Category: General

Blue Ridge Jamboree: ON THE RISE coming to Asheville on March 9

FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge is thrilled to present the “Blue Ridge Jamboree: ON THE RISE” showcase of the region’s top artists ages 25 and younger on March 9 at 7:00 p.m. at the Wortham Center for the Performing Arts in Asheville.

TICKET INFO

ON THE RISE is hosted by acclaimed musician and storyteller Josh Goforth, a three-time “Fiddler of the Festival” at Fiddler’s Grove who has performed at the Grand Ole Opry, the Lincoln Center, as well as Carnegie Hall. He currently is on faculty at the Academy for the Arts in Asheville and performs all over the world.

Featured performers include multi-talented Dollywood and Nashville performer Addie Levy, joined by her singer-songwriter husband Eric Pratt; Appalachian Roots, which has opened for Steep Canyon Rangers and Old Crowe Medicine Show; the sibling old-time and bluegrass band Newfound Gap, led by 15-year-old sensation Bayla Davis; and Hightop Mountain Harmony.

“Our mission is to celebrate the ecological beauty and cultural vitality of this Blue Region region we’re all fortunate to call home,” said executive director Julie Whalen. “Part of that involves inspiring our next generation to be caretakers of that heritage. We’re delighted that so many talented young musicians auditioned to be part of this special event.”

Tickets are just $15 at blueridgejamboree.com, which is being generously sponsored by Mast General Store. All proceeds will support FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge’s Lynn Davis Scholarship program, which provides $1,000 scholarships to high school seniors to pursue college degrees, such as environmental science and cultural studies, that will enhance the Blue Ridge region.

FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge works to enhance the ecological beauty, cultural vitality, and quality of life in communities throughout the Blue Ridge region of North Carolina and Virginia. More information at blueridgefriends.org.

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To arrange an interview with one of our featured young artists, please contact:

Michael Hemphill
michael_hemphill@friendsbrp.org

We’re thrilled to present the “Blue Ridge Jamboree: ON THE RISE” showcase of our region’s top artists ages 25 and younger on Thursday, Nov. 2, 7:00 pm at the Jefferson Center in Roanoke.

From bluegrass bands and gospel singers to Southwest Virginia’s preeminent children’s choir, the Blue Ridge Jamboree is an inspiring event you will not want to miss.

TICKETS: $15 Adult, $6 Child (age 2-12), Under 2 free.

Buy Tickets
  • A Mighty Friendly Mountain
  • Addie Levy trio
  • Appalachian Roots 
  • Bayla Davis
  • The Brothers Young
  • Meg Corbett
  • Shamyila Dungee
  • Eric + Addie
  • Newfound Gap
  • Old Time Rowdies
  • Riley Parks
  • Roanoke Valley Children’s Choir
  • 610 Jazz

All proceeds of The Blue Ridge Jamboree will support FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge’s Lynn Davis Scholarship program, which funds students who are pursuing college degrees with a commitment to enhance the natural beauty, ecological vitality, and cultural distinctiveness of Virginia’s and North Carolina’s Blue Ridge region.

Check out our new FRIENDS shirts … plus other swag!

Order Today

FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge is pleased to announce the following 30 high school students have been selected to receive our first ever $1,000 Lynn Davis Scholarships. Named in honor of our co-founder, the Lynn Davis Scholarships are awarded to students who are pursuing college degrees with a commitment to enhance the natural beauty, ecological vitality, and cultural distinctiveness of Virginia’s and North Carolina’s Blue Ridge.

Asheville Chapter

  • Ella Kepple: AC Reynolds High School | Georgia, Environmental Engineering 
  • Samuel Rattigan: Asheville High School | University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Environmental Sciences 

Balsam Chapter

  • Megan Broome: West Henderson High School | University of North Carolina Wilmington, Marine Biology
  • Anna Garner: West Henderson High School | North Carolina State University, Marine Biology
  • Jesse Jakubielski: West Henderson High School | Appalachian State University, Environmental Science 

Crabtree Falls Chapter

  • Skylar Deaton: Mountain Heritage High School | North Carolina State University, Forest Management
  • Halie Gouge: Mountain Heritage High School | University of North Carolina Wilmington, Environmental Sciences

Fisher Peak Chapter

  • Lacy Griffith: Carroll County High School | Radford University, Music 
  • Mia Llamas: Galax High School | California Baptist University, Kinesiology
  • Ainsley Nottingham: Carroll County High School | Liberty University, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

High Country Chapter

  • Gwendolyn Anderson: Watauga High School | Bates College, Earth and Climate Sciences
  • Maxwell Ramey: Watauga High School | Appalachian State University, Ecology, Evolution, and Environmental Science

Northern Highlands Chapter

  • Cindy Lopez Hernandez: Alleghany High School | Wake Technical Community College, Computer Science 

Peaks of Otter Chapter

  • Adalynn Carter: Jefferson Forest High School| Undecided, Biology 
  • Mary-Caroline Cockerham: Amherst County High School | Christopher Newport University, Neuroscience
  • Andrew Fowler: James River High School | University of Mississippi, Civil Engineering
  • John Laughridge: James River High School| Virginia Tech, Environmental Conservation in Society
  • Maegan Lloyd: Amherst County High School | Randolph College, History with a minor in Museum and Heritage Studies
  • Levi Miller: James River High School | Bryan College, Mechanical Engineering 
  • Nathan Neblett: Amherst County High School | Old Dominion University, Civil Engineering with concentration in environmental engineering 

