ncmuseums

2012-01-27T15:06:00.002-05:00

NCMC Events From Around the State… January 30, 2012

NCMC announces its 2012 conference to be held in Asheville, NC, on March 18 and 19. Registration is in process and can be done on-line or by mail; Early Bird deadline is February 17. The conference theme is “Elevating Expectations.” Visit www.ncmuseums.org to register and for more information.

1). Reynolda House Museum of American Art presents ‘Talk by Douglas Fordham: James Gillray and Home Rule” on Tuesday, February 7, 5:30 p.m. Members/students free, non-members $5. Artist James Gillray (1756–1815) was known for his satirical prints about politics, imperialism, and domestic life. This talk will examine Gillray’s representation of domestic interiors, and will explore whether the artist’s vision of “Home Rule” carried both domestic and imperial connotations. Fordham is associate professor of art history and director of graduate studies in the McIntire Department of Art at the University of Virginia.

2). Cameron Art Museum The opening reception for the exhibition “Civil War Era Drawings from the Becker Collection” will take place on Thursday, February 2, 2012 from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm. The exhibition features 127 “first hand” drawings depicting colorful aspects of life and action during the Civil War era. These original drawings by artist-reporters for the “Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Newspaper” were used to inform a reading public consumed by the need to know what was happening throughout America as it struggled to establish its national identity.

3). Museum of the Albemarle Join us on Saturday, February 11, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., for the commemoration of the Battle of Elizabeth City fought in 1862. On site will be Civil War living history presentations, exhibits and displays, live artillery firing in Waterfront Park, demonstrations of the mustering of the troops and various programs by the Tar Heel Civilians that bring the civilian aspect of the war-time era to visitors. Talk to local historians and view the arms, medical equipment and other items of the day. Junior Docents will encourage children in hands-on history activities including period dances, games and chores.

4). Preservation Society of Chapel Hill presents a Black History Month Film Series, “Africans in America: America's Journey Through Slavery”. “Africans in America” examines the economic and intellectual foundations of slavery in America and the global economy that prospered from it. And it reveals how the presence of African people and their struggle for freedom transformed America. Episode One, "The Terrible Transformation: 1450-1750" on Wednesday, February 8th at noon. Episode Four, "Judgement Day: 1831-1865" on Wednesday, February 22nd at noon. Free admission but donations welcome.

5). N.C. Museum of History will present "Music From the Carolinas: Boo Hanks" on Feb. 12. The program will showcase Hanks' virtuosity in the delicate finger-style Piedmont blues. The program is presented by PineCone with support from the N.C. Museum of History Associates, Williams Mullen, and WLHC-FM/WLQC-FM. 3 p.m. Free.

7). Bennett Place State Historic Site Words of the formerly enslaved will be shared in a lecture at Bennett Place State Historic Site on Thursday, Feb. 16, 6:30-9 p.m. The presentation, "The First Year of Freedom in North Carolina: Pursuing Freedom with the Hoe and the Sword, the Book and the Lord," by Dr. Reginald Hildebrand, UNC-Chapel Hill, will offer first-hand accounts based on his research. The program, hosted by the Durham Civil War Roundtable and the Bennett Place Support Fund, is free to members, and has a $5 fee for visitors.

8). Asheville Art Museum invites visitors to enjoy a casual reception and evening of conversation with Asheville Symphony Orchestra Conductor and Musical Director, Daniel Meyer, and Asheville Art Museum Executive Director, Pamela Myers, on Wednesday, February 8 from 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. Held at the Museum, this event is free to Symphony and Museum Members; tickets are $5 for non-Members.

9). N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences Weather in North Carolina is certainly unpredictable but Sir Walter Wally is almost always right! Come join us at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences for the 15th annual Groundhog Day celebration. The free event is Thursday, February 2, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with the shadow ceremony beginning promptly at noon on Bicentennial plaza in front of the Museum. The ceremony will be held in the Museum’s auditorium in case of inclement weather.

10). Mount Airy Museum of Regional History presents “History Talks” with Mike Wiley- “A Game Apart: The Life of Jackie Robinson” on Thursday February 2 at 7pm in the Museum Annex. Mike Wiley’s performance, sponsored in part by a sub grant from the Grassroots Program of the NC Arts Council through Surry Arts Council, provides a glimpse of Jackie Robinson’s life during a bygone era of separate and unequal locker rooms, of whites only hotels, and of restaurants with only a back door for colored athletes to enter. Witness the hopeless humiliation of a star player who was showered with adulation on the field and became a second-hand citizen when he walked off the diamond.

