36 minute read
Roy Krege—The Man, the Myth, the Legend
Roy Krege
The Man, the Myth, the Legend
By Nancy Semones Knox
With the Woolly Worm Festival season upon us, it seems like the perfect time to revisit the legacy of Mr. Woolly Worm, Roy Krege. Over the years, Roy’s other titles have included Mr. Banner Elk, Mr. Avery County, Mr. Lees-McRae, Friend, Husband, Dad, and Pop!
It is not an exaggeration to say that Roy has become world-famous as Mr. Woolly Worm. Dressed in his signature outfit, Roy’s smiling face has been beamed across the globe. As Lees-McRae’s President, Lee King, once said, “Roy is the only guy I know who can rock a pair of pink pants, an orange shirt, a yellow tie, and a yellow blazer covered with woolly worms and somehow make it all look good!” Roy’s dedication to making sure everyone who attends the Woolly Worm Festival has a great time is legendary. Who else would be able to convince a child (or grown-up) that racing a woolly worm up a string is one of life’s great opportunities? Even when a worm lost its race, its owner would be consoled by Roy and encouraged to hold out hope for next year. Adam Binder, now serving as Mr. Woolly Worm II, tells of going into a restaurant in Hickory, NC, with Roy and hearing, “Oh, man, that is Mr. Woolly Worm!” He also shared that Roy, wearing his hat and suit, took more photos with fans at a minor-league baseball game than did the team’s mascot. Roy spreads happiness wherever he goes!
Regardless of what title Roy might hold or which hat he might wear, his commitment to making a difference in the lives of others has been his life’s work and is his legacy. As noted by many who know him, Roy was a servant-leader long before the term was coined. In every position he’s held and in every organization he’s served, Roy has put others first.
Roy’s life of service began as a child with the influence of his family and his faith guiding him. His family moved from New York to Florida when he was a young boy. By the time he and his wife, Marion, were married and became fixtures at Carson-Newman College in Tennessee, the foundation for their life together was set. It was at Carson-Newman that their paths crossed with Dr. H.C. Evans, Jr. Dr. Evans taught both of them in classes and included them for several summers as staff at Buck Hill Falls Camp in Pennsylvania.
Not long after Dr. H.C. Evans became President of Lees-McRae College (LMC), he brought Roy on board. In talking about Roy’s service, long-time friend and colleague Jim Stonesifer said that Roy went above and beyond the call of duty and mastered every job he was given. From starting summer programs at the college to bringing it into the computer age, there was no task too daunting. Roy and Stonesifer were instrumental in helping LMC transition to a four-year college. When Reverend Edgar Tufts founded the college, his vision was for it to be “In the Mountains, Of the Mountains, For the Mountains.” Roy upheld that vision in every way.
His life’s work would not have been possible without the support and involvement of Marion and his children, Kim, Dewayne and Michelle. With the hours Roy put in, it is a good thing that Marion and the kids liked to be involved in LMC life on so many levels! This same commitment has swept up a new generation of the six Krege grandchildren.
After 26 years at Lees-McRae, Roy’s journey took him to Grandfather Home for Children. While there, Roy created one of the state’s first charter schools and served as its first principal. Jim Swinkola, retired CEO of Grandfather Home, said Roy’s job was to love and care for the children there, to educate them and to help them know God’s love.
Roy’s service to others extended far beyond the boundaries of Lees-McRae and Grandfather Home for Children. His servant-leadership was put into practice across the High Country. It would be difficult to find an organization, chamber or tourism board that hasn’t benefited from the presence and service of Roy Krege. In addition to his more formal commitments, he has always been in high demand as an emcee, an auctioneer, and a speaker. Hundreds of thousands of dollars have been raised over the years for charitable causes at the drop of Roy’s auctioneer hammer! From selling cakes to raise funds for Banner Elk Elementary School, pies for the fire department, or a Cadillac for the LeesMcRae scholarship fund, Roy’s excitement encouraged supporters to give generously.
Anyone who shares Roy’s journey, even for a short time, gets caught up in his enthusiasm for life. Just as Roy says “yes” to almost every request for his help, he inspires people to follow his lead and say “yes” without even knowing the question. If Roy is involved, it is almost certainly going to be fun and for a good cause. The projects and programs Roy has started and facilitated over his lifetime are too numerous to mention, but here are several: Lees-McRae’s Alumni Frolic, Elderhostel, Alumni Arts and Crafts Fair, FORUM, Presbyterian Family Week, Banner Elk’s Concerts in the Park, the Woolly Worm Festival, Fourth of July Parade and Festivities, art shows for scholarships… and the list continues. Roy has supported the angel tree program, Reaching Avery Ministries, Yellow Mountain Enterprises, Grandfather Mountain Highland Games, and has answered the call of every school, church, and organization who needed a hand. As the longest-serving member of the Banner Elk Kiwanis Club, Roy has helped with every Club project and swept others along for the ride! Even in retirement, Roy and Marion continue to serve others through
Roy and Marion Krege
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Roy and Merryweather
community activities, including LMC’s Summer Theatre.
