28 minute read
New Canton gallery reopens after flood
Finding the will to go on
Want to go?
The Cold Mountain Art Collective is located at 33 Adams Street in downtown Canton. Hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Aside from a gallery showroom of local artists, the CMAC also offers art classes onsite in its studio.
For more information on the CMAC, click on coldmountainartcollective.com or call 828.492.1333. You can also follow them on Facebook and Instagram.
Hannah Burnisky, owner of the CMAC.
New Canton gallery reopens after flood
BY GARRET K. WOODWARD ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR
On Aug. 13, Hannah Burnisky’s longtime dream of owning a pottery studio and art gallery came to fruition when the Cold Mountain Art Collective opened its doors. But, just four days later, on Aug. 17, the business closed — its future uncertain and in limbo.
Not because of a lack of sales or interest by the general public. On the contrary, the opening proved a success, a litmus test of the genuine need for a place like the collective in the blue-collar mountain town. No, the business shutdown because of the ravaging floodwaters that overtook the community as a result of Tropical Storm Fred.
“The water that flooded our building was over two and a half feet high. When I walked in the next day, everything was knocked over and there was mud everywhere,” Burnisky reminisced in a humbled tone. “When I arrived, a nice family helped me move the artwork to our shed so we could tear the walls down to the studs before the mold set in — it was heartbreaking, everything covered in mud.”
Luckily, Burnisky had flood insurance. That, and she was able to safely salvage the building and renovate the structure back to its original form that was presented on its opening day.
“It was a difficult couple of months waiting for the insurance to go through and seeing all of this hard work just gone,” Burnisky said. “But, this is where my vision was, and I was going to see it through. I worked so hard to get this building — I wasn’t going to let it slip away.”
The grand reopening took place Oct. 30 to a slew of community support and renewed optimism within Burnisky that her dream was not only justified, but real and tangible.
“It’s so wild, I keep thinking that this isn’t real, but it is,” Burnisky smiled. “I get to walk through the gallery every day, I get to work on my personal ceramics in the studio — this is a space to come together and create.”
The road to the here and now for the Burnisky and the CMAC started several years ago. Originally from Asheville, Burnisky initially pursued a career as an English teacher, but it was a spur of the moment decision to take a beginner’s ceramic class at AB-Tech that forever shifted the trajectory of her life.
“It was just a very basic wheel class, but it was so hands on, and I’m a very hands-on texture-oriented kind of person,” Burnisky said. “That’s the kind of art I love, and it always upset me that we didn’t have a ceramics class in high school. The second I got into ceramics, I knew ‘this is it.’”
From there, Burnisky rented kilns in Asheville’s famed River Arts District. Eventually, she wanted a place of her own, and in her own style and theme. Once Burnisky became a stay-at-home mother, she knew it was her chance to become a full-time artist. In 2017, the young family relocated to Canton.
“I was looking for a place in downtown Canton and as soon as I walked through this building, I knew it was perfect for a studio and a gallery,” Burnisky said. “With over 20 local artists represented here, this place has become a community endeavor to really to bring our local artists to life. There are so many talented people in this area that hadn’t had anywhere to show their work — we value our artisans here.”
And it’s that idea of coming together, whether you’re a neighbor or passerby, at the CMAC which resides at the core of Burnisky’s vision and passion. It’s about sharing the ancient, sacred spark of creativity with others — ultimately inspiring the person next to you to dive deep within themselves through artistic expression.
“I feel like art is such a soulful action. To create something and bear your soul, and then present it to the community, only to have it supported and also bringing the community together? It’s a beautiful thing,” Burnisky said. “This collective and the workshops we host are meant to facilitate community engagement. And I think anytime you’re able to work on that together and problem solve, then it brings all of us closer.”
BY GARRET K. WOODWARD
My dreams fading down the railway line, I’m just about a moonlight mile down the road
It’s 9:21 a.m. Monday. Room 130. Super 8 Motel on the outskirts of Valdosta, Georgia. The air in the space is cool from the ragged old air-conditioner underneath the window. TV blaring some holiday rom-com flick, but the sound is muted. The Rolling Stones’ “Moonlight Mile” swirling around the bed from the laptop speakers.
