HART to present ‘Constellations’

A special stage production of “Constellations” will be held at 7:30 p.m. April 5-6, 12-13 and 2 p.m. April 7…
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Built to last: A conversation with Randall Bramblett

At 76, singer-songwriter/keyboardist Randall Bramblett has been a musical artist most of his life. In recent years, a new outlook…
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Helprin’s new novel shows off his skills

It was another ordinary day when I swung by the public library on my way to town. I picked out…
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Abstract art, surrealism showcase

Artwork by Ralph Verano will be on display through the month of April at the Macon County Public Library in…
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Americana rolls into Scotsman

Asheville-based singer-songwriter Christina Chandler will perform at 8 p.m. Thursday, March 28, at The Scotsman in Waynesville. 
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Reggae, soul at Lazy Hiker

The Natti Love Joys will perform at 8 p.m. Friday, March 29, at Lazy Hiker Brewing in Sylva. The band…
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Meade returns to Mountain Layers

Popular Florida-based indie/soul singer-songwriter Shane Meade will perform at 6 p.m. Saturday, March 30, at Mountain Layers Brewing Company in…
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Want to learn contra dancing?

There will be a contra dance class offered from 6:30-9 p.m. Saturday, April 6, at the Macon County Public Library…
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Bryson City community jam

A community jam will be held from 6-7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 4, at the Marianna Black Library in Bryson City. 
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Big heart: Following cancer battle, J Rex releases new album

For Jerad Davis, it all started with a dry, nagging cough in the summer of 2022. With shortness of breath,…
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‘Hologram’ is a warning about our age of deceit

“In the land of the blind,” goes the old saying, “the one-eyed man is king.”  In Walker Larson’s dystopian fantasy,…
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Franklin sculpture unveiling

The “Women’s History Trail Sculpture Community Celebration” will be held on Saturday, March 23, in Franklin.  
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Dillsboro’s ‘Easter Hat Parade’

A beloved Western North Carolina tradition, the “Easter Hat Parade” will take place at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 30, in…
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Running wild again: Jesse Iaquinto of Fireside Collective

Celebrating a decade together with a special anniversary gig this week at the Salvage Station in Asheville, Fireside Collective has…
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Novel is a lyrical trip to the Scottish Highlands

“Caledonia” was the Latin name used by the Roman Empire to refer to the part of Great Britain that lies…
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Misfit Mountain hosts art fundraiser

 In an effort to raise funds for Misfit Mountain, there will be a special art showcase and sale through March…
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Ready for roller derby?

The Smoky Mountain Roller Girls will host its next bout against the Yellow Jackets Roller Derby from Georgia Tech University…
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Appalachian blues: A conversation with Scott Low

At 46, Scott Low has a lot to be thankful for. Beyond his enduring career as a beloved singer-songwriter in…
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A unique self-help guide: ‘The Artist’s Way’

It’s always beneficial to revisit a classic and Julia Cameron’s “The Artist’s Way” (J. P. Tarcher/Putnam, 1992, 272 pages) is…
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Haywood Arts differently abled exhibition

In 2004, my life was completely changed when one of my twin boys was born with Down Syndrome. Initially, I…
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That mountain sound: 'An Appalachian Evening' celebrates 25 years

Celebrating a quarter-century this coming summer, the “An Appalachian Evening” live music series at the Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center…
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A history of U.S. wars is worth a read

“Stand your ground! Don’t fire unless fired upon! But if they want to have a war, let it begin here.” …
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‘Oscar Wilde and the Art of Lying’

Dan Desjardins’ presentation of his book “Oscar Wilde and the Art of Lying” will take place at 3 p.m. Saturday,…
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Taking it to the streets: Asheville mural artist Dustin Spagnola

“After pop art, graffiti is probably the biggest art movement in recent history to have such an impact on culture.”…
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Parallel lives of two men makes great history

That many Americans today suffer a disconnect from their past is beyond argument. Some of us have seen those man-in-the-street…
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WCU undergraduate exhibition, reception