Roy and Marion’s belief that God calls us all to serve has also been put into action for decades at Mount Calvary Baptist Church. From church suppers and after-prom breakfasts to youth groups and holiday celebrations, they have brought people together in faith and fellowship.
Over the years, many people have thought Roy was mayor of Banner Elk. Described as affable, indefatigable and ubiquitous, Roy was everywhere—picking up litter, posting signs, smiling a welcome. Roy has always created a sense of home wherever he is and welcomes everyone. Whether entertaining people for a meal in his home, teaching a group of people to square dance or do the bunny hop and hokey pokey, spreading love through baked goods, or coming to a full stop to sit with someone who just needs a bit of undivided attention, Roy has always had a gift for making people feel like a part of his family, the college family, the human family.
Throughout his life, Roy has been a featured speaker at countless banquets, church services, and programs. One of the favorite things he’s shared over the years is a song called NO CHARGE. The song, written by Harlan Howard and first recorded by Melba Montgomery, tells the story of a little boy who brings his mother a list of what he is owed for each chore and accomplishment. After his mother reads his list, she makes her own list of concrete examples of how she has loved her son through the years. She adds it all up and says that the cost of her love is “no charge.”
Throughout Roy’s life, he has given us his very best—his love, his expertise, his humor, his service, his leadership— at NO CHARGE. And the value to all who’ve been a part of Roy’s journey? PRICELESS!
In a gathering to celebrate his 80th birthday earlier this year, here’s what a few people had to say about Roy Krege:
“Grandma and Grandpa instilled a tremendous work ethic [in their children]. Roy is
good people!” — James Krege, nephew
“Roy and Marion have always been my second set of parents. I was their practice child.”
— Mark Evans, son of Barbara and Dr. H.C. Evans, Jr. “We can always count on each other.”
—Robin and Gary Long, lifelong friends (Robin was Roy’s first date - a hay ride in 9th grade. Gary and Roy served as each other’s best man at their weddings.)
“The college seal at Carson-Newman features a torch that provided the spark in Roy‘s career that burst into a blaze when he and Marion moved their family to Banner Elk. We believe in divine intervention, and this is one of the best examples we will ever find.”
—Doug Moody, classmate and lifelong friend
“Psalm 100:2 says, ‘Serve the Lord with gladness.’ Our motto at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church is paraphrased, ‘ Love God, love people, and do something about it!’ As a servant-leader, this is how Daddy has lived his life.”
—Dewayne Krege, son
“All I know I learnt from [Roy] Krege!”
—Dr. Janet Barton Speer and Jarrett Koski-Kohler, friends and colleagues, from a song and dance tribute inspired by MATILDA’S “Telly”
GetYourAweBack.com
Ads shown here appeared in earlier issues of CML
By Kim S. Davis
For the past twenty-five years, CML has remained true to our vision of providing an “absolutely priceless” publication. Because of our dependable local advertisers, we have been able to offer a valuable resource to our region that is both without price and beyond price. In this issue, we are showcasing two valuable, deep-rooted partners who proffer unique products and services to enhance the quality of life in our region.
Footsloggers: Keeping Customers Equipped to “Get High on a Mountain” for Decades
For more than half a century, Footsloggers has been the foundational source for outdoor and technical gear and apparel in the High Country. Featuring some of the most highly regarded brands in the industry, and backed by a vastly knowledgeable and accommodating staff, Footsloggers is able to clothe and equip all levels of outdoor enthusiasts including campers, hikers, backpackers, paddlers, rock climbers, and lovers of travel and leisure.
Footsloggers was introduced in the early 1970s as a compact storefront located in a small shopping center. The founders Hanes Boren and Sam Houston recognized a need for high quality gear and equipment for adventurous residents and guests who embraced the natural beauty and outdoor recreational activities available in the area. As the ski industry exploded and more people chose to “Get High on a Mountain” in a variety of ways, the partners went in different directions. Boren developed an independent alpine skiing apparel and equipment store, allowing Footsloggers and Houston to focus on hiking, backpacking, paddling, rock climbing, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing.
