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The film “Dirty Dancing” starred Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey.

From Staff Reports

LAKE LURE — For a second consecutive year, fans of the cult-classic “Dirty Dancing” will be able to relive memories of Baby’s first dance at the “Dirty Dancing Festival” Sept. 15-18 at or near Lake Lure, where much of the classic film was shot.

Last year, the debut of the weekend-long festival was termed a huge success amongst fans of the movie, as well as of music and dance enthusiasts across the country. The festival was attended by people from 24 states and two foreign countries. Due to overwhelming demand, beginning with the end of the 2010 gala, the festival is returning for an encore.

This year’s festival will feature a Lakeside Screening of Dirty Dancing at Morse Park Meadows, a Daytime Dance Festival, a Lakeside Concert with VIP Dinner option, and a charity golf tournament on the golf course featured in the movie.

“Attendees are encouraged to come to scenic Lake Lure to dance, eat, drink, golf, enjoy great live music, attempt their own ‘Lake Lift,’ carry a watermelon or two, and ultimately have the ‘Time of Their Lives!’” the organizers said.
Festival-related events include the following:

• THURSDAY, SEPT. 15 at 7:30 p.m. —  The Foundation Performing Arts Center in nearby Spindale (about a 30-minute drive from the lake). Tickets are $27-$32.

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Bill Medley will perform in concert. Medley is best known as half of the duo, The Righteous Brothers, whose raw emotional rhythm and blues sound created the genre “blue-eyed soul.”  In the mid-1960s, The Righteous Brothers became a fixture on Top 40 radio, with hits like “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling,”  “Just Once in My Life,” “Rock and Roll Heaven,” “Unchained Melody,” and “(You’re My) Soul and Inspiration,” creating an ultra-dramatic take on ‘60s pop romance. 

In 1987, Bill Medley scored a monumental hit along with Jennifer Warnes on “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life” for the film “Dirty Dancing.” The song earned an Oscar, a Golden Globe, Video of The Year, and a Grammy. In 1990, The Righteous Brothers classic version of “Unchained Melody” appeared in the hit film “Ghost” and ran all the way up the billboard charts, introducing yet another new generation to the works of The Righteous Brothers.

• FRIDAY, SEPT. 16 at 7 p.m. — Lakeside Film Screening at Morse Park Meadows. Admission is free.
Attendees are urged to bring a picnic dinner, some blankets and chairs and cuddle up to watch “Dirty Dancing” on the original site of Johnny’s Cabin, with Lake Lure in the background. There will also be food and beverages for sale on site. Parking will begin at 5 p.m., when early attendees will be able to find a choice spot to view the movie, which will start around 7 p.m. No alcohol will be allowed. Parking is $5 per car, with cash only.

• SATURDAY, SEPT. 17, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. — Dirty Dancing Daytime Family Dance Festival at Morse Park Meadows. ($25/adult or $10/child)

The Daytime Dance Festival will include a main stage with live music and dance performances, a dance lessons tent, games hosted by The National Watermelon Association, and even a lake lift competition! There will also be food and craft vendors and a beer and wine garden. Parking is $5 per car, cash only. A headliner band, The Embers, will perform from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. A shag dance competition will be held from 3 to 4 p.m.

• SATURDAY, SEPT. 17, 7-11 p.m. — Dirty Dancing Festival Lakeside Concert at Rumbling Bald Resort ($25/adult, $10/child, $120/VIP)

As the sun sets over Lake Lure, a lakeside concert will rock the resort. Food and drinks will be available on site and attendees are encouraged to bring blankets and chairs if they would like to sit.

A VIP ticket option includes a full private dinner in an outdoor pavilion, complete with door prizes and exclusive entertainment. Parking is $5 per car, cash only.

The featured bands will include opener Billy Scott and the Party Prophets, followed by The Clovers.

• SUNDAY, SEPT. 18, 8 a.m.-1:30 p.m.  — Dirty Dancing Festival Charity Golf Tournament at Rumbling Bald Resort.
The tournament, with tee off at 8 a.m., will benefit local charities and will be followed by a brunch at 11:30 a.m., and an awards ceremony and silent auction at 1 p.m.

Tickets are available for tournament entry which includes the brunch at 11:30 a.m., and tickets for the brunch portion only are also available.

Tickets and bundled ticket packages are now on sale via the festival website www.dirtydancingfestival.com, where updates are bring posted daily as well.