The MJS crew is headed to Kentucky for a weekend of music and mountains! It kicks off Friday night with two film showings at the Wiley’s Last Resort Campground (www.wileyslastresort.com): Bob Gates’ 1977 strip mining classic “In Memory of the Land and People” and the Appalshop film “Dreadful Memories” about mountain singer Sarah Ogan Gunning, one of the greatest Appalachian folk singers.

The “Mountain Music on the Mountain” concert will be held on Saturday, July 21, featuring performances by the banjo artist Lee Sexton and MJS’s own band “Heres to the Long Haul.” Michael and Carrie Kline from Elkins West Virgina are also scheduled to preform. Other musicians are welcome to come with instruments in tow–there will be an open mic and jam session late into the night.

MJS will offer two trips on Sunday for those interested: hiking to nearby Bad Branch State Nature Preserve and a visit to an active mountaintop removal site in Knott County (about 45 min drive). And finally, on Monday, MJS has planned a direct action event in Lexington, KY.

They’ll need lots of help this weekend, especially on Saturday night–people taking money at the gate, helping with the parking, cooking burgers, etc.–so y’all come and bring your swimming trunks and hiking shoes. It should be a great weekend!

If anyone has agenda items for the MJS meeting Saturday or needs directions to Wiley’s place near Whitesburg, KY, please email Dave Cooper.