June 18, 2014. An Appalachian Summer Festival is celebrating 30 years of bringing the best in music, dance, theatre, visual arts and film to the mountains of North Carolina this July. This summer’s Schaefer Popular Series is comprised of big-name musical talents Michael McDonald, Matthew Morrison, Nickel Creek and Sheryl Crow. The festival kicks off with the Outdoor Fireworks Concert with Little Big Town sponsored by Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation.
Outdoor Fireworks Concert – Little Big Town
The 30th anniversary festival season kicks off with headlining country band Little Big Town in Kidd Brewer Stadium on Saturday, June 28 at the annual Outdoor Fireworks Concert. Known for hits such as “Tornado,” “Boondocks” and their 2012 CMA Single of the Year “Pontoon,” Little Big Town is a chart-topping group made famous by their trademark four-part harmonies. The concert starts at 7:30 p.m. and is followed by one of Boone’s best fireworks displays. Tickets are general admission and discounts areoffered to Blue Ridge Electric Members. For more information, visit www.AppSummer.org. This show is sponsored by Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation with supporting sponsorship by Goodnight Brothers.
Schaefer Popular Series – Michael McDonald
Five-time Grammy winner, Michael McDonald will kick start the popular series at the Schaefer Center for the Performing Arts on Saturday, July 5 at 8 p.m. A former member of The Doobie Brothers, McDonald lent his soulful sound to classics such as “What a Fool Believes,” and “Takin’ It to The Streets,” along with solo hits like “I Keep Forgettin'” and two highly-acclaimed Motown cover albums.
Matthew Morrison with the Greensboro Symphony
Matthew Morrison, also known as “Mr. Schuester on Fox Network’s Glee, will perform Saturday, July 12 at 8 p.m. in the Schaefer Center for the Performing Arts with the Greensboro Symphony. Having starred in Broadway shows Footloose, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Hairspray and The Light in the Piazza, Morrison will share his Broadway-inspired singing talent with the High Country
Nickel Creek
Grammy award-winning band Nickel Creek comes to the festival to perform music from their latest album, “A Dotted Line.” Their first U.S. tour since 2007, roots-music trio Nickel Creek will perform at the Schaefer Center on Monday, July 14 at 8 p.m. This concert is almost sold out, so get your tickets today!
Sheryl Crow
Sheryl Crow will close out the Schaefer Popular Series on Thursday, July 24 at 8 p.m. at the Schaefer Center for the Performing Arts. This nine-time Grammy award-winner produced hits such as “Everyday is a Winding Road,” “The First Cut is the Deepest,” “All I Wanna Do,” and her collaborative duet with Kid Rock, “Picture.” Her most recent album, “Feels Like Home,” is Crow’s first country album. This concert is almost sold out so get your tickets today.
All Appalachian Summer Festival Tickets can be purchased by calling or visiting the Schaefer Center Box Office at 800-841-2787 or 828-262-4046. Tickets can also be purchased online at appsummer.org. The very popular “Pick 5” ticket discount offers a break on the price for various festival events when the tickets are purchased in multiples of five.
The university’s Office of Arts and Cultural Programs presents an Appalachian Summer Festival annually in July. Beginning as a small chamber music series founded by festival patrons Arnold and Muriel Rosen, the festival is now one of the nation’s most highly regarded multi-disciplinary art festivals. The festival has been named one of the “Top 20 Events in the Southeast” by the Southern Tourism Society. True to a university-based arts festival, educational opportunities, including lectures and chances to meet artists, artistic directors, competition jurors and other experts have always been an important component of festival programming.
Festival Corporate Sponsors
Westglow Resort and Spa, Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation, Northern Trust, McDonald’s of Boone, Mast General Store, Storie Street Grille, Goodnight Brothers, Boone Area Visitor’s Bureau, Sky Best Communications, Scholars Bookshop at the University Bookstore, Hotel Equities, Holiday Inn Express-Boone, Nationwide – Charles Eyler Agency, Peabody’s Wine & Beer Merchants, Chetola Resort, Creekside Electronics, Boone Ford-Lincoln and Casa Rustica.
Festival Media Sponsors
WBTV, WCYB, Charter Media, Our State Magazine, Winston-Salem Journal, Greensboro News & Record, PBS Charlotte, wnc magazine, High Country Radio, WHKY AM 1290, Mountain Television Network, WDAV 89.9FM, WFDD 88.5FM, WETS 89.5FM, WASU 90.5FM and High Country 365.
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