Music: November 2007 Archives
BRING ON THE SEASON with local bluegrass and blues jam sessions at the Mountain Heritage Center on Western Carolina University’s campus.
The traditional pickin’ sessions and concerts kick off this year on Thursday, Dec. 6, at 7 p.m.
The first concert of the 2007-2008 season will feature Marshall resident Don Pedi and Celo resident Bruce Greene, both of whom are widely recognized throughout the Appalachians for their talents in transcribing old fiddle tunes for the mountain dulcimer and performances of old-time Kentucky fiddle music, respectively.
Each concert is followed by a jam session, open to any interested musicians and audience members.
The concerts continue on the first Thursday of each month through March. Performing at future concerts are the McDowell Family on Jan. 3, Chuck Norris and Daybreak on Feb. 7, and Charles Shuler and Friends on March 6.
As part of the focus on mountain music styles, the MHC also will host a third-Thursday open jam session (sans concert), which kicks off next month on Jan. 17, at 7 p.m.
All interested musicians, singers, and audience members are encouraged to attend the free event; the MHC is located on the ground floor of the H.F. Robinson Administration Building (the large white building at the main entrance to campus).
For further information, call the MHC at 828-227-7129.
The traditional pickin’ sessions and concerts kick off this year on Thursday, Dec. 6, at 7 p.m.
The first concert of the 2007-2008 season will feature Marshall resident Don Pedi and Celo resident Bruce Greene, both of whom are widely recognized throughout the Appalachians for their talents in transcribing old fiddle tunes for the mountain dulcimer and performances of old-time Kentucky fiddle music, respectively.
Each concert is followed by a jam session, open to any interested musicians and audience members.
The concerts continue on the first Thursday of each month through March. Performing at future concerts are the McDowell Family on Jan. 3, Chuck Norris and Daybreak on Feb. 7, and Charles Shuler and Friends on March 6.
As part of the focus on mountain music styles, the MHC also will host a third-Thursday open jam session (sans concert), which kicks off next month on Jan. 17, at 7 p.m.
All interested musicians, singers, and audience members are encouraged to attend the free event; the MHC is located on the ground floor of the H.F. Robinson Administration Building (the large white building at the main entrance to campus).
For further information, call the MHC at 828-227-7129.
The Downtown Sylva Christmas Parade is coming! Don't miss it. The parade is this Saturday, Dec. 1, starting at 5 p.m.
The event is a downtown tradition, hosted by the Downtown Sylva Association. This year's parade could be one of the biggest ever, and will features some new elements:
* All parade vehicles and floats will be required to be decorated in a holiday theme.
* To encourage the implementation of DSA's theme, "Home for the Holidays," a cash prize will be awarded after the parade to the winner of the decoration contest.
* No candy or treats will be thrown from the floats and vehicles themselves, but walkers beside vehicles can dispense candy and goodies to onlookers. (Safety and insurance issues prevent throwing the candy from moving vehicles.)
This year's route begins on Scotts Creek Road, with vehicles and floats coming down Asheville Highway and picking up walkers and the Smoky Mountain High School Marching Band at the United Community Bank parking lot, just before the intersection with Highway 107.
The parade then turns toward downtown on Main Street towards the old courthouse. The parade ends at Mark Watson Park on West Main Street.
Shops and restaurants are encouraged to stay open for business in the evening. Many will have special holiday sales and activities on parade day. Sylva's town decorations already are gracing light poles and the traditional tree at the base of the steps of the old courthouse.
Also, the "Pictures with Santa" 2nd annual fundraiser for the Bridge Park Project takes place from 2 to 5 p.m., before the parade. A photo with Santa in the courtyard of Restaurant 553, next door to the Sylva Herald on Main Street, will be taken by local photographer Terri Clark and developed by Livingston's Photo. Both are donating their services, so all profits go towards the Bridge Park project, the park to be built on the town's municipal parking lot on Railroad Avenue. The cost for a 5x7 photograph is $15. Extra photos are available for $5. Each photo includes a holiday frame card.
