Art for Every Taste from Hunt Family Fiddlers to Moon Howl

Sometimes life throws more at you than you could ever fit into a day, or a weekend. After a relatively quiet (and thankfully wet) Labor Day weekend in Polk County, this weekend heat ups with several major events to fit a variety of tastes. For instance, you may start your weekend tonight either in Saluda or Tryon with some great music depending on your musical preference.

Purple Onion in Saluda welcomes pianist Aaron Price tonight at 8pm who has been dubbed the “man behind the Asheville sound” recording and/or performing with artists such as Peggy Seeger, Malcolm Holcomb, Vendetta & the Nines, Stephanie’s Id, Hollywood Red, Mad Tea Party, and Firecracker Jazz Band at Collapseable Studios. He is equally adept at playing piano for cabaret and theatre or bass for a rock and roll band. As someone who views “genre as a limitation” you’ll be delighted by the diversity of his solo piano performance.

Down in Tryon, you can enjoy a more theatrical musical experience with the Hunt Family Fiddlers at the Tryon Fine Arts Center at 8pm. This is sure to be an evening of inspirational entertainment with this nine member family of world class fiddlers and step dancers. Their award winning blend of Celtic, Bluegrass and Folk garnered them six standing ovations at the 8th Annual Newport Waterfront Irish Festival. Clint and Sandy Hunt with their seven children age 8-17 share their family’s love for music internationally and for one night bring this love to the stage in Tryon.

Perhaps you’ll be inspired and take out your own instrument Friday night and join the Pickin’ Parlor at the Gallery Coffeehouse. This family friendly casual environment welcomes everyone to grab an instrument and join the circle sharing and learning music from a variety of genres. If you’re still tentative about playing music yourself, why not play explorer and visit the Green River Gallery to see the new work by internationally know African wildlife artist Nancy Strailey. After viewing her beautiful colored pencil drawings on handmade paper that she calls her “joyful noises” and “hymns to creation,” you may even hear the call of the African drum. How convenient that the Upstairs Artspace is offering a workshop later this month on September 23rd with River Guerguerian called “Sharing the Drum.”

Be ready to start your day early on Saturday. The Green Creek Heritage Festival starts at 9am with a full day until 4pm of music and storytellers under the tent at the Green Creek Family Life Center. After the festival, head back to Tryon for the Garden Party Gala at Tryon Fine Arts Center presented by Tryon Painters & Sculptors. They will be celebrating dual openings for Carol Icard’s “A Celestial Turning…the progression of memory” and Mary Beth Trunk’s “Color it Chromatic” from 4-8:30pm with music and refreshments.

Saturday evening put on your dancing shoes. There are choices for getting into the groove in a variety of styles. Columbus offers an encore Saturday in the Park performance with Doug & Andy. In Saluda, “Dance to the Beat” heats up at Saluda Mountain Jamboree with the unique blend of classic country and southern rock from the seasoned professional band Alamo. Down the hill is the annual Moon Howl benefit for the nature education and outdoor recreation programs at FENCE. You’ll be amazed at the sweet sounds of jazz, swing, and country originals from Ménage. The evening later cranks up with the driving rhythm and blues of Gashouse Mouse whose band members have performed with notable artists Buckwheat Zydeco, Marshall Tucker, and Charlie Daniels.

Whatever your choice, make it an artful weekend!