Calendar of Events

Steinway artist Julian G, commonly referred to as “Pianist with the Hair” because of his distinctive look, is a renowned classical pianist and composer, who performs all over the world, in prestigious venues from New York’s Carnegie Hall to Singapore’s Symphony Stage, and has been featured on radio and TV in North America, Europe, and Asia. A classically trained pianist, Julian captivates his audience not only with his technical precision but also with his Woody Allen-ish wit. Julian invites his audience to abandon all preconceived notions about classical concerts. On stage he presents a program that includes classical standards, Tango transcriptions, and his own compositions. In between pieces, he engages the audience by sharing his personal stories, anecdotes from the lives of composers, and his home remedies for jet-lag.

This special preview performance is scheduled in conjunction with the planned appearance by Julian Gargiulo as part of the festival’s 2021 season.

To learn more about Julian Gargiulo: http://pianistwiththehair.com/home.html

Available via Facebook Live, appsummer.org

Beginner’s workshop lesson at 7:30 P.M., then 8-11 P.M. Contra Dance with Country Waltzing at the break and the final dance. This is a partner dance but it’s not necessary to come with a partner. We have different live bands and callers.

Pre-registration required; event will expire at 6pm on Sunday, July 26.

While the COVID-19 pandemic prevented National Players from traveling the U.S. and completing Tour 71, that didn’t stop America’s longest-running theatre company from bringing theatre to their fans. Through this recorded preview performance of Shakespeare’s female-driven comedy As You Like It, which combines classic elements of romance and hidden identities, NP continues its mission of making theatre more accessible. In this classic romantic comedy about gender roles, losing oneself, and discovering oneself anew, Rosalind, banished from the only home she’s ever known, assumes the identity of a man and escapes to the Forest of Arden with her cousin Celia and their fool Touchstone. While there, they run into other exiled folks from the old court, including the dashing and brave Orlando, who won Rosalind’s heart prior to her banishment, but he was too tongue tied to express his love in return. Determined to woo him, Rosalind persuades Orlando in her male disguise to win her heart. For only if Orlando loves her as a man will Rosalind know he truly loves her. National Players meld classic language with contemporary staging of Shakespeare’s imaginative tale about city folk venturing into the woods.

To learn more about National Players: https://www.olneytheatre.org/national-players/about-national-players

Available exclusively via Eventbrite; register at appsummer.org

The Emerson String Quartet has maintained its status as one of the world’s premier chamber music ensembles for more than four decades. “With musicians like this,” wrote a reviewer for The Times (London), “there must be some hope for humanity.” The quartet has made more than 30 acclaimed recordings, and has been honored with nine Grammys® (including two for Best Classical Album), three Gramophone Awards, the Avery Fisher Prize, and Musical America’s “Ensemble of the Year” award. The quartet collaborates with some of today’s most esteemed composers to premiere new works, keeping the string quartet form alive and relevant. The group has partnered in performance with such stellar soloists as Reneé Fleming, Barbara Hannigan, Evgeny Kissin, Emanuel Ax, and Yefim Bronfman.

This special preview is scheduled in conjunction with the planned appearance by the Emerson String Quartet as part of the festival’s 2021 season.

To learn more about Emerson String Quartet: http://www.emersonquartet.com/

Available via YouTube, Facebook, appsummer.org

Since their formal introduction to American audiences in 1997, The Kruger Brothers’ remarkable discipline, creativity and their ability to infuse classical music into folk music has resulted in a unique sound that has made them a fixture within the world of acoustic music. The honesty of their writing has since become a hallmark of the Wilkesboro, NC-based trio’s work. In their ever-expanding body of work — Jens Kruger (banjo and vocals), Uwe Kruger (guitar and lead vocals), and Joel Landsberg (bass and vocals) — The Kruger Brothers personify the spirit of exploration and innovation that forms the core of the American musical tradition.

