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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260920T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260920T173000
DTSTAMP:20260723T211547Z
CREATED:20260722T155236Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260723T211547Z
UID:10006715-1789920000-1789925400@thelaurelofasheville.com
SUMMARY:Celtic Harp Concert Opens New Series Season
DESCRIPTION:Flat Rock\, N.C. –  The Friends of Music & the Arts Series at the Episcopal Church of St. John in the Wilderness welcomes autumn with a Celtic Harp concert Sunday\, September 20 at 4:00 p.m.  Open to the public\, the free concert will be held in the spacious Parish Hall opposite the church at 1905 Greenville Highway\, Flat Rock. \nThe harp quartet ensemble\, Banrigh (pronounced Bahn-ree\, meaning “Queen” in Scottish Gaelic) embodies a royal tribute to traditional Celtic music and culture. Four multi-talented musicians from the Midwest and Southeast have performed and traveled together worldwide for a decade\, receiving high praise for their skill and versatility. \nOne of the oldest instruments in the world\, the harp is mentioned in the Book of Genesis. The Celtic Harp\, also called Folk Harp\, evolved over centuries with its recognizable triangular frame and strings made of horsehair appearing in the 8th century. At 30 to 50 inches tall\, the modern Celtic Harp is about half the size of the Concert Grand Harp.  \nThe Banrigh quartet’s accomplished musicians include: \nDonna Bennett\, a clinical social worker\, incorporates music in mental health therapy with children and adults. She has released a book of original and therapeutic harp music. She is a board member with the Scottish Harp Society of America. \nMartha Geouge Hill\, a North Carolina native and multi-instrumentalist\, is passionate about her Celtic heritage. She has won awards at the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games as a soloist and in ensemble. \nJen Narkevicius teaches and performs in Washington\, D. C.\, and is Co-Director of Harp Quest working with students.  A Hospice volunteer\, she brings music to the bedside of hospital patients. \nSue Richards\, a four-time winner of the American National Scottish Harp Championship\, developed and taught the harp program at the Ohio Scottish Arts School. She composes and performs with Ensemble Galilei in multi-media concerts. \nDonations will be appreciated to support Friends of Music & the Arts ongoing series.  For more information visit www.stjohnflatrock.org.
URL:https://thelaurelofasheville.com/event/celtic-harp-concert-opens-new-series-season/
LOCATION:Parish Hall – St. John in the Wilderness\, 1905 Greenville Highway\, Flat Rock\, 28731
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://thelaurelofasheville.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Banrigh-Group.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Friends of Music &amp%3B the Arts":MAILTO:media@stjohnflatrock.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250921T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250921T173000
DTSTAMP:20250810T125151Z
CREATED:20250808T105518Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250810T125151Z
UID:10005134-1758470400-1758475800@thelaurelofasheville.com
SUMMARY:Friends of Music and the Arts Presents  Amber Joy Koeppen – Award Winning Harpist
DESCRIPTION:FLAT ROCK\, N.C.  — Amber Joy Koeppen brings her angelic harp playing to St. John in the Wilderness Sunday\, September 21 at 4:00 p.m. for a free concert in the spacious Parish Hall at 1905 Greenville Highway across from the church in Flat Rock. Handicapped accessibility and free parking are available. Donations will be gratefully accepted for the Friends of Music and the Arts Series.  \nFrom Genesis to Revelation\, the Bible has numerous references to harp music which has been said to have healing properties. One of the oldest musical instruments in the world\, the harp originated in Mesopotamia more than 2\,000 years ago.  \nClassically trained\, Amber Joy Koeppen mastered the modern harp more than 20 years ago\, winning First Place in the Rosen-Schaffer Competition for Young and Emerging Artists. She has continued to receive many awards for her solo concert performances while also performing with the New York City Ballet\, the Battle Creek Symphony Orchestra and the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra. Teaching children and Adults in her private music studio enables Amber Joy to share her passion for artistic excellence and creativity with her students who are also award-winning active musicians. In addition to her promotion of arts education\, she currently serves as Director for Appalachian State’s Community Music School providing musical education in the North Carolina High Country in partnership with Hayes School of Music.  \nThe September 21 concert will feature an afternoon of harp music highlighting works of composers such as Gliere\, Piazzolla\, Debussy\, Salzedo and more.  \nHarpist Amber Koeppen will share an eclectic collection of some of her favorite works for solo harp and will also be joined by two special guest students for the incredible experience of hearing three harps playing together. Come enjoy an engaging concert full of great music and interesting stories. \nFor more information visit www.stjohnflatrock.org
URL:https://thelaurelofasheville.com/event/friends-of-music-and-the-arts-presents-amber-joy-koeppen-award-winning-harpist/
LOCATION:Parish Hall – St. John in the Wilderness\, 1905 Greenville Highway\, Flat Rock\, 28731
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://thelaurelofasheville.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Amber-Joy-Koeppen.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Friends of Music and the Arts":MAILTO:media@stjohnflatrock.org
END:VEVENT
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250518T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250518T180000
DTSTAMP:20250304T013708Z
CREATED:20250303T193525Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250304T013708Z
UID:10004586-1747569600-1747591200@thelaurelofasheville.com
SUMMARY:Empty Bowls
DESCRIPTION:FLAT ROCK\, N.C.   Still recovering from the aftermath of the devastating storm Helene\, local ceramic artists will once again fire up their kilns for the eighth year to help hungry children in the greater Flat Rock area.  On Sunday\, May 18\, 2025\, “Empty Bowls\,” a community meal benefiting the Flat Rock Backpack Program\, will take place in the Parish Hall at the Episcopal Church of St. John in the Wilderness.   \nAdvance tickets are strongly recommended for the two seatings: 12:00pm-2:00pm and 4:00pm-6:00pm.  Each ticket includes one hand-crafted bowl donated by area potters\, a soup-based meal\, with soups and breads donated by local restaurants and bakers\, plus homemade cookies baked by church members.  For those wishing to eat at home\, take-away is an available option.  \nTickets are $30 per person or $50 for a family of two adults and children under 12.  Tickets are available for purchase online at www.stjohnflatrock.org/empty-bowls.\n “Hurricane Helene dealt a major blow to our area. All of our support system—the potters\, food vendors\, and sponsors—were all impacted\, as was MANNA FoodBank\, our main source of food for the Flat Rock Backpack Program\,” said Debby Staton\, Flat Rock Backpack Program Coordinator.  “Needless to say\, the students we serve were also affected. We are deeply appreciative of our community who keep us on their radar\, always willing to pitch in as we continue meeting the needs of those who are “food insecure.”\nPlease join us for this fun community event. Donations are gratefully accepted throughout the year. The Flat Rock Backpack Program has 501c-3 status. 100% of the money collected goes to feeding at least 150 children in eight schools every weekend. \nThe Parish Hall is located across the street from the church at 1905 Greenville Highway. For more information write to emptybowls@stjohnflatrock.org or visit www.stjohnflatrock.org.
