MerleFest Shares Finalists for the 10th Annual Band Competition, Adds Carolina Detour, Wilder Flower, and More to 2025 Lineup

February 11, 2025. MerleFest, presented by Window World, will return to Wilkes Community College the weekend of April 24-27 for its 2025 event. Known for blending incredible live music with strong community ties, MerleFest continues to hold its title as a can’t miss annual tradition for both area natives and visitors from all over the world. This year’s festival will highlight the 10th Annual Band Competition, where eight talented finalists will compete for the opportunity to perform on MerleFest’s iconic Hillside Stage. The competition performances will take place on Saturday, April 26, from 11:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with the winner announced at 4:30 p.m.

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Old-Time Fiddler’s Convention Returns to Appalachian State University This Weekend

February 7, 2025  The Old-Time Fiddler’s Convention returns to Appalachian State University in Boone this weekend and promises to be a fun-filled, foot-stompin’ good time for all involved. Now in its 17th year, the main event will be held on Saturday, Feb. 8, at Plemmons Student Union from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. A large crowd is expected to attend again this year, including instrumentalists, vocalists and fans of traditional mountain music for which our area is known. A square dance will serve as the official “kick-off” on the evening prior, Friday, Feb. 7, from 5-7 p.m., in the student union solarium. Saturday’s line-up will feature various competitions for adults and youth, including mandolin, guitar, banjo, fiddle, string band and dance, and held in the Summit Trail Solarium. By Sherrie Norris

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Boone Docs Film Festival Returns to Appalachian Theatre with Another Celebration of Appalachia

February 6, 2025. The 2025 Boone Docs Film Festival, showcasing short documentaries focused on the people who live and work in Appalachia, expands this year to include four blocks across two days – Feb. 21 and Feb. 22. All festival events will take place at the Appalachian Theatre, 559 W. King Street in Boone, North Carolina. Additionally, each of the film screenings will include a panel discussion with participants in the films and/or the filmmakers.

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Mountainfilm on Tour Will Come to Lees-McRae on Saturday, Feb. 8 in Hayes Auditorium at 6:00

February 4, 2025 Mountainfilm on Tour, a collection of top-of-the-line outdoor adventure films from the annual Mountainfilm Festival in Telluride, Colorado, is returning to Lees-McRae this winter as part of the college’s High Country Adventure Film and Speaker Series. Mountainfilm’s mission is to use the power of the film medium to inspire audiences to create a better world. To achieve this, they collect the most inspiring, culturally rich, and adventurous documentary short films each year to share with a national audience. Mountainfilm on Tour will come to Lees-McRae on Saturday, Feb. 8, and the films will be screened in Hayes Auditorium. The doors open at 6 p.m., live music starts at 6:15pm, and the films start at 7:00pm.

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Alexa Rose to Perform Intimate Concert at Jones House Cultural Center February 19

February 4, 2025 Acclaimed Americana songwriter, Alexa Rose, will take the stage at the historic Jones House Cultural Center for an exclusive and intimate concert on Wednesday, February 19, 2025. With only 40 seats available, this evening promises to be a one-of-a-kind musical experience. Born in the Alleghany Highlands of western Virginia and raised in the tiny railroad town of Clifton Forge, Rose’s songs feel like oil paint landscapes of her own life in the mountains, often wringing out beauty from mundanity and exploring timeless topics. Her earnest, well-crafted stylings are a multi-layered merger of old country music and traditional folk songs, colored by rock and roll and mountain soul.

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Music Lineup Announced for Boonerang Music & Arts Festival in June

January 28, 2025. Louisiana-based bands New Orleans Suspects and Tribal Gold are among the acts headlining the 2025 lineup for the Boonerang Music & Arts Festival, taking place June 19-22. The fourth annual street festival and community homecoming features performances on multiple stages throughout downtown Boone. Presented by the Town of Boone and supporting partners, the multi-day event features performances and activities at many downtown locations, arts vending, silent disco, dance stage, vintage clothing market, participatory drum circle, and kids zone — in addition to the array of food, drinks and shopping always available in downtown Boone.

