Performing Arts

Performing arts has always been a colorful and multicultural way to put smiles on people’s faces. Our committee invests tons of time and imagination into what the arts can bring, and it would be a shame to miss out on so many opportunities. Who knows? Maybe you’ll see something or discover a passion you’ve never seen or thought of before!

Tyler Hughes & Eugene Wolf

2024 Events Coming Soon…
Meanwhile, Take a Look Back at 2023.

Storytelling and Music:  Celebrating the Storytelling and Musical Traditions of the Appalachian Region featuring Hannah Harvey, Josh Goforth, and Eugene Wolf.

Monday, July 24, 7:30-9:00pm

Tickets $10 available through Barter Theatre’s ticketing system.

Barter Theatre’s Gilliam Stage, 127 West Main St.

The Appalachian region takes pride in its tradition of storytelling as well as its tradition of old-time and bluegrass music and ballad singing.  This event will showcase three accomplished storytellers and musicians from the region.

Hannah Harvey is a nationally known Appalachian storyteller whose energy is contagious.  From contemporary coal miners’ oral histories to ancient folklore,  Harvey’s stories and award-winning teaching on the power of storytelling to shape individual and cultural identity has been featured everywhere from The National Storytelling Festival to Yale University’s Psychiatric Grand Rounds, and in three courses on storytelling and folklore with The Great Courses.  Her strong folk heroines rise from the rich cultural heritage of her native home in mountainous northeast Tennessee.  Critics have called her work “very funny” (Theatre Guide London) and “deeply moving” (Classical Voice of North Carolina).

Josh Goforth from Madison County, North Carolina, early in his life started thinking about the musical heritage and stories of his native area. After high school he was part of ETSU’s famous Bluegrass and Country Music Program, and since then has become a highly accomplished storyteller and old-time, bluegrass, and swing musician who plays close to 20 instruments. He has performed in all 50 states, throughout Europe, Asia, and Australia, gracing such stages as the Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, and the Grand Ole Opry.  He was nominated for a Grammy for his 2009 release with David Holt, entitled “Cutting Loose.”

Eugene Wolf is a native of Greeneville, Tennessee, who studied music and theatre at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. He was a member of Johnson City’s Road Company for many years. Wolf has been associated with Barter Theatre for 25 years as an actor and director. His favorite role is that of A.P. Carter in “Keep on the Sunny Side,” which he recently reprised during the spring season. His one-man show, “The Book Of Mamaw,” took home the United Solo/Backstage Audience Award in 2019 in NYC and has been performed around the country.  He is the host of “What in the World,” a weekly radio show featuring world music for WEHC-FM.

Late-Nite Comedy

Friday, July 21, 11pm       $10 at event or in advance through Barter Tickets
Saturday, July 22, 11pm

Barter Theatre’s Smith Stage, 110 West Main St.

Shawn Carter will be the headliner as the Blue Ridge Comedy Club presents Late-Nite Comedy at Barter Theatre’s Smith Stage. Carter will be joined by several other comedians from the region’s flourishing comic scene. Shawn is from Boston, MA, where he was a regular in the Boston comedy scene, performing and producing shows. Carter ran the most popular open mic events in the Boston area and has also released an album that  debuted at #1 on the iTunes comedy category. He was also the founder, writer, and editor for the popular website UnScene Comedy. The show is for adults only.

Children’s Concert: Cool Colonial Instruments     

Wednesday, July 26, 2-3pm  Free for children 12 and under; $10 for others

Smith Stage at Barter Theatre, 127 W. Main Street

Dean Shostak from Williamsburg, Virginia, will perform a concert for children, using the musical instruments which were used in Colonial America. These include several glass instruments, such as the glass violin, glass handbells, and especially the glass armonica--as well as the hurdy-gurdy and the pocket violin. Shostak has performed concerts in Colonial Williamsburg for many years and is largely responsible for the revival of interest in the glass armonica.

