Above Photo: David Holt
For the last 19 years, A Swannanoa Solstice has brought music, joy, and light to winter’s darkest day — hosting a world-class lineup of musicians, dancers, and storytellers for an evening of Appalachian folk at the Wortham Center for the Performing Arts in Asheville. After the last year of socially distanced and live-streamed events, this beloved local holiday tradition is back in-person in 2021, with two opportunities to experience the spirited event: 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 19.
Though the winter solstice may be the shortest day of the year, A Swannanoa Solstice is a celebration of light in Western North Carolina — of all the people, music, stories, traditions, and cultures that make this region unique. In both solo sets and group sessions, interspersed with variety show-style banter, the artists perform a mix of Celtic, American roots, and world-influenced music that reflects the heritage of the hills.
New to the lineup this year is Asheville-based Americana duo Zoe & Cloyd — comprising Natalya Zoe Weinstein, a renowned fiddler and vocalist, and her husband and musical partner, John Cloyd Miller. An award-winning songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and vocalist, Miller is a 12th generation North Carolinian and the grandson of pioneering bluegrass fiddler Jim Shumate. Weinstein, a classically trained instrumentalist, also comes from a long lineage of musicians — her father played jazz piano, and her grandfather was a klezmer musician. During the solstice event, the duo plans to shine a light on Weinstein’s musical heritage, tying her grandfather’s traditional Jewish instrumental music into their old-time bluegrass sound and bringing new voices to the Appalachian cultural mix.
Familiar faces returning to this year’s event include the legendary Robin Bullock, who will lead the celebration with his iconic strung Celtic and Americana sound. Bullock is an Indie, WAMMIE, NPR-honored musician and a prolific composer and multi-instrumentalist. His virtuosity on guitar, cittern, and mandolin blend the ancient melodies of the Celtic lands with the music of their Appalachian descendants into one powerful vision.
Also returning to Solstice in 2021 are David Holt, E.J. Jones, Phil Jamison, Josh Goforth, and host Doug Orr. Holt, a four-time Grammy Award-winning musician, is a storyteller, artist, historian, and radio and television host. For more than 40 years, he has collected and performed the songs and stories of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Jones, a professional Highland bagpiper, brings the well-known Celtic instrument to the stage, giving the ensemble its secret ingredient and taking the evening’s performance from great to spectacular. Jamison, an acclaimed old-time musician on banjo and fiddle and a flatfoot dancer, is a nationally recognized dance-caller and has performed and taught at music and dance events since the early 1970s. Goforth is back for a second year, bringing his renowned old-time, bluegrass, swing music, and Madison County sensibilities. The rising acoustic music star and Grammy nominee has performed on prestigious stages worldwide, including Carnegie Hall and the Grand Old Opry. And the show would not be complete without musician, host, and emcee Doug Orr, founder of The Swannanoa Gathering at Warren Wilson College summer music program and president emeritus of Warren Wilson College (from 1991 to 2006). He offers his warm voice in song and poetry.
A Swannanoa Solstice is presented in partnership with The Swannanoa Gathering at Warren Wilson College and is made possible by performance sponsors Dan and Anna Garrett; Bill and Marilyn Hubbard; Jim King and Jayne Cleveland; Henry LaBrun; Amy Loether; Dianne and David Worley; Mosaic Community Lifestyle Realty; and JAG Construction. Media supports Blue Ridge Public Radio, The Laurel of Asheville, and WNCW 88.7 FM.
Updated vaccination and mask policy, effective Sept. 1, 2021: To ensure the health and wellness of patrons, artists, staff, and volunteers, proof of complete vaccination against COVID-19 or proof of a negative COVID-19 test conducted by a lab within 48 hours of the performance is required to attend indoor concerts at the Wortham Center. Masks are needed for all patrons and visitors regardless of vaccination status. Performance ticket holders who do not comply with these policies will not be admitted. We will adjust our policies in response to local and national recommendations about health and safety. For full policy details and updates, visit the COVID-19 Policies and Procedures page at worthamarts.org.
To obtain more information about upcoming performances at the Wortham Center for the Performing Arts or to purchase tickets for A Swannanoa Solstice on Sunday, Dec. 19 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. ($58 Regular; $53 Student; $20 Child; $10 Student Rush tickets, day-of-show (with valid I.D.), call the Wortham Center Box Office at 828-257-4530 or visit worthamarts.org.
The Wortham Center for the Performing Arts, located at 18 Biltmore Ave. in downtown Asheville, is a three-venue performing arts complex, encompassing the 500-seat Diana Wortham Theatre, with its exceptional acoustics and sightlines, the 100-seat black box theatre, Tina McGuire Theatre, and the multiuse Henry LaBrun Studio, designed for special events and workshops. Each year from fall through spring, the Wortham Center produces a season packed full of world-class, internationally renowned artists — presenting the best of the best in music, dance, theatre, comedy, and more. The 2021/2022 Season sponsors are the Buncombe County TDA, Renaissance Asheville Hotel, Asheville Citizen-Times, the North Carolina Arts Council, 67 Biltmore, and Blue Moon Water. To obtain more information on the season or purchase tickets, call the theatre’s box office at 828- 257-4530 or visit worthamarts.org.