27 minute read
Darren Nicholson releases new album
Darren Nicholson on new album, new chapter
Darren Nicholson.
(photo: Jeff Smith Photography)
BY GARRET K. WOODWARD ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR
On his way from performing at a Sunday church service in Highlands to an afternoon gig at Ole Smoky Distillery in Gatlinburg, Darren Nicholson pulled over somewhere outside of Cherokee, right where there was enough cell service to conduct a phone interview.
There’s a lot going on in Nicholson’s life these days. At 38, the Canton-based artist recently celebrated his 20th year as a professional touring musician, with the last 15 spent as the mandolinist in Balsam Range — arguably one of the most successful, award-winning bluegrass acts of the 21st century thus far.
And yet, Nicholson has always been someone on the move. Aside from the whirlwind touring/recording schedule for Balsam Range, he will soon release his fourth solo album, “Man On A Mission” (out Nov. 26). The Americana/country album is not only his debut for the storied Mountain Home Records (Arden), it’s also a life marker for Nicholson — a sincere, intricate soul in pursuit of the fruits of life, whether that be love or camaraderie, hard work or creative fulfillment.
It’s not that Nicholson’s internal light went completely out a few years back. It was just really dim amid a plethora of personal obstacles. The light was down to a small ember that wasn’t getting enough spiritual oxygen from its surroundings.
But, in his renewal as of late, Nicholson now carries a deep sense of rejuvenation in his heart and soul — onstage and in the studio.
Smoky Mountain News: You’ve had this long, bountiful career with Balsam Range and its label Mountain Home. What does this solo project with Mountain Home mean to you?
Darren Nicholson: Well, it’s like family over there, because bluegrass is a small enough world where you kind of know everybody. But, doing an electric record and kind of delving into the Americana/country world [with “Man On A Mission”], I don’t know everybody [in that scene].
As far as the record label, I needed more support, more than just something I was trying to do myself. I wanted to make sure it was something that they were interested in, and they certainly were. I asked Jeff Collins to produce it, who has worked for the label for years. [With Jeff], I wanted to really get out of the box a little bit. I know what a record sounds like when I make it. I trust myself and my own producing. I just wanted to have somebody else in there to get me out of my comfort zone a little bit and push. So, what do you do with them? I did a solo record and had a ball doing it.
Balsam Range Art of Music
Darren Nicholson will join his band Balsam Range for its annual Art of Music Festival, which will take place Dec. 2-4 at the Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center.
Alongside two performances by bluegrass icons Balsam Range, there will also be appearances onstage by Chloe Agnew, John Driskell Hopkins, Blue Highway, Jeff Little Trio, The Cleverlys, Atlanta Pops Orchestra, and more.
For information on the Art of Music, to purchase tickets, a full schedule of events, performers and activities, go to balsamrangeartofmusicfestival.com.
For more on Nicholson, how to purchase his new solo album “Man On A Mission,” and to find out upcoming tour dates, click on darrennicholson.net.
SMN: And what I’ve always appreciated about you is that your unique sound is a culmination of all your influences — bluegrass, country, rock, roots and mountain music.
DN: Well, you can pay homage to the roots and tradition, and also be cutting edge and new at the same time. People think you have to be one thing or the other thing, but you don’t. Marty Stuart is a prime example of someone who’s always got a foot in the past and stood in the future at the same time — and he makes it work.
I was brought up on traditional bluegrass, country and mountain music. But, that doesn’t mean I can’t write a new song and that doesn’t mean I can’t push myself and create something new, too. I can’t get away from sounding like myself, but I’m going to create new music. And, hopefully, when you do that, you got your own sound — if you’re not growing, you’re dying.
SMN: Whether it’s conscious or subconscious, you saying “if you’re not growing, you’re dying” makes me wonder if that’s an underlying theme of “Man On A Mission” — this journey you’ve been on the last few years of finding yourself again.
DN: Yeah, for sure. This is a dream record for me. The lyrics “big dream wishes” is in the song “Man On A Mission” — that’s what this record is, a dream. Sometimes you do things because it feeds your soul and it pushes you to be better.
