Bristol Events

BIRTHPLACE OF COUNTRY MUSIC MUSEUM

The Smithsonian-affiliated Birthplace of Country Music Museum is hosting several programs in January that explore Black history and stories. All of these programs are free and open to the public.

Info about the Smithsonian Channel film screenings

The link is: https://birthplaceofcountrymusic.org/main-events/.

Tuesday, January 10, 7:00pm, in-person and via Zoom

Speaker – Author Kristina Gaddy, a special focus on the history of the banjo in Virginia and the resurgence of Black banjo players in American music today. Kristina’s talk will be followed by a book signing for her book Well of Souls: Uncovering the Banjo’s Hidden History.

Seizing Justice: The Greensboro 4, Tuesday, January 17, 11:00am and 3:00pm, length: 47
minutes

Two screenings of the Smithsonian Channel documentary focused on the story of
four Black college students and their non-violent sit-in at a Woolworth’s lunch counter in Greensboro, North Carolina.

Black Wings, Wednesday, January 18, 11:00am and 3:00pm, length: 51 minutes

Two screenings of the Smithsonian Channel documentary focused on the story of Black pioneers in aviation

The Green Book Guide to Freedom, Thursday, January 19, 6:30pm, length: 51 minutes —

Screening of the Smithsonian Channel documentary about how the Negro Motorist Green Book helped Black travelers to navigate the roads of a segregated nation. This screening will be followed by a discussion about the film and regional Green Book sites. (Discussion and local guests discussing Bristol Greenbook locations)

Black in Space: Breaking the Color Barrier, Saturday, January 21, 11:00am and 3:00pm,length: 57 minutes

Two screenings of the Smithsonian Channel’s documentary focused on
the story of Black astronauts and engineers at the crossroads of the Civil Rights movement and the Space Race

Contact: Dr. Rene Rodgers rrodgers@birthplaceofcountrymusic.org

River’s Way
Week of January 16 (TBD)

River’s Way MLK Walk

Contact: Tom Hanlon tom@riversway.org