Join Us for an Unforgettable Friday and Saturday of Appalachian Soul with Aristotle Jones!
The Fine Arts Center for the New River Valley & Calfee Community & Cultural Center are thrilled to welcome Aristotle Jones and his Appalachian Soul Band to Pulaski, VA, for two-days of events celebrating music and storytelling. Jones is a professional musician and storyteller who plays what he calls “Appalachian Soul” – a mix of soul, R&B, doo-wop, gospel, funk, and folk. It’s an eclectic blend that reflects his identity as a Black Appalachian and specifically, his roots in Osage. We are greatly appreciated of our venue partners: the First Baptist Church on Magazine Street and the historic Pulaski Theatre.
Day 1: Community Meal & Story Swap with Aristotle Jones
Date: Friday, January 31, 2025 - 5:00 to 7:00 pm
Venue & Time: Fellowship Hall at the First Baptist Church at 220 Magazine Street, Pulaski, VA
RSVP: https://calfeeccc.org/storyswap
Start the weekend with an inspiring event centered on storytelling and the cultural roots of Appalachia. Aristotle Jones will deliver a compelling Storyteller Performance that weaves together narratives, and community engagement, this will be followed by engaging stories from local community members, and finally we open the floor to our audience and invite you (if you’re interested), to take the mic and tell your own story about life in Appalachia.
Aristotle’s Stories are set in Osage, West Virginia, a small coal mining town and the hub of the Scott’s Run communities that sprung to service the Christopher, and later the Consol mining operations.
Aristotle’s story starts in the 1920s when his great grandfather, like many share croppers, and folks from all over the world moved to West Virginia from Alabama in search of a brighter future in Appalachia.
However due to the pen strokes of historians, and the misrepresentation of Appalachia over the decades, stories of black contributors to Appalachian culture have been missing… until now!
Aristotle seamlessly weaves between big global stories like “how Rock n’ Roll was invented in West Virginia” and personal family histories like how his Gospel singing grandad won the hand of his grandmother after “the shutdown in the streets of Osage.”
Friday Timeline:
Doors open and food will be available at 5:00 pm
Aristotle performs
Local storytellers share their stories
Storytelling floor open to the audience. The event concludes at 7:00 pm
Day 2: Aristotle Jones & the Appalachian Soul Band in Concert
Date: Saturday, February 1, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Venue: Pulaski Theatre, 14 West Main Street, Pulaski, VA
Watch Aristotle Jones and Band Perform “Straight to You”
Get ready for an electrifying performance by Aristotle Jones and his Appalachian Soul Band, featuring horns, piano, guitar, bass, and drums. This afternoon concert will immerse you in the powerful sounds of Appalachian Soul—a fusion of soulful rhythms, rich harmonies, and heartfelt lyrics that celebrate the diversity and depth of Appalachian culture.
Admission:
General Admission: $15
Students: $10
After the show, join us for a meet-and-greet with Aristotle Jones. This is your chance to share your own stories, connect with the artist, and learn more about his creative process.