2012-01-13T11:28:00.002-05:00

NCMC Events From Around the State… January 16, 2012

1). Cape Fear Museum presents “Mystery at the Museum” on Saturday, January 21, 10 AM-4 PM, $3 for members; $6 for non-members. Something mysterious has happened at the Museum - a gardener made a shocking discovery in the Museum’s courtyard while planting a tree. What could these shimmering objects be? Investigate the scene then analyze your evidence in the mystery labs. Be on the lookout for clue carts and hidden evidence. Experience our exhibits as they come to life to uncover the secrets of our region’s past.

2). N.C. State Capitol On Saturday, January 21, learn the stories behind some of the Executive Mansion's furniture and artifacts with Maria Shevzov, acting curator of decorative arts at the N.C. Museum of History and North Carolina's Executive Mansion. The free lecture takes place at 1 p.m. in the old House Chamber. In this multimedia presentation, Shevzov will introduce several objects from the collection to discuss the medium, the use of the object, and the private lives of the public families who used these items.

3). N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences Most people alive today will witness a momentous juncture in the history of the human species – the point when explosive growth in human numbers and appetites peaks and is followed by … no one knows. Join prize-winning journalist Andrew Revkin to explore the question “Which Comes First: Peak Everything or Peak Us?” at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences on Wednesday, January 18 at 7pm. Free.

4). SECCA presents “Talk at SECCA: Out of Fashion Artist Conversation” on on Thursday, January 19th, 7pm. Free and open to the public. “Out of Fashion”, the current exhibition at SECCA, presents a variety of work by 14 artists and designers from across NC, including those who have moved to our state, as well as those from NC now living abroad. Across multiple generations and materials, they use the language of fashion to explore broader social, economic, political and environmental issues. Join three “Out of Fashion” exhibiting artists and SECCA curator Steven Matijcio for a special in-gallery experience and conversation.

5). N.C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher presents “Mommy and Me” on Tuesday, January 17, 9am, for adults and children ages 1-2. $13 for one adult and one child ($1 for each additional child); Admission to Aquarium is included. Mothers and their children interact and learn together about aquarium animals. They also enjoy free playtime in our Freshwater Wonders Room.

6). Cape Fear Museum Once again, Cape Fear Museum of History and Science needs help cracking a mysterious case of “whodunit?” Families are asked to put on their detective hats and solve an all new “Mystery at the Museum” Saturday, January 21 between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. (last ticket sold at 2:30). Something mysterious has happened at the Museum—a gardener made a shocking discovery in the Museum’s courtyard while planting a tree. What could these shimmering objects be? It is Native American currency or a colonial merchant’s income? Perhaps it’s Pirate booty!

7). The Bascom presents “Art Adventure" on Tuesdays, January 17-February 21, 3:15-430 pm, ages 5-9. Roll up your sleeves and join in on the fun after school! You will work on individual and collaborative projects, and experiment with everything from painting, ceramics and sculpture to printmaking and collage. Snacks are provided. Bus service is available from Highlands School. Class size is limited, pre-registration is required. Tuition: $30 for a six week session.

8). Waterworks Visual Arts Center The Reverend Dale Steele of LightShine Ministries will give a special gallery talk on exhibiting artist (posthumously) Robert Doares’ artwork “Immanuel, God with Us: The Life of Christ in Art” on Thursday, January 19 at 11 am and Tuesday, January 24 at 1:30 pm. The 54 panoramic drawings and paintings in the series represents 30 years of Robert’s life and became his offering of worship and praise to the Lord. Each drawing took 300 hours to complete and each oil took over 600 hours to complete. This event is free and open to the public. Please RSVP by January 16.

9). Museum of Anthropology presents “Gazing at the Contemporary World: Japanese Photography from the 1970s to the Present” from Jan. 24 – Mar. 31, Tuesday – Saturday, 10:00am – 4:30pm. In its American premier, this exhibit examines transformations in contemporary Japanese society and landscapes over recent decades by providing an overview of the diverse photographic expression that emerged during that time period. The exhibit features text in English and Japanese. Admission is free.

