Admission $10
HayesGrass dates are: Quarterfinal round: April 15, 16, 22 & 23; Semifinal round May 6-7; Final round, May 16; and Lonesome River Band, May 17. Tickets for the quarterfinal and semifinal rounds are $10 for all audiences; $15 for the final round. Bands will be paid an appearance fee based on each evening’s ticket sales.

The eight groups will be selected by a jury of three, which includes a talent agent, a musician and a member of the Hayes Center staff (all of whom will remain anonymous until the selection process is complete), and announced on Feb. 23, 2008, during the Hayes Center’s John McEuen Concert. Participating bands do not have to be present to be selected.

The contest will take place over four evenings, with the quarterfinal round consisting of two bands performing a 45-50-minute set on each night.

Local Blowing Rock artist, Jose Fumero, will conduct several sessions focusing on techniques used in creating his famous fiber weavings as well as work by other artists. The discussion will be held on the sun porch of the Moses Cone Manor and is sponsored by Parkway Craft Center. (The sun porch is the area used to film a portion of the movie “The Green Mile”.) The discussion will center on a unique process Jose has developed called woven fiber mosaics.

Each date listed below will have morning and afternoon sessions per day; 10-12 am and 1-3 pm, and are free to the public. Because of the personal interaction and space available, each session will be limited to eight attendees. The following dates are available:

•May 10
•May 31
•July 14 and 16
•August 10
•September 20, 21
•October 10

Registration is required to allow for proper planning. To register, please call Parkway Craft Center at 828-295-7938 or e-mail at parkwaycraft@bellsouth.net.

Tickets are now on sale for Wilkes Playmakers production of "Steel Magnolias".
Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for students and seniors Tickets can be purchased online or over the phone. Tickets may also be purchased in the Wilkes Playmakers box office at 300 D Street, North Wilkesboro, Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.
Show dates are May 15, 16, 17 and 19 at 7:30 p.m. and May 18 at 2:00 p.m.
Although this is an add on production and not on the Season ticket - Season Ticket holders can receive a discounted ticket by presenting their season ticket at the door or calling and ordering their tickets in advance. Group rates are available for groups of 10 or more upon request.

In celebration of Shelby’s wedding plans and Bridal Month coming up in June, one wedding caterer each performance will be on hand to provide samples of their culinary talents. It’s a great way to learn more about the caterers in the Wilkes County area and audience members will feel like they are actually attending Shelby’s wedding (without the bleeding armadillo groom’s cake)!

Steel Magnolias is produced by special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service.

The Historic Orchard at Altapass begins its 100th season as an apple orchard perched atop the Blue Ridge Mountains!
Sat, May 17 12:30-2:00
2:30-4:30 South Bound roars into the Orchard with high-stepping bluegrass.
Sun, May 18 12:30-2:00
2:30-4:30 Randy Flack brings back great stories and entertaining original and country tunes.
Wed, May 21 1:45-3:15 Bob Lominac and Tom Sparks strum and sing informally for orchard guests to enjoy.
Thurs, May 22 1:45-3:15 The very talented Julia Ann shares her stirring country and gospel songs with visitors.
Fri, May 23 1:45-3:15 Herb Green and Herman Coffey pick and sing good ol' fashion mountain bluegrass. Join in.
Sat, May 24 12:30-2:00 Linda Davis accompanies herself on the piano and sings country, jazz, bluegrass and gospel favorites.
2:30-4:30 Terry McKinney hosts his mountain opry show.
Sun, May 25 12:30-1:30 Glenn Nance and his buddy Lenny Ski are our special guests. Enjoy!
2:00-4:30 Brian Gurl and Friends return with an ultra-talented array of performers.
Mon May 26 11:00-5:00 THE ORCHARD CELEBRATES ITS CENTENNIAL AT A VERY SPECIAL MEMORIAL DAY BARBECUE AND COVERED DISH DINNER Come join in the 100th birthday fun with long-time and brand new friends!

Joins us for two days filled with guided hikes and presentations on Grandfather's birds, wildflowers and history with special focus on the 30th anniversary of the Trails Program.

All programs and guided walks offered as part of the Naturalist's Weekend are included in the price of admission. Those who attend for both days should keep to their receipt on Saturday and present that for discount admission on Sunday. For details, phone 800-468-7325.

Saturday 10am-5pm
Location: American Legion Grounds in Downtown Blowing Rock
A juried art and craft show featuring 130 artists.
FREE trolley shuttles
Sponsored by the Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce

$20, $14 students
Broadways’ Smokin’, Pop Goes Wild & Beethoven’s Got The Blues! Take a quality musical performance, turn it upside down, add three parts pure exhilaration, two parts breathtaking variety, one part comedy and a dash of musical mischief and you have the recipe for this exciting production. Starring pianist & vocalist extraordinarie Brian Gurl, violin & fiddle whiz Lenny Ski and their dazzling rhythm section, Pizzazzz! American
is a powerful, yet engaging, production featuring an amazing mosaic of American music performed with pop, jazz, blues, ragtime, latin and classical stylings. You’ll hear pieces such as “Phantom Of The Opera,” “Orange Blossom Special,” and “American Trilogy,” plus comedy routines including Jack Benny Meets Liberace.