Drivers should be aware that Main Street will be closed on Saturday, starting in the early afternoon. Traffic will be rerouted to Jackson Street, where vehicles can follow Evalina Street back down to Main Street and then continue west on Main Street towards Highway 107.
Sylva and Jackson County police and emergency personnel will be onsite to help direct traffic and parking, which will be available at the site of the future Bridge Park, at Town Hall and at the public parking lot across from Mill & Main Restaurant.
It promises to be a good year for a Christmas parade, so be sure to come and bring the entire family! Remember to dress warmly.
For more information, call DSA Director Sarah Graham at 586-1577 or write her at info@downtownsylva.org.
Additional coverage by The Sylva Herald is in their online article (click here) about the parade. (The Sylva Herald is not affiliated with Jackson County Magazine.)
The event is a downtown tradition, hosted by the Downtown Sylva Association. This year's parade could be one of the biggest ever, and will features some new elements:
* All parade vehicles and floats will be required to be decorated in a holiday theme.
* To encourage the implementation of DSA's theme, "Home for the Holidays," a cash prize will be awarded after the parade to the winner of the decoration contest.
* No candy or treats will be thrown from the floats and vehicles themselves, but walkers beside vehicles can dispense candy and goodies to onlookers. (Safety and insurance issues prevent throwing the candy from moving vehicles.)
This year's route begins on Scotts Creek Road, with vehicles and floats coming down Asheville Highway and picking up walkers and the Smoky Mountain High School Marching Band at the United Community Bank parking lot, just before the intersection with Highway 107.
The parade then turns toward downtown on Main Street towards the old courthouse. The parade ends at Mark Watson Park on West Main Street.
Shops and restaurants are encouraged to stay open for business in the evening. Many will have special holiday sales and activities on parade day. Sylva's town decorations already are gracing light poles and the traditional tree at the base of the steps of the old courthouse.
Also, the "Pictures with Santa" 2nd annual fundraiser for the Bridge Park Project takes place from 2 to 5 p.m., before the parade. A photo with Santa in the courtyard of Restaurant 553, next door to the Sylva Herald on Main Street, will be taken by local photographer Terri Clark and developed by Livingston's Photo. Both are donating their services, so all profits go towards the Bridge Park project, the park to be built on the town's municipal parking lot on Railroad Avenue. The cost for a 5x7 photograph is $15. Extra photos are available for $5. Each photo includes a holiday frame card.
Drivers should be aware that Main Street will be closed on Saturday, starting in the early afternoon. Traffic will be rerouted to Jackson Street, where vehicles can follow Evalina Street back down to Main Street and then continue west on Main Street towards Highway 107.
Sylva and Jackson County police and emergency personnel will be onsite to help direct traffic and parking, which will be available at the site of the future Bridge Park, at Town Hall and at the public parking lot across from Mill & Main Restaurant.
It promises to be a good year for a Christmas parade, so be sure to come and bring the entire family! Remember to dress warmly.
For more information, call DSA Director Sarah Graham at 586-1577 or write her at info@downtownsylva.org.
Additional coverage by The Sylva Herald is in their online article (click here) about the parade. (The Sylva Herald is not affiliated with Jackson County Magazine.)
The Western Carolina University School of Music will present its annual Sounds of the Season concert at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 2, in the performance hall of the Fine and Performing Arts Center on campus. The traditional concert uses nearly all the school's choral and instrumental ensembles to present a variety of Christmas and holiday arrangements, ranging from traditional compositions of carols to more modern arrangements of old favorites and newer pieces.
But the concert isn't your typical holiday event. Each year, the performances are structured as a "prism concert," which means a succession of ensembles perform at various locations throughout the performance hall.
All proceeds from ticket sales go to the School of Music's scholarship fund.
Tickets (in advance or at the door) are $10 for adults and senior citizens, and $5 for students and children. No reservations are necessary, but if you'd like more information or to reserve tickets, call the music office at 227-7242.
More musical entertainment is available at WCU Tuesday, Dec. 4, as the Wind Ensemble gives its second concert of the season. The show begins at 8 p.m. in the Fine and Performing Arts Center, and will feature several (non-holiday) pieces. The Wind Ensemble concert is free and the public is invited. For more information, call 227-7242.
