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This Week’s Arts Rock in Blowing Rock Brings Us Two Musical Groups, Two Art Shows, and a Sunset Stroll

By Rebecca Mullins

Sept. 3, 2013. Blowing Rock is going all out this month for a series of art extravaganzas you won’t want to miss titled “Arts Rock in Blowing Rock.” This week they’re featuring five creative events for your viewing pleasure, with still more to come in the following weeks. And out of those five, four of them are free! What’s there to lose? 

Arts Rock in Blowing Rock is a themed month dedicated to spreading the word about all the art related events going on in the Blowing Rock area. A group of lively volunteers compiled this information with joint help from Blowing Rock’s Chamber of Commerce and Blowing Rock’s Tourism Development Authority. According to Blowing Rock’s Chamber of Commerce Events Director, Billy Rogers, the only event specifically formed for the months activities is the Art of Village Churches, going on Thursday, Sept. 15. This event will sponser tours of four churches in the area, two of which will have antique Bibles and prayer shaws on display. A third church will be holding a concert in the church. 

Rogers also told of new landmarks painted by artists in the area, that will eventually be settled into different areas around Blowing Rock. Just as some towns and cities have cow, dog, or horse statues painted and displayed, Blowing Rock now has its own large painted rocks. These boulders were taken from the cliff above Cliff Dwellers Inn, which was being cut into to widen the road. Currently, the painted rocks are on display in front of the Blowing Rock Art and History Museum, so if you wish to see the group all together, now’s the chance.

During the Arts Rock guests will have the opportunity to enjoy concerts, a Sunset Stroll, Art in the Park, a new Blowing Rock Art and History Exhibit and much more.

It’s a weekend full of music, art and an evening stroll. But these five events are only the first of many coming our way during the month of September. A full list of events can be found here

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The Inn at Ragged Gardens hosts “Music on the Lawn” concerts every Friday from Aug. 9 – Oct. 18. They request that no coolers, outside beverages or dogs be brought onto the property. The Ragged Gardens host a live band to watch for free and have a cash bar for any who wish to drink.

This week’s band is the Nautical Wheelers, known as “Maryland’s No. 1 Beach Party Band.” This four person band is known for its island music taken from the roots of good old Jimmy Buffet, and the lead singer, Mike Philip, has had the privilege to perform on stage with the man himself.

The Sunset Stroll on Sunset Drive on Friday evening is an event that takes over the entire strip of galleries, stores and restaurants. Nearly everything stays open late. Guests are free to roam around in the cool night air visiting anywhere their heart desires. Christopher’s Wine and Cheese will hold a wine tasting that evening and other venues will be offering refreshments to those who stop by. 

Whether you’re coming for the concert or the stroll Friday night, it’ll be a lively street to drop by. You can tour the shops and wind your way down to the beach music, or begin your evening with a nice dinner, a little something to drink and the live band and end it with galleries of art showcases and shopping. The choice is yours.

Following the next day, Art in the Park will be exhibiting 90 artists and their unique pieces. Art in the Park is an annual once-a-month series from May – October . The artists are hand picked by a jury of professional artists and the artwork shown each month ranges from photography, to watercolor, to oil painting and much more. Every visit is sure to be filled with a variety of mediums, styles and works that you won’t find anywhere else.

Surround by Mary Ann Beckwith
Surround by Mary Ann Beckwith

On Sunday, the Blowing Rock Art and History Museum is opening its new exhibit “The 68 Juried Exhibition,” hosted by the Water Color Society of NC. This annual selection of paintings is juried by a professional artist every year, and this years jury is Mary Ann Beckwith. She selected 70 pieces from 279 artworks which will be on display in the main gallery at Blowing Rock’s Art and History Museum from Sept. 8- Nov. 2. Entry to the museum costs $8 for adults and $5 for students, children and military personnel so make sure you have some cash on you before heading over on Sunday for the opening of this exhibit. For more information on the new exhibit, see our article here.

Lastly, The ASU gospel choir will be singing a selection of pieces in their concert in Memorial park at 4:00 p.m. The group is made up of 110 singers from Appalachian’s campus, and they’ve traveled as far as Atlanta, Nashville and Washington, DC to perform. Gospel music is a remembrance of our past and America’s past. Its deep and powerful song will lift up any who come to hear this grand choir. 

This finishes the week’s art extravaganzas. There will be even more next week, as this month is stuffed full of concerts, plays, shows and galleries that you won’t want to miss.