Biltmore plans fall wine events

Too early to think about autumn?

 For leaf-peeping, certainly. People start thinking about drives in the N.C. mountains around Labor Day and are ready to head to the hills in mid-September. Truth be told, leaf coloration most years isn't even peak in Quebec and northern New England until the end of that month.

But planning has its advantages -- especially when it comes to selecting any post-Labor Day weekend to head out of town. Our lives in the metro area are simply that busy.

Up in Asheville, Biltmore is also busy in the months ahead, and their schedule of special events is already out. 

September is N.C. Wine Month at the estate, with a full lineup of wine tastings, Live After 5 concerts (they continue through Oct. 25) and Friday wine-paired dinners at the Market Gardener’s Cottage or the winery. There are winery tours and Grand Tasting events. Ongoing wine-related activities include a daily "Red Wine & Chocolate" seminar.

Wine events are held at Antler Hill Village & Winery, Biltmore House and Gardens and other estate locations.  Details: http://bit.ly/1AUwuOz. 

Special over-weekend deals at the Inn on Biltmore Estate include a Labor Day package (Aug. 30-Sept. 1), a Fall Celebration package timed for Halloween events (Oct. 24-26) and the Our State Package (Oct. 31-Nov. 2), which highlights Biltmore's agricultural history.

Another reason for planning a Biltmore trip in advance? Starting Sept. 2, you can save $12 on daytime admission when your ticket is purchased online seven or more days in advance. Book six days ahead of your visit and you can save $7.

For details on programs and admission: www.biltmore.com.

It's rock, not Revolution, July 12 at South Carolina's Historic Camden

Historic Camden ‑- Isn't that the Revolutionary War site in South Carolina where they have re-enactment events?

Usually, yes. This Saturday... not exactly.

July 12 is the 19th annual Music Snorgasbord Under the Carolina Moon , a music festival in a historic setting that features 10 bands and solo acts  from the Midlands region.

And musically, it is an inviting smorgasbord. And you can forget about fife-and-drum re-enactors.

Here's the  lineup: Blue Phoenix (5 p.m.; blues with folk flavor), Brik Cash and Friends (5:25 p.m. original pop rock), Frederick Ingram (5:50 p.m.; alternative folk/rock), East of West (6:25 p.m.; original country rock), The Society Jazz Band (6:55 p.m.; Dixieland), Fair Jam (7:30 p.m.;  rock with shades of bluegrass), Jim Hayes (8 p.m.; classic/contemporary rock ), The Bunch Quitters (8:35 p.m.; original folk, bluegrass and Western cowboy) and Jacob Johnson Group (9:40 p.m.; neo-acoustic folk/funk).

This year's finale, starting at 10:45 p.m., will feature a blend of talent from Blue Phoenix, Fair Jam, Jim Hayes and others. Dubbed the 19th Nervous Breakdown, they will celebrate the acoustic side of the Rolling Stones.

An odd choice? Not really:  Keep in mind that it was Brits who put Camden on the Revolutionary War map.

Gates open at 4:30 p.m.;  the live music is 5 to 11 p.m. There's free parking is located in the big field next to Historic Camden’s main entrance, at 222 Broad St., Camden

Kids, coolers, blankets and lawn chairs are welcome (no pets, glass bottles or tents).

 Admission: $20;, $18 seniors and military; $4 for  ages 6-12; 5 and younger, free. and free under six.

Tasty fare will be provided by Old South Restaurant, Mae Frances, Pizza Hut and Palmetto Coffee & Tea Room. 

 

Details: 803-432-9841; www.historic-camden.net

Recurring events to get you through spring and summer

When it comes to popular events, is there ever too much of a good thing?  Several seasonal events in the Southeast are again stretching over an entire season -- or longer.

 And a major festival in Savannah, Ga., seems to be converting from once-a-year  to through-the-year status.

Music in Morehead City

Down on the coast, Morehead City's Alive at Five free outdoor concerts will resume in May and continue through summer at a new location -- Jaycee Park, on the waterfront.

The lineup: Dependable Taxi (May 2), Emily Minor (June 6), Spare Change (June 19) Liquid Pleasure (July 3), Mikele Buck Band (July 17), Band of Oz (Aug. 1) and Jupiter Jones (Aug. 29).

Details: www.downtownmoreheadcity.com. 

Outdoor art in Blowing Rock

The mountain town's popular Art in the Park series resumes its summer/fall run, showcasing crafters and artisans from the Southeast. The location is the same: It's staged on the top level of the American Legion parking facility; as before, there will be free shuttles to the site from the Tanger Shoppes on the Blue Ridge Parkway and from the Food Lion on U.S. 321.

