NCMC Events From Around the State… August 1, 2011

1). Battleship NORTH CAROLINA In celebration of the Battleship's 50th anniversary in Wilmington, on August 6, 2011, from 8:00 am until 5:00 pm, the grounds will be host to and build on the desire for acceleration and adrenaline in their “Need for Speed” event. An exhilarating day filled with interactive exhibits and performances, this program in Battleship Park is free to the public. It is truly about the fun and games but this isn't your everyday car show!

2). Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum Leading experts on the Civil War and its impact on the United States and the world will take part in the Flags Over Hatteras Sesquicentennial Commemoration held Aug. 25-27, 2011. The event features a powerful cadre of keynote speakers: authors James McPherson, Craig Symonds and Ed Bearss. While space is limited for the conference event, the Museum will also offer many free programs and a new Civil War exhibit called, “Flags Over Hatteras.” The exhibit will be open Aug. 22 – July 31, 2012. Free living history demonstrations will be held at the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse on Saturday, Aug. 27, from 9 a.m. - 6 p.m., and Sunday, Aug. 28, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

3). 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.

4). Museum of the Albemarle 2nd Saturday’s continue on August 13th as the Museum of the Albemarle present a new exhibit featuring the works of famed photographer Bruce Roberts. He is the former Director of Photography and Senior Photographer at Southern Living Magazine. Also on the schedule for the 2nd Saturdays celebration is “A Day on the River” where visitors can explore the maritime influence on the culture and recreation in the Albemarle region. Events of the day include coastal inspired hands-on activities by MOA’s Junior Docents.

5). N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences Young surfers are being brutally murdered on the beaches of southern California. Is the culprit a sea monster or just one of the teens’ jealous parents? Find out, when the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences offers their cure for the summertime blues, “The Beach Girls and the Monster,” on First Friday, August 5 at 7pm. Free. “Beach Girls” (1965) is directed by Jon Hall, who also stars as noted oceanographer and chief crime solver Dr. Otto Lindsay.

6). Cameron Art Museum presents “Gallery Conversations: Ben, Catherine and Carl Billingsley, ‘State of the Art/Art of the State’ on Sun. Aug. 7, 3:00 pm. An informal talk with a family of artists, Wilmington artist and art educator Ben Billingsley and his parents, Catherine and Carl Billingsley (Ayden, NC) share their thoughts and creative process through their work in the exhibition “State of the Art/Art of the State” currently on view at the Cameron Art Museum. Their three pieces display a range of artistic styles and interests in a variety of media including painting, sculpture, weaving and textile. Come join in the discussion and find out more about this family of artists.

7). Bennett Place State Historic Site presents “Concert at the Bennett Place” on Saturday, August 13th from 7-9pm. Enjoy an evening with world renown musician and banjo specialist Joe Ayers as he plays traditional American music from the 19th century. Tickets are $15 and seating is limited!

8). Natural Science Center of Greensboro Celebrate summer with some sweet, sticky fun at the Natural Science Center of Greensboro, courtesy of The Fresh Market! The second annual “Wild Watermelon Day” will take place on National Watermelon Day - Wednesday, August 3 - at the Natural Science Center from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Fresh Market will supply juicy watermelons for Museum guests and Animal Discovery animals to dig their teeth - and paws - into!

9). Port Discover In conjunction with First Friday Art Walk, Port Discover offers “First Friday Kids Night-In,” on Friday, August 5 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. During this event, parents can leave their children at Port Discover for some kid-friendly science programming while they enjoy an evening of downtown art-walking. Admission is $5 per child, with the children being ages 4-years-old and up. Space is very limited for this event so reservations are encouraged.

10). Asheville Art Museum presents “Film Screenings @ the Museum: They Shoot Horses, Don’t They?” on August 6 and 7 – 2:00pm. Free with Membership or Museum Admission. This 1969 multi-award nominated film by Sydney Pollock still packs a punch in its unblinking view of Depression-era life, the time period that spawned the federal Works Progress Administration. The film stars Jane Fonda, Gig Young and Susannah York. This film screening is held in conjunction with the exhibition, “Artists at Work: American Printmakers and the WPA”.