The weekend is finally here and the High Country is still enjoying gorgeous, autumn mountain weather. There are all sorts of happenings taking place over the next couple of days. The only problem you’ll have is narrowing down where you want to be!
NPR Humorist, Author David Sedaris at ASU — Friday
Come on out for a night of wit, satire and social critique with national Public Radio humorist and bestselling author David Sedaris at The Schaefer Center on Oct. 23 at 7 p.m. The famous author will read stories and essays for about an hour followed by a 20-30 minute Q-and-A. After the show, there will be a book signing in the lobby giving the audience a chance to talk to him in person. Click here for more information.
RECESS Video Premiere at Boone Saloon — Saturday
The folks behind Recess, Boone’s go-to destination for all things snowboarding and skateboarding, will bring the outdoor winter sports community together with the shop’s annual video premiere and raffle contest on Saturday, Oct. 24.
At this year’s event, ThirtyTwo, a snowboarding company, will premiere the brand’s first ever team movie, in which every team member will have their own part. Additionally, Recess will offer a raffle contest to partygoers. Prizes include day passes to Beech Mountain Resort, Speakeasy Tattoo Company and Recess gift certificates and Pabst Blue Ribbon Vans shoes. Get more details here.
Firewalking at Mystery Hill — Friday
Firewalking apparently has been practiced for centuries by shamans, priests, and ordinary folk, as a religious ritual and as a healing ceremony. There are also tribes of people who use firewalking as an entry point into man and womanhood. Firewalkers walk barefoot over beds of red-hot coals, and many have testified it was one of the greatest experiences of their life.
Try something new and give this ancient practice a shot at Mystery Hill on Friday. If you’d like more information go to: www.boonefirewalk.com.
Ghost Train Halloween Festival — Friday and Saturday
A limited number of tickets are available for Tweetsie’s Ghost Train Halloween Festival on Saturday, Oct. 24. They’re no longer available by phone or online, but there will still be a few left at the gate on a first-come, first-served basis. Tickets are still available online and by phone for Friday, Oct. 23, Friday, Oct. 30 and Saturday, Oct. 31.
Tickets for admission to the Halloween Festival are on sale for $34 per person, and kids ages 2 and under get in for free. Although the first train ride leaves close to 8 p.m., you might want to be there when the gates open at 7:30 p.m. to beat the crowd and get a good spot in line for the first trip.
Click here to learn more about the spooky sights you can expect to see and enjoy at the Ghost Train.
Demos at Carlton Gallery and Avery Tour de Art — Saturday
Toni Carlton, artist and owner of Carlton Gallery, plans two demonstrations and talks on the process she utilizes to render her mixed media paintings. Her inspiration for utilizing weaving in her paintings comes from her ancestral background of weavers passed from generation to generation. Carlton’s demonstrations and talks will be held from noon to 1 p.m. and from 2-3 p.m. in her upstairs studio and showroom.
Also … what makes a better combination that beautiful fall leaves and great art! Enjoy winding your way through the High Country this Saturday, admiring all the vibrant fall color and stopping at art galleries featured on the Greater Avery Tour de Art. The galleries have their fall exhibitions in full swing with a vast array of mediums created by local and regional artists. This is a chance to meet artists and see demonstrations. Join us for our fall tour this Saturday, October
24 starting at 10 am. Maps may be picked up at participating galleries: Carlton Gallery 10360 Hwy 105 S.; Mike Hill- Artpurveyors 112 Aldridge Park and Hwy 105 S.; Patti Connor-Greene, Linville River Pottery 2180 Goose Hollow Rd, Pineola; Studio 140, 140 Azalea Circle Banner Elk; Sally Nooney Gallery, 7137 Hwy 194 S.midway between Banner Elk and Valle Crucis; Alta Vista Gallery 2839 Broadstone Rd, Valle Crucis.
Wolf Man Radio Play — Saturday
Get your scare on this weekend with a live radio play of The Wolf Man performed by The Ensemble Stage at the Blowing Rock School Auditorium on Oct. 24 at 7 p.m.
Based off of the 1941 film starring Lon Chaney Jr. as the wolf man, the Ensemble Stage has adapted the classic tale of the lycanthropic curse into a staged radio drama complete along with lighting effects, projections and live sound effects in homage to the golden days of radio. In spirit with the Halloween season, don’t be afraid to come dressed in your favorite costume to enjoy the show. Get more information here.
John Cockman Family & Amantha Mill Concert — Saturday
The bright colors of fall foliage here in the High Country signal an end to a favorite time of the year for many folks, yet Joe Shannon’s Mountain Home Music is offering everyone a chance to extend their fall festivities by brightening their season with a lively night of colorful traditional and contemporary bluegrass music this Saturday, Oct. 24.
The concert features two local groups, The John Cockman Family and Amantha Mill and will be staged at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Boone. The doors open 7:00 p.m., with the show beginning at 7:30 p.m. Read more here.
Preseason Sale at App Ski Mountain — Saturday and Sunday
This weekend is your last chance to enjoy the annual preseason sale at App Ski Mountain’s ski shop! The sale offers you the perfect opportunity for great buys on your favorite winter brands, including Burton, 686, Mountain Hardwear, Spyder, Obermeyer, Nordica, Roxy, Salomon, K2, Atomic, Rossignol, Volcom, Never Summer, Ride, 4Fmt, Line, Northwave, Gnu, Libtech and more.
Some used skis, snowboards, boots and poles will be available for purchase at the sale through this year’s Ski/Snowboard swap. The ski shop is no longer accepting used items, however.
Sale hours:
- Saturdays: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Sundays: 1-5 p.m.
Read more about the sale here.
The Harris Brothers at the Jones House — Sunday
The Harris Brothers concert begins at 7:30 on October 25, 2015. The indoor concerts take place in the Mazie Jones Gallery in the Jones House, and there is a limit of 40 seats for the performance. Advanced reservations are encouraged, though any open seats will be available for purchase at the door, which opens at 7:00 p.m. Seats are $20 per person and will include an opportunity to meet the band.