The purpose of my ethnographic research into the Deep Roots festivals is to come to a deeper understanding of the influences, purposes and intended and unintended consequences of this annual festival. I plan to add to the exciting historical archive of Georgia’s original capitol by investigating the original and present-day cultural patterns and shifts in the Deep Roots planning, execution and aftermath.  I will include an interactive time line documenting from the inspiration of this festival twelve years ago through notable milestones in its journey to 2016. There will be ample previously recorded material featured in this research. The main product of this research will be an interactive map that shows what parts of town, county and state history are embedded and have led to the creation and continuation of the Deep Roots Festival.

“The Deep Roots Festival is a cultural arts and music festival that is located in historic downtown Milledgeville and showcases local, regional, and national talents, artists, and vendors. It beckons travelers from all over with an antique car show, artist market, a KidZone and live entertainment ranging from country and singer songwriter to electronica & rock-and-roll. The festival will also once again hold a sanctioned Memphis BBQ Network cook-off contest featuring a People’s Choice award that will draw BBQ connoisseurs from around the Southeast.”

-http://www.milledgevillemainstreet.com/play/deep-roots/

The purpose of Deep Roots Festival is to stimulate the economy of Milledgeville, specifically the downtown district; to provide a diverse set of activities that provide a sense of togetherness for the Milledgeville community; and, to present Milledgeville as an appealing destination for culture and business.

Pages:

Research Roots:  The History of Deep Roots

Mapping Our Roots: The Places in Milledgeville

Interview Roots: A Compilation of Interviews Myself and My Peers Have Conducted

Our Roots In Time: Progression of Deep Roots’ 12 Years

Our Roots: Introduction to the Festival

I will utilize the following tools:

-interactive timeline, Timeline JS3, Knightlab

-interactive map, Google Maps

-voice recording software for map, timeline and interviews, Apple VoiceMemos (iPhone)

-music from past Deep Roots festivals for timeline, Youtube

Below is my tentative timeline:

• March 2:  Submit interview questions to IRB
• March 8:  Interview of Director of Milledgeville Mainstreet, Carlee Shultee, Transcription Complete, add to website
• March 15: Interview of Festival Music Coordinator, Transcription Complete, add to website
• March 17: Interview of Festival Volunteer, Transcription complete, add to website
• March 22: Record own and edit interview voice recordings, for Timeline and Map, Have collected music from past festivals, add to website
• April 5: Complete Timeline, add to website
• April 19: Complete Map, add to website
• April 26:  All research completed and cited, add citation sheet to website
• May 5: Website completed

“What is your role in the Deep Roots festival?”

“Why did Deep Roots originate?”,

“Has it at all made an impact on the culture of Milledgeville?”

“Is there a reason why it takes place so close to the university?”

:”Has Deep Roots held true to its original vision?”

“Would anything happen if Deep Roots didn’t happen anymore?”

“Have you observed any trend among the participants or attendees of Deep Roots over the past twelve years?”

“Do you believe the identity of  individuals of the town to be impacted by Deep Roots?”

“”How is the musical guest chosen for the annual festival?”

“Do you have any additional anecdotes of the festival that you’d like to share?”

Hello All!

I am very excited to report that the pieces are falling into place with my festival research! I am so lucky to go to a school where the professors own local businesses and have hands in a lot of town activities! Jimmy Holder, the owner of Blackbird (a local coffee shop) agreed to sit down with me very soon and discuss the history of Deep Roots. Deep Roots is in its twelfth year in Milledgeville. It has attracted music, art and food from all over the country to our small town! I have attended this festival all four years that I have gone to school here and plan to continue well after I graduate! The Department of Theatre and Dance plan flash mobs and the school plans FallFest, a day where accepted students for the next term come to campus to see what awaits them, around the events of Deep Roots–it is truly an experience. My most pressing questions for Jimmy include “Why did Deep Roots originate?”, “Has it at all made an impact on the culture of Milledgeville?”, “Is there a reason why it takes place so close to the university?”, :”Has Deep Roots held true to its original vision?”, “Would anything happen if Deep Roots didn’t happen anymore?” and “Have you observed any trend among the participants or attendees of Deep Roots over the past twelve years?”. This is just a preliminary list, but my main interest is finding out how Milledgeville natives feel about the festival because our university has a reputation of being unnecessarily exclusive and considering its proximity to campus, I think that could be an interesting path to take. Jimmy has promised to connect me to some of those individuals in the community and I have a few of my own contacts! Needless to say, I am ready to get rolling!

Drew noted the digital and textual elements of the digital humanities and the enhanced ability to share information. I think that the dissemination of information is pivotal to our ability to continuous grow as a society. As images and symbols become more and more recognizable, we began to streamline and operationalize our information. I’ve been mulling over the dichotomy of the coldness of the digital component, or the speed with which one can impersonally spread information, and the warmness and palpable nature of the humanities. I love what Professor Kroll said about the actual reading experience. There is a tactile element that helps connect you to a piece when on pen and paper. That is why I LOVED the knottedline site! It restored what I previously thought was lost on the Digital Humanities, physically manipulatable material.