Experience our Arts & Entertainment

Blue Ridge Community Theater

Art and culture are alive and growing like kudzu in the mountains of north central Georgia. The Blue Ridge Mountains Arts Association, one of the finest in Georgia Mountains, has the goal of making Blue Ridge one of the Top 100 Art Towns in America. The Blue Ridge Community Theater has a new theater and a full calendar of productions for 2011. Downtown Blue Ridge has become known for the quality of its art galleries and fine specialty shops, and just recently new restaurants have added a little new nightlife to the area. Here's a sampling of our Arts Town Experience.

Blue Ridge Mountains Arts Association (The Art Center Galleries on West Main)
With over 600 artist members, the Art Center Galleries on West Main has become one of the largest art galleries in the North Georgia mountains. The ambience of the beautifully renovated historic Fannin County Courthouse provides a historic canvas on which to showcase the talent of our mountain artists. The Art Center features two Arts in the Park festivals each year, Memorial Day and the second weekend in October. The Center has two national exhibits. July brings the annual Quilt Exhibit and August a 3D exhibit called Off the Wall. For a complete schedule of events, see the website.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, children's theater and concerts. For ticket information, call 632-9223 or visit www.blueridgecommunitytheater.com.

Downtown Blue Ridge Nightlife
Downtown Blue Ridge is becoming a center for local music and nighttime entertainment. Enjoy live music on weekends at area restaurants, including Christy Lee's Courtyard Grille and Harvest on Main. The Block Party on West Main, held on the second Saturday evening each month, includes live music, refreshment and entertainment, and the new Art Walk features local galleries on the third Saturday evening. See our Calendar of Events for details.

Downtown McCaysville
McCaysville is home of Pickin' in the Park in Horseshoe Bend Park each Thursday evening from Memorial Day to October. Ann's Pickin Parlour offers line dancing lessons on Mondays and Wednesdays, and live music and dancing on Friday and Saturday nights. El Rio Mexican Restaurant features Mariachi bands seasonally.

Pickin' in Horseshoe Bend 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. Bring a picnic supper, a lawn chair and your own instrument and join the fun.

Swan Drive-In
One of four drive-in theaters in Georgia still in operation, the Swan Drive-in offers first run movies on weekends beginning Memorial Day. Old Highway 76 in Blue Ridge. For more information, call 888-469-1955 or visit www.swan-drive-in.com.

Blue Ridge Ghost Tour
Blue Ridge Ghost Tour offers walking tours of Downtown Blue Ridge on Friday and Saturdays evenings with a variety of stories that include folklore, legend, ghosts and paranormal. For an entertaining evening of fun and storytelling call 706-455-9866 for reservations or see www.blueridgeghosttour.com.

Nearby Attractions

Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds, Hiawassee
The Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds plays host to several popular annual events including the Georgia Mountain Fair, the Georgia Mountain Roots & Music Festival, the Superstar Concert Series, the Georgia Mountain Fall Festival and Georgia’s Official State Fiddler’s Convention. Also featuring regular big name country music and bluegrass bands. www.georgiamountainfairgrounds.com

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.

Bowling
Entertainment