Appalachian State University will hold its 25th annual “An Appalachian Summer Festival” June 27-July 25. The festival will include events that enhance the life and culture of the Appalachian community through respected and emerging artists.
Turchin Center eventsThe summer exhibition sponsored by the Turchin Center will feature two- and three-dimensional works that “explore everything from evolutionary biology to the evolution of furniture.”
This exhibition will begin July 3 from 7ń9 p.m. featuring the work of artist Steven Siegel, winner of the 12th Rosen Outdoor Sculpture Competition and Exhibition Award, Harlan Toole, an Appalachian alumnus, and also a student exhibition sponsored by the Furniture Society called “Faculty Selects.”
The Halpert Biennial 2009 will also be celebrated during the exhibition. The Biennial is a national, juried, two-dimensional art competition and exhibition designed to shine light on works by emerging and established artists living in the United States. The exhibition includes works of art using traditional and non-traditional materials.
The Turchin Center will also feature summer camps and workshops available to kids, teens and adults. Activities involving sculpture, clay creations, fantasy chairs and creative drama are available for kids ages 6ń16. Older teens and adults can explore their skills in drawing, painting, collage, Japanese shibori and silversmithing.
The three-day summer workshops are offered during the months of June and July and teacher accreditation workshops for art educators are also available. Advance Web registration and payment are required, and enrollment is limited.
Art events will be held 423 W. King Street in downtown Boone.
Magic of Motion PicturesThe “Magic of the Motion Pictures” film series will present four evenings of films beginning at 8 p.m. Films to be shown at The Dragonfly Theater and Pub are “The Band’s Visit” on June 29, “The Underground Orchestra” on July 9 and “Vitus” on July 13.
ASU’s Farthing Auditorium will be the site for ” Patagonia’s Wild & Scenic Environmental Film Festival” Friday, July 10.
Triad Stage productionsThe return of the Triad Stage, a regional theatre company, will include two plays at the Valborg Theatre: a fully- staged production of David Mamet’s “Oleanna” on July 21 and 22, and a reading of a new work in progress, “Providence Gap” on July 24. Shows begin at 8 p.m.
The 23rd Rosen Outdoor Sculpture Competition & Exhibition, ASU’s annual national, juried outdoor sculpture contest, will be July 25. A juror-led sculpture walk will begin at the Catherine J. Smith Gallery at 10 a.m.
The Rosen sculptures are on display now through February 2010, in outdoor locations on the university campus and in the Town of Boone.
The Broyhill Chamber Ensemble will perform five concerts at 8 p.m. at the Rosen Concert Hall on June 28 and July 1, 6, 15 and 20.
The Skybest Mainstage Series will feature various events of music, comedy, and dance.
The Charlotte Symphony Orchestra will perform June 27, under the direction of Albert-George Schram. The Eastern Festival Orchestra will perform under the direction of Gerard Schwarz July 12 with guest violinist Sarah Chang and July 19 with guest pianist Horacio Gutierrez. All three performances will be held at the Farthing Auditorium at 8 p.m.
Buckwheat Zydeco’s performance will incorporate soul, blues and southwestern Louisiana’s Creole French zydeco music July 11, in the Farthing Auditorium at 8 p.m.
The Skybest mainstage series will feature first time appearances by singers Melissa Manchester, Joan Baez and comedian Paula Poundstone. Manchester, a Grammy-wining country artist, will perform July 2, Baez will perform July 23 and Poundstone will perform July 17.
The series will also include the Paul Taylor Dance Company July 14. One of the most respected dance troupes, the company has represented the U.S. in more than 40 countries.
Pilobolus, another dance company, thrives on imagination and the athletic exploration of the body. Producing a sold-out show in 2006, they will preform for the festival again on July 7.
All performances in this series will begin at 8 p.m. in the Farthing Auditorium.
Dinner and a Show
The traditional “Dinner and a Show at Westglow,” established in 2007, with Grammy nominee Sophie B. Hawkins, will be July 5 at the Westglow Resort and Spa at 6 p.m.
The evening of entertainment will include dinner prepared by Rowland’s restaurant and dancing under the stars.
There will be a silent auction from June 1-July 19 in the lobby of Farthing Auditorium.
Items for auction will include but are not limited to golf clubs, spas, vineyards and local attractions.
A festival finale concert will feature Kenny Loggins on July 25, at 7:30 p.m. at the Holmes Convocation Center.
Local resorts, restaurants, and hotels are offering discounts throughout the festival and a shuttle service available will also be available.
For more information about any of these events call 828-262-6084 or visit www.appsummer.org