Rocket News Today

THURSDAY JULY 2nd

HAPPY 4th OF JULY

FROM THE ROCKET STAFF

BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY

Blue Ridge Parkway 75, Inc., the organization tasked with planning and producing the various projects related to the Parkway’s 75th Anniversary in 2010, has launched the official 75th Anniversary Web site – blueridgeparkway75.org.

The Blue Ridge Parkway’s vision for the Anniversary is to engage local communities and the nation in efforts to sustain a healthy Parkway for future generations by celebrating 75 years of history, Appalachian culture, and spectacular scenic views. NewCity, a Blacksburg-based Web design firm, worked closely with staff and a team of Board members to identify the elements that would most effectively capture the Parkway’s brand.

The end result is a site that successfully merges this shared vision with 21st century technology by offering easy-to-use navigation alongside a visually rich design that highlights scenic and historic Parkway photography, regional information, and current Parkway issues.

The site’s top-tier pages – More Than a Road, Get Involved, and Events – align closely with the mission and goals of the Anniversary. "We're excited about unveiling the new Web site,” said Dan Brown, president of Blue Ridge Parkway 75, Inc. “We see this site as a strategic communication tool that can help promote the Blue Ridge Parkway region, spotlight the unique communities along its corridor, and provide visitors with ‘calls to action’ to address the health and well-being of the Parkway now and for the next 75 years.” One of the most prominent features of the new site is the ability to explore Parkway communities in a dynamic Google Maps platform.

The feature presents the first-of-its-kind comprehensive approach to the Parkway and the region through which it passes. Users can also explore events during the Anniversary year in 2010, learn about challenging issues facing the Parkway, and identify ways they can support or be involved. In addition, the Web site provides links to popular social media – Facebook, Twitter, and Flickr – where the Parkway’s 75th Anniversary has a strong and growing presence. Visitors to the site can subscribe to the 75th Anniversary’s e-Newsletter, donate funds for the project, visit a variety of Parkway partner organizations, and shop for commemorative 75th Anniversary merchandise. The Parkway and its neighboring communities are inherently tied together by common boundaries, economics, and shared history as evidenced by the 16 million annual visitors and $2.3 billion economic impact in North Carolina and Virginia.

Partnerships with adjacent communities are essential for long-term success and are an integral feature of the new Web site. “The symbiotic relationship between the Parkway and gateway communities is strong and will become stronger through the 75th Anniversary. Many people see local communities as a gateway to the Parkway,” Parkway Superintendent Phil Francis stated. “We often think of the Parkway as a gateway to unique local communities and authentic experiences.”

For more information about the upcoming anniversary, visit blueridgeparkway75.org or contact one of the two BRP75 offices. In North Carolina, contact Leesa Brandon at 828.271.4779 x 224 or lbrandon@nccommerce.com. In Virginia, contact Penny Lloyd at 540.772.2104 or plloyd@roanokecountyva.gov.

ANNUAL SYMPHONY BY THE LAKE

Spend an evening under the stars by beautiful Chetola Lake with the Charlotte Philharmonic at the 22st Annual Symphony by the Lake, Friday, July 24. This annual outdoor performance of symphonic music, sponsored by the Chamber, on Chetola Resort’s sweeping lawn has become the high point of Blowing Rock’s summer season. Concert-goers are welcome to bring a picnic basket or enjoy a picnic or dinner buffet prepared by The Manor House Restaurant at Chetola. Following the music, a spectacular fireworks show sponsored by Mr. & Mrs. Stanley K. Tanger will cap off a fantastic evening.

The Charlotte Philharmonic Orchestra will perform for their second year at Symphony by the Lake. Those who attended last year’s Symphony can attest that the music was wonderful and they are looking forward to another performance by the Charlotte Philharmonic. Lead by Maestro Albert Moehring, a native of Amsterdam, Holland, The Charlotte Philharmonic is a professional seventy piece orchestra. Maestro Moehring trained at the respected Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto, Canada. He pursued further studies at the Aspen School of Music in Colorado. In the past years, Moehring has worked and studied with such renowned conductors as Walter Susskind, Leonard Bernstein and Leonard Slatkin.

