Shortcuts April 04 2001
COLUMBIA, S.C.: One of the South’s newest musical weekends, the 3 Rivers Music Festival hosts .38 Special, Better Than Ezra, the Fabulous Thunderbirds, Kenny Wayne Shepherd and more. Columbia sets the stage April 6-8 in historic Congaree Vista with more than 100 national and regional acts, an arts and crafts area and a spoken word stage. $27.50 for a three-day pass in advance or $20 a day; available through Ticketmaster at 803-783-2222. www.3riversmusicfestival.org for more information.
TALLULAH FALLS, GA.:Whoever thought of attaching a Moon Pie to a kayak to see if it would make it through a run down a river? Organizers of the fourth annual Tallulah Falls Whitewater Festival did. Experienced kayakers compete when Georgia Power releases the water over Tallulah Dam April 7. Visitors can make a short trek to the north or south rim of the state park to view the paddlers navigating the raging water. Eclectic musicians Dove and Scott Capps perform from noon-2 p.m.; Boot Scootin’ Seniors at 2:15-2:45 p.m.; and bluegrass band the Tallulah River Boys at 3 p.m. Also included in the festival are an outdoor marketplace, demonstrations by local artists and an art show. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Free. “On the Hill” Highway 441. 706-754-4318 or www.tallulahfallsgeorgia.com.
NASHVILLE, TENN.:Music City is celebrating its abundance of singer-songwriters with Tin Pan South - A Celebration of Songs and Songwriters. The weeklong festival continues April 4 with a taping of Sonny Curtis (“I Fought the Law”) and two other performers for the “Speaking Freely” television show. The Songwriters Symposium, with industry pros and song evaluations, is planned for April 6-7 at the Belcourt Theatre. Cost is $350 for non-members of Nashville Songwriters Association International. Performances in eight of Nashville’s clubs, including the famous Bluebird Cafe, continue April 4-7. $35 for four-day club pass; available at Mars-The Musician’s Planet, 100 Oaks Mall, Nashville. Club covers $5-$10. 7 and 9:30 p.m. 615-256-3354 or www.nashvillesongwriters.com/tinpan.htm.
BLUE RIDGE, GA.:Harken back to the old days when trains were the main source of transportation with the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway’s three-hour, 26-mile round-trip journey. Departing from the depot in Blue Ridge, the train travels through historic Murphy Junction, along the Toccoa River, to McCaysville, where passengers can visit Copperhill, Tenn., during their one-hour layover. April through December, departure times vary. $7-$24; 25 percent discount during April. Reservations recommended. 241 Depot St., Blue Ridge. 800-934-1898 or www.brscenic.com.
HERE AND THERE:Spring at Callaway Gardens, Pine Mountain, Ga. Through April 8, April 13-15. ?800-CALLAWAY or www.callawaygardens.com
Come-See-Me Festival, Rock Hill, S.C. April 5-15. 800-681-7635 or www.comeseeme.rockhill.net.
Dollywood Grand Opening — Festival of Nations Parade, Pigeon Forge, Tenn. April 6-7. 800-DOLLYWOOD or www.dollywood.com
Dogwood Arts Festival, Knoxville, Tenn. April 6-29. 800-DOGWOOD or www.dogwoodarts.com.?Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival, Ponchatoula, La. April 7-8. 985-386-6484 or www.ponchatoula.com/strawberry.