Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, June 17, 1994 TAG: 9407080010
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: Donna Alvis Banks
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
They also shed some happy tears.
June 19, 1865, was the day slaves in Texas heard the news of their independence. They called the day "Juneteenth."
Also known as Emancipation Day or "Jun-Jun," Juneteenth is the black American holiday commemorating the day of freedom. Each state has its own Emancipation Day, depending on when the news arrived.
Virginia Tech's Black Cultural Center, along with the Black Student Alliance, will have the first local Juneteenth observance Sunday at the university. It runs from 2 to 6 p.m. on the Henderson and Shultz hall lawns.
The day begins with the age-old tradition of storytelling as members of the community relate the oral history of Juneteenth. Festivities continue with music by Plunky and the Oneness, dancing by Carol Crawford Smith and a martial arts demonstration by Funkwan.
Food and games are part of the fun, too. Organizers have planned what they call a "joyful day, full of activities that bring the community together."
Admission Sunday is free. For more information, call the Black Cultural Center at 231-5355.
VOICES OF APPALACHIA Radford University's 17th annual Highland Summer Conference, a forum for discussing and studying the heritage, environment and culture of the Appalachian Mountain region, starts Monday and continues through July 1. Four well-known authors of children's books will lead the powwow this year.
Each of the writers will give an evening reading or performance for the public. These are free and will be held in the Highland Room at Heth Hall.
Ruth White, author of award -winning titles "City Rose," "Sweet Creek Hollow" and "Weeping Willow," will read from her work Tuesday, starting at 7:30. She may even give a sneak preview of her newest book, "Belle Prater's Boy," set for publication next year.
North Carolina author Sue Ellen Bridgers, who has written six novels for young adults, is the guest artist Thursday. One of Bridgers' works, "Home Before Dark," was named "Outstanding Book of the Year" by The New York Times. She also has won the Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor Award, the Christopher Award and others. Her reading in Heth Hall also starts at 7:30. During the second week of the conference, Blacksburg writer Lou Kassem and Roanoke writer Nancy Ruth Patterson will give public readings. Both are dynamic wordsmiths.
For more information on the Highland Summer Conference, call 831-5614, 831-5629 or 831-6150.
BUSTIN' OUT: The bucking horses and hostile bulls are ready to tangle.
The Triple Valley Rodeo - always a big draw at the New River Valley Fairgrounds in Dublin - starts tonight and continues through Sunday. The action begins at 8 tonight and Saturday. Sunday's show is a 2:30 matinee.
The rodeo features some of the biggest names in professional rodeo, but you'll also see local cowboys and cowgirls trying their luck in the competitions.
In addition to the exciting shows, there will be a registered horse show at the fairgrounds Saturday at 1 p.m. Following the Sunday afternoon show, you may stay and watch a team penning.
Advance discount tickets, $8, are available at the Old Fort Western Store, Sue's Western Store, Just Horsin' Around and the Radford Travel Center. Admission at the gate is $10.
UP, UP AND AWAY: Miles High, a jazz quintet playing mainstream jazz in the style of Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock and other super jazzmen, will play Tuesday for the outdoor concert at Radford's Bisset Park.
The group features former and current Radford University students Andy Sioberg on trumpet, Courtland Stewart on piano, Robert Bowen on bass, Keith Brown on drums and Stephen Whitlock on vibraphone. The university's New River Valley Alumni chapter sponsors the quintet.
The jazz begins at 7 Tuesday night at the gazebo in Bisset Park. Don't forget to bring lawn chairs or blankets for the outdoor seating.
Admission is free.
HIGH STEPPERS: The Blacksburg Old-Time Music and Dance Group's next mountain square dance is Saturday, and you're invited even if you can't dance a lick.
Bill Richardson, a long-time member of the group, says folks don't need square dance experience. The caller teaches all dances.
Fiddler Tim Mehan and his Old-Time Orchestra will play the tunes at Saturday's dance. Ginger Wagner of Blacksburg is the caller. She's also the group's president.
The Blacksburg Old-Time Music and Dance Group is an informal gathering of dancers and musicians who promote the traditions of the Southern mountains. In addition to monthly dances, the group also sponsors a weekly fiddlers' jam session at Roni's Restaurant in Blacksburg.
The fun Saturday starts at 8 p.m. at Gilbert Linkous Elementary School on Toms Creek Road. Admission at the door is $4.
The next dance will be July 16 at Montgomery County Park.
Questions? Call Ginger Wagner at 951-2349.
by CNB