10). Asheville Art Museum The Asheville Art Museum is pleased to present “Ready for Prime Time”, a preview party celebrating “Prime Time: New Media Juried Exhibition”, the inaugural exhibition of the New Media Gallery scheduled to open in the Museum’s newly-expanded East Wing in March 2012. Ready for Prime Time will take place at Asheville CityMac, located at 755 Biltmore Avenue in Biltmore Village, on Thursday, January 26 at 7:00 p.m. (audiences of all ages are welcome). A $5 donation at the door is suggested in support of ongoing exhibitions and educational programming at the Museum.

2012-01-06T09:27:00.002-05:00

NCMC Events From Around the State… January 9, 2012

1). N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences True to its namesake’s nature, “Genghis Khan: The Exhibition” will be occupying the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences in downtown Raleigh for an extra week. But time is running out – the exhibition’s last day is now Sunday, January 22. Don’t miss seeing the largest collection ever assembled of the treasures of the Empire of Genghis Khan!

2). Cape Fear Museum “Grass Roots: African Origins of an American Art “, exhibit opens January 28, highlights the beauty of coiled basketry and shows how a basket can be viewed simultaneously as a work of art, object of use and container of memory. This exhibition features more than fifty baskets and related objects and images. It traces the parallel histories of coiled baskets in Africa and America starting from the domestication of rice in Africa two millennia ago, through the history of the trans-Atlantic slave trade and the Carolina rice plantation, to the present. Audiences will learn about the creativity and artistry of Africans in America from the 17th century to the present.

3). Mount Airy Museum of Regional History presents “In the Spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.: Surry Countians Continuing the Dream” on Saturday January 14 from 7-8:30pm in the Museum Annex. This program of healing will focus on the sacrifices, love, learning, service, perseverance, and hope of the African-American community of Surry County. Light refreshments will follow the program. Free admission, donations accepted.

4). HandsOn! the children’s museum in downtown Hendersonville, invites you to come be as curious as a monkey with us! All week long, Jan. 17 – 20, we will celebrate being curious with self-directed drop-in activities that range from coloring, to drawing, to word searches, to mazes and more. On Wednesday, Jan. 18th, there will be a Book n’ Craft program at 11 am featuring a reading of “Curious George” by H. A. Rey and a monkey craft. These programs are free with the $5 museum admission fee and free for museum members, and sponsored by Fountainhead Bookstore.

5). Waterworks Visual Arts Center Waterworks will host artists’ talks/demonstrations on four Tuesday evenings from 7-8:30 pm. January 17 – “My Career as an Illustrator,” (Walter Stanford); January 24 – “Why Impressionism?,” (Phyllis Steimel); January 31 - “Post Impressionism,” (Don Moore); February 7 – “Within the Wood,” (Rick Sorensen). Tuition is $15 per session or 4 sessions for $50. Call 704-636-1882 to register.

6). Battleship NORTH CAROLINA For the explorer at heart, bring a friend and join us for a behind the scenes tour of unrestored areas of the Battleship NORTH CAROLINA on Saturday, January 14, 2012. The four-hour tour consists of small groups with guides. Guests explore the bow, third deck, Engine room #1, the refrigerator compartments, and climb inside the fire control tower to the top of the ship. The Azalea Coast Radio Club will be in Radio II to explain their work on the ship's radio transmitters.

7). Cameron Art Museum Charlie Brouwer will be in Wilmington at the Cameron Art Museum on Thursday, January 12 from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm to discuss his upcoming public art project with the community. Community participation is encouraged for this public artwork. Program admission to the event is CAM members free and non-members $5.00. No registration is required. Charlie Brouwer is an artist from Floyd County, Virginia. Ladders have often occurred in his sculptures and installations. “Rise Up Wilmington” will be the latest in a series of temporary public art projects he has been creating with communities. These projects are designed to bring the art and artist into closer contact with his audience – especially new audiences.

8). Port Discover Heather Fletcher, owner of “The Cupcakery”, will share her baking tips and teach the science behind baking during “Baking 101,” at Port Discover’s Second Saturday Science program, on Saturday, January 14 at 11:00 am. Children won’t want to miss out on this edible, mouth-watering science lesson! Second Saturday Science is free.