The sorrowful melody of such intense and genuine emotional depths popped onto the truck stereo along a solo latenight drive from Tampa, Florida, to Valdosta. Amid all of the usual road dog songs blasting to keep me awake and focused — Seger, Zeppelin, Skynyrd, Allman Brothers — it spilled out from the speakers and hit me with such a force.
My old truck rolling down that lost highway, the cruise control hovering around 80 mph as vehicle after vehicle flew by my current position (speed limit is 70), seeing as law enforcement seems to be minimal in these parts at these hours. With out-of-state plates, best keep a safe distance from those zooming by in the unknown night.
No matter. I’m not in a hurry to get back to my humble abode in Waynesville. Hell, I’m making good time anyhow. A full circle drive that started out just about a week ago — another arduous, yet glorious, road trip to baptize the soul and clean out the mind.
The holiday season continues to tick away on the calendar. Christmas is quickly approaching. Will the nose of the old truck be aimed at the North Country in the coming days? Who even knows at this point, eh? The body and the head are tired.
Long year, even longer life (if you’re lucky). The long game is heavy, but bountiful to those who seek wisdom and solace within the confines of white noise and incessant distraction in the digital age.
Leave the motel room and walk down the long corridor to the lobby. The smell of musty carpeting and years of transient inhabitants. Reach for the watered-down coffee and prepackaged blueberry muffin before the front desk clerk takes it all away at 10 a.m. sharp. Back down the corridor. Back through the musty carpet smell.
The housekeeper knocks on your door. Most of the guests are long gone by 10 a.m. The parking lot outside the first-floor window deserted. But, I continue to type away on the king-size bed. Damn right I’m going to get my full stays worth of this $49-a-
Super 8 Motel, Macon.
(photo: Garret K. Woodward)
HOT PICKS
1The inaugural “Bluegrass Boogie: A Haywood County Holiday Celebration” charity concert will be held from 4 to 10 p.m. Friday, Dec. 17, at the Folkmoot Friendship Center in Waynesville.
2The Isaacs will perform a special Christmas show at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 19, at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts in Franklin.
3A special stage production of “Every Christmas Story Ever Told (and then some)!” at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 17-18 and 2 p.m. Dec. 19 at the Haywood Arts Regional Theatre in Waynesville.
4The Brothers Gillespie will host its annual holiday concert at 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 18, at The Water’n Hole Bar & Grill in Waynesville.
5The Western Carolina Civic Orchestra will present the 10th annual “Community Christmas Concert” on Thursday, Dec. 16, at the Jackson County Public Library in Sylva. dents and inspiration — rolling towards the shoreline of New Year’s Eve, crashing into this invisible line between one day being left in the past, the next being a step in the future. The finality of it all, some shoebox of memories and moments we careful pack and tuck away in the closet of our minds come Jan. 1.
“Moonlight Mile” and the exact moment I find myself in. Aside from an unrelenting passion for the Stones, the melody conjures visions of those no longer standing atop this earth. I think of a musician friend of mine, who took his own life not long before the pandemic. It was a shock to all of us in the music industry, whether as his friend or music fan alike.
In his suicide note, he asked that “Moonlight Mile” be played at his funeral, “It’s my song, always has been, it’s me. I used to lay with my headphones on and listen to that song over and over again and it would make me cry and inspire me to live and create. It’s beautiful and elegant and tough and sad and hopeful all at once. Everything I ever wanted to be.”
I concur. It is beautiful. Elegant. Tough. Sad. And hopeful. When the song echoed out of the truck speaks along a lonely Interstate 75 North, I recalled the times spent talking with my late friend, and how incredible he was to behold when he’d grab his guitar, plug into the amp and roar into a whirlwind set of nitty gritty rock-n-roll. I think back on him fondly. I miss my friend.
And I think of my late cousin, who passed away unexpectedly this past June. He was 42. The older brother that I never had. In some serendipitous chain of events, I found myself back in my native Upstate New York just as he returned from a twoyear stint of living out in Montana. He was in bad health when I finally saw him, sitting in an old chair in an even older motel room, chainsmoking cigarettes and chugging can after can of light beer.
I sat with him and we reminisced about the good ole days, way before he gave up on living and started to just wish he’d never wake up someday. We sat and drank a beer together. I never wanted that one beer can to feel empty in my hand. I never wanted the conversation to end, for I felt it was probably our last one together.