The 56th annual Juried Undergraduate Exhibition will run through March 22 at the Fine Art Museum in the Bardo Arts…
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Labor of lust: A talk with Grammy winner, banjo phenom Kyle Tuttle

When it comes to bluegrass banjo, you’d be hard-pressed to find as vivacious and voracious a picker-n-grinner than Kyle Tuttle. 
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Creating health for the earth and humanity

Recently, I was told about a book titled “The Design Pathway For Regenerating Earth” (Earth Regenerators Press, Barachara, Columbia, 2021,…
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Letters From the Smokies

Great Smoky Mountains National Park librarian/archivist Michael Aday will present his book, a collection of correspondences, “Letters From the Smokies”…
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Different ways to look at love

I had a book in mind to review for Valentine’s Day, but was hesitant to reveal the choice to my…
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Rash inducted into NC Literary Hall of Fame

With a list of novels, five books of poetry and seven collections of short stories, Ron Rash has garnered a…
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Casting into the future: A conversation with Woody Platt

On his latest single, “Broke Down Engine,” singer-songwriter Woody Platt teamed up with bluegrass icon Del McCoury.
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An encouraging book about democracy

In the year 2020, we lived with a pandemic and a hotly contested presidential race. Strong feelings made their appearance,…
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A Nordic escape for American snow days

With the winter season upon me, I couldn’t help but seek out a book to fit my longing for cold…
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I am one of you forever: Remembering WNC literary icon Fred Chappell

In a November 2022 interview with The Smoky Mountain News, storied writer Fred Chappell, a Haywood County native who was…
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A life immersed in the written word: Questions posed to the late Fred Chappell

Editor’s Note: Over his tenure here at The Smoky Mountain News, Arts & Entertainment Editor Garret K. Woodward has had…
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Remembering Fred: Frazier, Rash, Burnette

Editor’s Note: A renowned Western North Carolina writer, Charles Frazier burst onto the worldwide literary scene with his seminal 1997…
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War, persecution and manhood: three books

Cold weather means more time indoors, and more time indoors means more time for books. Here are three for the…
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Ready to try theater?

The Haywood Arts Regional Theater in Waynesville is currently offering a wide variety of classes in the theater arts for…
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A portrait of an Appalachia upbringing

For those of you who don’t know her, Julia Nunnally Duncan is an award-winning freelance writer and author of 11…
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An artist's legacy: New database contributes to study of George Masa's photography

Angelyn Whitmeyer might be the last person you would expect to contribute to ongoing research surrounding a Japanese photographer who…
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Fun with weird data, poetry, and history

Suppose, like some of us, you find yourself needing a quick word fix. You’ve got the jones for something to…
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A year in review: the best albums of 2023

Editor’s Note: Since August 2012, Garret K. Woodward has held the position of arts and entertainment editor for The Smoky…
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Come what may: poetry for the new year

In a recent online search, I came across “Good Riddance, But Now What?” by that master of light verse, Ogden…
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The true story of a teacher who defied Hitler

In 1933 Germany, headmistress Anna Essinger was ordered by the newly-elected Nazi party to fly a Nazi flag above her…
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‘Spark of the Eagle Dancer’ extended

Western Carolina University is delighted to announce its recent exhibition “Spark of the Eagle Dancer: The Collecting Legacy of Lambert…
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Five strings of fury: New book spotlights Haywood banjo legends

In the mid-1960s, when Bill Allsbrook was a med school student at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, he decided…
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Fingers like lightning: A Haywood County banjo retrospective

Editor’s Note: Since first rolling into Haywood County in August 2012 to start work as the arts and entertainment editor…
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Kaleidoscope of creativity: Haywood artisan offers her craft onstage, on the wall

Performer. Writer. Director. Instructor. Photographer. 
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The unfailing connection of a classic novel

I have always been a fan of old books. There’s a comfort I find in between the pages of a story…
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