URL:https://thelaurelofasheville.com/event/empty-bowls-2/
LOCATION:Parish Hall – St. John in the Wilderness\, 1905 Greenville Highway\, Flat Rock\, 28731
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://thelaurelofasheville.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Empty-Bowls-Flyer.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Flat Rock Backpack Program":MAILTO:stjohniw@bellsouth.net
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250504T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250504T173000
DTSTAMP:20250220T215658Z
CREATED:20250220T122918Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250220T215658Z
UID:10004561-1746374400-1746379800@thelaurelofasheville.com
SUMMARY:Thomas Keesecker\, Pianist
DESCRIPTION:FLAT ROCK\, N.C.   Just in time for May flowers\, Music & Arts Series of The Episcopal Church of St. John in the Wilderness presents a piano concert from composer and church musician Thomas Keesecker. The program features selections from Mr. Keesecker’s concert tour with performances taking place across the country. \nThe free concert in Flat Rock is set for Sunday afternoon\, May 4\, 2025 at four o’clock in the Parish Hall located at 1905 Greenville Highway across from the church.  \nSince 2017\, Mr. Keesecker has given at least 100 music performances of his piano music in churches on the West Coast to the East Coast\, and from Canada to Florida. \nMr. Keesecker is known for his sensitive\, delightful\, and meditative piano arrangements of hymns. At this concert\, participants will be able to sing along to some of them together\, as well as listen to his interpretations. The hymns will be interspersed with poetry by Mary Oliver and Wendell Berry\, two of the most beloved and profound poets of the 20th and 21st centuries. His music may be listened to on Amazon Music\, Spotify\, and YouTube.  \nAs a composer\, his 12th piano collection will be published by MorningStar Music. “I am blessed that several books are best-sellers. I will be featuring music from my collection Easter Hope this spring\,” said Mr. Keesecker. \nRecent concerts in Florida prompted these comments:   \n“Your playing is truly inspirational\, and I loved the format with the poetry readings intermingled with the commentary\, the humor\, and the phenomenal truly soul-stirring playing\,” said the Director of Music\, Joy Lutheran Church in Ocala\, FL \nAnother person said\, “I had an opportunity (and the delight) to be present for a Thomas Keesecker “informal piano concert” in Vero Beach\, FL. Across 90-minutes\, spirits were palpably salved and brightened by the intertwining mix of Tom’s music played\, humor offered\, poetry recited (Mary Oliver\, Wendell Berry\, Emily Dickinson\, and one other poet-I missed their name)\, stories shared\, all in a wondrous welcoming space. And\, we got to sing his jazz chorded arrangement of “I Want Jesus to Walk with Me.”\nHandicapped accessibility and free parking are available; donations will be gladly accepted for Music & Arts Series.  For more information please call the church office at 828-693-9783 or visit www.stjohnflatrock.org.
URL:https://thelaurelofasheville.com/event/thomas-keesecker-pianist/
LOCATION:Parish Hall – St. John in the Wilderness\, 1905 Greenville Highway\, Flat Rock\, 28731
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://thelaurelofasheville.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Thomas-Keesecker.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Music &amp%3B Arts Series":MAILTO:media@stjohnflatrock.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250313T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250313T153000
DTSTAMP:20241211T182652Z
CREATED:20241209T124257Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241211T182652Z
UID:10004285-1741870800-1741879800@thelaurelofasheville.com
SUMMARY:Learning to Dance with Dementia
DESCRIPTION:Dementia Workshop Rescheduled for March 13\, 2025 \nLearning to Dance with Dementia: When to Lead\, When to Follow and When to Get Out of the Way \nOriginally scheduled in the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Helene\, this free dementia workshop will now be held from 1-3:30 p.m. Thursday\, March 13\, 2025\, in the Parish Hall of The Episcopal Church of St. John in the Wilderness. \nUnlock the secrets to compassionate and effective dementia care at this workshop with Mary Donnelly\, a dynamic dementia consultant. This interactive session offers insight and strategies to help caregivers navigate the delicate balance of communicating with a person whose brain is changing. \nDiscover how to harmonize your approach with the unique needs of the person in your care\, fostering a more fulfilling less stressful care-giving experience. Join us to enhance your skills and learn how to dance gracefully through the challenges of dementia care. \nDementia has and is touching so many of our loved ones\, including event organizer Ronnie Doty. \n“I began this journey of dementia with my husband\,” Doty says. “I used every resource available so I could know what lies ahead. If you are informed about the disease you can become a much better caregiver.” \nMary Donnelly is past board president for MemoryCare\, a nationally-recognized nonprofit clinic in Asheville. She founded and coordinates the MemoryCaregivers Network\, writes a bi-monthly e-newsletter\, Caregiver Network News\, and is part of the teaching staff for their annual caregiver education series. She is the author of The MemoryCaregivers Collection\, an anthology for MemoryCare. \nMary is also on the staff of national dementia expert Teepa Snow\, holding multiple roles as trainer\, consultant\, mentor\, and speaker. Mary serves on the steering committee of Dementia Friendly Western North Carolina\, a grassroots organization promoting dementia awareness and education. She facilitates five area support groups\, provides family consulting across the country\, offers on-site staff dementia training for long-term care facilities\, and is an informative speaker on dementia-related issues. \nLimited seating is available for this seminar and participants must RSVP by visiting http://bit.ly/dancewithdementia. \nFor more information call the church office at 828-693-9783. The Parish Hall is located across the street from the church at 1905 Greenville Highway in Flat Rock.
