Plays, Galleries, Music, Dancing
Highlands, NC Arts & Entertainment
If you think there is nothing to do in the Highlands area, think again. Besides Mother Nature's playground there is fine shopping as well as many cultural events and various art galleries to stroll through.
For local music, dining, or dancing, you will find Highlanders
- at the Ugly Dog,
- the Hummingbird Lounge in Old Edwards, or
- the Oak Street Cafe.
- The new town square on Main Street will have local entertainment several nights a week during the season. Stop by after shopping to listen and share a glass of wine. It's new location is to the left of Kilwins Ice Cream Shop. You might even have to sample Kilwins fresh lemon, orange, or limeades as well as their dark raspberry fudge. The last Saturday of the month during January, February, and March you will find folks at the Barn Dances held at the Bascom. Come enjoy the fun!
The Highlands Cashiers Chamber Music Festival has entertained the area for more than 30 years. The Bascom - the new $8Million cultural arts center is not to be missed. Look for the covered wooden bridge on Hwy 64W but enter to the right off Oak Street. Open all year, you will find the gift shop a delightful place to shop as well as the ability to participate in more than 60 workshops or events during the year. There is something for all ages.
Cultural events constantly change and events are added. Check each website for the most current data and ticket availability.
The Bascom ~ A Center for the Visual Arts
Not to be missed! Open all year. Great artist exhibits...over 60 different classes and events to participate in from weaving to pottery. Don't miss the festival of trees every November through the first week of January. During the season sip a glass of wine at lunch on the deck enjoying the cool summer breezes. The last week of the month during January-March be sure to attend the barn dances. Located on Hwy 64 W look for the old covered bridge but you must enter on Oak Street. Be sure to download the seasonal calendar. You will be glad you did.
Marlene A. Fairchild OPEN ALL YEAR
PO Box 766
323 Franklin Road
Highlands, NC 28741
828-526-4949
Email: bascomlouise@verizon.net
Center for Life Enrichment Non Profit
This group knows how to have fun and learn at the same time. A sample of prior year events includes group trips, bridge lessons, Spanish lessions, lectures on gardening, cards, drawing, flowers, history, the computer, ipad and ipod, and music. Be sure to check out their website for their new calendar of events.
Sandy Carlton
PO Box 2046
348 Fifth Street Suite 209
Highlands, NC 28741
Email: clehighlands@yahoo.com
Highlands Cashiers Chamber Music Festival
With over 30 years of entertaining the Highlands Cashiers area, they are definitely doing something right. Venues are held in both Highlands and Cashiers. This season there are 27 concerts to be enjoyed by all.
Nancy Gould-Aaron
PO Box 1702
507 Chestnut Street
Highlands, NC 28741
828-526-9060
Email: hccmf@frontier.com
2012 SCHEDULE 31st SEASON 27 CONCERTS
Highlands Nature and Botanical Gardens
Established in 1927 by the University of North Carolina, Highlands is blessed to have the Highlands Nature and Botanical Gardens. Known as the Salamander Capital of the World with over 50 different kinds as well as the Lichen capital of the World nature lovers are constantly awed by the many types of flora and fauna. Lichen, found in both trees and on the ground, adds nutrients to the soil and help control erosion. It loves living in old growth forests.
The Nature Center is just not for researchers and adults. Besides many classes for all ages, lectures, guided Bartram hikes, the Center has just opened up a new membership level for kids in grades K-12: the Salamember. Please encourage your children and grandchildren to participate in this wonderful community asset. During the summer, bring your flashlight for the salamander meander. Watch for the weekly summer article in the paper. Summer camp schedules open in February. Don’t forget to sign up as it is a popular summer event.
828-526-2623 Located east of the library on Main Street.
Opens to the public in May - Open all year for student and class activities.
Enjoy national and local talent as they present numberous plays and readings. With its initial play in 1996, numerous plays have been enjoyed from Steel Magnolias to The Diary of Anne Frank. The annual Christmas reading is always enjoyed by all.
Ronnie Spilton
PO Box 1416
Highlands, NC 28741
828-526-8084
Highlands history comes alive! Be sure to stop by the Highlands Historical Society to see Highlands in its early days. You will see various historical displays from the moonshining days of the mountain to women of the mountains. Historically maps, family ancestry...it is all there to check it out. For thank you gifts stop in and purchase books or maps on the area's history. Your host and hostess would love one. Take part in the historical walks and have your kids or grandkis participate in Kelsey Kids. If you have a love of flowers, the Historical Society sponsors the Annual Dahlia Festival in September.
