1000 x 90

Local Jazz Great Todd Wright Reprises “Jazz at WinterFest” at the Green Park Inn Next Friday and Saturday, January 26th and 27th

January 18, 2024 While local jazz great Todd Wright can’t remember the first time that he played the Green Park Inn he has no doubt that the location is one of the finest music venues in the High Country, and on Friday and Saturday, January 26th and 27th, Wright will again headline the “Jazz at WinterFest” Series held at the Green Park Inn during Blowing Rock’s annual WinterFest Weekend. “We’re really looking forward to playing the Green Park again for Jazz at WinterFest 2024”, says Wright.

Read more

Grace Bowers, On-the-Rise Competition Class of 2024 Announced for “FloydFest 24~Horizon” Coming July 24-28 to Floyd, Virginia

January 18, 2024 FLOYD, VA — Rooted in the ethos of FloydFest and Across-the-Way Productions is giving the next generation of up-and-coming performers a stage, a leg-up and an audience. Today’s FIFTH round of artist announcements for FloydFest 24~Horizon fulfills that continuing mission in numerous ways, not least of which is the addition of Grace Bowers, a 17-year-old guitar phenom and band leader. FloydFest 24~Horizon is the latest annual offering of the Southeast’s premier summer outdoor music festival, taking place Wednesday to Sunday, July 24 to 28, 2024, at its new home, FestivalPark, located at 5826 Floyd Highway North in Check, Va

Read more

High Country Writers Welcomes author, Dr. Benjamin Gilmer on Thursday, February 8

January 18, 2024 High Country Writers welcomes author, Dr. Benjamin Gilmer as speaker for our regular program meeting on Thursday, February 8, 10 a.m. at the Watauga County Public Library. Benjamin Gilmer is a family physician and Associate Professor at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine and Mountain Area Health Education Center’s (MAHEC) Family Medicine Residency Program. He is author of the memoir, The Other Dr. Gilmer, which details his journey to understand his predecessor at the health center, a beloved physician and community leader who murdered his own father

Read more

High Country Humanities Presents Interactive Seminar at App State on Artist Marc Chagall, Jewish Diaspora Paintings on January 25th


January 17, 2024 Appalachian State University’s High Country Humanities — with support from North Carolina Humanities — is pleased to present “Marc Chagall and Shtetl Life: Interactive Public Seminar on Jewish Diaspora Paintings.” The seminar will take place on Thursday, Jan. 25, from 5:45 to 7 p.m. in room 1102 of the Turchin Center for the Visual Arts at 423 West King St. in Boone. Speakers will include Dr. Lorraine Affourtit, assistant professor of art history and visual culture and gender, women’s and sexuality studies; Dr. Michael Behrent, professor of European and modern French history; Dr. Darci Gardner, associate professor of French and Francophone studies and gender, women’s and sexuality studies; and Dr. Chris Patti, associate professor of communication studies and Judaic, Holocaust and peace studies.

Read more

Maura Shawn Scanlin, Page Brothers Kick Off Mountain Home Music’s 30th Anniversary Season Jan. 19 and 20 at Appalachian Theatre

January 17, 2024 Founded in 1994, Joe Shannon’s Mountain Home Music this year marks 30 years of celebrating the diverse styles of Appalachian performing arts. Kicking off the 30th anniversary season will be back-to-back shows featuring acclaimed artists and Mountain Home Music alums Maura Shawn Scanlin and the Page Brothers. Purchase tickets for either show or take advantage of a package deal for both performances at apptheatre.org.

Read more

Sugar Mountain Adult Ski League Monday Night Race Results Are Here for Week Two of SMARL

January 16, 2024 The 2024 Sugar Mountain Adult Racing League’s second Monday of racing was held under snowy conditions with almost a foot of fresh powder snow on the Sugar Mountain slopes. Matt Leonard of Ski Country Sports reports that last night found the race course a bit challenging, “With lots of new snow on the course and the grooming that took place, the course was pretty fast. Plus the snow was still coming down with these huge snowflakes.” The turnout was off a bit for the second race with road conditions a bit challenging as well. But Matt said that for those who did make it out for the race, they found some awesome slope conditions with many racers enjoying a night of skiing and snowboarding after the race before heading to the bar for some hot food and drinks.

