April 28-May 21
Inspired by the true story, Million Dollar Quartet dramatizes the impromptu jam session featuring Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Johnny Cash and include the hit songs Blue Suede Shoes, Folsom Prison Blues, Great Balls of Fire, Hound Dog, Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On and many more.
Inspired by the true story, Million Dollar Quartet dramatizes the impromptu jam session featuring Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Johnny Cash and include the hit songs Blue Suede Shoes, Folsom Prison Blues, Great Balls of Fire, Hound Dog, Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On and many more.
Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site will celebrate “Christmas at Connemara” with storytelling, music, crafts, warm cider, and cookies, on Saturday, November 30, from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm.
Cherokee storyteller Black Feather will share stories of Cherokee holiday traditions at 10:30 am, in the garage adjacent to the Sandburg Home. At 11:30 am, guitarist and vocalist Pat Corn will perform with noted harp guitarist Chuck Thompson from Nashville. They will share a selection of Christmas favorites played on a pair of unique harp guitars in the garage. From 10:00 am to 1:00 pm in the park store, Steve and Jean Smith will play hammered dulcimer and visitors can make a special holiday ornament.
Free holiday fun continues on the following Saturdays in December, with music and craft making in the park store, located on the ground floor of the Sandburg Home:
Saturday, December 14, from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm, Howard Baaken plays holiday music on keyboard.
Saturday, December 21, from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm, John Perkins plays familiar holiday tunes on guitar.
Saturday, December 28, at 1:00 pm, Lucy Allen and Marshall Goers sing holiday folk music in the house garage. At 2:00 pm, Geriatric Jukebox plays classic holiday tunes from the 1960’s in the house garage. From 1:00 – 3:00 pm, Patrick Ballard plays guitar, banjo and mandolin in the park store. Visitors can enjoy free tours of the Sandburg Home on this day as well!
Please note that on December 28, the last free tour day of 2019, house tour tickets are only available in person, on a first come, first serve basis and are not available online. Otherwise, house tour tickets are $8 for adults, $5 for age 62 and older and Interagency pass holders, and free for children age 15 and under. Tickets can be reserved in advance at recreation.gov.
Tours of the Sandburg Home will feature holiday decorations in the simple style of the Sandburg family, with greenery, a Christmas tree, and poinsettias. The Sandburg Home will be decorated for the season through January 6, 2020. The temporary clothing exhibit “Dressing for the Occasion,” will also remain on display in the Sandburg Home through the holiday season.
The Friends of Carl Sandburg at Connemara, the park’s philanthropic partner, will offer goat-themed holiday ornaments and other holiday activities. All donations support educational activities, visitor services, and barn operations in the park.
This program is supported by the National Park Service, Friends of Carl Sandburg at Connemara, Eastern National, the non-profit partner that operates the park store, and Henderson County Tourism Development Authority.
From June 13 through July 27 (there will be no plays on July 4 and July 7)
FREE summer children’s plays return on Thursdays and Saturdays at 10:15 a.m. Apprentice actors from the Flat Rock Playhouse Vagabond School of the Drama will perform “Rootabaga Express!,” a musical adaptation of Carl Sandburg’s children’s books, Rootabaga Stories.
The free 30-minute shows are appropriate for all ages and are held at the amphitheater, weather permitting. Young visitors who attend the plays can earn a limited edition Rootabaga Junior Ranger badge. Rootabaga Ranger activity sheets will be available at the amphitheater. Once completed, kids can get their Rootabaga Ranger badge at the amphitheater, Sandburg Home, or farm. A free shuttle, donated by the Friends of Carl Sandburg at Connemara, runs daily from 9:40am to 4:20pm and makes stops in the main parking lot, goat barn, and near the Sandburg Home. Visitors with mobility concerns are strongly urged to visit when the shuttle is running.
This free festival is supported by the Friends of Carl Sandburg at Connemara, the Arts Council of Henderson County, and America’s National Parks (park store manager). It highlights the Pulitzer Prize winning poet’s other legacies as music collector and children’s author and the Sandburg family’s love of square dancing.
Visitors may bring lawn chairs, food, and non-alcoholic drinks. Light snacks and water will be sold in the Park Store/Visitor Center in the Sandburg Home. Due to expected crowds, pets will not be allowed at performances. In case of severe weather, the event will be canceled. Check this page and our website for updates.
Amphitheater
Barn Garage
Barnyard
Parking, Shuttles, Accessibility:
Young poets from Elementary School through High School will be recognized for their writing achievements and each student will present their winning entry. The 2016 poetry contest theme is “Legacy”. Program will be held at Blue Ridge Community College, Patton Building Room 150.
JULY 2nd: This outdoor concert is free and open to the public. Bring a blanket and a friend, and listen to something new at Singing in the Park. We may have some surprises for you.
Asheville Lyric Opera is proud to present the revival of its national award winning production of The Magic Flute on April 8 & 9 at 8pm and April 10 at 3pm.
This production will feature a distinguished cast of performers bringing their talent to Asheville from all across the U.S. Witness this amazing night of excitement as we journey through the magic of Mozart’s masterpiece.
Asheville Lyric Opera is proud to present the revival of its national award winning production of The Magic Flute on April 8 & 9 at 8pm and April 10 at 3pm.
This production will feature a distinguished cast of performers bringing their talent to Asheville from all across the U.S. Witness this amazing night of excitement as we journey through the magic of Mozart’s masterpiece.