August 1

• Proof, Flat Rock Playhouse Downtown Theater, Hendersonville, NC.  Runs through Aug. 5.
• Guys and Dolls - A Musical Fable of Broadway, Flat Rock Playhouse, Flat Rock, NC. Runs through August 19.
• Wicked Plants The Exhibit, The N.C. Arboretum, located next to the Blue Ridge Parkway entrance at Milepost 393,in the Baker Exhibit Center, opens May 5th and runs through September 3rd from 9am to 5pm with free admission. The exhibit is based on Stewart’s book Wicked Plants: The Weed that Killed Lincoln’s Mother and other Botanical Atrocities. Parking will be $8 per personal vehical. For more information call (828) 665-2492 or visit www.ncarboretum.org.

August 2

• Woodsy Owl's Curiosity Club, Cradle of Forestry in America, Pisgah National Forest, NC. Runs through August 2nd. Summer nature series for children ages 4-7 years olf. Each day a variety of outdoor oriented activities explores a forest related theme to engage young children in the natural world around them. $4 per child for each program. $2.50 for accompanying adults. Thursdays 10:30Am to 12PM. Reservations are requested and can be made by calling 828-877-3130.
• 85th Annual Mountain Dance and Folk Festival. The nation’s longest running folk festival showcases the best of the region’s traditional and old-time musicians, ballad singers, mountain dance groups and cloggers. Runs through Aug. 4. 7 pm, Diana Wortham Theatre, downtown Asheville, NC.  (828)257-4530.
• Annual North Carolina Mineral & Gem Festival,The Bridge Coliseum, Spruce Pine. Runs through August 5. Festival celebrating nature's treasures. Aisles and aisles of glittering jewelry, gems, minerals and more. Buy finished jewelry pieces or design or your own for a custom piece. Dealers from around the country feature jewelry, beads, crystals, gemstones, silver and more. Thursday-Saturday 10-6, Sunday 12:30-5:00. $3 Admission, $1 for Seniors on Thursday.
• Thursday Jam: Old-Time Music Heritage Hall,  EARLE Theatre, 142 N Main Street, Mount Airy, NC. 7 - 8:30 pm. Year round, free. Surry Arts Council, 336-786-7998.
• Bluegrass Music Jam every Thursday night at The Marion Depot, Marion. 7 pm.
• Live music at Zuma's, Main Street, Downtown Marshall. 828-649-1647.

August 3

• Pickin' Up the Pace, Lake Toxaway Community Center, Lake Toxaway, NC. A short ride out of Brevard and a suggested eight dollar donation buys you dinner, music, dancing and a part of a cultural tradition that dates back almost as far as the old mountain ballad the fiddler loves to play. Dinner: 6-7 PM/Music: 7-10 PM. 828-966-4060.
• 11th Annual Talking Trees Children's Trout Derby, Oconaluftee Islands Park, Cherokee.  Runs through August 4. Free fishing event for children 3 - 11. Music, food, prizes, and this year's new addition, the Dock Dogs sporting event.
• Music On Main Street concert series, Visitors Information Center, Downtown Hendersonville, NC. 7 - 9 pm. Free. Bring a chair. No Pets. Alcoholic beverages or coolers allowed. Seating area opens after 5:30 pm. Early admission is prohibited. Series Sponsored by Burger King & Firehouse Subs. 800-828-4244 or 828-693-9708.
• Old Fort Mountain Music. 7 pm; Rockett Building, Main Street in downtown Old Fort. 888-233-6111.
• High Country Festival of the Book, Meadowbrook Inn in Blowing Rock, NC from August 3rd through the 4th. This event will bring 30 acclaimed authors to the High Country. Tickets for the Workshop are $30 and require registration through the Festival of the Book website, www.highcountryfestivalofthebook.com. For more information, visit www.highcountryfestivalofthebook.com or go to the Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/HighCountryFestivaloftheBook.
• Valdese Free Summer Concert Series featuring Throwdown Jones, Wells Fargo Parking Lot, Valdese, NC, 7PM. For more information about this Rock and Roll band visit http://www.myspace.com/throwdownjones.

