The RiffRaff Arts Collective

08/29/2026

Less than two weeks from now, we’ll be deep in the flow of Culturefest! ✨ And did you know it’s so much more than incredible live music?

Throughout the weekend, explore free workshops and experiences including West African drumming, salsa dance, Native flute, blues, yoga, sound baths, expressive art, flow arts, music creation and more...plus our Healing Arts Village and creative experiences throughout the Grassroots District.

September 10–13 • Princeton, WV

FREE

Swipe ➡️ for the full workshop schedule and descriptions, and start planning your Culturefest weekend!

Find text only versions of these graphics, more details, the complete program guide & schedule, and everything you need to know to plan your weekend at culturefestwv.com. 🌎✨

08/28/2026

✨ IT’S HERE! We present to you the official program for the 🌎🎶 23rd Annual Culturefest World Music & Arts Festival!

Flip through the pages to explore the incredible artists, vendors, workshops, healing arts, sponsors, and supporters who make Culturefest possible, and FREE for ALL to attend!

You’ll also be able to stop by RiffRaff Arts Collective or The Dream Bean to pick up a printed copy early next week!

Make sure your calendars are marked for September 10–13, and find everything you need to plan your visit at CulturefestWV.com. We’ll see you soon! 💛

https://online.fliphtml5.com/culturefestprogram/enbt/

The official program for the 23rd Annual Culturefest World Music & Arts Festival, taking place September 10–13, 2026, throughout Princeton’s Mercer Street Grassroots District. Explore the complete performance schedule, featured artists, workshops, healing arts, vendors, activities, sponsors, and...

08/17/2026

✨ SURPRISE! Tonight’s 🎶Open Stage just got a little extra special…

We’re so excited to welcome Whitney Mongé as a featured performer!

Whitney is a Nashville-based Americana Soul singer-songwriter and guitarist whose smoky, soulful vocals and raw, heartfelt songwriting reflect a life steeped in authenticity. Her signature sound is a bold fusion of soul, blues, indie folk, and rock.

You may remember her amazing performances at Culturefest and First Fridays, and we absolutely love her. What a treat to welcome her back into our creative little corner of the world tonight! 💛

Grab your favorite Dream Bean beverage, sandwich, or snack, settle in, and soak up an evening of music, poetry, storytelling, and all the beautiful creativity our community brings to the stage.

And, as always, bring whatever you’ve been creating, or just bring yourself. ✨

🎤 Open Mic Night
⏰ Tonight | 7–11 PM
📍 The Dream Bean
🎶 Featured performance by Whitney Mongé

Learn more about Whitney and hear her music: whitneymonge.com

08/14/2026

🎂The Dream Bean is TWO!✨

Two years ago today, we opened the doors to The Dream Bean… and what a beautiful adventure it has been.

We’re so grateful for every single one of you who has helped make this coffeehouse into the creative hub it is today. The friendships, the music, the art, the conversations, the creativity, and the connection that fill this space inspire us daily.

Here’s to two wonderful years and many, many more. 💛

Come dream with us! ☕✨

P.S. Mark your calendars for Culturefest World Music & Arts Festival September 10–13! 🌎🎶 Culturefest was the energy that christened this space two years ago and sent The Dream Bean off and running. We can’t think of a better way to celebrate another trip around the sun than filling it once again with music, art, culture, community, and all that beautiful Culturefest magic.

08/13/2026

✨ Four weeks from today, we'll be kicking off Culturefest!

September 10–13, the 🌎🎶 23rd Annual Culturefest World Music & Arts Festival will fill the Grassroots District.

Flow from venue to venue throughout our creative neighborhood, discovering remarkable artists, hands-on experiences, delicious food, and meaningful connections around every corner. Experience rich traditions of Appalachia alongside music, art, and cultures of the world during four unforgettable days.

This year's lineup travels all over the musical map, from West African drumming to blues, soul, rock, reggae, Celtic and Appalachian traditions, Latin rhythms, space folk, experimental fusion, and points in between.

💛FREE admission

📅 September 10–13, 2026
📍 Mercer Street Grassroots District Princeton, West Virginia

Four weeks to go. We can't wait to welcome you!

🌎 Find out more and plan your visit at culturefestwv.com

08/10/2026

We are so grateful for our amazing creative neighbors. 💛

Every business on the street has a unique sphere of community that orbits around it, and one of the most vibrant is the wildly creative orbit around Hammer & Stain, a place where the doors are open for everyone to discover their creativity, whether through woodworking, glassblowing, watercolor, or something they’ve never tried before.

People flock to these experiences and have found a beautiful community where they can make things, try something new, and discover what they’re capable of.

Right now, Hammer & Stain is in the midst of its super-creative inaugural Summer Passport series! They’re sharing the love by introducing people to creative experiences and wonderful places throughout our neighborhood and beyond.

Tonight’s stop is Glass & Greenery, where guests will have the chance to create their own hand-blown glass piece after visiting the RiffRaff Arts Collective for a tour! We’re really looking forward to welcoming everyone.

