Concerts announced in Floyd, Grundy and Wytheville

Here’s a round-up of entertainment news around Southwest and Southside.

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Wytheville Community College to host the Whitetop Mountain Band and Wayne Henderson on December 17

Wytheville Community Collegewill present the free monthly Bluegrass and Old-Time Jamboree featuring Whitetop Mountain Band and Wayne Henderson and Friends on December 17, 2022, at 7:00 p.m. The Jamboree will be held in the William F. Snyder Auditorium on the WCC campus in Wytheville, located at 1000 East Main Street.

The Whitetop Mountain Band is a family-based band from the highest mountains of Virginia. The band includes Emily Spencer on banjo and vocals; Martha Spencer on guitar, fiddle, banjo, and vocals; Kilby Spencer on fiddle; Ersel Fletcher on guitar and vocals; and Debbie Bramer on bass.

Henderson is a National Heritage Award recipient honored for his craftsmanship as a luthier and his renowned finger-style Appalachian guitar playing. Sponsored through the National Council for Traditional Arts, the Smithsonian Institute, and Office of Arts America, Henderson has toured in the U.S., Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. Henderson will be performing with friends Herb Key, Randy Greer, and Josh Scott.

Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. The event is free and open to the public. Donations will be accepted to help defray the travel expenses of the bands.

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Winter Jam scheduled for Southern Gap in Buchanan County

Three performers will take the stage at the Southern Gap Visitor Center, Thursday, December 22, 2022 for Southern Gap Winter Jam 2022.

The Winter Jam, presented by Southern Gap Outdoor Adventure and Sunset Holler Inc., is a benefit concert to raise funds for the Southern Gap Amphitheater project and will feature performances by musicians Cody Kennedy, Mountain Valley and Asher McGlothlin.

Doors will open at 6 p.m. and the live entertainment will begin at 7 p.m. The visitor center is located at 1124 Chipping Sparrow Road, Grundy.

Advance tickets are $10 and may be purchased at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-southern-gap-winter-jam-2022-tickets-464526931557. They may also be purchased for $15 at the door the night of the event.

For additional information, interested persons may call Southern Gap Outdoor Adventure at 276-244-1111.

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Floyd Country Store releases December schedule

Tuesday, 12/6/22 – 5:00 pm – Bluegrass and Dinner with Jesse Smathers & Friends

Live at The Floyd Country Store – Free Admission

Join us for a great bluegrass show with Jesse Smathers, a wonderful local musician, Handmade Music School teacher, and member of the Lonesome River Band! Enjoy great music and great company, and if you’re hungry, pick up some great food from the Floyd Country Store Cafe. Admission is free with tips appreciated.

Wednesday, 12/7/22 through Saturday, 12/24/22 – The Great Gingerbread House Contest

Community art display at The Floyd Country Store and in other downtown businesses

Come to downtown Floyd this December and check out gingerbread house creations made by members of the community. Winners will be chosen in the following categories: Creative, Popular, Judges’ Choice, Business, and Youth. Prizes are donated by local businesses. Community judging for the “Popular” category begins Dec. 8 and ends Dec. 20. Winners announced Dec. 22.

Saturday, 12/10/22 – 7:00 pm – Jake Blount Band LIVE

Live at The Floyd Country Store – Tickets are $18

Jake Blount is an award-winning musician and scholar based in Providence, RI. He is half of the internationally touring duo Tui, a 2020 recipient of the Steve Martin Banjo Prize, and a two-time winner of the Appalachian String Band Music Festival (better known as Clifftop). Blount, a specialist in the early folk music of Black Americans, is a skilled performer of spirituals, blues and string band repertoire. He has presented his scholarly work at museums and universities including the Smithsonian Institution, Berklee College of Music and Yale University. His writing has appeared in Paste Magazine, No Depression, and NPR, and he has been a guest on Radiolab and Soundcheck.

Sunday, 12/11/22 – 7:30 pm – Dan Tyminski Featuring Gaven Largent Live (SOLD OUT)

Live at The Floyd Country Store – Tickets are $38

Throughout his 30+ year career, Dan Tyminski has left his mark in every corner of modern music. In addition to his highly successful solo career, Dan Tyminski has played guitar and mandolin for Alison Krauss and Union Station since 1994. His unmatched instrumental skills and burnished, soulful tenor voice has delivered 14 Grammy Awards from 18 nominations among numerous awards and “best of” lists. No stranger to the world of bluegrass, Gaven Largent has already become a highly sought-after studio musician. It’s easy to describe his dobro playing as once-in-a-generation because it is. His note section, approach to soloing, and his soulful musicality are second to none. In addition to dobro, Gaven is an accomplished on the banjo, guitar, mandolin, and a world-class vocalist. He’s also a respected luthier building under his own name: Largent.

Saturday, 12/17/22 – 7:00 pm – Darin and Brooke Aldridge & Friends Holiday Show

Live at The Floyd Country Store – Tickets are $30

Armed with the talents of the proverbial triple-threat of uniquely distinctive singing, commanding instrumental skills, and accomplished songwriting, Darin and Brooke continue to ascend to new heights in the industry while maintaining their easy-going, down-to-earth connection with audiences everywhere. Brooke is a four-time consecutive winner for Female Vocalist of the Year for the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA). She was nominated for a fifth time in 2021. Once a six-year member of The Country Gentlemen with the late Charlie Waller, Darin is a former IBMA Mentor of the Year and a truly gifted singer and multi-instrumentalist.

Saturday, 12/31/22 – from 6:00 pm to midnight – New Year’s Eve Dinner and Dance

Event at The Floyd Country Store – Tickets are $50 for dinner & dance, $20 for the dance only – Friends and Fixture cardholder tickets are $45 for dinner & dance, $15 for the dance only (in-store purchase only)

Join us at the Floyd Country Store for our 7th Annual New Year’s Eve Dinner & Dance Celebration with Twin Creeks String Band, Unique Sound of the Mountains & The Virginia Girls, and Raistlin Brabson & Mac Traynham. Dinner is served from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm, with dancing from 8:00 pm – 12:00am, and an alcohol-free toast at midnight. Visit our website to see the dinner menu.

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Honky Tonk Thursdays

The Floyd Country Store clears the floor for dancing to some of the best honky tonk and classic country music, most often hosted by the master telecaster player Redd Volkaert and his band.

12/1/22 – Honky Tonk Thursdays

Live at The Floyd Country Store – FREE: Suggested donation of $10