1000 x 90

Weekend Roundup: 18 Things To Do This Weekend in the High Country; Check ‘em Out & Make Plans: Aug. 17-19

Compiled by Rebecca Gitlen

Aug. 17, 2012. The High Country has so many wonderful events to offer its community and visitors. Check our site every Friday for something new and exciting to look forward to while you’re watching the hour hand crawl to 5 o’clock. Find live music down the street, explore a nearby town’s local secrets or try out a new square dancing class. There’s always something fun to do in the High Country.

Southern Rock Band NeedToBreathe Headlines Appalachian Football Fan Fest 

At 4 p.m., gates open and traditional family-friendly Fan Fest activities begin. Activities include Mountaineer student-athletes and coaches signing autographs and taking pictures with fans, face-paining by Appalachian cheerleaders, inflatable rides for kids and access to the Kidd Brewer Stadium playing field. Then Appalachian State football holds its final intrasquad scrimmage of the preseason. At 8:30 p.m., NeedToBreathe performs. A nationally acclaimed Southern rock band from Possum Kingdom, S.C., NeedToBreathe is touring nationwide on the heels of their latest album, The Reckoning, debuting at No. 6 on Billboard’s top-200 chart. 

When: Saturday, Aug. 18, 4 to 10 p.m.
Where: Kidd Brewer Stadium, ASU, Boone
More info: 828-262-2079 or click

Live Music

Concerts at the Jones House: Boone Mennonite Brethren Choir & Soul Benefactor

Gospel and soul will be the music of the day at the Jones House on Friday as The Boone Mennonite Brethren Church Choir and Soul Benefactor take to the porch and continue the 2012 Summer Concerts at the Jones House. The Boone Mennonite Brethren Church Choir has a rich history of good music. Soul Benefactor will follow the choir and bring their blend of soul, funk, rock, classic songs from the 1960s and 70s.

When: Friday, Aug. 17, 5 p.m.
Where: Jones House, 604 West King Street, Downtown Boone
More info: 828-262-4576
 
Music in the Valle: 8 Miles Apart

The “Music in the Valle” Concert Series starts in June and continues each Friday evening through August at The Valle Crucis Community Park. Admission is free; bring a chair or a blanket and family and friends.

When: Friday, Aug. 17, 7 p.m.
Where: Valle Crucis Community Park, 2918 Broadstone Road, Historic Valle Crucis, Banner Elk
More info: 828-963-9239    
 
Friday Night Bluegrass

Visit the Todd General Store and recapture a time when life was simple and genuine.  Meet the mountain folks and listen to talks of the railroad days as well as bluegrass every Friday.

When: Friday, Aug. 17, 6:30 to 9:15 pm.
Where: Todd General Store, 3866 Railroad Grade Road, Todd
More info: 336-877-1067 

Mountain Home Music: The Colors of Country

Mountain Home Music is going to be colorful this week. Through the lens of country music, its musical pallet will be reminiscent of a golden age. David Johnson and the Dixie Dawn Band will provide the music. The songs on the program, at least for country music lovers, are recognizable. To name a few: “The Brown Mountain Lights,” “White Sports Coat and Pink Carnations,” “The Green, Green Grass of Home,” “Tie a Yellow Ribbon Around an Old Oak Tree,” “The Red River Valley,” and “The Orange Blossom Special.”

When: Saturday, Aug. 18, 8 p.m.
Where: Blowing Rock School Auditorium
More info: 828-964-3392 or click 

Riders in the Sky at Tweetsie Railroad

The Blue Ridge Mountains will come alive this August with a unique blend of Western harmony and comedy at Tweetsie Railroad. Riders In The Sky, America’s Favorite Cowboys, will light up the stage at North Carolina’s first theme park August 18-19 to perform “The Cowboy Way.” Since 1977, the multi Grammy award-winning quartet has brought refreshing acoustical music and a wide repertoire with outrageous comedy, delivering entertainment guaranteed to bring pleasure to listeners of all ages and musical preferences. 

When: Aug. 18-19, daily at noon and 3 p.m.
Where: Tweetsie Railroad, Blowing Rock
More info: 800-526-5740

Fire Pink Trio, chamber music concert at the Blowing Rock Art and History Museum

This dynamic and poetic trio combines three sensual instruments: harp, flute and viola. Just as each instrument has its uniquely beautiful voice, each member of Fire Pink Trio brings to the group a multitude of accolades including top prizes in international competitions, concerto performances and critically acclaimed recordings. Performing music from Romantic to Contemporary, Latin and Jazz, Fire Pink Trio brings energy, elegance, style and virtuosity to the stage. 

When: Sunday, Aug. 19, 5:30 p.m.
Where: Blowing Rock Art and History Museum
More info: 828-295-9099 

Sunday Jazz Brunch with Todd Wright & Friends at Canyons

Todd Wright, an Ambassador of Jazz for western North Carolina, joined the Appalachian State University music faculty in 1990. As Director of Jazz Studies he has been responsible for conducting Jazz Ensembles I and II, teaching courses in jazz improvisation, jazz history, jazz piano, jazz tunes and coaching combos.

