Appalachian Theatre

Appalachian Theatre resumes live programming in September

Artists to include Roger McGuinn, John McEuen, Henry Cho and Malpass Brothers

The Appalachian Theatre of the High Country announced that it is reopening its doors to the general public on Sept. 3 for the first time since March 2020. This concludes an extended period of time during which ATHC produced 15 online broadcasts of seven films and eight “Live from the Appalachian Theatre” stage shows and private events. These events reached a virtual audience of thousands of dedicated supporters who sustained the venerable King Street landmark in downtown Boone during the global pandemic.

The fall season of ATHC presented events includes five musical and comedy concerts by artists Roger McGuinn, Damn Tall Buildings, John McEuen and the String Wizards in an encore “Grand Opening 2.0” performance, Henry Cho and the Malpass Brothers. Tickets for these events will go on sale to ATHC members at 10 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 6, and to the general public the following week at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 12. For more information about each artist and ticket policies, visit

PHOTO SUBMITTED John McEuen performs at Boone’s Appalachian Theatre Oct. 14.

the theatre’s website at www.apptheatre.org.

App Theatre Executive Director Laura Kratt expressed gratitude to the sponsors, donors, patrons, trustees and other volunteers whose unwavering support over the past 16 months has enabled the ATHC to continue as a viable asset to the High Country region.

“We were only open for a brief amount of time — less than five months — before closing for a period three times that long. We’ve been planning our ‘Grand Opening 2.0’ for quite some time, and are thrilled to announce those details to an audience eager to experience live performing arts,” Kratt said.

At 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 3, Roger McGuinn takes to the ATHC stage. As the founder of The Byrds, McGuinn is firmly established as an indisputable industry icon. From his signature 12-string Rickenbacker sound, to his instantly recognizable vocals on hits like “Turn, Turn, Turn” and “Mr. Tambourine Man,” Roger McGuinn didn’t just make music; he made history. Rolling Stone magazine

PHOTO SUBMITTED The Malpass Brothers (Christopher and Taylor) performs at Boone’s Appalachian Theatre Nov. 11.

said, “Music would be a very different place if it hadn’t been for Roger McGuinn.” Tickets are $35 per person.

Damn Tall Buildings will make their Appalachian Theatre debut at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 1. In their early days, Damn Tall Buildings didn’t rehearse — they busked. Now, whether sharing lead vocals and instrumental solos or blending their voices into loose, joyous harmony, the four members of Damn Tall Buildings blend elements of bluegrass, blues, rootsrock and vintage swing to create a captivating, high-energy sound. The Boston Globe called them, “The Carter Family for the millennial generation” Tickets are $25.

The first artists to grace the stage of the ATHC

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in October 2019 were John McEuen and the String Wizards during a SRO, standing ovation performance. Two years later, they make a triumphant return for our special “Grand Opening 2.0” concert at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 14. McEuen, a founding member of the iconic Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and American Banjo Museum Hall of Famer, brings his banjo, guitar, fiddle and mandolin to share music and memories from his 55-year life in music along with his unique cast of Americana “string wizards” including Lea Thompson, John Cable (both also previous NGDB members) and Matt Cartsonis. Tickets are $35 per person.

At 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 23, American stand-up comedian Henry Cho will entertain ATHC audience members with his special brand of sidesplitting humor. His work can be heard nationwide several times weekly on XM Radio’s Channel 151, Laugh USA, Sirius Radio’s Blue Collar Radio Channel 103, and Pandora Radio’s PG Comedy Radio Channel. Cho is notable for being one of the only Asian acts to appear regularly on the Grand Ole Opry. Some of Henry’s film credits include Universal’s ‘McHale’s Navy,” “Say It Isn’t So,” and “Material Girls” with Hilary Duff and Angelica Houston. Tickets are $28.

The popular and much-anticipated Malpass Brothers concert has been rescheduled from their original 2020 dates to a 7 p.m. curtain on Saturday, Nov. 11. With sincerity and an ease on stage that belies their years, brothers Christopher and Taylor Malpass layer their smooth vocal blend and skillful musicianship with the deep respect they pay to the country music legends who have paved the way. Both gifted musicians and songwriters, they have shared billing with artists including Ray Price, Willie Nelson, Doyle Lawson, Rhonda Vincent, Marty Stuart, Doc Watson and more. Tickets are $25.

Kratt noted that, in addition to these performances, the ATHC will soon announce their much-anticipated BOONE DOCS series of documentary film screenings as part of the Southern Circuit Tour of Independent Filmmakers, plus a newly launched App Theatre Cinema Classics series of much-loved, family-friendly films. She also said that many of the ATHC user groups would soon be revealing their fall productions at the theatre, and that a holiday line-up of events should be ready to announce by October.

“This is a great opportunity to become a member and get first shot at great seats for shows this fall” said Kratt. Membership levels begin at the $100 level.

The Appalachian Theatre is committed to the health and safety of our community and will continue to follow the guidance of health and governmental officials in the development and implementation of COVID related policies.

