June 27 to July 27: Appalachian Summer Festival

BOONE, N.C. – Appalachian State University will present its 25th anniversary season of the Appalachian Summer Festival.
The festival is scheduled from June 27 to July 25 and features several of the festival’s most popular artists from the past, including Pilobolus Dance Theater and the Celtic sensation Leahy, as well as artists new to the festival, such as Joan Baez, Melissa Manchester and Kenny Loggins. 
An Appalachian Summer Festival began as a small, chamber music series. To the chamber music series was added symphony performances, later ballet and contemporary dance, theater, visual arts – both two- and three-dimensional – and finally, a film series.
True to a university-based arts festival, educational opportunities, including lectures and opportunities to meet artists, artistic directors, competition jurors and other experts have always been an important component of festival programming.
The 2009 season opens on June 27 with Leahy, a family of eight instrumentalists, singers and dancers who bring energy, originality and musicianship to the stage. Leahy was last at An Appalachian Summer Festival in 2005.
The finale concert, held in the Holmes Convocation Center on July 25, features Kenny Loggins. In 1984, Loggins’ title track for the “Footloose” motion picture soundtrack spent three weeks at No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart. His expansive body of work also includes Loggins & Messina classics like “Danny’s Song,” signature solo tracks including “Celebrate Me Home” and the Grammy-winning “This Is It.” 
Between June 27 and July 25, the festival will host a full slate of the artistic talent, including the Eastern Festival Orchestra with Sarah Chang, violin (July 12) and Horatio Gutierrez, piano (July 19); Joan Baez (July 23); the Halpert Biennial, a national juried competition and exhibition; Pilobolus Dance Theater (July 7); Melissa Manchester (July 2); Buckwhweat Zydeco (July 11); Paula Poundstone (July 17); the Broyhill Chamber Ensemble Concert Series (June 28, July 1, 6, 15 and 20); Triad Stage’s production of “Oleanna” (July 21 and 22); Mike Cross (July 18); the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra Pops (June 30); the 23rd Annual Rosen Outdoor Sculpture Competition and Exhibition; Paul Taylor Dance (July 14) “Dinner and a Show at Westglow” featuring Sophie B. Hawkins (July 5).
Also featured will be films, lectures, workshops and several special events, including a history party, Family Day at the Turchin Center and a silent auction.

AN APPALACHIAN SUMMER FESTIVAL SEASON SCHEDULE
JUNE 27 – JULY 25
Performances and films are included in this schedule. For more events, visit http://www.appsummer.org.

June 27: Leahy, fiddle-driven, dance and vocal clan from Lakefield, Ontario, 8 p.m., Farthing Auditorium, $25, $16 (ages 6-18), $10 (5 and under).

June 28: Broyhill Chamber Ensemble, “The Passing of the Torch,” 8 p.m., Rosen Concert Hall, $18, $16 (ages 6-18), $10 (5 and under).

June 29: Film, “The Band’s Visit,” (subtitled), 8 p.m., Dragonfly Theater & Pub, $10, $8 (ages 6-18), $10 (5 and under).

June 30: Charlotte Symphony Orchestra Pops, 8 p.m., Farthing Auditorium, $25, $16 (ages 6-18), $10 (5 and under).

July 1: Broyhill Chamber Ensemble, “1795-1825: What a Difference 30 Years Makes,” 8 p.m., Rosen Concert Hall, $18, $10 (ages 6-18), $10 (5 and under).

July 2: Melissa Manchester, Grammy Award-winning artist, 8 p.m., Farthing Auditorium, $25, $16 (ages 6-18), $10 (5 and under).

July 5: “Dinner and a Show at Westglow” featuring singer Sophie B. Hawkins, 6 p.m., Westglow Resort & Spa, $95 (includes dinner, performance and cash bar).

July 6: Broyhill Chamber Ensemble, “Falling Bodies,” 8 p.m., Rosen Concert Hall, $18, $10 (ages 6-18), $10
(5 and under).

July 7: Pilobolus Dance Theater, this imaginative and athletic dance troupe performed at festival in 2006, 8 p.m. Farthing Auditorium, $25, $16 (ages 6-18), $10 (5 and under).

July 9: Film, “The Underground Orchestra” (subtitled), 8 p.m., Dragonfly Theater & Pub, $10, $8 (ages 6-18), $10 (5 and under).

July 10: Patagonia’s Wild & Scenic Film Festival, various films, 8 p.m., Farthing Auditorium, $10, $8 (ages 6-18), $10 (5 and under).

July 11: Buckwheat Zydeco (Afro-Cribbean rhythms, blues, soul, rock, country and French-Cajun music), 8 p.m., Farthing, $25, $16 (ages 6-18), $10 (5 and under); Family Day at the Turchin Center, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., free.

July 12: Eastern Philharmonic Orchestra with Sarah Chang, violin, 8 p.m., Farthing Auditorium, $25; $16 (ages 6-18), $10 (5 and under).

July 13: Film, “Vitus” (subtitled), tale of a 5-year-old pianist who dreams of a normal life, 8 p.m., Dragonfly Theater & Pub, $10, $8 (ages 6-18), $10 (5 and under).

July 14: Paul Taylor Dance, 8 p.m., Farthing Auditorium, $25, $16 (ages 6-18), $10 (5 and under).

July 15: Broyhill Chamber Ensemble, “Changing Keys,” 8 p.m., Rosen Concert Hall, $18, $10 (ages 6-18), $10 (5 and under).

July 16: Lecture by Appalachian writer Ron Rash, “The Balance of Beauty and Violence,” 3:30 p.m., Linville Falls Room, Plemmons Student Union, free.

July 17: An Evening with Paula Poundstone, 8 p.m., Farthing Auditorium, $25, $16 (ages 6-18), $10 (5 and under).

July 18: Storyteller Mike Cross in concert, 8 p.m., Farthing Auditorium, $25, $16 (ages 6-18), $10 (5 and under).

July 19: Eastern Philharmonic Orchestra with Horatio Gutierrez, piano, 8 p.m., Farthing Auditorium, $25, $16 (ages 6-18), $10 (5 and under).

July 20: Broyhill Chamber Ensemble, “Founders Night,” 8 p.m., Rosen Concert Hall, $18, $10 (ages 6-18), $10 (5 and under).

July 21-22: Triad Stage, “Oleanna,” 8 p.m., Valborg Theatre, $20, $10, (ages 6-18), $10 (5 and under).

July 23: Joan Baez in concert, 8 p.m., Farthing Auditorium, $25, $16 (ages 6-18), $10 (5 and under).

July 24: Staged reading of “Providence Gap” by Triad Stage, 8 p.m. Valborg Theatre, free.

July 25: Kenny Loggins, 7:30 p.m., Holmes Convocation Center, $30, $5 (12 and under).

Park and ride shuttle available for most events. For tickets, call (800) 841-ARTS or visit http://www.appsummer.org.