Black Fiddlers Film Screening & Panel Discussion

Join ACHS, The Front Porch, and Preservation Piedmont for a screening of Black Fiddlers followed by a panel discussion.

Join ACHS, The Front Porch, and Preservation Piedmont for an evening screening of Black Fiddlers, a film that explores the profound legacy of African Americans who have indelibly shaped the cultural landscape of American folklore. Director Eduardo Montes-Bradley delves into the personal and family stories of violin players of African descent across the United States, uncovering common threads and rich through lines that weave their histories together. Over a period of two years, the film was shot on location in diverse settings, including Harlem, Virginia, the Carolinas, Georgia, Texas, Oregon, and Ohio.

Notable performers such as David Roberts, Earl White, and Rhiannon Giddens share their individual journeys and music, providing a powerful and personal touch. Local historians and academics contribute scholarly perspectives that deepen and enrich the understanding and appreciation of American Folk music and culture. This compelling documentary aims to offer the first comprehensive account of America’s rich musical history as told by Black fiddlers today.

Following the film screening, join us for remarks from the filmmaker and a panel discussion on how local Black fiddlers have contributed to Charlottesville’s music history and landscape. Panelists include fiddler Earl White, who is featured in the film, and Auriana Woods, Director of Monticello’s Getting Word African American History Department. The panel will be moderated by Richard Will, professor of Critical & Comparative Studies in Music at the University of Virginia.