High Country Regional Visitor Center UPCOMING EVENTS Download at HighCountryCalendar.com
WEEKLY EVENTS
AFTERNOON ART CLUB Every Tuesday, 3:30 – 4:30 pm Blowing Rock Art & History Museum Children ages 6 to 10 years of age are invited to join us at the Museum for creative art-making activities. Participants will find inspiration from current exhibitions and will introduce them to different art mediums, from watercolor to clay. Registration is required. Email [email protected]
DOODLEBUG CLUB Every Thursday, 10:30-11:30am & 1:00 - 2:00 pm Blowing Rock Art & History Museum Preschool-age children and a parent/guardian are invited to Doodlebug Club -- a fun, educational art program focused on basic art skills (holding your paintbrush, identifying primary colors, etc.) while introducing children to different art media, from watercolor to clay. After clean-up it is storytime! This program is a great way to introduce your child to art and meet other children and parents. $5 Space is limited, reservation required. email: [email protected] or call 828-295-9099
WEEKLY FREE LIVE MUSIC Nightly throughout the High Country Find live bluegrass, country and modern music nightly on our list of free live music. Visit: highcountryhost.com/NC-High-Country-FREE-Music
FARMERS MARKETS Every Tues, Thurs & Saturday thoughout the High Country Find fresh fruit, veggies, meats, pastas, breads and more! Some markets feature craft vendors, food trucks, live music and children activities. View the complete list at: highcountryhost.com/High-Country-Farmers-Markets
VALLE CRUCIS PARK BIRDWALK Every Wednesday, 8:30am – 10:30am Join the High Country Audubon Society for a bird walk at Valle Crucis Community Park every Wednesday. Enjoy an opportunity to see our beautiful birds in the area in a walk led by one of your community members. These walks will start on April 3rd and end on October 30th, 2019.
MUSIC ON THE LAWN Free outdoor concerts every Friday evening, 5:30 – 8:30, weather permitting! Enjoy classic country, blues, bluegrass, and other genres in an always-changing lineup. Bring a lawn chair or a blanket. Drinks and snacks available. Inn At Ragged Gardens, Blowing Rock
ARTISTS IN RESIDENCE- MEET THE ARTISTS The Blowing Rock Historical Society will present the 11th Annual Artists in Residence at Edgewood Cottage this summer. The doors to Edgewood Cottage will swing open again to welcome 31 new and returning artists. These artists will display their art in a studio setting for 16 weeks. Each week, visitors will meet different artists working in a variety of media, including oils, watercolor, photography, collage, sculpture, furniture-making, and pottery. Because of the variety of art, visitors can often find art for every interest and budget. Admission to the Cottage is free. For the schedule, see https://www.artistsatedgewood.org/
High Country Host Regional Visitor Center 6370 US Hwy 321 S, Blowing Rock Hrs: M-S 9-5, S 9-3
UPCOMING EVENTS
RED, WHITE & BLUEGRASS Tues, July 2, 6pm, American Legion Hall, Blowing Rock Enjoy live bluegrass music from the area’s best performers!
HORN IN THE WEST Tuesday – Sunday, 8 pm, Horn in the West Theatre, Boone Horn in the West is our nation's longest-running Revolutionary War outdoor drama. The play brings to life the story of the hardy pioneers who, with the help of famed frontiersman, Daniel Boone, and Cherokee allies, settled in the Blue Ridge wilderness as they sought freedom from British tyranny. Loved by young and old alike, the Horn in the West drama is located in the heart of Boone, North Carolina in one of the most beautiful outdoor theaters in the country. This adventure has offered thrilling outdoor entertainment to generations of Americans since it premiered in 1952. The house gates open at 7:30 p.m. Come early and tour the Hickory Ridge Living History Museum, which opens at 5:30 p.m. on show nights!
