Multi-platinum recording artists Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith are about to embark on a multi-city U.S. tour that will reunite these two iconic singer/songwriters for the first time on the road together (for a non-holiday tour) in more than two decades.

The “2 Friends” tour is slated to appear across the country beginning in early February, including the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts on Feb. 18. Undoubtedly a landmark experience for music fans, the tour showcases two of Christian music’s most recognized and beloved artists who have, together, won nine Grammy Awards and sold more than 47 million albums.

Full photo gallery from the event!

Photographs by Betsey Gooder

Come one, come all to witness the Thimblerig Circus at the Martin Lipscomb Performing Arts Center on Saturday, Feb. 12, at 7:30 p.m. Thimblerig is a fancy name for the cup and ball routine. It’s a magic trick disguised as a game of skill.  This comedy team is made up of the last three surviving members of the famous Moldavian circus of the same name.

Having traveled from Moldavia to The Americas, Thimblerig is excited to share with the Americans everything there is to know about Moldavian tradition, particularly traditions involving juggling, fire-eating, and putting nails where nails shouldn’t go.

Elementary school-aged children and their families are invited to the Arts Council's free ARTSaturday arts and crafts workshop, on Saturday February 12, at 10:00 a.m., in the Macon County Public Library children's wing.

The Council provides all materials and instruction for make-and-take projects including Valentine collage cards, and hearts and beads jewelry. ARTSaturday always features live music by keyboardist Lionel Caynon, and coloring projects.