Wanted: Mining Poets, Singers & Storytellers
The hard-learned lessons, humor, tragedies and issues of work in the mining
occupation have long been the subject of poetry, stories, songs and visual
art by mineworkers and their families.
The Western Folklife Center, a non-profit arts organization headquartered in
Elko, Nevada, is seeking active writers and performers of traditional and
contemporary work reflecting the mining experience for an event highlighting
Mining Traditions at the Millenium, (or whatever name we want to use)
scheduled in Elko on November 13, 1999.
Most known for its research and presentation of traditions of ranch culture,
including its Cowboy Poetry Gathering event in Elko in late January, the
Western Folklife Center is dedicated to the documentation and presentation of
traditional arts in the western states. Little attention has been devoted to
the expressive culture of people working in the mining occupation and the
Center, headquartered in one of the largest gold producing areas of the
country, is looking forward to finding out what is being produced in today’s
western mining country.
Reciters, poets, storytellers and others located through this initial survey
will be highlighted at a special event in Elko, Nevada, November 13th that
will include an evening performance and a Saturday afternoon program of
poetry, music and stories, with open mike sessions for others wanting to
participate. A small exhibit of traditional art and craft created by miners
that reflect a mining theme will also be a part of the program at the Western
Folklife Center.
Interested individuals are asked to submit a biographical sketch detailing
their mining experience and examples of their work by September 22. Poets
should submit written as well as recorded examples of their poetry; musicians
and storytellers should submit a recorded example of their music and
storytelling; and visual artists should submit slides or photographs of their
work. Artists will be notified by October 5 if they are invited to be a
scheduled participant of the Elko program
Send submissions to: Mining Traditions Program, Western Folklife Center, 501
Railroad St., Elko, NV 89801. For more information contact Meg at
775-738-7508.
E-mail address: westfolk.org
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