August 4

• Smokey Bear's Birthday Party, Cradle of Forestry in America, Pisgah National Forest, NC. Games singing, firefighting equipment, birthday cake and of course Smokey Bear! The symbol of wildland fire prevention turns 68 this year, and the Cradle of Forestry will host this special bear's birthday party. $6 for ages 16 and up, $3 youth and American the Beautiful and Golden Age pass holders. Children under four are free. 11AM to 1PM. 828-877-3130.
• The Weeping Willows, Appalachian Evening Concert Series, Stecoah Valley Center for the Arts, Robbinsville, NC. Artists perform on stage in our 300 seat air-conditioned auditorium every Saturday evening June 30 - August 25, 2012. All performances start at 7:30 pm. Tickets available starting April 1. Enjoy an Appalachian Dinner prior to the show. The dinners are served family style at two seatings — 5:30 and 6:30 pm in the Stecoah dining room. 828-479-3364.
• Saturday Jam:  EARLE Theatre, 142 N Main Street, Mount Airy, NC. 9 - 11 am.  Year round. Surry Arts Council, 336-786-7998.
• Merry-Go-Round: EARLE Theatre, 142 N Main Street, Mount Airy, NC. 11 am -1:30 pm.  WPAQ hosts the second longest running live radio broadcast in the nation, different guests each week. Year round. Surry Arts Council. 336-786-7998.
• Old-Time Dance with the Slate Mountain Ramblers:EARLE Theater, Old-Time Music Heritage Hall, Mount Airy, NC. 7-8:30 pm. Year round, $5 for adults, children 12 & under free. Surry Arts Council,336-786-7998.
• Davidson's Fort Historic Park, Old Fort. Open to the public Saturdays from 10 am -4 pm. A replica is being constructed of the original Revolutionary War-era fort built in 1776. 
• Saluda Mountain Jamboree. Live music and dancing, Saluda, NC.  828-749-3676.

August 9

• Music on the Rock Concert Series: Homeward Bound – The Songs of Simon & Garfunkel. Flat Rock Playhouse, FLat Rock, NC. Runs through August 9.
• Thursday Jam:  Old-Time Music Heritage Hall,  EARLE Theatre, 142 N Main Street, Mount Airy, NC. 7 - 8:30 pm. Year round, free. Surry Arts Council, 336-786-7998.
• Bluegrass Music Jam every Thursday night at The Marion Depot, Marion. 7 pm. 
• Live music at Zuma's, Main Street, Downtown Marshall. 828-649-1647.

August 10

• Pickin' Up the Pace, Lake Toxaway Community Center, Lake Toxaway, NC. A short ride out of Brevard and a suggested eight dollar donation buys you dinner, music, dancing and a part of a cultural tradition that dates back almost as far as the old mountain ballad the fiddler loves to play. Dinner: 6-7 PM/Music: 7-10 PM. 828-966-4060.
• Music On Main Street concert series, Visitors Information Center, Downtown Hendersonville, NC. 7 - 9 pm. Free. Bring a chair. No Pets. Alcoholic beverages or coolers allowed. Seating area opens after 5:30 pm. Early admission is prohibited. Series Sponsored by Burger King & Firehouse Subs. 800-828-4244 or 828-693-9708.
• Old Fort Mountain Music. 7 pm; Rockett Building, Main Street in downtown Old Fort. 888-233-6111.

August 10

• 2012 Waldensian Festival Weekend, Valdese, NC, starting August 10th and running until August 11th. On the 10th they will Kick off the Festival with Jim Quick & Coastline and on the 11th starting at 9am-Until, there will be Over 170 Art/Food/Craft Vendors and so much more. For more information visit http://www.visitvaldese.com/events/waldensian_festival.html.

August 11

• Kickin' Grass, Appalachian Evening Concert Series, Stecoah Valley Center for the Arts, Robbinsville, NC. The Kickin' Grass Band takes the stage, and suddenly you’re captivated by pure, strong voices telling true-to-life stories spiced with innovative bluegrass instrumentation. You fall in love with the rootsy, Americana style, and can’t wait for more. Artists perform on stage in our 300 seat air-conditioned auditorium every Saturday evening June 30 - August 25, 2012. All performances start at 7:30 pm. Tickets available starting April 1. Enjoy an Appalachian Dinner prior to the show. The dinners are served family style at two seatings — 5:30 and 6:30 pm in the Stecoah dining room. 828-479-3364.
• Wood Day, Folk Art Center on Blue Ridge Parkway, Asheville. 10 am - 4 pm. Join Guild woodworkers for an exciting day exploring various forms of woodcraft. Featuring the 12th Annual Carve Off Competition from 1 -3pm.
• 46th Annual Shindig on the Green, Pack Square Park, downtown Asheville, NC.  A spontaneous celebration of traditional and old-time string bands, bluegrass, ballad singers, big circle mountain dancers and cloggers on summer Saturday evenings. Stage show and informal jam sessions. Free. (828)258-6101 x345.
• Sourwood Festival, Black Mountain. Runs through August 12.
• Saturday Jam:  EARLE Theatre, 142 N Main Street, Mount Airy, NC. 9 - 11 am.  Year round. Surry Arts Council, 336-786-7998.
• Merry-Go-Round: EARLE Theatre, 142 N Main Street, Mount Airy, NC. 11 am -1:30 pm.  WPAQ hosts the second longest running live radio broadcast in the nation, different guests each week. Year round. Surry Arts Council. 336-786-7998.
• Davidson's Fort Historic Park,Old Fort. Open to the public Saturdays from 10 am - 4 pm. A replica is being constructed of the original Revolutionary War-era fort built in 1776. 
• Saluda Mountain Jamboree. Live music and dancing, Saluda, NC.  828-749-3676.

