1000 x 90

Today’s Email Announcements

Patterson School Offers Programs with Violin Maker Bob Kogut

In conjunction with the Caldwell Arts Council, the Patterson School Foundation will host a series of four introductory classes to be taught at the historic Patterson School campus in Happy Valley: Saturdays, May 21, 28 and June 4 and 11 from 10 am to 2:30pm. Cost for any session is $45, and registrants may attend multiple sessions. Classes will be held in the historic Gard Hall Library. Students may bring bag lunches.

“To have a violin that is responsive and easy to play makes all the difference in the world,” says Bob. “Violin players can avoid the time and expense of taking the instrument to a shop.”

“Parents with children in school music programs, as well as school music teachers, can benefit from learning these skills. Violin ‘set up’ consists mainly of learning to adjust the instrument to bring it to its maximum potential of sound and ease of playability.”

“Many folks have grandpa’s old fiddle needing some TLC to get it playable again, so they can bring those fiddles to this class and learn to fix them themselves. Often it is just a matter of basic repair skills.”

No prior experience is required. Participants will learn set-up and adjustment techniques to achieve best sound and playability, and basic repair techniques for cracks, seam separations, neck angle repairs, etc. Overall goal is for the participant to perform adjustments and minor repairs to keep the violin in good playing condition.

A list of inexpensive basic tools will be provided. Video taping is encouraged for reference, rather than having to take notes during class. Broken down violins can be brought in for practice, and Bob promises that the cost for the class will be less than the cost of having a luthier (violin maker) do adjustments and set up, especially for repairs.

“My shop is north of Lenoir and south of Blowing Rock, in Happy Valley, right where the legendary Tom Dooley lived and died. It’s an area rich in the heritage of old time mountain music. I enjoy having local pickers hang out and play fiddle tunes while I’m carving. It helps remind me of why I build fiddles.”

Bob Kogut has been making violins since 1992, and is currently working on his violin # 185. Some of his violins are owned by Darol Anger, David Holt, Steve Thomas, Nicky Sanders, Nate Lee, Emily Schaad, Josh Goforth, Tracy Schwartz, the late Vassar Clements and many more.

For more information and to register for class, please call the Caldwell Arts Council at 828 / 754-2486. The Patterson School campus is located nine miles north of Lenoir on Highway 268.

Heritage Hall News from Mountain City

Saturday, April 16, 7pm – Barter Theatre’s production of Lying in State, the fast-paced political farce centers on Senator Ed who, through an unfortunate turn of events, was killed by several bullets caused by his shooting at squirrels. The rip-roaring romp gets off to its zany start at the funeral parlor where we meet his ex-wife Edna, his campaign manager, brother and an ex-exotic dancer who claims to be Ed’s fiancée, looking for the Senate seat he promised her. playbill.com/news/article/lying-in-state-a-political-farce Sponsored by Redden Realty & BodyMind Dynamics. Adv $15/Door $18, Youth $10

Saturday, May 14, 7pm – Kody Norris and the Watauga Mountain Boys- For several years now, Kody Norris has managed his own band, Kody Norris and the Watauga Mountain Boys. They have often appeared on the Cumberland Highlanders Show in RFD-TV on Satellite, filmed live from Bill Monroe’s home place in Kentucky. Having played in nearly every state in the Union, Kody has established himself in the business. They have played in some pretty impressive venues including the Smithsonian and the Kennedy Center. The HH patrons have enjoyed watching Kody grow into quite a showman. The level of energy in a Kody Norris concert brings up the spirit of the whole house, and everybody leaves with a smiling face. This is a popular show, so reserve tickets soon. Sponsored by Mountain View Landscaping & Nursery & State Farm Insurance.

Heritage Hall is a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving the Area with quality entertainment at affordable pricing. Most evening shows start at 7pm; most tickets are $10 advance and $12 at door, and most youth seats are $5. For tickets, or reservations, call 423-727-7444 and leave a message. The Box Office is open on Tuesday – Friday, 12 – 2 pm at 126 College Street, For more information visit heritagehalltheatre.org.

Boone Business Expo Set for May 12 at the Mall

This is your opportunity to register early and get your booth for our upcoming Business Expo.  As an exhibitor last year we would like to extend you the opportunity to register first this year. We will give priority placement in the order registered if possible.

This is a show, tell and sell show!  Don’t forget if you want to sell your products and services in the mall you must first get approval from Mall Management.  You can contact Meredith Golden atboonemallmeredith@gmail.com or at 264-7286.

We are expecting a sell out once again so REGISTER EARLY!  Please let us know when registering if you need electric.  You can register on our website at

http://boonechamber.chambermaster.com/events/details/business-expo-2016-05-12-2016-4120

Program Partners get a FREE BOOTH!!

Don’t let this opportunity pass you by.  Please feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns.

World History and Economics Conference to Feature Dr. James Robinson April 16

Dr. James Robinson, leading specialist in development economics and economic history at the Harris School of Public Policy at the University of Chicago, will be the keynote speaker at the 11th Annual Appalachian Spring Conference in World History and Economics: Institutions and Development, to be held at Appalachian State University April 15-17.