Read more

High Country Writers – February 9, 2024 – 10 a.m. at the Watauga County Public Library

January 16, 2024 High Country Writers welcomes author, Dr. Benjamin Gilmer as speaker for our regular program meeting on Thursday, February 9, 10 a.m. at the Watauga County Public Library. Benjamin Gilmer is a family physician and Associate Professor at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine and Mountain Area Health Education Center’s (MAHEC) Family Medicine Residency Program. He is author of the memoir, The Other Dr. Gilmer, which details his journey to understand his predecessor at the health center, a beloved physician and community leader who murdered his own father.

Read more

Music Lineup Announced for Third Annual Boonerang Music & Arts Festival on June 14 & 15

January 10, 2024 The Nude Party and Melissa Reaves anchor the 2024 lineup for the Boonerang Music & Arts Festival, taking place Friday and Saturday, June 14 and 15. The third 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, an arts and crafts market, silent disco, international festival, dance stage, and kids’ activities

Read more

Country Music Superstar Brad Paisley Headlines An Appalachian Summer Festival’s 40th Anniversary Season on Saturday, July 27th

January 10, 2024 Appalachian State University’s An Appalachian Summer Festival, in partnership with App State Athletics, announces country music superstar Brad Paisley as the headliner for the festival’s 40th anniversary season. Paisley will perform an outdoor concert at Kidd Brewer Stadium on Saturday, July 27, 2024 at 7:30pm. Tickets go on sale to the public on Wednesday, March 6 at 10am, and can be purchased at the Schaefer Center for the Performing Arts box office, online at appsummer.org, or by phone at 828-262-4046

Read more

Flapjack Fundraiser for Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture’s Food Equity Program, Double Up Food Bucks! This Saturday from 10am to 1pm

January 10, 2024 The Winter King Street Farmers Market will be hosting a FlapJack Fundraiser to benefit the Double Up Food Bucks Program on January 13th from 10am-1pm at 252 Poplar Grove Rd, Boone. Come to the King Street Farmers Market and donate $5 to the Double Up Food Bucks Program for two pancakes (made right at the market!) loaded with local toppings like honey, jams, and molasses. Your donation goes straight to increasing food equity and making the wonderful local food produced in the High Country more accessible!

Read more

Avery County to hold National Opioid Settlement Public Input Sessions 

January 8, 2024 The Avery County Government (Board of Commissioners) will be hosting two more public input sessions about the National Opioid Settlement on Tuesday, February 20 in accordance with the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the State of North Carolina and Local Governments. These sessions will be held to hopefully ensure that Avery residents and business owners and their other representatives have an opportunity to learn more about the settlement and the County’s efforts to address substance use disorder.  Those attending can offer their comments about both topics if they so choose.The first (morning) session will be held from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon in the Commissioners Board Room on the second floor of the County Administration Building, located at 175 Linville Street in Newland. The next (evening) session will be held from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. in the Avery County Morrison Public Library, located at 150 Library Road in Newland. By Tim Gardner

Read more

Jazz at WinterFest Returns

January 4, 2024 For the first time since 2020, “Jazz at WinterFest” comes back to the Green Park Inn Friday and Saturday nights, January 27th and 28th, 2023. From 5 to 8 pm each evening, Charlie Ellis and his “Charlie and Company” trio continue their ongoing weekend gigs in the Historic Hotel of America’s lobby beside the Divide Lounge.

Read more

COUNTDOWN TO 2024: NEW YEAR’S EVE EVENTS LIGHT UP KING STREET

December 27, 2023 BOONE, N.C. — Ring in the New Year at the Appalachian Theatre. The iconic venue on King Street will host two New Year’s Eve events on Sunday, December 31, 2023. Guests of all ages are invited to welcome 2024 at two unique events hosted by the historic theatre.New this year, the theatre introduces Noon Year’s Eve. The family-friendly party begins with a 12 o’clock (noon) showing of the star-studded animated film Sing (2016). When koala Buster Moon finds himself in hard times with the impending foreclosure of his beloved theater, his friends must work together to organize a singing competition as a last resort. Rated PG, this musical comedy will have everybody singing along as the perfect send-off for 2023. Following the film, the party continues with a photo booth, party favors, sparkling cider toast and balcony balloon drop. The event begins at 12:00 p.m. and doors open at 11:30 a.m. Adult general admission tickets are $10. A specially priced $5 ticket is available for children 12 and younger. Both tickets include admission to the film and the after party.

