Warm Up with Fall Crafts, Music and Art

As November ushers in a chill wind along with the beautiful colors of changing leaves, this weekend offers some opportunities to warm up with the arts. Tonight is Talent Night at the Melrose Inn in Tryon which has moved indoors to their comfortable lounge from the porch for the season. The latest word on the menu for the 6:30pm buffet is "something hearty like spaghetti and meatballs." Join this warm-hearted group for a potpourri of entertainment along with your meal and maybe even take a moment to share something of your own. You may also find the Purple Onion inviting and cozy with hot folk inspired rocking guitar music from Greg Klyma up in Saluda.

Friday night seems quiet, but the adventurous soul might slip up to the Back Room in Flat Rock for the music of Asheville darling Caroline Pond of Snake Oil Medicine Show at 9pm. She'll light a fire in the hearts of the crowd with her sweet vocals and fiddle playing accompanied by Sean Foley on accordion and piano. If you feel like sticking close to home, stop by for a hot drink and warm conversation at the Gallery Coffeehouse and maybe even catch some impromptu music.

On Saturday the early birds should hop on down to the Gowensville Fall Festival that starts at 8am. You'll find colorful crafts and folk to help you get a early start on your Christmas shopping. Maybe you'll even take home a quilt from the fine artisans of Landrum Quilters to curl up in on those cold winter nights. The arts really begin to heat up at 10am over at Harmon Field for the "Firing of the Forge" dedication. Festivities run until 4pm and include plenty of craft demonstrations and music to celebrate the completion of the Michael Bell's Eagle Scout badge project of bringing a Blacksmith Studio to Tryon Arts & Crafts. Once you've warmed up at the forge, slip on down to the Upstairs Artspace to get your last minute bids in on the Silent Auction before they close the bidding at 4pm with a reception. Don't miss the opportunity to find quality art from such artists as Eugene Avergon, Bonnie Bardos, Page Davis, Greg and Paul Flint, Linda Hudgins, Dale McEntire, Richard Nelson, Carlyn Tucker, Claire Apple, Kathleen Carson, Richard Conn, Patricia Cole-Ferullo, Charlotte Fowler, Carol Beth Icard, J. Gary Kornmayer, and Elisabeth Paxton Oliver. Take the chance on owning beautiful artwork at bargain prices while supporting the gallery with much needed funding to continue to bring quality shows and workshops for a 30th year. Then afterwards, slip up the hill to the Tryon Fine Arts Center for a little spark with the annual Tryon Painters & Sculptors Miniature Show reception from 5-7pm in Gallery Too. All work in the show must be no larger than 10x10 inches, but even a small piece of art can light up a room.

For the night owls, the evening continues up in Saluda . Heat up the night with music cooked up in the Americana kitchen of Mama Said over dinner at the Purple Onion, or dance the night away to Legacy at the Saluda Mountain Jamboree.

Don't let time get away from you though. Next weekend Tryon Little Theatre presents All in the Timing by David Ives at the Workshop. The show opens Thursday November 15 and runs through Sunday. Seating is limited at the workshop, so be sure to get your tickets in advance for this cheerful, fast paced selection of comedic scenes that is sure to warm you up with laughter.