February 2012 Events in the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area

February 1

  • Natural Media Art Exhibt, Transylvania Community Arts Council, Bevard, NC. Runs through February 27th. Artists and craftspeople in a wide range of media interpret the theme of Five Elements. 828-884-2787.
  • Civil War Photo Exhibt, "Freedom, Sacrifice, Mercy",  Caldwell County Library, Lenior, NC. Runs through February 28th. Heroic tales and valiant feats are depicted in images that reflect North Carolina's dedication to the war in this special Civil War Sesquicentennial exhibt. 828-757-1274.

February 2

  • Grady’s Groundhog Day Prediction, Chimney Rock Park, Chimney Rock, NC. 10:30 am - noon. No additional charge with paid park admission.  Grady the Groundhog, the park's mascot, may give his own prediction about winter's claim on the weather. There will be a nature program on groundhogs and the day's tradition and a one-hour guided hike starting at 11:15 a.m. at Cliff Dwellers Gifts. To celebrate Grady’s special day, the park is offering a discount on membership in Grady's Kids Club, the Annual Pass for youth (ages 6-15), for $8 during February.
  • Thursday Jam: Old-Time Music Heritage Hall, EARLE Theater, 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.

February 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.
  • The Importance of Being Earnest, by Oscar Wilde, Diana Wortham Theater, Asheville. 8 pm.
  • Winter Exhibition Celebration, Turchin Center for the Visual Arts, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC. Six new exhibitions will debut as part of Downtown Boone’s First Friday Art Crawl. 7-9 p.m. The Turchin Center will be open and offers the opportunity for visitors to meet some of the artists, listen to live music and enjoy a refreshing beverage from the cash bar.
  • Old Fort Mountain Music. 7 pm; Rockett Building, Main Street in downtown Old Fort. 888-233-6111.

February 4

  • Bluegrass Concert featuring Cody Shuler and Pine Mountain Railroad. Swain County Center for the Arts, Bryson City, NC. This FREE Bluegrass benefit, “Giving Hope,” is for The Hope Chest located in Asheville, which helps women with cancer in 22 Western North Carolina counties who have no insurance or insufficient insurance to cover the cost of treatment. 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm in the Swain County High School Auditorium.
  • Macbeth, Diana Wortham Theater, Asheville, 8 pm.
  • Saturday Jam:  EARLE Theater, 142 N Main Street, Mount Airy, NC. Year round. 9 - 11 am.  Surry Arts Council, 336-786-7998.
  • Merry-Go-Round:  EARLE Theater, 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: 7-8:30 pm, Old-Time Music Heritage Hall, EARLE Theater, Mount Airy, NC. 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.

February 5

  • The Belfast Boys, traditional Irish music and Original Poetry. Madison County Arts Center, Marshall, NC. 4 pm. $12.  828-649-1301. 

February 8

  • Valentine's Special at Chimney Rock Park. Buy one adult ticket at regular price, get one free, with coupon.  Through Feb. 14.

February 9

  • Thursday Jam: Old-Time Music Heritage Hall, EARLE Theater, 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.

February 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.
  • Old Fort Mountain Music. 7:00pm; Rockett Building, Main Street in downtown Old Fort. 888-233-6111.

February 11

  • Montreat Hydroelectric Hike, sponsored by Swannanoa Valley Museum, Black Mountain, NC. This interesting hike focuses on the history of the hydroelectric generating system that provided electricity for the town of Montreat until the mid-1930s. Meet: 9:30 AM in the Black Mountain Savings Bank parking lot, 200 East State Street, Black Mountain, NC. Difficulty: This hike is a moderate 4-mile loop with a few rather strenuous sections. Cost: $15 for museum members and $25 for non-members. Registration required. 828-669-9566.
  • Upper Catawba Falls Hike, sponsored by Swannanoa Valley Museum, Black Mountain, NC. 9 am - noon.  A 6-mile moderate-difficult, but beautiful interpretive hike to Upper Catawba Falls, a free-fall drop waterfall on the headwaters of the Catawba River near Old Fort.
  • Brown Mountain LIghts Symposium, Morganton City Hall, 1 pm - 10 pm. This symposium aims to finally solve the mystery of the mysterious, unexplained lights that have randomly appeared for centuries along the Brown Mountain range northwest of Morganton. Symposium, 1 - 5 pm; catered meal, 6:30 pm field trip to Brown Mountain Overlook for viewing.
  • Saturday Jam: EARLE Theater, 142 N Main Street, Mount Airy, NC. Year round. 9 - 11 am. Year round. Surry Arts Council, 336-786-7998.
  • Merry-Go-Round: EARLE Theater, 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.

