Blue Ridge culture
March 16th, 2009 by admin
The editors of Blue Ridge Country, an outstanding magazine that highlights the heritage and history of the Blue Ridge area, have compiled a list of events taking place this spring in North Carolina. You can find a full list of Spring Happenings on their website and a partial list of events below with information on nearby attractions. Enjoy a day out with the family and experience some of these local treats while you take advantage of the Go Blue Ridge Card program.
· Mountain Man Tractor Pull, March 7. Jackson Park, Hendersonville
· RiverLink’s River Front Bus Tours, March 19, April 16, & May 21. City Hall, Asheville
Nearby attractions: Thomas Wolfe Memorial and Smith-McDowell House Museum
· Scandinavian Heritage, March 22-28. John C. Campbell Folk School, Brasstown
· Melange of the Mountains, March 26. The Gateway Club, Waynesville
Near by attraction: Ghost Town in the Sky
· The True Story of Bats, through May 10. NC Arboretum, Asheville
Nearby attractions: Gray Line Trolley Tour of Ashevilleand Colburn Earth Science Museum
· Headwaters Gathering: Southern Appalachia at the Crossroads,March 27 – 29. Warren Wilson College, Asheville
Nearby attraction: Biltmore
· River of Words & Art, April 3 – 26. Pack Place Community Gallery, Asheville
Nearby attraction: LaZoom Comedy Bus Tour of Asheville
· Spring Bass Classic Tournament, April 11 / HiYak Festival, April 17-19. Fontana Village
Nearby attraction: Wildwater Rafting (40 minute drive)
· Appalachian Growers Fair, April 18. Appalachian Women’s Museum, Dillsboro
Nearby Attraction: Dillsboro Rafting
· Spring Hike Week, April 19-24. Historic Fontana Village
Nearby attraction: Nantahala Outdoor Center Rafting (40 minute drive)
· MerleFest, April 23 -26. Wilkes Community College, Wilkesboro
· Thunder in the Smokies, April 24 – 26. Festival Grounds, Maggie Valley
Nearby attraction: Ghost Town in the Sky
· Historic Johnson Farm Festival, April 25. Hendersonville
· Pioneer Day, April 25. Mountain Gateway Museum Grounds, Old Fort
· Wildflower Walk and Plant Sale, April 25. Daniel Boone Native Gardens, Boone
Nearby attractions: Tweetsie Railroad, Mystery Hill, and Horn in the West
· Greening up the Mountains Festival, April 25 – 29. Sylva
Nearby attraction: Dillsboro Rafting
· Birding and Wildflowers, April 26 – May 1. The Swag, Waynesville
Nearby attraction: Ghost Town in the Sky
Planning a trip to
the Blue Ridge Parkway?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Blue Ridge Card.
March 20th, 2008 by susan j
Grove Arcade photo uploaded by
This Friday, March 21, Grove Arcade hosts Jazz After 5. This fun free event runs from 5-8 pm on Friday evening and features beer, wine, and hors d’oeuvres from local restaurants, as well as live music performances. This month’s program includes performances of cool jazz by Origins and Done for the Evening.
While at Grove Arcade, stop by the ARTS & Heritage Gallery and show your Go Blue Ridge Card for a free copy of the self-guided Architectural and Historical Tour of the Grove Arcade with each $30 purchase.
Planning a trip to
the Blue Ridge Parkway?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Blue Ridge Card.
February 15th, 2008 by jamie a
On Stage Photo uploaded by
If you’re looking to catch some on-stage entertainment during your visit to the Blue Ridge Parkway, never fear! There’s a great selection of venues and performances to keep your nights full of music and top-notch acting.
In the Smokies…
There’s the , who have been entertaining audiences in the area since 1995. Their gives a good overview of their style, performing favorites like Lend Me a Tenor and Barefoot in the Park. Their is also up on their website, so be sure and check it out!
perform everything from musicals and plays to revues and seasonal concerts at the Peacock Playhouse. This non-profit theatre has been a mainstay of the community since 1978, bringing adults and children together through the wonders of live theatre.
If you enjoy re-tellings of historical events, is the third oldest outdoor historical drama in the United States. Their show tells the story of the Cherokee Indian and their eventual forced departure from the area by U.S. Soldiers. It’s also !
In Asheville and the Central Mountains…
love to wow their audiences with musicals, world premieres, and books adapted for the stage. Their only lists one show so far for 2008, but it will certainly be updated soon. They also offer a , , as well as a black box theatre called
There’s also the , which is Asheville’s downtown professional theatre company. They show everything from musicals and holiday specials to play series and a late-night vaudeville-esque show. Here’s a for you to check out!
