Cole Porter musical escapades &Hannon Barbershop exhibit
Published 3:00 am Thursday, February 26, 2009
Today My head is spinning with Cole Porter&squo;s songs like the gorgeous set pieces that have arrived to transform the Tryon Fine Arts Center stage into the Lord mansion tonight for the opening of High Society. It&squo;s the day before Tracy Lord&squo;s (Whitney Moore) wedding to George Kittredge (Peter Eisenbrown) and her ex-husband Dexter (Chris Tinkler) arrives to inform her mother (Carol Cox) that reporters from Spy Magazine (Susie Kocher and Guy Winkler) are on their way to expose Mr. Lord&squo;s (Ed Richardson) connection to a New York dancer. Can Tracy&squo;s little sister Dinah (Emily Kocher) sort out the adult drama that ensues and save the day? Don&squo;t miss out. Get your ticket now from the Tryon Little Theatre Workshop to secure a seat for one of the performances tonight – March 1 and March 5-8. Box office hours are Monday ‐ Saturday 10 a.m. ‐ 1 p.m. through March 7 or phone 828-859-2466 to check availability. Afterwards, try singing a tune or two of your own as Elmo&squo;s celebrates their 5 year anniversary with Karaoke and door prizes. If you&squo;re in the mood for an intimate dinner, check out the sultry sounds of jazz duo Sharon LaMotte & Gill Gerhardt performing classics and standards at The Purple Onion in Saluda at 7 p.m. &bsp; Friday Hannon Barbershop exhibit at Upstairs Artspace (photo submitted) As Black History Month concludes, the Upstairs Artspace reopens for 2009 with two stunning new exhibits The Hannon Barbershop Project and This New Day: Black Artists from Upstate to Mountains.&bsp; The Hannon Barbershop is a special social gathering place in one of Tryon&squo;s African American communities and serves as a cornerstone for this dialogue inspiring exhibit developed by Kipp McIntyre and Logan B. Hannon. Included in this collection of barbershop and community inspired work is a collection of dolls created by local women out of recycled materials thanks to Tryon Arts & Crafts. The second exhibit shares &dquo;Afrilachian&dquo; culture through the work of contemporary artists like Erica Harper, Mary Harris, Joshua Jackson, Mike Smith, Winston Wingo, Carola Jones, Marie T. Cochran, and Victoria Casey-McDonald. The opening reception for both exhibits is 5-8 p.m. and starting on Tuesday the gallery will be open again Tue. ‐ Sat. 11 a.m. ‐ 5 p.m. These exhibits will run through April 11. Call 828-859-2828 for more information. John Tyndal plays your favorites on the piano at Lilac Wine from 5-9 p.m. Weird Mojo features a variety pack of rock from Pink Floyd to Nirvana with guitar riffs masterfully handled by Steve Whiteside and rockin&squo; rhythm and vocals from Mikey VanDusen at Elmo&squo;s Too starting at 8:30 p.m. &bsp; Saturday The Book Shelf invites you to start your day with author Holly Hugo-Vidal as she visits to celebrate the release of her new book Build Confidence over Fences. Call 828-859-9304 or email tryonbookshelf@gmail.com to reserve your copy for her to sign and meet and greet with Holly from 10 a.m. to noon. If you&squo;re looking for a new hobby, Tryon Arts & Crafts offers three workshops this weekend. Back by popular demand is another Wire Wrap workshop with Charlotte Caughman. Expand your knowledge of Hand Built Pottery in two day workshop with Ann Gleason or get an introduction to Blacksmithing over the weekend with George Matthews. &bsp;Contact Tryon Arts & Crafts at 828-859-8323 or visit www.tryonartsandcrafts.org for more information. Stop in for some inspiration at Grace Foothills. From 4-6 p.m. they will be celebrating with a reception for the opening of a new exhibit from Mara Smith and David Edgar at 27 North Trade Street. Get some honky-tonk country goodness with Brian McGee & The Hollow Speed at The Purple Onion 8-10 p.m. At the Saluda Mountain Jamboree you can dance to everything from contemporary country to rock with the Southern Pointe Band from 8-11 p.m. This variety band plays music appropriate for the whole family. For a sample of what you&squo;ll hear, go listen to the band&squo;s song &dquo;Saluda Mountain Jamboree&dquo; at www.myspace.com/southernpointeband. Call 828-749-3676 for more information. Fred Whiskin sets the mood at the piano with everything from classic blues to Brubeck at Lilac Wine from 7-9 p.m. For reservations 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. Elmo&squo;s offers Norm & Chuck&squo;s Country Spirit Band that blends their country spirit with some good shagging beach tunes at 9 p.m. &bsp; Sunday Join in the fun with Red Dog & Winkie&squo;s Blues Jam at Elmo&squo;s Too 4 p.m. Musicians of all ages and skills are welcome to come try a few tunes in a supportive and encouraging environment. The more the merrier.