By David Rogers. August 24, 2017. BLOWING ROCK, NC — Everyone in Blowing Rock is waiting with bated breath to see what kind of zaniness will once again take the stage at Blowing Rock Country Club — because for the ninth straight year it is Groovy Nights time, August 27th (7:00 pm), 28th (7:30 pm), and September 1st (7:30 pm).

COVER IMAGE: In 2010, Blowing Rock Country Club’s “Olympic Synchronized Swim Team” brought down the house with music from the Olympics theme and the Nutcracker Suite — and some “smooth” moves. The three guys in black shirts are currently in witness protection programs and asked not to be identified.  Photographic image courtesy of Lonnie Webster.

From 2016: Now here is Janis Joplin’s boyfriend,  “Mr. Groove” himself, in the flesh…Photographic image by David Rogers for Blowing Rock News.
“Groovy Nights is always one of the really special and fun parts of our Community Foundation Days activities,” Blowing Rock Community Foundation (BRCF) executive Sandy Miller noted to Blowing Rock News in a Thursday interview, “because the performers have all donated an enormous amount of time, energy, and, in some cases money to create these lip-synching acts designed to entertain.  They are all so creative and they are performing to songs that either make you laugh or can’t help but make you move.

“We are so thankful for the many volunteer performers,” she added, “as well as the volunteers who allow the show to happen. And of course we greatly appreciate the hospitality of Blowing Rock Country Club in hosting the three shows each year, which always seem to sell out or come close to it.”

From 2016: Some girls just can’t get enough of Elvis…Photographic image by David Rogers for Blowing Rock News
Ovations and “selling out,” of course, are important not just for the egos of the performers, but for the mission of the Blowing Rock Community Foundation that benefits from the Community Days fundraiser.  Including 2017, almost $600,000 in grants have been awarded by BRCF to local non-profit agencies such as Blowing Rock Historical Society, Blowing Rock Community Club, Blowing Rock C.A.R.E.S, Blowing Rock Art & History Museum, Community Care Clinic, Western Youth Network, Blowing Rock Fire & Rescue, Blowing Rock School, Appalachian Regional Healthcare System, Mountain Alliance, and Hunger & Health Coalition, among others.

In addition, through the high school class of 2017, more than 90 Blowing Rock area students have received in excess of $623,000 in college scholarships.

From 2016: Is that John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John? Photographic image by David Rogers for Blowing Rock News
“That’s pretty good,” Miller noted, “for an organization that started out in 1985 when three Blowing Rock businessmen got together to buy $15 worth of postage stamps!”

This year’s “players” have designed acts around a wide range of songs from artists like Bruno Mars, Whitney Houston, Gladys Knight & The Pips, Elton John, Dolly Parton, Justin Timberlake, Wham, Rose Royce, Adele, John Prine, Waylon Jennings, June & Johnny Cash, and Rod Stewart.

Tickets ($35 per person) may be purchased by calling Sandy Miller at 828-295-3048, or by calling Blowing Rock Country Club at 828-295-3171.