spotlight on the arts TDB#3

Grace appeared in my life last summer when I first met Saluda poet Charles O. Hearon, Jr. A lifetime “Summer Resident” and now full time resident of Saluda, Mr. Hearon is probably best known locally for his book of stories “I Remember Saluda.” However, as a young man of eighteen he first published a collection of poems called “The Sun’s Gonna Shine in My Back Door Someday.” The poems capture the world around a young man coming into his prime in the South during the 1930’s. On Saturday from 10am to 12pm Mr. Hearon will make a public appearance at Pace’s Store in Saluda to share and sign copies of his latest effort “The Sun’s Gonna Set Pretty Soon.” This collection offers joyful reminiscences and observations of a Southern life lived with love.

Then the word “grace” leapt out at me as I scanned the biographies and works of local artists such as Dale McEntire, Richard Conn, and Bonnie Bardos contributing to the Empower Local Film Art Auction at the Historic Melrose Inn from 7-10pm this Saturday.

Vibrant landscape artist Dale McEntire states his artistic goal as expressing “nature is grace” to his viewers. Richard Conn’s metal work is described as being “graceful in seemingly impossible ways.” Bonnie Bardos’ dreamy acrylic paintings she calls “art of the spirit” include “My Saving Graces” in her online gallery. Seeking enlightenment, I visited dictionary.com to check the definitions of grace and discovered “the influence or spirit of God operating in humans to regenerate or strengthen them.” This aptly describes the spirit bringing so many talented artists and musicians together this Saturday night on Melrose Avenue.

While the event originally was organized to raise money for local filmmaker Chris Riddle and MiracleMax productions to film in Polk County for Asheville’s 48 Hour Film Project, a portion of the proceeds will now also be going to Reach for the Skye. Dale McEntire has shown his generous spirit and grace by agreeing to donate his art to both events.

Across from the Melrose Inn on Saturday evening, Reach for the Skye Benefit Concert and silent art auction will be taking place at the Tryon Fine Arts Center. The purpose of the event is to raise money to help with the strengthening and recovery of Polk County High graduate Aleisha Skye Barkschat.

As stated on the nonprofit’s website, 26 year old Skye Barkschat has shared her grace providing therapy for autistic children, working with an orphanage in Costa Rica, serving as a doula for woman in labor, and helping adolescent immigrants to express themselves with photography among other activities. In March Skye suffered a debilitating brain injury riding her bike home from the grocery store. Now her friends and family are struggling to raise the funds for her recovery without the aid of health insurance.

It appears that nearly every musician from Green Creek will be on stage that night as friends and neighbors of Skye’s family offer up their talents to help with fundraising. From the sweet soulful music of Straight from the Heart and traditional Appalachian/Celtic sounds of Gingerthistle, to the whimsical “bluejazzgrassrock” of Jay Lichty and the rockin’ Lone Derangers the music is sure to leave the audience feeling rejuvenated and uplifted.

Why not spend the evening on Melrose Avenue and catch both events? Enjoy wine and hors d’oeuvres at the Melrose Inn while viewing and bidding on art there, then cross the street to TFAC to admire and bid on more beautiful artwork and listen to inspiring music.

Take time to enjoy local art this weekend, and may you be filled with grace.

help a friend come visit

Okay, this is a strange little plug, but once upon a time I invited a friend to come visit with his wife. We mentioned that work would have to send them this way. So, now here's your chance to help. Swil Kanim once helped me by playing for a benefit, and I can vouch for his quality musicianship and storytelling ability that opens the door to understanding of Native American culture in the modern age. So help bring him to North Carolina. He's currently using "on demand" to assist in spotting interested areas and setting up bookings, but you can also just find him at his myspace page and contact him for bookings. I would love to introduce good folk of the northwest to good folk of the southeast.

spotlight on the arts TDB#2

Having spent the last ten years working in schools as an artist, I am passionate about how arts connect to the learning process. One name that has followed me in my travels is the Missoula Children’s Theatre. This company has a national reputation as a provider of a valuable performance based learning that connects theatre as art-form with character education. The mission statement of the company is “the development of life skills in children through participation in the performing arts.” This program allows young people to gain confidence, learn tolerance and respect, explore their individuality, and enjoy the challenge of completing a project. It’s very exciting that the Friends of the Tryon Fine Arts Center enabled this group to come and work with the youth of Polk County. Two professional actor/directors started on Monday taking the kids through an audition process, and all this week they have been guided through a rigorous rehearsal process. This Saturday, as a celebration of their work, they will present two performances of a musical version of “The Wizard of Oz” performed with the local youth. I took a sneak peek at rehearsals on Tuesday and saw an amazing amount had been learned by the kids in just one day. I also noticed that the MCT actors had quickly established a rapport with the young performers and were tailoring their direction to specific needs of each individual child. I’ll be thrilled to see the final production.

Speaking of youth, the young and rebellious part of me wants to run away to the Wonderland Ball this Friday at the Grey Eagle in Asheville. Asheville based Mad Tea Party returns from the road with vaudevillian style to present a “wacky and whimsical multi-media affair” for the town that nurtured them. They will be performing their original “rock/indie/psychobilly” music and sharing the stage with the NYC based Wiyos who play what they call “ragtime-swing.” The audience is encouraged to wear costumes, and there are sure to be a few “Mad Hatters” in the crowd. Having witnessed the talents of these amazing musicians, this event will no doubt be a joyful visual and aural feast, but don’t forget you’re dancing shoes because the music will definitely keep your feet moving.