For the next decade, the two stores complemented each other and after Footsloggers briefly closed, Boren purchased a building on King Street in downtown Boone and reopened Footsloggers at that location. The business met a unique niche and continued to thrive and grow, creating a need for expansion. Fortunately, Footsloggers had an opportunity to buy a larger space within the Downtown Boone shopping district and purchased the location on Depot Street where it remains today.
As with most deep-rooted retail establishments, Footsloggers evolved with the needs and interests of their customer base. Once in the larger space, they added an annex devoted to paddling gear, expanded their choices of products and built a climbing tower. Footsloggers also expanded externally, opening a new retail store in downtown Blowing Rock, entering the twenty-first century with multiple locations.
About ten years ago, Hanes Boren chose to retire to enjoy more time traveling and exploring the outdoors, like so many of his customers have done. After Boren’s retirement Wayne and Jenny Miller took the helm along with General Manager, Thea Young. “Continuing the long standing tradition of supplying durable, sustainable outdoor goods to this great community is so important to us. We are honored to pick up the torch and carry Footsloggers into its next 50 years,” says Wayne Miller. In addition, under their new leadership, another retail location has opened in West Jefferson, allowing Footsloggers to reach a wider range of outdoor enthusiasts and lovers of leisure.
Footsloggers not only provides quality products and knowledgeable service to local customers and visitors to the High Country, but they have always given back to the community. They are involved in active partnerships with the Blue Ridge Conservancy, Middle Fork Greenway, Western Youth Network, Friends of High Country State Parks, and the Appalachian Theatre. “Especially as a long standing business in the High Country, we believe it is so important to give back to our community and be an active part in why this is such a wonderful place to call home,” says Young. Additionally, many of the staff volunteer locally and are influential in the recreational sporting community.
As Boren states, “What makes this such a wonderful business to be in is the culture of the region, and the culture of the staff and customers.” It is because of the dynamic way of life in the High Country that Footsloggers is the lead sponsor of one of the most beneficial and popular events, the Banff Mountain Film Festival. As Boren observes, “Boone is the third largest venue for the festival in North America behind San Francisco and Salt Lake City,” and when you consider the size of these locales, it indicates how the culture of Boone
exceptionally embraces arts and outdoor recreation. When you have a business like Footsloggers that is an active participant in the community’s culture, it is evident that it will continue to endure.
• https://footsloggersnc.com/
The Shoppes of Tynecastle: “Come Spend the Day!”
At the intersection of Highways 105 and 184 sits a beautiful example of stone craftsmanship that was inspired by an oldworld Scottish village. The stone tower is a landmark and centerpiece for the shopping center known for almost forty years as the Shoppes of Tynecastle. Built in the mid20th century using local stone, the tower and stone outbuildings attracted Robert and Judith Schwebke, and they purchased the property with a vision for a retail space that would offer access to shopping, dining and services.
Mr. Schwebke, a military veteran and surveyor, possessed the great ability to look at a piece of land and determine what needed to go where. According to his daughter and the property manager/ family spokesperson, Samantha Wotell, Schwebke “examined the existing roads and knew something needed to be there and he wanted it to be convenient for everything.”
The Banner Elk area was undergoing tremendous growth during the mid-1980s and the shopping center broke ground around the same time that Food Lion was under construction. It was the goal of the Schwebkes to offer accessible modern amenities while honoring the Scottish inspiration of the property, hence they renamed the development Tynecastle.
Robert Schwebke was a visionary, so once tenants began to occupy the center, he calculated a way to meet the needs of the community. As an example, for one of the first occupants, Nick’s Deli, Schwebke acquired a narrow five foot section of land known as a “shoestring annexation” from the top of Seven Devils down to Tynecastle. The creative appropriation allowed Nick’s to sell beer and wine to High Country locals and guests; it was one of the first establishments for miles around to be able to do so.
Other long-term tenants include Amy Brown, CPA, The Dande Lion, Creative Interiors by Darlene Parker, and the Avery County Chamber of Commerce. Wotell attributes the consistent and enduring occupancy to the fact that the Shoppes of Tynecastle are not a corporate leasing group. They are a locally held company whose owners love the land and community and strive to build relationships to maintain longevity among their occupants.
While valuable new occupants have been added and a few have moved along, the majority of changes at the Shoppes of Tynecastle occur as current tenants move to more appropriate spaces within the development, or they are bought by other entities. The mergers and transfers often result in business names being changed, but the services and products remain constant. For example, after the ABC Store moved to its new location, BB&T Bank came into that building. After a merger, BB&T is now Truist Bank. Likewise Eckerd Drugs became Rite Aid and is now Walgreens, and the former Nick’s Restaurant and Pub is today Highlander’s Grill & Tavern. Additionally, after an expansion of the old-world buildings doubled the size, Peak Real Estate moved to a larger location, opening up space for current tenants to expand their spaces as well.
