Sit down for an informal and compelling chat with Winston-Salem-based NC Black Rep Artistic Director Jackie Alexander as the award-winning playwright-director talks about the history of the acclaimed company and the importance of sharing the black experience on the stage. A native of New Orleans, Jackie Alexander is an award-winning actor, writer, producer, director, former Artistic Director of The Billie Holiday Theatre in New York, and current Artistic Director of North Carolina Black Repertory Company, producers of The National Black Theatre Festival. His debut novel, Our Daily Bread, was published by Turner Publishing in the fall of 2012. His debut feature film Joy was awarded Best Feature Film by the Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame, and also earned Best Actor and Best Screenplay honors for Jackie on the festival circuit. The OBIE and AUDELCO Award-winning Billie Holiday Theatre in New York devoted its entire 2010-2011 season to Jackie’s work; commissioning him to write three new plays and making him the only playwright in the storied history of the theatre to receive that honor. In 2018, the Black Theatre Network (BTN) honored Jackie with the Presidential Pathfinder Award at its yearly conference in Memphis, Tennessee. The award is presented to an artist or an institution that illuminates a path to innovations and new concepts in Black Theatre.

This special preview is scheduled in conjunction with the planned performance by the NC Black Repertory Company as part of the festival’s 2021 season.

To learn more about NC Black Rep: https://ncblackrep.org/

Available via YouTube, appsummer.org

Called “a master of the genre” by The New York Times, Sarah Jones is a Tony® and Obie Award-winning performer and writer known for her multi-character, one-person shows (Broadway hit Bridge & Tunnel, originally produced by Oscar® winner Meryl Streep, and her current, critically-acclaimed show Sell/Buy/Date). Renowned as “a one-woman global village,” she has given multiple mainstage TED Talks garnering millions of views, and performed at The White House for President and First Lady Obama.

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

To learn more about Sarah Jones: @yesimsarahjones

Available via YouTube, Facebook, appsummer.org

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

Hikers who wish to register for individual hikes may add their name to the waitlist by sending an email to [email protected]. Additional spaces for individual hikers on the waitlist may open up if a full series hiker cancels their registration.

This peak (elevation 5,482 feet) was named after North Fork’s Walker family, one of the early families to settle in the upper North Fork valley. The Walkers owned much of the land and were engaged in timber and logging. Along this trail are giant hemlocks, lichen and moss covered rocks, stretches of beech forest, surround by spectacular views. This 5-mile, moderate hike begins at Balsam Gap and extends to below Bullhead Mountain on the Blue Ridge Parkway and then returns. On this hike there are several long range views over the North Fork Valley and the Asheville Watershed.

Difficulty:  Moderate, 5.0 miles

UPDATE: In order to follow state regulations concerning the coronavirus, the Swannanoa Valley Museum has created new guidelines for its 2020 hikes. These guidelines and the 2020 hike schedule, will continue to evolve as the COVID situation changes.  Please email [email protected] with any questions. 

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.”

Join MountainTrue’s Ecologist and Public Lands Director, Bob Gale, for a gorgeous and educational hike through Pisgah National Forest. This hike offers breathtaking views of the fall foliage, and if we are lucky, we will catch glimpses of the Monarch Butterfly migration. We will be hiking the Pilot Cove Loop Trail in Pisgah, which is approximately 4 miles long. The trail starts in a lesser known part of Pisgah National Forest and winds upward among the brightly colored sourwood and black gum trees. After opening up onto a beautiful rocky outcrop, the trails travels through recently logged forested as well as much older sections of forest. There are some steep inclines on this trail, but Bob will be making frequent stops to rest and interpret the flora and fauna. Due to the pandemic, we are restricting group size for outings to 10 participants. Sign up today!

All participants will be required to agree to our COVID-19 event guidelines listed below and again agree to comply with the policies on the day of the event in addition to signing our standard wavier.

What to bring:

• Hiking boots and appropriate clothing for hiking (including rain gear)

• Lunch/trail snacks

• Plenty of water

• Sunscreen

• Camera

• Please, no pets on this hike

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.