Events

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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Local Author, Terry Harmon, Slated for Book Signing Saturday, Dec. 7 at the Boone Mall

December 5, 2024  Local historian and author, Terry Harmon, will be at Boone Mall on Saturday, Dec. 7 from 11 am to 1:30 pm with his riveting new book that has left the area mesmerized since its release in mid-August. CONVOLUTED: The 1972 Durham Family Triple Homicide, quickly gained momentum among readers of all ages around The High Country and beyond. Harmon’s in-depth research, extensive interviews and inclusion of numerous photos, together with his ability to compile it all into the 500-plus page project, has been considered nothing short of an amazing feat. By Sherrie Norris

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Long-Awaited Boone Heritage Monument Dedicated Sunday, Dec. 1; Pioneer Descendants Gather for Celebration

December 5, 2024  After months of anticipation — and a two-month delay due to Hurricane Helene’s wrath on the High Country area —the recently completed Boone Heritage Monument was finally dedicated on Sunday, Dec. 1. Even the rescheduled date was concerning, with snow and frigid temperatures forcing much of the ceremony indoors at Dan’l Boone Inn in Boone.  But, the majority of attendees ventured outside afterward for the official dedication, much to the delight of those who have worked so hard to make this dream a reality. Thanks to the dedication, talent and tireless efforts of the monument’s creator, Brenda Mauney Councill, this symbol of our heritage will be recognized for many generations to come. By Sherrie Norris

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Blowing Rock Art & History Museum Announces New Exhibition Featuring Watauga County Art Educators; Opening Reception on December 5

December 4, 2024 The Blowing Rock Art & History Museum (BRAHM) is delighted to announce a new exhibition celebrating the creativity and vision of Watauga County art educators. This special showcase is entitled “High Country Visions: Watauga K-12 Educator,” and will be on view in the Museum’s Alexander Community Gallery December 5 through December 29, 2024. The community is invited to a reception to celebrate the opening on Thursday, December 5 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Museum. Highlighting the artistic contributions of local educators, this exhibition will feature works by Alyssia Ruggiero, Ashley Tate, Courtney McWhorter, Dacia Trethewey, Elle Lowry, Genal West, Kelly Blake, Lindsey Postlethwait and Lori Hill.

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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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Lees-McRae College High Country Film and Speaker Series Returns with Teton Gravity Research Film for 2024 on Saturday, Dec. 7

November 26, 2024 The Lees-McRae High Country Adventure Film and Speaker Series has returned for another year of exciting film screenings and speaker events, and this year’s series is kicking off with the Teton Gravity Research (TGR) film for 2024 on Saturday, Dec. 7. This year’s Teton Gravity Research film will be screened at the Beech Mountain Brewery Taproom and Grill at 7 p.m. Doors for the event will open at 5 p.m., and all proceeds from ticket sales will benefit the Lees-McRae Ski and Snowboard team as they begin their first varsity season.

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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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Blowing Rock Art & History Museum Hosts Pop-Up Art and Craft Fairs to Support Local Artisans Affected by Hurricane Helene

November 21, 2024 The Blowing Rock Art & History Museum (BRAHM) will host three Pop-Up Art and Craft Fairs to help support area artisans who are recovering from the impact of Hurricane Helene. In the aftermath of the storm, many fall events across the High Country were canceled, leading to a significant loss of income for local artisans. The upcoming small fairs at BRAHM will provide artisans an opportunity to partially recover lost revenue and reconnect with the community during the holiday season. 

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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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National Wreaths Across America Day Dec. 14 at Mount Lawn; Deadline to Sponsor Wreaths Dec. 1

November 19, 2024 In its first official involvement in the nationally-recognized Wreaths Across America Day last December, Watauga County saw more than 100 people come together at Mount Lawn Memorial Park and Gardens in Boone to honor their fallen heroes. It is the hope of local event coordinator, Donna McNeil, that the number of participants will be greatly increased for this year’s upcoming ceremony, scheduled for 10 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 14. An event held every December, millions of volunteers unite to place sponsored veterans’ wreaths at the final resting place of millions of service members in thousands of participating locations across the U.S. and beyond. The wreaths are  pre-ordered and delivered, thanks to the generosity of individuals and businesses sponsors, and hundreds of volunteer truck drivers and their companies.  By Sherrie Norris

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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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18th  Annual Beech Mountain Holiday Market

November 14, 2024. In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, many small businesses in Western NC are struggling and need help more than ever. Our family-owned businesses, local craftsmen, and artists rely on holiday sales to continue to prosper. That is why we have made the decision to carry on with the Holiday Market at the Buckeye Recreation Center. Coming together and shopping for those one-of-a-king holiday gifts is a great way for us all to contribute to the recovery efforts. The 18thAnnual Beech Mountain Holiday Market will take place from 10AM – 4PM on Saturday, November 30, 2024. There is more to do than just shop at the market; Mrs. Claus will be attending, with games and activities set up for kids.  Come join us for a traditional kickoff to the holiday season.  Admission is free.

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Tenth Annual Festival of Trees Lights up the High Country Raising Funds to Support Area Children Through the Western Youth Network

November 13, 2024. Trees are lighting up in the High Country this week as the 10th annual Festival of Trees launches across Watauga, Avery and Ashe Counties. This much anticipated holiday event — raising funds to support area children through the Western Youth Network (WYN) — features more than 100 decorated trees and wreaths displayed in business organizations and public spaces from Tuesday, November 19 through the festival conclusion on Thursday, December 5. Last year, the fundraiser raised approximately $112,000. “It has become an important part of supporting the mission of WYN,” said Jennifer Warren, Executive Director of the Western Youth Network

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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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Operation Thanksgiving Blessings  — Huge Outreach from “Down East” To The Mountains

November 12, 2024 As the dust begins to settle across our area in the wake of historic Helene’s destruction, a volunteer group of some 175-strong is planning to sweep into the area to provide Thanksgiving like we’ve never seen before. Operation Thanksgiving Blessings will take place on Thursday, Nov. 28, at Cranberry Middle School in Avery County. Staging in close proximity to the hardest-hit areas of the High Country, the group’s mission is to help feed, clothe and, in general, show compassion to local residents who have been affected by the storm.  By Sherrie Norris

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Green Valley School Honors Local Veterans at Annual Celebration Last Friday

November 12, 2024 The annual Veterans Day Celebration at Green Valley School in Boone is always a highlight for students, faculty, staff and especially for the veterans in the community. This year’s event, held on Friday, Nov. 8, was a festive, yet respectful, time of recognition for the veterans in attendance. It all began with the traditional parade of veteran’s through the corridors — from the media center to the gymnasium — during which the honored guests and their accompanying family members were warmly welcomed by students and their teachers lining the halls, with posters, waves, fist-bumps and salutes among the fanfare.  By Sherrie Norris

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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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