NCMC Events From Around the State… August 20, 2012
1). Asheville Art Museum The Asheville Art Museum is pleased to offer a Home School Program series to home-school students in grades 1 – 4 on September 11, October 9 and November 13, 2012 (11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.). The program cost is $4 per student, per session. Each 90-minute session includes a guided tour of the Museum’s Permanent Collection or special exhibitions, followed by hands-on art activities in the Museum’s education studio. Enrollment is limited and pre-registration is required.

2). N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences  In 1993, a baby bonobo changed Claudine Andre’s life forever. When the injured creature, a close relative of chimpanzees, arrived at the Kinshasa zoo it had little hope of surviving. Andre was determined to save him and was instantly drawn into an adventure that continues to this day, and which has lifted her from zoo volunteer to world-renowned conservationist. Learn more about what led Andre to establish a bonobo sanctuary in the middle of a war-torn country when she presents “Protecting Bonobos: Rescue, Rehabilitation and Conservation Education in the Democratic Republic of Congo” at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences on Tuesday, August 21 at 7pm in the Main Auditorium. Free. Doors open at 6:30pm.

3). Cape Fear Museum  Few subjects in the earth sciences are as fascinating as dinosaurs. In the Cape Fear Museum’s Learning Center on Saturdays, the whole family can conduct experiments, explore artifacts, play fun games, and create exciting tools and toys to take home. Parental participation is required. Dinosaurs big and small; come meet them all at “Learning Center: Dynamic Dinosaurs” on August 25th from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Dig for fossils that you can take home and find out what a T. rex tooth looks like up close. Discover why Wilmington’s Giant Ground Sloth and the pterodactyl are not dinosaurs. Measure some well-known dinosaurs and make an Apatosaurus model to take home. Admission is free for members or with general admission.

4). N.C. Maritime Museum Beaufort  Have you ever wondered what lies beneath the sea? Now’s your chance to find out! Come aboard a university research vessel and pull a trawl and dredge to discover all types of marine life that can be found in North Carolina waters. Tuesday, August 21st from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., space is limited and reservations are required. Please call the North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort for more information or to sign up, (252)728-7317.

5). North Carolina Collection, UNC-Chapel Hill How much do we know about the Carolina Parakeet? Very little, as it turns out…John Gerwin and Brian O’Shea of the NC Museum of Natural Sciences will describe what is known and not known about this extinct bird. They will also share some natural history highlights of related species and conservation stories of select, endangered parrots in the U.S. and abroad. Reception and exhibit viewing at 5:15, followed by the program at 5:45. Both in Wilson Library, UNC-Chapel Hill. Free and open to the public.

6). Bellamy Mansion  On Thursday, August 23rd at 7:00PM the Bellamy Mansion Museum of History and Design Arts presents Tim Buchman, Architecture and Fine Art Photographer. Tim's work currently fills the gallery space in the Bellamy Mansion. Two exhibits comprise photography from the books "Thomas Day Master Craftsman and Free Man of Color" and "North Carolina Architecture". During the course of the evening Tim will discuss his work, commissions, exhibits and publications, as well as the practical challenges of professional photography projects large and small. He will also share images from his private collection.

7). Tryon Palace  presents “Radio Theatre at Tryon Palace: Doubt, A Parable” by John Patrick Shanley on August 24-25, 8:00 p.m., Seating 7:30 p.m.; Doors 7:00 p.m. Cullman Performance Hall, North Carolina History Center, Tickets: Adults $25, Council of Friends $22, Students $10 New Bern's only full-time, resident professional theatre company opens its fourth season with Doubt, A Parable, winner of the 2005 Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award. Set in 1964 at a Catholic school in the Bronx, this intense drama unfolds around a possibly well-meaning priest being accused of immoral behavior by a suspicious and cynical nun.

8). Weatherspoon Art Museum presents Curator Tour: "Zone of Contention: The U.S./Mexico Border" on Thursday, Aug 30, 6pm. Curator of exhibitions Xandra Eden leads a special tour of the exhibition “Zone of Contention: The U.S./Mexico Border” along with participating artists Todd Drake and Pedro Lasch. The tour precedes a lecture by Paul Cuadros, "A Home on the Field," at 7pm in the Weatherspoon auditorium.

9). Natural Science Center of Greensboro presents “Tiger Birthday Bash at the Natural Science Center!” on Friday, August 24 at 10:30 AM. Families and visitors of all ages are invited to the Natural Science Center (NSC) of Greensboro on Friday, August 24th at 10:30 AM to celebrate the twin tigers' birthdays who are turning 8 this year. Guests attending the celebration in Animal Discovery Zoo can sign giant birthday cards, make tiger crafts, listen to special tiger Keeper Talks by trained zookeepers and can watch the tigers tear open their special meat-filled birthday presents.

10). HandsOn!  Come try your hand at an old game with a new spin, at Hands On! – A Child’s Gallery, the children’s museum located in downtown Hendersonville with “Pin the Apple on the Tree”. This old fashioned game is designed for all ages and will take place Saturday, September 1st and Sunday, September 2nd all day at Hands On! “Visitors will help load our apple tree with apples and also learn lots of fun apple trivia. There will be apples to sample generously donated by local apple growers, Lyda & Sons and Piney Mountain Orchard!” said Beth Bockoven, Operations Manager. Cost to participate is free with $5 museum admission fee and free for museum members.