To learn more about The Kruger Brothers: https://www.krugerbrothers.com/

Available via Facebook Live, appsummer.org

Beginner’s workshop lesson at 7:30 P.M., then 8-11 P.M. Contra Dance with Country Waltzing at the break and the final dance. This is a partner dance but it’s not necessary to come with a partner. We have different live bands and callers.

Sean Patton is back in Asheville for two nights and he is bringing some of his favorite NYC comics with him! Join Sean Patton, Cipha Sounds, Caitlin Cook, and Wil Sylvince at Bens Tune Up for outdoor comedy and music.
Ben’s will be serving food and drinks so come early for a good seat and dinner. Door’s at 7pm, show at 8:30pm both nights
This will be a masks on event and all current health and safety guidelines will be followed. A limited number of presale seats available and more will be added week of based on weather.
These shows will be filmed
ages 18+
Limited seating
Please order your tickets in groups or contact to let us know that you will be a group to help with seating.
[email protected]
Tickets $20
9/2
GA: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/modelface-comedy-presents-sean-patton-and-friends-wednesday-tickets-117729250357
Buy a table (6-7 seats) https://www.eventbrite.com/e/modelface-comedy-presents-sean-patton-and-friends-wednesday-table-tickets-117932243515
9/3
GA: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/modelface-comedy-presents-sean-patton-and-friends-thursday-tickets-117933078011
Buy a table (6-7 seats) https://www.eventbrite.com/e/modelface-comedy-presents-sean-patton-and-friends-thursday-large-table-tickets-117933435079

Sean Patton is back in Asheville for two nights and he is bringing some of his favorite NYC comics with him! Join Sean Patton, Cipha Sounds, Caitlin Cook, and Wil Sylvince at Bens Tune Up for outdoor comedy and music.
Ben’s will be serving food and drinks so come early for a good seat and dinner. Door’s at 7pm, show at 8:30pm both nights
This will be a masks on event and all current health and safety guidelines will be followed. A limited number of presale seats available and more will be added week of based on weather.
These shows will be filmed
ages 18+
Limited seating
Please order your tickets in groups or contact to let us know that you will be a group to help with seating.
[email protected]
Tickets $20
9/2
GA: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/modelface-comedy-presents-sean-patton-and-friends-wednesday-tickets-117729250357
Buy a table (6-7 seats) https://www.eventbrite.com/e/modelface-comedy-presents-sean-patton-and-friends-wednesday-table-tickets-117932243515
9/3
GA: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/modelface-comedy-presents-sean-patton-and-friends-thursday-tickets-117933078011
Buy a table (6-7 seats) https://www.eventbrite.com/e/modelface-comedy-presents-sean-patton-and-friends-thursday-large-table-tickets-117933435079

Beginner’s workshop lesson at 7:30 P.M., then 8-11 P.M. Contra Dance with Country Waltzing at the break and the final dance. This is a partner dance but it’s not necessary to come with a partner. We have different live bands and callers.

Envious machinations and evil intentions take hold in American Shakespeare Center’s Othello, live streaming on Friday, Oct. 9 at 7pm. The show will be shot in 3-camera cinema-quality and presented live from the stage of the Blackfriars Playhouse.

Directed by celebrated ASC Artistic Director Ethan McSweeny, this stunningly relevant production of Shakespeare’s tragedy of racism and jealousy promises to bring audiences to the edge of their seats. Acclaimed actress Jessika D. Williams, who has won a cult following from her appearance on the popular television series Doctor Who, appears in the title role of Othello. Opposite Williams is veteran actor-manager John Harrell as the malevolent Iago. It’s a struggle between good and evil when these two titanic talents square off.

BlkFrs LIVE offers Schaefer Center Presents audiences synchronized live viewing of ASC’s new production of Othello. The comprehensive “Virtual Tour” program is designed to make it possible for people to experience the joy of Shakespeare in performance and the magic of the Blackfriars Playhouse from far away.

