Action Packed Weekend of Chili, Crafts, Music, and Fine Art

With leaf season on its way and beautiful weather it’s a great weekend to get out and about in Polk County. This weekend is one of those amazing times when there is so much going on that it would be a bit overwhelming to fit in every event. If you like to keep moving and sample a variety of what the area has to offer, this is the time to do it.

Start your weekend tonight at the Purple Onion with the heartfelt and soulful music of Corinne Gooden. This Carolina sweetheart has followed her heart and music around the country and most recently settled herself into the music world of Nashville, Tennessee honing her skills as both a singer and audio engineer. Now she is bringing her own brand of Americana blues filled with purity and light back to the Carolina foothills.

Friday night pick up an instrument yourself and head down to the Gallery Coffeehouse around 7pm for their monthly Pickin’ Parlor. Actually, you can sit and listen if you prefer, but with the variety of bluegrass, gospel, and even a bit of rock and roll there is sure to be something familiar enough to have you singing along with the group that gathers there for the joyful musical circle.

Saturday you’ll have to start your day early to fit the day’s offerings into your schedule. Chili cookers will be heating up Columbus early so that by the time the first ever Columbus Day Celebration and Chili Cook-off officially begins at 10am in the town of Columbus there will be mouthwatering smells to tempt your senses as you enjoy browsing the heritage crafts, riding the rides and listening to the great line up of music. From 11:30am until 10pm the town will be filled with the sounds of lively music from Mama Said, The Foothills Oompah Band, Bucktown Kickback, Jackson Crossing, Bill Noonan Band, and The Work. Don’t miss the dance party that gets into full swing at 7pm with Mac Arnold & the Plate Full O’Blues followed by Tuxedo Junction. This is sure to be a great day for the whole family to enjoy.

However, I would recommend tearing yourself away for a bit to sample some of the other artistry to be found. Beat the afternoon heat over at Harmon Field from 2-5pm where the WNC Fiber & Hand Weavers Guild is presenting their first show at the new Tryon Arts & Crafts gallery space. They have assembled a stunning show of traditional as well as intriguing new uses for fiber arts. If you tarry too long though, you may miss the lovely Voices for Hospice concert at 4pm at the Tryon Fine Arts Center. Presented by the Nina Simone project the concert What Sweeter Music features a variety of talent from the Sparkle City Brass Quintet, Fiddlers Fancy, One Way, The Faux Band, Cantare, Carole Bartol, Rex Gallatin, Sam Lovelace, Mary Tolles, and Brennan Szafron sharing their gifts to benefit the Western North Carolina AIDS project.

Saturday evening is also filled with live music not only at the Columbus Day Celebration, but indoor entertainment can be found with high octane Americana from Trip Rogers at the Purple Onion 8pm, the dancing grooves of Night Vision at Saluda Mountain Jamboree 8pm, or Elmo’s with On the Road Again (Norm & Chuck).


Sunday afternoon slow down and take an hour to enjoy the Walk & Talk with the artists presenting Where in the World: Looking for Cultural References, A Landscape for All Seasons, and Len Fury: A Gathering of Form at the Upstairs Gallery at 2pm. Then, continue your visual adventure over at the Tryon Painters & Sculptors gallery reception for the horse inspired art of Phyllis Eifert and Charles Harpt at Gallery I in the Tryon Fine Arts Center from 3-5pm.

After such a whirlwind weekend, don’t miss the free opportunity to catch NC State Fair Old Time Music champions the Blue Ridge Rounders over at the ICC-Polk campus Tuesday evening at 7pm.
There is something for everyone in Polk County, so enjoy an artful weekend!