The Arts
Valley Voices to premier at Hardman Farm June 2-5, 2022
T
he Friends of Hardman Farm State Historic site, in partnership with Piedmont University’s North Georgia Theatre, will present Valley Voices, an outdoor drama, at Hardman Farm in Sautee-Nacoochee, Georgia on June 2-5, 2022. Written by local author and playwright, Emory Jones, and based on his new book by the same name, Valley Voices tells the stories of the families who lived, worked, and loved in Nacoochee Valley over two centuries. “Several of us locals, along with DNR officials, have wanted to see an outdoor drama come to Nacoochee Valley for years,” Jones says. “In 2015, we had Dr. Michael Hardy—then the Director of the Institute of Outdoor Theatre—visit here and write an assessment of this project’s potential. “Dr. Hardy was most encouraging and cited the farm’s history, location near Helen, and proximity to cities like Atlanta and Asheville, as key reasons to move forward.” Jones says the partnership with Piedmont University is another plus. “Having Piedmont’s Kathy Blandin direct Valley Voices and Bill Gabelhausen be the acting coach and play the role of Calvin Hunnicutt will make this premier performance something no North Georgian will want to miss.” The event will host a trifecta of performances beginning with live music from Joe and Debbielee Whelchel and continuing with “Doc Johnson’s Travelling Miracle Medicine Show,” a classic latenineteenth-century magic act. The Valley Voices presentation rounds out the evening. On June 2-4th, gates open at 5pm. Guests are encouraged to come early, bring their own lawn chair or blanket, grab a bite from a local food truck or a brew from Tantrum Brewing Co., and have a picnic on the grounds. The site’s 19 outbuildings, including the impressive 100-plus-year-old dairy barn, will be open, and guests can interact with the actors prior to their performance. Gates open at 11:30am for Sunday’s 2pm matinee. Visitors are encouraged to bring a picnic since there will not be a food truck for the matinee performance. Tickets are $20 plus taxes and fees. To learn more, visit: valleyvoices. eventbrite.com. All proceeds go towards future events and restoration projects at the historic Hardman Farm. Contact: Sarah Summers at 706-878-1077 or Emory Jones at 678-644-5835. Email: sarah.summers@dnr.ga.gov or emory@ emoryjonesllc.com.
44 - www.laurelofnortheastgeorgia.com - June 2022
