Country Dance & Song Society

Recognizing African American Contributions to Southern Appalachian Music and Dance

The music and dances of southern Appalachia have often been portrayed as culture that was brought to the U.S. from the British Isles. These traditions, in fact, have multicultural roots. They are a blend of earlier European, African, and Native American traditions, and they reflect the cultural and ethnic diversity of America. In this workshop, we will identify some of the many contributions of African Americans to these uniquely “American” traditions. Join us in this presentation on Martin Luther King Day.