The Shoppes of Tynecastle’s management partners with their occupants to assist the community through advertising and donations to local fundraising endeavors. They have been particularly involved with supporting the Avery Humane Society. The Shoppes are deeply rooted in this beautiful community so they want what is best for where they live and work, not focusing on profit margins and bottom lines. As an example, the newly expanded Tower Building remains vacant, but not because interest is lacking. As Wotell reflects, “It is our goal to fill the Tower Building, but we want the right fit. We want to include a business that is right for the spot, something beneficial for the whole community.”
While remaining true to the area, the Shoppes of Tynecastle continue to ensure residents and visitors are able to find both essentials and luxuries in one location. As with CML and the many enduring supporters of our publication, when you love where you are and what you do, and understand the needs of your customers, you will continue to flourish.
• Schedule a day to visit the shops, restaurants, and service organizations located in this unique and accessible center of commerce. For leasing information, call 828-898-6246.
Ensemble Stage A Banner Elk Christmas
Performing Arts Groups Complement Fall Foliage with Colorful Offerings
Watauga Arts Council / Buskerfest Barter Theatre It’s A Wonderful Life
Autumn: Teeming with Cultural Programming
By Keith Martin
F. Scott Fitzgerald said, “Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall.” That opinion is shared by the many arts organizations whose offerings this autumn are equal parts enticing and irresistible.
The following is an overview of current offerings on the schedule from now through mid-December, with events by our local colleges and universities, and at CoMMA, listed separately. PLEASE NOTE that all performances, dates and times are subject to change; you are strongly encouraged to contact the box office for the most current information.
See you at the theatre!
Over in Sparta, NC, the ALLEGHANY COMMUNITY THEATRE is producing Lizzie Borden of Fall River, a drama by the prolific Tim Kelly, author of more than 300 comedies, dramas, one-acts, mysteries, melodramas, children’s shows and musicals. The Lizzie Borden case is without parallel in the criminal history of America, and it divided public opinion as no murder trial had ever done. Did the strong-willed, intelligent Lizzie dispatch her father and stepmother with an axe one fateful August morning, or was she the innocent victim of circumstance? Performances are October 14 through 16 with info available at alleghanycommunitytheatre.org.
The APPALACHIAN THEATRE OF THE HIGH COUNTRY (ATHC) returns to its 1938 cinematic roots with its Classic Movie Musical series, with Singing in the Rain on September 20 and Grease on September 26 to celebrate the birthday of Olivia Newton-John. Their Sci-Fi Film series begins with Hocus Pocus on September 27 (the night before its sequel is released nationwide) followed by Little Shop of Horrors on October 4, Invasion of the Body Snatchers on October 11, The Bride of Frankenstein on October 18, The Thing on October 25, and Ghostbusters on October 27. November brings a month of beloved westerns with classic holiday movies slated for December.
Concert-wise, the Mast Store Americana Music Series on the Doc Watson Stage of the App Theatre continues on September 29 with bluegrass singer-songwriter, mandolinist, and guitarist Sierra Hull. Popular guitar legend Tommy Emmanuel, C.G.P. will perform on October 7, with “Folk Music’s Rustic Renaissance Man” John McCutcheon taking centerstage at the historic venue on October 21, and four-time International Bluegrass Music Award winner Molly Tuttle and Golden Highway on November 13. Looking ahead to the many holiday events is Christmas with
Elvis: Matt Lewis and the Long Live The King
Orchestra on Tuesday, December 20. New events are being announced weekly with information available at AppTheatre.org.
The ASHE COUNTY ARTS COUNCIL has a full slate of offerings this fall starting on September 13 with singer/storyteller Charlotte Blake Alston breathing new life into traditional and contemporary stories from African and African American oral and cultural traditions. Master musicians Allison de Groot and Tatiana Hargreaves appear on September 30, demonstrating their belief that “traditional banjo and fiddle music are a way to interpret our uncertain times.” October 15 brings the innovative original bluegrass and klezmer music of Zoe & Cloyd with their confluence of the rich traditions and complementary styles of fiddler/vocalist Natalya Zoe Weinstein and multi-instrumentalist and vocalist John Cloyd Miller. On November 5, Blue Ridge Music Hall of Fame member Jeff Little brings his trio to the Ashe Civic Center for an evening of Americana and Appalachian music. For tickets and information, visit AsheCountyArts.org.
