Mountain Keeper's Music Festival

On Saturday, July 5th and Sunday, July 6th, the annual Mountain Keepers Music Festival will be held at Kayford Mountain's Stanley Heirs Park . This free concert is the premier music festival that celebrates environmental justice in southern West Virginia. The two day event will feature local and regional musicians playing a variety of bluegrass, gospel, country and old time music, as well as children's games, a pot-luck meal and silent auction.

The purpose of the concert, according to local citizen activist Larry Gibson, is to show support for "human rights, health and water rights, and basically everything that we have." Larry Gibson, whose family has lived on the same land for over 230 years, has been working to protect his health, his heritage, and his community from the ravages of Mountain Top Removal. The concert will be for remembrance of the homes and jobs lost, while also celebrating communities' efforts to resist MTR and promote sustainable jobs for a better future.

The festival will feature many emerging artists who celebrate their homes and heritage. Elizabeth LaPrelle (www.old97wrecords.com/ elizabeth-laprelle/about.htm ) will be singing with her mother, Sandy LaPrelle, on the fiddle. Jim Savarino (www.jimsavarino.com), who has played at festivals from Iowa to Texas, will be performing Appalachain roots contemporary folk songs. Keith, Joan and Jake Pitzer (http://www.pitzermusic.com/) bring together traditional and contemporary styles with down to earth lyrics. The Lone Tones, (http://www.thelonetones.com/home.html) a popular Knoxville, Tennessee band, have garnered regional and national attention for their unique style, literate songwriting, inspiring live shows.

Stanley Heirs Park is located near Dawes, WV, which is about 35 minutes south of Charleston off of Interstate 64.

There will be free camping available Saturday night. Please bring camping supplies, water, and snacks if you plan on staying. Attendees are encouraged to bring a covered dish.

For more information about the concert: www.myspace.com/mtkeepersfest

For more information on the effects of mountaintop removal, please visit www.crmw.net, www.ohvec.org, or www.seac.org.

This is a drug and alcohol free event. This is a free concert, but donations are welcome and appreciated.

This event is sponsored by the Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition, Student Environmental Action Coalition and Coal River Mountain Watch.