NCMC Events From Around the State… July 18, 2011

1). N.C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher Visitors to the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher can now come face-to-face with an astonishing marine creature of prehistoric time, with the newly opened exhibit, “Megalodon: Diving with North Carolina's Ultimate Predator.” The exhibit opened to the public for the first time on July 1. Megalodon was a huge whale-eating shark that ruled the seas from about 20 million to two million years ago. Although the species is now extinct, it virtually comes to life again at the Aquarium, thanks to an engaging suite of interactive creative elements.

2). Asheville Art Museum presents “ArtFacts: On Display with Dean Butckovitz” on July 25th – 5:30pm. Admission is $10 for Museum Members and $12 for non Members (includes refreshments). ArtFacts is the Museum's newest educational program series (launched May 2011). Focused on the practice of collecting fine art, this four-part series explores all aspects of collecting from the basics to beyond. Advance reservations are requested, but not required.

3). North Carolina Maritime Museum Kayak Local Waters. Basic instruction and invigorating paddle through a salt marsh. Reservations are required. There is a $ 40 fee, cost includes trip and kayak rental. The fee is $20 if you provide your own kayak. July 19, 9 am- 2 pm (Rain date July 20).

4). Maria V. Howard Arts Center at the Imperial Centre Abstract and traditional painting, elegant craftsmanship in woodworking, sculpture and fibre, and arresting photography bespeak the range of artistic expression in the “54th National Juried Art Show” on display now through September 25, 2011 at the Maria V. Howard Arts Center in downtown Rocky Mount. Forty four artists from 13 states were chosen from over 300 entries by Juror David Edgar.

5). Page-Walker Arts & History Center in partnership with PAQA-S present: “ARTQUILTS repurposed”. “Repurposed” is the theme of this year’s Professional Art Quilters Alliance-South members' only show. “Repurposed” offers an impressive and highly creative collection of contemporary art quilts from artists throughout the region. Exhibition continues through Aug 21st. For more visit www.artquiltersouth.org.

6). Mount Airy Museum of Regional History presents “Historic Mount Airy Ghost Tours”. Join us for an exciting 90 minute, lantern-lit walking tour through Mount Airy's streets and learn about its historic past. You will hear about 13 of our "less-mortal" friends and some of Mount Airy's "final" resting places. Tours are held every Friday and Saturday at 8pm and due to the popularity of these tours, pre-paid reservations are required.

7) Cape Fear Museum Explore life after dark in the Lower Cape Fear as you creep through Cape Fear Museum on Saturday, July 23 from 6-10:00 PM. Find out what it’s like to meet a pirate as Tour Old Wilmington leads you on a flashlight tour. Sit down with Two Sisters Bookery to hear ghost stories of the Cape Fear Coast. Meet nocturnal amphibians and find out what non-nocturnal creatures do at night with the N.C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher. Dissect an owl pellet and make your own glowing firefly to take home and more!

8). Turchin Center for the Visual Arts PLEIN AIR workshop, July 30-31: Create expressive paintings working outside with colors that are indigenous to the beautiful surroundings of the Appalachian Mountains. Limited time special 15% OFF workshop registration for High Country residents! Just call 828-262-3017 for more information!

9). N.C. Museums Council The North Carolina Museums Council recently established a Southeastern Museums Conference Annual Meeting Registration grant. One full, paid registration to the October 25-27 Annual Meeting in Greenville, SC will be awarded. Deadline for applications: August 15. Forms available on NCMC web site.

10). SECCA While memories of the first Crossroads Concert still linger fresh in our minds here at SECCA, we are very excited by the second installment of our popular series to be held next Saturday, July 23, beginning at 5pm. This Crossroads Concert series explores the musical legacy of soul, funk and R&B from a variety of generations and locales. Headlining the concert is Charles Walker & The Dynamites, a Nashville-based nine-piece fronted by Walker, a soul veteran who opened for James Brown at the Apollo Theater and shared bills with Jackie Wilson, Etta James and Wilson Pickett, among many more.