And so, I’m big dream wishing on this record. It has inspired me and fired me up again, [waking up] each day and going for something new, trying something different and not being stagnant, you know?
I feel like this is an awakening. We all go through periods. Life ebbs and flows. We go through good periods and bad periods. This is a lifestyle change for me. I’m tapping into a new energy, a new creativity, just a new way of thinking.
I love the quote, “when you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.” It’s not that anything in my life is that much different. I’ve still got a lot of same people in my life. I’ve got the same family. I’ve got the same friends. I’ve got the same music jobs.
But, I’ve just got a different attitude. Nothing has really changed except my attitude, how I appreciate things and value things more now — I just want to do better.
SMN: When you walk out the front door each day, you make a conscious decision how to approach the world. And you also realize the only thing you can control in life is how you react in a situation.
DN: Exactly. I’m in control of that. I can’t control other people, places and things. But, I’m in control of how I react to it. You can deal with things negatively or you can figure out how to let things go and move forward. Let go or be dragged — I guess I just got tired of being dragged.
BY GARRET K. WOODWARD
Ode to GWAR, ode to heavy metal integrity
Standing in the photo pit last week between heavy metal icons GWAR and a sold-out roaring audience was something to behold — more so a spectacle of unknown depth and artistic merit.
Aside from the vocal thrashing of lead singer Blothar (aka: Michael Bishop) layered atop a foundation of razor-sharp guitars, drums and bass of endless melodic depths, the ensemble is a wild-n-out, must-see showcase of space oddity, hard rock and die-hard music freaks.
“There’s just stuff exploding [everywhere]. Our amps blowing up and drum set flying apart. We’ve got slaves working behind the scenes to make the show happen or they suffer the wrath of their lords and masters,” guitarist Pustulus Maximus (aka: Brent Purgason) told The Smoky Mountain News. “And when I see the smiles on those faces in the crowd, that’s the cue to change it up and do something disappointing — because the last thing I want to do is entertain anyone.”
Whether you take Pustulus’ words at face value or simply suspend belief and dive headfirst into the legend and lore of GWAR, what does remain is a well-oiled musical showcase of unrelenting sight and massive sound now entering its 38th year — on the road and in your face.
Throughout the insanely theatrical performance, the musicians perform numerous stage settings of death and destruction, of pillaging and conquering, usually ending in the audience getting sprayed in wave after wave of fake blood and real insults.
“I don’t think country [music] fans want to get blood sprayed on them as much as rock and heavy metal fans do. So, it kind of boils down to that,” Pustulus said. “[Next year] will be 10 years [for me in GWAR]. [By then], I will have made it as the longest running lead guitar player of the band. At that point, I could possibly quit [or] kill myself
HOT PICKS
1The inaugural ThirstyCanvas Art Auction will kick off at 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 20, at The Gem Taproom below Boojum Brewing in downtown Waynesville.
2Acclaimed hard rock act The Hooten Hallers will perform at 10 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 20, at The Water’n Hole Bar & Grill in Waynesville.
3Lazy Hiker Brewing (Franklin) will host Troy Underwood at 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 20.
4There will be a special stage production of “The Little Mermaid Jr.” by Kids at HART at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 20 and 2 p.m. Nov. 21 at the Haywood Arts Regional Theatre in Waynesville.
5Lazy Hiker Brewing (Sylva) will host Urban Soil Duo w/Eric Chesson & Sarah Reinke at 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 19. onstage and be done with it.”
Formed in Richmond, Virginia, by lead singer Oderus Urungus (aka: Dave Brockie) in 1984, GWAR has spent decades acquiring a reputation as one of the most vile and outrageous concerts one might ever come across, either on purpose or by accident. At the core of GWAR is a genuine ethos of tension and release, of finding yourself in the chaos that is everyday life, for good or ill.
But, back then (and even to this very day), GWAR were labeled social pariahs by parental groups and media outlets, something that only increased the band’s range and fanbase — across the country and around the world.
