High Knob Outdoor Fest (Aug. 8-15, 2026) is a weeklong celebration of the region’s abundant outdoor adventures; offering trips, activities, and presentations focused on getting more people outside.

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In a storytelling workshop led by Kelle Jolly, participants will explore the lives and music of three influential Appalachian blues women—Bessie Smith, Ida Cox, and Leola Manning—who used their voices to document the struggles, joys, and realities of life in the early 20th century. Their songs, much like photographs, capture snapshots of life, from the hardships of the Great Depression to personal struggles, natural disasters, and resilience. Through their lyrics and musical styles, they exemplify the blues tradition, blending honest emotion with storytelling. Participants will compose original blues songs with lyrics that tell a story.

 

The workshop is for all ages, beginner and advanced storytellers. Registration is required for the workshop: email destinationcenter@nortonva.org or call (276) 679-3103.

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Kelle Jolly and Hannah Harvey will give storytelling performances in conjunction with High Knob Outdoor Festival. The performance is free and open to all. Hannah Harvey takes us from the worlds of folktales and magic, to the realm of everyday Appalachian life, in an evening of tales full of humor and heart. Hear nearby stories from Saltville, VA, and folktales far-flung from across the pond—these tales transport us to another world, so that we might come back ready to inhabit our own homeplaces with even more compassion, curiosity, and wonder. Kelle Jolly is an accomplished jazz musician and a captivating storyteller, embodying a harmonious blend of talent and dedication. With a Master of Art in Communication and Storytelling Studies from East Tennessee State University, and a Bachelor of Science in Music Education from South Carolina State University, Kelle combines her academic background with a wealth of practical experience to captivate audiences worldwide.

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Kelle Jolly is a multifaceted musician, renowned for her exceptional talents as a ukulele player, vocalist, and storyteller. With a Bachelor of Science in Music Education from South Carolina State University and Master of Art in Communication and Storytelling Studies from East Tennessee State University, Kelle combines her academic background with a wealth of practical experience to captivate audiences worldwide.

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As a fixture at the esteemed Dollywood Flower and Food Festival since 2020 and as the host of Jazz Jam with Kelle Jolly on WUOT 91.9FM since 2014, she has solidified her position as a prominent figure in the music scene in Central Appalachia. Her teaching artist experience reflects her commitment to nurturing musical talent in others.

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Kelle's touring experience spans international waters, including performances in Japan and on Bahama Paradise Cruises with her multi-wind instrumentalist husband Will Boyd. Notably, she has graced prestigious stages such as TEDx ETSU and the Levitt Amp Series, showcasing her versatility and magnetic stage presence. Her contributions to various soundtracks and appearances in productions like the Mountain Magic Christmas Movie underscore her ability to excel across different mediums.

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With a rich history of performances at festivals, concerts, and theaters, Kelle has left an indelible mark on the music landscape. From the Gaithersburg Ukulele Festival to the Lincolnville Jazz Series, her dynamic performances have delighted audiences far and wide. Additionally, her involvement in musical theater productions like Hairspray and Dreamgirls highlights her versatility as a performer.

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Beyond her performances, Kelle is dedicated to sharing her expertise through clinics, workshops, and master classes. Whether leading a ukulele workshop or speaking at events like the Maker City Summit, she continues to inspire and educate aspiring musicians.

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She is a member of the National Association of Black Storytellers and Black in Appalachia. Kelle can also be found leading tours with Hood Huggers International in Asheville, NC and producing jazz concerts at the YMI Cultural Center. 

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Kelle Jolly's journey as a musician and educator is a testament to her unwavering passion for music and storytelling. With her exceptional skills and boundless creativity, she continues to leave an indelible mark on the world of music, enriching communities and inspiring generations to come. 

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Hannah Harvey is an Appalachian storyteller whose energy is contagious.  She has performed in festivals in the U.S. & U.K., taught storytelling courses and workshops at universities in the U.S. and Morocco, has been a featured teller at the National Storytelling Festival, and will return in August as a Teller-in-Residence at the International Storytelling Center.  Critics have called her performance work “very funny” (Theatre Guide London) and “deeply moving” (Classical Voice of North Carolina). 

 

Dr. Harvey earned her Ph.D. in Communication Studies/Performance Ethnography at The University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, and she draws on that training to develop oral histories and folklore into storytelling performances that are grounded in cultural context.  

 

Because of Hannah’s focus on the power of storytelling to shape identity, her work has helped folks in a variety of fields.  Her dissertation work with disabled coal miners’ oral histories yielded multiple award-winning performances, and she has given workshops to healthcare providers on the value of story-listening in healthcare.  She has lectured as a part of Yale University’s Psychiatric Grand Rounds and trained Pastors and Rabbis on spiritual storytelling.  Last Fall, she worked with her local park historians to stage an oral history storytelling performance of life on Bays Mountain spanning three centuries.  Over the past four years, with Elizabeth Ellis and many others, Hannah helped start the Storytellers’ Legacy Project, a community-based oral history project sponsored by the Storytelling Resource Place in Jonesborough, TN.  While teaching at Kennesaw State University, Hannah’s students selected her as an “Honor’s Program Distinguished Teacher” and for the “Alumni Association Commendation for Teaching Impact.” 

 

Hannah can cook a mean chocolate pie from family recipes generations-deep, and she enjoys raising children and chickens on their farm in the southern Appalachian Mountains.

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We're proud to be a co-sponsor of High Knob Outdoor Festival and, alongside our partners at the City of Norton, participate in the local arts traditions of our region. Find the full festival schedule at highknoboutdoorfest.com.

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Pro-Art partners with a variety of venues, for accessibility inquiries or general questions, call (276) 376-4520 or email contact@proartva.org. For weather related updates, patrons are encouraged to check proartva.org for real-time information.

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Pro-Art is supported in part by the Virginia Commission for the Arts, which receives support from the Virginia General Assembly. Pro-Art is additionally supported in part by the C. Bascom Slemp Foundation, The University of Virginia’s College at Wise, Smith Vicars Family Foundation, and the National Endowment for the Arts.