A few days after I said goodbye — after I told him I loved him, and closed the motel door — I got the call from my little sister that he was found dead in the motel room, still sitting in that old chair, an unfinished cigarette within reach. All that was left behind was a trash bag of cherished items, half-drank 30-pack of Miller Lite and several years of life left on the table that should been his before he checked out.
The whole year feels like some gigantic wave — of incidents and inspiration. The finality of it all, some shoebox of memories and moments we careful pack and tuck away in the closet of our minds come Jan. 1. Head held high, for what else is there to do in this beautiful sadness and gladness we call life? Onward.
Life is beautiful, grasp for it, y’all.
Ready for the ‘Bluegrass Boogie’?
Folkmoot USA & Adamas Entertainment will present the inaugural “Bluegrass Boogie: A Haywood County Holiday Celebration” charity concert from 4 to 10 p.m. Friday, Dec. 17, at the Sam Love Queen Auditorium in the Folkmoot Friendship Center, located at 112 Virginia Avenue in Waynesville.
There will be live onstage performances by The Darren Nicholson Band (country/bluegrass), Ol’ Dirty Bathtub (Americana/bluegrass) and Chris Minick (singer-songwriter). • Chris Minick (5 to 6 p.m.): A beloved Haywood County singer-songwriter, Minick specializes in original material, as well as several notable covers from a wide-range of popular acoustic influences. • Ol’ Dirty Bathtub (6:30 to 8 p.m.): With its debut album “Pack Mule” a few years ago, Jackson County Americana/bluegrass group Ol’ Dirty Bathtub has become a very popular live act around Western North Carolina and beyond in recent years.
For more information, click on facebook.com/oldirtybathtub. • The Darren Nicholson Band (8:30 to 10 p.m.): There’s a lot going on in Nicholson’s life these days. At 38, the Canton-based artist recently celebrated his 20th year as a professional touring musician, with the last 15 spent as the mandolinist in Balsam Range — arguably one of the most successful, awardwinning bluegrass acts of the 21st century thus far.
At a glance, Balsam Range has won the International Bluegrass Music Association award for “Entertainer of the Year” (2014, 2018), “Album of the Year” (2013, 2017), “Vocal Group of the Year” (2014, 2015) and “Song of the Year” (2011, 2015, 2021), among numerous other accolades.
And yet, Nicholson has always been someone on the move. Aside from the whirlwind touring/recording schedule for Balsam Range, he recently released his fourth solo album, “Man On A Mission.”
The Americana/country album is not only his debut for the storied Mountain Home Records (Arden), but it’s also a life marker for Nicholson — a sincere, intricate soul in pursuit of the fruits of life, whether that be love or camaraderie, hard work or creative fulfillment.
For more information, click on darrennicholson.net.
Tickets will be $25 per person in advance online/$30 day-of-show. As well, tickets at the door day-of-show will be discounted from $30 to $25 if attendees/concertgoers bring in a nonperishable food item.
The “Bluegrass Boogie” is not only a way to gather the community during the holiday season, but it will serve as a charitable event, too.
Craft beer and wine will be sold onsite. All beverage proceeds and a portion of the ticket sales will go to Folkmoot USA in an effort to continue its vital year-round arts and culture programming onsite and throughout the community. For more information, click on folkmoot.org.
Aside from the Women of Waynesville, who will be onsite to gather donations for its nonprofit organization, there will also be a collection of nonperishable food items for the local food pantry. For more information, click on womenofwaynesville.org.
Support live music. Support the arts. Support local business. The more you do, the more we can do. Special thanks to The Smoky Mountain News for being a sponsor of this event.
To purchase tickets, go to tinyurl.com/bluegrassboogie.
• Balsam Falls Brewing (Sylva) will host an open mic from 8 to 10 p.m. every Thursday.
Free and open to the public. 828.631.1987 or balsamfallsbrewing.com.
• Blue Ridge Beer Hub (Waynesville) will host an acoustic jam with the Main Street
NoTones from 7 to 9 p.m. Dec. 16. Free and open to the public. For more information, click on blueridgebeerhub.com.
• Boojum Brewing (Waynesville) will host karaoke at 8:30 p.m. on Wednesdays, trivia at 7 p.m. on Thursdays and Supatight (jam) 8:30 p.m. Dec. 18. All shows begin at 9 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.246.0350 or boojumbrewing.com.