Although true to its own unique style, tone and stage presence, GWAR was forged from the heavy metal and punk influences of the 1970s and 1980s, which to Pustulus (a lifelong rock-n-roller) are the likes of Motorhead and AC/DC — two groups of artistic integrity and pure attitude in an often-diluted music industry.
“You’ve got to have integrity. It’s the only thing that once you sell it, you really don’t ever get it back. [For me], it’s just about the music and the art — nothing else,” Pustulus said. “GWAR gets accused of selling out and all kinds of other shit. But, if that was the case, then why do I have to go back to work at Burger King every time I come back from tour?”
With the untimely passing of Brockie in 2014, GWAR continued on. Bassist Beefcake the Mighty took over as lead vocalist and became Blothar. The lineup may have shifted, and so perhaps the sound, too. But, the mission and show never once lost a step.
“We didn’t want someone who was a carbon copy of Oderus Urungus. And that would have been impossible in order to fill anyways — his voice was so unique,” Pustulus said. “So, we did the next best thing and took the reincarnated soul of Beefcake the Mighty. It just seemed important to keep [the singing] in the family — someone who’s not only familiar to the band, but also familiar to the fans, and to the creative part of the original sound and art.”
At the dark heart of GWAR and its galactic quest to annihilate and capture its listeners remains a rebellious entity that has endured decades of trials and tribulations — where nowadays sold-out appearances are the norm and the visual quality of the live experience is second-to-none.
“When we started in the 1980s, kids were looking for something. There’s was a lot of rebelling going on — some of it was misguided, some of it productive,” Pustulus said. “Rebelling is why they got into [GWAR]. They were people who may not have felt like they fit in at home or may not have fit in at school. When you’re in this crowd, you’re generally accepted — we will give you a home, at least temporarily until we sell you into human trafficking.” (Garret K. Woodward is the arts and entertainment editor for The Smoky Mountain News.
He’s also the music editor for Smoky Mountain
Living magazine and a contributing writer for Rolling Stone. You can reach him at garret@smokymountainnews.com.)
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Troy Underwood.
Lazy Hiker welcomes Underwood
Local singer-songwriter Troy Underwood will perform at 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 20, at Lazy Hiker Brewing in Franklin.
Underwood specializes in soul, rock and Americana music. You’ll hear an array of original material and some of your favorite cover melodies. Free and open to the public. 828.349.2337 or lazyhikerbrewing.com.
• Balsam Falls Brewing (Sylva) will host an open mic from 8 to 10 p.m. every Thursday.
Free and open to the public. 828.631.1987 or balsamfallsbrewing.com.
• Boojum Brewing (Waynesville) will host karaoke at 8:30 p.m. on Wednesdays, trivia at 7 p.m. on Thursdays and semi-regular live music on the weekends. All shows begin at 9 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.246.0350 or boojumbrewing.com.
• The Classic Wineseller (Waynesville) will host Nathan Hefner (piano/vocals) Nov. 20 ($10 cover) and Bob Zullo (guitar/vocals)
Nov. 27 ($10 cover). All shows begin at 7 p.m. Limited seating. Reservations required. 828.452.6000 or classicwineseller.com.
• Cowee School Arts & Heritage Center will host semi-regular live music on the weekends. 828.369.4080 or coweeschool.org.
• Currahee Brewing (Franklin) will host semiregular live music on the weekends. 828.634.0078 or curraheebrew.com. the weekends. Free and open to the public. 828.734.1084 or elevatedmountain.com.
• Frog Level Brewing (Waynesville) will host
Pleasantly Wild Nov. 19. All shows begin at 6 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.454.5664 or froglevelbrewing.com.
• Innovation Station (Dillsboro) will host semiregular live music on the weekends. All events are free and begin at 2 p.m. unless otherwise noted. innovation-brewing.com.
• Innovation Brewing (Sylva) will host Cam
Cokas (singer-songwriter) Nov. 17. All shows begin at 7 p.m. Free and open to the public. innovation-brewing.com.
• Lazy Hiker Brewing (Franklin) will host Troy
Underwood Nov. 20 and Shane Meade (singer-songwriter) Nov. 27. All shows begin at 8 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.349.2337 or lazyhikerbrewing.com. • Long’s Chapel Methodist Church (Waynesville) will host the Voices in the
Laurel children’s choir “Songs of Hope for the
Season” concert at 2:30 p.m. Nov. 21.