August 15

• History of the Spinning Wheel, Eileen Hallman. Textile Study Group, HandMade in America, 5:30 pm.  Join this group and explore information and history of various forms of textiles. jjetson@handmadeinamerica.org or call 828-252-0121, ext 304.

August 16

• The Marvelous Wonderettes – Celebrating the greatest hits of the 50's and 60's. Flat Rock Playhouse Downtown Theater, Hendersonville, NC. Runs through Sept 9.
• Thursday Jam: Old-Time Music Heritage Hall,  EARLE Theatre, 142 N Main Street, Mount Airy, NC. 7 - 8:30 pm.
• Bluegrass Music Jam every Thursday night at The Marion Depot, Marion. 7 pm. 
• Live music at Zuma's, Main Street, Downtown Marshall. 828-649-1647.
• 38th Annual North Carolina State Bluegrass Festival, Tom Johnson's Camping Center, 1885 US 70 West, Marion, NC 28752. This is an outdoor festival in the campground under a pavilion. Bring your own chairs but no high back or lounge chairs. Beginning Monday, August 15th at 9:00 AM. There is no parking fee. For more information about line up and ticket prices visit http://www.adamsandandersonbluegrass.com/North-Carolina-State-BluegrassFestival.html.
  

August 17

• Pickin' Up the Pace, Lake Toxaway Community Center, Lake Toxaway, NC. A short ride out of Brevard and a suggested eight dollar donation buys you dinner, music, dancing and a part of a cultural tradition that dates back almost as far as the old mountain ballad the fiddler loves to play. Dinner: 6-7 PM/Music: 7-10 PM. 828-966-4060.
• Music On Main Street concert series, Visitors Information Center, Downtown Hendersonville, NC. 7 - 9 pm. Free. Bring a chair. No Pets. Alcoholic beverages or coolers allowed. Seating area opens after 5:30 pm. Early admission is prohibited. Series Sponsored by Burger King & Firehouse Subs. 800-828-4244 or 828-693-9708.
• Old Fort Mountain Music. 7 pm; Rockett Building, Main Street in downtown Old Fort. 888-233-6111.

August 18

• Jeff Little Trio, Appalachian Evening Concert Series, Stecoah Valley Center for the Arts, Robbinsville, NC. With few exceptions, the piano does not play a prominent part in Appalachian music, and is rarely the lead instrument. But Jeff Little is an exception – and a remarkable one. His distinctive two-handed style, much influenced by the mountain flatpicked guitar tradition, is breathtaking in its speed, precision and clarity. Artists perform on stage in our 300 seat air-conditioned auditorium every Saturday evening June 30 - August 25, 2012. All performances start at 7:30 pm. Tickets available starting April 1. Enjoy an Appalachian Dinner prior to the show. The dinners are served family style at two seatings — 5:30 and 6:30 pm in the Stecoah dining room. 828-479-3364.
• 46th Annual Shindig on the Green. Pack Square Park, downtown Asheville, NC.  A spontaneous celebration of traditional and old-time string bands, bluegrass, ballad singers, big circle mountain dancers and cloggers on summer Saturday evenings. Stage show and informal jam sessions. Free. www.folkheritage.org (828)258-6101 x345.
• Saturday Jam:  EARLE Theatre, 142 N Main Street, Mount Airy, NC. 9 - 11 am.  Year round. Surry Arts Council, 336-786-7998.
• Merry-Go-Round: EARLE Theatre, 142 N Main Street, Mount Airy, NC. 11 am -1:30 pm.  WPAQ hosts the second longest running live radio broadcast in the nation, different guests each week. Year round. Surry Arts Council. 336-786-7998.
• Davidson's Fort Historic Park, Old Fort. Open to the public Saturdays from 10 am -4 pm. A replica is being constructed of the original Revolutionary War-era fort built in 1776.
• Saluda Mountain Jamboree. Live music and dancing, Saluda, NC.  828-749-3676.
• Voice of the Blue Ridge: Every 3rd Saturday, 7:30 - 9 pm, Downtown Cinema Theatre, 142 N Main Street, Mount Airy, NC. Carolina Travelers host an evening of Bluegrass/Old-Time Music with a different guest band each month. Year round, $7 for adults, children 12 & under free. Surry Arts Council, 336-786-7998.

