Home is Where the Art Is

Now that the hustle and bustle of the holidays are upon us, it never hurts to take a bit of a break to sit back and rejoice in the music of the season while marveling at simple wonders. This weekend offers a lovely array of different artists putting on their best show for this special time of year.

Start your weekend tonight with the Holiday Jam Talent Night at the Melrose Inn from 7-9pm. The buffet starts at 6:30pm and the format is open for anyone to share their talents and join in on musical favorites for the season. Or, if you're up in Saluda, stop by the Purple Onion to hear the dreamy folk crooning of Martha's Trouble. If you want to make this a special night, make reservations for the Orchard Inn's Dickens Dinner 5:30pm seating that includes a five course meal with dramatic readings from " A Christmas Carol" by fire and candlelight.

Friday afternoon visit the Book Shelf in Tryon to meet author Dean Stuart Campbell. From 2-4pm he'll be available to visit and sign his book, Eyes to the Hills: A Photographic Odyssey of the Dark Corner of South Carolina. The e vening brings music and caroling to the streets of Saluda for Home Town Christmas from 6-9pm. Enjoy this last burst of warm weather and stroll about visiting such galleries as Saluda Fine Arts and Your Arts Desire where you can find some holiday refreshments and meet the local artists.

Settle into your evening with the wonderful, heart- warming Home for the Holidays at FENCE. In the Great Room by the fire at 7pm both Friday and Saturday night Jeanne Harley Antiques presents a wonderful way to snuggle into the season with Christmas music, stories, and carols under the direction of Beth Child. A cast of fine musicians includes such notables as flutist Barbara Tilly, guitarist Ron Smith, drummer Bill Hague, tenors Ray McLees and Dean Trakas, Emily Clark, and Randy Grobe.

Sun 2-4pm "Accessorize Yourself" at Upstairs Artspace. Take a little "me" time to try on some beautiful scarves painted by Barbara Tilly, jackets by Karen Dickson Johnson, and quilted vests by Jean Pettigrew. Jewelry artists Mary Ann Merrill and Sharon Tesche will be there to share their work. There will be a silver-smithing demonstration by Ursula Shuler at 2pm, and a lamp-work bead demonstration by Julia McIntyre at 3pm. If you stop there early then you can also catch the PCHS Vocal Impressions and 7/8 Chorus under the direction of Anna Marie Kuether for their holiday concert at 3pm at Polk County High School Auditorium . Celebrate the season with the harmonious voices of our local teens.

If the weekend is too rushed to get you into the spirit of the season, maybe a trip to the movies will help. Monday and Tuesday Tryon Theatre will be showing "A Man Named Pearl." The documentary tells the story of South Carolinian Pearl Fryar who defied stereotypes and taught himself the art of topiary gardening. Over time he turned a small space of poverty stricken country into a natural wonderland that attracts visitors from all over the world. The 2006 Heartland Film Festival awarded this documentary both the Crystal Heart and Audience Choice awards. In honor of this amazing man and the documen- tary about him the Upstairs Gallery will hold a reception Monday 5-7pm for Pearl Fryar who will be visiting Tryon for the showing of the film.