Across the NC border in Abingdon, Virginia, the BARTER THEATRE continues performances of three different plays through Saturday, November 5. Mystery legend Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express stars company member Michael Poisson as Hercule Poirot in comic writer Ken Ludwig’s adaptation of the classic murder mystery. David Lindsay-Abaire’s Ripcord is a high-stakes comedy about two women locked in a no-holdsbarred battle of one-upmanship that reveals the tenacity of these worthy opponents, as well as the adventures that await us at any age, if only we will leap. The Royale, by Marco Ramirez, chronicles Jay “The Sport” Jackson’s dreams of being the undisputed heavyweight champion. However, it’s 1905 and in the racially-segregated world of boxing, his chances are virtually nonexistent, until he climbs into the ring with destiny.
“The State Theatre of Virginia” kicks off the holiday season on November 12 when Barter opens a world premiere adaptation of It’s A Wonderful Life by playwright-in-residence Catherine Bush. Ten quick-changing actors bring to life the world of Bedford Falls and its most famous resident in this beloved holiday classic for the whole family. Beginning November 19, Joe DiPietro’s Over the River and Through the Woods follows Nick as he crosses the river to New Jersey to have dinner with both sets of his Italian-American grandparents. When Nick receives the perfect job offer from the west coast, it begins a series of shameless schemes and hilarious shenanigans that demonstrate the wonderful zaniness that is family. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit Barter’s website at BarterTheatre.com.
BEANSTALK COMMUNITY THEATRE in Boone continues to celebrate their 10th season by reviving the show that first brought co-
Barter Theatre Murder on the Orient Express ATHC / Sierra Hull ATHC / John McCutcheon in his music studio
Photo by Eric Peterson
Barter Theatre Ripcord
ATHC / Tommy Emmanuel
Wilkes Playmakers Beanstalk
founders Amy Beane and Andrea McDonough together, Twinderella: The Musical. This musical send-up by Charlie Lovett and Bill Francoeur tells the story of Cinderella and her long lost twin brother living in the same kingdom with his own wicked stepfamily. Performances take place at the Appalachian Theatre from November 3 through 5. For more info, visit www.BeanStalkNC.com, and for tickets, go to AppTheatre.org.
BENTON HALL COMMUNITY ARTS CEN-
TER in North Wilkesboro, home to the ambitious Wilkes Playmakers, has three events on the schedule from October 7 through 16, with Love, Loss, and What I Wore by Nora and Delia Ephron, based on the 1995 book of the same name by Ilene Beckerman. It is organized as a series of monologues about women’s relationships and wardrobes and, at times, the interaction of the two, using the female wardrobe as a time capsule of a woman’s life. On October 28, the “First Annual” Interactive Movie Night will feature the iconic cult classic film, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, complete with a cosplay contest for those dressed up as their favorite character from the film. Audience participation is highly encouraged, and the Playmakers will have “prop bucks” available for purchase so attendees may get the full RHPS experience.
Elf, the Musical, based on the cherished 2003 New Line Cinema movie, runs December 2 through 11 and features songs by Tony Award nominees Matthew Sklar (The Wedding Singer) and Chad Beguelin (Disney’s Aladdin on Broadway), with a book by Tony Award winners Thomas Meehan (Annie, The Producers, Hairspray) and Bob Martin (The Drowsy Chaperone). It’s the story of a young orphan named Buddy who mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts and is transported to the North Pole. The would-be elf is raised unaware that he is actually a human until his enormous size and poor toy-making abilities cause him to face the truth. Ticket information for all three productions is available at www. WilkesPlaymakers.com. Their number is 336838-PLAY (7529).
BLUE RIDGE COMMUNITY THEATRE will mark Halloween weekend with a re-creation of the radio production of Dracula, based on the well-known story by Bram Stoker about the curse of the undead, forever driven for blood, and the trail of victims he leaves behind. In 1938, the Mercury Theater players, led by Orson Welles, broadcast a series of 11 radio shows based on timeless classics. Dracula was the first production, written and directed by Welles himself. The version will be directed by David Shows and performed live from the Coffey Cabin at Hickory Ridge Homestead from October 29 through 31.
The holiday season at BRCT will showcase Julie A. Richardson’s take on The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, developed for the stage from the book of the same name by Barbara Robinson. It is the story of the “unchurched” Herdmans who, due to the appeal of the refreshments offered, stumble into participating in a Christmas pageant. This fun and poignant play is an exploration of the true result of holiday programs, and takes place in the Blowing Rock Elementary School Auditorium on December 17 and 18. For details, visit blueridgecommunitytheatrenc.com.