• The Classic Wineseller (Waynesville) will host Russ Wilson & Hank Bones (swing/oldtime) Dec. 18 ($10 cover). All shows begin at 7 p.m. Limited seating. Reservations required. 828.452.6000 or classicwineseller.com. regular live music on the weekends. 828.634.0078 or curraheebrew.com.
• Elevated Mountain Distilling Company will host an Open Mic Night 7 to 9 p.m. on
Wednesdays and semi-regular live music on the weekends. Free and open to the public. 828.734.1084 or elevatedmountain.com.
• Frog Level Brewing (Waynesville) will host semi-regular live music on the weekends. All shows begin at 6 p.m. unless otherwise noted.
Free and open to the public. 828.454.5664 or froglevelbrewing.com.
• Innovation Brewing (Sylva) will host a
“Jazzy Holiday Party” 5 p.m. Dec. 16 and
Shane Meade (soul/folk) 7 p.m. Dec. 22. Free and open to the public. innovation-brewing.com.
• Innovation Station (Dillsboro) will host Lilah
Price 7 p.m. Dec. 23. All events are free and begin at 2 p.m. unless otherwise noted.
Innovation-brewing.com. noted. Free and open to the public. 828.349.2337 or lazyhikerbrewing.com.
• Lazy Hiker Brewing (Sylva) will host Karaoke
In The Smokies Dec. 17. All shows begin at 8 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Free and open to the public. 828.349.2337 or lazyhikerbrewing.com.
• Mountain Layers Brewing (Bryson City) will host Mountain Gypsy Dec. 17, Twelfth Fret Dec. 18, Aly Jordan 5 p.m. Dec. 19, Steve Heffker
Dec. 24 and Twelfth Fret 5 p.m. Dec. 26. All shows begin at 6 p.m. unless otherwise noted.
Free and open to the public. 828.538.0115 or mountainlayersbrewingcompany.com.
• Nantahala Brewing (Sylva) will host semiregular live music on the weekends. All shows are free and begin at 8 p.m. 828.641.9797 or nantahalabrewing.com.
• Rathskeller Coffee Haus & Pub (Franklin) will host semi-regular live music on the weekends. Shows begin at 8 p.m. Free and open to the public. rathskellerfranklin.com. • Southern Porch (Canton) will host semi-regular live music on the weekends. 828.492.8009 or southern-porch.com.
• The Ugly Dog Pub (Cashiers) will host semiregular live music on the weekends. 828.743.3000 or theuglydogpub.com.
• The Ugly Dog Pub (Highlands) will host semi-regular live music on the weekends. 828.526.8364 or theuglydogpub.com.
• Unplugged Pub (Bryson City) will host
Blackjack Country Dec. 16, Trish Ann Band
Dec. 17 and Genepool Band Dec. 18. All shows begin at 8 p.m. Free and open to the public. 828.538.2488.
• Valley Tavern (Maggie Valley) will host semiregular live music on the weekends. 828.926.7440 or valley-tavern.com.
• Water’n Hole Bar & Grill (Waynesville) will host The Brothers Gillespie (rock/indie) 8 p.m. Dec. 18. 828.456.4750 or facebook.com/waternhole.bar.
ALSO:
The Maggie Valley Band will perform at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 18, at Lazy Hiker Brewing in Franklin.
A blend of old-time mountain, Americana and psychedelic folk music, the Haywood County group is fronted by siblings Whitney and Caroline Miller.
The duo has gone through several changes since they first set out on their melodic adventure several years ago, but what remains is the unbreakable bond of sisterhood, something that’s become a stronghold — and strong suit — in what it will take to break into the next level of their promising careers.
The show is free and open to the public.
The Maggie Valley Band.
828.349.2337 or lazyhikerbrewing.com. For more information, click on themaggievalleyband.com.
Western Carolina University’s Dulcimer U will hold its annual Winter Weekend event on Jan. 6-9 in the Lambuth Inn at Lake Junaluska.
“This event is for the beginner dulcimer player all the way to advanced players,” said Bobby Hensley, associate director of continuing education. “This is a wonderful weekend of music and fellowship and a great way to learn more about the mountain dulcimer.”