$20, $14 students
Lonesome River Band has been one of the most popular and influential acts on the bluegrass festival and concert circuit since the release of their breakout CD, Carrying The Tradition, back in 1991. That band included current LRB band leader Sammy Shelor, as well as Dan Tyminski, Ronnie Bowman and Lonesome River Band founder, Tim Austin. They recorded a second project for Rebel Records, Old Country Town, before Tyminski accepted a gig with Alison Krauss & Union Station, and Austin decided to leave the road to focus on his recording studio, Doobie Shea. Like any band whose success has endured for 15 years, Lonesome River Band has seen some very talented musicians come and go.

FREE!
The Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the upcoming 21st Anniversary season of Sunday Concerts in the Park. This year’s schedule features some old favorites along with some new faces:

May 18 – Cans and Pans Steel Drum Band of Ashe County High
June 15 – Buck Haggard
August 10 – Pipes and Drums of the Grandfather Mountain Highland Band
September 14 – Hayes Graduate String Quartet from ASU
October 4 – Die Rhinelanders Oktoberfest Band

Warm Jumbo Lump Crab Cheesecake
Prepared with Roasted Red Peppers, Artichoke Hearts & Dressed Watercress
Handmade Benne Wafers
Selected wine: Seyval Blanc

Oyster Rockefeller Stew
With Grilled New Potatoes & Roasted Garlic Toast Points
Selected wine: Chardonnay

Organic Field Greens with Strawberries, Pecans & Vinaigrette
Selected wine: Rose

Andouille, Tasso Ham & Grilled Shrimp Etouffee
Jambalaya
Okra & Roasted Green Chilies
Scallion & Sweet Potato Biscuits
Selected wine: Banner Elk Red

Blackout Layer Cake
Selected wine: Cabernet Sauvignon

$75.00 per person

Call 828-898-9090 for reservations
Tasting room Open Wed.-Sun. noon until 6 p.m.

Enjoy great savings at the Hickory Furniture Mart where you will find 100 factory outlets, stores and galleries featuring 1000 manufacturers of fine furniture, accessories, beddings, rugs and more.

Located within an hours drive of the High Country

The magical musical journey 8-Track: The Sounds of the 70's salutes the unmistakable sound of the era that gave us polyester, lava lamps, shag carpeting and avocado-green appliances. Follow a quartet of singers traveling through time and relive the high-energy music that evolved from protest songs to pop and disco. This rollicking event is not sold in stores and John Travolta's groovy white suit is sold separately.

2 and 8 pm showings vary by date
Tickets $32-$14

Come and enjoy Thistle Meadow Winery owner Tom Burgess's spirited introduction to wines and all of the nuances they present in an entertaining presentation. Sample the wines of Thistle Meadow and learn about the ‘art’ of wine tasting. Light hors d’oeurves will be served and wines will be available for purchase. 5:00pm $10.00 per person. Reservations only. Limited seating.

Strictly Handmade fine art and crafts
Hours Saturday and Sunday l0am-to-5pm both days.
For more information contact the Great Train Robbery, 828-898-8645 or High Country Host, 800-438-7500

The Blue Ridge Garden club will hold its annual sale of plants to benefit the Daniel Boone Native Gardens on Saturday.

The sale is open to the public and will be held at the gardens, 651 Horn in the West Drive in Boone.

Plant material may include perennials, annuals, and herb and vegetable starts. Anyone may donate plants for the sale, but all specimens should be potted and marked with a price ($3 or more), and brought to the DBNG gatehouse on Friday, May 23.

Artist Studio Sale at Creekside in which artwork from Toni Carlton's private collection, including her grandmother Nellie Carlton's weavings, art and weaving supplies (loom), frames, gallery display items, futons and miscellaneous furniture will be for sale.

The location is moving across Hwy 105 to a building that was formerly the home of the Antonaccio Fine Art Gallery.
Gallery hours are 10-5 Tuesday thru Saturday &
11-5 Sunday

Bill Hicks and Jim Watson, along with Tommy Thompson founded the Red Clay Ramblers in the early 1970's. Mike Craver and Jack Herrick joined the band within a few years. For the next decade the Ramblers toured extensively throughout the United States, Canada, Europe and Africa, appearing frequently on the Prairie Home Companion, acting and playing in two Off-Broadway shows and releasing nine albums on the Flying Fish and Sugar Hill labels. Co-founder and banjo player Tommy Thompson passed away in early 2003, after a long battle with Alzheimer's. Bill Hicks, Jim Watson, and Mike Craver have continued to play music together since leaving the Red Clay Ramblers, and are often joined by Joe Newberry on banjo and vocals.

Part of the Centennial Celebration and to raise money for the Altapass Foundation.

$5 admission
2:30pm and 7pm showings

Thomas the Tank Engine pulls the train at Tweetsie! See Sir Topham Hat, have your picture made with Thomas and more!