LEES-MCRAE SUMMER THEATRE: “MAMMA MIA” Mamma Mia is a classic with Judy Craymer’s ingenious melding of iconic Swedish pop group, ABBA, with the enchanting tale of family and friendship on a Greek island paradise. On the eve of her wedding, a daughter’s quest to discover the identity of her father brings three men from her mother’s past back to the island they had last visited 20 years ago. Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus's songs including "Dancing Queen," "The Winner Takes It All," "Money, Money, Money," and "Take a Chance on Me" are all featured in this feel-good night of fun, laughter and unforgettable music. Mamma Mia will debut June 27, 28, 29 and July 2 at 7 p.m. In addition, there will be matinee performances at 2 p.m. on June 30 and July 2 & 3. Lees-McRae Hayes Auditorium and Broyhill Theatre, $38-43 https://www.lmc.edu/community/summer-theatre/index.htm
ENSEMBLE STAGE PRESENTS “I’ll BE BACK BEFORE MIDNIGHT” June 28 – July 6, Historic Banner Elk School Jan is a young wife recovering from a nervous disorder. She and her husband rent a remote cabin from an odd farmer who delights in telling gruesome ghost stories. Then the husband's strange sister arrives, and all manner of frightening events occur. What happens to fragile Jan as bodies appear and disappear give this classic thriller its tremendously frightening impact. www.ensemblestage.com
CHAMBER MUSIC Tuesday, July 2nd, 2019 @ 7:00 pm, Rosen Concert Hall, Broyhill Music Center $25 Adult http://appsummer.org/schedule/id/broyhill-chamber-ensemble-july2-2019 The Broyhill Chamber Ensemble and its Reflections Series International continues with Bridging the Classical and Romantic Divide. The program compares and contrasts the end of one compositional era and the beginning of a new one over the span of 50 years, featuring works by Beethoven, Schubert and Schumann.
TODD LIBERTY PARADE AND CONCERT Thursday, July 4, 11am in Downtown Todd The free, family-friendly concerts are held in Cook Memorial Park in historic downtown Todd. The King Bees concert will be held on July 4 directly after the Todd Liberty Parade which starts at 11:00 a.m. Bring a lawn chair or blanket to sit on. Large tents will be set up to protect concert goers from sun or rain. Food and beverages are available for purchase. We hope to see you this summer!
High Country Host Regional Visitor Center 6370 US Hwy 321 S, Blowing Rock Hrs: M-S 9-5, S 9-3
BOONE 4TH OF JULY PARADE & CELEBRATION Join us on Thursday, July 4, at 11AM to celebrate the 4th of July in Boone! The annual 4th of July parade is a wonderful event for the whole family. Find a spot on King Street to enjoy the festive floats and patriotic participants. After the parade, join the Mayor of Boone for watermelon, cake and refreshments at the Jones House. Later that evening, enjoy more festivities at Clawson/Burnley Park off of Hunting Hills Lane for music and fireworks! For more information contact the Jones House at 828.268.6280
BANNER ELK FAMILY FUN 4TH OF JULY PARADE AND FESTIVAL Banner Elk's Annual Fourth of July Parade is the best small town parade you'll ever attend! Starting at 11 a.m., floats, bikes, cars, people parade down Main Street.After the parade, the festivities continue with concerts, kids games such as watermelon eating and bag races, the duck race, food vendors, and much more on the front lawn at the Historic Banner Elk School in downtown Banner Elk. For those enjoying the concerts, be sure to bring blanks or chairs. 2019 Concert Bands for the 4th of July Celebration (Playing on stage from 12-6p.m.): Clockworx, Smokin' Joe Band, and The Extraordinaires
FOURTH OF JULY CARNIVAL AT BEECH MOUNTAIN The Buckeye Recreation Center is hosting the Sparkler 5K run at Beech Mountain’s Kite Field at 9 a.m. followed by the Fourth of July Carnival from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The entry fee for the 5K is $20 for adults, $15 for kids under 12 and includes a free t-shirt with a tie-dye station available after the race. The carnival, also at Kite Field, is free, and will include a cookout. For more information call the Buckeye Recreation Center at (828) 387-3003 or visit www.beechrecreation.org.
CROSSNORE VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT’S ANNUAL FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION Parade begins at 4 p.m., with a recognition of veterans to follow at 4:30 p.m. There will be vendors, food (including free watermelon) and fireworks beginning at dark.
CRUISE-IN FOURTH OF JULY CAR SHOW IN NEWLAND The annual Fourth of July Car Show will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the baseball diamond by the Rock Gym. The event will feature the Skyland Singers. For more information, call Claude Buchanan at (828) 733-3550.
