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Weekend Roundup: 17 Things To Do This Weekend in the High Country; Check ‘em Out & Make Plans: Aug. 24-26

Compiled by Rebecca Gitlen

Aug. 24, 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.

Music on the Mountaintop Music Festival

Music on the Mountaintop has confirmed the second round of artists slated for the fifth annual three-day music festival Aug. 24-26 outside of Boone. This year marks the first that the festival has expanded to three days, and the first time organizers are partnering with jam band Railroad Earth, who are helping to host and curate the festival and will play three night sets.

When: Aug. 24-26
Where: Grandfather Mountain Campground, Foscoe
More info: 919-818-2614 or click

Live Music

Concerts at the Jones House: Buck Haggard Band & Strictly Clean and Decent

Strictly Clean and Decent is an acoustic trio based in Lenoir, including husband-and-wife multi-instrumentalists Patrick and Kay Crouch and bass player, Ron Shuffler. While they perform an eclectic variety of acoustic-based genres, Strictly Clean and Decent is rooted in tradition. Buck Haggard Band will follow, bringing the classic country repertoire to the porch. Led by guitar player and band-leader, George Wilson, Buck Haggard Band was formed to fill a needed void for classic country music in the High Country. 

When: Friday, Aug. 24, 5 p.m.
Where: Jones House, 604 West King Street, Downtown Boone
More info: 828-262-4576

Music in the Valle: Folk and Dagger

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 and friends.

When: Friday, Aug. 24, 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, Aug. 24, 6:30 to 9:15 pm.
Where: Todd General Store, 3866 Railroad Grade Road, Todd
More info: 336-877-1067 

Sound Traveler at Zuzda

Sound Traveler is a dynamic duo of harmony that plays around the high country. Sound Traveler is made up of husband-and-wife duet, Bob and Patty Tatum, both multi-instrumentalists who bring a wide array of styles and sounds to their music. Bob is a retired school teacher from Avery County, and along with Patty the two tour the High Country from spring through fall.

When: Friday, Aug. 24 and 25, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Zuzda and Sunday, Aug. 26, 2 to 5 p.m. at Banner Elk Winery
Where: Zuzda and Banner Elk Winery, Banner Elk
More info: www.soundtravelerband.com

Sunday Jazz Brunch with Todd Wright & Friends at Canyons

Todd Wright, an Ambassador of Jazz for western North Carolina, joined the Appalachian State University music faculty in 1990. As Director of Jazz Studies he has been responsible for conducting Jazz Ensembles I and II, teaching courses in jazz improvisation, jazz history, jazz piano, jazz tunes and coaching combos.

When: Sunday, Aug. 26, 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Where: Canyons, 8960 Highway 321, Blowing Rock
More info: 828-295-7661  

Arts and Crafts

Greater Avery Tour de Art

Brought to you by the Avery Coalition of Galleries is a unique opportunity to experience fine art works and master crafts while interacting with the most talented artists of our region every fourth Saturday through November. The Tour De Art will take you to fourteen fine art galleries and artists’ studios showcasing only the finest in paintings, sculpture, jewelry, fine art prints, woodworks, pottery, glass, collage, drawings and so much more.

When: Saturday, Aug. 25
Where: Fourteen area galleries and studios
More info: 828-963-5247 or click

 “From Forests to Bowls” Opening Reception 

“From Forests to Bowls” is a group show of six painters and one wood-turner. Meet the artists at Alta Vista Gallery’s opening reception Saturday. The theme for this show is about finding inspiration in the forrest. Artists include Bob Francisco, Mike

Bob Timberlake

Flanigan and more.

When: Saturday, Aug. 25, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Where: Alta Vista Gallery, Valle Crucis
More info: 828-963-5247      

Free Tours of North Carolina Treasures at BRAHM

The Blowing Rock Art and History Museum will open its new exhibit, North Carolina Treasures: A Painter, A Potter and a Rocking Chairmaker. The exhibit celebrates the work and lives of three of North Carolina’s most talented and beloved artists and artisans: renowned painter Bob Timberlake, potter Glenn Bolick and seventh-generation chairmaker Max Woody. Visitors to the exhibit will see examples of the artists’ fine work that spans their long careers as well as memorabilia, tools, photographs and other belongings that tell the stories of their lives.