Wiley Sloan, President
PO Box 670
524 N. Fourth Street
Highlands, NC 28741
828-787-1050
Email: highlandshistory@nctv.com
Getting its roots in 1999, the playhouse has turned its playhouse into a community oriented theater. The highlights of the 2011 season was bluegrass, broadway, and storytelling. The season begins in February and extends through May with various special productions at other times.
Dwight E. Bryant
O Box 896
Highlands, NC 28741
828-526-2695
2012 Season
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof Feb. 23-26 2012 March 2-4
The Dixie Swim Club May 20-13th May 17-20th
Jake October
Youth Theater
MARTIN-LIPSCOMB PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
Be a part of the summer theater as it kicks off its 2012 with Libby Whitemore. Shows continue throughout the summer including th Spitfire Girl, Walter Cronkite, Dames by the Sea, and ends the season on September 3 with Lindsey Alley.
Mary Adair
PO Box 296
Highlands, NC 28741
828-526-9047
2012 Season
Libby Whitemore May 25-28th
The Spitfire Gril June 14 - July 8th
Walter Cronkite July 12th -22nd
Dames at Sea July 26yh-August 19th
Lindsey Alley August 31 - Sepptember 3
Peggy Crosby Center Non Profit
Come join the fun and learn as you go. Many classes, lectures, field trips, bridge, computers. Go to their website to download the current years schedule.
348 South Fifth Street, Suite 202
Monday-Friday, 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
April 1 – September 30
Phone: 828-526-8811
Fax: 828-526-0066
Email: clehighlands@yahoo.com
Museum of American Cut & Engraved Glass
George Siek
218 Whiteside Mountain Rd.
Highlands, NC 28741
828-526-3427
Email: geobon@hcgexpress.net
CULLOWHEE
Western Carolina University Fine & Performing Arts Center
This place rocks all year. Check out the 2012 line up with Flamingo Dancing, Controlled Chaos Film Festival to the Vienna Boys Choir. That is just a starter.
Western Carolina University 828-227-2479. Box office Information
CHEROKEE
Harrah’s Cherokee Casino & Event Center
FRANKLIN
Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts
Scotty Corbin and Amanda Downs
1028 Georgia Road
Franklin, NC 28734
828-526-9047
2012 Schedule June 22, 2012 - August 5, 2012
Email: scotty.corbin@wncfinearts.com
BREVARD
Brevard Music Center
A summer institute and festival in Western NC
First Monday's concert series - free concerts October through May
Director: Keith Lockhart
349 Andante Ln
Pisgah National Forst, Brevard, NC 28712
828-862-2100
Founded in 1936 on 180 acres the Brevard Music Center provides a wonderful backdrop for more than 80 concerts per year to the public. Students and faculty plus many outside performers entertain the community during the summer month. 30,000 is the average summer attendance. Wow!
The Porter Center for Performing Arts at Brevard College
Great performances January through May
1 Brevard College Drive
Brevard, NC 28712
828-884-8330
Enter through the main gate of the campus and work left.
ART GALLERIES ART GALLERIES ART GALLERIES ART GALLERIES
Watch for the gallery walking tours.
Brier Patch, The
Catherine Peay
4186 Cashiers Rd.
Highlands, NC 28741
828-526-4110
Greenleaf Gallery
Rose Greenleaf
PO Box 2083
211 South 4th Street
Highlands, NC 28741
828-526-9333
Email: greenleafgallery@frontier.com
Highlands Fine Art & Estate Jewelry
Joe & Claudia Lazow
PO Box 1447
388 Main Street
Highlands, NC 28741
828-526-0656
Email: jlazow@aol.com
Mill Creek Gallery & Framing
Cynthia Strain
PO Box 1238
206 N. Fifth Street
Highlands, NC 28741
828-787-2021
Email: cypicturelady@aol.com
Mountain Artisans Art
Doris Hunter
155 N. Womack Street
Franklin, NC 28734
828-524-3405
Email: djhunter@dnet.net
Peak Experience
Matthew and Victoria Ingate
PO Box 834
2820 Dillard Road
Highlands, NC 28741
828-526-0229
Email: tripvic@aol.com
Summer House
Paula and Barry Jones
PO Box 1088
2089 Dillard Road
Highlands, NC 28741
Email: summerhousehighlands@brmemc.net
The Bascom ~ A Center for the Visual Arts
Marlene A. Fairchild
PO Box 766
323 Franklin Road
Highlands, NC 28741
828-526-4949
Email: bascomlouise@verizon.net