Over in Banner Elk on October 28 and 29, ENSEMBLE STAGE is producing The Hitchcock Radio Hour, featuring “two tales of horror and suspense to set the mood for your Halloween fears to fester.” Both The Shadow People and The Undead are performed as 1930s live, staged radio plays, and the company promises that, “You’ll feel the hairs on
Ashe Arts Zoe & Cloyd
the back of your neck stand up and a chill run down your spine as the characters and creatures of the night come to life via the old-time radio show format,” complete with all the music and sound effects being performed live on stage.
One of Avery County’s newest but most anticipated holiday traditions is Ensemble Stage’s annual A Banner Elk Christmas. The fourth edition of this original musical variety show is patterned after the Andy Williams and Bing Crosby television Christmas specials of the ‘60s and ‘70s. With all or parts of nearly forty songs performed in just over an hour, it is a fast paced musical and visual experience full of singing and dancing (and lots of costume changes). Director Gary Smith always retains some of the High County’s top talent for the two-week run with performances from December 2 through 18 in the Historic Banner Elk School. For ticket info for either of these productions, visit EnsembleStage.com or call 828-414-1844.
Last, but not least, the WATAUGA ARTS COUNCIL, in partnership with the Downtown Boone Development Association and the Jones House, is sponsoring the Second Annual Buskers Fest. Festivities begin at 5 p.m. during the October 7 First Friday event, with street artists lining downtown Boone along King Street from the Turchin Center to Random Pub, as well as up and down Depot Street. The merriment includes performers, visual artists, and craft demonstrations that celebrate our eclectic creative community! If you have an outside-of-the-box idea, this is a good place to try it out… just let the arts council know what you have in mind. More details are available at watauga-arts.org.
14 Fall Productions Set at Area Colleges and Universities:
Diverse Line-Up Includes Classics to Contemporary Arts and New Works
By Keith Martin
The academic year nicely compliments seasonal offerings by our vital community and professional companies, with exceptional cultural programs being produced and presented at both Appalachian State University and Lees-McRae College. These on-campus events welcome community audiences and visitors to the High Country with plays, musicals, dance, and innovative programming that enriches the quality of life in our region. Four different groups recently announced their fall 2022 seasons with a total of 14 productions from September through mid-December. The following is a brief overview of what to expect in the upcoming months. For more information, visit the websites listed at the end of each section.
The DEPARTMENT OF THEATRE AND DANCE AT APPALACHIAN STATE UNIVERSITY has announced five major offerings produced in various indoor and outdoor venues on their Boone campus. Female directors, choreographers, designers, and playwrights are very much in evidence with no fewer than 12 different women leading various productions. The box office numbers are 828-262-4046 or 800-8412787 and their website may be found at www.theatreanddance. appstate.edu.
First Year Showcase
Coordinated by Marianne Adams and Derek Gagnier September 29 to October 1-2 at various outdoor locations on campus. • The First Year Showcase is the annual season opener for the Department of Theatre and Dance. It is open to all first-year students who are interested in majoring or minoring in any of the six different degree concentrations within the department. This is an inclusive production incorporating anyone who wants to be involved. Appalachian students are responsible for the creation and performance of the show, which this year will utilize outdoor campus spaces to create site specific performance works.
The Trolleys by Sara West Directed by Dr. Gina Grandi October 5 – 9 in the Valborg Theatre • In a world inhabited only by children, “The Trolleys” are a gang of six living just outside the city. They need their light jars to survive—but the lights have started fading and no one knows why. Savage Kim and her gang head towards the city and the unknown, following a mysterious song. Will they find more light before their jars go out and they become Dusters? Commissioned in 2015 by the Australian Theatre for Young People, The Trolleys asks the question: “What happens if you inherit a world that isn’t safe?” The Moors by Jen Silverman Directed by Dr. Paulette Marty October 26 - 30 and November 2 – 4 in the I.G. Greer Studio Theatre. • Two sisters and a dog live out their lives on the bleak English moors, dreaming of love and power. The arrival of a sweet-faced governess and an anxious bird set them all on a strange and dangerous path. The Moors is a dark comedy about love, desperation, and savagery. “Truly clever and intelligent. You really ought to see this.” - The New York Times
Fall Appalachian Dance Ensemble (FADE) 2022
Coordinated by Laurie Atkins and Emily Daughtridge November 16 - 20 in the Valborg Theatre • This popular concert features Appalachian faculty and students showcasing their talents in choreography and performance. Dance Studies faculty members creating original works for the program include Laurie Atkins, Emily Daughtridge, and Kevin Warner with guest alumni Beth De Leon and EC Fajardo.