The American Shakespeare Center’s productions are intimate in scale, yet epic in scope. The company utilizes Shakespeare’s staging conditions (universal lighting, minimal sets, character doubling, cross-gender casting, and live music) to blend Shakespeare’s stagecraft with a modern sensibility. This engaging approach to the work of Shakespeare and his contemporaries is what led the UK Telegraph to call ASC “one of the most accomplished Shakespeare companies in the United States.”

Beginner’s workshop lesson at 7:30 P.M., then 8-11 P.M. Contra Dance with Country Waltzing at the break and the final dance. This is a partner dance but it’s not necessary to come with a partner. We have different live bands and callers.

The Resurrection of Alice was filmed on the Schaefer Center stage exclusively for this series!

The Resurrection of Alice is a novel and play inspired by the countless forgotten lives of young, black girls who found themselves in arranged marriages to men that were usually community pillars, financially comfortable and old enough to be their grandfathers. This type of arrangement, prevalent throughout many countries and cultures, was once a fairly common practice amongst African Americans through the mid-1900s.

In rural 1948 South Carolina, 15-year-old Alice looks forward to graduating from high school (a family first) and attending college on the scholarship she has earned. But her plans are devastated when she learns that she must honor her parents’ secret marriage arrangements for her to Luthern Tucker, the lonely, old family benefactor who had been eyeing her since she was seven years old. Alice’s next 20 years of overcoming trials are a tribute to the power of nurturing and healing that can cause a broken spirit to be reborn.

Because the tradition of arranged nuptials continues, The Resurrection of Alice has a contemporary, universal social appeal to anyone seeking to understand how and why this tradition remains as well as some possible emotional, psychological, and physical tolls that may plague both the betrothed and their families, if the union is not a happy one.

The Resurrection of Alice is recommended for ages 12 and older. It’s an adventure that informs, enlightens, excites, and inspires through characters that will stay with you long after the story ends.

Join Spartan Photo Center and a Fujifilm Technical Representative for an unveiling of the new Fuji X-S10 camera and discussion and question and answers on Fujifilm digital cameras and lenses. Runs about an hour, not counting the Q & A.

The Zoom meeting link is https://fujifilm.zoom.us/j/96658468564?pwd=SGVZZnlYUWt4VHZsVWZKSTJ3OU5yZz09.

Whether you are picking up a camera for the first time or have been doing photography for many years, there is always that one tip that will help you to improve. Join Professional Photographer, and Tamron Image Master, David Akoubian, as he shares his “10 tips to Improve your Landscape and Travel Photography”. David has been photographing for over 40 years and has made most every mistake that can be made, but he has also learned how to avoid making those mistakes repeatedly. David will share tips such as knowing your camera, creating good exposures, how to compose beautiful landscapes and capturing the mood of the places you travel to. David will set out to educate and inspire you in this quick paced 2-hour lecture that will leave you ready to go out and start capturing amazing images yourself.

We are hosting photographer and Sigma tech rep, Aaron Norberg for this introductory course in night sky photography. Learn the basics of how to find the best locations, how to schedule an outing, what gear and equipment to take with you and how to get the right exposure. Sign up to join the online ZOOM meeting.

Returning to the studio as Watkins Family Hour, Sean and Sara Watkins (of Nickel Creek fame) consider brother sister a duo-centric record – yet one that feels bigger than just two people. With Sean primarily on guitar and Sara on fiddle, and with both of them sharing vocals, the siblings enlisted producer Mike Viola (Jenny Lewis, Mandy Moore, J.S. Ondara) and mixer-engineer Clay Blair to harness the energy and honesty of their live sound.

Presented by the Office of Sustainability, the Division of Student Affairs and the Office of Arts and Cultural Programs

This public presentation is a rebroadcast of a private live interactive question-and-answer session with Dr. Goodall and Appalachian State University students that will occur on Wednesday, November 18th.