Participants will be able to choose classes based on their skill level during registration. The registration fee will be $199 per person. The fee for non-participating guests is $20.
Directors are Elaine and Larry Conger, with instructors Keith Watson, Ruth Barber, Jeff Furman, Anne Lough and Jim Miller.
Accommodations, classes and meals will all be located at the Lambuth Inn. Participants will need to book their room separate from their registration by calling the Lambuth Inn at 800.222.4930.
University COVID-19 guidelines will be followed during class time. For more information and to register, visit dulcimeru.wcu.edu or call 828.227.7397.
The Brothers Gillespie.
Brothers Gillespie holiday jam
Grill in Waynesville.
Drawing from their Southern Appalachian roots and channeling the gritty rock-n-roll they were raised on, The Brothers Gillespie spin heartfelt yarns with an alternative edge.
The event is free and open to the public. Ben Morgan will open the show. For more information, click on brothersgillespie.com.
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arts & entertainment
A Sylva Christmas
The Main Street Sylva Association (MSSA) will be hosting holiday festivities this year in its picturesque downtown.
The Jackson County Arts market will be running from 1 to 5 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays throughout the holidays.
The Jackson County Chamber of Commerce and Jackson County Parks & Recreation will host a Holiday Fireworks Display at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 17, which will be visible from downtown Sylva.
The fireworks display will be visible from all over the downtown Sylva corridor, including Mill and Main Streets, as well as from the Bridge Park, the historic Jackson County Courthouse, and limited other surrounding areas. The display will be shot from the same spot as the annual July 4 fireworks have been shot the last seven years, directly above the Coffee Shop/Speedy’s Pizza, in Sunrise Park.
Folks can arrive early to hear a live concert on the porch of the Jackson County Chamber and Visitor Center at 6:30 p.m. Local favorites Terri Lynn Queen (vocals) and Scott Baker (guitar) will perform festive holiday favorites. There might even be a special surprise guest from the North Pole.
All of these events are free and open to the public.
The Main Street Sylva Association is a nonprofit entity formed with the mission to spur economic development in the town of Sylva. The MSSA also collaborates with the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce, Jackson County government, the TDA and other nonprofits in order to promote and enhance downtown Sylva.
For more information, go to mainstreetsylva.org or contact Main Street Economic Development Director Bernadette Peters at mainstreet@townofsylva.org or 828.586.2719.
Scott Baker & Terri Lynn Queen
28 Walnut St. Waynesville 828.456.3021
HaywoodChamber.com
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Renowned act The Isaacs will perform a special Christmas show at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 19, at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts in Franklin.
The Isaacs are a Nashville based, multi award-winning family group, consisting of siblings Ben Isaacs, Sonya Isaacs Yeary and Rebecca Isaacs Bowman, and their mother, Lily Isaacs, who is the daughter of Polish, Jewish Holocaust survivors.
The band’s unique style showcases tight family harmony and blends their multi-genre musical influences of bluegrass, rhythm and blues, folk, country, and Southern Gospel. And now, The Isaacs invite you to celebrate the traditional and sacred sounds of the Christmas Season, from their family to yours.
Tickets start at $20 per person. For more information and/or to purchase tickets, click on smokymountainarts.com or call 828.524.1598.
Lake Junaluska Christmas
Celebrate the holiday season with a special weekend of carriage rides, a candlelight service, live music, decorations and more at the Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center.
FRIDAY, DEC. 17
• Shop at Junaluska Gifts & Grounds, Harrell
Center (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) • Shop at Christmas Memories, Lambuth Inn (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) • Shop at Golf Pro Shop, Golf Course (8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) • Christmas Movie Showing of Miracle on 34th
Street in the Lambuth International Room at
Lambuth Inn (6 to 8 p.m.). Free.