It always means so much when people are curious about what we do. Tonight’s guests will visit our gallery, Stages Music School, and Open Stage and get a little insight into what we’re all about.

There are still a couple of spots left for the workshop! If you’ve ever wanted to try glassblowing, this is your chance. It all begins at 6 PM, but advance registration is required, so visit Hammer & Stain Princeton’s page to grab one of the remaining spots.

There are still more adventures ahead in the Summer Passport series, too, so be sure to follow Hammer & Stain and see what’s coming up.

We feel a huge amount of gratitude for Sarah, Elizabeth, Kenton, and all the wonderful folks at Hammer & Stain, as well as its original founders, Lisa and Holly.

We’re so grateful for the beautiful community you’ve built around Hammer & Stain, and to share this wonderful neighborhood with you and all of our neighbors. 💛

08/06/2026

There's so much to discover beyond the music at Summer First Fridays in the Grassroots District. 💛

This Friday, in addition to an incredible evening of music with Jonathan Scales Fourchestra, you'll find all kinds of reasons to enjoy a night downtown.

Rainbow Art Farms will be making adorable Egg Carton Animal Portraits (free for kids of all ages!), Wildflower Massage & Bodywork will be offering chair massage and Reiki, The Gaia Den will have crystals, card readings, and other wonderful finds, The Dream Bean will be serving cold brew, sandwiches and hot dogs at the concession stand, and there's so much to explore in our neighborhood shops, creative spaces, and eateries like the brand-new Q 38 BBQ!

🎶 You can also catch Jonah Carden performing live at Number 9 Brewing Company. It's a perfect evening to wander downtown and enjoy music around every corner!

Come early, explore, grab dinner and drinks, visit with friends. Then settle in for an unforgettable concert under the summer sky.

Friday, August 7📍 Dick Copeland Town Square
✨ FREE Workshop • 6 PM (Open to Everyone)
🎵 Concert to Follow 💛 FREE Admission

08/05/2026

🎶 Wondering why we're so excited to welcome Jonathan Scales Fourchestra to Princeton?

Take a look at this beautiful recent performance with NPR's Tiny Desk team in Aspen, Colorado. Then join us Friday to experience them live in Princeton, and even learn from the band during a free workshop before the concert.

💛 FREE workshop at 6 PM (open to everyone)
🎵 FREE concert to follow

📍 Town Square, 850 Mercer Street
Grassroots District, Princeton, WV

Bring a chair or blanket, or enjoy the seating we'll have available. Explore the neighborhood, grab dinner, and experience one of the most exciting live performances you'll see all summer.

Send a message to learn more

08/04/2026

🌎✨ The story behind Culturefest... and what's in store this year.

The amazing Joshua Bolden of WVVA News recently welcomed Culturefest and RiffRaff co-founder Lori McKinney to "In Focus" for an in-depth conversation about the inspiration behind Culturefest, its 23-year journey, and the exciting new chapter now unfolding.

From the festival's early beginnings to this year's celebration, the conversation explores our expanding schools program, the vision behind Culturefest as it continues to evolve in Princeton's Grassroots District, and the belief that music, art, and culture can bring people together in meaningful ways.

Whether you've been attending Culturefest for years or are just discovering it, we hope you'll take a few minutes to watch. 🎥

Watch the full interview: https://www.wvva.com/2026/08/04/focus-lori-mckinney-culturefest-2026/

💛 Join us September 10–13 in Princeton, West Virginia.
🌎 Learn more and plan your visit at culturefestwv.com.

Lori McKinney is a Mercer County native who grew up in Green Valley stopped by to discuss the upcoming 23rd Annual Culturefest on September 10th -13th.

08/03/2026

✨ JUST ADDED TO FIRST FRIDAY: WORKSHOP WITH Jonathan Scales Fourchestra! ✨

First Friday is almost here, and the evening just got even more extraordinary. Before Jonathan Scales Fourchestra takes the stage in Town Square, they’re inviting all of us into the music with a special musical workshop at 6 PM! 💛

This is a rare opportunity to meet and learn from these world-class musicians up close, and then experience their astonishing musicianship in concert. The workshop is open to everyone, regardless of age or experience level.

And there’s so much more to enjoy throughout the evening, including free crafts with Rainbow Art Farms and vending with Tie Dye Soap Witch, Gaia Den, and more!

Come early and make a night on the town! Explore downtown, then choose your dinner: delicious BBQ from Q 38, pizza or a sandwich at Number 9 Brewing Company, or a hot dog or sandwich from The Dream Bean concession stand in Town Square. Settle into the Square for the full concert experience, or enjoy dinner and drinks on Number 9’s patio while the music carries through downtown!

FRIDAY, AUGUST 7
6 PM: WORKSHOP — OPEN TO EVERYONE
CONCERT TO FOLLOW
TOWN SQUARE • FREE ADMISSION

Bring a lawn chair or blanket, or enjoy the comfortable seating we’ll provide for the evening.

Clinic first. Show second. A whole night to experience downtown. And with 🌎🎶 Culturefest World Music & Arts Festival just around the corner, it’s a beautiful taste of the extraordinary artist-led experiences still to come.