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Rabab
A two-stringed spiked fiddle held upright and played with accompanying bow. The body of the rebab is constructed of wood and covered with animal hide. The back of the body is lavishly ornamented with leather, small mirrors and plastic jewels. The bow has ornate carvings at one end and is adorned with small gold beads and red fabric ornaments. The rebab is one of the distinguishing instruments of the gamelan gambuh, which is differentiated from other gamelan ensembles by its inclusion of the suling (bamboo flute) and the rebab. The Gamelan Gambuh is a Balinese gamelan ensemble dating back to the 16th century, when it was used to accompany sacred court dance dramas. In addition to the suling and rebab, Gamelan Gambuh includes a group of percussion instruments that play fixed interlocking patterns. -
Rabab sound example, Gamelan Gambuh
I Wayan Sinti and the University of Washington Gamelan Gambuh Ensemble. June 9, 2004, Meany Studio Theater, University of Washington. Video recording by Chee Hoo Lum. UW Ethno Archives 2004-11. -
Helen Cabe Wright Wilson
Helen Cabe Wright Wilson and her children hosted more than 50 summers of square dancing and brought visitors and local residents together to enjoy traditional music and dance. After Helen’s death in 1959, her children managed Helen’s Barn until 1984.
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Helen's Barn, 1932
Helen’s Barn was built in 1932 on four acres of land bought with the $2,000 received from the Carnegie Institute for the bravery of her husband, Charlie Wright. After his death in 1927, his widow—left with five children—decided to open a square dance hall. The barn was located in the heart of Highlands, on the corner of 1st and Main Streets, but burned suspiciously in 1934. Apparently, not everyone in Highlands appreciated the music, dance, and beer. -
Don Green Band
The Don Green Band was a typical Mountain String Band with a guitar, fiddle, banjo, and mandolin. Siblings Donald, Dixie, and Mel played at Helen’s Barn along with an unknown mandolin player. Proprietor Helen Wright Wilson can be seen standing at the far right in this photograph. The fiddler in the color photograph is Don Green, accompanied by his brother on guitar.
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Square Dancing
A caller would call out the steps to keep dancers together. All three types of dances are done to fiddle music and are common throughout the southern Appalachians. -
Clogging at Helen's Barn
Clogging is a type of step dance in which the dancer strikes the floor to create a rhythm. While clogging is sometimes called Buck Dancing, in the latter dance, performers keep their bodies immobile and their steps low to the floor. -
Fool's Rock
“Fool’s Rock,” less than five feet wide, juts out over the valley floor, 2,000 feet below. Rock outcropping that Gus Baty fell off precipitating the Charlie Wright rescue. Today, a guardrail protects visitors from the sheer drop. -
Charlie Wright
Charlie Wright, Helen's first husband and Highlands hero. He received a gold medal for the rescue of Gus Baty after he tumbled over Fool's Rock. Charlie died young and Helen used the cash award from the Carnegie metal to open Helen's Barn providing a space for the Highlands community and support her five children. -
Ballad of Helen's Barn
Ballad of Helen's Barn
The insurance came when Charlie was dead
Leaving Helen with six mouths that had to be fed.
She built a barn and painted it red
And the townspeople turned to her and said,
"Helen what you're doing just ain't right-
Building a dance hall in a town this white.
Shoulda' built a church - a roof for your head.
But not a dance hall, and painted it red."
Her answer above the jingle of coins firmly clears:
"It takes a lot of cheers
To dam a widow's tears."
Helen's Barn opened for dancing on Saturday night.
Folks came a-clogging' their feet feeling light.
Where many a youth first saw the light
Of joy in dancing away fears in the night.
It was Helen's answer to their calls and their jeers:
"It takes a lit of cheers
to dam a widow's tears."
Fifty years of Saturday night digging shins with joy
As many a man-danced away there from being a boy.
Helen's young'uns were schooled, fed and kept warm
With money she earned at her old red barn.
As hoe-down music drowned any complaint
To answer those who don't recognize a saint.
"It takes a lot of cheers
To dam a widow's tears."
-Kate Gillson