Guild News through the year, by date

It’s always time to celebrate the rich culture of our traditional and beautiful Appalachian music.

Laura Boosinger and Josh Goforth are performing on Thursday, February 20, 2020, at 7:00 PM at the Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church, 789 Merrimon Avenue in North Asheville.

Laura has won glowing reviews wherever she appears and is blessed with an ‘essence of the mountains spirit.’ Laura will be in the company of Josh Goforth, an outstanding musician, acclaimed fiddler, guitar picker and mandolin player. He is one of Madison County’s best at bringing the old time music traditions to today’s audiences. Together they are two names that fans of Appalachian music already know and love.

Open to all, free-will donations will be gladly accepted.

Brought to you by the Asheville Symphony Guild, this program complements Aaron Copland’s famous Appalachian Spring, to be performed by the Asheville Symphony Orchestra on February 22.

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Looking ahead, our next Guild program will take place on Thursday, Feb. 20 at 7 p.m. at Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church, located at 789 Merrimon Avenue.

This is an evening of traditional Appalachian music, performed by Josh Goforth andLaura Boosinger, as we anticipate the Mountains to Sea concert on Feb. 22 that features Appalachian Spring by Aaron Copland.

For those who missed them, here is a photo of Franklin Keel and Guild member Cynthia Keever performing for us at the November Guild program. Franklin presented a fascinating overview of the history of the cello and then brought us into the present with his electric cello. He plays both beautifully!

Our fall Musical Feasts have been educational, enjoyable, full of good food and even better company.  We’ve made lots of new friends and connected with friends of long-standing. Here are a few pictures of some recent fun.

First, a recap…

On Sept. 26, we had a wonderful feast of music with Al Petteway at The Ramble. No one left hungry, as food and drinks were consumed and our musical palate was satisfied. Then, the following week, artisans David and Wendy Ellsworth discussed their nationally recognized work and displayed samples of their stunning crafts — all in the beautiful home of art collectors Karen DePew and Steve Keeble.

And the Chili Cookoff was not to be missed! Dilshad and Jason Posnock’s superb chili, flavored with Indian spices, won first prize, with the other six recipes coming in a close second.

Now’s your chance to put yourself in these photos:
Two upcoming Feasts promise to educate, energize and provide good food and good company.

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Coming Up

Music, Art & Bits of Vanderbilt Lore

Don’t miss a special musical evening at The Cathedral of All Souls, 9 Swan St., Asheville, on Sunday, Oct. 27.

Organist Kyle Ritter — along with ASO members Alicia Chapman on oboe, Frances Duff on cello and All Souls choir member Lea Kibler on flute will perform a fall concert, followed by a feast in the parish hall.

Built in 1896 as the home church of the Vanderbilt family, All Souls is famous for its architecture and vibrantly colorful windows. Tasty food, wine and delectable desserts in the Parish Hall, decorated with beautiful paintings by University of North Carolina at Asheville faculty member, Tucker Cooke, round out this multicultural event. All Souls docent and architectural historian Martha Fullington will provide a detailed history of the church’s stained glass windows and architecture.

When: Sunday, Oct. 27, from 4-7 p.m.
Where: The Cathedral of All Souls, 9 Swan St., Asheville
Cost: $60

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TOTALLY RAD Tour: Beer, Chocolate & Art

Do you enjoy seeing how things are made? Take this unique tour of NC’s only STEAM program in the state, and, along the way, visit Ginger’s Revenge brewery and the new French Broad Chocolate Factory and Sweets Cafe.

On Wednesday, Oct. 30, see where UNCA students of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math work together in a state-of-the art facility close to campus in Asheville’s RAMP studios.

Here, students work alongside faculty and experts, bringing together innovation, design and fabrication with equipment for 3D modeling and printing, as well as water jet, laser and plasma cutters.

Ask about their collaborative project with conceptual artist Mel Chin. Wake, an animatronic figurehead (pictured), was created in the STEAM Studio, then officially unveiled in New York City’s Times Square in 2018. The STEAM Studio team worked ’round the clock in shifts from July 8 until early morning on July 11 to complete installation of Wake. Click here to check out all the amazing videos and news coverage!

After visiting the STEAM Studio, the tour will continue to Ginger’s Revenge, where we will see where their ginger beer is produced. They specialize in producing exciting and creative craft beverages from sustainably sourced ingredients. Sample their ginger beer while enjoying a lunch in the brewery catered by Sweet Plantain Latin Food Truck.

A sweet finish will be provided by the French Broad Chocolate Factory in their new 14,000 square foot facility, where they produce 50 tons of chocolate annually. Join us for a private tour, where you will learn about the production of chocolate from ancient times to today’s contemporary and modern processes — and learn how the business began in Costa Rica and ended up in Asheville.

When: Wednesday, Oct. 30, from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Where: River Arts Makers Place, 829 Riverside Drive, Asheville (at the corner of Riverside Drive and Broadway)
Cost: $50

Learn more / Sign Up

If you’d like to attend, don’t delay! Many Feasts have already sold out!

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Your donations in action

See your Pass the Hat donations at work!  Guild members are always encouraged to attend a school performance of our Music in the Schools program.

This year, nearly all 25 concerts will be presented by Nov. 26. The Guild sponsors three different ensembles: a String quintet, a Brass quintet and a Wind quartet. The concerts usually occur in the school auditorium and are about 45 minutes long.

If you are interested in attending a Music in the Schools concert, please review the schedule below and email Sarah Reincke at sarahreincke@gmail.com or call her at 260-385-9406 for more scheduling information and details about entering the schools.

It is delightful to see the children’s faces light up as they listen to our talented musicians!