News…

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — This Memorial Day weekend, the West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture and History (WVDACH) will host a special afternoon concert from 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 29, 2021. The annual Vandalia Gathering is the state’s celebration of the traditional arts, music, dance, stories, crafts and food of West Virginia.

In place of Vandalia’s three-day gathering, the concert will take place outdoors on the north side plaza of the State Capitol in Charleston. During the concert, the 2021 Vandalia Award winners will be announced. Due to the postponement of last year’s celebration, the 2020 Vandalia Award winner also will be recognized.

Along with the award presentations, the event will include a dance performance with Lou Mauri and the Appalachian Cloggers, and musical performances by Kanawha Tradition, featuring Bobby Taylor, Kim Johnson and Cody Jordan; T-Mart Rounders, featuring Jesse Milnes, Becky Hill and Emily Miller; and the Mountain Stage house band.

All updated guidelines in accordance with best practices from the WV DHHR and CDC will be followed during the event on the state capitol grounds. Individuals who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 are no longer required to wear a face covering or physically distance.

Available seating will be limited, so guests are encouraged to bring their own chairs. There will be no food or arts and craft vendors on the grounds during the event. The event is free and open to the public.

The concert will be broadcast live on the West Virginia Channel and a link to stream the event will be posted on the department’s Facebook page and website.

For more information, contact Adam Jones, events manager for the department, at (304) 558-0220.