Dance & Music Ensemble Coming in May

Ann and KateIf you happen to find yourself in Asheville on May 17-18, you should definitely not miss this opportunity. Two amazingly talented woman are going to team up for a beautiful performance at The Diana Wortham Theatre.

The event will be a performance of Aaron Copland’s Appalachian Spring. Ann Dunn, who has guided North Carolina’s oldest non-profit dance company for years, will be putting on An Appalachian Romance. This is based on Romeo and Juliet but set in the Asheville mountains. Kate Steinbeck and her chamber ensemble Pan Harmonia will play the accompanying music.

The young lovers will be danced by Lyle Laney and Alyssa Belcher.

Tickets are available at the box office at 257-4530.

Asheville’s Drum Circle

drum circle

If you don’t live in Asheville, you definitely don’t know what you’re missing! This has got to be the most vibrant, interesting town around. Every Friday night in the warm weather months, we have a drum circle. Anyone is invited to participate in the drumming, dancing and enjoying. The drum circle takes place in Pritchard Park downtown on Patton Avenue at College Street.

It’s about as much fun as there is, starting around 5 pm usually and going until 10. The drum circle has been going for over a decade, having started in 2001! Here are some great pictures and videos to capture the fun and enthusiasm of the drum circle. Get involved and have fun!

Success for the Original Miami Beach Antique Show

ombas_webIn a recent press release, the US Antiques Shows announced that attendance at their 52nd annual Original Miami Beach Antique Show increased by 10% this year. The show took place from January 31-February 4 2013 at the Miami Beach Convention Center. While we weren’t there, I certainly try to follow major antique shows and I’m always curious to see how they do.

The press release reported that the show attracted close to 900 established dealers. As Dan Darby, the group fair director said, “We are excited to report an increase in attendance and that buying continues to remain strong. This year we added antique seminars to the show schedule and were able educate hundreds in the antique community with the help of several of the most established professionals in the industry who spoke at the event. We look forward to continuing these traditions as part of our show in the years to come.”

In addition to the higher than usual attendance, antique dealers reported that sales were also up. As Jeff Cohen, N. Green & Sons said, “Throughout the Show weekend we noticed an increase in our sales and the largest crowds we’ve ever seen on the floor during the years we’ve exhibited. We’re pleased with the overall outcome this year and we’re looking forward to exhibiting at the L.A. Antique Jewelry & Watch Show this March.”

From what I understand, there was also a charity raffle during the show, which is always a lovely idea. They raised over $6000 to benefit Paws 4 You Rescue Inc. While I didn’t get to the show this year, I’m hoping to be part of it next year. I’ve already got it on my calendar for January 30- February 3, 2014!

$10 Million Coin Sells

I find antiques so fascinating partly because you just never know what is going to become valuable – and what you may have of value in your home! If you haven’t seen this report yet, those in the antique world will want to prick up their ears.

dollars

One of the first US silver dollars that was ever minted has just sold for the record breaking amount of 10 million dollars. They believe that this is the most that an auction house has ever received for an individual coin.  Interestingly, the silver coin started its journey in Orange County, California and was transported clear across the US to the New York Stack’s Bower Galleries in a Brink armored truck.

There are a few interesting tidbits about this coin. All 1758 of this first edition silver dollar were pressed on one day – October 15, 1794. And, historians think that George Washington, Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson may all have individually handled this coin since the minting was all done on that one day.

The lucky winner of the coin was New Jersey’s Legend Numismatics. They are a rare-coin firm and they do not plan to sell it anytime soon!

Nashville, Here We Come

NashvilleIf you’ve never been to Nashville, Tennessee, it’s a must-see on the Bucket List. If you have been there, you may want to think about February as the best time to return. We are definitely  making our reservations and marking our calendars already for next month. Nashville welcomes amazing antique dealers in February each year and they have some of the most unique show set-ups that I’ve seen anywhere.

First, from February 13th-16th, the Fiddlers Inn will have their annual antique show. This is, as they say, “an unusual, one-of-a-kind atmosphere.” The show is actually set in the hotel, so viewers can walk from room to room, seeing the gorgeous antiques and feeling the interesting ambiance of each location. The hotel rooms are turned into both wholesale and retail shops and the entire experience creates an airy, delightful way to shop for great antiques.

Then, without even skipping a beat, the Gaylord Opryland Hotel has a show that piggy-backs the one above. It runs from the 14th to the 16 in February and is called the Heart of Country 2013 show. It includes over 120 antique dealers of Americana, Folk Art and decorative art.

Of course, if you haven’t spent much time in Nashville, you may not know about the many other ways to fill your time when you aren’t shopping for antiques. You must go to the Country Music Hall of Fame. Grab a bite to eat at the Loveless Cafe. And, for a really unique experience, take the Nash Trash Tour. Now that’s an experience you’ll never replicate! Check out more ideas here and have a blast in Nashville with us!

Enjoying Christmastime in Asheville

Nothing beats Christmas in Asheville. This year, as every year, we have a few fun activities planned for the week of Christmas. We are going to start, as we always do, at the Antique Tobacco Barn in town. It is actually nationally recognized as one of the best antique malls in the Southeast and it has received recognition in Southern Living magazine, through the Discovery Channel and with Budget Travel.

This mall is truly an antique lover’s haven. It has 75 independent antique dealers housed in one massive warehouse. Should you not find what you’re looking for there (how could you not!), you can always try the other 13 antique stores that are within a mile or two from the grounds.

