Loading...Kentucky Appalachian Culture
Special Collection
This collection of video segments produced by KET provides examples of Kentucky/Appalachian culture through music, dance, and storytelling.
Listen to Jean Ritchie talk about the play party games that she played as a youngster in Eastern Kentucky. In another segment, Ritchie performs the Appalachian tune “Shady Grove,” a traditional song that she learned from her family and “Bandyrowe,” a song she made up verses to and used as a lullaby for her children.
Anndrena Belcher teaches a group of middle school students a play party folk dance in the segment Goin’ to Boston. In the video segment titled The Two Gals, Belcher tells a folk story that was collected by folklorist Leonard Roberts.
David Thurmond discusses how clogging came to America and how shoes with taps evolved. Champion cloggers Stacy McWethy, Trevor DeWitt, Cristy Corwin, and Zach Davis perform to music by Hog Operation.
| RESOURCE | GRADE LEVEL | MEDIA TYPE |
|---|---|---|
Kentucky/Appalachian Culture: The Two GalsStoryteller Anndrena Belcher tells the story of two sisters, one kind and compassionate, the other lazy and greedy, and their separate adventures in a land they discover at the bottom of their well. In telling the story, Belcher invites young people in the audience to assume roles and participate. |
K-8 |
Video |
Kentucky/Appalachian Culture: Goin' to BostonGoin’ to Boston is a traditional folk dance enjoyed as a “play party game” in Appalachia. Instructor Anndrena Belcher teaches a group of middle school students the song and dance moves. |
4-12 |
Video |
Kentucky/Appalachian Culture: About Play Party GamesAnndrena Belcher interviews traditional Kentucky performer and national treasure Jean Ritchie about the play party games she played as a youngster in Eastern Kentucky. Ritchie discusses the importance of the games as community celebrations and opportunities to court. |
4-12 |
Video |
Kentucky/Appalachian Culture: Bluegrass CloggingHost David Thurmond tells how clogging came to America and how shoes with taps evolved. He tells students to note that the dancing emphasizes movements below the waist and to look for movements that resemble square dancing. |
4-12 |
Video |
Kentucky/Appalachian Culture: Shady Grove/BandyroweFolksinger Jean Ritchie performs the Appalachian tune “Shady Grove,” a traditional song she learned from her family. Then she performs “Bandyrowe,” a song for which she made up verses to help get her two sons to sleep when they were very young. Ritchie accompanies herself on the lap dulcimer. |
K-8 |
Video |
