NCMC Events From Around the State… September 8, 2009

1). Museum of the Cape Fear Have you ever wanted to be a contestant on a quiz show like “Jeopardy?” Well, the Museum of the Cape Fear will give you a similar opportunity at the second annual North Carolina Quiz Bowl on Thursday, Sept. 24, at 7 p.m. Sign up as a contestant to show off your knowledge of the Tar Heel State, or come and watch the competition. The event is free to contestants and spectators.

2). Asheville Art Museum The Asheville Art Museum group Art Nouveaux invites you to join in on a visit to photographer Tim Barnwell’s studio Monday, September 21, 2009 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. “Art Nouveaux” is a special group of Museum Members interested in learning about collecting art. The group meets several times a year for social and educational programs exploring fine art collecting and connoisseurship.

3). Reynolda House Museum of American Art reprises “Portals of Discovery”, the museum’s continuing education program, in September with Opera 101. Have you ever wondered just what goes on behind the scenes in an opera or what makes an opera an opera? “Opera 101”, led by Wake Forest University Professor of Music Peter Kairoff, Piedmont Opera Company Artistic Director and Resident Conductor James Albritten, and Piedmont Opera Board Member Elaine Strug will take the mystery out of opera. “Opera 101” will be held on September 1, 8, 15, 22 and 30 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

4). Orange County Historical Museum Saturday, September 12 from 1-4:30pm the Orange County Historical Museum and the Burwell School Historic Site will hold Colonial Kids Day. The event is $4.00 per child, tickets may be purchased at the Orange County Historical Museum, 201 N. Churton St. Hillsborough. The event includes colonial games, weaving, manners, and a fashion show. Call the Museum today to reserve your tickets, 919-732-2201.

5). Port Discover Learn the basics of the scientific method and get ready for science fair season at Scientific Method 101, Port Discover’s Second Saturday Science, Saturday, September 12. Dr. Maille Lyons, science advisor for Port Discover and postdoctoral research scientist at Old Dominion University, will lead the interactive presentation. Scientific Method 101 will be offered at 9:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.

6). Tryon Palace Historic Sites & Gardens presents African American Lecture: From Slavery to Freedom: Race and Citizenship in the Americas with Dr. David Dennard, Associate Professor of History at East Carolina University on Thursday, September 17. This lecture will explore the significance of race in British, Caribbean, and Latin American countries after the death of chattel slavery. Overall, it will offer a comparative perspective on a race as a factor in defining the status of blacks after emancipation. 7:00 p.m. Free. Visitor Center Auditorium.

7). SciWorks presents Life on the Edge: Plant Life and Climate Change on Tuesday, September 15th. How do plants manage to live at the most extreme environments of the world—the highest mountains, driest deserts, ocean beaches? Answers to this question are obtained through studies conducted in some of the world’s most remote places. As head of the Coastal Barrier Island Network, Dr. William K. Smith leads an international group of scientists who are trying to determine how to coordinate human development with ecosystem sustainability.

8). Duke Homestead State Historic Site Put on your bib overalls and head to Duke Homestead for the annual Tobacco Harvest and Hornworm Arts Festival on Saturday, Sept. 12. Hear the sounds of the only tobacco auction left in the Bull City at Duke Homestead, the home and farm where Washington Duke first grew and processed tobacco. The day starts with demonstrations of traditional tobacco harvesting, curing, and stringing down at the barn with Little River Cloggers performing on stage. Or you can start your morning shopping for treasures made by North Carolina artists.

9). Town Creek Indian Mound Pack a thermos, bring a chair or blanket and get ready for a night under the velvety star-studded sky at Town Creek Indian Mound Saturday, September 12, at 7:30 p.m. “This is one of the best dark sky sites in North Carolina,” said Rich Thompson, manager of the State Historic Site. Stargazing enthusiasts will be able to view the cloudy trail of the Milky Way through the site’s 12” Dobsonian telescope which is suitable for visually observing “deep sky” objects.

10). Greensboro Children’s Museum presents Brain Minders Puppet Show on Saturday, September 12, 10:30am. Come meet Brain Minder Buddies, Gerald Giraffe, Penny Panda, and Martin Monkey as they explore how to “Play Safe and Play Smart”! Created by the Pilot International Club, this interactive puppet show will show you how to protect your brain! Free