February 12

  • Dulcimer & Ukulele Concert by Lois Hornbostel and Ehukai Teves. Swain County Center for the Arts, Bryson City, NC. Two of the country’s finest players of the Appalachian Mountain Dulcimer. They will perform a concert featuring dulcimer, ukulele and the interesting Chapman Stick guitar in original songs and a variety of music styles from Appalachian roots to classical, Celtic music to traditional Hawaiian. Immediately following the concert there will be a meet and greet reception for the musicians in the lobby. FREE of charge. 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm--Concert in the Swain County High School Auditorium. 4:30 pm to 5:30 pm—Reception in the Lobby.

February 13

  • In Our Own Words: Language as Craft, Handmade in America Gallery, Asheville, NC. Runs through May 4th. Artists describe finsihed works with carefully selected language, but can craft depict language when words are chosen before the act of physial expression. Inspiration was found by a community of local WNC artists, by asking just that. 828-232-0121.

February 16

  • Tailgate with Woody!  Legendary Tarheels announcer Woody Durham, who served as the “Voice of the Tarheels” for 40 years, will present "Stories Along the Way", Blowing Rock Art & History Museum, Blowing Rock, NC. (828) 295-9099 ext. 3001.
  • Thursday Jam: Old-Time Music Heritage Hall, EARLE Theater, 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.

February 17

  • Gallery Opening Reception: In Our Own Words: Language as Craft, Handmade in America Gallery, Asheville, NC. Runs through May 4th. Artists describe finsihed works with carefully selected language, but can craft depict language when words are chosen before the act of physial expression. Inspiration was found by a community of local WNC artists, by asking just that. Reception from 5:30 to 8 pm. 828-232-0121.
  • 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.
  • 25th Annual National Arts & Crafts Conference & Shows, Grove Park Inn, Asheville. Runs through February 19. 828-628-1915.
  • Old Fort Mountain Music. 7 pm; Rockett Building, Main Street in downtown Old Fort. 888-233-6111.

February 18

  • Books and Boots, North Carolina Arboretum. Runs through Feb. 19. This two-day event celebrates the beauty and bounty of the world and will include family programming encouraging indoor and outdoor winter activities, as well as special presentations by select authors.
  • The ETSU Pride Band- The Senior Bluegrass Band from East Tennessee State University featuring Madison County's Andy Buckner (Josh Goforth's cousin). Madison County Arts Center, Marshall, NC. 7:30. Tickets $12.
  • “Off the Beaten Path” Guided Hike: Winter Wonderland, Chimney Rock Park. 1 pm. No additional cost with paid Park admission. Bare tree branches sparkle with frost and clear views reward wintertime hikers. Meet the trail guide for the hike in front of Cliff Dwellers Gifts for this easy 2-hour woodland excursion.
  • Tencel, Bamboo, Rayon, Modal...What are they? Karen Donde. 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.
  • Saturday Jam: EARLE Theater, 142 N Main Street, Mount Airy, NC. Year round. 9 - 11 am.. Year round, . Surry Arts Council, 336-786-7998.
  • Merry-Go-Round: EARLE Theater, 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, EARLE 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.

February 22

February 23

  • Jamie Laval Celtic Concert. Translyvania Community Arts Council, 349 S. Caldwell Street, Bevard , NC. Runs through February 24th. Enjoy an intimate evening of music with Jamie Laval, one of the premier Celtic violinists on the international music scene. Joining Laval will be two superlative Celtic musicians, guitarist David Brown, and flutist/bagpiper EJ Jones, both from Asheville. Starts each night at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $15 for adults and $8 for students. 828-884-2787.
  • Flat Rock Playhouse Music On the Rock concert series presents Frank Sinatra, Downtown Theatre, Hendersonville, NC. Runs through February 25. Tickets $22. 828-693-0731 or 1-866-732-8008.
  • Rennie Harris, Puremovement hip hop dance company, Diana Wortham Theater, Asheville, 8 pm. Runs through Feb. 24.
  • Thursday Jam: Old-Time Music Heritage Hall, EARLE Theater, 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. www.mcdowellnc.org.
  • Live music at Zuma's, Main Street, Downtown Marshall. 828-649-1647.

February 24

  • Totally 80's Ski Weekend, Beech Mountain, NC. Runs through February 26th. Relive the era of big hair, leg warmers and colorful ski clothes while enjoying live 80's music, a retro ski apparel contest and weekend promotions. (800) 468-5506
    http://www.beechmtn.com/
  • 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.
  • 2012 Tommy Jarrell Festival, Mount Airy, NC. Celebrating the life and music of Thomas Jefferson Jarrell and this year honoring Benton Flippen.
  • Old Fort Mountain Music. 7 pm; Rockett Building, Main Street in downtown Old Fort. 888-233-6111.

February 25

See March Events