Tickets are $12 in advance, $15 at the door.
Tickets available at voicesinthelaurel.org.
• Mountain Layers Brewing (Bryson City) will host Aces Down Nov. 19, Scott Stambaugh (singer-songwriter) Nov. 20, Shane Meade (singer-songwriter) Nov. 26 and Wyatt Espalin (singer-songwriter) Nov. 27. All shows begin at 6 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.538.0115 or mountainlayersbrewingcompany.com.
• Nantahala Brewing (Sylva) will host semiregular live music on the weekends. All shows are free and begin at 8 p.m. 828.641.9797 or nantahalabrewing.com.
• Rathskeller Coffee Haus & Pub (Franklin) will host semi-regular live music on the weekends. Shows begin at 8 p.m. Free and open to the public. rathskellerfranklin.com. • Southern Porch (Canton) will host semi-regular live music on the weekends. 828.492.8009 or southern-porch.com.
• The Ugly Dog Pub (Cashiers) will host semiregular live music on the weekends. 828.743.3000 or theuglydogpub.com.
• The Ugly Dog Pub (Highlands) will host semi-regular live music on the weekends. 828.526.8364 or theuglydogpub.com.
• Unplugged Pub (Bryson City) will host
Blackjack County Nov. 18, Dottie The Band
Nov. 19, Carolina Freightshakers Nov. 20 and
Tricia Ann Band Nov. 26. All shows begin at 8 p.m. Free and open to the public. 828.538.2488.
• Valley Tavern (Maggie Valley) will host The
Lads AVL 6 p.m. Nov. 20. 828.926.7440 or valley-tavern.com.
• Water’n Hole Bar & Grill (Waynesville) will host The Hooten Hallers (blues/punk) 10 p.m.
Nov. 20. 828.456.4750 or facebook.com/waternhole.bar.
The Hooten Hallers.
Acclaimed hard rock act The Hooten Hallers will perform at 10 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 20, at The Water’n Hole Bar & Grill in Waynesville.
The Columbia, Missouri, trio are a highenergy blues-rock band known for hard-traveling and wild live shows, with a seemingly endless tour schedule. The myriad of influences in their music incorporates elements of rhythm and blues, rock-n-roll, honky-tonk, jazz, soul and punk, with a thematic penchant for the strange and unexplained.
Their live shows take the listener on a seamless ride from unapologetically raucous blues on the lap steel and bass sax, to a sweet three-part harmony country ballad, to a romping dance number.
Listeners often detect hints of George Thorogood, Morphine, and Tom Waits, but anyone who has seen The Hooten Hallers live knows that this power trio is unlike anything they’ve experienced before.
Free and open to the public. For more information, click on thehootenhallers.com.
ALSO:
Want to learn the dulcimer?
The Pic’ & Play Mountain Dulcimer Players have resumed in-person jam sessions at the St. John’s Episcopal Church basement fellowship hall in Sylva.
The group welcomes all beginners and experienced dulcimer players, including mountain (lap) dulcimer and hammered dulcimer players. Songs played include traditional mountain tunes, hymns, and more modern music. The group meets at 1:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Saturday of every month in the basement of St. John’s.
Pic’ & Play has been playing together since 1995. The more experienced members welcome new players, help them navigate their instruments, and guide them through some of the basics of tuning, strumming, and playing.
The mountain dulcimer, also known as a fretted dulcimer or a lap dulcimer, is a uniquely American instrument. It evolved from the German scheitholz sometime in the early 1800s in Appalachia and was largely known only in this region until popularized more broadly in the 1950s.
For more information, call Kathy Jaqua at 828.349.3930 or Don Selzer at 828.293.0074.
On the table
• “Flights & Bites” will be held starting at 4 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays at Bosu’s
Wine Shop in downtown Waynesville. For more information on upcoming events, wine tastings and special dinners, click on waynesvillewine.com.
