1000 x 90

Weekend Roundup: Things to Do This Weekend in the High Country; Check ‘em Out, Make Plans Feb. 28-March 2

by Madison V. Fisler

Feb. 28, 2014. On this beautiful winter weekend, the High Country has so many exciting 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.  

Weekend-Long Events

Check out this week’s movie trailers and our weekly movie review of 3 Days to Kill click here.

Mystery of Edwin Drood at Lees-McRae: Get ready for a different kind of night at the theatre! The Lees-McRae Performing Arts Department is proud to present Mystery of Edwin Drood, a murder-mystery in which the audience chooses the culprit! The production will premiere in Hayes Auditorium on the campus of Lees-McRae College on Thursday, Feb. 27 at 7:30 p.m. and run through March 2. All performances are open to the public. For more information about this event, click here

Sugar Mountain’s Spyder Sample Sale: Sugar Mountain Sports Shop will premier the 2015 Spyder Sample line at 30 percent off retail prices beginning Thursday, Feb. 27. In addition, all 2014 Spyder Sample Sale Merchandise will be reduced even more to 50 percent off their full retail price. Any remaining 2013 or older samples will be reduced to 60 percent off of their original prices. Quantities and sizes are very limited, so be sure to come early! For more information, 

Friday, Feb. 28

Red June at the Jones House: The Town of Boone continues the Winter Concerts at the Jones House series with Red June on Friday, Feb. 28 starting at 7:30 p.m. Hailing from Asheville, Red June dubs their music “beautifully distilled original American music,” blending a strong sense of tradition with the song writing of Will Straughan and John Cloyd Miller and the fiddling prowess of Natalya Weinstein. For the full article on this event, click here

Spring Appalachian Dance Ensemble: The Appalachian State University Department of Theatre and Dance presents the Spring Appalachian Dance Ensemble (SADE) in Valborg Theatre on campus at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday Feb. 26-Saturday, March 1. This popular event features artistic works by both undergraduate students and dance faculty.  For more information, click here.

Black Sheep Theatre Satire Premiere: Black Sheep Theatre will perform Dennis Bohr’s newest play “BROWN: Jesus from Another Planet,” on Friday, Feb. 28 and Saturday, March 1 at 8 p.m. and Sunday March 2 at 2 p.m. in I.G. Greer Arena Theatre on Appalachian State University’s campus. Admission is $5 at the door.  

Free Tax Assistance at the Watauga County Library: The Watauga County Public Library is proud to participate in the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (V.I.T.A.) program. V.I.T.A. is an I.R.S. grant supported initiative which offers free income tax help to people making $52,000 a year or less. All volunteer tax preparers are certified and have received training to prepare basic tax returns.

Saturday, March 1

Tweetsie Railroad Job Fair: If you enjoy working with the public, are looking for a rewarding work experience and live in or around Blowing Rock, then this opportunity is for you! Tweetsie Railroad will host its 2014 Job Fair on Saturday, March 1 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Tweetsie Palace Saloon. All candidates who are interested in seasonal employment for Tweetsie’s 2014 season, including special events positions, should plan on attending. For more information, click here

RECESS Wreckless Rail Jam: On Saturday, March 1, Appalachian Ski Mtn will host the 5th annual Recess wRECklESS Rail Jam. The event will be held as a Jam Format Rail Jam for both ski and snowboard. There will be divisions for beginner, intermediate, advanced and ladies divisions as well. All skill levels and spectators are welcome. For more information on this event, click here

Wounded Warriors at Appalachian Ski Mtn: The Wounded Warriors Programwill bring more than 50 veterans and their families to Appalachian Ski Mountain for a day of fun and activity on March 1. The event will include an opening ceremony at 8:45 a.m., bagpipe music and skiing and snowboarding, including lessons with French-Swiss Ski College from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call Appalachian Ski Mountain at 828-295-7828.

Events at Heritage Hall: On Saturday, March 1 at 7 p.m., Southside Freewill Baptist Church will present “Let’s Praise His Name” by their Blacklight Drama Team, a creative ministry incorporating the use of black light to perform drama, hand mime, dowel rods and puppetry to song using today’s contemporary Christian music. No admission is charged, but a donation at the door will be appreciated. 

Possum Jenkins at Boone Saloon: Popular band Possum Jenkins celebrates 10 years at Boone Saloon located on King Street. The show will begin at 10 p.m. with a $5 cover charge. Boone Saloon is 21 and up after 10 p.m. 

Permaculture Design Certification Course: Learn with 13 teachers (see below) on an emerging design site of forests, meadows, and wetlands? Do you want to learn Permaculture as a design science that is boots-on-the-ground and hands on? Experience animal systems, share knowledge/skills, and learn how to pay for your systems?

Amnesty International Meeting at ASU: The North Carolina Amnesty International State Meeting will be held at Appalachian State University on March 1 from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. The conference, hosted by Appalachian’s Amnesty International chapter, will include discussions on the death penalty, poverty, and human trafficking. Darryl Hunt, the Winston-Salem resident who spent almost 20 years in prison after being wrongly convicted of murder, and Tarrah Callahan from N.C. Coalition for Alternatives to the Death Penalty will discuss the death penalty in N.C. Other presenters include Edith Garwood and the N.C. Dream Team.

Mr. WHS Male Beauty Pageant: The Mr. WHS Male Beauty Pageant will be held on March 1st at 7pm at Watauga High School. All proceeds will benefit local families in the community. This year’s recipients are: Corrie Freeman, the Johnson family and an anonymous family. Admission is $15. Purchase tickets the week of the show during WHS lunches or swing by the WHS Main Office. Tickets will also be available the night of the show beginning at 6pm. Doors will open at 6:30.

Sunday, March 2

Craig Robinson at ASU: It’s not too late to snag your tickets for the upcoming Craig Robinson musical comedy show on March 2, sponsored by the Appalachian Popular Programming Society (A.P.P.S.). Currently, tickets are $12 for students in advance and $16 for the general public and for students on the day of the show. Doors will open at 7 p.m. and the fun will officially start at 8 p.m. For the entire article on this event, click here

High Country Wedding Expo at ASU: The High Country Wedding Expo, presented by ACES Event Specialists, will be unveiled Sunday, March 2 at the Appalachian State University Summit Trail Solarium from 1-4 p.m. The wedding expo is the perfect place for all current, future and dreaming-to-be brides to visit all her prospective wedding vendors in one space. For more information on this event, click here.

CD Release: The Junaluska Gospel Choir will have a CD release party on March 2 at the Boone Mennonite Brethren Church. Their debut CD, Rough Side of the Mountain will be released with a concert at 4 p.m. with refreshments to follow. Admission to the release party is free and all are welcome. For more information, click here.

Arm Wrestling Contest: In/Visible Theatre and the ASU Women’s Theatre Troupe present Women’s Arm Wrestling Contest fundraiser and bake-off this Sunday March 2 from 2-4 p.m. Registration is at 2 p.m. on Sunday at Galileo’s located at 1087 West King Street in Boone. All proceeds go to Kill Will and A Part Equal, upcoming plays by In/Visible Theatre and the ASU Women’s Theatre Troupe.   

Program at Elk Knob State Park: Elk Knob State Park will offer a free nature hike on March 2; meet at the summit trailhead at 2 p.m. Dress appropriately for the weather.

Sensory Walk at Grandfather Mountain State Park: On Sunday, March 2 at 2 p.m. come for a hike at Grandfather Mountain State Park and experience the mountains with a renewed sense of wonder using all of your senses. Join a park ranger for a slow leisurely stroll along the lower elevations and see, hear, smell, touch and taste what you have been missing. Hiking boots are recommended.