Calendar of Events

“Shine and Dine” on the railway! We cordially invite you to hop on board The Carolina Shine, GSMR’s All-Adult First Class Moonshine Car! We will be proudly serving hand crafted, triple-distilled, craft moonshine. Some of the smoothest tasting moonshine in the Carolinas!

Offered on the Nantahala Gorge excursion, this shine and dine experience begins in a renovated First Class train fleet car, The Carolina Shine. The interior features copper lined walls filled with the history of moonshining in North Carolina. Learn about the proud tradition that the Appalachians established when bootlegging was an acceptable way of life and local home brews were the best in town. Read about Swain County’s very own Major Redmond, the most famous mountain moonshine outlaw of the 19th century.

Dive in with us for a tasting feast exploring sustainable seafood and fish from the mountains
to the sea. Learn about the best choices you can make to ensure you are eating seafood and
fish that are well managed and caught or farmed responsibly. Conversation will address the
challenges and opportunities in the fish and seafood industry, and how we all, from the water
to the plate, can work together for a more sustainable future.

Join us EVERY Wednesday night for Kid’s Night! Children receive a free four-count kid’s meal with the purchase of an adult meal. See you on Wednesdays!

Iration have a natural affinity for reggae and island sounds. Their love and appreciation for music spans across a wide range of styles and genres including rock, pop, R&B and funk. Over the past 15 years, the celebrated five-piece – Micah Pueschel [Lead Vocals / Guitar], Adam Taylor [Bass], Joe Dickens [Drums], Cayson Peterson [Keyboard / Synth] and Micah Brown [Guitar / Vocals] – have perfected their distinct hybrid style of music, blending all influences together as evidenced on their seventh full-length album Coastin’ [Three Prong Records). A record about being thankful for the moments that we have, will release to the world July 10, 2020.

Iration has been touring nationally since 2008, performing at festivals nationwide from Lollapalooza to Sunfest and Hangout, closing stages at festivals like Bottlerock and Outside Lands. The Hawaiian-bred musicians look forward to spreading their original sound and ‘Aloha spirit’ all the while never forgetting to get a surf in when possible.

“Shine and Dine” on the railway! We cordially invite you to hop on board The Carolina Shine, GSMR’s All-Adult First Class Moonshine Car! We will be proudly serving hand crafted, triple-distilled, craft moonshine. Some of the smoothest tasting moonshine in the Carolinas!

Offered on the Nantahala Gorge excursion, this shine and dine experience begins in a renovated First Class train fleet car, The Carolina Shine. The interior features copper lined walls filled with the history of moonshining in North Carolina. Learn about the proud tradition that the Appalachians established when bootlegging was an acceptable way of life and local home brews were the best in town. Read about Swain County’s very own Major Redmond, the most famous mountain moonshine outlaw of the 19th century.

Sip and stroll through the Arboretum’s gardens and experience our Wild Art outdoor sculpture showcase in the glow of the golden hour, all while listening to live music from a variety of local and regional artists! ArborEvenings runs Thursdays and most Fridays through October 1, 2021, from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. ArborEvenings are not scheduled on the following Fridays: July 9, August 6, September 3 and 10.

There is no additional cost to attend ArborEvenings beyond our standard parking fee. As always, Arboretum Society members and their accompanying guests can enter for FREE (guests must be in member vehicles to receive free entry). Proceeds from ArborEvenings help support the The North Carolina Arboretum Society and further advance the Arboretum’s mission.

Please note: ArborEvenings will not be held in the event of rain. Please check the website or Facebook page by 3 p.m. for any cancellation announcements prior to attending. 

Beverage Service

Beer, Wine, and soft drinks will be for sale onsite at the Green Gardener’s Shed from 5:30 to 8:15 p.m. each night of the event. Outside alcohol is strictly prohibited, but guests are welcome to bring in water or a favorite non-alcoholic beverage.

