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Trevor McKenzie & Jackson Cunningham Debut Artist Series; First “Local Night @AppTheatre” Concert is Thursday, Jan. 12

January 10, 2023 BOONE, NC – “Local Night @AppTheatre” is the newest initiative at the historic landmark on King Street in Boone. The series is specifically designed to showcase the talents of High Country musicians for whom the venue was restored and renovated. First up in concert are the popular duo of Trevor McKenzie and Jackson Cunningham, who will take to the Doc Watson Stage at the Appalachian Theatre at 7 p.m. on Thursday, January 12th.

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Watauga Arts Council Announces Spring 2023 Art Classes

January 6, 2023. Boone, NC – The Watauga Arts Council offers affordable 5-week art courses and short workshops in a variety of mediums from highly qualified artist-teachers for all ages. WAC is excited to announce its Spring 2023 arts education courses, now open for registration and starting soon!

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Announcing “Local Night @AppTheatre” Artists Series: New Program Showcases High Country Musicians in 2023

December 28, 2022 BOONE, NC – Shortly after a group of passionate local residents gathered in December 2011 at the first “Save The Appalachian Theatre” Task Force meeting, a subcommittee met to craft a positioning statement that provided clarity for the organization’s mission, values, and beliefs. At the top of the list of how the historic theatre could achieve their ambitious mission was the phrase, “through outreach to, and inclusion of, local, regional, and national artists in our programming.”

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Legendary Look-Alike Matt Lewis at App Theatre on Dec. 20; “Christmas with Elvis” is a Tribute to “The King of Rock and Roll”

December 15, 2022  Boone, NC – The Appalachian Theatre of the High Country (ATHC) will be hosting celebrated Elvis Presley tribute-artist Matt Lewis and his 12-piece “Long Live the King” Orchestra for a night of rockabilly and holiday tunes at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, December 20. “Christmas with Elvis” is part of the App Theatre LIVE concert series. Hailed by USA TODAY as “The Best Elvis in Vegas,” there is no better talent than Matt Lewis to pay tribute to the great Presley legacy. This concert is sponsored by Piedmont Federal Savings Bank. Audiences can anticipate the holiday classics made famous by the original Presley, including “I’ll be Home for Christmas,” “Here Comes Santa Claus,” and (of course), “Blue Christmas.”

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The Muppet Christmas Carol” at The Appalachian Theatre: Jim Henson’s Muppets Take on the Dickens classic on Dec. 17

December 8, 2022 BOONE, NC – Muppet favorites Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, The Great Gonzo, and all their lovable friends join forces for a unique take on the Dickens classic when “The Muppet Christmas Carol” is screened at 2 p.m. on Saturday, December 17 on the Holiday Family Film Series at the Appalachian Theatre of the High Country. “The Muppet Christmas Carol” is a 1992 Christmas musical comedy drama film directed by Brian Henson (in his feature directorial debut) from a screenplay by Jerry Juhl. Adapted from the 1843 novella “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens, it stars Michael Caine as Ebenezer Scrooge, alongside Muppet performers Dave Goelz, Steve Whitmire, Jerry Nelson, and Frank Oz.

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In Their 90th Year, Barter Theatre Finally Comes to Boone: State Theatre of Virginia Performs “FROSTY” at App Theatre on Dec. 16

December 7, 2022 Richard Rose was the producing director of the Barter Theatre in Abingdon, Virginia for 27 years, retiring on December 31, 2019 with over 700 plays and musicals to this credit. “To the best of my knowledge,” he said “this is the first time we’ve ever performed in Boone, so we’re long overdue for our debut production! Rose is referring to a pair of Barter Players performances of “Frosty: A Musical Adventure” scheduled for 2 and 7 p.m. on Friday, December 16 at the Appalachian Theatre of the High Country. This original production was created by Barter’s playwright in residence Catherine Bush with music and lyrics by Dax Dupuy. The family-friendly musical is a perfect introduction to live, professional theatre for young audiences with a running time of one hour and tickets priced at only $8 for children and $10 for adults.

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Southern Appalachian Historical Association Seeking Artistic Director for 2023 Season

December 5, 2022 The Southern Appalachian Historical Association, producer of the classic drama “Horn in the West,” is seeking an artistic director for the upcoming 2023 show season.  The 3rd oldest outdoor drama in the United States, this historical summertime experience has been drawing viewers to the Boone area from around the world for 70 years. The utmost care will be taken to secure a Director who values the cultural and historical significance of this drama while bringing the experience and talent to craft an artistic and professional presentation to the highest standards. 

