Culture
History
Man-Made Features
Natural Features
Kentucky Folklife
By: Hannah
Kentucky has many different types of folklife. There are music, arts and crafts, and performing arts. Below are some facts about folklife in Kentucky.
Music
Kentucky is famous for its Bluegrass music. This type of music includes the guitar, fiddle, banjo, mandolin, dulcimer and bass fiddle. These instruments are crafts, too, for they are works of art made by Kentucky crafters. It is very important that we have a type of music we are famous for. This makes our culture special. Bill Monroe created Bluegrass Music. He said, " It is a combination of jazz, traditional mountain fiddle music, and church music." In 1939, a radio station was first broadcast from Renfro Valley. This program was called "The Renfro Valley Barn Dance." It was not long before other states began to carry the broadcast. Soon, people all over the United States were listening to Kentucky Bluegrass music. Many Kentuckians also enjoy country music. A lot of country music artists are native to Kentucky. Loretta Lynn is from Butcher Hollow. We also listen to Billy Ray Cyrus, a country rock singer from Flatwoods, in Pike County, and to Patty Loveless, who comes from the same county. Ricky Skaggs is from Lawrence County. The Judds, Wynonna and Naomi, are from Ashland. How many times have you sung "Happy Birthday" to someone? Did you know that two sisters from Louisville-Patty Smith Hill and Mildred Hill- wrote that song in 1893? The music of these Kentuckians is enjoyed all over the world.
Arts and Crafts
Kentucky is famous for its handmade quilts
. Quilts come in many different types. Some people make quilts for fun, and some
people make quilts to express themselves. You can put things on your quilt
that you treasure or enjoy. Quilts were being made hundreds of years
ago, and are
still being made today.
Do you know what a sewing circle is? It is when a group of people gather and
work on the same quilt. There is an example (on the right) of a sewing
circle. These ladies are all working on the same quilt. Long ago, people made
quilts to stay warm. They could not go to a store and buy one. You had to make
your own stuff. Today, you can go to a quilt show where quilts can cost several hundred dollars.
Performing Arts
Orchestra, ballets, plays, and operas are all performing arts. Kentucky has many theatres where you may go to see these shows. There are also many outdoor dramas and concerts performed in Kentucky campgrounds. You can see "The Stephen Foster Story" in Bardstown. In Harrodsburg, you can see "The Legend of Daniel Boone." This group of activities also makes Kentucky special.
Resources: Kentucky--the Bluegrass State by Peggy Roney Walther