August 23

• Asheville Wine and Food Festival, Asheville, NC. Runs through August 25th. The Asheville Wine & Food Festival was born from a desire to celebrate and showcase our area’s chefs, wineries, farmers, and food producers. Tickets. (828)-777-8916.
• Noises Off,  Flat Rock Playhouse, Flat Rock, NC. Runs through Sept.9. Called “the funniest farce ever written.
• Thursday Jam: Old-Time Music Heritage Hall,  EARLE Theatre, 142 N Main Street, Mount Airy, NC. 7 - 8:30 pm.
• Bluegrass Music Jam every Thursday night at The Marion Depot, Marion. 7 pm. 
• Live music at Zuma's, Main Street, Downtown Marshall. 828-649-1647.

August 24

• Pickin' Up the Pace, Lake Toxaway Community Center, Lake Toxaway, NC. A short ride out of Brevard and a suggested eight dollar donation buys you dinner, music, dancing and a part of a cultural tradition that dates back almost as far as the old mountain ballad the fiddler loves to play. Dinner: 6-7 PM/Music: 7-10 PM. 828-966-4060.
• Old Fort Mountain Music. 7 pm; Rockett Building, Main Street in downtown Old Fort. 888-233-6111.
• Speaking of Gardening Symposium, North Carolina Arboretum located next to the Blue Ridge Parkway entrance at Milepost 393, starting August 24th and running until August 25th. The symposium will feature speakers from the United States, the United Kingdom, and Japan. Seating is limited and registration is required. For more information about and prices, registration, and the symposium, please call (828) 665-2492 or visit www.ncarboretum.org, http://www.ncarboretum.org./education/speaking-of-gardening-symposium/.
• Valdese Free Summer Concert Series featuring ShakeDown, Wells Fargo Parking Lot, Valdese, NC, 7PM. To listen to the band visit http://youtu.be/gj0kIQe1G6A.

August 25

• Romeo and Juilet, Parkway Playhouse, Burnsville, NC. Runs through September 1st. A re-imagining of the Shakespeare classic set in modern day Appalachia with a different take on this famous story of star-crossed lovers. Tickets for adults range from $15-$20 per show, while tickets for children 17 and under are $12. (828) 682-4285.
• 46th Annual Shindig on the Green. Pack Square Park, downtown Asheville, NC.  A spontaneous celebration of traditional and old-time string bands, bluegrass, ballad singers, big circle mountain dancers and cloggers on summer Saturday evenings. Stage show and informal jam sessions. Free. (828)258-6101 x345.
• Saturday Jam:  EARLE Theatre, 142 N Main Street, Mount Airy, NC. 9 - 11 am.  Year round. Surry Arts Council, 336-786-7998.
• Merry-Go-Round: EARLE Theatre, 142 N Main Street, Mount Airy, NC. 11 am -1:30 pm.  WPAQ hosts the second longest running live radio broadcast in the nation, different guests each week. Year round. Surry Arts Council. 336-786-7998.
• Davidson's Fort Historic Park, Old Fort. Open to the public Saturdays from 10 am -4 pm. A replica is being constructed of the original Revolutionary War-era fort built in 1776. 
• Saluda Mountain Jamboree. Live music and dancing, Saluda, NC.  828-749-3676.

August 28

• Synder Family Band, Appalachian Evening Concert Series, Stecoah Valley Center for the Arts, Robbinsville, NC. The Snyder Family Band features the talents of siblings Zeb and Samantha Snyder from Lexington, NC.  Backed by their dad, Bud, on upright bass, this band has delighted and surprised audiences. Artists perform on stage in our 300 seat air-conditioned auditorium every Saturday evening June 30 - August 25, 2012. All performances start at 7:30 pm. Tickets available starting April 1. Enjoy an Appalachian Dinner prior to the show. The dinners are served family style at two seatings — 5:30 and 6:30 pm in the Stecoah dining room. 828-479-3364.

August 30

• Thursday Jam: Old-Time Music Heritage Hall,  EARLE Theatre, 142 N Main Street, Mount Airy, NC. 7 - 8:30 pm.
• Bluegrass Music Jam every Thursday night at The Marion Depot, Marion. 7 pm. 
• Live music at Zuma's, Main Street, Downtown Marshall. 828-649-1647.

August 31

• Pickin' Up the Pace, Lake Toxaway Community Center, Lake Toxaway, NC. A short ride out of Brevard and a suggested eight dollar donation buys you dinner, music, dancing and a part of a cultural tradition that dates back almost as far as the old mountain ballad the fiddler loves to play. Dinner: 6-7 PM/Music: 7-10 PM. 828-966-4060.
• 42nd Annual Smoky Mountain Folk Festival, finest traditional music and dance of the Southern Appalachian Region.Runs through September 1.  Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center, NC.
• 67th North Carolina Apple Festival,
  Downtown Hendersonville.  Runs through September 3. Street fair features more than 150 vendors
  and continuous entertainment daily from 10 am to 10 pm. The event culminates with the King Apple Parade on Labor Day. 828-697-4557.

See September Events