, Drivers’ Ed and Social Dancing. 487-3141

HCTC’s Technical Campus in Hazard is offering CEU classes in Plumbing CEU’s, Beginning Motorcycle and Basket Weaving. For info: Donnia 800-246-7521

GED Testing is being offered by Hazard Community & Technical College in Campton at the Wolfe County Adult Education Center on April 24th & 25th.Jackson at the Breathitt Life Skills Center March 11th & 12th. Registration begins at 9am with testing to follow. For info: Janet Hurley 606-487-3068.

Through August 31st The Appalachian Artisan Center in Hindman will have paintings and fabric & wooden dolls by artist Debra Klopp, a Knott County native, on display through the end of August. The Artisan Center is open Monday thru Friday from 10am to 6 & Saturdays from 10am to 4. 606-785-9855

Saturday Feb 23rd

__________________will perform for a dance at the Whitesburg American Legion on Saturday Feb 23rd from 9 to 1. The public is welcome. 633-2834