If costumed wackiness is not your style, you might feel more at home relaxing in Saluda at Frank and Amy’s Front Porch listening to South Carolina Folk Heritage Award winner and Hall of Fame member Drink Small, also know as “The Blues Doctor.” Born in 1933 in Bishopville, SC, Drink Small has become an international name performing at such prestigious events as the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival and will be arriving in Saluda fresh from the Chicago Blues Festival. Don’t miss the chance to catch this living blues legend right here in Polk County.

Looking for an artistic day for the whole family? Why not take a trip up to Carl Sandburg Farm in Flat Rock? This week marks the beginning of their summer performance schedule. The talented apprentice actors from Flat Rock Playhouse perform Wednesday through Saturday at 10:15am in the park’s outdoor amphitheatre. Both shows are free to all visitors and leave plenty of time in the day to explore the hiking trails and pet the goats. The fast paced “World of Carl Sandburg” show Wednesdays and Fridays offers a potpourri of Carl Sandburg’s poetry served up with a heap of imagination. On Thursdays and Saturdays the actors will be performing selections from the fanciful “Rootabaga Stories” Sandburg wrote for his daughters. Both shows provide an excellent day of artistic expression in the great outdoors. ~w

spotlight on the arts

My introduction to Tryon was through live music. I was dragged down the mountain from Asheville by a friend who wanted me to hear a piano player at the Trade Street Gallery Coffeehouse. Having traveled the country and grown up in the Seattle “music scene” of the 1990’s I wasn’t expecting to be impressed by small town music. Imagine my surprise when I walked in and heard a Polk County High senior ripping out a Louis Armstrong solo accompanied on piano by a former member of the Squirrel Nut Zippers. That was when I realized that I’d just stumbled upon something special. Here was a community that could both nurture a young musician and revive a travel weary artist like myself. My only problem this Friday is figuring out how to be in two places at once. Fortunately, both events are happening right on Trade Street in downtown Tryon.

Frank & Amy’s Front Porch is Saluda has switched venues to the Tryon Movie Theatre this Friday night to bring in five time W.C. Handy Blues Music Award winner Rory Block with the Straightway Ministries Choir from Utica, Mississippi for “Down at the Crossroads - Blues Meets Gospel.” The choir features descendants of Delta Blues legend Robert Johnson whose life and work are revived by the traditional acoustic blues guitar playing of Rory Block. The folklore surrounding Johnson’s life has left a legend that he sold his soul to the devil at a crossroads in the delta to play the guitar, but this concert promises to reconnect his music to the early American Gospel music. This soul-stirring, toe-tapping music will remind you why it's good to be alive. This high quality performance is a “must see” in my book.

Meanwhile, down the street at the Trade Street Gallery Coffeehouse is the monthly open mic night “Listening to Coffee” with house band Cantankerous. They will be welcoming musicians (as well as poets, storytellers, and comedians) of all ages to come share their talents in a family friendly atmosphere. This is an excellent opportunity for young performers to find support for their talents and seasoned professionals to try something new. Four years after that first visit to the Coffeehouse, I’m still impressed with the community here that encourages fledgling artists and seems to magically draw quality musicians that travel through sharing their work.

Saturday night Saluda offers up a couple of different live music performances to suit a variety of tastes. If you enjoy electrified, high energy, original, rockin’ blues, venture up to the Purple Onion for the Shane Pruitt Band. This 27 year old guitar player from Spartanburg is attracting attention from both musicians and music critics as one of the rising stars of the blues tradition. His music has a danceable groove while maintaining the wailing lines of the blues. However, if you prefer a good family friendly variety pack of rock and roll, country, blues, and contemporary favorites (or have a group that is divided on their tastes) check out Southern Pointe at the Saluda Mountain Jamboree on Friendship Road in Saluda. These talented musicians offer up a diverse set of songs they call “real music and real fun for all.” If the samples on their myspace page are any indication, they have found a harmonious blend that is pleasant and fun live entertainment for all ages.

Why drive to the city for entertainment when you can save that gas money and visit these local businesses who are working hard to keep the live music scene alive right here in Polk County? So, get out there and enjoy the music.

musical wish list

If I didn't have to work tonight, I'd head up to Asheville to hear Firecracker Jazz Band at Jack of the Wood. I just caught them last week at Purple Onion in Saluda, and I can't get enough of their high energy enthusiasm and musical virtuosity.

Tomorrow I'm planning on braving the Blue Ridge BBQ Festival to hear some great music by Menage, The Belleville Outfit, Gigi Dover & the Big Love, and Hobex. Then next Wednesday the 13th is Asylum Street Spankers featuring their fun new album for kids "Mommy Says No!" at the Grey Eagle in Asheville.

To top it all off, I'm hosting a Talent Night at the Historic Melrose Inn here in Tryon for all the local artists to come together to eat food cheap, drink cheap, and share what we all do best. We always welcome new faces, maybe I'll see yours there. ~w