9). Weatherspoon Art Museum presents “Richard Mosse: Falk Visiting Artist” from Jan 14, 2012 – Apr 15, 2012. Photographer Richard Mosse has spent the last two years shooting a new series of work titled “Infra” in the eastern Congo. The artist is known for his restrained and highly aestheticized views of sites associated with violence and fear, such as his 2008 depictions of the war in Iraq, and his large-scale photographs of airplane crash sites and emergency drills. For his work in the Congo, Mosse used Kodak Aerochrome, an infrared film designed in connection with the United States military to detect camouflage in the 1940s.

10). The Gregg Museum of Art and Design presents “Textiles of Exile”, running January 19 – May 12. Working with fibers is one of the oldest of human activities, one of the easiest to seize and carry in an emergency, one of the easiest to hide, one of the most comforting to engage in, and the craft most closely associated with storytelling. In “Textiles of Exile”, the Gregg displays examples from illegal Hispanic immigrants in California, Afghan refugees in Pakistan, threatened women in Peru, relocated Laotian Hmongs in Thailand, and prisoners in the American justice system; all call attention to the universality of the “silent scream” of homesickness.

2012-01-03T08:56:00.002-05:00

NCMC Events From Around the State… January 3, 2012

1). Joel Lane Museum House Charles Silver, owner of Midway Plantation, will talk about “Moving Midway” from the owner’s perspective on Thursday, January 12, 2012, at 7 pm in the Visitors Center at 160 South Saint Mary’s Street, Raleigh, NC 27603. Admission will be $15 for the general public and $10 for members of the Joel Lane Historical Society. Refreshments will be served. Seating is limited, and advanced payment is required.

2). Cape Fear Museum presents “Building Wilmington” on Saturdays, January 7, 14, 28, 1-4 PM. Free for members or with Museum admission. Conduct fun and creative building experiments to explore Lower Cape Fear architecture. What is a structural foundation and why is it so important? How are historic buildings preserved for future generations to enjoy? Create a marshmallow geodesic dome to test out shape strength and make your own newspaper tower to take home.

3). Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson Considered yourselves challenged! On Tuesday evening, January 17, 2012 at 7:00 pm the Friends of Brunswick Town/Ft. Anderson will hold their First Annual “War Between the States Quiz Bowl”. This will serve as one of many fundraisers to assist with the reconstruction of Gun Emplacement #3 on Battery B, Fort Anderson. It will also serve to raise funds for the mounting of a working 32-pdr gun when the emplacement is complete. The winning team will get their name on the War Between the States Quiz Bowl Trophy and another special prize. $100.00 registration per team.

4). N.C. Museum of History presents11th Annual “African American Cultural Celebration” on Saturday, Jan. 28, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Enjoy a day of activities, crafts, music, entertainment, and foods in celebration of the state’s African American heritage and culture. Join us for the kickoff to Black History Month! In honor of the festival’s 11th year, this year’s event highlights North Carolina’s 11 historically black colleges and universities — the largest number of any state in the nation. Over 75 musicians, storytellers, dancers, historians, playwrights, authors, artists, re-enactors, chefs, teachers, scholars, and other presenters will share their culture and heritage.

5). HandsOn! Hands On!-A Child’s Gallery, the children’s museum in downtown Hendersonville, invites you to come be part of Critter Craft Day on Thursday January 5, 2012. Visitors can make a cat craft with various size circles. This activity focuses on learning about our feline friends and shapes. This is a drop-in, self –directed activity in our Party Room. Cost to attend is included in $5 admission and is free for museum members. Critter Craft is sponsored by the Etowah Valley Vet Hospital.

6). Asheville Art Museum presents “Lunchtime Art Break: A Tisket A Tasket: Appalachian, Cherokee and Low Country Baskets” on Friday, Jan. 6th, 12-1pm. The Museum presents lunchtime Art Breaks, a series of gallery talks and presentations designed to inform and engage Museum visitors in dialogue with Curatorial and Education Staff, Museum Docents and special guests. This month’s Art Break features Frank Thomson, Museum Curator, who will discuss current exhibition “A Tisket A Tasket: Appalachian, Cherokee and Low Country Baskets”, which examines how basket makers have preserved their unique traditions in spite of the many challenges they have faced. This exhibition closes January 8.

