Tryon’s Live Theatre with Visual Art and Saluda’s Music

Last weekend Melrose Avenue in Tryon was buzzing with a film crew and Harry Potter fans. This weekend it’s swarming with enthusiastic youth who have been working hard to bring Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s The Little Prince to the Tryon Fine Arts Center stage. Whether you know a child in the production or not, it’s worth a trip to the theatre to see what a beautiful show they have created. This amazing little story requires no magic tricks to transport you to a world of imagination that ultimately leads you to rediscover your own heart. Join the adventure with the Prince and meet such interesting characters as a flirtatious Rose, a King of Everything, a Businessman of the Stars, an entertaining Conceited Man, a dedicated Lamplighter, a studious Geographer, a Snake, a Fox, a Desert Flower, and a large ensemble of children that become everything from annoying weeds to sand dunes and sunsets. Tickets are available in advance from the TFAC box office or at the door for the four performances Thursday through Saturday at 8pm and Sunday afternoon at 3pm.

Whatever you decided to do for your evening entertainment on Friday, be sure to stop by the Essence Day Spa and catch Barbara McComb Thomas’ artist reception from 5-7pm for her North Carolina debut show of dye painting on silk. Take a moment to delight your eyes with her work that is the product of her experience with textile dyes and oriental brush painting. Her interior and exterior design experience is also captured in her collage pieces that used rice paper, graphic metal and wood. It is sure to be a feast of texture and color for the eyes.

Up the hill in Saluda they are keeping the live music scene thriving with a lively line-up of musicians all weekend long. If you missed the Jay Lichty Band last weekend for the Summer Tracks series, you can catch them Friday night at Tosh’s Whistlestop Café. Enjoy a fun loving evening of original Americana “bluejazzgrassrock” music while sipping a glass of wine or espresso and enjoying their homemade ice cream. The band will be playing from 7-9pm at the courtyard by the café located in the historic Standard Oil building.

At the other end of town at the Caboose behind the Station Building on Saturday night you’ll have a chance to get educated in the “Biology of Blues” at Frank & Amy’s Front Porch with Marjorie Thompson and Greg Franklin. Marjorie not only is an accomplished finger-style guitarist and songwriter of country blues, but she has filled the rest of her waking hours donning the role of Biology Professor Dr. Thompson at Brown University. Needless to say, you’re sure to find yourself learning a little something as you sit back and enjoy a summer evening of warm and clever tunes. The music starts at 8pm, but arrive early to get settled into a good seat.

Sunday, Gigi Dover and the Big Love will be making their way down out of the heat from Bele Chere in Asheville to celebrate at the Purple Onion the release of their latest CD “Nouveau.” Gigi’s soulful blues vocals mesmerized audience members back in June at the BBQ Festival. A powerful singer with an amazing stage presence, Gigi puts on a wonderful heartfelt show. The music starts at 7pm, but be sure to arrive early because the dining room fills up fast. However, the lovely patio area allows you to enjoy a pleasant dinner where you still benefit from the musical ambience.
Enjoy the cool summer evenings and treat yourself to some live entertainment this weekend!