In the high country…
Check out Kermit Hunter’s , which chronicles the story of the nation’s first settlers in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Performed in Boone in one of the most beautiful outdoor theatres, it’s a perfect addition to your North Carolina vacation.
Planning a trip to
the Blue Ridge Parkway?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Blue Ridge Card.
February 8th, 2008 by jamie a
Cloud Shadows by Winslow Homer Photo uploaded by
Sunday, February 10 is the last day to see at the .
Featuring the works of greats like Winslow Homer, Thomas Cole, William Merritt Chase, and Charles Burchfield, the exhibit explores how these artists defined our nation’s character through drawing. It also stresses the importance of drawing as a basis for all artistic mediums, whether they be painting or architecture.
Planning a trip to
the Blue Ridge Parkway?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Blue Ridge Card.
January 14th, 2008 by jamie a
Playing Jazz Music on the Trombone
Photo uploaded by finna dat
This Friday, January 11 from 5-8pm, the Asheville Downtown Association and the Grove Arcade present Jazz After 5. This is the first performance of 2008 in this free concert series, which seeks to showcase local musicians and food from local restaurants.
Featuring the Red Light Trio and The Chuck Lichtenberger Trio, both with incredible talent. The food will be provided by Chef In Motion along with the Globe Corner Market and Big Cheese.
Planning a trip to
the Blue Ridge Parkway?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Blue Ridge Card.
December 17th, 2007 by susan j
Photo by Hugh Morton
Extending across parts of Virginia and North Carolina, the is the most visited place in all of the United States’s National Park System. And it’s no wonder with the area’s scenic vistas and rich heritage. The unspoiled beauty and natural wonders of the Blue Ridge Mountains enchant visitors from all over the world.
To ensure the continued vitality of the local landscape, several organizations are worked tirelessly to preserve Blue Ridge’s rich history and natural beauty. The (BRNHA) was established by Congress in November, 2003 to “protect, preserve, interpret, and develop the unique natural, historical, and cultural resources of Western North Carolina.” BRNHA awards matching grants to support projects in the areas of , , , , and/or . It is also developing that will help raise awareness about the region’s culture and encourage more visitors to drive through the Parkway. (more…)
Planning a trip to
the Blue Ridge Parkway?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Blue Ridge Card.
December 12th, 2007 by susan j
Big thank you to Mary Jo over at the blog for including our post in her , which covers music from around the world.
Planning a trip to
the Blue Ridge Parkway?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Blue Ridge Card.
November 19th, 2007 by susan j
Photo uploaded by
The Grove Arcade ARTS & Heritage Gallery recently opened a new exhibit called Stumps, Boards & Gourds: Handmade Instruments of the Blue Ridge Mountains. From dulcimers and lap harps to gourd banjos and stump fiddles, the exhibit explores the hand-crafted instruments and musical heritage of the Blue Ridge Mountain region. In addition to many of the instruments that are commonly associated with the music of Appalachia, the exhibit showcases some of the more unusual ones created by locals. A collection of photographs by the F32 photography group also document the local music scene. The exhibit runs through February 2. .
Planning a trip to
the Blue Ridge Parkway?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Blue Ridge Card.
October 29th, 2007 by susan j
Asheville will get a taste of Hollywood November 8-11 with the Asheville Film Festival. Last year the festival attracted over 8,000 people and over a quarter of them were visitors. Here’s a sneak peak at the 2007 festival:
- This year’s festival features 93 films (14 of which were shot or produced in Western North Carolina).
- starring Laura Linney and Phillip Seymour Hoffman is this year’s opening film.
- in French and English concludes the festival.
- Over the four day festival, movie pros will offer 12 professional development seminars including new technology from Apple.
- Academy award nominee Tess Harper will receive the festival’s Career Achievement Award.
Tickets to individual screenings are $7 in advance, $8 at the door (or buy a “Cinemtic 6-Pack” for $39). Click here for ticket information.
Planning a trip to
the Blue Ridge Parkway?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Blue Ridge Card.
October 22nd, 2007 by susan j
Saturday and Sunday November 10 and 11, the Asheville’s River Arts District offers two days of open studios and festivities. Currently in its 14th year, the Studio Stroll lets visitors chat with local artists about their work, watch live demonstrations, and enjoy the sense of artistic community found in the old factories and warehouses lining the French Broad River. The Studio Stroll is free. Many of the art studios are close together and offer ample free parking.
While in Asheville, you might also want to visit Biltmore, Chimney Rock Park, and Grove Arcade.
Planning a trip to
the Blue Ridge Parkway?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go Blue Ridge Card.
