So funky you can smell it
 

So funky you can smell it

Who the hell are those guys? It’s a question constantly asked about Porch 40, a Sylva-based funk/rock outfit barreling out…
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This must be the place
 

This must be the place

He was beloved by all who knew him. Richard Coker embodied the spirit of Appalachia. As a co-owner of the Cataloochee…
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Music, animals and fun return to Haywood fair
 

Music, animals and fun return to Haywood fair

The 2014 Haywood County Fair will be held Aug. 19-24 at the Haywood County Fairgrounds in Lake Junaluska. Bingo will…
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Masters of Illusion come to Harrah’s
 

Masters of Illusion come to Harrah’s

The Masters of Illusion’s Believe The Impossible professional magic showcase will be held at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23, at…
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Craft beer fest returns to Waynesville
 

Craft beer fest returns to Waynesville

The Waynesville Craft Beer Faire will be held from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 16, at the American Legion…
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In search of the best sweet potato recipe
 

In search of the best sweet potato recipe

The 40th annual Mountain Heritage Day will be held Saturday, Sept. 27, at Western Carolina University.  The event will once…
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WCU Big Birthday Bash celebrates 125 years
 

WCU Big Birthday Bash celebrates 125 years

Western Carolina University’s 125th anniversary Big Birthday Bash will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 26, at the…
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Franklin welcomes Dailey & Vincent
 

Franklin welcomes Dailey & Vincent

Bluegrass/gospel legends Dailey & Vincent will perform at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 15, at the Smoky Mountain Center for the…
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Pisgah/Tuscola tailgate in Canton
 

Pisgah/Tuscola tailgate in Canton

The inaugural Haywood County Fall Sports Tailgate Kickoff Party will be from noon until 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 16, at…
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Student films to screen in Cashiers
 

Student films to screen in Cashiers

Some of the most riveting and moving student-created films from Western Carolina University’s Controlled Chaos Film Festivals in recent years…
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Energy park open call for artists
 

Energy park open call for artists

In anticipation of the growing popularity of the Youth Arts Festival, the Jackson County Green Energy Park is seeking both…
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This must be the place
 

This must be the place

For all the naysayers, rock-n-roll is alive and kicking — especially in the hands of Rich Robinson. Guitarist and founding…
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Boiling down the essence of humanity
 

Boiling down the essence of humanity

Heading west out of Bryson City, just before the highway narrows into a twisting two-lane road, a small, ramshackle hut…
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Bryson brewer named ABA president, hits the road
 

Bryson brewer named ABA president, hits the road

In the last two weeks, Joe Rowland has soaked in the California sunshine, rafted the Grand Canyon, wandered the Rocky…
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This must be the place
 

This must be the place

When the camera bulb flashed, it hit me — had it really been that long? Standing in the Belhurst Castle,…
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BBQ Festival & Car Show in Franklin
 

BBQ Festival & Car Show in Franklin

The 6th Annual Mountain High BBQ Festival and Car Show will be held Aug. 8-9 at the Wayne Proffitt Agricultural…
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Knight brings ‘Songcatcher’s Notebook’ to Bryson
 

Knight brings ‘Songcatcher’s Notebook’ to Bryson

“A Songcatcher’s Notebook: Traditional Music and Storytelling” with singer-songwriter/storyteller Lee Knight will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, July 31,…
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Sylva welcomes Whitewater Bluegrass Co.
 

Sylva welcomes Whitewater Bluegrass Co.

The Whitewater Bluegrass Company will perform as part of the Concerts on the Creek Series at 7: 30 p.m. Friday,…
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WCU dance program director wins national teaching award
 

WCU dance program director wins national teaching award

Karyn Tomczak, director of the Western Carolina University dance program, will receive the 2014 Dance Teacher Award for Higher Education…
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In other beer news
 

In other beer news

A home brewing class for beginners will be led by Clark Williams of Frog Level Brewing Company every Tuesday from…
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Franklin brewery readies for spring opening
 

Franklin brewery readies for spring opening

As the snow melts in Southern Appalachia, the beer will begin to flow from the taps of the Lazy Hiker…
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Appalachia’s ambassadors: Cloggers share local culture during Folkmoot festival
 

Appalachia’s ambassadors: Cloggers share local culture during Folkmoot festival

When Shirley Finger was younger, she never did too much clogging. Or dancing of any kind, really. “Back when I…
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Finding common ground through the universal language
 

Finding common ground through the universal language

For two weeks every July, the old Hazelwood School in Waynesville becomes a mini United Nations.  Performance groups from around…
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Meet the folks: Cultures mingle at Folkmoot World Friendship Day event
 

Meet the folks: Cultures mingle at Folkmoot World Friendship Day event

The whirling skirts and clacking heels of Folkmoot USA represent eight different nations spanning the globe, but while the diversity…
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Roddick, Courier to play charity match in Cashiers
 

