Beckley, WV (WOAY) A celebrated West Virginia artist is bringing music, art, poetry, and storytelling together for a special performance at the Beckley Art Center.
West Virginia’s First Lady of Soul, Doris Fields, also known as Lady D, is debuting her new production called Appalachian BlueSpeak.
The performance blends several art forms fields says she loves most, including music, visual art, poetry, and storytelling.
Backed by her band, The Mission, she’ll share stories from her childhood growing up in the coal fields of Kanawha County, along with original music, including her song “Go Higher,” which earned national attention after being selected as the best Obama inaugural song in 2008.
That recognition led to a performance at the Obama for Change inaugural ball in Washington in 2009.
The event will also feature childhood photos and recent paintings that reflect Fields’ experience growing up black in Appalachia.
Fields is also a 2025 National Black Storyteller fellow.
Appalachian BlueSpeak takes place Tuesday, May 5, at 6:30 p.m. at the Beckley Art Center.
Admission is a suggested $20, but no one will be turned away.
