Tonight is Tryon&squo;s Tailgate market. Stop by the Shops of Tryon parking lot from 4:30 ‐ 6:30 p.m. for a variety of fresh local produce as well as locally made arts and crafts. Afterwards, join the folks at the Melrose Inn for Porch Pickin&squo; from 6:30-9:30 p.m. From ukuleles to tenor guitar playing drummers and fire spinners it&squo;s hard to say who or what will show up this week, but it&squo;s sure to be entertaining. Or, if you prefer to know what to expect, plan on the acoustic pop and tight harmonies of the Charlotte group Near Misses at the Purple Onion in Saluda.

Friday continues the Summer Tracks Series at Rogers Park with Bob Sinclair opening for Gig Dover and the Big Love 7-10 p.m. Bob Sinclair is a songwriter who creates music that brings to mind what might happen if Hoagy Carmichael and Bob Wills had worked together on an album. The fresh original songs have a western swing flavor that will get toes tapping. Then Gigi Dover and the Big Love will turn up the evening with high energy original tunes that mix hip hop with classic country. Fall in love with live music as you boogie the night away in a beautiful outdoor setting.

However, if you need a quieter adventure you might be pleased to discover Elmo&squo;s II in Columbus and an unamplified evening of original folk rock with The Accentrix Acoustic starting at 9 p.m.

Saturday Fred Whiskin&squo;s Jazz Trio wakes up the afternoon at the Hare and the Hound in Landrum with sweet jazz. Elmo&squo;s in Tryon welcomes the Hank Cole Band from Shelby stirring it up after 9 p.m. with some original tunes as well as Americana rock favorites. Donna Hughes brings bluegrass to the Purple Onion. Free Flight will get you on your feet and dancing the night away at the Saluda Mountain Jamboree from 8-11 p.m.

Sunday, take an evening drive up the beautiful Saluda grade to the Purple Onion for a special concert with Kim & Reggie Harris from 7-9 p.m. This talented duo has been entertaining audiences in venues ranging from coffeehouses to The Kennedy Center for over 25 years with their unique blend of folk, jazz, and gospel music. Call for reservations and tickets 828-749-1179.

Please make note, this is the last weekend to catch the Davis/Nixon/Gurri Show at Upstairs Artspace before they transition to the new exhibit The Artists of Lake Lure opening next Friday.

While I&squo;m on the subject of next week, here are a couple more things to keep your week artistic and entertaining. Monday Tryon Arts & Crafts kicks off their Summer Sizzler Art Program for kids ages 10 and up. For the first week Ike Wilson and Rema Keen will lead a &dquo;Storytelling Through Pottery&dquo; program Monday through Friday 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Students will create a series of pottery tiles as a key to unlock the art of storytelling. Visit the website at www.tryonartsandcrafts.org or call 828-859-2323 for more information on this class and the rest of their exciting summer series of workshops.

Tryon Youth Center and Tryon Little Theatre are proud to present the first summer youth show at Tryon Fine Arts Center. The stage adaptation of C.S. Lewis&squo; classic &dquo;The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe&dquo; opens Thursday July 17. Follow Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy through the wardrobe into the land of Narnia where they encounter an adventure that challenges them to grow from children into heroes. This year the performances will be at 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday nights with matinees at 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are on sale now from the TFAC Box Office 828-859-8322.