Roddick, Courier to play charity match in Cashiers

The 2nd annual United Community Bank Mountain Challenge featuring American tennis legends Andy Roddick and Jim Courier will be held…
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BBQ festival in Maggie Valley
 

BBQ festival in Maggie Valley

The Smokin’ in the Valley Western North Carolina BBQ Festival will be from noon to 9 p.m. July 25 and…
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Chamber music in Waynesville
 

Chamber music in Waynesville

The Swannanoa Chamber Music Festival will continue with the Jasper Quartet at 7:30 p.m. July 20 at the Haywood Arts…
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Kansas string duo to play Bryson City
 

Kansas string duo to play Bryson City

Sister string duo Scenic Roots will continue the Summer Music Series at 7 p.m. Thursday, July 24, at the Marianna…
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Bluegrass to hit Robbinsville stage
 

Bluegrass to hit Robbinsville stage

Acoustic bluegrass quartet The Special Consensus will perform at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 26, at the Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts…
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Dinosaur Train rolls into Bryson City
 

Dinosaur Train rolls into Bryson City

The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad has partnered with Rail Events Inc. and The Jim Henson Company to bring the PBS…
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HCC instructor elected to Craft Guild Board
 

HCC instructor elected to Craft Guild Board

Haywood Community College Professional Crafts Wood instructor Brian Wurst was recently elected to the board of the Southern Highland Craft…
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Change in leadership at WCU arts college
 

Change in leadership at WCU arts college

Western Carolina University Provost Alison Morrison-Shetlar announced a change in leadership in the College of Fine and Performing Arts. Robert…
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Hillbilly Woodstock returns to Maggie
 

Hillbilly Woodstock returns to Maggie

The 5th Annual Hillbilly Woodstock will be held 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Aug 1-2 at the Maggie Valley Festival…
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Fountain sculpture dedication, Frog Hop in Waynesville
 

Fountain sculpture dedication, Frog Hop in Waynesville

The Waynesville Public Art Commission will hold a dedication of a new public art piece entitled “Chasing Tadpoles” during the…
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Join Jackson’s Farm, Garden & Studio Tour
 

Join Jackson’s Farm, Garden & Studio Tour

Metalsmith William S. Rogers is one of several studios participating in the July 26-27 Jackson County Farm, Garden, & Studio…
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Tritt presents country hits July 26
 

Tritt presents country hits July 26

Country music megastar Travis Tritt will perform at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 26, at the Smoky Mountain Center for the…
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This must be the place
 

This must be the place

There’s no place like home. Amid my first few weeks living in Western North Carolina, there were times I got homesick.…
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New changes, dates for Folkmoot
 

New changes, dates for Folkmoot

With a property deed to their headquarters in hand and more than 30 years of cultural performance already in the…
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Parade of Nations set for Saturday, July 26
 

Parade of Nations set for Saturday, July 26

The annual Parade of Nations will showcase international folk troupes along Main Street in Waynesville on Saturday, July 26, as…
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Building towards the future
 

Building towards the future

Standing in the hallway of the former Hazelwood Elementary School in Waynesville, amid old furniture, dusty windows and walls with…
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Folkmoot generates $9.2 million economic impact
 

Folkmoot generates $9.2 million economic impact

Folkmoot USA had a $9.2 million impact on Western North Carolina in 2013, according to an economic impact study conducted…
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Pacific Island troupe embraces tradition, family
 

Pacific Island troupe embraces tradition, family

For Joe Ahuna, it’s about one word — “ohana.” “Ohana means family,” he said. “[We want people] inspired to go…
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Storytellers at Franklin Folk Festival
 

Storytellers at Franklin Folk Festival

Two renowned storytellers will be performing during the Franklin Folk Festival from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, July 19,…
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Roddick, Courier to play tennis exhibition in Cashiers
 

Roddick, Courier to play tennis exhibition in Cashiers

The Andy Roddick Mountain Challenge will be July 25-26 at the Cedar Creek Racquet Club in Cashiers.
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Collective Soul brings 90s rock to Harrah’s
 

Collective Soul brings 90s rock to Harrah’s

Renowned rock band Collective Soul will perform at 8 p.m. Thursday, July 24, at Harrah’s Cherokee.
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Folkmoot brings music, dance to Franklin
 

Folkmoot brings music, dance to Franklin

Folkmoot USA, North Carolina’s official international folklore festival, will hit the stage for a special performance at 7:30 p.m. Thursday,…
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This must be the place
 

This must be the place

I am the human sponge. As far back as I can remember, into the early days of my youth, I…
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The King is dead, long live the King: Elvis impersonators set record in Cherokee
 

The King is dead, long live the King: Elvis impersonators set record in Cherokee

Hundreds of Elvis Presley fans converged on Cherokee last weekend to pay homage to the King. They arrived from a…
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Emporium to bring the dance, funk to Sylva
 

Emporium to bring the dance, funk to Sylva

Funk/soul group Emporium will perform as part of Concerts on the Creek from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Friday, July 11,…
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