Jaqueline SchwabLast weekend during the Tryon Fine Arts Center Gala I finally had the opportunity to take a moment and wander through the Tryon Painters & Sculptors current exhibits. Downstairs I was intrigued to find little surprises from a variety of local artists. Upstairs, Gallery I was buzzing with talk as the patrons discussed their favorites and marveled at the wide range of work for the Biennial Juried Exhibit. Later in the evening I gave some newcomers to the area a tour. After visiting with Rich Nelson and admiring his newly finished pieces in the lower studio, we found ourselves lingering in Gallery I. Whether longing to touch the velvety looking nose of a horse reaching toward us from one painting, uncovering the layers of Bonnie Bardos&squo; collage, or simply admiring the depth and perspective of pieces that invited us into a different world, there was something to hold our varied attentions and give us something to talk about. Take some quality time with a loved one and explore the galleries together this week and see what catches your eye. Don&squo;t miss an opportunity to expand your appreciation of music with a free concert this evening from Jacqueline Schwab in the Auditorium at the Isothermal Polk Campus in Columbus from 7 to 9 p.m. &bsp;This performance is expected to include a broader selection from her repertoire of late 19th century American music. Jacqueline Schwab is an exceptional pianist whose work has been featured on the soundtracks of several Ken Burns documentaries from the Grammy-winning Civil War to Lewis and Clark. Schwab&squo;s folk and classical improvisation has been described as &dquo;gorgeously spare piano.&dquo; For more information, contact Quinley at 828-286-3636, ext. 370. Gas prices got you down? You don&squo;t have to drive all over the county to catch live entertainment in town after work tonight. Tonight in Columbus, catch some blues variety with Red Dog & Winkie at Elmo&squo;s Too starting at 6:30 p.m. before the game. &bsp; Up the hill in Saluda tonight, Hendersonville sweetheart Corinne Gooden returns from Nashville with debut album of her original heartfelt music to soothe you with dinner at the Purple Onion from 7-9 p.m. In Tryon, stop by the Porch Pickin&squo; at Melrose Inn for a taste of Italy and a lively variety of music, poetry, stories and more. Bring an instrument or poetry to join the jam or just kick back and let this seasoned mix of talent entertain you. From 6:30 p.m. until everyone that wants to share something has shared and the group runs out of sing a-long songs. Mike & Mark (or is it Mark & Mike), a lively duo from Spartanburg, who made a surprise appearance at Elmo&squo;s last weekend, plan to return to play a wide variety of popular songs for the crowd at Elmo&squo;s Too in Columbus Friday night. If it&squo;s anything like their performance last Saturday, they&squo;ll pretty much try anything someone requests and then add in some of their own well rehearsed favorites. There are plenty of opportunities to catch your local jazz favorites around town too, just check the music calendar listing to find out where and when. If you&squo;re looking for a place to try out some new tunes, the Gallery Coffeehouse has a piano and welcomes musicians young and old to come share music with their patrons. Saturday is a wonderful day to take some time to stroll through the local galleries. Red Clover Gallery&squo;s colorful and though provoking show of James Williams&squo; color pastels will brighten your day in Landrum. I hope to finally wander through the Upstairs Artspace&squo;s current exhibit of regional sculptures as well as make a visit to Simply Irresistible and maybe get a preview of the exciting new show opening there next weekend with Lee Holroyd, Dianne Postniek, and David Watson. Saturday night you can take the whole family up to Saluda for the beautiful Country harmonies of Deep River at the Purple Onion starting at 8p.m. If you&squo;re not too sore from Ache Around the Lake, gather your family and friends Saturday night to enjoy a great evening of popular party music from Free Flight at the Saluda Mountain Jamboree. Dance the night away from 8 ‐ 11 p.m. to all your favorite tunes from oldies to top 40 with beach, country and even some southern rock. Sunday at 4 p.m. the Family Concert series resumes in the Great Room at Foothills Equestrian Nature Center with The Tomblin Family. This free event will feature a blend of classical and contemporary works performed by these versatile young siblings blending guitar, mandolin, piano, harp and rhythm melodiously. For more information call (828) 859-9021 or visit www.fence.org Don&squo;t forget to get your tickets now for Tryon Little Theatre&squo;s season opener Steel Magnolias. Next weekend some of the most talented and charming ladies of the area will have you laughing and crying at the Tryon Fine Arts Center Thursday-Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m. Visit the box office weekdays 10 a.m. ‐ 2 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. ‐ 1 p.m., or Call 828-859-8322. Culture for the whole family