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Entertainment

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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Fourteen New Acts Join the Lineup for FloydFest 25~Aurora (July 23-27, 2025), More to Come

November 20, 2024 Also announced today, new merchandise for FloydFest 25~Aurora (and prior) is now available on the FloydFest Online Store, including new hoodies, hats, shirts and stickers, with even more on the way soon: https://shop.presspressmerch.com/collections/floydfest. Patrons are encouraged to sign up for FloydFest’s e-blast newsletters and new-and-improved Text Club so they don’t miss a minute of all of the ‘Aurora’ news and announcements that are fit to print:

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Festive Community Carol Sing Returns to Banner Elk Dec. 7 at the Banner Elk Presbyterian Church

November 18, 2024 On Saturday, December 7, 2024, at 3 PM, join a joyous sing-along of familiar Christmas carols in the sanctuary of the historic Banner Elk Presbyterian Church. The fourth annual Community Carol Sing is a 45-minute casual service that includes a dozen favorite songs, ranging from “White Christmas” to “Joy to the World”, for all ages to enjoy. To allow the audience to rest their voices occasionally, the Lees-McRae Highlanders, church choir and soloists will sing beloved classics including O Holy Night, Rocking Around the Christmas Tree and a jazzy Deck the Halls.

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“A Carolina Snowbelle Christmas” Returns December 6 – 8 & 14, 2024 Expanded Schedule, 10th Anniversary Edition Awaits App Theatre & Ashe Civic Center Audiences

November 13, 2024. Celebrating their 10th Anniversary, having experienced sold out performances at the Appalachian Theatre of the High Country, “A Carolina Snowbelle Christmas” returns to the venerable, state-of-the-art facility with an expanded performance schedule of four public performances and an additional performance at the Ashe Civic Center with an encore family event to enhance their standing as the region’s newest must-see 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 with a cast of 30 new, emerging, and established artists gracing the App Theatre stage in a series of elaborately choreographed works.

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MerleFest Announces Initial Lineup and Return of the Late Night Jam for April 24-27, 2025 Event 

November 12, 2024. MerleFest, presented by Window World, has announced the initial lineup ahead of the annual event, taking place April 24-27, 2025 on the campus of Wilkes Community College. This year’s leading acts include two North Carolina-based heavyweights: folk-rock trailblazers The Avett Brothers and Appalachian-rooted duo Watchhouse, as well as legendary singer/songwriter Bonnie Raitt and Canadian folk and bluegrass ensemble The Dead South. MerleFest 2025 will feature a surprise return of the Late Night Jam, hosted by Sam Bush, and additional festival performances by Kruger Brothers, Jim Lauderdale, and more. Also set to appear are industry forerunners like Wyatt Flores, The War And Treaty, The SteelDrivers, Asleep at the Wheel, Brent Cobb, Alison Brown, and Della Mae. View the initial lineup below.

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Lees-McRae Theatre Arts Season to Return with 1960s Musical “Sweet Charity” November 21

November 8, 2024 Fans of romcoms, classical musical theatre, and Bob Fosse choreography will not want to miss the first production of the season from Lees-McRae Theatre Arts, “Sweet Charity.” While it was initially delayed due to Hurricane Helene, the show will make it to the stage Thursday, Nov. 21 through Sunday, Nov. 24. The dance-forward musical tells the story of Charity, a taxi dancer in 1960s New York City who is looking for love in all the wrong places. “The tagline from the beginning of the show has been, ‘The adventures of a girl who wanted to be loved,’” junior Musical Theatre major LillyRuth Beck, who plays the titular role, said.

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“A Carolina Snowbelle Soiree” Rescheduled for Saturday Nov. 16 at the Fairway Cafe & Venue

November 6, 2024 The Carolina Snowbelles are pleased to announce the rescheduled date for their first annual Carolina Snowbelle Soirée. The fundraising event will take place at the Fairway Cafe & Venue at 433 Fairway Drive on November 16, 2024 from 6:00 – 9:00 pm. TICKETS are available online, and a limited number of tickets will be available at the door. Join us for an evening of celebration and merrymaking – think of it as your first Christmas party of the season. A time to get gussied up and enjoy a night out in a setting decorated for the holidays – a diversion we all need right now. Put on your festive best and join us for a fun-filled evening with music, dancing, heavy hors d’oeuvres, and a complimentary drink ticket provided by C.R. Catering Co. and Casa Rustica Restaurant, proud sponsors of the event

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FloydFest Announces Their 2025 Festival – Tickets Now on Sale!

November 1, 2024 FLOYD, VA — World-famous legendary rock visionaries The Black Crowes, indie-folk phenoms Mt. Joy and the funkified, front-porch Southern soul-rockers JJ Grey & Mofro top Blue Cow Arts Foundation & Across-the-Way Production’s November 1 announcement 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. 

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Tweetsie Christmas Returns to Bring Holiday Magic Back to the High Country Beginning November 29th

October 29, 2024 After a season of challenges, Tweetsie Railroad is excited to announce the return of its annual Tweetsie Christmas® celebration, beginning November 29th.The beloved holiday tradition will run on select evenings through December 30th,offering a festive atmosphere for families to experience the magic of the season in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. “This year, Tweetsie Christmas is more meaningful than ever,” said Chris Robbins, President of Tweetsie Railroad. “It’s not just about the lights and decorations—it’s about bringing people together, lifting spirits, and creating a joyful experience for families to celebrate the season.”

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