Patron tents are currently available for purchase. A new addition to this year’s Symphony by the Lake will be vocal performances by Norman Large and Christina Saffron Ashford. Both are well known singers and actors and have been on stage with performances of many well known musicals such as Cats, Man of La Mancha, South Pacific, among others. Many will recognize Large from his roles on television shows such as Star Trek: The Next Generation (as the Romulan Emperor), Sienfeld and JAG. Purchasing a patron tent is a fun option for our business members. Patrons tents can be used for many purposes. A business could choose to host a staff or customer appreciation party. Because many people stop by and “visit” at each tent, it can also be a way to meet and greet potential customers. Single tents come with twelve tickets, chairs, and an eight foot banquet table. Of course, individuals and families are welcome to purchase patron tents as well.

Some patrons really enjoy participating in the tent decorating competition, and show off the creativity of their business or family in this way. Patrons are also granted special parking and can pick up and drop off at the tent for their set-up and break-down.

The Blowing Rock Chamber provides a free shuttle from the Food Lion Shopping Center in Blowing Rock to Chetola. The shuttle is handicapped accessible and drops concert goers off at the lawn with a minimum of walking. Tickets are $25.00 for adults and $8.00 for children under the age of twelve. Tickets will be released on Tuesday, and will be available at www.blowingrock.com or by calling the Chamber office at 828-295-7851. Parking is also available at Tanger Shoppes on the Parkway. The gates open at 5:30pm for picnicking by beautiful Chetola Lake at Chetola Resort, the performance will begin at 7:30pm, followed by fireworks.

The 54th Annual Grandfather Mountain Highland Games

The 54th Annual Grandfather Mountain Highland Games and Gathering of Scottish Clans bring music and entertainment to thousands July 9-12. Traditional and modern Celtic music flood the meadows at dusk and continue into the night. Visitors are welcomed to spread out a blanket and experience the Celtic performances in the shadows of Grandfather Mountain. Each night is unique and features different aspects of Scottish culture.

The celebration kicks off with Thursday night’s Opening Ceremonies. Spectators are invited to an informal picnic beginning at 4:30 p.m. in MacRae Meadows. During the early evening there are bagpipe band performances as well as sheep herding demonstrations by Scottish border collies. As night falls over the meadows, the leaders of 92 sponsoring clans proudly carry their torches to let it be known that their family line is represented at the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games. The torchlight ceremony is held to invoke the “Spirit of the Clans” upon the gathering.

The primitive ceremony hearkens back to the days when Celts banned together on the fields of battle to defend the Highlands from invaders. Friday night’s festivities begin with a concert and sing-a-long called a Ceilidh (pronounced Kay-lee) that celebrates Scottish folk music, dance and folklore. The Ceilidh begins at 8:00 p.m. and runs until 10:00 p.m. in the Hayes Auditorium at Lees-McRae College on both Friday and Saturday nights. Admission for adults is $10 and admission for children 12 and younger is $5. Tickets are sold at the door on a first-come, first-serve basis. The Scottish Country Dance Gala is also held Friday night from 8:00 p.m. to midnight at Lees-McRae Williams Gymnasium. This event features a colorful display of the old-time Scottish dances passed down through generations. Admission for participants and those who wish to take lessons is $20. Admission for spectators is $3.

The Celtic Jam held in MacRae Meadows Friday night features performances that shed light on the connections between the traditional music of the British Isles and the bluegrass music of the Southern Appalachians. Some of the traditional Celtic performers at the jam are folksinger Ed Miller and the Blessed Blend a duo that blends Native American and Celtic music, to create a harmony of tribal sounds from two cultures. Historian and patriotic Scot, David Ross, shares his passion for Scottish history through storytelling at this year’s Celtic Jam. Clandestine, well-loved by Grandfather Mountain Highland Games audiences when they appeared here in the past, returns with their blend of Texas Celtic Folk. A band new to the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games is Teribus, a bagpipe and drum trio playing Celtic and Tribal music influenced by musical traditions from around the world. Teribus is led by Kevin Hartnell, Richard Kean, and EJ Jones, and promises to bring “high energy and a spirit of fun” to the meadows. Coyote Run from Williamsburg , Virginia, has been described as having “the take no prisoners approach to Celtic music.” This will be the fourth Grandfather Games for the group that performs new music inspired by the rich heritages of Celtic, Appalachian, folk and maritime traditions. Barleyjuice, a Philadelphia band well known in the meadows for having unrelenting energy and musical expertise, again returns to Grandfather Mountain Highland Games to entertain and amaze guests. Scythian, a classically trained group of musicians who enjoys the freedom and loose spirit of Celtic music, joins the Celtic Jam.