Tickets and memberships are available on the theatre’s website at www.

About the Appalachian Theatre

The mission of the Appalachian Theatre of the High Country is to revitalize and sustain this historic community touchstone as a quality home for diverse artists and audiences with a special focus on programs that celebrate our distinctive Appalachian heritage and enhance our capacity to serve as an economic catalyst for Boone and the High Country. Once a gorgeous 999seat Art Deco movie house, the building closed in 2007 and sat empty and gutted for years. On October 14, 2019, the Appalachian Theatre re-opened its doors after a $10 million renovation that brought the distinctive Art Deco details back to this historic theatre and created a new 629-seat, state-of-theart, acoustically fabulous venue for live concerts, films, plays, and dance performances. The historic Appalachian Theatre has entertained regional audiences in the heart of downtown Boone, N.C., since 1938.

Appalachian Theatre expands fall schedule FilmsCinema Classics

Due to the success of the inaugural BOONE DOCS documentary film series in 2020-21, the Appalachian Theatre of the High Country has announced an expanded schedule of screenings including a new Cinema Classics series. On seven different weekends during the autumn months, “Cinema Sundays at the App Theatre” will bring both documentary films and much-loved, familyfriendly classics to audiences throughout the High Country region and beyond.

Perpetuating a cinematic tradition that dates back to 1938 when the venerable art deco “movie palace” opened on King Street in the heart of Boone, the Cinema Classics series will formally launch during the upcoming holiday season. In the interim, it will tease theatergoers with a much-loved film that will be screened at the theatre, in person at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 19 in conjunction with “International Talk Like a Pirate Day.”

It is the only holiday that encourages people to babble like buccaneers for the sheer, anarchic fun of it. “It’s been celebrated by millions of people on all seven continents and even on the International Space Station,” according to cocreators John Baur and Mark Summers. The App Theatre invites audiences to don their best pirate regalia (no swords, please) and celebrate the best pirate film ever produced while practicing their best pirate jargon. “ARRRRG!”

When the studio prohibited the App Theatre from mentioning the title of this popular 1987 film directed by Rob Reiner and featuring Dred Pirate Roberts, Executive Director Laura Kratt replied, “Inconceivable!”, but offered the following hints: the movie stars Mandy Patinkin, Wallace Shawn, and Andre the Giant, and includes with the legendary catchphrase, “My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die.” For the name of this iconic film, go to www. apptheatre.org.

Kratt said the much-anticipated BOONE DOCS series of documentary film screenings will continue the partnership formed in 2020 between the App Theatre and South Arts’ Southern Circuit

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What’s All the Buzz About?

The month of October will have everyone buzzing at the Mayland Earth to Sky Park, when muralist Matt Willey will be on site painting a Good of the Hive mural on the exterior of the Glenn and Carol Arthur Planetarium. Willey’s mission is to paint 40,000 honeybees (the number of bees needed for a healthy hive) around the world to not only raise awareness about honeybee health, but to promote the importance of understanding how the earth and all living things are interconnected. Willey will reach an important milestone with the Arthur Planetarium mural: painting his 10,000th bee. Visitors to the Earth to Sky Park will have an opportunity to watch Willey paint as well as ask him questions. The mural is anticipated to take 5-6 weeks to paint depending on weather conditions. Mayland Community College plans to invite students from Mayland as well as the local K-12 school systems to come and learn about honeybees, mural painting and the Earth to Sky Park through out October. The Glenn and Carol Arthur Planetarium is currently scheduled to open in early 2022. The Good of the Hive mural on the Planetarium will join the ranks of other murals including at the headquarters of Burt’s Bees in Durham and the exterior of the Ape House at the Smithsonian Zoo in Washington, DC.

The public is also invited for a Fall Bee Fest celebration on Saturday, October 23rd to enjoy a day at the Earth to Sky Park. Vendors, children’s activities, and a food truck will all be on site for visitors to learn about bees and other types of pollinators. Matt Willey will give a public lecture on The Good of the Hive and the mural during the celebration too. For additional details please visit www.mayland.edu/foundation

Out of town guests who come for the Fall Bee Fest or to enjoy watching Matt Willey paint his mural can stay at Spruce Pine’s newest hotel: the Blue Ridge Boutique Hotel. Located in a renovated 100-year-old brick school house, the hotel currently has 16 rooms open, with an additional 16 rooms and restaurant and bar coming in 2022. Each guest room is themed after an area destination, so guests can learn about many different places to visit while they are in the area. For reservations and more information visit www.blueridgeboutiquehotel.com

The Mayland Earth to Sky Park is located at 66 Energy Exchange Dr. in Burnsville, NC. In addition to the Glenn and Carol Arthur Planetarium, the park is the home of the Bare Dark Sky Observatory and is an International Dark Sky certified park. For information on the Earth to Sky Park visit www.mayland.edu/esp

Muralist Matt Willey paints a Scout bee on the O’Connell Conference Center at the Earth to Sky Park.