2024 Performers
Fluidity Performance Troupe
Fluidity Performance Troupe specializes in awe-inspiring Cirque performances. Featuring high skilled and captivating shows of aerial acrobatics, fire arts, ground acrobatics, stilt walking, and more, they add elements of wonder and awe to any event at which they are present. In addition to performances, the artists of Fluidity design their costumes and set, and map out a multifaceted experience for their clients. With creativity as their compass, they turn ordinary gatherings into extraordinary memories, leaving a lasting impression on every audience.
Fluidity understands the importance of excellence both on and off the stage. Therefore, they develop a professional stage presence through investment in the artists who work with them. Behind the incredible artists stands Maria Ekaterina, whose diverse background and unwavering passion drive the troupe. With a foundation in fashion design, and a first-degree black belt in Taekwondo, Maria's dedication to mastering various disciplines ensures top-notch performances.
Fluidity Performance Troupe has earned acclaim for professionalism and creativity from clients like Front Porch Festival, Floyd Center for the Arts, and Body Mind Spirit Expo. Specializing in aerial acrobatics, fire arts, and ground acrobatics, we bring sophistication and grace to every event, leaving a lasting impression with our wow-worthy performances.
fluidityperformanceentertainment.com
Aristotle Jones
Appalachian Soul Man, Aristotle Jones
Known as the Appalachian Soul Man, West Virginia native, Aristotle Jones has become a fan favorite in West Virginia, Central Appalachia and beyond. With engagement, connection, and passion, Aristotle Jones leaves it all on the stage with uplifting music influenced by artists like Bill Withers, Leon Bridges, Ray Charles, Darius Rucker, and other Genre blending musical pioneers. On stage with his 9 piece "Amazing Appalachian Soul Band", Jones captivates audiences with his range, emotion, authenticity and originality. With his full band Aristotle expands the arrangement to include a stellar horn section, a solid rhythm section, and feature soloists. The music is modern but the feeling of Aristotle's full band shows transport the audience with the nostalgic energy of Juke Joints found throughout rural Appalachia.
A central theme of Aristotle's music and community projects is shedding light on the contribution to art in culture provided by Black Americans living in the Appalachian Mountains. He is the descendant of coal miners, and farmers who against all odds made a life in the poor coal town of Osage, West Virginia.
Jones' music reflects the values of courage, fortitude and determination that were taught to him while porch picking with his grandfather, a regional Gospel and Soul singer who traveled to segregated coal camps performing for black coal miners in the mid 20th Century, and Aristotle is proud to carry on the legacy of Soulful Folk music inspired by Doo Wop, Gospel and Blues in Appalachia.
You can find music from Aristotle Jones on Apple Music, Spotify, CD Baby, as well as other major platforms and at www.AristotleJones.com
Into the Fog
Into the Fog
Winners of the 2021 MerleFest Band Competition, Into The Fog is a pyschedelic jamgrass band out of Raleigh, North Carolina. With its members having various backgrounds ranging from bluegrass to funk, Into The Fog creates a musical melting pot of sounds in an acoustic/newgrass setting. The band is made up of Winston Mitchell (Mandolin), Derek Lane (Bass), and Connor Kozlosky (Guitar), with everyone contributing on vocals.
James Hart & Old Soul Reunion
James Hart
James is a talented blues/soul songwriter and musician, shining light at Stages Music School in downtown Princeton and has performed at Culturefest for the past 10 years with multiple acts. A prolific writer, he's written over 70 songs. He says, "Music has always been a major part of my life; I see it as a way to deal with life and sometimes a way to not deal with life; I believe it is the art of creating emotion. In my solo work, I write what I have experienced either directly or indirectly and I try to play music that makes people happy, so most of what I write comes from that. But I don't want to just make them happy, I want to make them think about their relationships and the people they love, in hopes of helping them somehow deal with and reflect on the good and the bad in a positive way. After all, if you take away the cars and the houses and all the materialistic things, all we have left is each other.”
James is joined by Jordan Furrow on drums and Robert Blankenship on bass, creating a tight knit sound that will make your feet move and your heart soar.
Conor & The Wild Hunt
Strings of Green is a family bluegrass band based out of Beckley, WV.