Get ready to experience the true, heartfelt joy of a mountain holiday! The Black Mountain Center for the Arts (BMCA) is throwing open its doors for Christmas in Appalachia: A Singin', Strummin', Family Show, running four performances from December 19th through the 21st. With Christmas in Appalachia, you’re not just a spectator—you're invited to be part of the fun. This unique production is a loving, lively tribute to the rich cultural and musical traditions of the Appalachian Mountains during the holiday season. Step out of the commercialized Christmas rush and into a cozy mountain cabin setting, complete with a hearth and a simple tree decorated with popcorn strings and cut-paper garlands. It’s a chance to connect with the past and celebrate the simple, enduring pleasures that make a mountain Christmas so special.
An enticing element of this show is the audience participation built right into the script! Once the main action begins, the audience will become a group of boisterous Christmas Eve "serenaders," shaking noise-makers to celebrate the holiday. Led by veteran storyteller John Hall and internationally known Old Time musician Travis Stuart, this is a wonderful opportunity for audience members to genuinely feel like they’re part of a homespun Appalachian holiday gathering. Also joining the show are talented musicians Miles Kexel and Anna Kate Cammack, Hall’s daughter. “My daughter and I performed on BMCA’s stage almost 20 years ago in A Woodcarver’s Christmas when she was just a kid. I’m thrilled to have her join me again for this show,” says Hall.
No down home holiday get-together is complete without music and masterful storytelling. Audience members will be encouraged to sing along to holiday favorites like "Deck the Halls" and join in on spirited bluegrass tunes. The show culminates in the magical "Jack and the Christmas Soup" tale, an engaging story perfect for all ages that features Li’l Jack, his family, and a mysterious traveling peddler. The night closes with the charmingly adapted poem, "'Twas the Night Before a Swannanoa Christmas," sending everyone home with a heart full of cheer and the true spirit of the mountains.“This show is bound to be a crowd pleaser,” says BMCA executive director Lori Cozzi. “It’ll be a wonderful way for families to celebrate the holiday season.”
Tickets are $15 for adults, and $10 for youth For more information or questions, visit BlackMountainArts.org/events or call 828-669-0930. The Black Mountain Center for the Arts is a nonprofit community arts center, located at 225 West State Street, Black Mountain.