North Carolina’s oldest professional non-profit ballet company presents the full-length classical holiday tradition, with stars, story, and sugarplums. Clara’s magical journey to the Lands of Snow and Sweets featuring the traditional Tchaikovsky score has become a favorite holiday family tradition.

Program:

Rigby’s Escape for Flute, Clarinet, & String Orchestra by Andre Madatian (b.1992)

Bradford Malbon, flute ~ Justin Landry, clarinet

  

“Humours of Mallow” by Landon Walker
“Prism” by Jennie Walker Brunner
“The Ashebrook” by Scott Walker, arranged by Scott Walker

 The Walker Family Band

 

Soñando en Español for harp and orchestra,  III. Baroque Flamenco, by Deborah Henson-Conant (b. 1953)
Tori Parrish, harp

 

“Call My Name” by Seth Walker

 

“Rewind” by Seth Walker, arranged by Scott Walker                                                                             Seth Walker, vocals and guitar ~ Landon Walker, bass

 

“All of These Things” by Seth Walker, arranged by Scott Walker

Intermission

 

Gaelic Symphony, II. Alla siciliana – Allegro vivace – Andante, by Amy Beach (1867–1944)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

The Nutcracker Suite, Op.71a                                                                                                                   

II. Danses caractéristiques

a. Marche

b. Dance of the Sugar-Plum Fairy

c. Russian Dance (Trepak)

d. Arabian Dance

e. Chinese Dance

f. Dance of the Reed-Flutes

III. Waltz of the Flowers

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840–1893)

 

Sleigh Ride by Leroy Anderson (1908–1975)
Guest Conductor, David Jamison

Featured Artists

Andre Madatian, composer

Andre Madatian is a guitarist, composer, and educator currently residing in Nashville, Tennessee. Andre holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Film Scoring with a minor in Contemporary Conducting from Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts, and a Master of Music in Composition from Middle Tennessee State University. Aside from composing, Andre is also an active touring guitarist as well as an educator where he mentors students from all around the globe in several areas including composition, arranging, orchestration, and music theory. Andre recently accepted a full-time professorship position with Tennessee State University where he teaches arranging, music appreciation, and directs a commercial music ensemble.

Bradford Malbon, flute

Bradford Malbon is a flute maker and repair technician residing in Asheville since 2012. He works locally with the Abell Flute Company and has previously worked with Powell Flutes of Boston. As a musician, he has played flute and piccolo with many ensembles, including the Mercury Orchestra, Lowell House Opera Orchestra, and Boston Civic Symphony, as well as Irish flute and whistle in Asheville-area traditional Irish music sessions. He has a particular love for the symphony orchestra, and he has been pleased to play with the Blue Ridge Orchestra since 2012. Bradford earned a Master of Music degree in flute performance from the University of Nevada Las Vegas in 2007, after studying music and mathematics at the College of William and Mary in Virginia.

Justin Landry, clarinet

Justin Landry (clarinet) has been playing clarinet for over thirty years. He attended the University of Maine, in his home state, where he studied Music Performance and
Mathematics. Later, Justin received his Master of Music Performance degree from State University of New York at Purchase under the tutelage of Ayako Oshima. He has since performed with theatre companies, chamber groups, and WNC regional orchestras and musicians, including the Four Seasons Chamber Orchestra, Asheville Clarinet Choir, and the Blue Ridge Orchestra. He enjoys the outdoors, his family, and
his dog, Yogi.

Seth Walker

Seth Walker, the son of Scott Walker and brother to Jennie Brunner, is often cited as one of the most prolific contemporary American artists on the scene today. He’s a multi-dimensional talent who combines a gift for melody and lyric, He has a natural knack for getting around the guitar, and in the words of American Songwriter, a rich, Gospel-drenched Southern-inflected voice!  In addition to extensive recording and songwriting pursuits, Seth is consistently touring and performing at venues around the world. Along with headlining shows, he has opened for The Mavericks, The Wood Brothers and Paul Thorn.