URL:https://thelaurelofasheville.com/event/learning-to-dance-with-dementia-2/
LOCATION:Parish Hall – St. John in the Wilderness\, 1905 Greenville Highway\, Flat Rock\, 28731
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://thelaurelofasheville.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Learning-to-Dance-with-Dementia-FB-event-cover.png
ORGANIZER;CN="The Episcopal Church of St. John in the Wilderness":MAILTO:media@stjohnflatrock.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20241017T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20241017T163000
DTSTAMP:20240815T184531Z
CREATED:20240815T184531Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240815T184531Z
UID:10003932-1729170000-1729182600@thelaurelofasheville.com
SUMMARY:Learning to Dance with Dementia
DESCRIPTION:Explore an Afternoon of Awareness \nLearning to Dance with Dementia: When to Lead\, When to Follow and When to Get Out of the Way \nThe Episcopal Church of St. John in the Wilderness in Flat Rock will present a free workshop “Learning to Dance with Dementia: When to Lead\, When to Follow and When to Get Out of the Way.” on Thursday\, October 17 from 1pm until 4pm in the Parish Hall across the street from the church\, located at 1905 Greenville Highway in Flat Rock. \nUnlock the secrets to compassionate and effective dementia care at this workshop with Mary Donnelly\, a dynamic dementia consultant followed by a panel discussion. This interactive session offers insight and strategies to help caregivers navigate the delicate balance of communicating with a person whose brain is changing. Discover how to harmonize your approach with the unique needs of the person in your care\, fostering a more fulfilling less stressful caregiving experience. Join us to enhance your skills and learn how to dance gracefully through the challenges of dementia care. \n“We are providing this afternoon program\, because dementia is becoming so prevalent in society that we feel the need to educate our friends and neighbors” said Linda Giltner\, an event organizer. \nDementia has and is touching so many of our loved ones. At the beginning we do not understand why they are not behaving or responding to us and situations as they had in the past. Then our question is\, what is happening? We are trying to present information and ways to deal with this disease called DEMENTIA! \nAnother event organizer Ronnie Doty said\, “I have been a fan of Mary Donnelly since attending Caregivers College at MemoryCare when my husband was diagnosed with dementia. Several years later when I’d been a caregiver for more than six years\, I thought St. John would be the perfect place for her to share her wealth of wisdom. Caregiving is tiring and taxing and can begin to affect one’s health before we can become aware of it! I know Mary’s presentation will help caregivers think differently about living with someone with dementia.” \nLimited seating is available for this seminar but participants must RSVP by visiting http://bit.ly/dancewithdementia. For more information call the church office at 828-693-9783. \nMore on the Presenter \nMary Donnelly is past Board President for MemoryCare\, a nationally-recognized nonprofit clinic in Asheville. She founded and coordinates the MemoryCaregivers Network\, writes a bi-monthly e-newsletter\, Caregiver Network News\, and is part of the teaching staff for their annual caregiver education series. She is the author of The MemoryCaregivers Collection\, an anthology for MemoryCare. Mary is also on the staff of national dementia expert Teepa Snow\, holding multiple roles as Trainer\, Consultant\, Mentor\, and Speaker. Mary serves on the Steering Committee of Dementia Friendly Western North Carolina\, a grassroots organization promoting dementia awareness and education. She facilitates five area support groups\, provides family consulting across the country\, offers on-site staff dementia training for long-term care facilities\, and is a lively speaker on dementia-related issues.
URL:https://thelaurelofasheville.com/event/learning-to-dance-with-dementia/
LOCATION:Parish Hall – St. John in the Wilderness\, 1905 Greenville Highway\, Flat Rock\, 28731
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://thelaurelofasheville.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Learning-to-Dance-with-Dementia-2024-web-graphic.png
ORGANIZER;CN="The Episcopal Church of St. John in the Wilderness":MAILTO:media@stjohnflatrock.org
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