Mountain Justice Blacksburg

Panel of Coalfield Activists: Sharing Stories of Resistance in the Coalfields
8 PM, Surge 109

Lorelei Scarbro has lived in the Coal River Valley of West Virginia all of her life. Coal has always been part of Lorelei’s life; she is the daughter and wife of coal miners.  Lorelei has become active against mountaintop removal, as she has witnessed the destruction of her land, culture and community.  She is focused on finding economic alternatives to coal that will sustain her community and Appalachian culture.  Lorelei has been a key part of the Coal River Wind campaign, which seeks to place wind turbines on Coal River Mountain instead of the proposed strip mine, which is now looming over her community.

Voices for Appalachia Portrait-Story Project
10am-1pm and 6pm to 8pm, Swoop House Gallery – 512 Progress Street

The Voices for Appalachia Portrait-Story Project is a mobile, networked and volunteer art-media-social phenomenon whose primary purpose is to bring and co-generate an aesthetic and practice of media solidarity to the self-determination of communities and individuals connected to the land they live on.  Hundreds of individuals who live in Appalachia have been sketched and their voices, or stories, are told through their narrative which the individuals themselves hand-write on their portrait.  The  Portrait-Story Project will be in Blacksburg from April 20th to 25th, seeking more stories to be told and individuals to be sketched.  The artwork – hundreds of portrait-stories – will be on display at the Swoop House Gallery located at 512 Progress Street from April 20th to 25th.  The gallery will be open from
10am to 1pm and 6pm to 8pm Mon. thru Fri, or by appointment.  To make an appointment, contact Joe Kelley at (540) 449-3309.

Mountain Top Removal Road Show with Dave Cooper
3:30 PM, Surge 104D

The Mountaintop Removal Road Show includes a stunning 20-minute slide show about the impacts of mountaintop removal on coalfield residents, communities and the environment, and features traditional Appalachian mountain music and shocking aerial photos of decapitated Appalachian Mountains.

On Monday, April 20th at 8pm, there will be an Opening Party and Reception at the Swoop House Gallery, with live music, food and drinks. (The Swoop House Gallery is at 512 Progress Street, the intersection of Progress and Turner St.)

Come out for a good time, and to support the Appalachia Portrait Story Project–a mobile, networked and volunteer art-media-social phenomenon. Its primary purpose is to bring and co-generate an aesthetic practice of media solidarity to the self-determination of communities and individuals connected to the land they live on.  Hundreds of individuals who live in Appalachia have been sketched and their voices are told through their narrative, which the individuals themselves hand-write on their portrait. Hundreds of the portrait-stories will be on display, mostly dealing with Appalachian culture and the resistance against strip-mining.

Come to the opening party to view the artwork, be sketched, and meet the artist! Or come view the art from April 20th to 25th. The gallery will be open from 10am to 1pm Mon. through Fri. (except Wed.) and from 6pm to 8pm Mon. through Fri, or by appointment.  To make an appointment, contact Joe Kelley at (540) 449-3309

This event is brought to you by Mountain Justice Blacksburg, and the Burning Book.

May 17 – 22  – The fifth annual Mountain Justice Summer Camp, in the beautiful mountains near Pipestem in southern West Virginia.  Workshops, great speakers like author Jeff Biggers (”United States of Appalachia”) and Dr. Chad Montrie (author “To Save the Land and People”), famous coalfield activists such as 2003 Goldman Prize winner Judy Bonds and Mountain Keeper Larry Gibson, Earth First! co-founder Mike Roselle, plus mountain music, bonfires, dancing, good food, skill-sharing, and action.  The cost is very reasonable (under $100) for a week of fun and camping with a great group of dedicated young people and experienced activists.  We would love to have you join us!

For a short video of Mountain Justice with scenes from last year’s camp, click here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fd4yqgXckVY

You can register on line here:

http://www.mountainjusticesummer.org/camp09/registration_form.php

And it only takes a few minutes to register.