Read more

WYN Festival of Trees raises $112,000 and spreads holiday cheer

December 12, 2023 BOONE — The ninth annual WYN Festival of Trees lit up the High Country beginning in mid-November, with brightly decorated Christmas trees and wreaths displayed in retail outlets, restaurants, hotels, dealerships and businesses across Watauga, Avery and Ashe Counties.   By Jan Todd

Read more

The Nexsen Ringers Present “Holiday Bells” Concert

December 7, 2023 The Nexsen Ringers, a community handbell choir will present “Holiday Bells” on Saturday, December 16th at 4:00pm.You will be amazed to hear the holiday classics on this unique instrument. This talented group consists of musicians from all ages and walks of life. They come together to share their unique love of handbells across all musical genres with the High Country. Don’t miss the technical display of choreographed teamwork as multiple musicians perform as one. 

Read more

Eleven bands join lineup for FloydFest 24~Horizon (July 24-28, 2024), limited tickets remain

December 6, 2023 FLOYD, VA — Limited tickets remain for FloydFest 24~Horizon, the latest annual offering of the Southeast’s premier summer outdoor music festival, taking place Wednesday to Sunday, July 24 to 28, 2024, at its new home, FestivalPark, located at 5826 Floyd Highway North in Check, Va. To bolster the call to action to secure tickets before they’re gone, Blue Cow Arts Foundation, Inc. and Across-the-Way Productions, Inc. announce the THIRD round of artist additions for the 2024 festival, topped by Austin, Texas’ psychedelic-soul outfit and seven-time Grammy Award nominees Black Pumas. Also added to the emerging lineup for the award-winning festival are Allen Stone, Leftover Salmon, KellerGrass ft. The Hillbenders, Little Stranger, S.G. Goodman, The Wilder Blue,Próxima Parada, J & The Causeways, Isaac Hadden Organ Trio and Music Road Co.

Read more

Beyond Pilates Winter Wellness 

December 4, 2023 Beyond Pilates, a premier Pilates studio nestled in the heart of Boone, is thrilled to announce its upcoming Winter Wellness Event on December 8th, from 4:30 to 7:00 pm. This event will bring together a diverse array of wellness-based businesses for a transformative evening of rejuvenation and holistic health.The Winter Wellness Event promises to be a one-of-a-kind experience, providing participants with an opportunity to explore various facets of well-being through a carefully curated lineup of activities, demonstrations, and collaborations with local businesses dedicated to promoting a healthy lifestyle. Highlights of the even include: 

Read more

Banff Mountain Film Festival returns to App State for the 27th year/ Tickets go on sale Dec 4th

December 4, 2023 BOONE, N.C. — The Banff Mountain Film Festival returns to Appalachian State University at the Schaefer Center for the Performing Arts from Thursday, March 21, to Saturday, March 23, 2024, and tickets will go on sale Monday, Dec. 4.Hosted by App State University Recreation, the festival’s World Tour has been making stops in Boone for 27 years, inspiring audiences with the world’s best films that highlight mountain adventure, culture and the environment.

Read more

“Christmas Comes to the Mountains:” Musical Celebration Offers Four Presentations at Two Locations in Boone Dec. 3

November 30, 2023 Mount Vernon Baptist Church of Boone loves to take its message outside the walls of brick and mortar — and it’s especially true during this Christmas season. Among the church’s numerous outreach programs this year is the upcoming premiere of “Christmas Comes to the Mountains,” a unique presentation celebrating the birth of Jesus.Following months of preparation and long hours of rehearsals by the church choir and orchestra, the celebration will be offered not only during three separate occasions at the church, but also during the Christmas on King Street event at the Appalachian Theatre.  By Sherrie Norris

Read more

“Gift of Giving Store” at Hardin Park Accepting Donations Through Dec. 7 

November 29, 2023 For nearly two decades, Hardin Park School in Boone has offered a store-like atmosphere at this time every year in which selected students can enjoy a little holiday shopping for their parents or guardians. It provides a cost-free opportunity for kids who might not otherwise be able to buy gifts for their loved ones.And, thanks to beloved fourth-grade teacher, Corrie Freeman, we have been reminded that it’s time for the community to step forward once again to help keep the ball rolling.The outreach was started by teacher, Joni Horine, who Freeman said, saw a need and chose to make a difference. “We have all watched her dream not only grow, but flourish and touch the lives of so many.” By Sherrie Norris

Read more