• “BBQ & Brews Dinner Train’’ will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. on select dates at the Great
Smoky Mountains Railroad in Bryson City.
Full service all-adult first class car. Craft beer pairings with a meal, and more. For more information and/or to register, call 800.872.4681 or click on gsmr.com.
• “Dillsboro After Five” will take place from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Wednesdays in downtown Dillsboro. Start with a visit to the
Jackson County Farmers Market located in the Innovation Station parking lot. Stay for dinner and take advantage of late-hour shopping. mountainlovers.com.
• There will be a free wine tasting from 6 to 8 p.m. every Thursday and 2 to 5 p.m. every
Saturday at The Wine Bar & Cellar in Sylva. 828.631.3075.
• “Uncorked: Wine & Rail Pairing Experience” will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on select dates at the Great Smoky Mountains
Railroad in Bryson City. Full service all-adult first class car. Wine pairings with a meal, and more. For more information and/or to register, call 800.872.4681 or click on gsmr.com.
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arts & entertainment
The Shelton House.
The 41st season of The Shelton House will continue with the “Tinsel Trail & Appalachian Christmas” celebration, which will be held Dec. 5 to Jan. 1 at the historic home in Waynesville.
Aside from Candlelight Christmas tours of The Shelton House decorated for the holidays, the opening of the “Tinsel Trail” will be Sunday, Dec. 5. The evening also includes a visit from Santa Claus from 5 to 7 p.m. Hot chocolate and treats will be offered, too. Holiday tunes will be played from the front porch for folks gathering on the lawn to sing-along.
Decorate your business, organization, church or family Christmas Tree for the “Tinsel Train” on the grounds of The Shelton House. How will this work? The Shelton House will purchase trees, which will then be sold for a sponsorship fee of $250.
The Shelton House will set up the trees with bases, provide basic lighting and a sign for each sponsor. Each organization can decorate its tree in whatever fashion they choose. Groups are also welcome to share a sponsorship and/or decorating the tree. The sponsorship is tax deductible.
For more information on a “Tinsel Trail” tree sponsorship, call 828.452.1551 or email dannehl@sheltonhouse.org.
Christmas in Sylva
The Main Street Sylva Association (MSSA) will be hosting holiday festivities this year downtown.
Downtown Sylva will start in November with two big local shopping days. On Saturday, Nov. 20, the MSSA will host a Sidewalk Sale. As well, Saturday, Nov. 27 is Small Business Saturday.
The Jackson County Arts market will be running from 1 to 5 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays throughout the holidays.
The official holiday festivities will kick off with the Tree Lighting at 6:30 Friday, Dec. 3, with special music from the kids of Wonderworks Learning and Arts Center. Families can also take selfies with the Christmas Bear beside the tree.
The Sylva Christmas Parade will be at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 5. This year’s theme is “Downhome Christmas,” and the Grand Marshals are “Frontline Healthcare Workers.” Anyone interested in participating can access the parade application and information at townofsylva.org. Applications are due Tuesday, Nov. 30.
The Jackson County Chamber of Commerce and Jackson County Parks & Recreation will host a Holiday Fireworks Display at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 17, which will be visible from downtown Sylva. Folks can arrive early to hear a live concert on the porch of the Jackson County Chamber and Visitor Center at 6:30 p.m.
The Main Street Sylva Association is a nonprofit entity formed with the mission to spur economic development in the town of Sylva.
For more information, go to mainstreetsylva.org or contact Main Street Economic Development Director Bernadette Peters at mainstreet@townofsylva.org or 828.586.2719.
• Innovation Station (Dillsboro) will a holiday celebration and market at 5 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 3. Free and open to the public. innovation-brewing.com.
• “Winter Wonderland Nights” will return at 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 27, in Franklin.
Downtown will feature living window displays of the holidays, live sounds of the season outdoors at the gazebo and inside stores, free holiday attractions (weather permitting), refreshments, hot cider, great sales from local merchants, and much more. franklin-chamber.com.