ANNUAL FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION IN JEFFERSON Gates to Ashe County Park at 527 Ashe Park Road, Jefferson, will open at 3 p.m. A shuttle bus will run from the new courthouse parking lot beginning at 3:30 p.m. and will run again at the end of the fireworks show, which will be after dark. There will be inflatables for kids ($5 for an all-day wristband). Concessions will be available and there will be a couple of specialty vendors. High Country Disc Golf Course will be closed the entire day.
BURNING IN EFFIGY OF KING GEORGE III AT HORN IN THE WEST The Hickory Ridge Living History Museum puts on a Fourth of July celebration of colonial proportions. The festivities begin at 5:30 on the museum grounds in Daniel Boone Park. Audience members will have the opportunity to participate in the reading aloud of the Declaration of Independence. Guests will be given apple cider to toast with, reminiscent of the Toasts of Halifax in 1789. Guests will also hear a eulogy for King George III while his dummy is burned in effigy. A firing of 13 volleys from black powder rifles will salute the new nation. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for children 12 and under.
High Country Host Regional Visitor Center 6370 US Hwy 321 S, Blowing Rock Hrs: M-S 9-5, S 9-3
MOUNTAIN HOME MUSIC INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION – “BLUEGRASS AND BRASS” The Mountain Home Bluegrass Boys and King Street Brass Thursday, July 4th at 7:00pm (doors open at 6:30pm). Tickets – $5 – $20($18 advance) Blowing Rock School Auditorium, 130 Sunset Drive, Blowing Rock 28605 The Mountain Home Bluegrass Boys and The King Street Brass Band are a JSMHM tradition on July 4th in the High Country! This show will be an evening of excellent renditions of songs popular in both musical genres as each group is given the chance to play some standards from their respective music styles, but what makes the concert special is when they combine their efforts. Past audiences can attest to the fact that this concert is just plain fun and nothing is more uplifting that hearing the Grass and Brass play the service anthems in their Armed Forces Salute, as JSMHM honors those who have served or are serving our country. This year’s selections will again include songs such the Stars and Stripes Forever, The Bugle Call Rag and many other favorites from past shows. www.mountainhomemusic.org
ELK PARK INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION The town of Elk Park will hold its Independence Day Celebration on Friday, July 5. Parade will begin at 6 p.m., and the night will include a concert featuring Ransomed by Grace and the Toe River Drifters. The evening will conclude with fireworks around 9:30 p.m. followed by a movie in the park. Call (828) 733-9573 for more information.
CHRISTMAS IN JULY FESTIVAL Friday 3pm – 10pm and Saturday 9am – 7pm, July 5 – 6. Sharing our Mountain Heritage! The Christmas in July Festival is one of the best, old fashioned summer festivals in the South drawing thousands to historic West Jefferson, NC each July! The Festival is a free-admission event held in Downtown West Jefferson featuring the very best in traditional mountain music, handmade arts & crafts vendors throughout the region while still celebrating the Christmas Tree industry. Numerous food vendors feature a variety of the infamous delicious festival foods & more. Also, you don't want to miss the annual Civil War re-enactments held throughout the day of the festival at the West Jefferson Municipal Park. Children's activities, roving performers, fun competitions, non-profits and the Farmers' Market are also part of the festival each year. A Community Stage representing talent from local community groups & individuals include dancing, clogging, singing and music! Nowhere else will you find such an excellent array of local & regional music, food vendors, fun and festivities for the entire family than at Christmas in July in Downtown West Jefferson! Hope to see you there!
“A WHALE OF A TALE” THEATRE FOR CHILDREN The Lees-McRae College Summer Theatre will kick off the month of July with the premiere of A Whale of a Tale Saturday, July 6. A Whale of a Tale is the creative re-telling of the biblical story of Jonah. The show will kick off on Saturday, July 6 with additional showings July 20, 27, and August 3. All shows begin at 10 a.m. in the Shelton Learning Commons on the campus of Lees-McRae and cost $10. Composed and written by John Thomas Oaks and Tommy Oaks, the show captures children’s imagination as two actors play all the parts and move with hilarity from a pirate’s saloon to the ocean, to the belly of a fish and back. Purchase tickets at the Hayes Auditorium box office during regular hours or at the Shelton Learning Commons 30 minutes prior to showtime.
