This must be the place: Indonesia to Carolina and back again
“I’m glad you’re here right now.” Standing in line at the Old Europe coffee shop in downtown Asheville, I said…
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When I sing: An interview with Bear Rinehart
Heralding from just down the mountain in Greenville, South Carolina, Bear Rinehart is the front man for the rock group…
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Straight from the Source: A conversation with Marty Stuart
It’s about staying true to yourself. When you converse with country/bluegrass legend Marty Stuart, you’re speaking to the source. From…
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Lines in the Sand: Balsam Range looks ahead
The eternal struggle of bluegrass is being able to balance evolution with tradition. How does one adhere to the pickin’…
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This must be the place: Last call at the Brar Patch
“Blue-collar heaven.” When asked just what the Brar Patch is, Trey Smith was quick with that response. Huddled under a…
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Local writers, film wins awards
Two local authors and the Bethel Rural Community Organization’s Historic Preservation Committee were among award winners at the annual meeting…
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This must be the place: Stones sax player, improv legend rolls into WNC
It’s a whirlwind. With his group Tiny Universe, saxophonist Karl Denson seamlessly creates this vortex onstage, a sonic hub where…
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Haywood art grants given
The Haywood County Arts Council (HCAC), serving as a Designated County Partner of the North Carolina Arts Council, is pleased…
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This must be the place: An Ode to Election 2016
Hate didn't get us to this point. It also didn’t win the election. A stagnant Congress for the last 16…
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‘In the Soundless Awe’: Play co-written by Western Carolina University professor
The haunting final moments of the man at the helm of the worse naval disaster in U.S. history will be…
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JCAC receives grant funding
The Jackson County Arts Council has received four grants from the North Carolina Arts Council to fund various programs for…
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Midwest Heart, Southern Blues: Nick Dittmeier & The Sawdusters roll into WNC
Taking a seat on the old couch, my foot began to tap immediately. The living room full of friends and…
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This must be the place
The most important band in America My ears are still ringing. After catching two nights of the Drive-By Truckers this…
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If you lived here, you’d be home by now: A conversation with Chris Robinson
Life is good. That’s the vibe one gets when chatting with Chris Robinson these days. Former lead singer for legendary…
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American Pickers to film in North Carolina
Mike Wolf, Frank Fritz and their team are excited to return to North Carolina. They plan to film episodes of…
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This must be the place
Why don’t you go get your crazy pills? I remember that being said to me by other students when I…
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Tuscola attends GWU Choral Clinic
Gardner-Webb University welcomed nearly 160 high school chorus students to campus Oct. 13 as the university’s music department sponsored the…
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WCU to celebrate Homecoming 2016
The Western Carolina University community will come together under the theme “Purple Reigns” to celebrate Homecoming 2016 with major public…
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‘Fear No Art’ Exhibit
The Jackson County Arts Council in Sylva announces a new exhibit entitled "Fear No Art" by Isabella Jacovino, an artist…
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This must be the place
I’m entering hostile waters here, folks. So, bear with me as I bring up this ideology I recently heard, which…
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This must be the place: NPR’s Ari Shapiro visits WNC
It was weird hearing him speak. As host of “All Things Considered,” the flagship program on National Public Radio (NPR),…
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Pisgah wins 50th anniversary rumble
It was the tale of two halves as the Pisgah Black Bears went toe-to-toe against their Haywood County rivals, the…
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New Haywood dance initiative
It has been over 10 years since the Haywood County Arts Council brought the Atlanta Ballet to Haywood County to…
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WCU professor receives Cherokee honor
Brett Riggs, Sequoyah Distinguished Professor of Cherokee Studies at Western Carolina University, has received the 2016 Cherokee National Worcester Award…
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After the dust settles: A conversation with Tim Reynolds
It is the rhythm of life. When you hear the guitar mastery of Tim Reynolds, you’re listening to the joyous…
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This must be the place
What the hell, I figured. Sometime around midnight, and somewhere around my third beer, I decided to send her a…
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Discounted classes at Penland
Penland School of Crafts has open spaces in its upcoming eight-week session available at half tuition to area residents. These…
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Brews news
Bryson City welcomes second brewery With the former brewmaster for Lazy Hiker Brewing (Franklin), Noah McIntee, at the helm, Mountain Layers…
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Mountain Faith wins big in Raleigh
What a year. That is about all you can say about the past 12 months for Jackson County bluegrass act…
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Waynesville songwriter nominated by IBMAs
Although he resides in Nashville these days, songwriter Milan Miller is never too far away from his Waynesville roots. As…
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Balsam Range presses on: Haywood County act now a perennial favorite at IBMAs
Though they walked away empty-handed at last week’s International Bluegrass Music Association award show in Raleigh, acclaimed group Balsam Range…
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This must be the place
I underestimated it. Stepping into the grand ballroom at the Raleigh Convention Center last Thursday morning, I really didn’t think…
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Craft students win national awards
Haywood Community College Professional Crafts Fiber students Abigail Ahlberg and Tony Embrey both were recently recognized with national awards.
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Tapping into your tummy: Nantahala Brewing launches restaurant, open-air taproom
Surrounded by piles of debris, old wood and gravel, Joe Rowland sees opportunity. “This is the inevitable next step for…
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This must be the place
Why do you write? I write because I was told at a very young age, at some point in elementary…
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Fangmeyer Theater open house
The Haywood Arts Regional Theatre in Waynesville is finally ready to show off its new second main stage, the Daniel…
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Finding the root of your rhythm
The RPMs hovered around 4,000, the truck huffing and puffing up the steep hillside. Approaching Sam’s Gap (elevation 3,760 feet)…
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WCU’s Mountain Heritage Day
Celebrating Southern Appalachian culture through concerts, living-history demonstrations, competitions and awards programs, Western Carolina University’s Mountain Heritage Day will be…
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HCC Shine & Dine Gala
The Haywood Community College Foundation will hold a Shine & Dine Gala from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 16,…
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Mural prints, album available
The recently unveiled “Golden Threads” mural, located outside facing Pack Square Park in Asheville is now available as a limited…
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The Face in the Mirror: Ron Rash releases latest novel
Can you find redemption within your own consequences? In The Risen, the latest work from famed Southern Appalachian writer Ron…
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Youth Talent Contest winners
The annual Mountain Youth Talent Contest was held at the Franklin Area Folk Festival on Saturday, Aug. 20, at the…
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High On A Hilltop: Yonder Mountain String Band to headline Canton Labor Day
Where to from here? It’s the lingering question within bluegrass and string circles nowadays. Amid the traditional pickers and grinners,…
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This must be the place
The instant the guitar chords echoed from the Mexican restaurant speakers, a slight grin emerged on my face. Immediately, the…
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Ahead of her time: Photographer shifted the art of the image, fought for women’s rights
Who was Bayard Wootten? “She was a wonderful, strong North Carolina woman,” said Pam Meister. “She was a skilled photographer.…
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Boost in N.C. arts funding
The new budget signed by Gov. Pat McCrory will allow the North Carolina Arts Council to support an extensive arts…
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