The Frank and Jane Gabor West Virginia Folklife Center’s Trunk of Traditional Tunes continues Sunday, February 6 at 2 p.m. with musician Dave Bing. A Trunk of Traditional Tunes is a series dedicated to celebrating the traditional music of West Virginia, funded by the West Virginia Humanities Council through a grant made possible by the 2021 American Recuse Plan Act.
During Bing’s presentation he will discuss family bands throughout the state, the fiddle and his fiddle instructors over the years. He is a West Virginia native, teacher and traditional musician.
Bing has been an instructor at the Augusta Heritage Center’s music workshops for more than 30 years. He is a recipient of the Folklife Center’s 2019 Traditions Salute, awarded for his commitment to and advancement of West Virginia’s cultural heritage. He also has won several fiddle contests and is well-known for playing the square dances at the West Virginia State Folk Festival. In addition, Bing has belonged to bands including the Bing Brothers and the High Ridge Ramblers.
“We look forward to welcoming Dave Bing home to Fairmont State as he presents as part of our Trunk of Traditional Tunes series,” said Fairmont State University President, Mirta M. Martin. “As a center of culture for our region and the state, we strive to create programming that is entertaining and deeply rooted in the region’s cultural heritage. Fairmont State’s mission includes providing access to education to anyone who seeks it. Through The Trunk of Traditional Tunes project, we can uphold that mission and help keep those amazing cultural traditions alive for generations to come.”
The Trunk of Traditional Tunes will continue through the spring semester with guests including David O’Dell on February 20 at 2 p.m., John Morris on March 6 at 2 p.m., Sarah Sullivan on March 13 at 2 p.m. and Emily Hillard on March 16 at 7 p.m.
The events are open for free in-person public attendance at the Frank and Jane Gabor West Virginia Folklife Center. Audiences are limited and participants are required to follow the University’s health and safety protocols at all times, including the wearing of a mask.
Each event will be livestreamed on the Frank and Jane Gabor West Virginia Folklife Center’s Facebook page. Recordings of these events will be added to an online curriculum available to teachers, schools and other community organizations.
The Frank and Jane Gabor West Virginia Folklife Center is in a historic barn on the campus of Fairmont State University. The Center’s mission is to preserve and perpetuate West Virginia’s rich cultural heritage. For further information, contact 304-367-4403.
