Hip Hop in Appalachia Event
Ramsey Center for Appalachian Studies at Mars Hill University
November 13, 2025
Hip-hop is alive and vital in Appalachia, a fact known to relatively few within—and fewer outside—this misunderstood region. Borrowing from a generations-old African American tradition of spoken word expression, rap and hip-hop echo a narrative of survival against all odds. These original, historical elements are deeply rooted in the fabric of Appalachia, blending into the backdrop of the region's musical character, yet revived and reintroduced by fresh talent with contemporary styles. Professor Ted Olson and performance artist geonovah will talk about hip hop in Appalachia, as well as the backstory of the album No Options: Hip Hop in Appalachia.This event will take place in Ferguson Health Sciences Building 306, on the campus of Mars Hill University. It is open to the public.
Join Madison County's own NEA National Heritage Fellow Sheila Kay Adams as she shares spooky tales from right here in the Appalachian Mountains. This event will be in Moore Auditorium on the campus of Mars Hill University. The event is free and open to all and no reservations are required. Doors open at 6:30 pm. Please note: This event is not intended for children.Thank you to the Madison County Tourism Development Authority for helping to support this program.
Fall Writers Retreat with Annette Saunooke Clapsaddle
​
Troublesome Creek Writers’ Retreats offer a fun and relaxing weekend on the Hindman Settlement School campus during one of our most beautiful seasons. Facilitated by accomplished writers and authors, these retreats are kept small–between 12-15 participants–so that attendees can write in community, without the demands of a structured workshop, but still with the opportunity to participate in facilitated discussions and sessions. Here is an opportunity to write, read, and fellowship, away from the hustle of everyday life.
The Reece Museum invites the public to take part in a Community History Harvest on Saturday, Nov. 15, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event is free and open to all.A History Harvest is an interactive community event where people bring in personal items, photographs, or stories connected to a specific theme — in this case, religious history and spiritual life in Appalachia. Museum staff and ETSU students will document these materials through digital photography, video recording, and audio interviews so they can be preserved and studied by current and future historians. Participants will take their objects home the same day, but their stories and digital records will contribute to the history of religious and spiritual life in our community. Community members are encouraged to bring a wide variety of objects, from traditional religious items such as Bibles, hymnals, church records, and photographs, to more personal or unique artifacts that they may regard as sacred or spiritual. Stories of lived experience — whether connected to a sacred object, a memory of religious practice, or the role of religion and spirituality in everyday life — are equally valuable contributions. The project invites the full spectrum of religious and spiritual practices in Appalachia. The History Harvest is organized in partnership with Dr. Adler’s undergraduate Religion in Appalachia class. Students will serve as greeters, interviewers, and archivists throughout the day, gaining hands-on experience in public history while engaging directly with the local community.