Voicing the truths of Southern Appalachia
In the digital age that is the 21st century, and in many aspects of this modern era, the culture and…
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Nitty Gritty Dirt Band headlines Canton festival
The 112th annual Canton Labor Day Festival will be held Sept. 2-3 in Sorrells Street Park in downtown.
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This must be the place: I wanna be an American cowboy, and I ain’t never moving away
Every-so-often, I’d look around the crowd and wonder if I’d have known any of these folks, perhaps called them dear…
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You’ve got a way all yours: A conversation with Jim Lauderdale
Legendary troubadour Jim Lauderdale is a longtime pillar of the fiercely independent singer-songwriter scene in Nashville. He’s always gone his…
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DEVO frontman to appear at WCU
The Western Carolina University School of Art and Design and WCU Bardo Arts Center present a special evening with Mark…
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This must be the place: Tomorrow’s gonna be a brighter day
Back to square one. Dammit. You’d think that after existing on this earth for 33 years, and being a legal…
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Nantahala Brewing to open Asheville outpost
Following the announcement of its upcoming Sylva outpost, aimed at a fall opening, Bryson City-based Nantahala Brewing will launch an…
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This must be the place: Pebbles and marbles like things on my mind
Well, 15 years ago this past weekend, I spontaneously bolted from Upstate New York straight to northern Maine to attend…
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A rapid series of comical noises: A conversation with comedy genius David Cross
If there was a single voice of reason amid the bombardment of deafening noise in the digital age — of…
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This must be the place: With a little help from my friends
Bolting up Interstate 95, just outside of Portland, Maine, this past Monday, I finally could smell that smell that conjures…
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Who’s coming to Folkmoot?
This summer’s Folkmoot Festival is just around the corner and the 2018 lineup is sure to be one to remember.
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Photo gallery: Parade of Nations
Each year, one of the highlights of the 10-day Folkmoot Festival is the Parade of Nations. This year, 10 groups…
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Cooperation in a cultural crossroads: Christians, Muslims tear down walls in Cyprus
Among the groups visiting this year’s Folkmoot Festival from other countries is one from a place that isn’t quite a…
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From performer to PR: Dutch dancer does digital
Now in its 35th year, the Folkmoot Festival has been around 11 years longer than Maarten Krijger has been alive,…
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Long as I can see the light: A conversation with Doug ‘Cosmo’ Clifford
They just don’t make’em like they used to. That adage is the pure, honest truth when applied to the music…
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This must be the place: Happy 50th birthday, Dirty Santa
And there I was, at a dive bar in the 800-person high desert town of Victor, Idaho, with the backdrop…
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Folkmoot guides play critical role
As approximately 200 international performers descend on Hazelwood in the coming days, much of the public — from Franklin to…
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Bringing the world to Western NC
Rolf Kaufman was there, at the beginning, 35 years ago. Now approaching 88, he’s spent nearly 40 percent of his…
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Sunday Soiree brings flavor to Folkmoot
Last year’s inaugural Sunday Soiree featured the usual festive Folkmoot fun — drinks, dancing and heavy hitters on the stage,…
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Honoring the past, welcoming the future
High atop a mountain overlooking Haywood County, Annie Haslam Colquitt sits across a dining room table at The Swag. A…
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This must be the place: Finding Nirvana is like locating silence
Emerging from the Appalachian Trail on the North Carolina/ Tennessee state line this past Sunday afternoon, a hot southern sun…
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Constant evolution: Jam-rock act to play Highlands
In an era when rock-n-roll has seemingly taken a backseat to hip-hop and electronic acts — on the radio and…
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Plein Air Festival wins award
Southeast Tourism Society has Cashiers Plein Air Festival one of the STS Top 20 Events in the Southeast for July…
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Music to my ears: A conversation with Ricky Skaggs
At 63, Ricky Skaggs has spent just about 58 of those years completely enamored and immersed in that singular “high,…
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This must be the place: Don’t shoot the messenger, literally
It’s something that’s been in the back of my mind for a while now. When news broke last week of…
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Roadworks: Experiential Arts Opportunities
The Western Carolina University College of Fine and Performing Arts presents WCU Roadworks, a free outreach program offering experiential arts…
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New Waynesville gallery, pottery classes
Our Summerhouse Pottery, LLC opened its doors in a very familiar location in downtown Waynesville. The former studio of Dane…
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All-American mutt — Jamie Kent
As the music capital of the world, the bright lights of Nashville have always been a tough place to make…
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This must be the place: The heart has its seasons, its evenings and songs of its own
“If you see all the people playing corn hole in the driveway you’re at the right place,” the familiar voice…
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Everywhere I go is a long way from home: A conversation with Trey Hensley
Over the last few years, guitarist Trey Hensley and dobroist Rob Ickes have crisscrossed the country with their unique brand…
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This must be the place: No guarantees how long we’re going to be here, just enjoy life
I, like many of you reading this, was initially shocked and saddened to hear the news of the recent passing…
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Brighter days, where did they go?
When you find yourself in conversation with JJ Grey, you walk away from the interaction with a kick in your…
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This must be the place: We had longer ways to go. But no matter, the road is life
Hopping out of my truck, the intense sunshine and humidity of rural central Tennessee in early June slapped me right…
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Franklin art scholarship winners
Justus Leighton Bailey and Abbey Cecilia Siek are the 2018 winners of the Arts Council of Macon County’s $1,000 Arts…
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Belk to donate $20,000 to Haywood Habitat
A special presentation to Haywood Habitat for Humanity will be given at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 9, at Belk in…
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Pickin’ potties: Franklin council debates best bathroom options for events
Tempers flared at the Franklin Town Council meeting Monday night as board members tried to find a solution to a…
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‘Sore loser’ bill would block ballot access for some candidates
North Carolina Republicans were quick to congratulate the first minor political party to gain official recognition by the State Board…
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Cold Mountain Music Festival returns to Lake Logan
The second annual Cold Mountain Music Festival will return June 8-9 to the Lake Logan Conference Center. The festival will…
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Jackson sheriff recognized
Jackson County Sheriff Chip Hall was recently recognized by the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Committee as a…
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WCU launches online dashboard of WNC
Western Carolina University has launched a new online information tool designed to provide easy access to recent economic trends in…
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WCU to get entrance sign
When you enter Western Carolina University from the four-lane, a green-and-white N.C. Department of Transportation sign is the only thing…
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Trustees endorse finalists for WCU chancellor
The Western Carolina University Board of Trustees has endorsed a slate of three finalists for the position of chancellor to…
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WCU celebrates steam plant funding
Western Carolina University got some good news last week when the state legislature approved a budget bill that includes $16.5…
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Cherokee votes no on alcohol
A referendum vote asking Cherokee voters to OK a tribally owned beer, wine and liquor store off casino property failed…
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Jackson wrestles with budget crunch
With the deadline to adopt a new budget drawing ever closer, Jackson County Commissioners are still deliberating how to handle…
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Swain to receive remaining settlement funds
According to an announcement from U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., Swain County will finally receive the remaining $35.2 million owed…
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Jackson votes in favor of Blackrock conservation
A 441.5-acre piece of land high in the Plott Balsams is well on its way to being permanently conserved following…
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No small feat: Dwarfs wrestle with perception, performance
Perhaps not unique in that the reasons for both its popularity and its controversy are intertwined like the limbs of…
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