Sophie B. Hawkins at Westglow for Dinner and a Show July 5

Appalachian State University’s premier summer arts attraction, An Appalachian Summer Festival, continues

the popular tradition of “Dinner and a Show at Westglow,” established in 2007, with Grammy nominee Sophie B. Hawkins.

The evening of entertainment will include dinner prepared by the celebrated Rowland’s restaurant and dancing under the stars in a truly exquisite setting. This event is A Schaefer Popular Series Event, sponsored by Westglow Resort & Spa, and made possible through the support of Bonnie and Jamie Schaefer.

Sophie B. Hawkins emerged in 1992 with her debut album, Tongues and Tails, which quickly went gold, earned her a Grammy nomination for Best New Artist, and fired her hit single Damn I Wish I Was Your Lover into Billboard’s Top Five. Another gold album, Whaler, followed two years later along with the single, As I Lay Me Down, which stayed on the Billboard charts for a record-breaking 67 weeks. Within a few years, she had won universal respect for her rare blend of gutsy honesty.

Hawkins studied at the Manhattan School of Music, and with African drum legend Babatunde Olatuni. The exotic percussion style that she developed during this time has fascinated her since, and is prevalent on her 2004 album Wilderness, her first independently recorded, conceived and released album.

In August 2006, she released her debut live album, the Bad Kitty Board Mix, a two-disc set that captures her true energy and essence as a performer. This two-disc set encompassed the artist who had grown to be comfortable with who she is, in her words, “as a musician, as a storyteller/improviser, and as a living-in-the-moment, creative human.”

This is the third season that An Appalachian Summer Festival has partnered with Westglow Resort and Spa to present an evening of great entertainment combined with the culinary offerings of the celebrated Rowland’s Restaurant on Westglow’s grounds. Westglow Resort & Spa is a full-service, luxury boutique resort and spa, situated on the breathtaking 37-acre estate that was once the summer home of renowned artist and author Elliott Daingerfield. Rowland’s, the resort’s acclaimed restaurant, features an indulgent menu that compliments an evening of fine entertainment under the stars in nearby Blowing Rock.

In addition to “Dinner and a Show at Westglow” featuring Sophie B. Hawkins on July 5, the festival hosts a full slate of the finest artistic talent between June 27 and July 25, including the Eastern Festival Orchestra with Sarah Chang, violin (July 12) and Horatio Gutierrez, piano (July 19); Joan Baez (July 23); the Halpert Biennial, a national juried competition and exhibition; Pilobolus Dance Theater (July 7); Melissa Manchester (July 2); Buckwhweat Zydeco (July 11); Paula Poundstone (July 17); the Broyhill Chamber Ensemble Concert Series (July 1, 6, 15 and 20); Triad Stage’s production of Oleanna (July 21 and 22); Mike Cross (July 18); the 23rd Annual Rosen Outdoor Sculpture Competition & Exhibition; Paul Taylor Dance (July 14) “Dinner and a Show at Westglow” featuring Sophie B. Hawkins (July 5); lectures, workshops and several special events, including a history party, Family Day at the Turchin Center and a spectacular silent auction.

An Appalachian Summer Festival’s success is due in large part to generous support from loyal private donors, as well as a dedicated group of corporate and media sponsors, many of whom have supported the festival for over a decade. Festival sponsors include: Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation, Westglow Resort and Spa, SkyBest Communications, Inc., McDonald’s of Boone, Mast General Store, Best Western – Blue Ridge Plaza, Allen Wealth Management, Footsloggers Outdoor & Travel Outfitters, Peabody’s Wine & Beer Merchants, Chetola Resort, the Broyhill Inn and Conference Center, WBTV, WCYB, Charter Media, The Mountain Times, All About Women magazine, the Winston-Salem Journal, the High Country Press, Mac 100.7FM, Mix 102.3FM, WHKY AM 1290 Talk Radio and WHKY-TVDT, Mountain Television Network, WDAV 89.9FM, WFDD 88.5FM, WETS 89.5FM, WNCW 88.7FM,WASU 90.5FM and WNC magazine.

Tickets for this performance are $95 per person, which includes valet parking, dinner and concert. A cash bar will be open throughout the evening; limited seating available. Tickets for most festival performances range from $5-$30, and most visual arts and educational events are free of charge.The festival offers two flexible ticket passes: the “Pick 5” offers a 15 percent discount off of ticket purchases in multiples of five; the “Festival Pass” offers a 25 percent discount and priority seating for those who purchase a ticket to each performance. For tickets and information, call (800) 841-ARTS or (828) 262-4046 (M-F, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.) or visit www.appsummer.org.