Capon Bridge, West Virginia

For the inaugural LOCAL project, I decided to go to Capon Bridge, West Virginia. The River House coffee shop is on the way to a family cabin and I stop in frequently. It’s a really unique place that is creating a movement in its small community. After catching her teaching advertisement flyer on a bulletin board and a couple months of corresponding, I met with fiddler Dakota Karper and we played a piece called “Coyote Howl” that was written by local composer Joe Hermann, a former teacher of Dakota’s. I reached out to painter Paula Heefner, who was the coffee shops featured artist during the month I started this particular undertaking. She created an image of the River House Coffee Shop being held up by a small community with inspirational words along with some additional symbolism. Everyone involved has set the bar amazingly high for these endeavors in the future. Please read about the contributors and venue below, and take a minute to look into their own projects!

Dakota Karper - A long time veteran of Appalachian mountain music and the West Virginia, Old Time scene. She plays/has played solo and with outfits such as “The Short Mountain String Band” and more recently “Hayfever”, which released an album in June of this year. She is opening a music school called the Cat and the Fiddle in Capon Bridge to share her love of music and teaching.

• https://www.facebook.com/dakotark

• https://www.dakotakarper.com/

• https://www.facebook.com/TheCatandTheFiddleWV/

River House coffee shop - I could not have stumbled upon a more fitting location for the inaugural publication of “the LOCAL project”. From their mission statement:

“To provide a safe, welcoming space where art and music catalyze deep community connections and nourish the lives of individuals of all ages and abilities.”

Id say you can tell this place is special from the minute you walk in the door, but really its charm starts before that even… a small wooden stage with chairs next to a babbling brook right outside sets the mood as you walk up. Entering inside, there’s always a bustle of friends playing games at hand made tables, local art on display, craft beer, unique food options catering to many dietary needs and a multitude of events upcoming that will leave even the most discerning of homebodies reeling with choices. The concerts often end up being standing room only and Ive heard of the legendary charm that this venue brings out of its artists as they pass through. If you are anywhere near Capon Bridge, I cannot possibly advocate strong enough for you to check out their Website. Yoga, Music, Jam sessions, Art, Poetry, they have every conceivable option for you to take part in, and if somehow none of their events suit your fancy, just stop by for a coffee and “the Elvis” (peanut butter and banana sandwich)!

• https://www.theriverhousewv.org

• https://www.facebook.com/TheRiverHousewv/

Paula Heefner - I stumbled across Paula’s work on one of my family stops at the River House Coffee shop. You can actually see some of her work on display in the background of the live video. She’s was exceedingly generous with her time and really brought this all together. Regarding her process:

“ I would say mostly I create a layered background from vintage papers, book pages and sheet music...some journaling to give the piece some of the energy I’m feeling and then this is then softened with gesso, paint, charcoal, pastels whatever medium might be calling me...looking for what might appear in the layers can lead me to create a face or an animal ect. Sometimes I might dream a piece or see a shape or face in the clouds or trees...usually inspiration comes from nature. “

She has two events coming up, both at the river house coffee shop (check their website for details) “Soul Drawing” which will allow participants to release their feelings through their fingers onto paper while (hopefully) led into a meditative place by live piano. The second is a Words and Music collaboration with “Steve Kaldes on piano with John Berry sharing his hearts poetry and myself sharing Earth Child, a poetic journey of the elements set to Steves piano music.” She also has plans to create an illustrated coloring/story book and audio CD of Steve and her performing Earth Child.

• https://www.facebook.com/paula.stabley.5