Roanoke Chapter

  • Lauren Cone: Hidden Valley High School | Virginia Tech, Civil Engineering
  • Case Crawford: William Byrd High School | Virginia Tech, Mechanical Engineering
  • Benjamin Dye: Roanoke Governor’s School | Virginia Tech, Environmental Engineering
  • Eleanor Little: Patrick Henry High School | University of Virginia, Engineering Science
  • Emma Seidel: Patrick Henry High School | Old Dominion University, Environmental Science, Biology 
  • Sydney Smith: Cave Spring High School | Christopher Newport University, Environmental Science
  • Grace van Gerven: Glenvar High School | Virginia Tech, Neuroscience

Rocky Knob Chapter

  • Iain Abbott: Governor School SWVA | Virginia Tech, Civil Engineering
  • Harrison Tracy: Blacksburg High School | Virginia Tech, Environmental Engineering
  • Lilly Underwood: Eastern Montgomery High School | Virginia Tech, Civil Engineering

FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge is thrilled to host the first ever Blue Ridge Jamboree, presenting Doc Watson at 100 Tribute Concert featuring author and music scholar Dr. Ted Olson and music by T. Michael Coleman, Jack Lawrence, Wayne Henderson, and Jack Hinshelwood.

The Blue Ridge Jamboree will be our first major fundraising event since 2019 and include performances at Roanoke’s Jefferson Center on Nov. 5 and Asheville’s Wortham Center on March 25.

Concert & Ticket Info Here

“Doc Watson at 100” celebrates the life and legacy of Doc Watson by those who performed with Doc, were profoundly influenced by his music, and called him a friend. This includes T. Michael Coleman and Jack Lawrence, who performed, recorded, and toured with Doc longer than any other musicians he worked with. Joining T. Michael and Jack are fellow guitarists Wayne Henderson and Jack Hinshelwood, who were both heavily impacted by Doc’s music through his many recordings and performances, and Wayne counted Doc as a close friend, especially in Doc’s later years when he enjoyed visiting Wayne in his guitar making shop in Rugby, Virginia.

A pre-concert VIP dinner and talk is available for a $50/ticket add-on. It will be led by host East Tennessee State University Appalachian Studies professor Ted Olson on the legacy of Doc Watson followed by stories shared by the artists who knew Doc as a friend and fellow performer. The audience will also be encouraged to share their stories of Doc and the impact he had on them.

Blue Ridge Jamboree features “Doc Watson at 100”
Wortham Center, Asheville, NC
Saturday, March 25, 7:00-9:30 pm
VIP Dinner and pre-concert talk at 5:00 pm

Tickets: $45

VIP event add-on (dinner, 2 drink tix, pre-concert talk/music): $50

Listen to Buzz4Good podcast on “Doc Watson at 100”

The IRONMAN needs your help, FRIEND!

Volunteers are needed for the Carilion Clinic Ironman 70.3 Virginia’s Blue Ridge on Sunday, June 5. FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge will coordinate and volunteer as the Bike Course Marshalls/Pointers. Details are below. Click button to volunteer and use password: friendsbrp

VOLUNTEER HERE

Details: Bike course pointers assist the athletes with directions and course warnings. They will alert athletes verbally of a right or left turn ahead, slow down, tight turns, and generally, cheer and encourage athletes along the bike route. They are NOT there to police traffic, however, we use them as our eyes and ears on the bike course.

Shift notes: There are various locations/intersections on the bike course. Bike course pointers manage the route from Carvins Cove to Buchanan as well as help bikers navigate the route through Vinton and Roanoke on their way to River’s Edge.

Depending on the location along the route, that will dictate the shift start/ end time but shifts will only be 4-5 hours.

Volunteers are still needed for the Blue Ridge Marathon this Saturday, April 16. FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge will be at Aid Station-BRP Roanoke Mtn Middle from 6:45 am to 10:45 am if you’d like to join us. Details are below.
Register Here to Volunteer
Details:
Volunteers distribute drinks to runners and enthusiastically encourage them on the course. This aid station is located at the overlook midway up Roanoke Mountain. Volunteers must be in place BEFORE 7:00 am DUE TO ROAD TO PARKWAY CLOSING.

Location: Mill Mountain Overlook on Roanoke Mountain Loop Road.

FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge is honored to be Southwest Native’s “Cause + Effect” nonprofit for April 2022!

Located in downtown Roanoke, Southwest Native sells classic accessories with a modern flare. To support FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge’s mission during the month of Earth Day, Rustic Roots Boho Boutique (in collaboration with Southwest Native) has an exclusive piece available for purchase in April. For each purchase, $10 will be donated to FRIENDS. 

Read more about Southwest Native’s work and order your necklace here.

ORDER HERE
  • Frosted Amethyst Bead
  • Stainless Steel Silver Chain 
  • Chain Extender
  • Cause + Effect Exclusive – Available through April 30, 2022
  • Price $15 ($10 of this purchase will be donated to FRIENDS)

FRIENDS is honored to be the selected charity for this Saturday’s GUNS and HOSES Hockey Game at 6 pm at Berglund Center featuring Roanoke Police Department and Roanoke FireEMS.

Tickets are just $6.

BUY TICKETS

Proceeds will benefit our campaign to fund a nature-themed children’s playground at Explore Park.

Thank you RPD and RFD for building a better Roanoke on and off the ice!

Join us at Explore Park on Sunday, Sept. 19, 5:00 pm, for our free concert featuring the ever popular Easy Pickins’ band!

Easy Pickins’ will entertain you with their musical blend of Bluegrass and Americana acoustic music.

This is the final Summer Concert sponsored by FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge, which celebrates the cultural arts of communities along the Blue Ridge Parkway. More about FRIENDS at http://friendsbrp.org.