Food Available for Pre-Order, Picnics Welcome

Although the Bent Creek Bistro will not be open during the event, we are pleased to share that they will be offering their delicious dining options at ArborEvenings via pre-order this year! Simply place your online order — including alcoholic beverages — up until 11 a.m. on the date you plan to attend, then pick up your order at the Baker Information Desk between 5:30 and 6:30 p.m. (In the event of rain cancellation, pre-orders will be fully refunded.)

Guests are welcome to bring in outside food and non-alcoholic beverages. However, outside alcohol is strictly prohibited.

ORDER AHEAD

Musician Schedule

Please note, scheduled performances are subject to change.

• Thursday 7/8 – Juan Holiday (R&B/Soul) will play from 5:30 – 6:45 p.m. &  Jackson Grimm (Folk/Bluegrass) will play from 7:15 – 8:30 p.m.
• Friday 7/9 – No Event
• Thursday 7/15 – Liz & Elizabeth (Folk/Americana) will play from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.
• Friday 7/16 – Kevin Williams (Country/Americana) will play from 5:30 – 6:45 p.m. &  Steve Newbrough (Classical/Fingerstyle Guitar) will play from 7:15 – 8:30 p.m.Click here for the full schedule.

Know Before You Go

• Parking fees will be collected at the gate upon arrival, and members must present valid card for free entry. Pre-registration is not required.
• Restroom access will be available during ArborEvenings inside the Baker Visitor Center.
• Guests are invited to explore A Life in the Wild, a breathtaking exhibition of photographs from Thomas D. Mangelsen; however, food and drink are not permitted inside the Exhibit Hall.
• Leashed dogs are welcome at ArborEvenings, but are not permitted inside of  buildings.
• To protect our lawn, blankets are not permitted at the event; however, guests are welcome to bring lawn chairs to set up in front of the musicians.
• Due to existing event bookings, ArborEvenings will not take place on the following Fridays: July 9, August 6 and September 3 and 10.

The Very Jerry Band formed in December of 2015 in Asheville NC.  Led by Spiro Nicolopoulos on guitar and vocals and featuring an all-star ensemble from some of the southeast’s favorite jammers – the Very Jerry Band quickly became a regional favorite for Jerry Garcia fans craving music faithful to the spirit and soul of the Jerry Garcia Band.  The Very Jerry Band is presented in the classic 6 piece JGB line up with guitar, bass, organ, drums and harmony singers. Their setlist draw from Garcia Band favorites to deep cuts from the JGB catalog and keep audiences rocking all night long and coming back for more.

Brunch B’Yahad is now available through Zoom meeting here.   

Join new and old friends for light brunch, socialization and lively discussion.  Featured guest speakers, and relevant cultural and timely topics will fill our minds.

“Shine and Dine” on the railway! We cordially invite you to hop on board The Carolina Shine, GSMR’s All-Adult First Class Moonshine Car! We will be proudly serving hand crafted, triple-distilled, craft moonshine. Some of the smoothest tasting moonshine in the Carolinas!

Offered on the Nantahala Gorge excursion, this shine and dine experience begins in a renovated First Class train fleet car, The Carolina Shine. The interior features copper lined walls filled with the history of moonshining in North Carolina. Learn about the proud tradition that the Appalachians established when bootlegging was an acceptable way of life and local home brews were the best in town. Read about Swain County’s very own Major Redmond, the most famous mountain moonshine outlaw of the 19th century.

