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The Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center is hosting the inaugural Smoky Mountain Spring Fest tomorrow.
Stecoah – Ready to come out of hibernation, enjoy the great outdoors and listen to some mountain music?
Then the inaugural Smoky Mountain Spring Fest at Stecoah is the place for you!
This event is focused on outdoor activities and recreation with a selection of quality arts and craft vendors. The Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center has an entire day’s schedule full of fun and free activities planned for all ages.
The extravaganza will conclude with the debut of the center's newest concert series, "Grass of '23: Schoolhouse Sessions," a unique concert experience in that the center is not presenting a band or a lead performer. Instead, a supergroup of five performers will be joining each other on stage for a first-time ever collaboration.
This year’s concert features:
* Barry Abernathy (banjo);
* Mark Fain (bass);
* Ron Stewart (fiddle);
* Seth Taylor (guitar);
* Darrell Webb (mandolin).
Together, these five (most of whom are multi-instrumentalists) have contributed to individual artists and groups, such as JD Crowe, Dailey and Vincent, Joe Diffie, Alan Jackson, Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver, Lonesome River Band, Martina McBride, Dolly Parton, Tom Petty, Ricky Skaggs, Rhonda Vincent, and Lee Ann Womack – just to name a few.
Reminiscent of the famous "Bluegrass Sessions," the center has tailored an unpredictable and unique musical experience sure to be remembered.
Admission is $25.
The center is also hosting a special Cherokee cultural arts class. Smithsonian-recognized artist Ramona Lossiah will be leading a workshop on the traditional Cherokee fishing basket. This all-day workshop does have a fee of $175, which includes all materials.
Recognized artist and woodcarver Billy Welch will be attending this workshop and learning from Lossiah. Each will speak briefly in the afternoon during a break in the class – Lossiah about the tradition and history of the fish basket, and Welch about his clan mask carving. The classroom will be open to visitors throughout the day.
The Spring Fest's schedule of events are as follows:
* 9 a.m.: Seed Swap. This event is for the early birds - come out before the festival day begins! Meet fellow gardeners and plant lovers, while you swap and share seeds and seedlings and garden knowledge. Small baggies and envelopes will be available. The center also still has a few Farmers Almanacs available to give away – while supplies last!
* 10 a.m.: Spring into Motion. Gather at 10 a.m at the entrance to the center's walking trail, just to the left of the old gymnasium. Registration is free. To sign-up, email amber@stecoahvalleycenter.com, or call (828) 479-3364. Join others who are interested in moving into a more-fit lifestyle this spring. The goal is 30 minutes of movement at your own pace along the beautiful 1/3 mile walking trail. All ages and abilities are welcome. The paved walking trail winds around the center's 10-acre campus and is handicap accessible. This fun and fitness walk is sponsored and led by the Graham County Public Health Department. Thanks to their generous donations – along with the sponsorship of Graham County Travel and Tourism and the Snowbird Mountain Lodge – the center is able to offer free T-shirts to the first 48 people to register (as sizes are available). Afterward, you are encouraged to visit the Graham County Public Health tent for more information and encouragement to continue moving into fitness.
* 11 a.m.: Festival begins.
* 11:30 a.m.: WNC Nature Museum – Fur, Feathers, & Scales. The Stecoah center is very excited to present the WNC Nature Center and its program: FUR, FEATHERS, & SCALES. This event is free, as is admission to the festival. The program will be in the Lynn L. Shields Auditorium.
* 1 p.m.: Improve Your Phone Photography. Led by photographer Drew Campbell – who teaches at Southwestern Community College and John C. Campbell Folk School – you will be walked through some simple tips and tricks to improve phone-photography skills in minutes.
* 1:45 p.m.: Wildcrafting with Ila Hatter. Enjoy a viewing of the PBS Folkways documentary "Wildcrafting with Ila Hatter" in the Lynn L. Shields Auditorium. This documentary was filmed on the Stecoah Center campus! Afterward, Hatter will lead a short presentation and be open for questions and answers. The program will conclude with a walk through the Stecoah campus with Hatter, for some hands-on identification and learning.
* 3 p.m.: Free Fiddle Lessons. Musician Julie Nelms – along with a few of the center's JAM (Junior Appalachian Musicians) students will be giving free fiddle lessons under the outdoor pavilion. Born and raised in Robbinsville, Nelms studied traditional Appalachian Music – not only at Berea College, but also abroad, getting a master’s degree in Irish music and literature, the roots of Appalachian music at the National University of Ireland - Galway. Julie is a former Stecoah JAM student, sits on the JAM committee and leads the monthly Community Jam sessions.
* 4 p.m.: Community Jam. Nelms will lead a Community Jam under the outdoor pavilion. All ages and abilities are welcome to jam. The jam will follow a round-robin format, with Nelms directing the group. The jam circle will be open until 6 p.m.
* 6 p.m.: Doors open for "Grass of '23: Schoolhouse Sessions."
* 7:30 p.m.: "Grass of '23: Schoolhouse Sessions."