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Weekend Roundup: Exciting Things to Do This Weekend; Check ‘em Out and Make Plans Nov. 7-9

By Madison Fisler Lewis

Nov. 7, 2014. The High Country has so many exciting events to offer its community and visitors, especially on autumn weekends. Check our site every Friday for something new and exciting to look forward to while you’re watching the hour hand crawl to 5 o’clock. Find live music down the street, explore a nearby town’s local secrets or try out a new square dancing class. There’s always something fun to do in the High Country.

Weekend-Long Events

To check out this week’s movie trailers and this week’s movie review, click here.

Mayberry Patrol Car: If you take a stroll around the Boone Mall, you might notice something familiar yet out of place all at the same time. You could say that Boone has got a little piece of Mayberry, at least for a little while. The Boone Mall is now the temporary home for the Mayberry car, a police car that looks like it has driven right off of the screen from the Andy Griffith Show. For more information click here.

Movies by Movers Film Festival: The Turchin Center for the Visual Arts in Boone will host the Movies by Movers Film Festival starting on Nov. 7. The fifth annual event will start at 6 p.m. on Nov. 7, and continue on Saturday, Nov. 8, from 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Started by dance faculty member Cara Hagen five years ago, the dance festival celebrates human motion on film and in digital media. For more information about this event click here.

Tartuffe: The Appalachian State University’s Department of Theatre and Dance presents Moliere’s beloved comedy “Tartuffe” in the intimate I.G. Greer Studio Theatre on the Appalachian campus. This classic tale – with a modern spin – will be presented in an extended two-week run Nov. 5-8 and 12-15 at 7:30 p.m., with a 2 p.m. matinee on Nov. 9 and 16. For more information about this event click here.

Call for Artists: Calling all artists! The Jones House is seeking “art that teaches lessons, encourages growth and embraces imagination.” For the submissions, all forms of media are welcome, as are artists from all backgrounds. For more information about this event click here.

Book Drive: The Highlands Association of Child Development and Advocacy (HACDA) has extended the headline for its book drive until Thanksgiving. The Appalachian State University club strives to promote literacy in children by collecting new and used books to donate to local childcare centers and organizations in need of books for children. For more information about this event click here.

Live Music at Twigs: Twig’s Restaurant in Blowing Rock hosts live music every Friday and Saturday night, from 9 p.m. until 1 a.m. featuring great local and regional artists with no cover charge.

Children’s Playhouse Birthday Bash: The High Country’s only children’s museum, The Children’s Playhouse, will celebrate its 12th birthday with a five day celebration running from Tuesday, Nov. 4 through Saturday, Nov. 8. The Playhouse 12th Birthday Bash will feature free admission, membership discounts, special activities all week and free pizza and cake on Saturday. The Children’s Playhouse is located at 400 Tracy Circle in Boone. For more information click here.

Friday, Nov. 7

First Friday Art Crawl: On Friday, Nov. 7, downtown Boone will be taken over by the First Friday Art Crawl. Like always, this month’s crawl will feature food, drinks and live music with work and exhibitions from local artists. And as usual, everyone is invited to come out and enjoy some Friday night fun. If you’ve never experienced First Friday Art Crawl, here is your chance to get in on what the locals already know! Head on down to downtown Boone and enjoy a Friday night out on the town. Here’s what is happening this month. For more information click here.

Freakin’ Firkin Friday: On Friday, Nov. 7, Lost Province Brewing Company will host Freakin’ Firkin Friday at Five with the release of a special 12-gallon cask of beer at 5 p.m. Live music will be held at 8 p.m. featuring Andy Ferrell.

Saturday, Nov. 8

Watauga County Farmers’ Market: The 2014 season has brought several exciting changes for the Watauga County Farmers’ Market. As the colder months creep in, weather is, as always, the biggest challenge. To combat the shorter days and dropping temperatures, the market will open at 9 a.m. during the month of November. For more information about this event click here.

Toy Demonstration: Appalachian State University Professor Richard Elaver has a lot on his mind from day to day. As an assistant professor of industrial design in the department of Technology and Environmental Design at ASU, Elaver juggles lesson plans, grading assignments and teaching classes in his department. But somehow, Elaver has found the time and dedication to invent Joinks, a unique construction toy that allows children to “bend the rules of bending. For more information about this event click here.

Black Saturday 5K: Come out to support Appalachian State’s Recreation Management program by running or walking in the sixth annual Black Saturday 5K. Enjoy a great morning of exercise, door prizes and refreshments, all while helping a great cause. All of the proceeds from the race go towards the Dr. Wayne Williams Scholarship Fund. For more information about this event click here.

