1000 x 90

Weekend Roundup: Exciting Things to Do This Weekend; Check ‘em Out and Make Plans Nov. 21-23

By Madison Fisler Lewis

Nov. 21, 2014. The High Country has so many exciting events to offer its community and visitors, especially on autumn weekends. 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.

Weekend-Long Events

To check out this week’s movie trailers and this week’s movie review, click here.

weekend-roundup-things-to-do-this-weekend-in-the-high-country-check-em-out-make-plans-nov-8-nov-10Reckless at Lees-McRae College: Lees-McRae College’s Department of Performing Arts continues the Fall 2014 performance series with Reckless, shown Nov. 20-22. An absurdist dark comedy, Reckless follows Rachel, who, at home on Christmas Eve, is informed by her guilt-stricken husband that he has hired a hitman to kill her, and she must flee for her life – which she does by scrambling out the bedroom window and into the snowy night. For more information about this event, click here.

The Red Velvet Cake War: The Blue Ridge Community Theatre breaks out of its hiatus on Nov. 20-22 with The Red Velvet Cake Wars, directed by Julie A. Richardson, at the Harvest House Performing Arts Venue in Boone. The Texas-sized comedy, written by Jessie Jones, Nicholas Hope and Jamie Wooten, will feature plenty of familiar faces on stage and a whole lot of hilarity. For more information about this event click here.

Operation Christmas Child National Collection Week: Today marks the first day of National Collection Week for Samaritan’s Purse’s annual giving initiative, Operation Christmas Child, which has helped deliver millions of shoebox gifts to children in need all over the world. The annual project is a favorite of many Boone residents, families, churches and groups who fill shoeboxes with toys, school supplies and notes of encouragement, and is the world’s largest project of its kind. For more information about this event click here.

Live Music at Twigs: Twig’s Restaurant in Blowing Rock hosts live music every Friday and Saturday night, from 9 p.m. until 1 a.m. featuring great local and regional artists with no cover charge.

Fall Appalachian Dance Ensemble: Appalachian State University’ Department of Theatre and Dance presents the Fall Appalachian Dance Ensemble (FADE), the final dance concert this semester. The eclectic and entertaining show runs Wednesday, Nov. 19, through Saturday, Nov. 22 at 7:30 p.m. in Valborg Theatre on the Appalachian campus. For more information about this event click here.

Friday, Nov. 21

TAUK at The Local: New York-based instrumental rock fusion band, TAUK, will play at The Local on Howard Street in Boone this upcoming Friday, Nov. 21 . The show begins at 10 p.m. and there will be a $5 cover charge to see TAUK and their opener, local jam band Nomadic. For more information about this event click here.

AMP Competition Deadline: For 12 years, the Appalachian Mountain Photography Competition has given professional and amateur photographers a chance to showcase their skills, while at the same time bringing to light the beauty of the Appalachian Mountains. This year, submissions have been pouring in from all over, and if you haven’t submitted your own work yet, today is the deadline. For more information about this event, click here.

Appalachian Symphony Orchestra Performance: When the Appalachian Symphony Orchestra performs works by Schumann and Bruch on Friday, Nov. 21, they will be performing compositions each composer wrote for a beloved family member. The concert, featuring Robert Schumann’s “Symphony No. 4 in D Minor, Op. 120” and Max Bruch’s “Concerto in E Minor for Clarinet and Viola, Op. 88,” begins at 8 p.m. in Broyhill Music Center’s Rosen Concert Hall at Appalachian State University. Admission is free. Dr. Chung Park is the conductor.

Opening Reception: Lees-McRae’s King-Shivell Gallery is proud to host a selection of student artwork titled “Peer to Peer.” The exhibit will be on display through December 11. The opening reception is scheduled for this Friday, November 21, from 6 – 7 p.m. in King-Shivell Gallery. This exhibit is free and open to the public. “Peer to Peer” is focused on allowing students to represent their respective disciplines and expertise in art. Featuring work from students in various academic programs, the exhibit will include a variety of mediums including painting, mixed media, collage, photography, drawing and digital.

Freakin’ Firkin Friday at Lost Province: Freakin’ Firkin Friday at Five continues with the release of a special 12 gallon cask of beer at 5 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 22

ETSU Bluegrass Pride Band Concert: The ETSU Bluegrass Pride Band will perform at Heritage Hall on Saturday, Nov. 22 at 7 p.m. The band was founded in 1981 and is currently the oldest program of its kind at any four-year institution, according to its website. The show will be sponsored by the Wednesday Music Club in commemoration of its 100th anniversary. For more information about this event click here.

Brazilian Romance Concert: Guitarist Welson Tremura joins saxophonist Todd Wright and pianist Keith McCutchen for a concert titled “Brazilian Romance” on Saturday, Nov. 22 at 7 p.m. at Appalachian State University in Broyhill Music Center’s Rosen Concert Hall. Admission is free. Tremura is a native of São Paulo, Brazil, and an associate professor in the School of Music and the Center for Latin American Studies at the University of Florida.

Blues Porch Jam: On Saturday, Nov. 22, the weekly Blues Porch Jam will take place at the Blue Ridge ArtSpace. This Blues-Centric Jam Session features the Blues but caters to the whims, interests, and favorite tunes of those present. Musicians, vocalists, foot-stompers, groupies – all are welcome to this unplugged (no amps) session each Saturday afternoon.

Beard and Moustache Competition: Appalachian Mountain Brewery and Appalachian Roller Girls are teaming up to bring you the 2nd annual Beard and Mustache Competition at AMB. November 22nd starting at 5 p.m. There will be beard and mustache events plus, Arm wrestling and Leg wrestling with the roller derby girls. Farm to Flame food truck will also be there, featuring their fall pizzas.  There will be prizes, 50/50 raffles and merchandise for sale. Come support your local derby girls and brewery! We are recruiting new skaters and preparing for our upcoming season!

Watauga County Farmers’ Market: Join us for the 40th anniversary season of Watauga County Farmers’ Market! The farmers’ market has been Boone’s Town Square since 1974. The farmers’ market is located at the Horn in the West parking lot in Boone and is open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Community Dance: Please join Elevation Academy of Dance for an evening of folk and social dancing, including contra, square dancing, and waltz. No dance experience or partner necessary, all ages are welcome, and short lessons in each dance style will be provided. Suggested donation is $5.00, $3.00 for ages 12 and up. Proceeds benefit The Nativity Ballet, being presented at Mitchell High School in Bakersville on December 13 and 14. Adult attendees will be given a discount coupon to The Nativity Ballet.

Sunday, Nov. 23

Music on the Veranda: On Sunday, Nov. 23, the Green Park Inn’s Music on the Veranda will present The Harris Brothers starting at 5 p.m. For more information about this event, call 828-414-9230.

Jazz Brunch: On Sunday, Nov. 23, Canyons in Blowing Rock will host the weekly Sunday Jazz Brunch with Todd Wright. Starting at 11 a.m., the event will feature live jazz music at Canyons located at 8960 Valley Blvd. in Blowing Rock. For more information about this event, call 828-295-7661.

Appalachian Repertory Orchestra Concert: Works by Rimsky-Korsakov, Rachmaninoff and Gershwin fill the program for the Appalachian Repertory Orchestra performance Nov. 23. The program begins at 2 p.m. in Broyhill Music Center’s Rosen Concert Hall. William Selle is the conductor. Admission is free.

Beech Tree Trail Stroll: Stroll along a one mile nature trail with an Elk Knob State Park ranger. Learn about animal behavior in winter and discuss other fascinating nature topics. Meet at the trailhead parking lot Sunday, Nov. 23, at 2 p.m.