7). N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences Witness the all important race to discover the tomb of Genghis Khan when the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences shows “The Mask of Fu Manchu” on First Friday, January 6 at 7pm. Free. Last one there will be unspeakably foul. The opponents in this race include the sinister Chinese scientist Dr. Fu Manchu and Egyptologist Sir Lionel Barton, spurred on by the British Secret Service. If the Fu tracks down the sword and mask of Khan he will have the legendary conqueror’s power to enslave the world. If Sir Lionel gets there first, he gets to “bring those pretty things back to England.” Who you got?

8). Waterworks Visual Arts Center invites you to the 7th Annual Oyster Roast, Saturday, January 28 from 6:30-11:30 pm. This fundraiser supports our educational and outreach programs. Tickets are $65/person. Price includes all-you-can-eat steamed oysters, shrimp, chicken bites, Brunswick stew, and all the fixins’, beer, wine, dessert, and entertainment. Purchase tickets now online or call 704-636-1882. Waterworks promotes educational and outreach programs through hands-on studio classes, artists’ talks, lectures, workshops, an art library, family activities, and other community outreach projects for individuals, groups, and schools.

2011-12-28T08:37:00.002-05:00

NCMC Events From Around the State… December 26, 2011

1). Tryon Palace presents “Twelfth Night with the Stanlys” on January 5th at 6, 7, and 8pm at the Stanly House at Tryon Palace. The Stanly family cordially invites you to attend their grand Twelfth Night party - January 5th, 1803. Join in the festivities with traditional entertainments in the historic Stanly home, including light refreshments. Who knows, you may even be crowned King and Queen of the evening! To make your reservation, call 252-639-3524.

2). N.C. Museum of History presents “History à la Carte: The War of 1812 in North Carolina” on Wednesday, Jan. 11th, 12:10-1 p.m, with speaker James Greathouse, Transportation and Local History Museum, Fayetteville.. Bring your lunch; beverages provided. Discover North Carolina’s role in “America’s Second War for Independence.” Greathouse will discuss prominent individuals such as Otway Burns, Johnston Blakeley, Dolley Madison and Benjamin Forsyth.

3). Guilford College Art Gallery presents “Esse Quam Videri: Self Portraits by Bahraini Muslims”, from January 9-February 29, 2012. Opening reception: Wednesday, January 11, 5-7 pm; comments by Todd Drake, artist/collaborator, 5:30 pm. An exhibition featuring 24 portraits collaboratively created by Muslims living in Bahrain and artist Todd Drake, and resulting from a Fulbright-Hayes Grant and support from the U.S. State Department.

4). Fort Fisher State Historic Site As part of the state’s observance of the NC Civil War Sesquicentennial, Fort Fisher State Historic Site will host “The Lights of the Great Armada: the 147th Anniversary of the Battle of Fort Fisher” on January 21-22, 2012. This two-day event will highlight the largest amphibious assault of the Civil War with a Navy and Marine living history program that will include small arms and artillery demonstrations throughout the weekend, a period torpedo exhibit, as well as special presentations focusing on the Union and Confederate sailors and marines who fought at Fort Fisher in January, 1865.

5). Weatherspoon Art Museum presents Noon @ the 'Spoon Tour: "Altered States & Visions" on Tuesday, Jan 10, 12 noon. Noon @ the 'Spoon features a 20-minute docent-led tour of a new exhibition. Offered every second Tuesday of the month. Free.

6). Battleship NORTH CAROLINA For the explorer at heart, bring a friend and join us for a behind the scenes tour of unrestored areas of the Battleship on Saturday, January 14, 2012.The four-hour tour consists of small groups with guides. The tour is limited to ages 12 and older and limited to 40 participants per time slot. Registration and payment are due by Thursday, January 12th.

7). HandsOn! On Wednesday, January 4th, Hands On!, the children’s museum located in downtown Hendersonville, will be hosting a program in honor of Braille Literacy Week. Children can come to the museum all day and learn how to write their name in Braille. They will learn a little bit about the history of Braille and leave with their name on a card written in Braille. This program is designed for all ages.

8). Asheville Art Museum The Asheville Art Museum is pleased to present “Traditions in Cherokee Basket Making” on Sunday, January 8, 2012 from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. in the Museum’s Holden Community Gallery (first floor of the Museum). Cherokee storyteller Davy Arch will share stories of the Eastern Cherokee’s history and culture during this special event, followed by a live artist demonstration of traditional Cherokee basket making techniques.

