Empty Bowls to Postpone Their Annual Event Until 2026 in Consideration of Local Potters and Restaurants Impacted by Hurricane Helene

February 13, 2025 In support of local potters and restaurants impacted by Hurricane Helene, the Hunger and Health Coalition and Watauga High School has chosen to postpone their annual Empty Bowls event until 2026. Empty Bowls is a community staple and longstanding partnership with art students at Watauga High School, local potters to provide pottery, and local restaurants to provide soup for patrons to enjoy. Typically, restaurants donate soup for the event, local potters donate their work, and Watauga High School students create clay bowls to raise funds to support the mission of Hunger and Health Coalition – transforming our community’s hunger into health.

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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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“A Cardboard History of Blue Ridge Music” to Open at the Blowing Rock Art & History Museum March 1

February 11, 2025. A new exhibition entitled “A Cardboard History of Blue Ridge Music” will open at the Blowing Rock Art & History Museum (BRAHM) on March 1, 2025, and will be on view in the Alexander Community Room Gallery through April 26, 2025. This unique exhibition offers an in-depth look at the rich history of Blue Ridge music, including 36 original, letterpress-style posters dating back to as early as 1939. Each poster has detailed information about the life and legacy of the featured musicians.

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The Green Park Inn, the Grand Old Lady, and Her Favorite Musicians, Bow Out, With Hopes for Their Return 

February 7, 2025  A few weeks ago, as Blowing Rock’s 27th WinterFest event came to a snowy and successful close, the Green Park Inn closed to guests along with it. The historic, 131 year old, rambling, Grand Manor hotel ended its most recent 15-year run as Blowing Rock’s landmark lodging establishment under the ownership of New York hotel “affectionados” Steve Irace and his late brother Gene. With his Saturday night performance at the hotel, Charlie Ellis also ended his decade-and-a-half-long weekend gig entertaining hotel guests, most recently with guitarists Don Miller and Dave Braun. Besides Ellis and owner Steve Irace, the weekend wound down with general manager Lorry Mulhern in her usual spot anchoring customer service and celebrating the hotel’s popular weekend tradition of bringing Ellis to the many local fans of his classic, former local club, the Jazz Parlour. By Randy Johnson

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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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Watauga Arts Council Teams Up with Blue Ridge Fiber Guild to Announce “Intro to Fiber” Workshop Series for 2025

February 7, 2025. The Watauga Arts Council (WAC) and Blue Ridge Fiber Guild are excited to unveil their brand new Intro to Fiber Workshop Series, launching on March 22nd and running through August 2025. Every fourth Saturday of the month, from 10 AM to 1 PM, participants will be introduced to a variety of fiber arts, including weaving, spinning, felting, knitting, and natural dyeing. These hands-on workshops are designed for beginners and those looking to expand their fiber art skills in a supportive, creative environment. The guild will also be hosting an open house on February 22, 2025 from 10am to noon at the WAC building. You’re invited to meet the instructors and find out about the classes being offered. There will be light refreshments as guild members show examples of what the classes will cover as well as the instructors’ works.

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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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2025 Sugar Mountain Adult Race League (SMARL) Half Way Through the Season

February 4, 2025 SMARL completed its 3rd race of the season Monday night, now half way through the season. Matt Leonard reported that the race course was in great shape providing the fastest conditions of the season so far. “With the temps being a little warmer Monday night, the race course crew added a little salt to the course which firmed it up giving us a sweet fast racing surface, says Leonard. Racers enjoyed a bar-be-que dinner after the race in the Sugar Mountain bar. Team Sugar is still out front in the skiing division and the Tavern in the lead in the snowboard division.

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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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App State to Host Free Aging Academy Events in Boone, Hickory

February 3, 2025 Appalachian State University is hosting free community Aging Academy events on its Boone and Hickory campuses this winter and spring. Each event features expert speakers who will address relevant topics for aging adults. The academy is part of the Aging Well program presented by the Appalachian Institute for Health and Wellness (AIHW). “Taking care of our physical, mental and emotional health is essential for healthy aging,” said Mary Sheryl Horine, AIHW outreach and education director. “The Aging Academy offers educational resources on topics related to health and well-being as we grow older, and it provides a wonderful opportunity to connect with others in the community who have a shared interest in health.”

