Appalachian Symposium 2013 includes films, music & more

The Periclean Scholars Class of 2014 organized a program from Feb. 19-23 to spotlight issues related to the region they are studying.

Members of the Periclean Scholars Class of 2014

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The Periclean Scholars Class of 2014 is hosting a series of events this week intended to raise awareness of and address some of the salient issues in contemporary central Appalachia. All of the events are free and open to faculty, staff and, especially, students.

Visit the Class of 2014 website for more information about the symposium.

Tuesday, February19

Appalachian Awareness College Coffee: 9:40-10:20 in McKinnon Hall

The True Cost of Coal with Bill Price (Sierra Club): 7:30 p.m. in Yeager Recital Hall

Bill Price serves as the Environmental Justice for the West Virginia Sierra Club Chapter. The chapter focuses on fighting coal-related issues such as flooding and the destruction of clean water sources. Its Marcellus Shale Gas Campaign aims to protect communities from the hydro-fracking process.

Live Appalachian Music and Slideshow: 9 p.m. in Irazu

Wednesday, February 20

Mountain Activist Lorelei Scarbro: 7:30 p.m. in Yeager Recital Hall

Lorelei Scarbro is a full-time volunteer at the Boone-Raleigh Community Center in Whitesville, W.V. She is also a well-known mountain top removal opponent, community organizer and alternative energy advocate. She hopes to diversify her community’s energy and economy through the development of sustainable wind farms.

Thursday, February 21

Reflections on Appalachian Life with Derek Mullins of Appalshop: 7:30 p.m. in Yeager Recital Hall

Derek Mullins works for the marketing and sales department of Appalshop—a non-profit multi-disciplinary arts education center located in Whitesville, Ky. The center works to tell the stories of Appalachians and to document the creativity of the region through film, radio, music, and theater. Appalshop houses several programs, like the Appalachia Media Institute and Community Media Institute, to train youth and community members how to use digital media to support social and economic justice organizing.

Saturday, February 23

Screening of “The Last Mountain,” a film about mountaintop removal (sponsored by Appalachian Voices) 3:30 p.m. in McEwen 001