mcdowellnc.org

MAY 12-18 2008

May 17, 2008 - TAAS Gallery Reception for Featured Artist Daniel Smith whose oil paintings reflect a fresh perspective of various activities. “Fill ‘er Up” has a obvious association with coffee, but viewers also relate it to gasoline, finances or other forms of energy. Daniel will be available to personalize prints or paintings and discuss his work with collectors. 12-3pm. The gallery is located on Main Street in downtown Old Fort. For more information, call 828-668-1070 or visit www.taasg.com.

May 17, 2008 - Old Fort Railroad Day. A celebration of railroad history in the town of Old Fort. Events throughout the day between 11am and 4pm. Visit the depot, c. 1881, railroad museum, caboose and enjoy musical performances by the Norfolk Southern Lawmen Band at 12pm and 2pm. Storytelling, demonstrations and a children’s safety program sponsored by Amtrak. Events are also at Mountain Gateway Museum. Free event! I-40 to exit 73/Old Fort. Turn north onto Catawba Avenue driving across railroad track, depot is on the left. Call 888-233-6111 for details.

May 17, 2008 - McDowell County Singing Convention. Enjoy the sounds of various gospel groups. Free. 6:00pm, Glenwood Elementary School, Marion. For more information, call 828-738-4934.

May 17, 2008 - Live Music at Switzerland Cafe & Zack’s Pub featuring Glen Nance performing folk, acoustic, rock and country. Switzerland Cafe & Zack’s Pub are located in Little Switzerland. For more information, call 828-765-5289 or visit www.switzerlandcafe.com.

The Orchard at Altapass (beginning May 17) hosts live music and mountain dancing, storytelling and hayrides, naturalist tours and birding walks, arts and handwork demonstrations Wednesday-Sunday. The Orchard is located at milepost 328.3 on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Little Switzerland. For more information, call 888-765-9531 or visit www.altapassorchard.com.

The Carolina Mountains: Photography of Margaret Morley presented by the North Carolina Museum of History and the Mountain Gateway Museum & Heritage Center. Photographs feature an intimate look at everyday life in western North Carolina around the turn of the 20th century. Exhibited photographs displayed at Mountain Gateway Museum, Old Fort Train Station, Museum & Visitor’s Center, the Marion Davis Branch of McDowell County Public Library and Catawba Vale Coffee Cafe all located in Old Fort. For more information, call the McDowell County Tourism Authority, 888-233-6111 or 828-668-4282.

Bluegrass Music Jam every Thursday. Open to all musicians, no scheduled performers. Outdoors bring chairs or blankets (the music moves indoors for inclement weather). Free; 7-9pm, Marion Depot, Marion. For more information, call 828-652-2215 or visit www.downtownmarion.org.

Old Fort Mountain Music. Every Friday evening for more than a decade, folks have gathered to hear and play bluegrass and traditional mountain music. Nobody’s paid, everyone’s welcome and coffee and sodas are still just a quarter! All musicians are encouraged to join in the fun. Planning to visit? Don’t forget to bring your instruments with you! Friday evenings; 7:00pm; Rockett Building, Main Street in downtown Old Fort; for more information call 1-888-233-6111.

Tracks Music. Great dance music for everyone. Live music by the “Rewind Band”. New and old Country, Beach, old-time Rock and Roll, Blues, Cloggin’, Broom dances and more. Open every Saturday night 8-11:30pm. Admission: $6. Bacon Drive, Old Fort. For more information, call 828-460-8852.

Various other locations in the county offer free music on the weekends, use the links to the right for more specific musicians, times and locations.