SATURDAY, DEC. 18
• Shop at Junaluska Gifts & Grounds, Harrell
Center (8 a.m. to 8 p.m.) • Shop at the Christmas Memories, Lambuth
Inn (8 a.m. to 8 p.m.) • Shop at Golf Pro Shop, Golf Course (8 a.m. to 8 p.m.) • Christmas story reading of “The Night Before
Christmas” at the library inside the Harrell
Center (3 p.m.). Free. • Horse & Carriage Rides (4 to 8 p.m.). A 30minute lakeside carriage ride from the front of Harrell Center to York Dining Commons and back. Please make your carriage ride reservation online. Cost is $30 adults, $15 youth 12-17 years old and $10 children 4-11 years old. Children under 4 are free. • Cookies and Cider in Lambuth Inn and
Terrace Hotel lobbies (4 to 8 p.m.). Free. • Photos with Santa, Library inside the Harrell
Center (5 to 8 p.m.). Suggested donation of $10. • Music by Karin Lyle (harpist) and Rosanne
Cavender (violinist) Terrace Hotel Lobby (5 to 6:30 p.m.). Free. • Music by Hilda Ryan (pianist), Lambuth Inn
Lobby (6:30 to 8 p.m.). Free.
SUNDAY, DEC. 19
• Shop at Junaluska Gifts & Grounds, Harrell
Center (10 to 5 p.m.) • Shop at Christmas Memories, Lambuth Inn (10 to 5 p.m.) • Shop at Golf Pro Shop, Golf Course (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.) • Christmas Candlelight Service in Memorial
Chapel (3 p.m.). Free.
A special holiday tribute performance to legendary duo The Carpenters at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 17, at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts in Franklin.
Michelle Berting Brett has been paying tribute to The Carpenters for years with her show, “We’ve Only Just Begun: Carpenters Remembered.” Now she is bringing the sounds of The Carpenters back to the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts for a holiday show called, “Merry Christmas Darling: Carpenters’ Christmas.”
Brett leads the show with richly gifted vocals that pay a remarkable tribute to Karen Carpenter as she recreates the sounds and spirit of The Carpenters. Brett trained in opera and theatre and began her performing career in roles, such as the Baroness in “The Sound of Music.”
She has served as a band leader, production singer, and guest entertainer for many productions, and has made music in exclusive resorts and hotels in Europe and Asia as well as on many cruise ships. She has also had the privilege to perform for the troops in Bosnia.
Tickets start at $20 each with priority seating available. For more information and/or to purchase tickets, visit smokymountainarts.com or call 866.273.4615.
Sylva library holiday concert
The Western Carolina Civic Orchestra will present the 10th annual “Community Christmas Concert” on Thursday, Dec. 16, at the Jackson County Public Library in Sylva. The musical celebration will begin at 6:15 p.m. with caroling on the library steps, weather permitting. Phil and Gayle Woody will lead all comers in singing traditional carols.
Members of the Civic Orchestra and members of the Sacred Sounds ensemble from Franklin, conducted by Dr. Damon Sink, will begin the concert at 7 p.m. with portions of the Christmas Concerto by Arcangelo Corelli.
Younger players will join the orchestra for Pachelbel Canon, Carol of the Bells and more seasonal favorites. These violin students represent the teaching studios of Cathy Arps (Sylva), Kathy Hill (Franklin) and Sarah Smith (Waynesville).
The Western Carolina Civic Orchestra is supported by the Jackson County Arts Council and the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, with funding from the National Endowment for the Arts.
The concert is free, and the public is welcome. Masks are required in the library and social distancing is requested. This event is co-sponsored by the Friends of the Jackson County Public Library.
For more information, please call the library at 828.586.2016.
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FOOD & BEVERAGE & BONUSES.
ALL AT ONE HOLIDAY HIRING EVENT.
Join us for a December Food & Beverage Hiring Event. It’s happening December 15 from 10 a.m.–2 p.m. at the Harrah’s Cherokee Convention Center. We’re hiring for all F&B positions, with bonuses up to $3,000. Apply at HarrahsCherokeeJobs.com.
arts & entertainment
Waynesville ‘Wine & Workshop’
The Haywood County Arts Council invites community members to join in the gift giving spirit through its first minifundraiser in the form of making art and delighting taste buds at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 16, at the HCAC in Waynesville.
HCAC, two of their artist members, and Bosu’s wine shop are teaming up to provide the experience located in HCAC’s downtown Waynesville gallery.
“Bosu’s is a long supporter of HCAC. We believe that keeping the arts as a focal point downtown supports our local economic vitality” said Bosu’s co-owner Stephanie Strickland, who is donating the supplies and her staff’s time to HCAC for the event.
