Batchelder Jar with Tangerines, oil by Rich Nelson. Thursday Troubadour Tom Fisch has clear and light vocals to carry his original songs over the strumming of his guitar. While he has made a living pitching and selling his songs to people like the Oak Ridge Boys, he is a performer first and foremost. Originally from Albany, NY, he paid his dues networking in Nashville, TN and now lives in the thriving music scene of Western North Carolina where he continues to make and share his music. Enjoy an intimate evening of dinner with Tom Fisch and his guitar at the Purple Onion tonight at 7:30 p.m. Friday On Election Day the Upstairs Artspace turned over a new leaf and hung stunning new work by Rich Nelson. Make your way over to view the new work tomorrow night for the opening from 6-8 p.m. I remember stepping into the Tryon Painters & Sculptors studio during the Tryon Fine Arts Center Gala and discovering Rich finishing up and packing away some charcoal sketches as well as a newly finished oil painting of his wife Kim. I was giving a tour to some out of town guests and they just marveled at the beauty of his work. This new show will contain a variety of subjects including still life, portraits, and landscapes that he has completed since his show last year at the old Conn Gallery space in Landrum. He has recently been featured in Portrait Society magazine and also added to the Portrait Society of America faculty who will be demonstrating painting techniques at the annual meeting in Washington, D.C. Saturday Tryon Arts & Crafts has begun a new Heritage Lecture Series that begins this Saturday with a lecture and discussion from Michael McCue about the history of Tryon Toy Makers and Wood Carvers from 10:30 a.m. ‐ noon at Tryon Arts & Crafts, 373 Harmon Field Road. This is a free event, but you are invited to reserve your seat for the lecture by calling 828-859-8323. Those attending are also invited to bring objects for discussion that may be connected to the work of the Tryon Toy Makers. Tours of the original Toy Makers house will be given after the lecture. If you&squo;re already out of the house for the lecture and tour, you might as well plan to head down to Landrum for a late lunch and catch the Fred Wiskin Trio at Hare & Hound from 3-5 p.m. The lively jazz standards will keep your toes tapping into the evening. Speaking of toe tapping, get on over to the Purple Onion on Saturday evening for a healthy dose of Gigi Dover & the Big Love at 8 p.m. Gigi has stolen many a heart with her sultry vocals and rockin&squo; blues grooves. Make your reservations now for what is sure to be a hoppin&squo; night in Saluda. A look ahead Plan now and get your tickets for next Saturday, November 15 when the Tryon Fine Arts Center presents the Cashore Marionettes &dquo;Life in Motion&dquo; at 8 p.m. Prior to the evening performance there will be an open discussion at 3 p.m. with Joseph Cashore where he will demonstrate how the marionettes work and explain how each of them were developed. Also, Tryon Fine Arts Center is offering a Talent Contest in January, 2009 for local non-profit groups. Applications for entries are due by November 28, 2008. Winners will be chosen by a panel of celebrity judges at each of the three shows and will decide how the award money is divided among the participating organizations. Additional information, eligibility, and applications are available at www.tryonarts.org or stop by the Tryon Fine Arts Center.&bsp;Kim #3 oil by Rich Nelson.&bsp;&bsp;