Carnegie Hall’s Second Stage Series joins forces with its Appalachian Heritage Series to present Elsa Howell: Ballads of Old Appalachia on Thursday, Oct. 23, at 7 p.m. Guests are invited to come early for the Second Stage Lounge from 6 to 6:45 p.m. A cash bar and snacks will be available.
Elsa Howell is a Richmond-based singer/songwriter, Old-Time guitarist, and Traditional Appalachian Ballad singer and teacher from Roanoke, Virginia. Her debut EP, released in September 2024, is a collection of original and traditional narratives combined in her own unique style.
Elsa grew up in the hills of southwest Virginia, dancing at square dances hosted by her father’s band, the Black Twig Pickers, and singing loudly on talent show stages. Her interest in singing intensified after attending a youth crankie workshop taught by Elizabeth LaPrelle, a ballad singer and multi-instrumentalist from Rural Retreat, Virginia. Many years later, Elizabeth and Elsa formed a mentor-apprentice pair sponsored by the Virginia Folklife Program. They spent a year diving into the old ballads of Virginia and beyond, with a focus on women singers and songwriters.’
This summer, Elsa performed at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival as a part of the Archive Challenge hosted by the Library of Congress.
Now, Elsa writes her own haunting ballads inspired by her native region while honoring and treasuring the centuries-old tradition of Appalachian ballad singing. She is constantly blending language and melody from an older world with the imagery and stories of a modern one.
Her performance at Carnegie Hall is a seasonal celebration of the darker side of love and lore. At the heart of Appalachian music is the old ballad tradition – stories sung to melodies that often date back centuries. For generations, these songs of Appalachia were passed down through families and communities, each note and lyric becoming a reflection of the people who called the mountains home. Murder ballads emphasize the darkness that runs through the heart of us all through tales of love and loss, murder and violence, heartbreak and betrayal, heroes and villains.
The Second Stage Series consists of five special events that take place in the Old Stone Room located on the ground floor of the Hall. The intimate setting creates a “speak easy” vibe with an eclectic line-up of entertainment. Seating is general admission.
Tickets are $20. Thanks to the Carnegie Cardinal Fund, Greenbrier County Students attend for free, but still must reserve a seat.
Tickets may be purchased by visiting www.carnegiehallwv.org, calling 304-645-7917, or stopping by the box office at 611 Church Street, Lewisburg.
Carnegie Hall WV is a nonprofit organization supported by individual contributions, grants, and fundraising efforts such as TOOT and The Carnegie Hall Gala.The Hall is located at 611 Church Street, Lewisburg. For more information, please call 304-645-7917 or visit www.carnegiehallwv.org.