(From a press release.)The Trail of Light Drama Team once again brings to life the song “Mary Did You Know?” by producing the popular interfaith play of the same name.
“Mary, Did You Know?” begins with the birth of Jesus and follows the child as he grows into an adult.
Actors include Henry Wong from NCCAT, as Gabriel; Britney Acosta from Smoky Mountain High, as Mary when she was a young girl; Jim Harbin of Ela will be Joseph; and Polly Huff of Cullowhee is playing the adult Mary. Sarajane Melton, also of Cullowhee, plays the midwife; Ron Huff from Cullowhee will be Herod. Dawn Fincher of Cullowhee will be the narrator.
A child “Angel Choir,” ages 3 through 9, will be featured, as well as 7 dancers who will perform three dance scenes.
Jesus will be seen as a newborn baby, at 2 years old (David Sluyter of Dillsboro), at 12 years old (Billy Durning of Cullowhee) and as an adult (Caden Painter of Maggie Valley).
Songs featured include “Ave Maria,” “Mary Did You Know?,” “O Holy Night,” “Angels We Have Heard on High,” “Joy to the World,” “We Four Kings,” “I Wonder as I Wander,” “Go Tell it on the Mountain” and “Sweet Little Jesus Boy.”
Assisting Amy Ammons Garza (Sylva) with direction is Dianne Yount, producer is Etheree Chancellor and choreographer is Suzanne Kehrberg, all of Cullowhee.
Pre-show entertainment starts one hour prior to the play. Special guests will provide old-time gospel. Performers include Jeanette Queen Schrock (youngest daughter of the late Mary Jane Queen) on vocal and autoharp, and Ron and Julia Thompson of Alarka, on vocal and guitar. Others spotlighted will be Henry Wong, guitar and vocal; Ally, Elizabeth, and Tonya Vickery, flute and piano; Britney Acosta, vocal; Sarajane Melton, vocal; Teresa Eberly, vocal.
The 53-member cast and crew are drawn from churches of different faiths spanning three counties -- Cullowhee Baptist Church, Cullowhee United Methodist, The Summit of Cullowhee, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints of Franklin, Fall Cliff Baptist from Webster, Webster Baptist Church, East Sylva Baptist Church of Sylva, God’s Holy Tabernacle of Sylva, St. Mary’s Catholic Church of Sylva, First Baptist of Waynesville and Lakeview Church of the Nazarene in Lake Junaluska. A troop of seamstresses and background workers of many faiths also supports the cast and crew.
Come share the Christmas story on Friday, November 30th (pre-show at 6 p.m., show at 7 p.m.) or Saturday, December 1st (pre-show at 5 p.m., show at 6 p.m.), at the Cullowhee Baptist Church on the campus of WCU, next door to the Hunter Library.
Hot chocolate and hot cider will be provided on the lawn after the productions, courtesy of the board of Catch the Spirit of Appalachia.
Admission is free.
For more information, call 828-631-4587.
(Shown above: representing the Angel Choir are (left to right) Brittney Lee Collins, Casey King, and Ally Vickery.)
Shown below: from King Herod’s Court are (left to right) Ron Huff, Phillip Huff, Naomie Edmonds and Fred Harris.
Shown below: Irene Hooper will be playing Anna in the Simeon scene.
The Western Carolina University School of Music will present the Christmas portion of George Frideric Handel's oratorio "Messiah" in WCU's Fine and Performing Arts Center at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 19. The performance will feature a chorus of more than 200 members, composed of the Concert Choir and University Chorus at WCU and the Western Carolina Community Chorus.
The Western Carolina Civic Orchestra, with Robert Holquist conducting, will join the chorus to help re-create the grandeur of the Victorian-era performances that made the "Messiah" a famous piece of music history. The masterpiece was performed for the first time in 1742.
Both WCU choral groups are directed by Holquist, WCU professor of music, and the community chorus is led by James E. Dooley, professor emeritus of music at Western. William Henigbaum, director of the civic orchestra, is a member of the WCU adjunct music faculty.
Vocal soloists include Colby Coren, Lance Newman, June Thomas, Ralph Wright-Murphy, Ashley Setzer, Liz Geeslin, and Heather Hallmark.