When: Sunday, Aug. 19, 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Where: Canyons, 8960 Highway 321, Blowing Rock
More info: 828-295-7661  

Art

4th Annual Banner Elk Paint-Out

The 4th Annual Banner Elk Paint-Out is co-hosted by the Art Cellar in Banner Elk. It’s held along the Banner Elk Greenway. Prizes are awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place, People’s Choice and Kid’s category (16 & younger). Tickets are $30 for adults and $15 for kids. 

When: Saturday, Aug. 18, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: Banner Elk Greenway
More info: 828-733-0054 

‘Connecting with Your Inner Muse’ Workshop

This workshop is designed to give you the opportunity to experiment and play without feeling intimidated or fearful. You’ll learn how to use a fun art exercise to put you in touch with your creative muse. Instructor Judi Russel’s philosophy on creating art is, “I have always seen and imagined a world full of beautiful, colorful shapes and patterns. My paintings reflect this external and internal vision. By focusing on how I see and feel, a very personal and unique painting style has evolved.”

When: Saturday, Aug. 18, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Blowing Rock Art and History Museum
More info: 828-295-9099 x 3001 or www.blowingrockmuseum.org


 Outdoors

Grandfather Mountain Volunteer Trail Workday

Have you ever hiked a trail and wondered how it got there or who maintains it? Well your days of wonder are over…join park rangers and help maintain and repair sections of trail in Grandfather Mountain State Park. No experience or tools are needed as the park will supply these things. Work can include any of the following: digging up roots and or soil, moving small or large rocks, erosion control, building rock wall, and other tasks similar in nature. This is a fun environment to work in and a great way to give back to the area you hike in.

When: Saturday, Aug. 18, 8:45 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: Grandfather Mountain Entrance, Highway 221
More info: 828-963-9522 or click

Yoga and Farming at Springhouse Farm for Karma Krew Farm Days

Karma Krew is a non-profit organization whose mission is to mobilize the yoga community to expand the practice beyond the walls of the studios and into the hearts of our communities. Once a month they travel to a local farm for a short session in yoga and meditations (acessible to all) on the farm property. We will then spend the day working together on the farm, conecting  with our community and our local food. 

When: Sunday, Aug. 19, 12 p.m.
Where: Springhouse Farm, 433 Silverstone Road, Vilas
More info: 828-719-6825 or boonekarmakrew@gmail.com

The 12th Annual BIG Sale at Legends

For the 12th year running, Appalachian and the Community Together (ACT) will host the Big Sale, this Saturday at Legends nightclub on the ASU campus. Since the first Big Sale raised $3,342 at Duck Pond Field in 2000, the effort has seen substantial growth. ACT collects the majority of items for sale through the annual Don’t Throw It Away Collection at the end of each school year. About 200 volunteers will travel from residence hall to residence hall collecting items that have been saved. The items collected are then delivered to Legends, sorted and boxed up. At the end of the summer, more volunteers unpack, merchandise and set up the Sale in the week leading up to it.

When: Saturday, Aug. 18, 8 a.m.
Where: Legends, ASU, Boone
More info: click

Free Tasting

Peabody’s Wine & Beer Merchants Tasting

Peabody’s offers the High Country’s Largest & Finest selection of Wine & Beer, Wine Accessories, Cigars, Fine Cheeses, Luscious Chocolates, Gourmet Foods, Great Service, Party, Wedding and Event Planning, Cellar Stocking and Consultation and much much more. At Peabody’s Wine & Beer Merchants you can experience serious wine and beer with not so serious faces. The wines are delicious and tastings are free.

When: Saturday, Aug. 11, 12 to 5 p.m.
Where: Peabody’s Wine & Beer Merchants, Boone
More info: 828-264-9476

The Markets

Avery County Farmers Market

The Avery County Farmers Market is a cooperative of area farmers that produce freshly grown, organic and conventionally grown fruits and vegetables, fresh bread, homemade jams and jellies, herbal products, crafts, maple syrup, fresh eggs, potting plants, ornamentals, seedlings and much, much more.

When: Saturday, Aug. 11, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Where: 170 Linville Street, between CVS and the Department of Social Services building, Newland
More info: 828-789-9246 or 828-733-8274     

Watagua County Farmers’ Market

The market has so many things to love: fresh and nutritious local foods, beautiful handmade crafts, face-to-face interactions with the farmers who grow your food, scrumptious breads, jams, jellies and cheeses made by community members, meat and eggs from local farmers and of course the friendly social atmosphere of “Boone’s Town Square.” 

When: Saturday, Aug. 11, 8 a.m. to noon
Where: Horn in the West parking lot, Boone
More info: 828-355-4918 or 828-264-3424 

Ashe County Farmers’ Market

Every Ashe County Farmers’ Market customer has that particular vendor that keeps them coming back for more but it’s the market’s diversity that makes it one of the best in the area. Click here for a list of vendors along with profiles so you can get to know not only your favorite but maybe find a new must see vendor.

When: Saturdays, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., April to Oct.; and Wednesdays, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., July to Sept.
Where: Backstreet in downtown West Jefferson
More info: ashefarmersmarket.com

Movies

Be sure to check out our listings for cinema showtimes and movie trailers at the Regal Boone Cinema 7 too! It’s the only place where you can see ALL the trailers and showtimes for every movie playing in Boone all on one page! 

Editor’s note: Want your event to be added to our Weekend Roundup next time? Email rebecca@highcountrypress.com.

Things to Do This Weekend logo by Debbie Carter.