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The Schaefer Center Presents Series Opens Spring Season with Ballet Hispánico’s CARMEN.maquia

January 23, 2025. The Schaefer Center Presents (SCP) performing arts series, presented by Appalachian State University’s Office of Arts Engagement and Cultural Resources, welcomes acclaimed Latino dance company Ballet Hispánico in CARMEN.maquia, a revolutionary fusion of art and dance, Feb. 8 at 7:30pm at the Schaefer Center for the Performing Arts. Tickets are $45 Tier 1, $35 Tier 2, $25 Tier 3, $15 children/students; 10% off all tiers for App State faculty/staff.Enter Code BOGO at checkout for a Buy One Get One free offer on all tickets.Buy tickets at TheSchaeferCenter.org, in person at the Schaefer Center box office (733 Rivers Street), or by calling 828-262-4046.

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Southern Appalachian Historical Association Announces Theatre Director for “Horn in the West”® 2025 Season – Boone Native Clarinda Ross

January 22, 2025. The Southern Appalachian Historical Association (SAHA) is thrilled to announce plans for the 2025 season of “Horn in the West”®.  As repairs by the Town of Boone will be underway at the Daniel Boone Amphitheater, this year’s performance will be held in the mini-amphitheater area located at Hickory Ridge History Museum, fondly known as “Hickory Ridge Homestead”. HORN will be celebrating our heritage with a return to our historical roots as a fully community-based production, using a local cast.  The drama will run for 4 weeks, 3 nights a week, and will be staged in and amongest the cabins for an immersive audience experience. Clarinda Ross is a celebrated professional actor, director, and playwright whose deep local ties and national accolades make her a perfect fit to helm this community-driven performance.

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Exciting Addition to 2025 Blowing Rock WinterFest: WinterFest After Dark!

January 14, 2025. Blowing Rock WinterFest, held this year from January 23rd-26th 2025, is bringing even more reasons to step out of hibernation and celebrate! For the first time, this annual celebration of the season will feature an After Dark experience with live music, and stores open late adding a lively new twist to the lineup of activities. Mark your calendars for Friday, January 24th, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM, and prepare to embark on a memorable evening in the heart of Blowing Rock. This exciting addition invites participants to visit local establishments and enjoy live music from local artists along the way.

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Seven New Acts Join the Lineup for FloydFest 25~Aurora (July 23-27), With More to Come

January 14, 2025. FLOYD, VA — Writing that “FloydFest has set a standard for thriving independent music festivals by annually bringing a devoted crowd back to a scenic site in southwest Virginia for a carefully curated, eclectic lineup of roots music,” Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine once-again named FloydFest ‘Best Music Festival’ in its ‘Best of the Blue Ridge 2025’ earlier this month. “It’s a big deal to us to win this award again, especially in a region rich in world-class events and creatives,” said Sam Calhoun, FloydFest co-owner and chief operating officer. “Congrats to all of the honorees, and a special shoutout to the myriad Floyd-based businesses who also took home top honors, including Floyd Country Store, Red Rooster, Chateau Morrisette, Hotel Floyd and Buffalo Mountain Ziplines.”

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Wine & Dine on the Rails Returns to the N.C. Transportation Museum

January 14, 2025. SPENCER, N.C. — The North Carolina Transportation Museum is pleased to announce its annual Wine & Dine on the Rails train ride event. Join us for an evening of elegance and romance Feb. 14-16. This special event features a cocktail hour before boarding for a leisurely train ride around our 60-acre historic site, and a three-course meal served aboard the train. Each individual passenger will receive three drink tickets to be redeemed from our selection of wine and beer in either the cocktail area or on the train.  Additional drinks can also be purchased for an additional cost.