The dates this year: May 17, June 14, July 19, Aug. 16, Sept. 6 and Oct. 4.

Items range from handcrafted jewelry, pottery, fiber and glass to  photography and painting. Shown at the top of this page: a wood piece by Chris Boone of Matthews; he's featured artist at the May incarnation. 

Details: www.visitblowingrock.com.

Also returning: There will be free Sunday afternoon Concerts in the Park, May through September. For dates and information: www.visitblowingrock.com/eventcalendar.php.

Big names play at Atlanta Botanical Garden series

The Concerts in the Garden outdoor series on the Great Lawns return for a 12th summer. Performers this year: Creedence Clearwater Revisited (June 6), Indigo Girls (July 18-19), Gavin DeGraw & Matt Nathanson (Aug. 1), Lyle Lovett & His Large Band (Aug. 29), Keb'Mo & Mavis Staples (Sept. 19) and Chris Isaak (Sept. 21).

Details: www.concertsinthegarden.org.

Savannah Book Festival

Sure, it is held in February. But now  its official engagements have taken on a calendar life of their own.

International bestselling author Tami Hoag will headline the Savannah Book Festival’s Spring 2014 event,  May 8 at The Landings Plantation Club on Skidaway Island. Hoag’s luncheon and signing is the first of the 2014-15 festival’s expanded slate of author events that will continue throughout the year.

Hoag has written more than 30 New York Times bestsellers, including the crime thrillers "Deeper Than the Dead" and "Secrets to the Grave."  A $50 ticket includes lunch and a hardback copy of her latest, "The 9th Girl."  Details: www.savannahbookfestival.org

June 3, the festival and the Andaz Hotel in Ellis Square will host the national book launch for "Save the Date," Mary Kay Andrews’ latest release. This event is free and open to the public. 

Sept. 11, the festival will host "a top-shelf mystery-thriller author, whose name will be announced at the luncheon with Tami Hoag."

   

Planning your vacation? Talk to these pros who are coming to Charlotte

Articles and ads for vacations are fine for tickling your fancy, but nothing beats the opportunity to get face-to-face with the people who can make it happen.

That's why this time of year brings travel shows -- your opportunity to get answers, suggestions and tips from those in the know.

Coming up fast:

Jan. 31: Meet Arthur and Pauline Frommer (above), the creators of  Frommer's Travel Guides, at 7 p.m. at Park Road Books, 4139 Park Road. They'll  discuss their new line of Easy Guides and offer some top travel destinations for 2014. 

Feb. 1: Mann Travels’ annual travel and cruise show will be 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Charlotte Convention Center, 501 S. College St. Mann specialists from nine area locations will be there to help consumers sort out vacation deals. There will be reps from the major cruise lines, resorts and tourism boards; interactive exhibits; Hawaiian dancers and entertainment from Radio Disney. Seminars will be offered in four theaters. Admission: free. Details: www.manntravels.com.


Feb. 6-9: The Mid-Atlantic Boat Show returns to Charlotte for its 42nd year. Exhibitors at the Charlotte Convention Center, 501 S. College St., will be displaying a variety of pleasure boats, as well as equipment for water skiing and fishing, swimwear, docks and lifts and real estate. Hours: noon-9 p.m. Feb. 6-9 (Thursday and Friday) 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Feb. 8 and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Feb. 9. Admission: $9; $8 for military and for 60 and older; $5 for ages 6-12. Details: www.midatlanticboatshow.com

Raise a glass to poet Robert Burns -- and enjoy the haggis -- Jan. 24

Ready for another round of “Auld Lange Syne”? The lyrics were by Robert Burns, the national poet of Scotland, whose Jan. 25, 1759, birthday is celebrated worldwide by those who love poetry and Caledonia.

That includes Hiddenite, northwest of Statesville, where The Hiddenite Center on Jan. 24 (a Friday) will hold "Burns Night: A Scottish Feaste  in Honor of Poet Robert Burns.”

Traditional music will be provided by the duo Celtic Elk. A family-style Scottish feast will include soup, steak pie, peas and carots and a traditional dessert called Tipsy Laird. Wassail (punch) will be served and so will haggis – a traditional pudding of spiced sheep innards mixed with oatmeal and cooked in sausage casing.


Cost for the entire 7 p.m. event : $15. Reservations: 828-632-6966.