Robinson will address “Living with Leviathan” beginning at 9 a.m.April 16 in 116 Anne Belk Hall.  The public is invited; however, registration for the conference is required. For more information, visit http://history.appstate.edu/appalachian-spring-conference

Robinson’s main research interests are in comparative economic and political development with a particular interest in Latin America and Sub-Saharan Africa. He is currently conducting research in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sierra Leone, Haiti and in Colombia where he has taught for many years during the summer at the University of the Andes in Bogotá. He has written and co-authored numerous books and articles, including the widely acclaimed “Economic Origins of Dictatorship and Democracy.” Recent articles include “Institutions, Human Capital and Development” in the Annual Reviews of Economics, and “Chiefs: Economic Development and Elite Control of Civil Society in Sierra Leone” in the Journal of Political Economy.

In addition, the conference will feature two roundtable discussions on the history of Cuba and speculation on the country’s future economy with an emphasis on the recent diplomatic events between Cuba and the U.S.

The first panel, titled “December 17, 2014: The U.S.-Cuban Rapprochement in a Historical Perspective,” will be chaired by Dr. Joseph Gonzalez on Friday, April 15, from 4:30-6 p.m.

in 1012 Peacock Hall. It will focus on Cuba’s economic history within a global perspective, especially its diplomatic relationship with the U.S.

The second panel, “Cuba 2026: The Futures of Cuba,” will be on Saturday, April 16, from 2:304 p.m. in 116 Anne Belk Hall. Dr. Jeffrey Bortz will serve as chair and the discussion will focus on speculation about Cuba’s economic future in light of the recent reparation of the relationship between the country and the U.S.

Both round table panels will feature the following scholars:

  • Dr. Oscar Zanetti, professor emeritus, University of Havana and noted economic historian of Cuba
  • Dr. Servando Valdés Sánchez, professor and researcher, Institute of Cuban History, Havana, Cuba
  • Dr. Louis A. Pérez, Jr., J. Carlyle Sitterson Professor of History, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
  • Dr. Joseph J. Gonzalez, assistant professor, Interdisciplinary and Global Studies programs, Appalachian’s Department of Cultural, Gender, and Global Studies
  • Dr. Renee Scherlen, professor and curriculum coordinator for Appalachian’s Department of Government and Justice Studies
  • Dr. Jeffrey Bortz, professor of history at Appalachian

ASU Percussion Ensemble to Perform April 19

An Appalachian State University percussion ensemble will give a “Percussion Classics: Composers and Compositions” recital on Tuesday, April 19, at 8 p.m. in Broyhill Music Center’s Rosen Concert Hall. Admission is free.

The percussion ensemble will be conducted by Jonathon Sale, Brian McKenzie and Jay Jackson. The program begins with “Momentum” by William Kraft, followed by “October Mountain” by Alan Hovanhess.

Next, the ensemble will perform “Suite for Percussion” by Lou Harrison and “Third Construction” by John Cage. Then, the ensemble will perform “Concerto for Drum Set and Percussion Ensemble” by John Beck. The recital will conclude with “Log Cabin Blues” by George Hamilton Green.

Appalachian’s Blazing Bassoons to Perform Sunday

Appalachian State University’s music group Blazing Bassoons will perform Sunday, April 17, at 4 p.m. in Broyhill Music Center’s Rosen Concert Hall. Admission is free.

Blazing Bassoons will be coached by Jon Beebe.

The group will first perform “Chamber Concerto, F XIII, No. 22” by Antonio Vivaldi and “Humorous Scherzo” by Sergei Prokofiev.

Four bassoonists will perform “Hymn” by Bill Douglas, followed by movement three of “Suite-Concertino, Op. 16” by Ermanno Wolf-Ferrari. Next, two bassoonists will perform “Polonaise” and “Mazurka” by Julius Weissenborn. Ray Pizzi’s “Da’ Blues” will follow, and then a soloist will perform the first movement of “Sonata, Op. 168” by Camille Saint-Saëns.

The program will conclude with “The Island of Woods” by Bill Douglas and “Blue Skies” by Irving Berlin.

Scott Kallestad Saxophone Concert Slated for April 22

Appalachian State University professor Scott Kallestad will give a faculty recital on the saxophone Friday, April 22, at 8 p.m. in Broyhill Music Center’s Rosen Concert Hall. Admission is free.

Kallestad is an associate professor within Appalachian’s Hayes School of Music. His recital will begin with his performance of “Fantaisie” by Denis Bédard. Then he will perform “Cadenza” by Lucie Robert.

Movements four and three of Astor Piazzolla’s “Tango-Etudes” comes next on the program, followed by “Piece for Tenor Saxophone and Electronics” by Andrew Watts.

The recital concludes with “Partita” by Erwin Dressel.

BBQ, Brews & Cruise In for Habitat Saturday at Town Tavern

All proceeds from ticket sales go to Habitat for Humanity. $25 per ticket.

1-5 p.m. on Saturday, April 16 at Town Tavern in Blowing Rock

Featuring seven breweries, live music, smoked barbecue plates, a cookie tasting from Appalachia Cookie Company and hosting the Lenoir Downtown Cruisers Cruise-In.

Check out Town Tavern on Facebook or call 828-295-7500 for more information.