What remains: Following Helene flooding, MANNA FoodBank releases benefit album
In the seven months since Hurricane Helene ravaged the mountains and valleys of Western North Carolina, there’s been one constant…
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Appalachian True Heritage Festival
The annual Appalachian True Heritage Festival will be held May 2-3 on Main Street in Waynesville. Dubbed “An Evening Under…
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Asheville poet focuses on the ‘Now’
As a practitioner and student of poetry all my life, I’ve noticed that while there is a lot of poetry…
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Whole Bloomin’ Thing Festival
The 22nd annual Whole Bloomin’ Thing Festival will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 10, in…
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Americana, blues at Cataloochee Ranch
Musical duo Brian Ashley Jones and Melanie Jean will perform from 5-8 p.m. Friday, May 2, at the Cataloochee Ranch…
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‘Mother’s Day Gemboree’
The “Mother’s Day Gemboree” will be held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 9-10 and 10 a.m. to 4…
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Ready for classic rock, country gold?
Haywood County rock/country act Outlaw Whiskey will perform at 8 p.m. Friday, May 2, at Unplugged Pub in Bryson City.…
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City Lights welcomes Wolfe award winner
Wayne Caldwell will present his latest novel, “Shadow Family,” at 3 p.m. Saturday, May 3, at City Lights Bookstore in…
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Haywood Arts presents ‘Quilted Expressions’
The Haywood County Arts Council (HCAC) will present “Quilted Expressions: A Celebration of Block-Based Art,” an innovative exhibit that reimagines…
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‘Airing of the Quilts’
The Appalachian Women’s Museum “Airing of the Quilts” will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 3,…
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Waynesville art walk, live music
A cherished gathering of locals and visitors alike, “Art After Dark” will launch its 2025 season from 6-9 p.m. Friday,…
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Bryson City community jam
A community jam will be held from 6-7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 1, on the front patio of the Marianna Black…
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‘Thunder in the Smokies’
The 22nd annual “Thunder in the Smokies” spring rally will be held May 2-4 at the Maggie Valley Fairgrounds. The…
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Pigeon Community ‘Storytellers Series’
The Pigeon Community Multicultural Development Center in Waynesville has recently announced its 2025 “Pigeon Community Conversations with Storytellers Series.”
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Franklin arts and crafts fair
The Friends of the Greenway (FROG) will host an arts and crafts fair from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday,…
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If it hadn’t been for love: The SteelDrivers to play MerleFest
Standing on the precipice of their 20th anniversary, The SteelDrivers aren’t looking over their shoulders at the road to the…
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Saddle up and take a ride West
It’s the spring of 1873 in the Wyoming Territory, and U.S. Marshal Tim Colter and his grizzled mentor and best…
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Writer dreamed of a mythical Russia
In the early 1900s, in Tsarist Russia, young intellectuals with means would study philosophy and history. Some would feel a…
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Taking the wheel: Following Helene flooding, Canton art collective to reopen
Last Thursday afternoon, dark storm clouds overtook downtown Canton. Sitting on a couch in the Cold Mountain Art Collective on…
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Rain on the scarecrows (concluded)
Several weeks ago, I published an article that dealt with a trip to Tellico Plains with the Principal Chief of…
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Scotsman welcomes Asheville Mountain Boys
A rising Americana/bluegrass act, the Asheville Mountain Boys, will perform at 8 p.m. Saturday, April 19, at The Scotsman Public…
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Thoreau found God in the natural world
“We are not human beings on a spiritual journey, but rather spiritual beings on a human journey.” Teilhard de Chardin…
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A little taste of home: Junction Pub opens in Sylva
It’s mid-afternoon and the seats are starting to fill up at the Junction Pub in Sylva. Located along Skyland Drive…
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A look at the 30s glitterati in ‘Rules of Civility’
Having read and relished Amor Towles’ “A Gentleman in Moscow,” I picked up the first novel he published, “Rules of…
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Reggae, soul at Lazy Hiker
The Natti Love Joys will perform at 7 p.m. Saturday, April 12, at Lazy Hiker Brewing in Franklin. A roots-rock-reggae band…
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Blow the tannery whistle: Scarecrows in the rain
This one is for my old friends, living and dead, in Cherokee. Here’s to you, Trigger Young, Woody Sneed, Bill…
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HCAC celebrates Woodford
The Haywood County Arts Council’s (HCAC) specially curated exhibit featuring the works of celebrated visual artist and author Ann Miller…
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WCU faculty art showcase
Featuring works from faculty artisans at Western Carolina University, the 2025 School of Art & Design Faculty Biennial Exhibition will…
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What I want: A conversation with Wyatt Espalin
As far back as he can remember, singer-songwriter Wyatt Espalin has been not only surrounded by music in the mountains…
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The search for origins and identity
Having grown up in proximity to a Cherokee community (Little Snowbird in Graham County), I’m familiar with and sensitive to…
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Hoofing it from DC to NYC
“The simple act of walking and taking in what I saw and puzzling over what I encountered as I went. The…
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'Doc Watson: A Life in Music'
Eddie Huffman will share his new book, “Doc Watson: A Life in Music.” and also be accompanied by musician Jerad…
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Want to learn contra dancing?
