NCMC Events From Around the State… January 27, 2014

1). North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort (http://www.ncmaritimemuseums.com/beaufort.html) invites you to Merry Times for Tots:  Whales & Dolphins on Friday, January 31st, 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.  Does a dolphin bark?  Can a whale sing?  How do they breathe?  Preschoolers (ages 2-5) and their caregivers are invited to the Museum for this free hour long program where visitors will have the chance to hear a story about dolphins and smell the oil from a Sperm Whale.  Children will also have the chance to touch the heart of the Museum’s own 33.5’ sperm whale named “Echo”.  Program by School & Group Coordinator Christine Brin.  Free Admission. Pre-registration preferred.  252.728.7317.

2). Discovery Place (www.discoveryplace.org) announces that the Multi-Sensory Van Gogh Alive Exhibition is coming on April 25, 2014. Fitting for one of the world’s greatest artists whose masterpieces blazed an exciting new trail for modern art, Van Gogh Alive breaks through all preconceived ideas of a traditional museum visit. The new experience, which has traveled the world  will be appearing in the eastern U.S. for the first time. Van Gogh Alive will be on exhibition for a limited time only, from April 25 – June 1, 2014. Advance tickets are now on sale. Admission to Van Gogh Alive is $20 for adults (14-59); $18 for children (2-13) or seniors (60+); free for children younger than 2.  All tickets include full day admission to Discovery Place. Discounts are available for Discovery Place Members and for groups of 15 or more. Children age 13 and younger must be accompanied by a responsible adult while in Discovery Place.

3). Kings Mountain Historical Museum (www.kingsmountainmuseum.org) presents a new exhibit, Common Threads: Kings Mountain’s Textile Heritage from Prehistory to Today, opening February 1 and on display until May 24.  This exhibit celebrates the rich textile history of Kings Mountain and the surrounding area, following a timeline from the Native American textiles of prehistory, to the textile mills of the 19th and 20th centuries that were instrumental in the development of this region, to the contemporary local textile manufacturers who continue to thrive in the industry through innovations in textile technology and environmentally sustainable practices.  Hands-on activities help children and adults better understand textile technologies and their importance to society – a common thread in Kings Mountain’s culture from prehistory to today.  Common Threads is proudly sponsored by J.E. Herndon Company, Neisler Brothers, Inc., and Patrick Yarn Mills, Inc.  Open Tuesday through Saturday 10am – 4pm.  ADMISSION IS FREE!  Donations are appreciated.  All donations go towards fulfilling the Museum’s mission to collect, preserve, and interpret history through exhibits, educational programs, tours, and other appropriate means, in order to foster a deeper understanding of the history of our community and the region. 

4). Mount Airy Museum of Regional History (www.northcarolinamuseum.org) announces that on February 8^th, Wayne Henderson and a group of friends will be playing a benefit dinner show at the Mount Airy Museum of Regional History.   The show includes not only Henderson’s unique blend of homespun stories and music, but also a wine dinner catered by Old North State Winery.  Wayne Henderson, master luthier and National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellow, is featured in the Mount Airy Museum of Regional History current traveling exhibit, The Luthier’s Craft: Instrument Making Traditions of the Blue Ridge.  In addition to his work crafting musical instruments, Henderson is a world renowned musician with over 300 guitar competition awards to his credit. He has played at countless venues around the world including Carnegie Hall and at the 1992 Presidential Inauguration. Tickets are $100 per person and seating is extremely limited.  Call the museum today at 336-786-4478 to reserve your seat for this one-of-a-kind, small venue show with one of the living masters of the flat top guitar

5). The Asheville Area Arts Council Gallery (www.ashevillearts.org) will host In Public curated by Frank Meadows, February 7th through March 8th ,as part of our continued “Point of View” exhibition program. In Public exhibits new works by young local artists across a wide range of media. Curator Frank Meadows states, “I aim to use this show as an opportunity to expose and elevate true work being done by new artists. By taking fresh ideas out of bedrooms and studios and placing them in the public eye, the hope is to create a broader awareness of up and coming artists, and the challenges that their works present.  Media range from computer-based design, to mixed media drawing, photography and sculpture. Each work presents a style I find remarkably individual and fully engaged with the risk-taking necessary to sustain vitality.” In Public will feature the works of Zach Smith, Nick James, Dow One, soshie LAN, Charles McCurry, Bailey Ewing, Mary Claire Becker, Keegan Hooper, David Grubba, and Marissa Zarrabzadeh.  Join us for the opening reception featuring performances by AESC CPI and Páciens Trine held Friday, February 7th from 6:00pm-9:00pm.