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Carlton Gallery Hosts Winter Group Exhibition at Holiday Open House 

November 23, 2022 Carlton Gallery hosts its 40th Anniversary Winter Group Exhibition and Small Works with a Holiday Open House on Friday, November 25 and Saturday, November 26 – 10 to 5. This event is a good opportunity to start the season enjoying fine art, holiday sweets, hot cider, and sharing in community spirit. Some of the standing gallery artists plan to greet visitors and art patrons during this peaceful season of love and light.

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Watauga Community Band to Perform at Appalachian Theater

November 9, 2022 The Watauga Community Band is taking its Fall concert “to the street…” King Street, that is, with the band’s first event at the restored Appalachian Theater. Director Billy Ralph Winkler said, “In our first combined event, the community band will take to the stage featuring American composers with a patriotic theme as we approach Veterans Day.” Winkler said, “The concert will feature music by American composers such as John Philip Sousa, Eric Osterling, Clifton Williams, William Harbinson, John Prescott, and others.   Several standard patriotic selections will be performed including an Armed Forces Salute, where all veterans will be recognized by their special song selection.”

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“A Carolina Snowbelle Christmas” Returns December 3rd & 4th: Expanded Schedule, Christmas Tea Party Await App Theatre Audiences

November 4, 2022 BOONE, NC – Having experienced sold out performances in each of their first two seasons at the Appalachian Theatre of the High Country, “A Carolina Snowbelle Christmas” returns to the state-of-the-art facility this year with an expanded schedule and an added family event to enhance their standing as the region’s newest family holiday tradition. This stage spectacular takes audience members on new adventures and dancers tap dance their way from the Arctic glaciers of the North Pole to the city streets of Manhattan in New York City.

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Molly Tuttle Makes App Theatre Debut on Sunday, Nov. 13: Reigning “Female Vocalist of the Year” Fronts Golden Highway

October 31, 2022 BOONE, NC – Fresh off her fifth win at the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) awards ceremony on September 29, 2022, virtuosos Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway will make their long-awaited App Theatre debut at 7 p.m. on Sunday, November 13 at the historic venue in downtown Boone, NC. Writing for the New York Times, music critic Tony Scherman said, “The singer, songwriter and guitarist Molly Tuttle’s fingers move so quickly, she could pick your pocket without breaking stride. Though she’s only been releasing albums for three years, the sharpest ears in Americana music have taken notice.”

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Boone 150 Celebration Continues with Sacred Sounds on October 29th at Three Forks Baptist

October 27, 2022 < The Town of Boone’s sesquicentennial celebration, Boone 150, continues on Saturday, October 29, at Three Forks Baptist Church, with Sacred Sounds, featuring performances by local church groups and choirs, starting at 2:00 p.m. The performance was rescheduled to this Saturday because of inclement weather earlier in the month. The concert will feature a number of local musicians and a special choir with members from several Baptist and Methodist churches in the area. 

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BRAHM’s Recent Acquisitions Exhibition is On View in Time for Open House This Saturday

October 20, 2022 Blowing Rock, NC – BRAHM (Blowing Rock Art & History Museum) is excited to open the exhibition Recent Acquisitions to BRAHM’s Permanent Collection. The exhibition highlights 16 artworks including gifts and promised gifts to the Permanent Collection. Recent Acquisitions presents new additions to BRAHM’s vault in light of some of the different ways objects might come into a museum’s collection as well as the responsibility of care that an institution undertakes when accepting such objects. BRAHM’s expansion of the Permanent Collection has largely been accomplished through the generosity of art collectors who have donated or promised artworks that align with the scope of the Museum’s mission.

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The Hills Are Alive With the Sound of Traditional Bluegrass Music At The 44th Annual Valle Country Fair on Saturday, October 15th

October 10, 2022 VALLE CRUCIS, NC — For 44 years the Valle Country Fair has been honored that country, gospel, folk, and bluegrass groups from all parts of the High Country have given up a mid-October Saturday to provide the soundtrack that makes the overgrown church bazaar an authentic celebration of mountain life expressed through crafts, food and music.

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Registration Open for Fall Music Lessons with Boone Junior Appalachian Musicians

August 24, 2022 The Town of Boone will offer group music lessons this fall through the Boone Junior Appalachian Musicians (JAM) program. The fall semester will begin the week of September 13 and 15, with weekly classes held on Tuesday or Thursday afternoons at the Jones House. Classes consist of 3-6 students, and instruction is available for beginner and beginner-plus level students in banjo, fiddle, guitar, mandolin, and ukulele.

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Craig Franz and Robert Dennis Share Edgewood Cottage as Artists in Residence This Week Through August 14

August 8, 2022. Two artists share Edgewood Cottage this week, Craig Franz who works in pastels and oils, and Robert Dennis, who creates Tromp d’Oeil images. A forty-two year resident of western North Carolina’s High Country, Frederick “Craig” Franz’s home in Avery County is a landscape artist’s dream. His home is at the foot of rugged Grandfather Mountain and on the northern border of the Pisgah National Forest. The High Country’s four full seasons provide Craig with unlimited inspiration from which to paint. Working in soft pastels and oils, his award-winning paintings are created both plein air and in the studio. Come meet Craig from August 8th through August 14th at Edgewood Cottage in Blowing Rock.

