This year in honor of 100 years providing an arena of possibility, an opening into the soul and a door into the world, the Library Association will host events celebrating our library.
Explore Grandfather Mountain after hours with your own personal guides. Discover some of the park’s nighttime wonders, while stopping at its most significant sites. Watch a beautiful sunset, and experience the mountain as never before!
"Deciphering Doc Watson" -Arthel “Doc” Watson was one of the greatest guitarists the world has ever seen. His lightning-fast guitar licks and smooth baritone voice earned him international recognition and 8 Grammy awards. When he emerged on the national music scene during the Folk Revival of the 1960’s he was billed as a pure folk artist who learned his repertoire from his forefathers on the front porch.
A Once-a-Year Event for Railroad Enthusiasts of All Ages!
Celebrate the golden age of steam locomotives behind Tweetsie's historic narrow-gauge, steam locomotives.
We learned during the pandemic how important outdoor spaces are for health and well-being as we saw record numbers of people flock to parks and trails. NC Year of the Trail is the largest statewide celebration of trails and outdoor recreation in North Carolina history.
Junior Naturalist Program activities throughout the day will be provided specifically for children ages 5-12 but all ages are welcome! Events are included with admission. It is recommended that those planning to attend purchase their tickets to the park online in advance.
Join exhibiting artists Herb Cohen and Lynn Jenkins in conversation with long time neighbors, friends, and collectors of Artists Alley, Sue Glenn and Lee Rocamora. Moderated by Ian Gabriel Wilson, Curator of Exhibitions & Collections at BRAHM, this roundtable discussion will provide insight into the formation of the artist-centered community, the daily life of residents, and the lasting impact of the Artists Alley community on Blowing Rock.
Join BRAHM's Curator of Exhibitions & Collections, Ian Gabriel Wilson, for a guided walkthrough of one of the museum's galleries. Gain insight about the genesis of an exhibition, the selection and arrangement of artworks, and a sneak-peek into the process of developing and mounting a show at BRAHM. These are informal tours and an opportunity to ask questions. Come ready to move through the space and discuss the works that interest you!
The Chetola Resort is hosting the Porsche 356 Registry Concours d’Elegance – “356 By the Lake” on Saturday September 23rd between 9:00 AM and 1:00 PM. The Porsche 356 was manufactured between 1948 and 1965 establishing Porsche as an iconic sports car brand.
Join App State’s Dr. Howard S. Neufeld for a vibrant exploration of two key questions: why do tree leaves turn color in the fall? Is it an evolutionary adaptation or just what leaves do when they die? Each autumn deciduous trees put on a colorful display as they prepare to go dormant for the winter.
Head on over to the field next to Blowing Rock Elementary School for their Fall Festival. Bring a blanket and some chairs and get comfy! They will have great food options, carnival games, face painting, silent auctions, and more!
Drop in and meet featured artist Jack Hamrick, as he works on a current painting! Saturday, September 30, 2023, from 1pm to 4pm. This program is free and open to the public.
From September 30 through October 8, guests enjoy short, guided nature walks that highlight Grandfather Mountain’s fall colors. The Fall Color Rambles take place daily, weather permitting, and are included in an admission ticket.
Embrace your nocturnal side at Grandfather Mountain through Creatures of the Night & Bonfire Delight, the park’s after-hours program where guests enjoy rare after-dark tours, fireside tales and a chance to meet the park’s nighttime residents.
The Blowing Rocket began printing in 1932 and continued until the paper transitioned to fully online in 2022. The Blowing Rock Community Library is working to digitize the early copies of the Blowing Rocket so that the important historical information will be available to the public.
Join App State’s Dr. Brett Taubman at BRAHM for a fascinating tour of fermentations. There will be opportunities to sample each of the fermented products described, all prepared by the Fermentation Sciences program at App State.
The Blowing Rock Art & History Museum is thrilled to unveil the inaugural edition of ARS POETICA, a juried exhibition, bringing together the work of poets and artists in this gallery and a companion digital publication. A committee of jurors has paired submitted poems and artworks into combinations that expand, highlight, augment, and sometimes even obfuscate meaning, each enriching the experience of the other.
The Studio Craft movement of the 20th Century witnessed a broad resurgence of artists working in mediums historically understood to be less precious than their fine art counterparts. Clay, metal, glass, wood, and fiber were the materials of daily life, constituting the tools and wares of domestic and professional labor.
Grandfather Mountain’s Fall Color Ramble wraps up with a day full of fall-color activities, including naturalist talks and additional rambles, allowing participants to explore and admire the annual phenomenon.
Song to Seed features seed-saving demonstrations, stories, humor, fiddle tunes, rare heirloom seeds to share, and original songs about Appalachian foodways. Hosted by Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture and sponsored by The Center for Appalachian Studies at Appalachian State University, please come and join us for a lively, interactive, and fun program.
Join Howard Friedland, a renowned landscape, oil painter and teacher at Martin House Gallery. He will be hosting a two day workshop on October 21 and 22.
Phil Archer, the Betsy Main Babcock Director of Reynolda and the curator of its current exhibition Smith & Libby: Two Rings, Seven Months, One Bullet, will join us to talk about the characters and stories that led up to–and resulted from–the most tragic, titillating, intriguing, and baffling night in the long story of North Carolina's "second grandest estate." Reception with the speaker following the talk.