BLOWING ROCK FOURTH OF JULY WEEKEND Saturday 10am – 9:30pm, July 6, Downtown Blowing Rock Join us for the 4th of July at our festival and parade on Saturday July 6th, 2019. Activities include park games, airwalks, watermelon eating contests, music, and dancing! The parade will take place on Main St, and will be followed by fireworks on Saturday! Catch the Park Dance on Friday! www.blowingrock.com
TOWN OF NEWLAND INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION Saturday, July 6. The celebration will feature a parade beginning at 11 a.m. with a welcome at the bandstand at Riverwalk Park at 11:15 a.m. There will be food, craft and retail vendors, a cornhole tournament, inflatables, live entertainment and dancing. Festivities will move to the Rock Gym in the event of inclement weather and fireworks will begin at 9:45 p.m.
High Country Host Regional Visitor Center 6370 US Hwy 321 S, Blowing Rock Hrs: M-S 9-5, S 9-3
CONCERTS IN THE COURTYARD Saturday, July 6, Tanger Outlets, Blowing Rock FREE live tunes just for you! Swing by and enjoy live music, tasty bites, and happy deals. Listen to local musicians on stage in our brand new courtyard every other Saturday evening from 4 PM – 7 PM! The series includes swing music, beach music, and local community bands. The Chick-fil-A Boone Food Truck will be on site with yummy bites! Plus, register to win prizes too. Bring a lawn chair and your friends and family! All events are FREE & family friendly. Watauga Community Bands
48TH ANNUAL ROASTING OF THE HOG AT BEECH MOUNTAIN The Beech Mountain Chamber of Commerce and Beech Mountain Resort is hosting the 48th annual Roasting of the Hog on July 6 starting at 6 p.m. Barbecue, potato salad, slaw, beans, tea, lemonade and moon pies will be served, as well as a great spot on the slopes to watch the fireworks at dark. Price is $17 for adults, $10 for kids 12 and under. For more information, call (828) 387-9283 or visit www.beechmtnchamber.com.
LEES-MCRAE SUMMER THEATRE: “FROM THE MOUNTAINTOP: THE EDGAR TUFTS STORY” July 11 – 17, 7pm with 2pm matinees some days. Hayes Auditorium, Lees-McRae College campus, Banner Elk. What did Banner Elk, North Carolina, look like in the 1890s? With the vision of a young seminary student, one tiny town gained a church, a college, an orphanage, and a hospital.” The story of Edgar Tufts is compelling and heartwarming. Set to music, this work is presented after thoughtful research among the families who have lived here for generations. Using traditional mountain music mixed with a lyrical style, audiences will be moved and inspired by this great man. Tickets and further info at https://www.lmc.edu/community/summer-theatre/index.htm THE 64TH ANNUAL GRANDFATHER MOUNTAIN HIGHLAND GAMES July 11-14, 2019 at MacRae Meadows on Grandfather Mountain near Linville, NC. We will constantly strive to be the premier Scottish Highland games and gathering of Clans, Guests, Families, Sponsors, Patrons and Visitors. We will work diligently to be the model games of integrity and excellence for all. OUR MISSION: To carry on and promote the annual Grandfather Mountain Highland Games and Gathering of Scottish Clans, to foster and restore interest in traditional dancing, piping, drumming, athletic achievement, music and Gaelic culture, and to establish scholarship funds to assist students from Avery County High School to study at American colleges and universities. Further info at http://www.gmhg.org/homepage.shtml
ANNUAL “FAIRY DAY” AT DANIEL BOONE NATIVE GARDENS Saturday, July 13, from noon to 4. Participants are encouraged to wear fairy costumes and bring a picnic to the gardens. Wander the Gardens and meet “real life fairies.” Face painting by Creative Cheeks Face Painting, fairy items and other fun activities will be offered at a nominal fee. Other participants include The Children’s Playhouse, and The Watauga County Library. The Daniel Boone Native Gardens are located at 651 Horn in the West Drive, Boone, N.C. and open from May to October. Suggested donation is $2 for adults and free for children under 16. For more information see www.DanielBooneNativeGardens.org. Visit Facebook for events.
