‘An Appalachian Evening’

The “An Appalachian Evening” series will continue with a performance by Nu-Blu at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 29, at the Stecoah Valley Center in Robbinsville.

The annual summer concert series offers an ever-changing schedule of bluegrass, folk and old-time mountain music by award-winning artists — quality entertainment for the entire family.

Rich in cultural heritage, the series continues to be a favorite with locals and visitors alike. The concert will be held in the airconditioned Lynn L. Shields Auditorium.

After releasing four Top 10 Billboard albums, North Carolina-based Nu-Blu has quickly established themselves as one of the top acoustic acts in the music industry, delivering a set of songs that range from the melancholy to the exuberant.

Dulcimer group ‘Pic’ & Play’

The Pic’ & Play Mountain Dulcimer Players will be resuming in-person jam sessions at the St. John’s Episcopal Church basement fellowship hall in Sylva. The group welcomes all beginners and experienced dulcimer players, including mountain (lap) dulcimer and hammered dulcimer players. Songs played include traditional mountain tunes, hymns and more modern music. The group meets at 1:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Saturday of every month in the basement of St. John’s.

Pic’ & Play has been playing together since 1995. The more experienced members welcome new players, help them navigate their instruments, and guide them through some of the basics of tuning, strumming and playing.

Over the years, they’ve garnered major headlines with their George Jones inspired tribute single “Jesus and Jones” featuring Rock & Roll Hall of Fame singer “Soul Man” Sam Moore (of the iconic duo Sam and Dave).

The award-winning band has also made appearances on Fox News in the past, while also having their music featured on CBS “Sunday Morning.” Recently they’ve moved into the role of helping bring bluegrass to the masses, serving as the permanent host of the nationally-syndicated TV show “Bluegrass Ridge,” which airs in 120 million homes worldwide.

Tickets are $20 for adults, $10 for students grade K-12. For more information and/or to purchase tickets, call 828.479.3364 or go to stecoahvalleycenter.com.

Western North Carolina native and renowned banjoist Tray Wellington and his band will perform music from his latest album “Black Banjo.” Wellington has performed at festivals throughout the country including MerleFest and the International Bluegrass Music Associations (IBMA) Wide Open Bluegrass. He has also been featured on CNN’s “United Shades of America.”

Following the concert, a variety of cultural demonstrations will be presented at the Mountain Farm Museum from 1-3 p.m. Visitors can also join park staff at the historic Mingus Mill and the

Enloe Slave Cemetery at 2:30 p.m. for a walking tour focused on African American history.

Visitors should bring blankets and chairs to enjoy the concert. Limited accessible parking and sitting will be available at the event. While the concert is free, a vehicle parking tag is required for all vehicles parking for longer than 15 minutes.

The “African American Experiences in the Smokies” project is supported by the Friends of the Smokies, which helps fund research of the historic presence and influence of African Americans in the southern Appalachian Mountains from the 1540s through today.

For more information, go to nps.gov/grsm.

The mountain dulcimer, also known as a fretted dulcimer or a lap dulcimer, is a uniquely American instrument. It evolved from the German scheitholz sometime in the early 1800s in Appalachia and was largely known only in this region until popularized more broadly in the 1950s.

For more information, call Kathy Jaqua at 828.349.3930 or Don Selzer at 828.293.0074.

‘Concerts on the Creek’

The Town of Sylva, Jackson County Parks and Recreation Department and Jackson County Chamber of Commerce are proud to present the 14th annual season of the “Concerts on the Creek” music series.

Americana/roots act Lua Flora will hit the stage at 7 p.m. Friday, July 28, at the gazebo in Bridge Park in downtown Sylva. Asheville-based Lua Flora’s sun-kissed melodies are rooted in the harmonies of

Appalachia, rhythms of the West Indies and lyricism of American folk. Releasing a collection of singles, Lua Flora has collaborated with Sons of Paradise, Richard Vagner, Victor Rice and Karl Vincent Roth (of Satsang).

These events are free with donations encouraged. Everyone is welcome. Dogs must be on a leash. No smoking, vaping, coolers or tents allowed. Bring a chair or blanket. There will be food trucks onsite for this event.

These concerts are organized and produced by the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce, the Town of Sylva and the Jackson County Parks and Recreation Department.

For more information, please contact the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce at 828.586.2155 or visit the Concerts on the Creek Facebook page. A full schedule of dates and performers can be found at mountainlovers.com/concerts-on-the-creek.

• Balsam Falls Brewing (Sylva) will host an open mic from 8-10 p.m. every Thursday. Free and open to the public. 828.631.1987 or balsamfallsbrewing.com.

• Blue Ridge Beer Hub (Waynesville) will host a semi-regular acoustic jam with the Main Street NoTones from 7-9 p.m. every first and third Thursday of the month. Free and open to the public. For more information, go to blueridgebeerhub.com.