with gallery walks & free concerts Last weekend during the Tryon Fine Arts Center Gala I finally had the opportunity to take a moment and wander through the Tryon Painters & Sculptors current exhibits. Downstairs I was intrigued to find little surprises from a variety of local artists. Upstairs, Gallery I was buzzing with talk as the patrons discussed their favorites and marveled at the wide range of work for the Biennial Juried Exhibit. Later in the evening I gave some newcomers to the area a tour. After visiting with Rich Nelson and admiring his newly finished pieces in the lower studio, we found ourselves lingering in Gallery I. Whether longing to touch the velvety looking nose of a horse reaching toward us from one painting, uncovering the layers of Bonnie Bardos&squo; collage, or simply admiring the depth and perspective of pieces that invited us into a different world, there was something to hold our varied attentions and give us something to talk about. Take some quality time with a loved one and explore the galleries together this week and see what catches your eye. Don&squo;t miss an opportunity to expand your appreciation of music with a free concert this evening from Jacqueline Schwab in the Auditorium at the Isothermal Polk Campus in Columbus from 7 to 9 p.m. &bsp;This performance is expected to include a broader selection from her repertoire of late 19th century American music. Jacqueline Schwab is an exceptional pianist whose work has been featured on the soundtracks of several Ken Burns documentaries from the Grammy-winning Civil War to Lewis and Clark. Schwab&squo;s folk and classical improvisation has been described as &dquo;gorgeously spare piano.&dquo; For more information, contact Quinley at 828-286-3636, ext. 370. Gas prices got you down? You don&squo;t have to drive all over the county to catch live entertainment in town after work tonight. Tonight in Columbus, catch some blues variety with Red Dog & Winkie at Elmo&squo;s Too starting at 6:30 p.m. before the game. &bsp; Up the hill in Saluda tonight, Hendersonville sweetheart Corinne Gooden returns from Nashville with debut album of her original heartfelt music to soothe you with dinner at the Purple Onion from 7-9 p.m. In Tryon, stop by the Porch Pickin&squo; at Melrose Inn for a taste of Italy and a lively variety of music, poetry, stories and more. Bring an instrument or poetry to join the jam or just kick back and let this seasoned mix of talent entertain you. From 6:30 p.m. until everyone that wants to share something has shared and the group runs out of sing a-long songs. Mike & Mark (or is it Mark & Mike), a lively duo from Spartanburg, who made a surprise appearance at Elmo&squo;s last weekend, plan to return to
play a wide variety of popular songs for the crowd at Elmo&squo;s Too in Columbus Friday night. If it&squo;s anything like their performance last Saturday, they&squo;ll pretty much try anything someone requests and then add in some of their own well rehearsed favorites. There are plenty of opportunities to catch your local jazz favorites around town too, just check the music calendar listing to find out where and when. If you&squo;re looking for a place to try out some new tunes, the Gallery Coffeehouse has a piano and welcomes musicians young and old to come share music with their patrons. Saturday is a wonderful day to take some time to stroll through the local galleries. Red Clover Gallery&squo;s colorful and though provoking show of James Williams&squo; color pastels will brighten your day in Landrum. I hope to finally wander through the Upstairs Artspace&squo;s current exhibit of regional sculptures as well as make a visit to Simply Irresistible and maybe get a preview of the exciting new show opening there next weekend with Lee Holroyd, Dianne Postniek, and David Watson. Saturday night you can take the whole family up to Saluda for the beautiful Country harmonies of Deep River at the Purple Onion starting at 8p.m. If you&squo;re not too sore from Ache Around the Lake, gather your family and friends Saturday night to enjoy a great evening of popular party music from Free Flight at the Saluda Mountain Jamboree. Dance the night away from 8 ‐ 11 p.m. to all your favorite tunes from oldies to top 40 with beach, country and even some southern rock. Sunday at 4 p.m. the Family Concert series resumes in the Great Room at Foothills Equestrian Nature Center with The Tomblin Family. This free event will feature a blend of classical and contemporary works performed by these versatile young siblings blending guitar, mandolin, piano, harp and rhythm melodiously. For more information call (828) 859-9021 or visit www.fence.org Don&squo;t forget to get your tickets now for Tryon Little Theatre&squo;s season opener Steel Magnolias. Next weekend some of the most talented and charming ladies of the area will have you laughing and crying at the Tryon Fine Arts Center Thursday-Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m. Visit the box office weekdays 10 a.m. ‐ 2 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. ‐ 1 p.m., or Call 828-859-8322. &bsp;&bsp;