Art and culture are alive and growing like kudzu in the mountains of north central Georgia. Whether you're a visitor or a resident, you can literally fill your calendar with arts fairs, gallery tours, exhibits, receptions, festivals, classes, concerts and plays produced and sponsored by local organizations. Here's a sampling of the quality and variety of arts and entertainment in Blue Ridge, McCaysville and the Copper Basin. See the Calendar of Events for more detailed seasonal and regional information.
The Blue Ridge Mountain Arts Association (The Art Center)
Sponsors featured art exhibits, a fine arts & crafts festival, Arts in the Park, a fine art festival, Wildlife & Nature Art Festival & Expo. Additionally, The Art Center provides classes in arts & crafts, music & dance. Located in the Historic Fannin County Courthouse on West Main in Downtown Blue Ridge, Georgia, The Art Center features the largest collection of local art in the community with multiple galleries featuring 100’s of artist members. Join us. 706-632-2144.
www.blueridgearts.net
Blue Ridge Community Theater
Our beautiful new playhouse is located at 2591 East First St., across from The Swan Drive-in. The theater group has a full calendar of drama, comedy and musical productions. For ticket information, call 632-9223 or visit
www.blueridgecommunitytheater.com.
Blue Ridge Dulcimers
Every Monday at 1:30 p.m. at the Blue Ridge Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church. Visitors are welcome.
Blue Ridge Wood Carvers
Every Monday, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Blue Ridge Mountain Arts Center, Historic County Courthouse.
Bowling
Valley Village Shopping Center, Blue Ridge. Open daily. Call (706) 632-2064.
Georgia Mountain Classics Cruise-In
Georgia Mountain Classics runs April through September at 5 p.m. at the Trailer Drive In, 2691 East First St.
Kiwanis Bingo
Every Thursday night beginning at 7:30 p.m. in the Blue Ridge Kiwanis Community Center, corner of Jones & Austin Streets, Blue Ridge.
Pickin' in the Park
Casual jam sessions for acoustic musicians are held under the trees and pavilions along the Toccoa River at Ron Henry Horseshoe Bend Park every Thursday evening from 6:00 til dusk, beginning the week of Memorial Day through the end of September.
Morganton Music Park
Live country and bluegrass music and dancing Friday and Saturday nights 8:00 to 11:00 p.m., Morganton.
Live Music at the Lilly Pad
Live music in a great atmosphere every Friday and Saturday evening, rain or shine, hot or cold. We offer everything from Jazz to Bluegrass. This venue is offered at the Lilly Pad, an upscale European coffee shop nestled in the heart of the Aska Adventure Area in Blue Ridge, GA. Reservations are recommended. Call 706-534-1317.
Swan Drive-In
One of four drive-in theaters in Georgia still in operation, the Swan drive-in is open year round with first run movies. Old Highway 76 in Blue Ridge. For more information, call 888-469-1955 or visit www.swan-drive-in.com.
Nearby Attractions
John C. Campbell Folk School, Brasstown, N.C.
Concerts most Friday evenings at 7:30 p.m. featuring folk, bluegrass and old time Mountain music with the Appalachian fiddle, banjo, hammered dulcimer. Community Country and Square dances feature live music and are held bi-monthly from 8 - 11 p.m. Call 800-FOLK-SCH for more information.
Holly Theatre, Dahlonega
Dahlonega's community theatre produces a season of plays in a nostalgic atmosphere. Call (706) 864-3759 for season and ticket information.
Young Harris College, Young Harris
The college offers concerts, art exhibits and theatre throughout the year. In addition, the Rollins Planetarium has a calendar of special seasonal events. Call (706) 379-3111 for more information.
Southern Tree Plantation
Southern Tree Plantation is a working farm with fun activities for large or small gatherings, including hayrides, pumpkin picking, a children's train and a petting zoo in the fall. www.southerntreeplantation.com 706-745-0601.