Barter’s Late-Nite Cabaret — EVENT UPDATE:

With regret, we announce that Late Nite Cabaret is CANCELLED due to unforeseen complications! This applies ONLY to the Late Nite Cabaret...ALL OTHER BARTER EVENTS are as scheduled.…

Friday & Saturday, July 28 & 29, 11pm $15 at door

Barter Theatre’s Smith Stage, 110 West Main St.

After several years, Late-Nite Cabaret, featuring members of Barter Theatre’s acting company, is returning as part of the Virginia Highlands Festival. This is a raucous night of "anything goes" entertainment which may feature skits, monologues, some song and dance. Adults only! $15 at the door. First Come, First Served. Doors open and pre-show entertainment begins at 11pm, main show at 11:30pm. General Admission.

Crystal Concert

Wednesday, July 26, 7:30-8:30pm       $10

Smith Stage at Barter Theatre, 110 W. Main Street

Dean Shostak from Williamsburg, Virginia, will perform his “Crystal Concert,” using crystal instruments that were used in Europe and Colonial American in the 18th century: the glass violin, glass handbells, and especially the glass armonica. Shostak has performed concerts in Colonial Williamsburg for many years and is largely responsible for the revival of interest in the glass armonica, which was designed by Benjamin Franklin after seeing water-filled wine glasses played in France.

Take a Look Back at Our 2022 Events.

Performing Arts 2022

The Virginia Highlands Festival Performing Arts Committee is bringing you a special one night event - Eugene Wolf’s “The Book of Mamaw”.

About the Performance:

Held at the Southwest Virginia Cultural Arts Center on July 25th at 7pm. “The Book of Mamaw'' is Eugene Wolf’s one-man show of stories, songs and sketches about growing up with Bernice Rader, who recognized her two-year-old grandson’s love of performing and guided him on his way. Mamaw was a Christian woman: Church of Christ, shape notes, and Avon. From a small church in Greeneville, Tennessee to the Sahara Desert, “The Book Of Mamaw” is a musical tale of a surprising spiritual path of kindness and compassion.

TICKETS ARE $10 and are available at the door; at The Southwest Virginia Cultural Center and Market Place.

 
 

About the Artist:

Eugene Wolf is a native of Greeneville, Tennessee and studied music and theatre at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. He was a member of Johnson City’s Road Company (It’s A Theater!) for 16 years and found the power of the dirt of home. He has been associated with Barter Theatre for 25 years as an actor and director. Favorite roles include: A.P. Carter (Keep On The Sunny Side), Richard Nixon (Nixon’s Nixon), Woodrow Wilson (The Second Mrs. Wilson), The Creature (Frankenstein), Iago (Othello), Fagin (Oliver!); Film; Box of Moonlight, The Curse - Television; A.P. Carter in Lost Highway - BBC and Will the Circle Be Unbroken - PBS American Experience. He makes music with Ed Snodderly as The Brother Boys. Their latest album (More Mule) was released in March. In 2013 he traveled to Russia to record Where We’ll Never Grow Old, an album of American spirituals with Russian folk musician, Mitya Kuznetsov. His one-man show, The Book Of Mamaw took home the United Solo/Backstage Audience Award in 2019 in NYC. Eugene is the host of What In The World, a weekly radio show featuring world music for WEHC-FM. Eugene is a member of Actors’ Equity.

 

VHF Program Partner:

Barter Theatre

  • “Ivy Rowe”: A One-Woman Show with Barbara Bates Smith

    Date: Sunday, July 31, 2022 | Time: 8-9pm
    Location: Barter Theatre | Tickets: $10

    “Ivy Rowe” will be performed on the Gilliam Stage of Barter Theatre as the finale event of this year’s Virginia Highlands Festival. Musical accompaniment will be by Jeff Sebans.

  • The Silver Drummer Girl

    Saturday July 23 + Saturday July 30
    Time: 10am-2pm

    The Silver Drummer Girl is a professional living statue. However, if you place a dollar in her tip jar and she magically comes alive and plays the snare drum. She's been delighting crowds of all ages for over 10 years. You'll definitely want a selfie with her! #vahighlandsfestival