The evening's proceeds will benefit WCU music department scholarships.
Tickets (which will be sold at the event) are $10 for adults and senior citizens, and $5 for children and all students with identification. Tickets also can be purchased in advance at the WCU music office in the Coulter Building or at WCU's Fine and Performing Arts Center box office, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
The Western Carolina Civic Orchestra, with Robert Holquist conducting, will join the chorus to help re-create the grandeur of the Victorian-era performances that made the "Messiah" a famous piece of music history. The masterpiece was performed for the first time in 1742.
Both WCU choral groups are directed by Holquist, WCU professor of music, and the community chorus is led by James E. Dooley, professor emeritus of music at Western. William Henigbaum, director of the civic orchestra, is a member of the WCU adjunct music faculty.
Vocal soloists include Colby Coren, Lance Newman, June Thomas, Ralph Wright-Murphy, Ashley Setzer, Liz Geeslin, and Heather Hallmark.
The evening's proceeds will benefit WCU music department scholarships.
Tickets (which will be sold at the event) are $10 for adults and senior citizens, and $5 for children and all students with identification. Tickets also can be purchased in advance at the WCU music office in the Coulter Building or at WCU's Fine and Performing Arts Center box office, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
On November 17, 2007 beginning at 5 p.m. at the Sylva Community Center, Catch the Spirit of Appalachia will present “Passing It On,” a performance with stories, songs, and spontaneous art in a fast-paced production. Featuring The Ammons Sisters as the teller and illustrator of the story, the presentation will spotlight the prose, poetry, music and creativity of local writers and singers. Admission is free.
(The Sylva Community Center is located at 538 Scotts Creek Road.)
One storyteller will be Karen Greenstone from Sylva, whose story is called "Baseball Bonanza," an example of a "shaggy dog story" (where the teller spins a long yarn ending with a clever punch line). Karen has taken the skeleton of a particular shaggy dog story about baseball that she heard years ago and has embellished the original tale to create a fictional account of the most memorable kids baseball game ever in the New Orleans neighborhood of her childhood in the 1960s.
Other stories include “The Detour/Two Sides of a Secret” by Erik Hicks; “The Early Years” by Serena H. Dossenko; “Steal Away Home” by Victoria A. Casey McDonald; “The Long Road Home” by Samantha Ganly-Hicks; “The Legend of Mountain Laurel” by Judy Rhodes; “Without Lies,” by Chelsea Greene; “Remembering Grandpa,” by Lauren Hicks; and “The Cow Story,” by Barry Dossenko.
Immediately following, CSA will present special entertainment featuring “The Muses,” a 3-woman a cappella group singing an ingenious mix of Celtic, Americana, traditional Appalachian, and World music. Their repertoire covers a wide range and includes original compositions, spirituals, soul numbers, and songs from Scotland and Ireland.
This year’s Pastel Art Exhibit will include artists Paul Knoepp of Otto, Becky Nelson of Whittier, Nikki Hinke of Cullowhee, Lucius Salisbury of Franklin, Margot Johnson of Glenville and Doreyl Ammons Cain of Tuckasegee. These pastel artists have painted the bright colors of the mountain land with a creative flare. This pastel exhibit brings together many views of our mountains.
A special part of the exhibit will display Art Chairs from the animal relief fund raiser for Catman2 and ARF. Highly imaginative scenes of animals, painted on many different types of seating furniture, will be offered to the highest bidder in a silent auction. For holiday giving, the sale of books, photography, Limited edition art prints, greeting cards and original art will be offered for sale, so come ready to purchase an unforgettable treasure.
Finally, at 7:30 p.m., Harold Sims will draw the winning ticket for this year’s Catman2 Quilt Raffle.
Included in this free evening of creative arts and opportunities are homemade refreshments by Becky Nelson from Barker’s Creek -- salmon loaf, carmel apples, cheese and fruit, Baklava, hot cider and hot chocolate and more -- served by members of the CSA Board of Directors.
Shown below: Karen Greenstone of Sylva demonstrates the art of storytelling.
