The Carolina Mountains Literary Festival was awesome again this year.  Check their website to look into next year's festival,  Sept.  6-8, 2018.  There were highlights this year too numerous to mention.  But one highlight was an interview with James Reston, Jr., pictured below.  There was also a lovely free pre-festival concert, with musicians of local and national note.  That is Rob Levin, our local and world famous glass blowing artist, but also musician, playing the washboard base.  Ron and Minnie teamed up with a yodeler.  And Bruce Greene played the fidel and sang old folk tunes with his wife.  If you missed this event, you can experience some of the music again this coming Saturday at the Burnsville Town Center "Music in the Mountains Folk Festival.

Brian Gurl has played at Mountain Air in the past. Now his new show is at the Diana Wortham Theatre.  Tickets are available here. 

​International award-winning pianist/vocalist Katherine Alexandra takes on renowned American piano powerhouse Brian Gurl in this innovative production. Performing an eclectic and vividly entertaining fusion of classical, pop, jazz & ethnic folk genres, with shades of Victor Borge.

Together with Grammy Award winning bassist Eliot Wadopian and drummer Byron Hedgepeth, Moscow Meets Manhattan takes you “Around The World in 88 Keys” - performing repertoire from Argentina, Spain, Hungary, Russia and America. This diverse duo skillfully compliment and playfully challenge each other on both one and two pianos - enhanced by lush vocal duets, Brian’s virtuoso melodica playing and an engaging rapport with the audience. From Ragtime to Rachmaninoff, Billy Joel to Broadway and Gypsy Folk to The Tango, MMM - Dueling Pianos Plus is a first class act in a fun-filled package.

Nearby Asheville is always winning awards and making many different top 10 lists.  A recent Country Living article ranks Asheville #1, among the top ten coziest cities!  Enjoy a visit to Asheville, perhaps to one of their great restaurants, or breweries, to an art gallery, for some bluegrass music, or check out all the many Asheville activities on our helpful Links page.   

We have the best location in the world here at the Heritage Ridge Villas.  We are an easy 35 minute 4 lane highway drive from Asheville.  But we gain 1500 ft. in elevation along the short trip.  That means we have much cooler summer temperatures than Asheville.  Every one of our villas has amazing long range views, as we are nestled on a ridge top with views to the east and the west sometimes.  We have our own on site hiking trails and all the amenities of Mountain Air, including restaurants, a spa and swimming pool, tennis courts and golf,  But lovely Asheville beckons whenever we are up for trying a new restaurant, seeing the latest movie, or attending one of the world class festivals that call Asheville home.

Many events are occurring around Mountain Air in June and early July.  For those of you wanting to take some artistic workshops, checkout the new schedule at the world class and nearby Penland School of Crafts.  There are workshops in clay, and in journal making, as well as photography and painting.

​The world class Carolina Mountains Literary Festival is in September, but the time to get tickets for the banquet and keynote address is now.  They usually sell out quickly.  This year the Sept. 8 keynote address is by Ronni Lundy, author of Victuals: An Appalachian Journey, winner of the 2017 James Beard Award, Best American Cookbook as well as Book of The Year.  You can contact them directly at:  [email protected]  Volunteers are also always needed.

June means the rhododendrons are in bloom on Roan mountain, and all over Mountain Air also.  There are many concerts and festivities scheduled at Roan Mountain over the next few weeks.  Be sure to check them out.  The phone number is 423-772-0190.

Be sure to check out Mountain Air Country Club's Fall festivities, Sat., Oct. 8, 4-7 P.M. on the #1 fairway, as well as an all day trip to Hickory Nut Gap Farm.  These activities are for club members only, and real estate guests.  Hickory Nut Gap Farm in Fairview, NC can also be visited by anyone.

Meanwhile, right here in Burnsville, Fri. night brings The Great Gatsby, at the Parkway Playhouse.  And Sat. brings Newtown with Yancey native Mitchell Cannon playing bluegrass (fiddle) at the Burnsville Town Center.

Last night, we enjoyed the wonderful "final" "Champagne and Ivories" concert by Brian Gurl, at his log-cabin home here in Burnsvile, NC.  He is moving to FL, but is willing to return next season for private in-home concerts (20 people or so).  So anyone who wants to set this up should contact him.   He simply needs someone with a piano, and a home to host a "Champagne and Ivories" concert.  Also, look for him to return possibly to the Burnsville Town Center next season.
Jan and Steve
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