Called “Wine & Workshop,” the event includes learning to paint wine glasses, making gift tags and tasting a flight of three wines complimented with individual charcuterie boards.
The artists sharing their skills and donating their time are well known and longtime community members Barbara Brook and Linda Blount.
Cost is $100 per person. Space is limited to 10 people total and is filling up fast. Reserve your spot by registering online at haywoodarts.org/wine-workshop-series.
The monthly Creating Community Workshop will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 18, in the Atrium of the Jackson County Public Library in Sylva.
Library staffer Jenifer Ross will show participants how to create small mixed colored yarn hats which can be used as an ornament, décor, or to place atop any small doll or gnome who needs a hat.
Participants do not have to bring any supplies but are welcome to bring any special yarn that they want to use. The workshop is limited to 10 participants.
Please call the library to register. This program is free of charge. Masks are required inside all Jackson County buildings.
For more information, call the library at 828.586.2016. This event is co-sponsored by the Friends of the Jackson County Public Library.
• Jesse Adair Dallas will be showing his artwork at the Macon County Public Library in Franklin through the ALSO: month of December. Open to the public. For more information, email jesse@enjoyarttoday.com.
December 15-21, 2021
Stayat Maggie Valley Club & Resort thisWinter!
In an effort to bring together all of the classic holiday tales, there will be a special stage production of “Every Christmas Story Ever Told (and then some)!” at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 17-18 and 2 p.m. Dec. 19 at the Haywood Arts Regional Theatre in Waynesville.
The audience stills in preparation for another performance of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol,” when all of a sudden, the actor on stage proclaims, “I can’t do this!” That’s the beginning of the madcap holiday romp HART brings to its stage this holiday season and it just gets funnier and funnier from there.
Three actors take over the production and decide to perform not just one story, but “Every Christmas Story Ever Told (and then some)!” Hold on tight as you take a tinsel-covered roller coaster ride bursting with laughter, carols, and joy, and prepare to leave with more Holiday spirit than you can carry.
Full of constant costume changes, impressions of Jimmy Stewart, just about every prop HART has in stock, and stories from around the world, actors David Spivey, Dakota Mann, and William Tyler Ezzell star in this hilarious comedy.
Tickets are available by clicking on harttheatre.org or calling the box office at 828.456.6322.
BRYSON CITY
• The popular “Polar Express” train ride is now running from the Great Smoky
Mountains Railroad depot in downtown
Bryson City. 800.872.4681 or gsmr.com.
• “Christmas Hayrides Through the Lights” will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday through Saturdays until Dec. 18 at Darnell
Farms in Bryson City. Ride is 20 minutes.
Admission is $12 per person, which includes a holiday beverage. Tickets available at darnellfarms.com.
• “Holiday Market” with local artisans will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday and Saturday through Dec. 18 at 117 Island Street in
Bryson City. Outdoor event. Leashed pets are welcome. 828.488.7857 or greatsmokies.com.
FRANKLIN
• The Overlook Theatre Company will present a special “Christmas Celebration” at 7 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 21, at the Smoky Mountain
Center for the Performing Arts in Franklin.
Sing-along with traditional favorites and enjoy new tunes — all in a beautiful setting of sparkling lights, a giant Christmas tree, and a few surprises. Tickets are $10 per person. smokymountainarts.com or 828.524.1598.
SYLVA
• The “Holiday Fireworks” will be held at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 17, in downtown
Sylva. Presented by the Jackson County Parks & Rec and Jackson County Chamber of
Commerce. mountainlovers.com.
WAYNESVILLE
• “All Through the Town” holiday celebration will run through Dec. 31 in downtown Waynesville. ALSO: Participating local businesses, restaurants, galleries and breweries will take extra care in decorating for the holidays, staying open later for shopping, and much more. downtownwaynesville.com. • The inaugural drive-thru “Christmas Light
Show” will be held through Jan. 2 at the
Smoky Mountain Event Center (formerly the
Haywood County Fairgrounds). Tickets for the nightly show are available online at 38main.com, with only 100 cars per onehour time slot. Admission is $20 per vehicle. • The 41st season of The Shelton House will continue with the “Tinsel Trail & Appalachian
Christmas” celebration, which will be held through Jan. 1 at the historic home in
Waynesville. sheltonhouse.org.