6). Bellamy Mansion (www.bellamymansion.org/calendar.htm) and the NC Humanities Council present a Road Scholar Program “Slave Voices North Carolina” by Lucinda MacKethan on Thursday, February 13th at 6:30 p.m.  The program is free and will be held at the Bellamy Mansion Museum.

7). Cape Fear Museum (www.capefearmuseum.com) invites you to celebrate the opening of Cape Fear Museum’s newest exhibit Collection Selections: Handbags at a Purse Swap event on Wednesday, February 12 from 7-10 PM. Visitors are encouraged to bring in new or gently used purses (up to three) to trade for a “new” handbag! Wine, beer, chocolate, appetizers, and cupcakes from One Belle Bakery will be served. We’ll conduct a fun survey about each guest’s “pursenality” to win prizes.  The Purse Swap is $15 for members; $17 non-members. Reservations are strongly encouraged. RSVP by February 7 to Cindy at 910-798-4372 or canzalotti@nhcgov.com.

8). The Museum of the Albemarle (www.museumofthealbemarle.com) invites you to Civil War Living History on Saturday, February 8^th, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.  Cannon firing on Waterfront Park, re-enactor encampments, demonstrations and tours of the Civil War sesquicentennial exhibit, Under Both Flags: Civil War in the Albemarle signals the beginning of a public history day at the Museum of the Albemarle.   Sing along as the Tar River Dulcimers perform period ballads from noon to 3:30 p.m.  Tar Heel Civilians depict the war’s impact on the home front.    Enjoy a carriage ride ($5 per person, with Carolina Carriages) and pony rides ($3 per child, with Circle S Stables). Shop the Museum Gift Shop for that special gift–many Civil War related items will be at a 10 percent discount.  Junior Docents will lead visitor in period dances and games.  A series of lectures and book signings beginning at 11 a.m. when­­­­­­ Alex Leary, Camden County resident will present “The Mosquito Fleet”.  Elizabeth City native Chris Meekins, State Archives of North Carolina, will present “The Murder of Thad Cox:  A Tale Re-told” at 1:30 p.m.  Brenda McKean will sign her book Blood and War at my Doorstep:  North Carolina Civilians in the War Between the States throughout the day.  Young adults will enjoy on-going book discussion and book signing by John Bushmore, Boy in Chains, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.  Discover the Civil War through Photography offers interactive scenes of a Civil War battlefield, Bayside Plantation and a photographer’s studio for young and old alike in the museum’s Discovery Room.  The Discovery Room is open daily Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.  Don’t miss this exciting day of educational and entertaining experiences for the entire family!

9). NC Maritime Museum at Southport (www.ncmaritimemuseums.com) invites you to “Maritime Valentines” on February 8th, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. Show your maritime love by creating a sailor’s valentine with shells collected from the beaches of the Lower Cape Fear.  Enjoy a heart cookie while designing your Valentine’s Day card.  All ages welcome.  Fee: $3.  Call the Museum to register 910-457-0003. North Carolina Maritime Museum at Southport, 204 E. Moore St., Southport. 28461.

10). N.C. Museum of History (www.ncmuseumofhistory.org) announces the opening of its final exhibit of Civil War Series, North Carolina and the Civil War: The Bitter End, 1864-1865. The final exhibit in a three-part series commemorating the 150th anniversary of the Civil War in North Carolina has opened at the N.C. Museum of History in Raleigh. The exhibit series explores the nation’s bloodiest conflicts from 1861 through 1865. It is located within the museum’s permanent military history gallery A Call to Arms. Admission is free. The Bitter End, 1864-1865 begins in the spring of 1864, when heavy fighting in Virginia was thinning the ranks of Tar Heel troops. The exhibit concludes with the surrender of the CSS Shenandoah in Liverpool, England, on Nov. 6, 1865. Highlighted artifacts include revolvers, swords, battle flags and uniforms used by North Carolinians who persevered in the face of impossible odds.   Be sure to see The Bitter End, 1864-1865 and learn more about the stories of North Carolinians during the war’s final chapters.