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“Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!” – “Mary Poppins” Descends in Boone on Saturday, August 6 as the Disney Classic is part of Free Family Film Series at App Theatre

July 26, 2022 High Country audiences will soon be singing “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” when everyone’s favorite nanny descends in Boone as part of the inaugural Saturday Morning Family Film Series at the historic Appalachian Theatre. Due to a generous sponsorship by Allen Wealth Management, “Mary Poppins” is being offered free of charge to the general public at 10 a.m. on Saturday, August 6, 2022. The film follows the upcoming screening of “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” the prior week on Saturday, July 30.

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Mountain Home Music is pleased to be returning to the Appalachian Theatre of the High Country for three programs

July 26, 2022 Mountain Home Music is pleased to announce a series of concerts highlighting North Carolina Appalachian tradition bearers, at the beautifully restored Appalachian Theatre of the High Country. First up, prepare for an evening of non-stop entertainment and goosebumps with Laura Boosinger and Josh Goforth joined by storyteller, Orville Hicks on Saturday, July 30. This program of music and mountain folklore, featuring award-winning Western North Carolina natives, is not to be missed!

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Rosen Sculpture Competition Winners Announced, Showcased Across App State

July 22, 2022 During a recent weekend in July, art enthusiasts attended the 36th Annual Rosen Sculpture Walk with the Juror. This year’s juror, renowned sculptor Elizabeth Brim from Penland, NC, offered participants a compelling narrative of each sculpture as the group visited each of the works located on campus in the vicinity of the Schaefer Center for the Performing Arts. For the last 36 years, the annual Rosen Outdoor Sculpture Competition & Exhibition has showcased contemporary American sculpture in outdoor settings across the campus of Appalachian State University. The sculptures in this year’s competition represent a diversity of styles. From playful to powerful, the artists have expressed their three-dimensional concepts with expert craftmanship utilizing a variety of materials, designs and techniques to create their sculptures.

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“CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG” Set for Saturday, July 30 as part of Free Family Film Series at Appalachian Theatre

July 20, 2022 The much-loved movie musical “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” is the next offering on the inaugural Saturday Morning Family Film Series at the historic Appalachian Theatre of the High Country, the King Street landmark in downtown Boone. Due to a generous sponsorship by Allen Wealth Management, the film is being offered free of charge to the general public at 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 30, 2022.
“Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” is the third of six family-friendly movie classics being screened during the summer months on select Saturday mornings from now through August 27. This is the first time the film will be shown at the venue since its App Theatre debut 53 years ago. The movie runs two hours and twenty-four minutes in duration.

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Fiber and Paint Artist Susan March Payne and Photographer Lonnie Webster Share Edgewood Cottage as Artists in Residence June 27-July 3

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June 26, 2022 Fiber and paint artist Susan March Payne and photographer Lonnie Webster will share Edgewood Cottage from June 27 through July 3 during the Blowing Rock Historical Society’s Artist-in-Residence program. Susan March Payne’s distinctive fiber works combine landscape painting with quilt construction knowledge to create both functional modern quilts and decorative art quilts and wall hangings. Figures, musicians and, animals often are featured within the art quilts expressing the joy of playing musical instruments. Whether photographing individuals, events, or nature, Lonnie Webster (www.lonniewebster.com) has a passion for capturing life through photography. He believes each image must tell a story about the event, location, person, occupation, season, mood, or the milestones in life. Whether in the beautiful places he has traveled to, or right here at home in western North Carolina, Lonnie has captured amazing vistas, wonderful architecture and enchanting faces across the world. Come read the stories in Lonnie’s work and learn more about Susan’s work and process from June 27th through July 3rd at Edgewood Cottage in Blowing Rock.

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First Ever Boonerang Music & Arts Festival in Boone Attracts Thousands of Attendees

June 24, 2022 One week ago, on June 17-18, the streets of downtown Boone came alive with thousands of people enjoying performances and activities at the inaugural Boonerang Music & Arts Festival. Presented by the Town of Boone and supporting partners after many months of planning, the free event was deemed a huge success by musicians, art vendors, festival staff and attendees alike. “The inaugural Boonerang Music & Arts Festival was a resounding success,” said Mark Freed, director of cultural resources for the Town of Boone. “Our community came together in every way – from the staff and presenting partners to the amazing volunteer crew; from the production companies, artists and organizations; and of course to all of the people for showing up and having a great time.” By Harley Nefe

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