NCMC Events From Around the State… January 20, 2014

1). North Carolina Museum of History invites you to begin celebrating Black History Month a week early at the N.C. Museum of History in Raleigh. Join the statewide kickoff at the 13th Annual African American Cultural Celebration on Saturday, Jan. 25, from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Learn about the state’s diverse African American heritage and culture during this free event for all ages. The large festival boasts more than 75 outstanding presenters that include musicians, storytellers, writers, dancers, chefs and craftspeople. This year’s event is funded in part by the Raleigh Arts Commission and the United Arts Council of Raleigh and Wake County, with funds from the N.C. African American Heritage Commission, PNC, IBM and the N.C. Museum of History Associates. Additional support provided by the MLK Commission, N.C. Writers’ Network and LaVenson Press Studios. For more information about the N.C. Museum of History, call 919-807-7900 or access www.ncmuseumofhistory.org.  On Facebook “like” the page “2014 AACC” to get updates. 

2). Hands On!, the children’s museum in downtown Hendersonville, invites you to Mad Scientists Lab – Oatmeal Play Clay on Tuesday, January 21^st from 11:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Ages 3 yrs & up. Join Dr. Bunson & Dr. Beaker in the Mad Scientist Lab as they make crazy concoctions. $7 non-members (includes admission for child participating in class); free for members. Sponsored by BP Fueling Communities. Limited spaces. Please call to register.

3). Tryon Palace announces that WinterFeast is coming on Friday, January 31st, with a bounty of oysters, brews and comfort foods. And for the refined ... they've got wine! Join them at the North Carolina History Center from 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. for a down-home buffet of steamed oysters, shrimp and grits, hearty soups, and of course, Eastern North Carolina barbecue. There really is no better way to beat the winter blues than this tasty feast on the waterfront with your friends. This indoor/outdoor event gives you the freedom to sit down and stay warm inside, or socialize outside on Bate Commons with food, drinks, music, games, and gorgeous views of the Trent River. Tickets are $35 and include admittance to WinterFeast, food, and soft drinks. A cash bar offering beer and wine will also be available. Tickets may be purchased online, by phone (252-639-3524) and at the Tryon Palace ticket desk.

4). The Asheville Art Museum invites you to “Tot Time in the ArtPLAYce for Children” on Tuesday, January 21st at 10:30 a.m.  Parents with pre-school age children are invited to bring their youngsters to the Museum’s interactive Art PLAYce for Children to this monthly series called “Tot Time,” featuring a new guided art activity designed especially for tiny tots each month. Participating children must be accompanied by an adult.

5). North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort invites to a Traditional Boatbuilding Carpentry Class on January 25th and 26th , 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.  Traditional techniques, developed to solve woodworking problems unique to vernacular boatbuilding, are taught in this hands-on workshop. Participants work as a team to construct a twelve to fourteen-foot version of a traditional “rack of eye” flat-bottomed skiff. In the process they learn how to set up the boat, spile and bend planks, plane bevels, erect framing, and explore fastening options and the characteristics of traditional boatbuilding woods. 12 hours (2 day class) can be used as a prerequisite for 9-Day Boatbuilding Class.  Fee: $135.  Minimum age: 16 yrs. old.  Advance registration.  252.728.7317.

6). High Point Museum invites to Blacksmithing Demonstrations in the Historical Park on Saturday, January 25th, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.  Come watch our costumed blacksmith in action as he crafts various iron pieces. All ages welcome.  FREE. Drop-in.

7). The CSS Neuse Civil War Interpretive Center will host the USS Underwriter Expedition Symposium and Navy Living History Saturday, Feb. 1, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The program will commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Underwriter Expedition. Registration is now open until Jan. 24 and has limited seating. A boxed lunch from Our Picnic Basket will be included in the $10 registration fee due by Jan. 24. Please call 252-522-2107 or email cssneuse@ncdcr.gov to register.

8). North Carolina Museum of History invites you to begin celebrating Black History Month a week early at the N.C. Museum of History in Raleigh. Join the statewide kickoff at the 13th Annual African American Cultural Celebration on Saturday, Jan. 25, from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Learn about the state’s diverse African American heritage and culture during this free event for all ages. The large festival boasts more than 75 outstanding presenters that include musicians, storytellers, writers, dancers, chefs and craftspeople. This year’s event is funded in part by the Raleigh Arts Commission and the United Arts Council of Raleigh and Wake County, with funds from the N.C. African American Heritage Commission, PNC, IBM and the N.C. Museum of History Associates. Additional support provided by the MLK Commission, N.C. Writers’ Network and LaVenson Press Studios. For more information about the N.C. Museum of History, call 919-807-7900 or access www.ncmuseumofhistory.org.  On Facebook “like” the page “2014 AACC” to get updates. 

9). New Winston Museum, in partnership with the Society for the Study of Afro-American History (SSAAH), and as part of their monthly Salon Series, will host a panel discussion titled, "A Community Within a Community: The African American Experience in Winston-Salem Before Integration." In recognition of Martin Luther King Jr. Day and the upcoming Black History Month, Dr. English Bradshaw, local artist Jerry Hanes, and a representative of SSAAH will discuss African American life in Winston-Salem prior to integration, recognizing and exploring this community within a community. Dr. Rosemary Millar, professor of African American Literature at UNCSA, will moderate the discussion. Thursday, January 23 at 12:00 pm. Free admission, and guests are welcome to bring their lunch.

10). North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences tells Phil to move over! The REAL “hognosticator” is in the house! Sir Walter Wally makes official weather prediction Sunday, February 2^nd.   Mayor Nancy McFarlane returns as “Groundhog Whisperer”.  Regularly listed among the Weather Channel’s “Top 11 Groundhogs to Watch,” Sir Walter Wally continues to gain national attention for his “hognosticating,” or rather prognosticating abilities. Needless to say, we’re certain that our furry, famous friend won’t disappoint this year. After all, since 1998, Wally has been right 50 percent of the time, while his cousin to the north of us, Punxsutawney Phil, has been correct a measly 31 percent. According to German legend, if Wally sees his shadow on February 2, we’re in for six more weeks of winter.  Come join us at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences for the 17th annual Groundhog Day celebration and check out Wally’s prediction for yourself. Groundhog Day activities will take place Sunday, February 2, from noon to 5 p.m. with the shadow ceremony beginning promptly at 1 p.m. on Bicentennial Plaza in front of the Museum. Don’t worry. The ceremony will be over in plenty of time to enjoy your Superbowl festivities!