Good day and welcome to DKos Asheville. This is the weekly DKos Asheville open thread where we get together every weekend to share with everyone what we're all up to in Western North Carolina and beyond. We hope this group serves to invigorate us locally and regionally here on Daily Kos, building on the sense of community that's grown through our online engagement. DKos Asheville can give us all a better sense of connection, a better understanding of who we stand with, work with, and share with. We hope, through this community, that we can leverage our orange passion for progressive politics to help elect more and better Democrats.
Asheville and all of Western North Carolina are wonderful places to visit. We have a powerful progressive presence, both cultural and political, and for the most part everyone is really nice. And the views are breath taking. If you've never been here, we promise you'll love it.
And since gatherings of people are a pretty big deal here in these amazing mountains, I thought I would give you a nice list of festivals just in case you are in the neighborhood and want to enjoy some great music, dance, art and food. I'll be performing at a few of these festivals as well and would love to see some Kossacks enjoying the goodness.
Jump below the fold for the list, most with links and phone numbers that I put together for your referencing pleasure. Thanks to Asheville Guide Book for much of the information.
And speaking of gatherings, we are getting close to choosing a date for our next DKos Asheville meet up! Stay tuned, see you next week.
Festivals in Western North Carolina
The unique and powerful artistic entity that is Dance Theatre of Harlem brings new life to the art form of ballet with an extraordinary legacy of providing opportunities for creative expression and artistic excellence. Performance on July 19 at 8:00 pm at Appalachian State University, Boone, NC. Photo by Matthew Murphy.
JULY
Asheville: Shindig on the Green
Held every Saturday night during July, August and September at Martin Luther King Jr. Park in downtown Asheville. Bluegrass music, dancing, clogging. This festival has been around for over 43 years! 828-258-6101.
Asheville: Craft Fair of the Southern Highlands
For four days each July and October, the US Cellular Center in Asheville, NC comes alive with fine traditional and contemporary crafts. Over 200 craftspeople fill the two levels of the center selling their works of clay, fiber, glass, leather, metal, mixed media, natural materials, paper, wood and jewelry. 828-298-7928.
Asheville: Drum Circle
Coming-together of local citizens on Friday nights in Pritchard Park in the spring summer or fall to dance and play music. Bring a percussive instrument, and join in! Let your inner DFH shine on Friday nights in downtown Asheville.
Boone: An Appalachian Summer Festival
Since 1984, An Appalachian Summer Festival is held throughout the month of July on and around the Appalachian State University campus, and features an astonishingly diverse mix of music, dance, theatre and visual arts. One of America's leading regional arts festivals. 828-262-4046. This is produced by Appalachian State University in beautiful Boone, home to one of the greatest College football programs of all time.
Hendersonville: Music On Main Street
Concerts every Friday night from 7:00- 9:00 from June through July at the Visitors Information Center at 201 South Main Street in downtown Hendersonville. 828-693-9708.
I had the pleasure of juggling for this event a few years back.
Hendersonville: Monday Night Street Dances
Street dances features traditional Appalachian music and dance every Monday night from 7:00 -9:00 during July and August at the Visitors Information Center at 201 South Main Street in downtown Hendersonville. Held for over 90 years! 828-693-9708.
Highlands & Cashiers: Highlands-Cashiers Chamber Music Festival
Over 28 seasons of chamber music in the mountains. This season runs from June 27-August 3.
Linville: Grandfather Mountain Annual Highland Games July 10-13. Scottish athletes and musicians share their heritage from bagpipes and Celtic music to border collies and sheep herding at the largest gathering of Scottish clans in North America. 828-733-1333. Ask Otteray Scribe about this one!
Waynesville: Folkmoot USA
North Carolina's official international festival, Folkmoot USA is a world-class folk festival with international dancers and musicians performing their countries’ traditional folk dances. Over 350 performers at numerous venues. 828-452-2997. June 26-July 27.
AUGUST
Asheville: Mountain Dance and Folk Festival July 31, Aug 1, Aug 2.
The oldest festival in America. For more than 70 years, a celebration of traditional mountain music and dance. Held at various venues in Asheville. 828-258-6101.
Asheville: Village Art & Craft Fair Aug 2-3.
Excellent outdoor arts and crafts show held in Biltmore Village. 800-933-4438. This is another event that I've had the privilege of working at. Quaint, relaxed and fun and the quality of the art is truly remarkable.
Asheville: Goombay Sept 12-14. Since 1982, a street festival in the historic black business district in downtown Asheville. A celebration of African-Caribbean culture. 828-252-4614.
Black Mountain: Sourwood Festival Aug 9-10.
Art & crafts, dancing, music, food and games. 828-669-2300. This little festival is in a neighboring town from me but it's one I have yet to crack.
Burnsville: Mt. Mitchell Crafts Fair Aug 1-2.
The oldest and largest crafts fair in the Blue Ridge with more than 200 artists. Live entertainment and kid's activities. 828-682-7413.
SEPTEMBER
Asheville: North Carolina Mountain State Fair
Great state fair held at the Western North Carolina Agricultural Center on September 5 through the 14th. Rides, farm animals and great food. For the whole family. 828-687-1414. This is one big state fair. Over the last twenty years, the grounds have been developed into something special. And it's near the airport so you jet setters can fly right in.
Asheville: Brewgrass Festival September 20th, Memorial Stadium, Asheville. One of the most popular beer and bluegrass festivals in the southeast. Over 40 American breweries and national and regional bluegrass musicians. Asheville is officially "Beer City USA", and this festival proves it. Greatness all around.
Cullowhee: Mountain Heritage Day
For over 20 years, an old-fashioned mountain fair and showcase for authentic Southern Appalachian folk arts. Held on the campus of Western Carolina University. 828-227-7272.
I worked this festival several years ago as a moon shiner character.
Hendersonville: North Carolina Apple Festival Aug 29-Sept 1. Another not-to-be-missed festival. A celebration of apples and the fall season. 828-697-4557.
OCTOBER
Asheville: Asheville Greek Festival Sept 26-28. A celebration of Greek culture, dance and food. Held Martin Luther King Jr. Park. 828-259-5800. Food, food, food!
Asheville: Asheville Art in the Park
Held on three Saturdays in October in Pack Square. Regional artists & crafters showcase work 828-253-8304.
Asheville: Thomas Wolfe Festival Oct 3. A festival centered on the life and times of the Asheville-born author Thomas Wolfe. Walking tours, concerts, plays, Wolfe workshops, road race and other events centered on Wolfe’s life. 828-253-8304.
Banner Elk: Woolly Worm Festival Oct 18-19. The stripes on the winner of the woolly worm race will be inspected by the town elders. Brown signals a mild winter, black predicts severe weather. Nonstop music, food, crafts, and children’s rides. 800-972-2183.
Black Mountain: Lake Eden Arts Festival (LEAF) Oct 16-19.
Located at a mountain retreat, Camp Rockmont, LEAF is held twice a year in the spring and fall features music from dozens of national and regionally known musicians as well as crafts, storytelling, drumming, dancing and a healing arts tent. 828-686-8742. I have been a performer at this great festival for over seven years now. New for me this spring and fall, I get to roam as a juggler throughout the festival. In previous years I have done stage shows but the new arrangement allows me to interact with so many more people. Love it.
Hendersonville/ Flat Rock Area: Green River "Discovery Day"
Showcases the heritage of the community of Green River through arts and crafts, music, games for children and adults, storytelling and good food.
Thanks for reading, I hope you enjoyed this roundup of festivals in our neck of the woods and hope to see you enjoying our mountains and music and all we have to offer.