Local arts to put you in the mood for romance

Published 12:00 am Thursday, February 12, 2009

Today The box office opens at the Tryon Little Theatre Workshop for High Society performances February 26-March 1 and March 5-8 at the Tryon Fine Arts Center. Box office hours will be Monday ‐ Saturday 10 a.m. ‐ 1 p.m. through March 7 or phone 828-859-2466 to check availability. If the approach of Valentines Day has you grinding your teeth, sooth your heart with the gritty country and folk blues music of balladeer Laura Blackley at The Purple Onion in Saluda at 7 p.m. &bsp; Is food art? Discover a color palette for your taste buds at The Cellar Saluda Inn with velvet wine & artesian chocolates tonight and Saturday at 6:30 p.m. Reservations required, email vine2wine@charter.net for more info or call 828-749-9698. &bsp; Friday Make new friends and challenge your mental nerve by auditioning this weekend for One Flew over the Cuckoo&squo;s Nest directed by Chris Riddle. Chris is an insightful young director with fresh ideas looking for twelve men and eight women to dive into this script adapted from Ken Kesey&squo;s 1962 novel set in a mental institution. Auditions for Tryon Little Theatre&squo;s production will be at Tryon Youth Center tonight 6-9 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. ‐ 2 p.m. with call backs to be announced for Sunday. Performances will be at the Tryon Little Theatre Workshop the last weekend of March and first weekend of April. For information call 828-231-2153 or visit The Bookshelf to check out a copy of the script. Persimmon&squo;s Bistro offers their second monthly Fun with Food & Local Art from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Campobello artist Crystal Bohnen will be presenting her large figure oil paintings for the month of February. Let the emotion of her work sweep you away as you enjoy an evening of appetizers and art. The Holy Cross Episcopal Church invites you to meet new friends and reconnect to old pals through the arts with a Community Contra Dance featuring Polk County band Paddywack. Becky Walker from Oconee County, SC will be calling the dance. Arrive at 6:30 p.m. for some introductory step instruction. The dancing will last from 7:30 – 10 p.m. Tryon Concert Association presents flutist Tara Helen O&squo;Connor and pianist Jeremy Denk at Tryon Fine Arts Center at &bsp;8 p.m. as part of their subscription series. Call 828-859-6065 for information about subscribing. Brad Gee of Hendersonville handles the keys at Lilac Wine from 7-9 p.m. Jennifer Prince will be livening up Elmo&squo;s Too with country and blues starting at 8 p.m. &bsp; Saturday Fall in love with fabric and join fiber artist Martine House for a workshop in Playing with Texture from 10 a.m. ‐ 4 p.m. at Random Arts in Saluda. Call 828-749-1165 to register or email randomarts@charter.net. Remember those classic films where lovers caught a flight to Europe for a romantic adventure? Don&squo;t sit at home listening to Marlene Dietrich and Edith Piaff wishing you were there. Vendetta Cr`me & Aaron Price will bring the sweet sounds and ambience of a Parisian Bistro through their vintage cabaret music to The Purple Onion 8-10 p.m. Saluda Mountain Jamboree offers a sweetheart dance to get your love moving with Kelly Road from 8-11 p.m. Call 828-749-3676 for tickets. Find true love with Dr. Jazz Fred Whiskin romancing the piano at Lilac Wine from 7-9 p.m. Reservations suggested for this elegant evening, please call 828-859-5205. You can also find him Fridays at The Purple Onion from 7-9 p.m. and every Wednesday at Lilac Wine in Tryon. Looking to get out of town without going anywhere? Sneak off to the Lake Lanier Tea House for a special romantic dining experience with the gospel blues of local sweetheart pianist Jennifer Prince. Call 864-457-5423 for reservations. For those who need a bit heartier fair, Elmo&squo;s offers Prime Rib specials starting at 6 p.m. to fuel a night of dancing to the sweet rhythm and blues soul sounds of Johnny Rawls at 8 p.m. &bsp; Sunday FENCE Family Concerts presents cellist Dr. Victor Iskersky at 4 p.m. with pianist Brennan Szafron. Program selections include works by J.S. Bach, Camille Saint-Saens, Max Bruch and Felix Mendelssohn. For information contact FENCE at 828-859-9021. Dr. Iskersky is a true renaissance man balancing both a musical and medical career. He is currently at USC School of Medicine in Columbia, SC as the Director of Neonatology and professor of Obstetrics, Pediatrics, and Gynecology. Highlights of his musical career include playing with the Toledo, Charleston, and Spartanburg symphonies as well as playing with chamber groups during his medical studies in Germany and Austria. The concert is free of charge. Musicians gather for the Elmos Too Blues Jam with Winkie &Red Dog 4 p.m. Sun. (photo by Dianna Towery)Tired of all the hearts and flowers? Work out your blues at the Elmo&squo;s Too Blues Jam with Winkie & Red Dog at 4 p.m. All musicians and lovers of music are welcome to join in the fun.

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