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White Moon//Dark Moon in downtown Sylva, NC is run by Jonathan and Jillyn Rutt—partners in life and in the work of community building. Inspired by the natural rhythm of the day and the power of shared spaces, they’ve created a place that invites people to gather, talk, eat, drink, and be generally merry.

In this episode, the Rutts walk us through the unexpected journey that brought them to Sylva, how they’ve grown a regionally loved café, and why creating a true gathering place matters so much to them—and to Sylva.

White Moon//Dark Moon website

White Moon Cafe Instagram

Dark Moon Bar Instagram

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Susan Pepper is a singer, banjo player, songwriter, and all-around tradition-bearer who has become one of the most heartfelt voices in western North Carolina old-time music. Susan was first drawn to the sound of the mountains listening to singers like Jean Ritchie and Hazel Dickens, and that spark eventually brought her here, to Jackson County, where she learned directly from powerful local voices such as Rosa and Perl Hicks, Zora Walker, and Hazel Rhymer. Susan doesn’t just perform this music, she helps keep it alive through collecting, teaching, and passing it forward. We thoroughly enjoyed our conversation with Pepper about her music, her teachers, and the vibrant old-time traditions that continue to shape community life here in western North Carolina.

Included in this episode are references to the Jackson County Junior Appalachian Musicians (JAM) Program.

Visit Susan Pepper's website and YouTube page.

Listen to (and purchase) her albums on Bandcamp.

This podcast was brought to you by COPAWNC.org, a grassroots community organization committed to building up the communities of Western North Carolina.