9). Cameron Art Museum presents a lecture with artist Charlie Brouwer on Thurs. Jan. 12th from 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm. Program admission: CAM Members: Free, Non-members: $5.00. Charlie Brouwer is an artist from Floyd County, Virginia. Ladders have often occurred in his sculptures and installations. “Rise Up Wilmington” will be the latest in a series of temporary public art projects he has been creating with communities. These projects are designed to bring the art and artist into closer contact with his audience – especially new audiences.

10). N.C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher presents “Aquarist Apprentice” on Saturday, January 7, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. and Saturday, January 21, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. Check out a dirty job you’re sure to love. Join staff on a behind-the-scenes tour and learn about Aquarium animals, what they eat, how they live, and how to care for them. Then, assist aquarists with food preparation and help feed the animals. Participants also observe aquarists during daily care and maintenance tasks. This limited opportunity is only open to 10 participants. Pre-registration required.

2011-12-19T09:21:00.002-05:00

NCMC Events From Around the State… December 19, 2011

1). Greensboro Children’s Museum presents New Years Rockin’ Eve “Eve Party” with Big Bang Boom on Friday, December 30th, 11:45am. Let's romp and stomp with some creative noise makers in creation station, parade down GCM's Main Street and rock out with Big Bang Boom! We will countdown to "Noon" Year's Eve Eve! Don't miss this last chance to party in 2011 at the Museum!

2). N.C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher Give yourself and your little elves a holiday break at the N.C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher. “Holiday Elf Camp” offers children ages 5-12 years old the opportunity to become Santa’s little helpers and learn, too. Campers will make gifts, wrap them, meet other elves and create memories at the Aquarium. Each day features a different animal theme. Children may be registered for one, two or three days of camp. The program fee of $50 per day includes Aquarium admission, pizza lunch, snacks, crafts, holiday gift-wrap and instruction. Camp dates are Dec. 21, 22, and 23.

3). N.C. Museum of History presents “History Corner: Scots-Irish” on Wednesday, January 4th from 10-11am, ages 6-9 with adult, $1 per person. Who are the Scots-Irish? Find out where they settled and the traditions they introduced to North Carolina. This hands-on program is presented with Cameron Village Regional Library.

4). HandsOn! Come into Hands On!- A Child’s Gallery, the children’s museum in downtown Hendersonville, on Thursday, December 22nd and Friday, December 23rd from 10:00 am -5:00 pm and make your own Christmas ornament. Materials will be available in our Party Room to create delightful Christmas ornaments for you to take home or decorate the Hands On! Christmas tree. This drop-in activity is suited to a variety of ages and is free with $5.00 admission and free for members. Girl scouts will be helpful elves and assist children with their creations.

5). Museum of the Albemarle The Museum of the Albemarle will be open on Christmas Eve from 10:00 am until 4:00 pm. During your visit to the museum you may enjoy the Victorian-style decorations in the lobby and visit our galleries. There will be a matinee viewing of the holiday movie “Mr. Christmas” at 1:00 pm and 2:30. “Mr. Christmas” is a period film set in 1941 just before the bombing of Pearl Harbor.

6). Battleship NORTH CAROLINA In the middle of May, 2011, the Battleship NORTH CAROLINA, began work on hull repairs to the Starboard Bow. On Friday, November 29, 2011, the State of North Carolina and Battleship accepted completion of the bow repair project. Taylor Brothers Marine Construction, a NC based company, completed the project within the contract time frame and under budget. As completion of one project comes to closure, a new project is being undertaken by Taylor Brothers to repair the main and forward mast.

7). Reynolda House Reynolda House Museum of American Art opened “Domestic Bliss: Art at Home in Britain and America, 1780–1840,” a small, focused exhibition on Dec. 17, 2011. The exhibition will be on view in the West Bedroom Gallery of the historic house through May 20, 2012. Admission to this exhibition, as well as “Modern Masters from the Smithsonian American Art Museum,” on view through Dec. 31, is included in the price of admission to Reynolda House.