An evening of old-time dancing (contras, rounds, squares and mixers) will be held from 7-9 a.m. Thursday, March 20, at…
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It just keeps gettin’ better: Country legends Lonestar to play Franklin
In the late 1990s and early 2000s, it was pretty much impossible to not hear or be aware of the…
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Is our therapeutic culture damaging children?
Search online for “are more teens today suffering emotional problems,” and a boatload of websites pop to your command. Explore a…
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Blues in the 21st: A conversation with Jimmy Vivino
When it comes to the vast, vibrant landscape of American blues guitarists, few six-string aces have had as varied and…
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'Tip Toe High Wire': Sierra Hull rolls into WNC
Even though singer-songwriter Sierra Hull is an award-winning mandolin virtuoso — and one who’s toured the globe relentlessly for the better…
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Collect books, like precious pearls
When it comes to reading, I can tend to be “the bigger, the better” type reader. I search for thick…
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Want to join the Haywood Community Band?
The Haywood Community Band is a welcoming haven for musicians of all skill levels rekindling their love of creating powerful…
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Rocky Allen showcase in Macon
Collectors of paintings and drawings by Macon County resident/artist Ernest “Rocky” Harvey Allen, Jr. will be exhibiting their “Rocky” pieces…
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To here from there: 'An Appalachian Evening' welcomes Missy Raines
With her latest album, “Highlander,” bluegrass/Americana icon Missy Raines takes inventory of where she stands at this current juncture in…
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War, God and children: Two unusual books
The adage “There are no atheists in foxholes” catches our attention, but is too broad and imprecise for universal application.
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NC Arts Council awards Helene grants
The North Carolina Arts Council has awarded $915,000 to nonprofit arts organizations in Western North Carolina affected by Hurricane Helene.…
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Gentry, Hill to present new works
Kristen Gentry and Halle Hill will read from and discuss their story collections, “Mama Said” and “Good Women,” at 6…
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‘Fire Up the Arts’
Pisgah High School’s art department is in need of a working kiln, leaving students without the opportunity to explore ceramics…
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Blow the tannery whistle: Margaret Siler and the Sand Town Cherokees
By 1818, despite a growing number of settlers in the region west of the Balsams and along the Little Tennessee…
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New book documents black experience in Appalachia
“Affrilachia: Testimonies,” by Chris Aluka Berry sets out to document the Black experience in Appalachia. The book is a historical…
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Live with a SEAL, and salute the first president
My oldest son runs ultra-marathons from time to time, whereas for me, an ultra-marathon is staying awake from 3 a.m.…
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Lean into the blue: Town Mountain celebrates 20 years
It’s safe to say that the whirlwind sounds and vibrant tones of Town Mountain (now referred to as “Americana”) were…
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Brad Thor’s ‘Shadow of Doubt’ didn’t delight
In Brad Thor’s thriller “Shadow of Doubt” (Atria/Emily Bestler Books, 2024, 368 pages), the Russians are possibly threatening a nuclear…
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