Fall Short Play Festival
Coordinated by Dr. Paulette Marty December 1 - 4 in the I.G. Greer Studio Theatre • As part of a Stage Directing Techniques course, junior and senior class students stage two evenings of short plays. These works are funny, eccentric, thought-provoking, and moving—it’s a grab bag of stories each night designed to showcase the talents of students in the Department of Theatre and Dance.
The PERFORMING ARTS DEPARTMENT AT LEES-MCRAE COLLEGE, housed in the School of Arts, Humanities, and Education, has scheduled a two-show fall theatre season that promises, “to bring new perspectives to classic stories.” This includes a new musical based on a classic Hasbro board game, and an iconic play by a multiple Pulitzer Prize-winning author. Performances are given in the Broyhill Theatre of Hayes Auditorium on their idyllic campus in Banner Elk, NC. The box office phone number is 828-898-8709 and their website is www.lmc.edu/theatreshows.
Complexions Dance - Star Dust
Photo by Sharen Bradford
FADE
Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy A Celtic Family Christmas
Clue, based on the Jonathan Lynn screenplay, written by Sandy Rustin, Hunter Foster and Eric Price Directed by Michael Hannah September 29 - October 2 in the Broyhill Theatre • Clue is a hilarious farce-meets-murder mystery. The tale begins at a remote mansion, where six mysterious guests assemble for an unusual dinner party where murder and blackmail are on the menu. When their host turns up dead, they all become suspects. Led by Wadsworth (the butler), Miss Scarlett, Professor Plum, Mrs. White, Mr. Green, Mrs. Peacock and Colonel Mustard race to find the killer as the body count stacks up.
The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams Directed by Josh Yoder November 9 - 12 in the Broyhill Theatre • In this play based on Williams’ own life experiences, narrator Tom Wingfield recounts his memories of 1937, when he shared a small St. Louis apartment with his mother, Amanda, and his sister, Laura. Former Southern debutante Amanda longs for the days when she was admired by many suitors, and frets over the future of her daughter, who is as mentally fragile as the glass menagerie she cherishes. Tom feels trapped by his responsibility to his family and the banality of daily life, seeking refuge in nightly trips to the movies.
The SCHAEFER CENTER PRESENTS performing arts series, presented by Appalachian State University’s Office of Arts and Cultural Programs (OACP), offers students, faculty, staff and the community a diverse array of music, theatre and dance designed to enrich the cultural landscape of the campus and surrounding area. This season features a veritable “Who’s Who” of artists, a lineup of both rising stars and living legends who will entertain audiences at the Schaefer Center for the Performing Arts. The box office numbers are 828-2624046 or 800-841-2787 with additional information available online at http://theschaefercenter.org.
Yola
Friday, September 16 in the Schaefer Center • OACP says, “Yola’s inimitable vocals share nuanced stories of allyship, black feminine strength through vulnerability, collective awakening and loving connection from the sexual to the social. Yola declares that it is only when we stand for ourselves, and acknowledge our complexity, that we can be truly alive. For Yola, living is more than merely surviving.”
Complexions Contemporary Ballet in STAR DUST: From Bach to David Bowie
Thursday, October 6 in the Schaefer Center • Founders Dwight Rhoden and Desmond Richardson, armed with a rich Alvin Ailey lineage and a cadre of 18 spectacular dancers, have re-envisioned ballet through technical precision, athletic prowess, and sheer passion. Their blockbuster hit, STAR DUST: From Bach to David Bowie, honoring two musical icons, has rocked the dance world and will make your spirits soar.
Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy: A Celtic Family Christmas
Thursday, December 1 in the Schaefer Center • The holidays truly become a family affair when married duo Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy—two of the globe’s best and brightest fiddle players—invite their children onstage for an unforgettable evening of holiday fun.
APPlause! K-12 Series at Appalachian State University presents affordable music, dance, film, and theatre events to students and their teachers from K-12 classrooms across the region. Students experience everything from high-energy acrobatics and Appalachian music to international dance and literary classics brought to life through theatrical productions. In recent seasons, more than 8,000 students across our region have attended APPlause Series events. For a complete listing of all five school performances this fall, visit their website at TheSchaeferCenter.org/applause.