For the Blue Ridge Orchestra performance, he will be joined by Landon Walker on Bass. Landon is a seasoned jazz bassist, and not only hired Seth for his first professional gig way back in the early 90’s, he also helped introduce Seth to the world of the blues by mailing him cassettes of radio shows that Landon produced and narrated on Jacksonville Florida’s NPR affiliate WJCT.

The Walker Family Band

For over two decades, The Walker Family Band has delighted audiences throughout the Southeast with a distinctive take on traditional styles, performing Irish dance music and American old-time music with a forward-reaching attitude. We especially enjoy sharing original tunes, which grow naturally from these roots and from our thorough training and experience in classical music and jazz. The result is varied music and not compartmentalized into a particular genre. All now living in the Asheville area, the band is playing for events in the area. Jennie Brunner is a long-standing member of the Blue Ridge Orchestra.

Jennie leads the way, with beautiful and heartfelt fiddle playing, and is a master of connecting with the audience. She is accompanied and supported, very capably by her dad, Scott Walker, on guitar and fiddle, and her uncle, Landon Walker on accordion and Bass. For the Blue Ridge Orchestra performances, we will be enhanced by a close friend and extended Walker Family Band member, Laura Boswell.

The orchestra will join both the Walker Family Band and Seth with string orchestra arrangements, written by Scott Walker, under the fine direction of our friend, Milt Crotts. They are thankful to him and everyone with the BRO for creating this opportunity. 

Tori Parrish, harp

Tori Parrish (they/them pronouns) is a classically trained harpist with a degree in fine art painting from Stanford University and over a decade of experience performing at weddings, concerts and events. Tori has performed worldwide with the American Youth Harp Ensemble as well as across the United States with the Stanford Symphony Orchestra. Some notable venues include the Stanford Memorial Church, Bing Concert Hall, SLAC Accelerator Lab in California and St. Peter’s Cathedral in Vienna. You can learn more about Tori’s work at luxuryharpist.com. 

From Heart To Table: MANNA Foodbank:

From now until December 10th, Cellarest Beer Project will donate $1 for every pour of Forbidden, a rice lager collaboration with Hi-Wire Brewing. Please visit their taproom at 395 Haywood Rd in West Asheville to enjoy a unique brew and help the community while you’re at it.

Join International Ballet and Artistic Director Vlada Kysselova as the beloved holiday classic returns to the Peace Center stage. Enjoy Tchaikovsky’s timeless score performed live by the Greenville Symphony Orchestra and be dazzled as the angelic voices of the Greenville Youth Chorale are featured as snow falls on the Concert Hall stage. No holiday season is complete without joining Clara and her Nutcracker prince as they encounter dancing snowflakes, spirited sword fights and a visit to the Kingdom of Sweets. With glittering costumes and exquisite sets, this incredible performance is not to be missed.

Jack of the Wood : Sunday-Irish Session 

Sundays

1 till who knows when?

Traditional Irish music is kept alive at Jack of the Wood with our unplugged Sunday session.

Jack of the Wood

95 Patton ave

Asheville, NC 28801

(828) 252.5445

http://www.jackofthewood.com/

The Blue Ridge Ringers Present Ring We Now of Christmas, 3-4pm, Come join the Blue Ridge Ringers as they perform their
holiday special, Ring We Now of Christmas at the First Congregational Church in Hendersonville, The Blue RIngers are an
advanced auditioned group of handbell musicians in Hendersonville NC. Free,

The official 2023 Gingerbread display begins on Monday, November 27, 2023 and will continue through Tuesday, January 2, 2024. Explore an array of exquisite gingerbread houses meticulously crafted by talented competitors from across the nation in the grandest gingerbread house competition of all.

