Popular Florida-based indie/soul singer-songwriter Shane Meade will perform at 6 p.m. Saturday, March 30, at Mountain Layers Brewing Company in Bryson City. 

Singer-songwriter Wyatt Espalin will hit the stage at 5 p.m. Sunday, March 24, at Mountain Layers Brewing in Bryson City. 

The Smoky Mountain Roller Girls will host its next bout against the Yellow Jackets Roller Derby from Georgia Tech University on Sunday, March 24, at the Swain County Recreation Center in Bryson City.

The team is an amateur women’s athletic roller derby league that aims to provide an outlet for fun, fitness and camaraderie among its members and develop athletic ability and teamwork. SMRG endeavors to give back to the community that supports them through community-building initiatives and charitable donations of time and activity.

Doors open at 12:30 p.m. The junior scrimmage game will begin at 1:30 p.m. with the adult bout starting at 3 p.m.

Tickets are $5 presale or $8 at the door (cash or Venmo accepted). Kids ages 11 and under are free. Bring your own chair.

As well, are you interested in becoming a skater, referee or non-skating official? SMRG has open practices. No experience necessary.

For more information, go to facebook.com/smokymountainrollergirls.

Jackson County Americana/folk duo Bird in Hand will perform at 6 p.m. Friday, March 15, at Mountain Layers Brewing Company in Bryson City. 

Regional country/rock act Jon Cox will perform at 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 17, at the Unplugged Pub in Bryson City. 

Help MountainTrue plant more than 2,500 new native plants at Bryson City Island Park during volunteer workdays 1-4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 3, and Wednesday, Feb. 14.

Haywood County rock/country act Outlaw Whiskey will hit the stage at 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 27, at the Unplugged Pub in Bryson City. 

As I think ahead to 2024, I can’t help but feel so lucky to live here, in these mountains. 

With a new year approaching, it’s the perfect time to start setting fitness goals — and to plan for participating in any of the 15 races Glory Hound Events has on its schedule for 2024. 

Lakeview Drive in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park near Bryson City is now open, but rehabilitation work on the road is still ongoing.