• Cashiers Christmas Parade will be at 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4, at the Cashiers
Crossroads. The theme is “Santa’s Favorite
Christmas Characters.” Live broadcast at live.thehighsouth.com. Hosted by Cashiers
Cares, the Post Parade Party will be held at the Village Green’s Commons Hall.
There, youngsters will have an opportunity to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus, enjoy refreshments and receive individual treat bags. Sponsored by the Cashiers Area
Chamber of Commerce. cashiers411.com.
ALSO:
The annual “Lights & Luminaries” will return from 5 to 9 p.m. Dec. 3-4 and 10-11 in the streets of downtown Dillsboro
Experience the magic as the entire town is transformed into a winter wonderland of lights, candles, laughter and song. Over 2,500 luminaries light your way to shops and studios.
Each night, shops will stay open way into the night providing free refreshments, musicians and singers performing in individual shops. The sound of hooves will echo through the night with old-fashioned horse and buggy rides (tips much appreciated). Children can share their wishes with Santa and Mrs. Claus at Santa’s Workshop in Dillsboro’s Town Hall.
With retail shops offering a variety of quality arts and crafts, unique gifts, clothing, gourmet foods and wine, and specialty Christmas items, the festival also provides a unique holiday shopping experience.
Entertainment the first weekend includes Twelfth Fret (Americana) from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 3, and singer-songwriter Anna Victoria from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4. For the second weekend, award-winning dulcimer player Mathew Dickerson will perform Dec. 10-11.
Free parking and shuttle transportation for the event will be available at Monteith Park each night of the festival. Sing along with carolers. Take the children to see Santa Claus at Dillsboro’s Town Hall. Have some hot chocolate or hot cider. All the restaurants will be open late.
For more information, call the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce at 800.962.1911 or click on mountainlovers.com. To learn more about new happenings, go to facebook.com/dillsboronc.
A Franklin Christmas
With the theme of “A Season for Giving,” the Franklin Chamber of Commerce has announced the annual Christmas Parade celebration will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 28, in downtown.
The chamber will continue the extended route onto Highlands Road so that spectators can self-distance. No walkers will be allowed, and no items may be handed out, including candy, coupons, etc.
“These precautions are in place for the safety of our community,” said Franklin Chamber’s Executive Director Linda Harbuck.
Entries will line up along Church Street behind the courthouse. The route begins by pulling out on the top of Town Hill beside Town Hall and will proceed down Main Street, turning left at the Lazy Hiker Brewing Company onto Porter Street. Then turn left onto Palmer Street. The route will turn onto Highlands Road extending the route to enable social distancing and end at the Franklin Flea Market.
As noted above, due to safety concerns, candy will not be passed out this year. In addition, all horses must wear a manure bag/horse diaper.
Entry forms can be picked up and returned at the chamber office located at 98 Hyatt Road. Deadline for entry is 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 24. The chamber will be closed Nov. 25-26.
For additional information, contact the Franklin Chamber of Commerce by calling 828.524.3161.
Stecoah Drive-About Tour
The annual “Stecoah Arts & Crafts Drive About Tour” will be from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 26-27 at featured studios in Bryson City, Stecoah and Robbinsville.
The self-guided driving tour highlights artisans who have built a livelihood with their creative talents. The tour includes Nantahala School for the Arts (Southwestern Community College), Gallery Zella, Stecoah Artisans Gallery, Yellow Branch Pottery & Cheese, Taylor’s Greenhouse, Wehrloom Honey & Essentials, Junk ‘n’ Style, and Hunting Boy Wood Carving. stecoahvalleycenter.com.
The annual “Hard Candy Christmas” arts and crafts show will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 26-27 inside the Ramsey Center at Western Carolina University.
This mountain tradition started in 1987 in Franklin with eight local artists. It has grown to dozens of original artisans who sell their work at great prices. Expect a dazzling display of fine hand-crafted creations such as Father Christmas dolls, fresh mountain greenery, and folk dolls. The ornament collectors always find new additions for the tree.
Admission is $5 for a two-day pass. Children under 12 are free. Parking is also free. For more information, click on mountainartisans.net.
Handmade Holiday Sale
The 12th annual Handmade Holiday Sale will be held from noon to 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 18, at the Western Carolina University Fine Art Museum at the Bardo Arts Center in Cullowhee.