The band is known for its ability to get the crowd on their feet and ensure a quality performance. The band has been described to "play Celtic music for people who hate Celtic music, but love rock." Sporting medieval armor, tattoos and animal skins, the Pictish drumming and energetic piping of Albannach encourages audiences to “Keep it Tribal.” The members of Albannach were all born and bred in Scotland and enjoy sharing their intriguing culture, history and heritage with onlookers by means of music. Saturday’s night-life offers a variety of diversions from relaxed to radical beginning with a Piping Concert by students from the North American School of Piping from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Broyhill Inn & Conference Center in Boone.

Tickets are available at the door for $10 with children under five admitted free. Next Scotland’s premier entertainer, Alex Beaton, takes the stage at the Broyhill Inn and Conference Center at 8:30 p.m. Tickets for Alex Beaton and friends are $10 per person. The Celtic Rock Concert at MacRae Meadows is sure to get the blood pumping and serve up a memorable evening of Celtic Rock. The concert showcases high energy performances by Clandestine, Coyote Run, Teribus, Barleyjuice, Scythian and Albannach. Tickets to the Celtic Rock Concert are $15 for adults and $5 for children with free parking available on a first come basis. For more information phone (828) 733-1333 or visit online www.gmhg.org. For lodging and other travel information, contact North Carolina High Country Host at (800)-438-7500.

ELVIS TRIBUTE COMING

International, award-winning performer Ryan Pelton is widely regarded as one of the world’s best Elvis tribute artists. His loving salvo to the King, It’s Elvis, spans the years of Elvis Presley's amazing career -- from the raw-edge ’50s, to the light-hearted movie years, to the electrifying ’68 comeback special, and then, of course, to the powerful Vegas years of the ’70s. Uncanny Elvis look-and-sound-alike Pelton and the Tribute Band are in the building for one-night only with It’s Elvis, coming to the Hayes Performing Arts Center in Blowing Rock on Monday, July 20.

The show is staying with the theme of the Blowing Rock Stage Company’s production of Bye Bye Birdie, the musical comedy inspired by the King himself, playing in repertory at the Center. It’s Elvis features Pelton, who is accompanied by a live band, the Tribute Band, and a back-up singer direct from Las Vegas, performing such fan favorites as “Shake, Rattle & Roll,” “GI Blues,” “Rock-a-hula,” “Polk Salad Annie,” “Love Me Tender,” popular gospel tune “Peace in the Valley” and the breathtaking “American Trilogy.”

Entertaining audiences all over the United States and across four continents, Pelton has performed in such venues as Legends in Myrtle Beach, N.C., for the past six years, as well as in Finland; Barcelona, Spain; and in Las Vegas in the production Legends in Concert. He also is a featured performer each year at Potowatomi Casino’s annual and internationally recognized “Tribute to the King” contest in Milwaukee, Wis. American Idol fans will remember Pelton, even though they were seeing a hologram of Elvis. In 2007 Pelton was specifically chosen by Elvis’ former wife Priscilla Presley to sing “Peace in the Valley” with Celine Dion on the TV special Idol Gives Back. Pelton also appeared in the movie Hound Dog with Dakota Fanning.

For more information on Ryan Pelton or to become a member of the Ryan Pelton Ultimate Fan Club, visit www.ryanpelton.com. A limited number of VIP concert tickets are available for purchase; these tickets include a small pre-show reception with Ryan Pelton. In addition, Pelton will be in the lobby immediately following the show to meet and take photos with audience members.

It’s Elvis plays at the Hayes Center on Monday, July 20 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $26, $30, and $40 (VIP seating, pre-show reception and meet-and-greet) and are available now by calling the Box Office at (828) 295-9627. You may pay by credit card or by cash (in person). Tickets can also be purchased online at www.HayesCenter.org by credit card. Special group rates are also available (10 person minimum). Season and Flex Passes can be purchased and used throughout the entire ’09 season. The mission of the Mariam & Robert Hayes Performing Arts Center is to pursue excellence in every way including programming and superior services for our patrons; engage audiences of diverse ages, cultures, and economic backgrounds; instill in the children and youth of the community a life-long love and participation in the arts; and be a community gathering place for active exchange about culture and creativity. The Hayes Performing Arts Center is located at 152 Jamie Fort Road (off Hwy 321), Blowing Rock, N.C. For more information, call (828) 295-9627

About The Rocket The Blowing Rocket was first published in June 1932, a tabloid publication that was printed each week during the months of June, July and August. After the final week in August it was to put to bed until the following June. Local Links Around Blowing Rock The Blowing Rocket staff has compiled some local links to help you make some choices when you visit.