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Mountainfilm on Tour Returns to Lees-McRae College on Feb. 8 as Part of the High Country Film and Speaker Series

January 14, 2025. Mountainfilm on Tour, a collection of top-of-the-line outdoor adventure films from the annual Mountainfilm Festival in Telluride, Colorado, is returning to Lees-McRae this winter as part of the college’s High Country Adventure Film and Speaker Series. Mountainfilm’s mission is to use the power of the film medium to inspire audiences to create a better world. To achieve this, they collect the most inspiring, culturally rich, and adventurous documentary short films each year to share with a national audience. Mountainfilm on Tour will come to Lees-McRae on Saturday, Feb. 8, and the films will be screened in Hayes Auditorium. The screening will begin at 6 p.m.

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Award-Winning Songwriters Tim Stafford and Thomm Jutz to Perform at the Historic Jones House Friday, January 17

January 3, 2025  Noted and influential International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) award-winning artists Tim Stafford and Thomm Jutz will bring their extraordinary talents to the Jones House Cultural Center on Friday, January 17, 2025, for a special evening of music and storytelling. The event begins with a free songwriting workshop at 5:00 PM, where Stafford and Jutz will share their expertise and insights into the art of songwriting. Following the workshop, the evening culminates in an intimate concert at 7:30 PM, showcasing their evocative songs and masterful musicianship. With only 40 seats available, this exclusive performance promises a one-of-a-kind experience.

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New Year’s Eve Fundraiser Organized by The Lucky Strikes and fizzEd to Benefit the Todd Community

December 26, 2024 Get ready to break out the spandex and teased hair for a totally awesome ’80s-themed News Year’s Eve bash, organized by High Country band The Lucky Strikes and Boone-based restaurant and bar fizzEd. The event, to take place at fizzEd on Tuesday, Dec. 31, with live music from 9 p.m. to just after midnight, doubles as a fundraiser to benefit the Todd community, which was devastated by the impacts of Hurricane Helene. It is free and open to the public (aged 21 and over). Optional donations and special VIP seating funds will directly support the Todd Community Preservation Organization (TCPO) and its Hurricane Helene Recovery Fund, which is dedicated to rebuilding TCPO’s two parks: Cook Memorial Park, home to the Todd Summer Concert Series, and Todd Island Park, both of which were decimated by Helene.

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FloydFest 25~Aurora New Holiday Merch Available; 11 New Acts Join the Lineup

December 17, 2024 With ticket prices increasing in 15 days, on Jan. 1, 2025, Blue Cow Arts Foundation & Across-the-Way Productions add 11 new acts to the emerging lineup of FloydFest 25~Aurora, the latest annual offering of the Southeast’s premier, award-winning, summer outdoor music festival, taking place Wednesday to Sunday, July 23 to 27, 2025, at its new home, FestivalPark, located at 5826 Floyd Highway North in Check, Va. Also announced, new holiday-themed merchandise for FloydFest 25~Aurora is now available on the FloydFest Online Store.

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Ensemble Stage 2024 Holiday Show is Back On Track with First of Seven Shows Starting Tonight

December 6, 2024 Thanks to the amazing work of countless volunteers, local and out-of-town contractors, many local businesses and non-profits, along with the superior planning and relief response of our town administration, it looks like the entire town of Banner Elk will be back up and running at full speed in record time. So, thanks to all those people and businesses, Ensemble Stage WILL be presenting its 2024 Holiday Musical Variety Show.

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Studio K Presents The Nutcracker at the Schaefer Center This Weekend, December 6-8

December 5, 2024  If ever there was a time to get lost in a dream surrounded by all that is magical, this would be it. Four presentations of  the enchanting ballet, The Nutcracker, will make it all possible this coming weekend, as one of the  season’s most treasured traditions returns to the High Country. Nowhere is the ballet more anticipated and cherished than it is in Boone, where for nearly four decades, Studio K Youth Ballet Company has produced the enchanting presentation this time each year. From Friday, Dec. 6 — Sunday, Dec. 8, audiences of all ages will fill the Schaefer Center for the Performing Arts in Boone, where more than 350 local dancers — from ages 2 to 70 — will bring the magic to life once again. By Sherrie Norris

