For the third year in a row, the Eastern Kentucky mountain town of Pikeville was home to the Mountain Grrl Experience. It's a unique art and music event designed to promote the creativity and artistry of Appalachian women in a supportive environment.
The all-female bluegrass band, Coaltown Dixie was one of the live music groups performing on a large outdoor stage in downtown Pikeville. On a warm June evening, hundreds of people soaked in the music at tables topped with large blue umbrellas.
Kris Preston plays mandolin with Coaltown Dixie and is the co-organizer of the three-day event. She said the Mountain Grrl Experience is a weekend of music, art, workshops, and culture right here in eastern Kentucky to celebrate the creativity and strength of Appalachian women.
“ We’re doing that by trying to instill upon the next generation the importance of what we have here in this area. To be proud of where they’re from. To be really proud of the strong Appalachian women that are raising them or have raised them,” explained Preston.
The weekend included live music performances on two different outdoor stages. Preston said there are opportunities to create art for all ages and a juried art exhibit at the Appalachian Center for the Arts.
“ And you know, with that event, we’ve heard so many women say 'I never had the opportunity to show my art in an art gallery before.' That’s really what a lot of this is about is giving opportunity to others that might not have had it before.”
While the festival celebrates women, Preston says all genders are welcome. And she said proceeds benefit Turning Point Domestic Violence Services in Martin, Kentucky, a residential facility that provides emergency shelter and advocacy services.
Enjoying festival food and music at the main outdoor stage, 20- year- old Kaylin Bryant said, it was her Mamaw who told her about the Mountain Girl Experience.
“This is where I was born and raised and where all of my family is from and I have had generations of wonderful women that could have really benefitted from this so I’m glad that our generation is kind of allowed this empowerment,” said Bryant.
In addition to evening performances, the Mountain Grrl Experience had daytime events in the town. At Pikeville City Park, several families gathered under a tent where a large banner read, Music is Healing.
Colorful drums, xylophones, tambourines, and chimes were available for anyone to pick up and explore. Pike County resident Linda Wright joined her grandson Tyler in beating the drums.
“I think it’s good like if you’re lonely and you need something to bring peace into your life, music just puts a smile on your face,” said Wright.
Music therapist Cecilia Wright encouraged members of the audience to pick up an instrument. She traveled to the event from Knoxville to lead a Community Music Therapy Workshop. She said the goal of the Music is Healing tent is to create an inviting space for kids to experience music and try different instruments.
“It’s really just creating that safe space for kids to experience music. In a way, there’s no right or wrong. It’s just about experiencing music and having that support,” said Wright.
She also led a workshop for adults on the porch of Pikeville’s Chamber of Commerce. That’s where Zoe Howard shared a song she wrote.
“I think that song tells a lot about how I’m gonna pursue music therapy and how I want that song to heal others and make everybody happy,” reported Howard.
The 19-year-old from Salyersville said she considers herself a mountain girl.
“A mountain girl is a woman who lives, born, raised, or traveled to Appalachia who lives in Appalachia. And who loves the arts of Appalachia,” said Howard.
Two-time Grammy winner and singer/songwriter Rebecca Lynn Howard said she is proud to call herself a mountain girl. Howard whose songs have been recorded by artists such as Trisha Yearwood and Reba McEntire, leads an afternoon music writing workshop. The room was full of men and women taking notes as she talked about co-writing the song, Lipstick.
“Any time I get a chance to come back home and contribute in any way to the arts here in the mountains, it’s always so important to me cause I’m so appreciative of the talent here. The musical heritage is so rich and anytime I can contribute to helping that grow, I will do it,” explained Howard.
Howard was raised in Magoffin County and now lives in Nashville, Tennessee. She sang to a full audience from the main stage at the Mountain Grrl Experience.
Co-organizer of Mountain Grrrl Experience, Kris Preston said dozens of people helped with the event. She said even though it was stressful at times if the Mountain Grrl Experience helped other women and young people in any way, it was worth it.
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Nine-year-old Rynn Cecil was happy to have her picture taken with the members of Coaltown Dixie after taking the workshop they presented called Jump in there, and Jam.
Friends Abby Meade and Kaylin Bryant enjoyed festival food while listening to music on the main stage. They are proud to call themselves mountain girls.
Music therapist Cecilia Wright encourages people like Linda Wright and her grandson Tyler to experience musical instruments at the Music is Healing tent
Music therapist Cecelia Wright leads a Community Music Therapy Workshop.
Two-time Grammy winner and singer/songwriter Rebecca Lynn Howard plays to the audience at Mountain Grrl Experience
