1000 x 90

19 Things You Could Do This Weekend in the High Country; Check ‘em Out & Make Plans With Our Weekend Roundup: June 1 to 3

Compiled by Rebecca Gitlen

June 8, 2012. The High Country has so many wonderful events to offer its community and visitors. 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.

 Live Music

        Concerts on the Lawn Series

This weeks performers are Wayne Henderson and the Elkville String Band. Every Friday during the series, everyone is invited to bring a chair or blanket to enjoy the concerts on the front lawn of the Jones House Community Center for free.

When: Friday, June 8, 5 p.m.
Where: Jones House, 604 West King Street, Downtown Boone
More info: 828-262-4576

      Music in the Valle: The Mountain Laurels

The “Music in the Valle” Concert Series starts in June and continues each Friday evening through August at The Valle Crucis Community Park. Admission is free; bring a chair or a blanket and family & friends.

When: Friday, June 8, 7 p.m.
Where: Valle Crucis Community Park, 2918 Broadstone Road, Historic Valle Crucis, Banner Elk
More info: 828-963-9239

      Friday Night Bluegrass

Visit the Todd General Store and recapture a time when life was simple and genuine.  Meet the mountain folks and listen to talks of the railroad days as well as bluegrass every Friday.

When: Friday, June 8, 6:30 to 9:15 pm.
Where: Todd General Store, 3866 Railroad Grade Road, Todd
More info: 336-877-1067

     Music on the Lawn: Soul Benefactor

Come out and start off your weekend with Soul Benefactor, a crowd favorite so be sure to come early to claim your spot on the lawn for a wonderful evening of music and fun.

When: Friday, June 8, 5:30 p.m.
Where: 203 Sunset Drive, Blowing Rock
More info: 828-295-9703 or ragged-gardens.com.

        The Jauntee at Murphy’s

With a large arsenal of covers and an inclination to improvise, The Jauntee also plays funk, rock, jazz, bluegrass, psychedelic and ambient music. They hail from Boston, Mass.

When: Friday, June 8
Where: Murphy’s, Downtown Boone
More info: 828-264-5117

          Jonathan Maness

The Lodge Espresso Bar and Eatery is a friendly coffee-house atmosphere with a smoothie bar, fresh bakery and gourmet food, serving, delicous salads, seared Tuna, pizzas, pastas and wraps. Jonathan Maness will play on the patio.

When: Saturday, June 9, 6-10 p.m.
Where: Banner Elk Cafe and Lodge Eatery
More info: 828-898-8395 or 828-898-4040

          Mountain Home Music: Red June

The music is Red June, Appalachian fiddle tunes, contemporary jazz, swing and original songs. The group features Will Straughan on resonator guitar, vocals and guitar; John Cloyd Miller on mandolin, vocals and guitar; and Natalya Weinstein on fiddle and vocals.

When: Saturday, June 9, 8 p.m.
Where: Blowing Rock School Auditorium
More info: 828-964-3392

         Vertigo Jazz Project at Murphy’s

Throw out your expectations of “jazz music.” Jazz is a giant tree with thick roots, a twisted trunk and continuously expanding branches. Over the past century jazz musicians have always pulled inspiration from many sources, be it Latin, funk, or even pop music.

When: Saturday, June 9, 10 p.m.
Where: Murphy’s, Downtown Boone
More info: 828-264-5117

       Blowing Rock Jazz Society Concert

The BRJS offers outstanding jazz concerts every second Sunday of each month from April through October 2012 at the Meadowbrook Inn. Tickets are $15, $5 for students.

When: Sunday, June 10, 7 p.m.
Where: Meadowbrook Inn, 711 Main St., Blowing Rock
More info: 828-295-4300

Fun for All

           “Backyard BBQ” Cooking Class

Discover the joys of whole foods, plant-based cooking with this interactive cooking demonstration and recipe-tasting, registration is $65 after June 8. 

When: Sunday, June 10, 4-6 p.m.
Where: Chetola Resort, Evergreen Room, Blowing Rock
More info: 828-295-5533

        Thomas the Tank Engine at Tweetsie

All aboard for A Day Out with Thomas, an exciting way for children and their grown-ups to enter the world of Thomas & Friends. This memorable day presents an opportunity for kids to take a ride on a train pulled by Thomas and to meet Sir Topham Hatt, the conductor. 