Each month the cidery invites a friend or family member who loves to cook to become a Kitchen Guest. The guest takes control of the Barn Door kitchen to create one to three small bites that become part of the taproom menu for the weekend, and perhaps for the remainder of the year!
One of the reasons for creating Barn Door Ciderworks was the need for the Fairview area to have a place for locals and visitors to gather. Co-owners Katie Moore and Dan Fowler wanted to produce a variety of heritage, craft, dry ciders that uphold the tradition of cider drinking as part of meals, social gatherings and celebrations. In that vein they created a cozy space where friends, family, and neighbors could gather comfortably and enjoy each other’s company.
Moore commented that “Our first Kitchen Guest did a fabulous job creating delicious small-bites and being a gracious host when customers visited the cidery. We’re excited to host our second Guest and continue the plan to involve the local community in creating a comfortable place to hang out.” Landis Lacey was introduced to Moore and Fowler by a friend. As time went on, Moore learned that Lacey loves to cook. She began following Lacey on Instagram and his interesting approach to food intrigued her.
Check out Landis’s Instagram to learn more about his approach to growing and cooking food –
https://www.instagram.com/lutherlandross/.
Fowler noted that “we were impressed by Landis’s interest in heritage corn. Not only did he grow the corn, he also made cornbread from it. We knew this guy would be an interesting addition to our Kitchen Guest Series.” Lacey will create three small-bites to add to three regular small-bites on Barn Door’s menu. On tap the cidery offers small-batch traditional cider, and local beers from Blue Ghost Brewing and Turgua Brewing.
Red and white wine along with non-alcoholic drinks like Shanti Jun and Sarilla round out the menu.

George Porter, Jr. is best known as the bassist of The Meters, along with Art Neville, Leo Nocentelli and Joseph Zigaboo Modeliste. The group was formed in the mid 60’s and came to be recognized as one of the progenitors of funk then called R&B. The Meters disbanded in 1977, but reformed in 1989. Today the original group still plays the occasional reunions but the Funky Meters, of which Porter and Neville are still members, most prominently keeps the spirit alive.

Few bass players in the history of modern New Orleans music are as storied as George Porter Jr. During the course of a career spanning more then four decades, Porter has not only made a deep impression with his work in the Meters, but he’s notched session work with artists as diverse as Paul McCartney, Jimmy Buffett, David Byrne, Patti LaBelle, Robbie Robertson, Tori Amos, Taj Mahal, Ryan Montbleau and live performances with Mickey Hart, Bill Kreutzmann, Warren Haynes, John Scofield, Steve Kimock, Eric Krasno (and including recent studio releases with Warren Haynes and Bill Kreutzmann) just to name a few.

Early in his career, Porter worked with seminal New Orleans artists like Allen Toussaint, Earl King, Lee Dorsey, and Johnny Adams, Irma Thomas, The Lastie Brothers — again to only name a few.

Porter is also the band leader of his own unique long term project the Runnin’ Pardners, well respected not only as a quintessential New Orleans band, the touring band continues to receive accolades on the jam band and festival scene. He has assembled some seasoned and talented musicians to join him on this project. Familiar Pardners – Brint Anderson (guitar) and, Michael Lemmler (keyboards) and rising stars on the New Orleans music scene Khris Royal (saxophone) and Terrence Houston (drums). George Porter Jr. plans to keep a smile on his face.” I feel like I am working towards something that will be remembered.”

Porter has proven to be capable of the ultimate fusion of rock, funk and R&B, and has gained recognition as one of the industry’s elite bass players. He continues to be not only an in demand performing artist but an accomplished studio musician and producer.

All seating is by dinner reservation only. Please call the venue at 828-575-2737 Limited tables are available for parties of 2, 4, 6, or 8.  Dinner minimums of $20 per per person

“Modern soul at its most potent and nostalgia-free” — The Nashville Scene

“Mike Farris can turn his powerhouse vocals and stunning range to country, blues, gospel and heart-wrenching soul, and on ‘Silver & Stone,’ he certainly mixes it up.”  — RnR Magazine

“Mike Farris has enough heart, soul, and power to light up a city. He mixes up the elements and turns them into something new, beautiful, and uniquely his own.”  — Buddy Miller

“Country and gospel music is in dire need of some pure heartfelt soul right now.  He’s like a secret weapon — he’s loaded with soul.”  — Marty Stuart (Rolling Stone Country)

River’s End Restaurant is an iconic spot for locals and visitors to Bryson City. Enjoy spectacular views of the gorge, with paddlers passing through as they complete their Nantahala River Rafting trip. Stop in for year-round lunch and dinner, with weekend brunch during the summer season, and choose from a wide range of appetizing entrees, burgers, salads, pizza, and sandwiches. Hang out for a while and enjoy a large selection of signature cocktails, wine, and beer, including local favorites.