Jane Goodall was born on April 3, 1934, in London, England. From earliest childhood, she was fascinated by animals and the Africa she discovered in the storybooks of Tarzan and Dr. Doolittle. In 1957, she traveled to the Kenyan farm of a friend’s parents and met the famed anthropologist and paleontologist Dr. Louis Leakey. In 1960, at his invitation, she began her landmark study of chimpanzee behavior in what is now Tanzania. Her field research at what was then called Gombe Stream Chimpanzee Reserve — most notably, her discovery that chimpanzees make and use tools — revolutionized the world of primatology and redefined the relationship between humans and animals.

Event is free, but pre-registration is required.

Beginner’s workshop lesson at 7:30 P.M., then 8-11 P.M. Contra Dance with Country Waltzing at the break and the final dance. This is a partner dance but it’s not necessary to come with a partner. We have different live bands and callers.

Beginner’s workshop lesson at 7:30 P.M., then 8-11 P.M. Contra Dance with Country Waltzing at the break and the final dance. This is a partner dance but it’s not necessary to come with a partner. We have different live bands and callers.

Beginner’s workshop lesson at 7:30 P.M., then 8-11 P.M. Contra Dance with Country Waltzing at the break and the final dance. This is a partner dance but it’s not necessary to come with a partner. We have different live bands and callers.

We live in a winner-take-all society. And yet, part of our potential as humans is our potential for compassion and our resilience in the face of adversity. While doing research for her play Let Me Down Easy, award-winning playwright/actor/educator Anna Deavere Smith interviewed people in the U.S. and abroad who demonstrated grace in the face of dramatic challenges. This storytelling speech celebrates the resilience of the human spirit, the power of empathy, the strength of imagination, and hope.
**The film adaption of Smith’s play Twilight: Los Angeles is available to view as a complimentary companion piece to Smith’s appearance with the performing arts series.

Beginner’s workshop lesson at 7:30 P.M., then 8-11 P.M. Contra Dance with Country Waltzing at the break and the final dance. This is a partner dance but it’s not necessary to come with a partner. We have different live bands and callers.

The special Schaefer Center Presents production will include a recorded introduction by BalletX co-founder Christine Cox, the BalletX 15th Anniversary Season video, and mixed rep selections “Increasing” and “Fancy Me.” In honor of BalletX’s 15th Anniversary Season, the company has commissioned a documentary film by Daniel Madoff that highlights its growth, trajectory, and continued commitment to redefining ballet in the 21st century. Known as Philadelphia’s premier contemporary ballet company, BalletX commissions choreographers from around the world to create new ballets that are “fresh, inclusive, and connect to what people want” (Philadelphia Citizen). Led by Artistic & Executive Director Christine Cox, BalletX has produced nearly 100 world premiere ballets by more than 50 choreographers, and performed for over 100,000 audience members at home and on tour, including appearances at such prestigious venues as the Kennedy Center, Vail Dance Festival, Joyce Theater, and Jacob’s Pillow.

The Grammy winners from Asheville, NC come to Boone for a live concert streamed from the stage of the Schaefer Center into your homes. Frequent collaborators with banjoist (and comedian) Steve Martin, Steep Canyon Rangers are major players in the bluegrass/country and Americana scene today, with comparisons to The Band, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, and Zac Brown Band. SCR released three albums in 2020, including North Carolina Songbook, a recording of their 2019 performance at Merlefest in Wilkesboro, NC, in which they performed a selection of songs by NC songwriters such as Ola Belle Reed, Doc Watson, James Taylor, and Ben E. King; Be Still Moses, which has the band teaming up with Philly soul legends Boyz II Men and their hometown Asheville Symphony to perform reimagined versions of previously released SCR songs; and their most recent release of all original music, Arm in Arm. “Every song on Arm in Arm captures the North Carolina group’s innovative spirit, weaving in jazz, gospel, folk, and even rock phrases, creating an intimate and intricate sound that challenges, cajoles, and comforts.” (No Depression)

Beginner’s workshop lesson at 7:30 P.M., then 8-11 P.M. Contra Dance with Country Waltzing at the break and the final dance. This is a partner dance but it’s not necessary to come with a partner. We have different live bands and callers.