For centuries arts and crafts have played a huge role in the economic development of the Piedmont Triad. In fact, our nation’s first president, George Washington himself was known to have done some shopping from the tradesmen in Salem.

The tradition of excellence in crafts lives on in Winston-Salem, and The Piedmont showcasing the work of more than 120 fine artists from across U.S., kicks off this weekend during 6 Days in November. Saturday November 17, from 10:00am to 6:00pm, and Sunday from noon to 5:00pm at the M.C. Benton Convention Center in downtown Winston-Salem.

You can witness first-hand crafts in process: wheel throwing, jewelry tech, rug hooking, paper pulp painting, and harness floor looming—over a dozen unique demonstrations throughout the weekend given by some of our country’s most talented artisans. Deb Britton has been Piedmont Craftsmen fair manager for over a decade. Last week she stopped by WFDD with longtime piedmont craftsmen CEO Jane Daub to talk about the crafts fair.

The Piedmont Craftsmen's fair preview night gala will be held tonight for members and sponsors of Piedmont Craftsmen. Memberships can be purchased at the door.

On Triad Arts Weekend (1:00 p.m.):

6 Days in November features performances and exhibits all across Winston-Salem. Among them the Winston-Salem Light project, a multimedia public art presentation that uses prominent landmarks as the canvas. The Lumanotus display begins evenings at 7:00pm through the 18th in Winston Square downtown. University of NC School of the Arts Director of the Lighting Program Norman Coates stopped by for a preview of this year’s light show.

***

15 years after its inception, Smitty’s Notes eNewsletter is just as vital as ever, and it’s now on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter. The man behind Smitty’s Notes is Jeffrey Smith. Smitty is a lifelong resident of Winston-Salem. As one of the first residents in the new downtown area of Triad Research Park, the self-described Urban Pioneer dropped by recently to reflect on 15 years of Smitty’s Notes and community building.

***

No Rules Theatre Company, the innovative award-winning dual city theatre company returns for its third big season at the beautiful Hanesbrands Theatre in downtown W-S with The Fantasticks through December 2. Producing Artistic Director of No Rules Theatre Company Brian Sutow tells David Ford about the season.

***

Understanding Classical Music with Peter Kairoff at the Keyboard.

***

High Point Theatre has a dynamic new season in store with jazz, comedy, Celtic, Broadway, magic and much more in the High Point Theatre. Owned and operated by the city of High Point, its home to the NC Shakespeare Festival and their upcoming Christmas Carol production.

Director of the City of HP Theatre is David Briggs. He dropped by for this season preview.

***

We’re off to Studio A and a sonic journey with percussionist Bill Smith. Tonight at 7:30 at the Yoga Gallery on Trade Street in Winston-Salem, you can immerse yourself in the therapeutic sound waves of gongs, bells and singing bowls played over a wave of electronically generated atmospheres like you’ve never heard before.

Bill Smith's new CD is Sonic Metals.

David recently caught up with Bill Live in Studio A where he found himself sitting on the floor in front of dozens of hanging percussion instruments from around the world.

***

We stay in Studio A this time for award-winning musicians Laurelyn Dossett of Pole Cat Creek, and Rhiannon Giddens of the Carolina Chocolate Drops Live in Studio A. They are two fifths of a wonderful musical gathering that’ll take place Friday, November 23, and Saturday the 24th, at Triad Stage in GSO. Mike Compton, Joe Newberry and Jason Sypher will join in the performance. The concert starts at 8:00pm, and it’ll feature selections from Laurelyn’s song cycle The Gathering, as well as several holiday tunes, some of which may be new to you.

The Gathering CD is available at amazon, CDBaby, and iTunes.

***