Center for Cultural Preservation Hosts Culture Vulture Film Festival
The Center for Cultural Preservation will be holding the second annual Culture Vulture Film Festival on Friday, November 4, at the Blue Ridge Community Center in Flat Rock. Starting at 6 p.m. with music from folk performer Aaron Coffin and a barbeque dinner, a taste of mountain heritage is guaranteed for the whole family.
The short films will begin at 7 p.m. featuring a preview of the upcoming film From Knee to Knee—An Exploration of the Roots of Mountain Music. “Few people realize that so much of the music they listen to today has its roots in the old-time ballads, songs that date back 350 years ago to Scotland and Ireland,” says David Weintraub, executive director of the center. “Those songs were influenced by African-American, Cherokee and many other traditions as they planted their roots in American soil.” Other films featured are A Mighty Fine Memory (story of master fiddler Roger Howell) and The Last One (on moonshiner Popcorn Sutton and his still).
The center is a nonprofit volunteer organization that strives to record and share the stories of our ancestors in America. This event’s proceeds will support the Mountain Elder Wisdom Project, which archives the accounts of elders from 12 counties across Western North Carolina and shares them with the communities through short films.
“When we forget how to grow our own food, connect with neighbors, friends and family without portable devices and to entertain ourselves with real people, we lose who we are,” says Weintraub. Along with the goal of connecting all generations through our shared history, the center also strives to carry that wisdom into stewarding responsible land use and promoting respect for the environment. Join in for the food, fun and film—and don’t miss a chance to speak to some WNC elders in person.
Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for children under 12 and are available online at saveculture.org or $5 more at the door. Price includes food, music and films. Event begins at 6 p.m. and films begin at 7 p.m. For more information visit saveculture.org or call 828.692.8062
