Hand built pottery box by Ann GleasonTake a class, jam with other musicians, learn cribbage, or explore the galleries. Whatever you do, take some time this fall to get yourself involved with your local community through the arts. Register now, if you haven&squo;t already, to spend this Saturday and Sunday learning from Ann Gleason hand built pottery techniques at Tryon Arts & Crafts. Visit their website www.tryonartsandcrafts.org or call 828-859-8323 to find out more about the weekend workshops available and how to reserve your spot. Tryon Painters & Sculptors invite you to sign up now for Dom Ferullo&squo;s mixed media and collage classes Wednesday mornings at Tryon Fine Arts Center starting October 20. For more information call Dick Neff at 864-895-7945. Whether you are a experienced artist looking for inspiration or a fledgling artist building basic skills, these talented and dedicated teaching artists in our community will help move you forward toward your goals. This afternoon take some time to stroll through downtown Tryon and catch the beautiful new surprises at Simply Irresistible Gallery up Ola Mae Way or catch the last weekend of the sculpture show at Upstairs Artspace. Then from 4:30-6:30 p.m. explore the homegrown produce and crafts at the Farmer&squo;s Market in the Shops of Tryon parking lot. You might even poke your head into the Gallery Coffeehouse to explore the wide variety of artist&squo;s work on display and get caught up in a game of Cribbage. I hear they&squo;re looking for a few good players of all ages and are ready teach anyone interested in learning the game. If you need to spice up your week with a bit of a variety it&squo;s Tex-Mex night at Melrose Inn for Porch Pickin&squo;. From 6:30-9:30 p.m. the porch welcomes local talent from a variety of musicians, poets, and otherwise entertaining folks. Bring some songs to share, an instrument to play, poems to read, or just a good set of listening ears. Or visit the Purple Onion in Saluda for the Celtic duo Thistledown Tinkers starting at 7:30 p.m.

If that&squo;s not enough music for you join Red Dog & Winkie at Elmo&squo;s Too in Columbus for a special jam session starting at 9 p.m. Friday the Tryon Fine Arts Center continues the Arts in Education series with the musical hilarity of Junie B. Jones presented at 9 and 11 a.m. by Theatreworks USA. Visit www.tryonarts.org to download a study guide and watch a video clip or call 828-859-8322 for more information. Swing into your weekend with Fred Whiskin from 7-9 p.m. at Purple Onion playing a variety of piano favorites. Get vocal yourself with Karaoke at Elmo&squo;s starting at 7 p.m. Saturday night pick the music that suits your mood whether it&squo;s bluegrass with Dehlia Low 8 p.m. at Purple Onion, dance favorites with Free Flight 8-11 p.m. at Saluda Mountain Jamboree, or blues grooving with the Dog Fight Blues Band at Elmo&squo;s in Tryon starting at 9 p.m. Sunday join Red Dog and Friends for a jam session at Elmo&squo;s Too starting at 4 p.m. Or, join the Friends of Harmon Field for one last Sunday evening of Music in the Field this season with a variety of musicians from 5-7 p.m. If you&squo;re still looking for an outlet for your talents, why not add your voice to the Community Chorus for the Christmas concert benefitting the Rotary scholarship fund Dec. 12 and 14. Rehearsals are every Monday 7-9 p.m. at Tryon Presbyterian under the direction of Richard Kennedy. Don&squo;t forget, series tickets are now available for the Tryon Concert Association&squo;s 54th season beginning October 30 with the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields Chamber Ensemble at Tryon Fine Arts Center. Complete subscription information is on their new website tryonconcertassociation.googlepages.com or call Dorothy Wyckoff at 828-859-6065. &bsp;