“Voices of the Shenandoah: In Story and Song” Dates, Location, Music, and Submission Details!

Calling all storytellers and musicians for stories and songs of the river.  Friends of the North Fork of the Shenandoah River is hosting an event series this summer entitled “Voices of the Shenandoah – In Story and Song”, featuring storytelling and live music at local breweries throughout the valley. 

Dates, Location, and Music:

Pale Fire Brewing, 7 to 10pm on Thursday, July 15, 2021, Live Music: Joshua Vana

Joshua Vana is a songwriter, general songster, multi-instrumentalist, and environmental and social justice activist currently residing in Albemarle County, Virginia. After touring and recording with Nashville songwriter Nora Jane Struthers for five years, he is now the co-director of ARTivism Virginia, providing a supported connection between artists and activists in the fight against the expansion of fossil fuel infrastructure in the region. You can learn more about their work here.

Backroom Brewery, 5 to 8pm on Friday, August 13, 2021, Live Music: Prince Bellarose

A contemporary power trio, Prince Bellerose is equal parts indie nonchalance, soul passion, and classic rock pomp. Led by Valentin Prince’s lavish chord voicings and articulate lead guitar work, the group oscillates between passionate soul ballads and psychedelia-inspired rock. The band’s debut EP, Dark Love Songs, was released last summer, to acclaim. Prince Bellerose has a full-length album in the works for 2021.

Swover Creek Farms, 6 to 9pm on Friday September 17, 2021, Live Music: Katie and Kelly

Katie and Kelly are sisters from the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Together, they create visual and meaningful music with sweeping harmonies and powerful lyrics. The Americana Roots singers’ have an album ‘In the Middle’ bringing light to the parts of ourselves that need to be seen and heard. With four years of playing, and a lifetime of sisterhood, they bring joy to those around them each time they step to the stage. 

The river is something that connects us all—and we’d love for you to share how you are connected to it.  Take us on a part of your journey by sharing an experience from the river, an old tale passed down through generations related to it, or how the river has made an impact on your life. Experienced and novice storytellers and musicians are encouraged to submit!

Submission Details:

Stories: When read aloud, story submissions should be limited to 8-10 minutes in length.  To enter your story you may email us your full written entry or audio/video recording to friends@fnfsr.org. Or, you may call our office at 540.459.8550 to leave a 2-3 minute summary of your story by voicemail (please limit summaries to 2-3 minutes).  However you submit, please be sure to include your name, phone number and email address with each story submission.

Songs: Songs intended for entry may be submitted by attaching your recording in an email to friends@fnfsr.org.  You are also welcome to play your song into our voice messaging system by calling 540.459.8550.  Please submit only one song per email or call, and please be sure to include your name, phone number and email address with each musical entry.  Lyric-less entries are welcome too.

All are welcome to make more than one story or music submission if you’d like.

If selected you will:

• Tell your full story or perform your music piece at one of three story and live music events throughout the summer

Submission deadline: 11:59pm, July 13th for July 15th event; 11:59pm, August 11th for August 13th event; 11:59pm, September 15th for September 17th event

Selected story tellers will be notified: Two working days from their submission.

Questions? Contact our Program Coordinator, Mariama Dryak, for more information (mariama.dryak@fnfsr.org).

These events are made possible through the generous support of the Bowman-Shannon Grant through the Shenandoah Community Foundation, Team Abby Walters, Rappahannock Electric, and the Regulus Group.