Much like their sorrowful, purposeful melodies, the members of The Last Revel contain this thick thread of self, and of place, when it comes to the underlying trait in the sounds and scope of their intent, onstage and in the studio — survival mode. 

One of the newest and most exciting acts emerging from Asheville, Las Montañitas will perform at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 22, at the Folkmoot Friendship Center in Waynesville.

Las Montañitas brings the Andes to the Appalachians.

The Friends of the Haywood County Public Library will host acclaimed novelist Jill McCorkle at their Annual Author event at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 15, at the Wells Event Center in Waynesville.

The annual PlottFest celebration will take place from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, May 17, Maggie Valley Festival Grounds.

A weekend event celebrating the history and heritage of the Plott Hound, the official state dog of North Carolina — a breed originated by the Plott family that gained worldwide notoriety in the Great Smokies. 

The world premiere of “Junie B. Jones Kids!,” a brand-new adaptation of the beloved children’s book series, will hit the stage at 7:30 p.m. May 16 and 2 p.m. May 17-18 at Haywood Arts Regional Theatre in Waynesville. 

The Haywood County Arts Council (HCAC) will present “Quilted Expressions: A Celebration of Block-Based Art,” an innovative exhibit that reimagines the traditional quilt, throughout the month of April. 

More than two dozen vendors will take part in the fifth season of the Mill Town Farmers Market, which opens Thursday, May 15, and continues every Thursday through Oct. 30. 

One recent afternoon, while wandering the Historic Frog Level District in Waynesville, the sounds of hard rock act AC/DC drifted out the front door of 24 Commerce St. The retro sign on the window states Astro Record Store. The friendly face behind the counter is Kevin “Lippy” Mawby. 

The Haywood Community Band (HCB) will kick off its 2025 season with a special concert, a “Celebration of Song and Dance,” at 4 p.m. Sunday, May 18, at the Calvary Road Baptist Church in Maggie Valley. 

Spring and summer mean more time outdoors, but they also mean tick season. Ticks can carry serious diseases like Lyme disease, so take these steps to protect yourself and your loved ones. Haywood County Environmental Health offers these simple tips: