Arts and Entertainment
Culture is a subtle indicator of a region’s outlook and morale. On all sides, the arts and entertainment are flourishing here. We bring Broadway productions to the area, outdoor drama depicting the history and settlement of the Waldensian people, host gala music and arts festivals throughout the year, and abound in studios and galleries.
City of Morganton Municipal Auditorium
From Mount Helicon in ancient Greece the nine muses presided over the arts and sciences as inspirational figures. In Morganton these goddesses gaze down from the ceiling of the City of Morganton Municipal Auditorium (CoMMA) as subjects of the largest Ben Long IV fresco to date. They signal Burke County’s status as an arts haven. The municipal auditorium itself is a 1000-seat state-of-the art venue, hosting music, comedy, dramatic, and dance performances throughout the year.
Tour d’ Art
Each June this walking arts tour and outdoor festival attracts thousands of visitors to downtown Morganton to view an impressive display of local and regional creativity.
Sidewalks and shops overflow with colorful artworks while live entertainment, food and games keep the atmosphere festive.
Outdoor Drama “From this Day Forward”
In 1893, a band of Italian Protestants arrived from the Cottian Alps in northern Italy to start a new life in the community of Valdese. Their story is told in a historic outdoor drama from mid-July to mid-August by the Old Colony Players in their amphitheatre on Church Street in Valdese. The drama, “From this Day Forward” was written by Burke County native Fred Cranford.
Burke Arts Council & Jailhouse Gallery
The Burke Arts Council maintains an art gallery in the old county sheriff’s office beside the historic courthouse. Dedicated to improving the quality of life in Burke County through culture, the gallery houses a variety of local and regional arts as well as traveling exhibits.
Valdese Old Rock School
Built by Waldensian masons in the early 1920s, the Old Rock School served as Valdese’s first high school. A thorough renovation completed in 1986 has refitted the historic building to provide the public with two art galleries, a community auditorium (where Valdese’s Old Colony Players stage plays), and a banquet hall. The Old Rock School Arts Foundation hosts free art exhibits, changed monthly. The charming old building also houses the museum of the Piedmont and Western Railroad Club.
Studio XI
Located in Morganton Station in downtown Morganton, this studio and gallery offers living space and work opportunities for artists dealing with disabilities. This supportive work environment encourages artists in the development and production of their work.
Other Activities
Burke County loves music, especially the homegrown variety. The 4th of July Red, White, and Bluegrass festival is held at the Riverstage by the Morganton Soccer Complex, bringing to the area the finest bluegrass musicians. The Annual Whippoorwill Musicfest near Lake James is a three-day event, featuring top names and talented newcomers in the country, country rock, and gospel fields of music. The Burke County Habitat for Humanity group sponsors an annual jazz festival in Morganton in February. There are The Historic Morganton Festival, held in September, and The Waldensian Festival, held in August. Every October The Burke Arts Council hosts an Oyster Outing.
On Friday evenings in May through July, the downtown areas of Morganton and Valdese hold summer evening musical events. As in days of old, friends and families still gather to enjoy a variety of free musical entertainment.
Annual Festivals and Events Calendar
JANUARY
• Martin Luther King Community-Wide Celebration
NAACP – 828-437-8606
• Ice Breaker Bridge Tournament
Collett Street Recreation Center – 828-438-5350
FEBRUARY
• Morganton Comics & Collectibles Convention
Collett Street Recreation Center – 828-438-5350
• Prom Dress Project
Collett Street Recreation Center – 828-438-5350
• Black History Festival
Collett Street Recreation Center – 828-438-5350
MARCH
• Great Outdoor Expo
Collett Street Recreation Center – 828-438-5350
• Smokey Mountain Cage Bird Society’s Spring Show
Collett Street Recreation Center – 828-438-5350
• Gem & Mineral Spring Show
Collett Street Recreation Center – 828-438-5350
• Lady Fair. . . Collett Street Recreation Center – 828-438-5350
• Community Easter Egg Hunt
Collett Street Recreation Center – 828-438-5350
APRIL
• Easter Sunrise Service
Valdese Waldensian Trail of Faith – 828-874-1893
• Annual Easter Egg Hunt
Valdese American Legion Post #234 – 828-879-8989
MAY
• TGIF Friday Night Concerts
(Free/Downtown Morganton) – 828-438-5280
• Family Friday Night Concerts
(Free/Downtown Valdese) – 828-879-2126/888-VALDESE
• Annual May Day Biathlon
Freedom High School – www.maydaybiathlon.com
• Spring Fling Bridge Tournament
Collett Street Recreation Center – 828-438-5350
• Visit Valdese Day (Outdoor Living Show)
828-879-2126/888-VALDESE
• Drexel Spring Carnival.....Drexel Fairgrounds – 828-437-7421
JUNE
• TGIF Friday Night Concerts
(Free/Downtown Morganton) – 828-438-5280
• Family Friday Night Concerts
(Free/Downtown Valdese) – 828-879-2126/888-VALDESE
• Fun Fishing at the Falls
Valdese Recreation/American Legion Post # 234 – 828-879-2132
• Tour d’ Art....City of Morganton Main Street Office – 828-438-5280
JULY
• TGIF Friday Night Concerts
(Free/Downtown Morganton) – 828-438-5280
• Family Friday Night Concerts
(Free/Downtown Valdese) – 828-879-2126/888-VALDESE
• Red, White & Bluegrass Festival
Catawba River Soccer Complex – 828-438-5350
• Valdese Fourth of July Celebration
Waldensian Trail of Faith – 828-879-2126/888-VALDESE
• Outdoor Drama “From This Day Forward”
Mid-July to Mid-August – 828-879-2126/888-VALDESE
• Summer Sizzler Bridge Tournament
Collett Street Recreation Center – 828-438-5350
AUGUST
• Annual Waldensian Festival
(Free/Downtown Valdese) – 828-879-2126/888-VALDESE
• Family Friday Night Concerts
(Free/Downtown Valdese) – 828-879-2126/888-VALDESE
• Outdoor Drama “From This Day Forward” Valdese Amphitheater – 828-879-2126/888-VALDESE
• Piedmont & Western Railroad Club Open House
828-879-2126/888-VALDESE
• Drexel Community Agricultural Fall Fair
Drexel Fairgrounds – 828-443-7273
SEPTEMBER
• Annual Historic Morganton Festival (Free/Downtown
Morganton) – 828-438-5280
• Family Friday Night Concerts (Free/Downtown Valdese)
828-879-2126/888-VALDESE
• Over the Mountain Victory Trail Celebration
Historic Burke Foundation – 828-437-4104
• Annual Whippoorwill Musicfest
at Lake James – 828-433-1234/866-778-WHIP
OCTOBER
• Burke County Fair
Burke County Chamber of Commerce – 828-437-3021
• Fall Festival Bridge Tournament
Collett Street Recreation Center – 828-438-5350
• Annual Oyster Roast . . . Burke Arts Council – 828-433-7282
• Smokey Mountain Cage Bird Society’s Fall Show
Collett Street Recreation Center – 828-438-5350
• Downtown Morganton “Trick or Treat” – 828-438-5280
• Glen Alpine Town Fall Festival – 828-584-2622
• Connelly Springs Town Day – 828-879-2321
NOVEMBER
• Gem & Mineral Holiday Show
Collett Street Recreation Center – 828-438-5350
• Christmas Cheer Holiday Craft Show
Collett Street Recreation Center – 828-438-5350
• Christmas in November Craft Fair
Valdese Old Rock School – 828-879-2126/888-VALDESE
• Christmas Lights at the Waldensian Trail of Faith
Valdese – 828-879-2126/888-VALDESE
• J. Iverson Riddle Developmental Center’s Annual Christmas Parade – 828-438-6516
DECEMBER
• Valdese Christmas Parade – 828-879-2126/888-VALDESE
• Piedmont & Western Railroad Club Open House
828-879-2126/888-VALDESE
• Glen Alpine Christmas Parade
Town of Glen Alpine – 828-584-2622
• Rutherford College “Christmas In the Park” – 828-874-0333
• Hildebran Christmas Parade
Town of Hildebran – 828-397-3447
• Morganton Downtown Christmas Parade – 828-438-5280
• Morganton Downtown Christmas Festivities – Santa, Carriage Rides, Tree Lighting – 828-438-5280
• Old Colony Players Christmas Show (TBA)
Valdese – 828-874-0176
* For Updated Information check the Chamber Website:
www.burkecounty.org
e-mail to: burkecoc@hci.net 828-437-3021
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