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March 1-2, 2025 Barn Quilt Painting Workshop to be Held at the Watauga Arts Council

February 3, 2025 The Watauga Arts Council will host a custom barn quilt painting workshop March 1-2, 2025. Saturday, Day 1, runs from 10-4 and Sunday, Day 2, runs from 10-2. Participants will create their own design with help from the instructor, Cinda Ebner. They will then learn the techniques needed to produce a beautiful and durable 2×2 barn quilt suitable for display outdoors or indoors. Cost is $135 and includes all supplies. Additional sizes may be available with advance registration. The workshop dates and times, with registration link, are as follows: 

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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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Turchin Center Announces Fizzy First Friday Celebration February 7, from 5-8pm

January 22, 2025. The staff at the Turchin Center for the Visual Arts invites the community to Fizzy First Friday on Friday, February 7, from 5-8pm. This exciting evening of art, community, and celebration is free and open to all. Brave the winter weather and come inside where it’s cozy! Cultural Resources. “We’re thrilled to celebrate these remarkable exhibitions and to offer our community an inspiring and fun evening of art and connection.” Don’t miss this opportunity to explore contemporary art, engage with artists, and celebrate the creative spirit that makes our community thrive. We look forward to seeing you there!

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Registration is Open for Girls on the Run of the High Country for Spring Season Starting Feb. 10

January 21, 2025. Registration is now open for Girls on the Run (GOTR) of the High Country — a program for girls in third through fifth grades to develop social, emotional and physical skills to successfully navigate life experiences. Registration is also open for the GOTR Heart & Sole middle school program for girls in sixth through eighth grades. Each program is made possible through Appalachian State University’s Appalachian Institute for Health and Wellness. The GOTR spring season will begin the week of Feb. 10. Over the course of 10 weeks, the programs combine physical activity, social-emotional learning and community impact projects. Through dynamic lessons, team-building and fun running games, girls build confidence and important life skills.

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22nd Appalachian Mountain Photography Announces Finalists; Exhibition Opens Feb. 7

January 16, 2025. The Turchin Center for the Visual Arts (TCVA) is excited to announce the finalists for this year’s upcoming 22nd Appalachian Mountain Photography Competition (AMPC) exhibition. With over 500 images submitted by 76 artists, jurors selected 47 photographs to embody the theme “Making Kin: Belonging & Longing in Appalachia”. The 22nd AMPC exhibition will open Friday, February 7, 2025 with a public reception that evening. People’s Choice voting will take place in-person in the gallery, and the winner will be announced at the private Awards Reception on March 22.

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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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2025 Sugar Mountain Adult Race League (SMARL) Gets Rolling for Their 19th Season

January 14, 2025. The Monday night SMARL races are back. After a brutal start to the race season last Monday night where the weather was off the charts with wind, snow and low visibility that ultimately knock the timing system out, the racers were back on Sugar Mountain for a perfect weather night and the first week of timing scores. This is the 19th season of Sugar Mountain Adult Race League (SMARL) that started back in 2006. The local ski shop Ski Country Sports teamed up with Sugar Mountain Resort to bring a racing opportunity to local adults on a Monday night. All levels of skiing and snowboarding abilities are welcome.

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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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“Considerations: An Installation by Sarah Vaughn” to Open February 15 at BRAHM

January 9, 2025. A new exhibition entitled “Considerations: An Installation by Sarah Vaughn” will open at the Blowing Rock Art & History Museum (BRAHM) on February 15,  2025, and will be on view in the Museum’s Atwell Gallery through August 10, 2025. Sarah Vaughn’s “Considerations” invites visitors to step into a landscape of thousands of carefully crafted glass river rocks. Made using techniques like blowing, flame-working, casting, and laminating, these fragile stones are stacked and arranged to create an immersive installation that explores how we experience and remember the world around us. Each glass rock represents a moment in time—some tied to personal memories, others shaped from reclaimed glass, blending stories of loss and creation.

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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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The Liar’s  Bench in Lansing Presents the Liar’s Loft, Art Exhibition

December 16, 2024 The Liar’s  Bench of historic downtown Lansing North Carolina presents the Liar’s Loft, art exhibition and pop up winter shop.  Featuring a variety of artwork, including paintings, photography, and handmade items from 12 different local artists. The majority of the works will have a connection to Hurricane Helene and the impact it has had in Western North Carolina. Many pieces will be available for purchase or through silent auction with each artist selecting a percentage to be donated to a cause of their choice. The grand opening night will be 4pm, December 19 at 134 S. Big Horse Creek Road, with the show running for 2 months.

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