Now, in addition to happy antique hopping, we are also going to shop in the Biltmore Village. This quaint area is right across from the entrance to the Biltmore Estate and has more than 40 shops and cafes. It includes picturesque tree-lined streets, brick sidewalks, period architecture and many other gems.

And, of course, we will drive around and admire the sparkling lights at the Biltmore Estate and see if we can’t get ourselves a tour of that charming and gorgeous residence! I’m looking forward to seeing the 68 trees that they’ve decorated inside the house and to admiring the gorgeous lights throughout.
Merry Christmas everyone!

Enjoying the Highland Fling

We’re having an amazing time at the Highland Fling in Florida (see my last post for more background information). My husband and I had a fantastic time at the opening party. Who wouldn’t enjoy sampling Scottish beers, listening to bagpipes and tasking haggis for the first time (eeewwwwww). There was even a Highland Whiskey Lounge which was a great deal of fun. The entire atmosphere is playful and inviting, while showing some of the best antiques and artwork I’ve seen in ages.

Yesterday, we listened to Miller Gaffney talk about art and culture. She’s worked for a number of art auction houses and commercial galleries. She joined Art + Auction magazine at one point years ago and has also worked as a Business Development Officer with LTB Holdings. She’s also on that show that I love – Market Warrriors – on Monday nights at 9pm. So, she gave an interesting lecture about finding great antiques and about moving up in the world of antique collecting and selling.

The other thing that I’ve enjoyed is the Decoration Resales part of the show. Here, they have all sorts of items for sale at reasonable prices including candle holders, household items and everything plaid you could possibly think of owning! We found some beautiful antique bottles that will be a great addition to our home and collection. One more day to go and certainly enjoying every minute!

Women’s Board Art & Antiques Show

Once a year we try to get to the Prime F. Osborn III Convention Center for the Art & Antiques Show in Jacksonville, Florida. It’s put on by the impressive Women’s Board of the Wolfson’s Children’s Hospital to raise money for the hospital.

Certainly, the worthy cause draws us there – and the artwork and action does as well. This year, the event will include a three-day showcase of collections from nationally and internationally distinguished art dealers. And the theme will be Scottish.

The show will include the following. On Thursday, November 29th there will be a benefactor preview reception (we’re not at that level yet!). Then, they will have the Highland Fling Opening Night Party which will be a black-tie celebration with a Scottish twist. Friday Vicente Wolf will talk about “Getting Inspiration” and the floor show will open at 11. We plan to stay around for the entire weekend and enjoy the sights, sounds and history of the amazing show.


We’ll be heading there from November 29th to December 2nd . Maybe we’ll see you there!

Get on the Road with Market Warriors

Picture by David Aaron Troy

We haven’t traveled anywhere this month so I don’t have any great travel tips or art selections to share. What I do have, however, is quite a gem. If you haven’t tuned in to the new PBS show called “Market Warriors,” and you’re someone who loves antiques as I do, then you’re missing out!

“Market Warriors” mirrors itself after “Antiques Roadshow” but it’s a bit of a hipper version. The team goes to flea markets and antique shows and are handed $1000 to spend with a time limit and a target item to get. What a dream come true!

The catch on the show is that the picker who makes the most money on a given day wins. This means that pickers have to be very careful about what they select to buy, and they have to watch out for reproductions. The group includes John Bruno, Miller Gaffney (a graduate of Sotheby’s Institute of Art), Kevin Bruneau (who runs an antique business) and Bob Richter (who likes to approach antiques with the eye of an interior decorator).

The show is on at 9 pm on Mondays and it’s really worth watching for anyone who loves antiques. Bruno, for instance, offered a great tip for weekend road show shoppers. He explained that he often goes to a seller’s booth and checks out what doesn’t belong. For instance, if they have old dolls as their specialty, but they have one tray of old watches, he’ll make a beeline for the watches.

PBS executive producer Marsha Bemko has explained that “Market Warriors” comes from the same producers as “Antiques Roadshow.” The idea behind the new show, however, is to focus on common collectibles that the average person could purchase.

As Bemko explained, “We hope ‘Market Warriors’ will be half as popular as ‘Antiques Roadshow.’ ”

Elisa Holder Captures the Imagination

Wrapping up our summer, my husband and I took a drive over to Waynesville. Located only 25 miles from Asheville, Waynesville is an absolutely adorable town with a great main street. For a relatively small location, it actually boasts quite a few galleries and specialty shops.

My favorite gallery in the area if the Earthworks Environmental Gallery. Celebrating their 20th anniversary at the moment, the gallery includes hand crafted art from both regional and international artists. There is everything here from pottery and jewelry to paintings, clothing and more.

While we were there, I explored the work of Elisa Holder, a self-taught expressionist painter who is based in the neighborhood. What a gem of a find! She uses bold, bright colors to paint the beautiful things that she sees in her surroundings in the mountains.

Elisa Holder


As the gallery website describes it,

“Beneath the surface, the focus of Elisa’s work is philosophical and spiritual and she is repeatedly drawn to paint objects that evoke a sense of solitude or isolation. She studies the subject of every new painting, whether abstract or traditional, and allows the energy from the canvas to direct her brush thus always maintaining her avid belief in the value of art as a window to the soul.”

We saw artwork by many other talented artists on our trip to Waynesville as well, but this one really captured my imagination. Just beautiful.

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