Enjoy shopping, free snacks, and holiday cheer. There is no entry fee to the event. If you would like to buy handmade items onsite, artists appreciate payments made by cash or check, although some do accept cards.
This event features high-quality, handmade gifts created by students, staff, and alumni. Items for sale include artwork, candles, ceramics, wearable accessories, woodwork, and a variety of other handmade craft items. Get an early start on holiday shopping by supporting local artists.
This event is presented by the WCU Fine Art Museum at Bardo Arts Center and is located throughout the Bardo Arts Center lobby and Star Atrium. arts.wcu.edu/handmade. Free parking is available onsite. Masks are required.
ThirstyCanvas Art Auction
Hosted by the Curatory Gallery, the inaugural ThirstyCanvas Art Auction will be held on Saturday, Nov. 20, at The Gem Taproom (below Boojum Brewing) in downtown Waynesville.
Doors open at 3 p.m. The auction begins at 6 p.m. Over 50 artists of diverse styles, mediums, themes and influences. Live music will be provided by Ashley Chambliss (4 to 5 p.m.) and TMJ (9 p.m. until close).
The ThirstyCanvas Visual Arts Fund was developed by the Curatory Gallery (located at 120 Miller Street in Waynesville) to provide financial aid, professional development and mentorship opportunities to promising young artists in Western North Carolina.
All proceeds from the auction sales go directly toward the college scholarship and senior residency programs put forth by the Curatory Gallery.
“The foundation and glue to our continued efforts in the various exhibitions, projects, school scholarship opportunities, and artist development/LGBTQIA+ support services are largely held together by donations from our artists, collectors, and members of the communities to whom we serve. It is truly a humbling honor,” said Curatory Gallery owner/artist Ashten McKinney.
The event is free and open to the public. All ages until 8 p.m. Ages 21 and over after 8 p.m. Donations encouraged and accepted for the arts funds. Special thanks to Patterson Concepts and Blue Ridge Elevators for their support. curatorygallery.art or thirstycanvas.art.
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Shop the corner of Fourth and Main Streets in Highlands for unique, inspiring gifts from Acorns and the Old Edwards Spa Boutique.
Purchase gift cards on property or online at OldEdwardsInn.com. Smoky Mountain News
28 Walnut St. Waynesville
The Bardo Arts Center will present the Ballet Conservatory of Asheville, which will be returning with a stage production of the “Nutcracker” at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee.
Showtime will be at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 10, and 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 11. This magically festive, full-length “Nutcracker” production features professional classical dancers and the Ballet Conservatory of Asheville’s celebrated company.
In this classic ballet, Clara’s holiday dream comes to life, sneaking downstairs at midnight with her beloved new Nutcracker doll. Swept up in a fantasy toy-soldier battle, she saves her Nutcracker from the Mouse King. She is then whisked away to enchanted lands of snow and sweets, dancing the night away with a colorful host of captivating characters.
To learn more and/or purchase tickets, click on arts.wcu.edu/nutcracker.
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Brophy & Associates Consulting, LLC
367 Dellwood Rd, Building E, Suite 3 Waynesville (828) 558-4300 • www.brophytax.com
There will be a special stage production of “The Little Mermaid Jr.” by Kids at HART at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 20 and 2 p.m. Nov. 21 at the Haywood Arts Regional Theatre in Waynesville.
The hour-long musical is based on the 2008 Broadway production and the 1989 animated feature film. The Kids at HART cast contains approximately 32 actors led by Shelia Sumpter.
HART is also pleased to announce that the intricate underwater photography of Dr. John Highsmith will be on display in the theatre lobby for all to enjoy. Highsmith, who maintains a dental practice in Clyde, has displayed his work throughout the country and is a longtime supporter of Kids at HART.
The cast is under the direction of Sumpter with Candice Dickinson, music direction by Maria Frost, stage management by Nichole Sumpter, and numerous other volunteers.
Tickets may be purchased online at harttheatre.org or by calling the HART Box Office at 828.456.6322.