Sally Nooney
ARTIST STUDIO GALLERY
Fine Art Paintings Glass Creations & Heirloom Jewelry Scenic Hwy 194 South Midway between Valle Crucis & Banner Elk Tuesday thru Saturday 10-5 828-963-7347 • Nooney@skybest.com sallynooney.com Commissions Invited! Frank Nooney Furniture Restoration, and Antiques at the Gallery, next door
ANTONACCIO CARLTON CARR BRAITMAN
CarltonGallery
AUTUMN GROUP EXHIBITION: Exuberate Your Soul – Landscapes Peak October 8 thru November 15 | Opening Reception October 8, 11-5pm HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE November 25 and 26 | 11-5pm WINTER GROUP AND SMALL WORKS EXHIBITION: November 26 thru April 30
A GALLERY FILLED WITH EXQUISITE GIFTS www.CarltonGallery.com | 10 miles south of Boone Grandfather Mtn.Community 10360 Hwy 105 S., Banner Elk, NC 28604 | 828.963.4288 | Tues-Sat 10-5, Sun 11-5
CHICAGO
Sons of Serendip
17 Shows Highlight the 37th Year at CoMMA By Keith Martin
It’s been three years since CML has featured the City of Morganton Municipal Auditorium (CoMMA), and we’re long overdue to check in with this gem of the Unifour area consisting of Burke, Caldwell, and Catawba counties, including the vibrant communities of Hickory, Lenoir, and Morganton. In the interest of full disclosure, this is my hometown region where my family dates back to 1710, and I am, as you can imagine, quite partial to this neck of the woods.
Since 1986, CoMMA has presented live entertainment and cultural events to the delight of local and regional audiences. An impressive number of 17 major events have just been announced for the 37th season of MainStage Morganton, all of which take place in the 1,000 seat, state of the arts facility. For those of us who reside in the High Country region, it is the closest venue in which to experience national tours of Broadway shows, along with a balanced slate of music, dance, holiday, and community-based events. For their 2022-23 season running from August through May, CoMMA has programmed something to appeal to every possible taste in entertainment.
CoMMA has established a reputation for bringing Broadway and worldwide touring shows to our region at reasonable prices, saving audience goers multiple trips to Charlotte, New York, or other major cities for their music, theatre, and dance enjoyment.
And they couldn’t possibly make it easier or more affordable to take advantage of their program offerings. Full season tickets reduce the cost to $25 per show, a “Girls Night Out” package of select events is cleverly promoted, and single admission seats are available to all events.
This is the first opportunity that we’ve had to introduce CML readers to Sharon Jablonski, the first director of the newly-formed Department of Cultural and Creative Development. Sharon’s name is familiar to many, having served as Morganton’s Main Street Director for nearly 30 years.
Organizationally, this new entity brings the City’s Main Street Office, CoMMA, and Community House event venue into, “a power house of artistic and cultural offerings for our community,” according to City Manager Sally Sandy. “This was an excellent way to combine three departments that already work very closely together into one cohesive unit that will offer a richer, fuller cultural experience.”
Jablonski said, “While the department is new, these employees are not. All of them are seasoned professionals who are excellent at what they do, and I am very excited to have them on my team as we enter this new era for the City of Morganton.”
The entire slate of offerings is listed in the CoMMA ad near this article, but there are several upcoming fall events worth highlighting.
On September 22, Masters of Soul celebrates the legendary songs and performers that defined Motown and soul music. This 90-minute show features stylishly costumed, fully choreographed performances of both male and female groups backed by a live band, creating the ultimate stroll down memory lane.
Luca Stricagnoli: Italy’s Guitar Prodigy
takes the stage on October 6 for a show that features high-energy renditions of rock songs played on a variety of custom acoustic instruments, including his own triple neck acoustic guitar. With multiple melodies and rhythms and special playing techniques, Luca has transformed his instrumentals into a solo art form all his own.
The award-winning band Lonestar performs on October 27 with a fresh look at all 10 of their chart-topping country songs, from the rock-edged “No News,” to the band’s quadruple-platinum 1999 album Lonely Grill that spawned four No. 1 hits (including the beloved “Amazed”) and established Lonestar as music’s preeminent pop-country band.
On November 5, She The People - Girl-
friends’ Guide to Doing It for Themselves
promises a high-octane show entirely created, designed, and performed by the fearlessly funny women of world-famous comedy mecca, The Second City. “It’s a mimosas-andmadness-fueled foray that proudly roasts the patriarchy in a mashup of sketches and songs that reclaims comedy!”
Other events that are worth considering include America’s Got Talent finalists Sons of Serendip on November 17, and the December 5 holiday show Nochebuena: A Christmas Spectacular presenting traditions and customs that people in Mexico celebrate during the Christmas season.
Box office hours are from noon until 5 p.m. weekdays and one hour prior to all events. For additional information, or to request a season brochure, please call 828-433-SHOW or 800-939-SHOW, or visit their website at www.commaonline.org.