Guests not staying at the Resort are invited to view the display after 4:00 p.m. on Sundays or anytime Monday through Thursday, based on parking availability and excluding holidays and the following dates: December 23, 24, 25, 30, 31 and January 1. All Fridays and Saturdays are reserved for registered resort guests and those that have confirmed dining reservations. Display access is subject to hotel capacity, including pedestrian traffic. Please note that only Registered Resort Pets will be permitted. No outside pets will be allowed. Before travelling to the property, visit our Facebook page to verify display access is open for public viewing. CLICK FOR LIVE PROPERTY UPDATES

HOLIDAY PARKING PROGRAM

Since the inception of the Holiday Parking Partner program in 2013, we have been honored to contribute over $923,000 to not-for-profit partners in Buncombe County, North Carolina. During the Fall & Holiday season, there is no complimentary parking on property. From October 1, 2023 – January 2, 2024, parking rates are as follows:

• Valet Parking: $35 for day parking & overnight guests
• Self-Parking: $25 for day parking & overnight guests

HOW IT ALL BEGAN

It all began with a small group of gingerbread houses built by community members in 1992 as another way to celebrate the holiday season with no plans to continue the following year. There was no possible way to know that more than two decades later The Omni Grove Park Inn National Gingerbread House Competition™ would be one of the nation’s most celebrated and competitive holiday events.

As the event grew, so did the caliber of judges and competitors. Our panel of judges represents nationally renowned food and media professionals and the level of competition has attracted the highest quality of design, artistry and pastry expertise. The competition has merited broadcast coverage by NBC’s TODAY Show, ABC’s Good Morning America, the Travel Channel, and the Food Network.

The Gingerbread Display has grown in more than just entries; it has become a true family holiday tradition. From the very young to the very young at heart, the reaction to this magical experience is the same – one of wonder, awe and delight.

A world premiere! Written by Jason Phillips, Abby Auman, Eli Hamilton, and Mickey Poandl and directed by Dwight Chiles.

Maybe it’s much too early in the game, but I thought I’d ask you just the same, what are you doing New Year’s? New Queer’s Eve provides a glimpse into the struggle, absurdity, camaraderie, and joy around this holiday from a LGBTQIA+ lens. The show takes place in one location, and spans several decades of New Year’s Eve celebrations. Through interconnected stories told by a collaboration of queer writers, New Queer’s Eve invites audiences to share in the joys and struggles of queer life through the decades.

*Content notification: language; sensitive subject matter; talk of death; brief burlesque scene (no full nudity.)

December 1 – 16, 2023
Thursdays, Fridays, & Saturdays at 7:30pm
Sundays at 4pm

NEW QUEER’S EVE
Developed by a Collaboration of Queer Writers
Directed by Dwight Chiles

Maybe it’s much too early in the game, but I thought I’d ask you just the same, what are you doing New Year’s? Join us for a look at this holiday through a new lens. New Queer’s Eve takes place in one location over multiple New Year’s Eve celebrations and provides a glimpse into the LGBTQIA+ experience through time. Through interconnected stories told by a collaboration of queer writers, New Queer’s Eve invites audiences to share in the joys and struggles of queer life through the decades.

Festival of Lights offers two different experiences for attendees: a drive-thru and a walk-thru. The walk-thru dates will take place on Dec. 2 and Dec. 3 from 6-8 p.m. and the drive-thru will be taking place nightly from Dec. 4 – Dec. 23 from 6-9 p.m.

The walk-thru nights (Dec. 2 and 3) will consist of fun holiday crafts, kettlecorn, hot chocolate and the spectacular light show. Admission to the walk-thru nights is only $5 for adults, and children 16 and under get in free, making it an affordable and joyful outing for families to celebrate the holiday season together. Please note that parking for the walk-thru nights will be available at Charles T. Koontz Intermediate School. This is only a short walk from Lake Julian Park. Cars will not be permitted to enter the park unless they have a need for ADA accessible parking. Guests are encouraged to wear comfortable shoes and to dress warmly.