When: June 1-10
Where: Tweetsie Railroad, 300 Tweetsie Railroad Lane, Blowing Rock 
More info: 800-526-5740 or tweetsie.com/special-events

       Watagua County Farmers’ Market

 The market has so many things to love: fresh and nutritious local foods, beautiful handmade crafts, face-to-face interactions with the farmers who grow your food, scrumptious breads, jams, jellies and cheeses made by community members, meat and eggs from local farmers and of course the friendly social atmosphere of “Boone’s Town Square.” 

When: Saturday, June 2, 8 a.m. to noon
Where: Horn in the West parking lot, Boone
More info: 828-355-4918 or 828-264-3424

Outdoorsy

     The Remarkable Rhododendron Ramble

Grandfather Mountain staff naturalists can’t wait to share their excitement for the showy rose-lavender blossoms. Join them for the “Remarkable Rhododendron Ramble” and participate in special programs, guided walks and activities that celebrate this herald of summer.

When: June 2-17
Where: Grandfather Mountain
More info: 800-468-7325

      Black and Blue Double Century Bike Relay

The only cycling event of its kind in the contiguous United States, The Black & Blue, which is a double century (200-mile) relay, showcases the incredibly scenic and at times demanding mountainous roads of Northwestern North Carolina and Southwestern Virginia.  The Black & Blue is a bike challenge like no other.

When: Saturday, June 9, start time is 6 a.m.
Where: start and finish at the Riverside Restaurant in Brownwood
More info: 336-877-8888

Events that will more than likely include food

        Mountaineer Ruritan Fish Fry Fundraiser

The Mountaineer Ruritans would like the invite all to dine with them Friday. Dinners are fried fish or chicken, slaw, hush puppies, fries and a drink for $10.

When: Friday, June 8, 4:30 – 7 p.m.
Where: picnic shelter, the Ruritan clubhouse, Sugar Grove
More info: 828-773-5622

     ASU Alumni Reunion Weekend

Among the activities planned is the Alumni Awards Gala on Saturday, June 9, beginning at 5:30 p.m. in the George M. Holmes Convocation Center.

When: Friday and Saturday, June 8-9
Where: Appalachian State University, Boone
More info: 866-756-2586

          Blue Ridge Music Hall of Fame Dinner

The Blue Ridge Music Hall of Fame Dinner and Induction Ceremony will be at the Stone Center for Performing Arts. Tickets are available online or at the museum for $35 ($40 at the door that night). The artists scheduled to perform during the ceremony include George Hamilton IV, Cindy Baucom, Jamey Dailey, David Holt, Tut Taylor, The New North Carolina Ramblers, the Chuck Wagon Gang, David Johnson, Eric Ellis and Scott Gentry.

When: Saturday, June 9
Where: Stone Center for Performing Arts, Wilkesboro
More info: 336-667-3171

Enlightening

         Nora Percival Presents Memoir Trilogy

Nora Percival, 97, author of ‘Weather of the Heart’ and ‘Silver Pages on the Lawn,’ will officially introduce her third memoir, ‘The Whirligig of Time.’ There will be readings, refreshments, reminiscences and revelry.

When: Saturday, June 9, 10 a.m. to noon
Where: Watauga County Library, Boone
More info: 828-264-8784 

            Baha’i Devotional Meeting 

The topic for the meeting and study class will be “Race Unity.” Baha’is believe that all the world’s great faiths are divine in origin. All are welcome.

When: Sunday, June 3, 10 a.m. until noon
Where: 297 Cherry Drive
More info: 828-264-2297

Don’t Forget

            Birthday Party for Animals

June 13 marks a special day at Grandfather Mountain.  The Grandfather habitat staff has prepared a birthday celebration for the animals, providing programs and games for the Mountain’s guests as well as birthday treats for Grandfather’s furry and feathered residents.   

When: Wednesday, June 13
Where: Grandfather Mountain Park
More info: 828-733-2013 or www.grandfather.com

 

Editor’s note: Want your event to be added to our Weekend Roundup next time? Email rebecca@highcountrypress.com.

Things to Do This Weekend logo by Debbie Carter.