(The Sylva Community Center is located at 538 Scotts Creek Road.)
One storyteller will be Karen Greenstone from Sylva, whose story is called "Baseball Bonanza," an example of a "shaggy dog story" (where the teller spins a long yarn ending with a clever punch line). Karen has taken the skeleton of a particular shaggy dog story about baseball that she heard years ago and has embellished the original tale to create a fictional account of the most memorable kids baseball game ever in the New Orleans neighborhood of her childhood in the 1960s.
Other stories include “The Detour/Two Sides of a Secret” by Erik Hicks; “The Early Years” by Serena H. Dossenko; “Steal Away Home” by Victoria A. Casey McDonald; “The Long Road Home” by Samantha Ganly-Hicks; “The Legend of Mountain Laurel” by Judy Rhodes; “Without Lies,” by Chelsea Greene; “Remembering Grandpa,” by Lauren Hicks; and “The Cow Story,” by Barry Dossenko.
Immediately following, CSA will present special entertainment featuring “The Muses,” a 3-woman a cappella group singing an ingenious mix of Celtic, Americana, traditional Appalachian, and World music. Their repertoire covers a wide range and includes original compositions, spirituals, soul numbers, and songs from Scotland and Ireland.
This year’s Pastel Art Exhibit will include artists Paul Knoepp of Otto, Becky Nelson of Whittier, Nikki Hinke of Cullowhee, Lucius Salisbury of Franklin, Margot Johnson of Glenville and Doreyl Ammons Cain of Tuckasegee. These pastel artists have painted the bright colors of the mountain land with a creative flare. This pastel exhibit brings together many views of our mountains.
A special part of the exhibit will display Art Chairs from the animal relief fund raiser for Catman2 and ARF. Highly imaginative scenes of animals, painted on many different types of seating furniture, will be offered to the highest bidder in a silent auction. For holiday giving, the sale of books, photography, Limited edition art prints, greeting cards and original art will be offered for sale, so come ready to purchase an unforgettable treasure.
Finally, at 7:30 p.m., Harold Sims will draw the winning ticket for this year’s Catman2 Quilt Raffle.
Included in this free evening of creative arts and opportunities are homemade refreshments by Becky Nelson from Barker’s Creek -- salmon loaf, carmel apples, cheese and fruit, Baklava, hot cider and hot chocolate and more -- served by members of the CSA Board of Directors.
Shown below: Karen Greenstone of Sylva demonstrates the art of storytelling.
As it has done each year since 1970, Western Carolina University is inviting the public to attend a Madrigal Dinner presented by students, faculty and staff. This year 2 dinners will take place on Friday Nov. 30 and Saturday Dec. 1.Each Madrigal Dinner is an evening of dinner, theatre and music in the tradition of the Elizabethan period, presented by characters in elaborate period dress.
Dr. Jim and Barbara Dooley, co-founders of the Madrigal Dinners, will serve as "lord and lady" of the dinner theatre, as they have since its inception.
"It's a tradition steeped in people. The same people have been putting this on, and the same people have been coming back again and again to participate," said Diane Harris, director of the University Center, whose staff will co-produce the dinners. "It seems to be very contagious." Harris has been with the university and participating in the Madrigal Dinners for 26 years.
The dinners will be held in the University Center. WCU's Musical Theatre Department, directed by Dr. Bob Holquist, will provide entertainment. The campus foodservice group, Aramark, will cater a three-course meal including the historical staples of Wassail, Cornish game hens, glazed carrots and plum pudding. (Click here to view the menu.)
Guests don't need to wear period costumes or fancy dinner attire but many do, Harris said. The guests, called patrons, will be seated at tables of 8 in the UC Grand Room. Dinner begins at 6:30 p.m. on each night but patrons must be in their seats by 6:25 p.m.
Tickets sell out fast; the sale began on Tuesday, Nov. 6. WCU student admission is $18; all others are $30.
The ticket office is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. until noon and from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m., and is located on campus on the first floor of the University Center.
Tickets also can be purchased by Visa or MasterCard, at 227-7206.
Additional information is available from UC office manager Kim Davis at 227-3621 or UC director Dianne Harris at 227-3619.