ART IN THE PARK Saturday, July 13, 10am – 5pm, Memorial Park, Blowing Rock Art in the Park is host to 90 artisans at each show. Some of the best local and regional artists and craftspeople showcase their handcrafted jewelry, pottery, fiber, glass, photography, painting and more. www.blowingrock.com
VIOLET BELL IN CONCERT Saturday, July 13 at 7;30 pm in the Gallery of the Ashe Arts Center, 303 School Ave, West Jefferson. Violet Bell duo Lizzy Ross and Omar Ruiz-Lopez create Americana folk, soul, old-time and bluegrass. Based in Chapel Hill, the duo has performed all over the East coast. Singers, songwriters and multi-instrumentalist Violet Bell have an unique sound and have put their twist on traditional and contemporary roots music. Tickets are $16 adults, $5 students and may be purchased at the Ashe Arts Center or by calling 336-846-2787.
High Country Host Regional Visitor Center 6370 US Hwy 321 S, Blowing Rock Hrs: M-S 9-5, S 9-3
JULY FINE ART & MASTER CRAFTS FESTIVAL Friday - Sunday, July 19-21, Friday: 1:00 - 5:00 p.m., Saturday: 10:00 - 5:00 p.m., Sunday: 10:00 - 4:00 p.m. The Historic Banner Elk School, 185 Azalea Circle, Banner Elk, NC July Festival will feature the National DiscDogathon on Saturday
ALLEGHANY COUNTY FIDDLERS’ CONVENTION July 19 & 20, Alleghany Fairgrounds, 1585 U.S. 21 North, Sparta, NC 28675 Northwest North Carolina and Southwest Virginia have been called the nation’s hotbed of string musicians. You can’t turn a corner without running into someone who plays an instrument or three or four. These are people who play for fun and not for a living. Their skills, nonetheless, are amazing. In this contest, bands and individual musicians are scored by three judges who are musicians themselves. The contestants with the highest scores win cash prizes and ribbons. More info at http://www.alleghanyfiddlersconvention.com
MUSIC CAROLINA: JAZZ QUARTET WITH MARTHA BASSETT Saturday, July 20 at 7:30pm at the Ashe Civic Center, 962 Mt Jefferson Rd, West Jefferson Jazz Quartet with Martha Bassett presented by Music Carolina and sponsored by the Ashe County Arts Council. at the Enjoy jazz standards and old classics with featured vocalist Martha Bassett. Tickets are $20 adults, $5 students and may be purchased at the Ashe Arts Center or by calling 336-846-2787.
Ashe County Bluegrass and Old Time Fiddlers Convention Friday and Saturday, July 26 and 27. Ashe County Park, in Jefferson. The Fiddlers Convention is a celebration and showcase of the musical talent and heritage of the high country of North Carolina. Ashe County Park, in Jefferson, North Carolina will be the place to enjoy music and see the best in the region’s old time traditional and bluegrass musicians. Admission is $5 Friday, $10 Saturday. Tickets can be purchased on site or by calling the Ashe County Arts Council at 336-846-2787. Details at www.ashefiddlersconvention.org.
MOUNTAIN HOME MUSIC CONCERT – “PIANO MAN OF THE BLUE RIDGE” JEFF LITTLE TRIO Saturday, July 20, 7:30pm, Harvest House, 247 Boone Heights Drive, Boone With few exceptions, the piano does not play a prominent part in Appalachian or Americana music, and is rarely the lead instrument. But Jeff Little is an exception – and a remarkable one. His distinctive two-handed style, much influenced by the mountain flat-picked guitar tradition, is breathtaking in its speed, precision and clarity. Little’s involvement with fiddle tunes, old time country, and traditional blues dates to his growing up in Boone, North Carolina, where his family owned music shop was a regular gathering place for musicians who would just stop by to pick a few tunes. At an early age Jeff would regularly sit in with many of the musicians from the region, including one of America’s most influential musicians: Doc Watson. These influences helped shape Jeff’s approach to the piano which is based on these deep musical traditions. But there is also an echo of more contemporary mountain tradition in Jeff’s performances. Today, Jeff and his trio stay busy traveling the country performing concerts with an energy and dedication to their music that is evident at every show. Steve Lewis is an award winning guitar and banjo player from Todd NC and is one of the most respected acoustic musicians in the country. Steve is well known for his flat picking on guitar and his mastery of the five string banjo. Rounding out the trio is upright bass master Josh Scott from Fleetwood, NC. Josh has been featured on stage and in the studio with many critically acclaimed artists of acoustic and Americana music. $18 advance, $20 at the door, $5 students, 12 and under free. www.mountainhomemusic.org
High Country Host Regional Visitor Center 6370 US Hwy 321 S, Blowing Rock Hrs: M-S 9-5, S 9-3
35th Anniversary Season of An Appalachian Summer Festival Announced Ben Folds with the Winston-Salem Symphony, Patti LaBelle, Lily Tomlin, The Temptations and more!
