Cirque: Baggio opens at RGNS

Follow the journey of a clown in Rabun Gap Nacoochee School's original production entitled Cirque: Baggio. It is modeled after the very popular international Cirque du Soleil. This is the school's eighth Cirque-style production.

A cast of 5o students perform in a high energy show combining arobatics, gymnastics, theatre, dance, juggling and character acting and using a variety of apparatus including trapeze, silks, lyra, net, plies and rola rola.

The show opened Thursday evening to a packed house in the Rearden Theater on the RGNS campus. Performances are tonight at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Feb. 21 at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Performances are nearly always sold out, so call ahead to purchase tickets (706) 746-7716. Tickets for adults are $12. Students, children and senior citizens tickets are $8.

New three-woman show opening at GHCA

Be sure to go to the gallery in Tallulah Falls to see the first shows of the season at the Georgia Heritage Center for the Arts.

The public is invited to attend a reception on Sunday afternoon, February 15, from 2 to 4 p.m. celebrating the opening of a phenomenal three-woman show by friends Kiki Williamson, Kerri Hirsch and Samantha Vinke. You may bring hors d’ oeuvres or wine to share!

GHCA will also announce winners and honor participating artists in the gallery show “Daisies Won’t Tell”, which remains in the gallery until February 27th. The showcase challenged artists to think beyond the obvious and explore how a single subject, the humble daisy, can be represented in many mediums and with widely diverse ideas.

11th Annual Robert Burns Scottish Weekend

Burns Scots will celebrate Robert Burns and his Scottish poetry and songs for the 11th year February 20-22 at the Old Clayton Inn in the Northeast Georgia Mountains. The traditional program starts Friday with a Scottish Ceilidh Musical program beginning at 7:00 pm and ending about 10:00 pm or later with singing, performing musical instruments, reciting poetry, and food and drinks will be available.

On Saturday after a big breakfast together, field trips will be taken to the Scottish Tartans Museum in Franklin, NC, as well as other places like Highlands, Tallulah Falls, the John Campbell Folk School. Guests will return to the Inn for a tasting of single malt Scotch whisky at 4:00 pm followed at 7:00 pm by a traditional Burns Supper, Haggis Ceremony, and traditional toasts.

On Sunday after breakfast, many guests will attend church services at Wiley Presbyterian and other local churches, followed by the buffet lunch at the Old Clayton Inn and additional field trips in the area.

Please call Ian and Dottie MacFarlane for reservations information 770-956-0408 or e-mail them macfmgt@bellsouth.net.

Chocolate and Wine at Tiger Mountain Vineyards

Martha and John Ezzard invite the public to a chocolate and wine week end at Tiger Mountain Vineyards Feb. 14-15, 1 to 4 p.m. — live music, artisan cheeses and breads, chocolate fondue and truffles — and Tiger Mountain’s latest award winning wines! The winery will also release its 06 Malbec, the only locally grown Malbec in Georgia.

The Ezzards are kicking off the winery’s 10th anniversary year and the “15th leaf ” of the Ezzard vineyards, planted on the 170-year-old Arrendale -Ezzard farm at Tiger Mountain in 1995. Recently Bill and Leckie Stack, former co-owners, sold their shares of the winery. The Ezzards, who hold the majority ownership, are creating a new board to focus on “Georgia Grown” wines with the aim of utilizing sustainable growing methods and wine consulting expertise to further enhance their quality wine making.

Major new investors in Tiger Mountain Vineyards are John and Marilyn McMullan. John McMullan, a high school classmate of John Ezzard, is an Atlanta businessman and wine collector. Also joining the new board is Dr. Carl Fackler. He and his wife, Carla, started Stonewall Creek Vineyards in Tiger three years ago. The Facklers will process most of their grapes and create their wines at Tiger Mountain. “ With record sales in 2008 and a distinctive brand image,” said John Ezzard, “the winery has a bright future.” "Our first priority remains our commitment to the local community and the growing North Georgia wine industry,” said Martha Ezzard.All of the winery staff will continue in their positions, including winery manager Jabe Hilson and winery administrator Judy Ruth.

For details on all upcoming winery events, see www.tigerwine.com