The Avondale Mine Disaster of Plymouth, Pa. is old news. It happened over a century ago, when a mineshaft fire caused the deaths of 110 workers. The event is known as one of the deadliest coal-mining tragedies in Pennsylvania history.
But, in its aftermath, Pennsylvania became the first state to enact coal mining safety legislation. Thankfully, such mining tragedies are rare today, but the lessons they taught us, as well as the stories of the people who witnessed them, live on through folk music.
Jay Smar is a multi-instrumentalist who has captured the stories and culture of the coal-mining region through song. Smar will present “Folklore and Coal Mining Songs of the Northeast” at the Spalding Memorial Library on Thursday, Nov. 2 at 6:30 p.m. This event expertly weaves history with music and is a must-see for anyone interested in coal mining.
Smar is a talented folk musician who has been recognized by the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, and appeared twice in the Pennsylvania Performing Arts touring roster. He plays a wide range of folk songs, including music heard in the BBC film, The Welsh in America.
Join Jay Smar for a journey into our coal-mining past on Thursday, Nov. 2. This event is a free community offering given by the Spalding Memorial Library located at 724 South Main St. in Athens, Pa.
For more details, call (570) 888-7117.
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