In May 1868, Tom Dula was hanged in Statesville, North Carolina, for the murder of his sweetheart, Laura Foster. The prior trial, his second, made national news and reveals much about regional and national understandings of “mountain folk” in the post-Civil War period.
The Blowing Rock Community Library offers Storytime every Saturday at 11a.m. Volunteers read to children aged 0-7 and their parents.
Visit Grandfather Mountain for a day of nature programs about animals that some consider creepy and crawly! This fun-filled celebration includes an opportunity to trick-or-treat on the mountain and then watch special Halloween enrichments be given to the animals.
the Stephenson Center for Appalachia will be presenting “A Gallery of Appalachian Culture” on Friday, Nov. 17. The walk-through exhibition will be set up in the Hayes Auditorium lobby following the end of Friday’s 2 p.m. matinee.
Enjoy the rare opportunity to visit Grandfather Mountain outside of regular operating hours and see a sunrise from the top of the mountain. Sunrise is at 7:14 a.m. Nov. 25, 2023, and park gates open at 6:15 a.m.
Dr. Will South, author of numerous books on both California Impressionism and Modernism, asks the question: How can more than 100-year-old, simple landscape paintings, however pleasant, be relevant in a world where humans are glued to their phones and consume hundreds of images per day?
Join us for an interesting lecture with Mike Carpenter of the Exploring Joara Foundation.
He will talk about:
the expeditions of De Soto (in NC in 1540) and Pardo (1567-1568) (routes and goals);
Local storyteller, Tom Boyd, will be hosting a children's story time on Saturday, December 23rd at 11:00 am. Head over to the Blowing Rock Community Library to enjoy a story.
For a little extra WinterFest Fun, head over to McCoy Minerals on January 27th from 11:00am to 4:00pm. There will be Railroad Spike Knife Making Demonstrations.
Join BRAHM for a reception for this year’s WFDD Photo of the Year competition. This will be the final day of voting for your favorite so make sure to stop by for an afternoon of photography and fellowship.
One of classical music’s most spellbinding and immersive experiences, Carmina Burana is an epic, captivating choral masterpiece. A massive orchestra and huge chorus join forces for Carl Orff’s infamous ode to love, drink, and living life to the fullest. Brahms’ “Academic Festival Overture” opens the concert.
In honor of Urban Bush Women’s 40th Anniversary, Legacy + Lineage + Liberation celebrates the power of Women(+) in an evening of new and classic works that transcend genres and amplify the voices of Women(+) of color.
Terrance Simien and the Zydeco Experience- For over 40 years, two-time GRAMMY award winning, 8th generation Louisiana Creole, Terrance Simien, has been shattering the myths and often misinformation, about what his traditional Zydeco roots music is – and is not.
The 3rd Annual BooneDocs Film Fest presents a series of short form documentary films that share and celebrate life in Appalachia. This program will include the full slate of documentaries, filmmaker Q&A, and on-stage award presentations for "Judges' Choice" and "People's Choice" at the conclusion.
Experience the Tanawha Trail through a guided hike. Speckled Trout Outifitters is offering the opportunity to hike this trail with an experienced guide
In his twentieth-century career spanning just under 70 years, Dr. Seuss (Theodor Geisel) created an immense, fantastical imaginarium of visual and verbal work that included advertisements; films; political cartoons; and books ranging from innovative & groundbreaking primers to subversively satirical fables.
The Blowing Rock Community Library offers Children's Storytime the first Saturday of the month at 11 am. Volunteers read to children aged 2-8 and their parents. This event is free and open to the public. Call (828) 295-7000 for more information.
Join us for a special discussion of the exhibition A Tapestry of Our Roots with representatives from Q’Pasa Appalachia and Immigrant Connection of the High Country.
Youth aged 12-18 are invited to join us at BRAHM every second Saturday from 11:00 am until 1:00 pm this winter and spring for directed studio time inspired by famous artists. Explore new styles and processes for making art. Meet new friends and express your creative side.
Head over to the American Legion and celebrate Blowing Rock's 135th birthday! The public is invited so bring your friends too! There will be birthday cake, and a historical video on Blowing Rock.
This workshop is designed for artists to create their own personal papier mache animal, vessel, or object. Artists will study the properties of the medium, and learn helpful tips and tricks.
Head to BRAHM for a roundtable discussion with three artists featured in our exhibition, Pulp & Bind: Paper & Book in Southern Appalachia.
Lela Arruza, Rosa Dargon-Powers, and Georgia Deal will share their artistic practice with us and explore their approach to the medium of paper.
Appalachian State University English professor Craig Fischer—who teaches classes in comics and graphic novels—will speak on seven editorial cartoons that enraged readers and newspaper publishers alike.
Dr. Margret Kentgens-Craig will talk about Frank Lee Craig, one of the featured artists in the exhibition Pulp & Bind, who was also an architect, musician, and writer.
Youth aged 12-18 are invited to join us at BRAHM every second Saturday from 11:00 am until 1:00 pm this spring for directed studio time inspired by famous artists.
Learn to create your own painted paper collages inspired by North Carolina artist and educator, Lee Hall. Students will draw inspiration from Hall’s landscape and architecture collages, and apply these references to their own collages using a variety of materials and techniques.