2019 EVENTS
April 8-15th 154th Anniversary Events Living History, Special Programs
April 12 7:30 PM Civil War Ball Appomattox Inn and Suites
April 13th
6PM-Special performance of the one act play
Appomattox: The Last 48 Hours (featuring Curt Fields and Thomas Jessee)
7:30PM-Luminary Ceremony
April 13/14 Anniversary Living History Events: Stacking of the Arms
May 18 Literature in the Park- Details TBD
May 28 Music in the Park-Sweeney Concert Series
6PM McLean House porch
Haversacks and Hardtack
June 15 Art in the Park
June 18-19 Civil War Camp for kids
June 20-21 Civil War Camp for kids
June 25 Music in the Park-Sweeney Concert Series
6PM McLean House porch
NiteKAP
July 6 Annual Civil War Base Ball and Heritage Day
July 23 Music in the Park-Sweeney Concert Series
6PM McLean House porch
Laura Semilian and Band
August 17 Art in the Park
August 27 Music in the Park-Sweeney Concert Series
6PM McLean House porch
Bush League(Acoustic)
September 7
Joel Sweeney and the Banjo
Music Festival
Contact: David Wooldridge Phone No: 434-352-8987 x236
Dom Flemons and New Historical Marker Dedication
Headline 6th Annual Sweeney and the Banjo Festival
Appomattox, VA – Appomattox Court House NHP, the Appomattox 1865 Foundation, and the North Carolina School of Traditional Music will feature the 6th Annual Joel Sweeney and the Banjo Festival at the park on Saturday, September 7th from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. The day will be filled with music that reflects the legacy and influence of Joel Sweeney and the banjo in American music.
This year’s festival features Grammy-Winner and two-time Emmy nominee Dom Flemons as its headline act at 4:00 p.m. and a noon dedication of the new Virginia State Historical Marker to Black Banjoists along the banks of the Appomattox River. Flemons is one of the founding members of the African American string band the Carolina Chocolate Drops, and he is a music scholar, historian, and an expert player on the banjo, fife, guitar, harmonica, jug, quills, and rhythm bones. The new state historical marker is the first of its kind to recognize the unknown African American musicians who taught the traditional African banjo to Joel Sweeney, the white musician who brought the instrument to the world stage.
Other events include a guided tour of the Charles Sweeney Cabin and a concert by the Sweeney Players, a group of musicians from the North Carolina School of Traditional Music and friends who specialize in playing Sweeney-era songs.
Schedule
10:00-2:00
Charles Sweeney cabin open
to visitors with music and interpretation
10:00-10:45
Guided tour of the
Charles Sweeney cabin
11:30
Park Shuttle to Marker
(departing from main visitor lot)
Noon
Dedication of Historical Marker
to Black Banjoists
1:00-2:00
Early Banjo Performances
throughout the village.
3:00-5:00
Concert featuring Dom Flemons
opening act the Sweeney Players
Join us for this free day of entertainment, and explore the roots of the banjo and American music at Appomattox Court House National Historical Park!
September 27-28 8th Annual Lantern Tours
http://www.lynchburgtickets.com/lanterntours
October 12 Storytelling, music around the campfire
December 8 Holiday Open House with SANTA!
www.appomattox1865foundation.org
(Events and details are subject to change. Please check Facebook page for updates, additions, changes, directions.)
2018
Event Photos and Posters
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Music
Lantern Tours
2019 Sweeney Concert Series
Enjoy a variety of music performances from the McLean Porch at 6PM. Bring a blanket or chair. All concerts are free (donations toward Sweeney Cabin Restoration gladly accepted). No alcohol.
MAY 28
Haversacks and Hardtack
JUNE 25
NiteKAP
JULY 23
Laura Semilian and Band
AUGUST 27
Details to come!
SEPTEMBER 7
Joel Sweeney and the Banjo Festival
OCTOBER 12
Campfire music and talk
Art and Heritage Days
Annual Surrender Anniversary Every April
Civil War Ball in April