The drive-thru nights (Dec. 4 – Dec. 23) allow you to stay in the comfort of your own car while oooh-ing and ah-ing at the beautiful lights around Lake Julian Park. As participants drive throughout the park, they can tune into their favorite seasonal music on the radio. Admission is $10 per car for personal vehicles, $25 for sprinter vans, trailblazers, and conversion vans, and $50 for busses and motorcoaches. Purchased tickets will be valid for one-time use on any night of the festival; tickets are not date specific.

Join us in celebrating 10 Years of Winter Lights ❅

❅ November 17 through December 31!

Every Sunday Modelface Comedy brings you the best comedians from all over the country! This weekend we have Eric Neumann from NYC!!!

HERE IS A LIST OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS THAT ERIC’S MOM CALLS “DISTRACTIONS FROM FINDING A WIFE AND STARTING A FAMILY”

Eric Neumann is one of the fastest rising stand-up comedians on the comedy scene today. His late night debut on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon was named “Set of the Week” by Vulture Magazine. Fresh from a sold out debut performance at the coveted Gramercy Theatre this past April, Eric continues to earn his moniker as “the best thing out of New York since a dollar slice”, as described by Big Laugh Comedy.

Eric has appeared on Comedy Central’s This Week at the Comedy Cellar and Netflix’s The Iliza Shlesinger Sketch Show. His three albums/specials, Nervous Lover, Just a Phase and most recently, But Enough About Me: A Crowd Work Album, all reached #1 on the iTunes Comedy charts and are currently playing on SiriusXM. He is currently on a nationwide tour, headlining major comedy venues across the country. When not on the road, Eric lives in Manhattan, where he is a regular at the Comedy Cellar.

​

featuring Ryan Gordon

ages 18+

doors at 6pm, show at 6:30pm

Calling all poetry lovers! We’re now hosting a monthly Poetry Slam Night with The Pot Stirred in The Canopy.

Test out your poetry skills or come to just listen and vibe. Come be a part of Poetry Slam Night every second Sunday of the month starting at 6:30 pm.

$5 to listen, $10 to slam – Pay at door.

Another Great Comedy Show at Asheville Pizza & Brewing Co, Theater 2! 6:30p, 18+, Get Dinner, Drinks & Laughs with the areas best standup comics. Featured and Open Mic Comedy. [Performing comics get FREE entry and pizza. ]
Get Your Tickets Now!! Hosted Mario Trevizo. Featuring Ryan Cox, Miranda Allison & Art Sturtevant!!
For more info and other standup comedy shows go to sliceoflifecomedy.com or contact Michele at [email protected]

Another Great Comedy Show at Asheville Pizza & Brewing Co, Theater 2! 6:30p, 18+, Get Dinner, Drinks & Laughs with the areas best standup comics. Featured and Open Mic Comedy. [Performing comics get FREE entry and pizza. ]
Get Your Tickets Now!! Hosted Mario Trevizo. Featuring great regional comics!
For more info and other standup comedy shows go to sliceoflifecomedy.com or contact Michele at [email protected]

The Great Smokies Writing Program presents “Writers at Home” celebrating the fall 2023 issue of “The Great Smokies Review” at the Story Parlor at 7:00 p.m. on December 10, 2023. The event is free and open to the public.

The following contributors will be featured and perform a reading:

Rebecca Beck

Ginny Callaway

Anne-Marie Dany

Hope Donnellan

Sondra Hall

Tom Meyer

Patrick Pickering

Doors open at 6:30 and seating is first come first served; there will be a chance after the readings for the audience and readers to mingle.

This will be the final event in the Great Smokies Writers at Home series for Fall 2023. The series, started by novelist and longtime former Program Director Tommy Hays, celebrates local and regional writers reading from their own work. Today, the series is hosted by Program Coordinator Jennifer McGaha.

The Great Smokies Writing Program is a joint effort between the UNC Asheville departments of English, Creative Writing, and the Asheville Graduate Center. The program offers opportunities for writers of all levels to join a supportive learning community in which their skills and talents can be explored, practiced, and forged under the careful eye of professional writers.