Try Not-to-Miss These Holiday Happenings - TribPapers
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Try Not-to-Miss These Holiday Happenings

Clems Cabin at 1000 Hendersonville Road filled with Christmas greenery by local artists, for the sale on December 4 and 5.

Western North Carolina – The French Broad River Garden Club Foundation is hosting its 94th Annual Holiday Greens Market this December. The event is taking place on Saturday, December 4 from 9am to 3pm and Sunday, December 5 from 11am to 3pm. 

The celebration was virtual last year due to COVID-19. This year, it will again commence at Clem’s Cabin, 1000 Hendersonville Road, Asheville, NC 28803. One hundred percent of the French Broad River Garden Club Foundation’s proceeds support local horticulture and conservation scholarships and projects. The event takes place rain or shine. Cash/checks/credit cards are accepted. This well-loved event features unique, handmade goods created by regional artists including wreaths, centerpieces, pottery, ornaments, baked goods and more.

Christmas Gifts 

Local talented craftsmen and artists are all bringing unique products not found in local stores. Colin Richmond is bringing his highly collectible porcelain sheep and ornaments; Jake Greear’s handmade wood cutting boards and trays, Paul DeWitt is offering handmade nutcrackers; leather and cloth purses by Mary Lynn Schroeder; Lynne Froeba of Farm Girl Foodie is bringing homemade baked pecans in delicious flavors; Garden Club members are bringing home-baked items to sell—breads, cookies, cakes and pies. 

Home Decor

For home decorating, there are a number of vendors. Vickie McCall, Jennifer Miller and Kay Miller arranged lovely greens, centerpieces, wreaths and garlands. Russell Lyda is bringing fresh greens, holly berries, twigs and branches. Laura Robinson is selling table arrangements and holiday ornaments made from native materials. The French Broad River Garden Club’s Christmas Greens Market brings together a wonderful array of items and is a one-of-a-kind shopping experience. 

Appalachian Christmas with The Hendersonville Symphony

The Hendersonville Symphony, after a 20-month hiatus, returns to the stage on Saturday, December 11. Appalachian Christmas is the first program of their season, conducted by the interim Music Director, Eric Scheider, at 7:30 p.m. at the Blue Ridge Community College Concert Hall. 

As Paul Conroy, HSO executive directive said: “Our excitement is greater than ever, with this very special season presenting our final three Music Director candidates. After an extensive search and interview process, we will now have audience members and musician feedback to help us choose who will lead our orchestra into the future.”

This program of holiday favorites on December 11 features a mountain flair with two very special local guests. The Symphony is welcoming 2017 RockyGrass competition-winning fiddler Julian Pinelli and the Grammy-winning, Steep Canyon Rangers—with front man Graham Sharp on banjo—to add some toe tapping to the usual caroling and merriment. A single, general admission concert ticket is $45 for adults and $12 for students. Season ticket prices are: $160 for a single, reserved seat for all four concerts $40 for enrolled students. Tickets can be purchased at hendersonvillesymphony.org or by calling (828)697-5884.

The acoustics at the Porter Center will only add to one’s enjoyment of the Brevard Philharmonic’s “Christmastime in Brevard” concert.

“Christmastime in Brevard” with the Brevard Philharmonic

The Brevard Philharmonic is planning to put you in the Christmas spirit this year. Conductor and artistic director James Fellenbaum put together an all encompassing musical event, “Christmastime in Brevard.” The audience will be treated to holiday favorites which involves a stage packed with singers, a full orchestra and many musicians wearing their Santa hats. This takes place on Sunday, December 12 at 3 PM in the Porter Center at Brevard College.

Leroy Anderson’s famous A Christmas Festival was written in 1950 for the Boston Pops. This classic is packed full with nearly every holiday favorite and is the opening piece of the show. Next, an Italian Christmas carol, Yesu Bambino, is sung by the nearly 40 voices of the Transylvania Choral Society under the leadership of Director, David Gresham. Following is Tchaikovsky’s Christmas Waltz played by the full orchestra, taken from his composition, The Seasons. A full array of familiar Christmas carols will fill the auditorium and be sure to lift your spirits. Those who have attended Philharmonic performances have learned to expect the unexpected during holiday concerts, thanks to Maestro Fellenbaum. At some point during the program, don’t be surprised if there is a chance for the audience to participate, perhaps with a sing-a-long or other surprises. “Christmastime in Brevard” is a fun way to start the holiday season. 

General admission is $37.00; a student ticket is $10.00. There is limited seating. Proof of COVID 19 vaccination is required, or proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within the 72 hours prior to the performance start time. Mask-wearing is required for both non-vaccinated and vaccinated persons.
For more information, call 828 884-4221 or go to: 

Time to Decide

Since Thanksgiving, Asheville, Hendersonville and Brevard began blanketing their cities with holiday festivities. There are special markets to attend, train rides to take, musical events, seasonal lighting shows gingerbread homes to see, decorated home tours, holiday ballets and plays to see. Besides attending to your Christmas shopping list, decorating your home for the season, visiting with family and friends and preparing your family’s favorite holiday dish, decisions need to be made as to which holiday activity you simply must attend this year. You won’t go wrong by putting The French Broad River Garden Club Foundation’s Christmas Greens Market sale in Asheville, the Hendersonville Symphony’s “Appalachian Christmas” and “Christmastime in Brevard” with the Brevard Philharmonic on your calendar.