Shortcuts May 23 2001

BLACK MOUNTAIN, N.C.
Six hundred acres offer plenty of room to groove at the 12th Lake Eden Arts Festival. Rustic cabins, camping areas, hiking trails, a climbing wall, a dance hall and two lakes provide the perfect setting for this LEAFy event, featuring dance, handcrafts, healing arts, poetry, workshops and kidventures May 25-27. Live music by Odetta, Buckwheat Zydeco, the Alison Brown Quartet, Blue Highway, Havana Select and more will be performed. Fri. 5 p.m.-12:30 a.m.; Sat. 8-12:30 a.m.; Sun. 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Weekend passes (includes camping), $80; day tickets, $15-$32. 377 Lake Eden Road. 828-686-8742, e-mail info@theLEAF.com or visit www.theLEAF.com.

CHARLESTON, S.C.
Celebrating its 25th year, the Spoleto Festival USA kicks off 17 days of chamber music and other festivities with opening ceremonies May 25. In addition to music at venues like the Dock Street Theatre, Garden Theater and Middleton Place on Ashley River Road, the opening weekend features a new production of Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas directed by Chen Shi-Zheng. Look for drumming workshops, visual arts displays, opera, dance and theater at this year’s fest. Through June 10. Ticket prices and locations vary for each event. 843-579-3100.

PINE MOUNTAIN, GA.
Check out the rooster tails as some of the best waterskiers and wakeboarders compete in the 42nd Masters Waterski & Wakeboard Tournament on Robin Lake at Callaway Gardens. Categories include tricks, slalom, jumps, ski fly and wakeboard. More than $100,000 will be awarded to the best of the best. After Saturday’s skiing competition, Tamra Comstock will perform on the West Beach. May 25-27. Fri. 9 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sat. 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun. 11:30 a.m. start time. Daily tickets and weekend passes available; prices range from $6-$85. U.S. Highway 27. 1-888-806-2783.

ORLANDO, FLA.
Blast to the past with SeaWorld’s Rockin’ Summer Nights. Beginning May 26, hits from the ’60s, ’70s and today will be played by DJs and live bands. A special attraction will be Shamu’s retro killer whale show called “Shamu’s Big Chill.” Fireworks and a laser show culminate each day’s events. Other events scheduled for Memorial Day weekend include “Pets Ahoy!,” a show featuring more than 100 animals performing silly skits and stunts. Visitors also can watch the eight-horse Clydesdale team parade through the park. Through Sept. 3. $38.95-$47.95. 1-800-327-2424.

CHATTANOOGA, TENN.
Won’t you be my neighbor? If you’ve always wanted to wear a sweater or shoes like Mr. Rogers, the Creative Discovery Museum offers the chance. Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood — A hands-on exhibit gives children and adults alike a chance to return to the Neighborhood of Make-Believe. The life-size re-creation comes complete with King Friday XIII’s castle, where visitors can dress up like the king, Queen Sara or Prince Tuesday; a small trolley as well as a life-size version; and Lady Elaine Fairchild’s Museum-Go-Round. May 26-Sept. 16. Open daily from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tickets are $7.95 for adults, $4.95 for children. 321 Chestnut St. 423-756-2738 or www.cdmfun.org.

HELEN, GA.
Return to elementary school during Unicoi State Park’s Memorial Day Blast, a weekend filled with field day activities and relays at the beach May 25-28. Sack races and relays are scheduled throughout the weekend, but don’t miss the water balloon toss (Saturday), egg toss (Sunday) or the tug-of-war (Monday). A concert by Bob & Melody Thompson is scheduled for Saturday night and a hoe-down will be held at the campground Sunday evening. Relays and such are from 1-3:30 p.m. Sat.-Mon. Free. Highway 356. 706-878-3983.??






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