BOONE, NORTH CAROLINA— Appalachian State University’s annual summer arts attraction, An Appalachian Summer Festival, will celebrate its 35th anniversary season from June 29 - Aug. 3, 2019. This month-long whirlwind of music, dance, theatre, visual arts and film programming has emerged as one of the nation’s leading regional arts festivals, bringing over 27,000 people to the High Country each summer. For more information, visit www.appsummer.org or call the box office at 800-841-2787 or 828-262-4046.
An Appalachian Summer Festival’s 2019 Schedule For more information about the festival, visit www.appsummer.org.
SCHAEFER POPULAR SERIES • Ben Folds with the Winston-Salem Symphony (June 29, Schaefer Center, 8 p.m.) • Patti LaBelle (July 13, Schaefer Center, 8 p.m.) • Chris Botti (July 19, Schaefer Center, 8 p.m.) • Lily Tomlin (July 20, Schaefer Center, 8 p.m.) • Punch Brothers (Aug. 1, Schaefer Center, 8 p.m.) • The Temptations (Aug. 3, Holmes Convocation Center, 7:30 p.m.)
CLASSICAL MUSIC • The Broyhill Chamber Ensemble (June 30, July 2, 28 and 30, Rosen Concert Hall, 7 p.m.) • Rosen-Schaffel Competition for Young and Emerging Artists (July 6, Rosen Conert Hall, 10 a.m.) • Eastern Festival Orchestra featuring guest artist Awadajin Pratt (July 14, Schaefer Center, 7 p.m.) • Tapas and Tesla: An Evening of Chamber Music (July 18, Mark E. Ricks Athletics Complex, 7 p.m.)
DANCE • Pilobolus (July 12, Schaefer Center, 8 p.m.)
THEATRE • NC Black Repertory Company: Plenty of Time (July 7, Valborg Theatre, 7 p.m.) • Broadway’s Next Hit Musical (July 25 and 26, Valborg Theatre, 8 p.m.)
FILM • Weicholz Global Film Series (July 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 and Aug. 2, Schaefer Center, 7 p.m.) • Young People’s Global Film Series (July 2, 16, 6 p.m.; July 9, 23, 30, Schaefer Center, 1 p.m.)
VISUAL ARTS • Summer Exhibition Celebration at the Turchin Center (July 5, Turchin Center, 6-10 p.m.) • Rosen Outdoor Sculpture Walk (July 27, Schaefer Center, 10 a.m.) • Lunch & Learn Series at the Turchin Center (July 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, Turchin Center, noon)
Visual Arts Workshops Throughout the month of the July, An Appalachian Summer Festival in partnership with the Turchin Center for the Visual Arts offer various workshops for children, older teens and adults. For a list of upcoming children’s workshops, visit https://tcva.appstate.edu/.
Tickets: With ticket prices ranging from $5-$65, as well as several free events, the festival offers unique opportunities for residents and visitors to create arts experiences suited to their individual artistic tastes and budgets. Purchase any five adult tickets, in any combination and receive 10% off. This “Pick 5” ticket discount is only applied to purchases at the box office or by phone. The discount cannot be applied to online orders, films or student/child tickets. To purchase tickets, call or visit the Schaefer Center box office at 800-841-2787 or 828-262-4046. Tickets can also be purchased online at appsummer.org. High Country Host Regional Visitor Center 6370 US Hwy 321 S, Blowing Rock Hrs: M-S 9-5, S 9-3