In River’s End Restaurant, every seat has a view of the river! Enjoy music by the river and views of paddlers passing through as they complete their Nantahala River Rafting trip. Join our waitlist online to reserve a table or order online and grab your meal to go, for a sunny lunch right by the river!

Sobremesa, literally “over the table,” is a word that describes the ritual of families and friends
lingering over a meal to chat — often into the early morning hours. It’s when the food coma
kicks in, but you just want to relax and be in each other’s company, occasionally picking at
leftovers or refilling your glass. In honor of Asheville’s vibrant Latinx/Hispanic community,
this event will celebrate the rich and diverse food traditions that stretch from Mexico to the
Southernmost tip of Argentina. The meal will be accompanied by a thoughtful conversation
highlighting the role of immigration in our region’s foodways with guests Marianne
Martinez, executive director of Vecinos; and Sergio Fernandez, executive director of El
Centro.

The presence of diverse and healthy pollinators like butterflies, bees, moths,
hummingbirds, and beetles is a signal that a landscape is functioning in beautiful harmony,
at its highest expression of health and diversity. Pollinators ensure the continued existence
of millions of plant species, as well as the animal species that depend on those plant
species, including humans. Many pollinator populations are in decline, attributed to the
mismanagement of the dynamic ecosystems that support our planet—pollution, the
misuse of chemicals, disease, and changes in climatic patterns are all examples of what
is causing shrinking and shifting pollinator populations. It’s time for a metamorphosis in
the way land is honored as a whole. Join Chow Chow and Kim Bailey, founder of Milkweed
Meadows Farm and Phyllis Stiles, founder and director emerita of Bee City USA for a
pollinator centered experience. From the farm fields to the forested mountaintops we
invite you to an inventive dining experience that imagines the bravery of metamorphosis,
and the synergy and abundance of intricate life that is supported when we honor the
ecology of the land.

WE ARE THRILLED TO WELCOME FUNK YOU TO OUR OUTDOOR CONCERT SERIES WITH SPECIAL GUEST LYRIC. COME AND ENJOY A NIGHT OF ROCK N’ ROLL IN THE SWANNANOA VALLEY.

From late night jam sessions at the University of Virginia to main stages at venues and festivals
throughout the country, Kendall Street Company has broken the mold of improvised rock and enters a
world of jazz-grass infused psychedelic bliss. With no two shows ever the same, word of mouth has
quickly grown a ravenous fanbase eager to hear their favorite studio tracks explored and extended as
part of a live community. As seasoned KSC fans can tell you, any one of their songs could easily turn
from a fun sing-along, into a cacophonous headbanging garage-rock soundscape or Klezmer-disco dance
party, and then resolve into a peaceful ambience that evokes nostalgia of your childhood.
Averaging over 100 shows per year since 2013, the band is currently comprised of Louis Smith [Acoustic
guitar, vocals], Brian Roy [Bass, vocals], Ryan Wood [Drums], Ben Laderberg [Electric guitar], and Jake
Vanaman [Saxophone]. For such a young band, their accomplishments are sincere. Kendall Street has
performed at festivals such as Lockn’, Roosterwalk, Floydfest, Resonance, and Domefest and has opened
for acts such as Papadosio, Umphrey’s McGee, Tauk, and Leftover Salmon. All the while, the band has
proudly released three records and two EPs. Their most recent 2019 release, “Lunar Dude” showcases
their versatility and virtuosity, and was met with overwhelming support.
2020 is building up to be the biggest year yet for the band. Along with two (or perhaps three) new
records on the horizon, their upcoming Winter/Spring tour will take them all across the country in
Woody Guthrie fashion. From Louisiana to Texas, Colorado to Wisconsin, Ohio to Boston, New York City
and more, the band has no intent of slowing down any time soon. See you on the road!