When: Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 25-26, 2 p.m.
Where: Blowing Rock Art and History Museum, Blowing Rock
More info: www.blowingrockmuseum.org or click

Theater

Ensemble Stage Presents “All the King’s Women”

The Ensemble Stage’s production of “All the King’s Women,” written by Luigi Jannuzzi and directed by Laura Morrison, opens Saturday at the Blowing Rock School Auditorium. “All the King’s Women” is the story of Elvis Presley told through the eyes of 16 women and two men. Some are enthralled, some are appalled and all are obsessed. It’s a fast paced series of scenes based on the life of Elvis Presley.

When: Saturday, Aug. 25 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Aug. 26 at 2 p.m.
Where: Blowing Rock School Auditorium, Blowing Rock
More info: 828-414-1844 or click

High Country Half Marathon

The Half Marathonrace debuted in 2011 and participants described it as challenging, exciting and lots of fun with spectacular scenery. “We strive to produce well-organized races – attention to detail is important to us,” said race director Stacy Sears. “All of the Triple Crown races showcase the breathtaking scenery of the North Carolina Mountains coupled with the vitality of the local community.” This is the second race in the High Country Triple Crown series and all proceeds benefit Girls on the Run of the High Country, a self-esteem building program for girls in the 3rd-8th grade

When: Saturday, Aug. 25, 7:30 a.m.
Where: Marathon starts at Kidd Brewer Stadium, ASU
More info: 828-262-7557 or click

Girl Scout Fishing and Recruitment Event

Calling all Watauga and Avery girls: Bring your poles and a parent and enjoy a morning at Grandfather Mountain Trout Farm for the High Country Girl Scout Fishing Derby on Aug. 25. Find out what Girl Scouting is all about if you are not already one. Grandfather Mountain Trout Farm will provide all the materials and they will clean the fish for you to take home. Afterward, there will be a picnic.

When: Saturday, Aug. 25, 10 a.m.
Where: Grandfather Mountain Trout Farm, 10767 Highway 105, Banner Elk
More info: 828-355-5222 or click 

Free Tasting

Peabody’s Wine & Beer Merchants Tasting

Peabody’s offers the High Country’s Largest & Finest selection of Wine & Beer, Wine Accessories, Cigars, Fine Cheeses, Luscious Chocolates, Gourmet Foods, Great Service, Party, Wedding and Event Planning, Cellar Stocking and Consultation and much much more. At Peabody’s Wine & Beer Merchants you can experience serious wine and beer with not so serious faces. The wines are delicious and tastings are free.

When: Saturday, Aug. 25, 12 to 5 p.m.
Where: Peabody’s Wine & Beer Merchants, Boone
More info: 828-264-9476

The Markets

Avery County Farmers Market

The Avery County Farmers Market is a cooperative of area farmers that produce freshly grown, organic and conventionally grown fruits and vegetables, fresh bread, homemade jams and jellies, herbal products, crafts, maple syrup, fresh eggs, potting plants, ornamentals, seedlings and much, much more.

When: Saturday, Aug. 25, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Where: 170 Linville Street, between CVS and the Department of Social Services building, Newland
More info: 828-789-9246 or 828-733-8274     

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, Aug. 25, 8 a.m. to noon
Where: Horn in the West parking lot, Boone
More info: 828-355-4918 or 828-264-3424 

Ashe County Farmers’ Market

Every Ashe County Farmers’ Market customer has that particular vendor that keeps them coming back for more but it’s the market’s diversity that makes it one of the best in the area. Click here for a list of vendors along with profiles so you can get to know not only your favorite but maybe find a new must see vendor.

When: Saturdays, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., April to Oct.; and Wednesdays, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., July to Sept.
Where: Backstreet in downtown West Jefferson
More info: ashefarmersmarket.com

Movies

Be sure to check out our listings for cinema showtimes and movie trailers at the Regal Boone Cinema 7 too! It’s the only place where you can see ALL the trailers and showtimes for every movie playing in Boone all on one page! 

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.