Blues Porch Jam: On Saturday, Nov. 8, the weekly Blues Porch Jam will take place at the Blue Ridge ArtSpace. This Blues-Centric Jam Session features the Blues but caters to the whims, interests, and favorite tunes of those present. Musicians, vocalists, foot-stompers, groupies – all are welcome to this unplugged (no amps) session each Saturday afternoon.

Live Music at Lost Province: On Saturday, Nov. 8, Lost Province Brewing Company will host live music by Cougar Bait at 8 p.m. with no cover charge. The music will start after the screening of the ASU v. Louisiana Monroe football game.

Probiotics and Fermentation Workshop: Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture (BRWIA) announces their second Fall HomeGrown Workshop. A Probiotics and Fermentation Workshop will take place on Saturday, Nov. 8 from 1-4 p.m.. The HomeGrown Workshop Series consists of seasonal workshops that promote sustainable living & self sufficiency in our High Country Region. Each workshop features a local expert in our area. All proceeds benefit Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture (BRWIA).

November Contra Dance: The Boone Country Dancers will be at the Apple Barn in Valle Crucis for its next community contra dance on Saturday, Nov. 8. Everyone is welcome to attend the contra dance regardless of dance experience. The evening will begin with a beginners’ workshop from 7:30-8:00 p.m. The goal of the workshop is to teach the fundamentals of contra dance with a focus on having fun. After the workshop, the regular dance will run from 8:00-11:00 p.m. with a waltz break at 9:30 p.m.

Elk Knob State Park Trail Work Day: Every Saturday through Nov. 8, staff and volunteers will meet at the Summit Trailhead at 9 a.m. and work until approximately 2:30 p.m., weather permitting. Tools are provided but volunteers should wear closed-toed shoes and bring work gloves, lunch and water. If you would like to be involved in a fulfilling project that will fill you with a well-deserved sense of pride, then join in on Saturdays at Elk Knob State Park. For more information, call 828-297-7261.

Intro to Meditation Class: The Appalachian Dharma & Meditation Center (ADMC) is offering an introduction to meditation and Buddhism class on Saturday, Nov. 8, from 1-3 p.m. This is an opportunity for anyone who has ever been interested in discovering more about meditation and Buddhism to learn about the practice and the Dharma Center in an opening and welcoming environment. This class is free but donations are welcome.

Chili Cook Off: The Appalachian Dharma & Meditation Center (ADMC) is offering an introduction to meditation and Buddhism class on Saturday, Nov. 8, from 1-3 p.m. This is an opportunity for anyone who has ever been interested in discovering more about meditation and Buddhism to learn about the practice and the Dharma Center in an opening and welcoming environment. This class is free but donations are welcome.

Hues and Brews Festival: Visit artists in Caldwell County homes/studios/businesses throughout the day (tour guides available at the Caldwell Arts Council) and then come to the new Hues and Brews Festival to meet additional visual artists and sample tastings of craft beers from Burke, Caldwell and Catawba County craft brewers. Event also features food vendors and children’s art activities. Ticket/wristbands for beer tastings available in advance for $25, or $35 at the gate. Proceeds benefit the Caldwell Arts Council.

Book Launch: High Country Writers organization launches the second anthology of members’ work, High Country Headwaters II, at the regularly scheduled Second Saturday Reception of the Watauga County Arts Council, Blue Ridge ArtSpace, 5:30 – 7:30 pm, Saturday, November 8. The public is invited.

Sunday, Nov. 9

Music on the Veranda: On Sunday, Nov. 9, the Green Park Inn’s Music on the Veranda will present The Harris Brothers starting at 5 p.m. For more information about this event, call 828-414-9230.

Sunday Jazz Brunch: On Sunday, Nov. 9, Canyons in Blowing Rock will host the weekly Sunday Jazz Brunch with Todd Wright. Starting at 11 a.m., the event will feature live jazz music at Canyons located at 8960 Valley Blvd. in Blowing Rock. For more information about this event, call 828-295-7661.

Chef’s Showcase Dinner: On Sunday, Nov. 9, New River Organic Growers will host a Chef’s Showcase Dinner starting at 4 p.m. at The Gamekeeper Restaurant in Blowing Rock. The dinner will feature Chefs Ken and Wendy Gordon of The Gamekeeper; Travis Sparks of Artisinal and Seed to Plate Catering; Ed Winebarger of Reed’s Catering and Michael Armes, Sous Chef at Hound Ears Club.

Geology Hike at Elk Knob State Park: Join a geologist as you wander around Elk Knob and learn about the fascinating rocks that make up the mountain. What makes Elk Knob different from most of the southern Appalachians and how does that affect the plants that grow here? Join us at the Summit Trailhead at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 9, to find out. Wear sturdy shoes for hiking and dress in layers for warmth.