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MerleFest Has Announced the Full Artist Lineup for its 2025 Festival Taking Place April 24-27

December 4, 2024 MerleFest, presented by Window World, has added I’m With Her, Leftover Salmon, Stephen Wilson Jr., The Steel Wheels, Tami Neilson, Becky Buller, and more to its 2025 lineup. Taking place April 24-27, 2025, on the campus of Wilkes Community College, the annual celebration of founding legend, Doc Watson, will play host to both legendary names and exciting up and comers, including fast-rising honky-tonk starlet Emily Nenni, Colorado-rooted newgrass ensemble The Fretliners, blues-drenched guitar virtuoso Cristina Vane, and dozens of others. View the complete lineup below

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Boone JAM Fall Recital Showcases Young Musical Talent on Tuesday, December 10th

December 2, 2024 Celebrate the rich musical traditions of Appalachia as the Boone Junior Appalachian Musicians (Boone JAM) program presents its fall recital on Tuesday, December 10th. This special event will be held at the historic Appalachian Theatre in downtown Boone and begins at 5:30 PM. Admission is free and open to the public. The Boone JAM program, run by the Town of Boone and coordinated by the Jones House, provides group music lessons to youth aged 8 and up, fostering a love for traditional Appalachian music. Students learn to play Guitar, Banjo, Mandolin, Fiddle, and Ukulele in a supportive group setting.

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Wake of the Flood: A Benefit for and By Appalachian Artists on Nov. 15 Raises $14,113

December 2, 2024 Mountain Home Music, Carolina Ramble Productions, and Kattagast faced a daunting challenge when Hurricane Helene struck the region just weeks before the 6th annual “An Evening of Appalachian Murder Ballads” was set to take the stage for its 3rd year at the Appalachian Theatre of the High Country. However, with the theatre’s gracious support and the outreach of numerous artists wanting to help, a new event was born: Wake of the Flood: A Benefit for and By Appalachian Musicians. On November 15, the community rallied in a big way.

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Turchin Center Hosts Winter Exhibition Celebration During Festive First Friday Dec. 6

November 26, 2024 Downtown Boone will be aglow with holiday spirit as the Turchin Center for the Visual Arts invites the community to its Winter Exhibition Celebration on Friday, December 6th, 2024, from 5–8 PM. This special evening, held in conjunction with Festive First Friday, promises an unforgettable experience filled with art, music, and holiday cheer. Visitors will have the opportunity to meet the artists, explore six galleries of thought-provoking art, and enjoy holiday refreshments while listening to live music by the acclaimed Pansy Club Band.

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Ring in the Holidays with the Legendary Preservation Hall Jazz Band Thursday, Dec. 12

November 26, 2024 The Schaefer Center Presents (SCP) performing arts series, presented by Appalachian State University’s Office of Arts Engagement and Cultural Resources, welcomes NOLA’s legendary Preservation Hall Jazz Band in Creole Christmas, a seasonal celebration of New Orleans classics as well as some of the best-loved holiday selections with a twist. The performance takes place Thursday, Dec. 12 at 7:30pm at the Schaefer Center for the Performing Arts. Tickets range from $15-$45, and may be purchased at TheSchaeferCenter.org, in person at the Schaefer Center box office (733 Rivers Street), or by calling 828-262-4046.

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Banff Mountain Film Festival Returns to App State for 28th Year; Tickets Go on Sale Nov. 20

November 20, 2024 The Banff Mountain Film Festival returns to Appalachian State University at the Schaefer Center for the Performing Arts from Thursday, March 20, through Saturday, March 22, 2025. Tickets go on sale this Wednesday, Nov. 20. Hosted by University Recreation at App State, the festival’s World Tour has been making stops in Boone for 28 years, inspiring audiences with the world’s best films that highlight mountain adventure, culture and the environment.

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