8). Natural Science Center of Greensboro On December 21, 2011 at 1pm, the Natural Science Center of Greensboro (NSC) will unveil its newest exhibit for its oldest new resident, Bone-Crusher, a 92 year old alligator snapping turtle. Alligator snappers are the largest freshwater turtles in North America growing up to 250 lbs. with unsubstantiated reports of specimens exceeding 400 lbs. With a spiked shell (averaging two feet long), beaklike jaws, and a thick, scaled tail, this species is often referred to as the "dinosaur of the turtle world." Though exact life expectancy is unknown, it is believed that their lifespan rivals that of giant land tortoises and can exceed 150 years.

9). Guilford College Art Gallery presents “Esse Quam Videri: Self Portraits by Bahraini Muslims”, from January 9-February 29, 2012. Opening reception: Wednesday, January 11, 5-7 pm; comments by Todd Drake, artist/collaborator, 5:30 pm. An exhibition featuring 24 portraits collaboratively created by Muslims living in Bahrain and artist Todd Drake, and resulting from a Fulbright-Hayes Grant and support from the U.S. State Department.

10). Museum of the Albemarle will hold “Pre-Schooler Time” on Thursday, January 12, 2012 and Wednesday, January 18, 2012 at 10:00 am. Participants must be between the ages of 3 to 5 years old and must be accompanied by an adult. Pre-Schoolers will discover how people in the Albemarle Region have enjoyed music by viewing various instruments from the Museum’s collection, read a book, and participate in a hands-on activity. This is a free family program.

2011-12-10T08:14:00.002-05:00

NCMC Events From Around the State… December 12, 2011

1). SECCA The Southeastern Center for Contemporary Arts (SECCA and Foothills Brewing are proud to present “Crossroads @ SECCA #003”, the third and final installment of the new concert series’ inaugural season. “Crossroads @ SECCA #003” will take place on Saturday, December 16, from 5-9 p.m. at the McChesney Scott Dunn Auditorium, SECCA’s intimate 300-seat venue. Headlining the night will be the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, the legendary Crescent City institution that’s called the French Quarter home for the past 50-plus years.

2). N.C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher presents the newest installation in the Aquarium’s Spadefish Gallery, entitled “A Walk in the Woods: North Carolina’s Maritime Forests,” showcases the artistry of the Raleigh-Durham Chapter of the Colored Pencil Society of America (CPSA). On display from now to March 1, the creative works celebrate the rich animal and plant diversity of maritime forests along our coast. These unique ecosystems have adapted to the effects of salt spray and wind because of their proximity to the ocean. All pieces in the show are original and while other medium, such as watercolor or pastels, can be used, these pieces are at least 75 percent colored pencil.

3). HandsOn! the children’s museum in downtown Hendersonville, on Thursday, December 15th from 2:30-4:30 pm and make a dreidel. Learn how to make a dreidel and play the dreidel game. This game is a part of the Jewish holiday of Hannukkah which begins at sundown on December 20th. This drop-in activity is suited to a variety of ages and is free with $5.00 admission and free for members.

4). N.C. Museum of Forestry presents a special exhibit, Prehistoric Giants Ancient Fossil Discoveries, November 3 through July 8, 2012. Journey into the exciting world of dinosaurs now uncovered at the NC Museum of Forestry. Activate your imagination. Broaden your knowledge. Experience ancient fossil discoveries. Make rubbings of dinosaur footprints, unearth real fossils in the Fossil Dig Pit.

5). Waterworks Visual Arts Center presents winter exhibition “Art of Faiths: Religions of the World: Tolerance and Diversity” – through February 11, 2012. A multi-year series exploring the diversity of faiths practiced worldwide and in our community. This year, we look at Christianity through the works of artists Ed Byers (Asheville, NC), Robert Doares (posthumously), and Michele Wood (Atlanta, GA). Using personal beliefs and experiences, each artist has created a body of work that conveys their exploration of Christianity. In the upcoming years, we will view the art of Judaism, Islam, and Buddhism.

6). Hunter Library at Western Carolina University has released “Travel WNC” a new digital collection. The online exhibit includes images and commentary about 27 towns and communities in western North Carolina over five decades. Visitors can follow a route along footpaths and wagon trails in the 1890s, take a train ride in the 1910s, and drive by car along mountain roads in the 1930s. This digital resource makes rare and unique research materials images from Hunter Library’s Special Collections accessible to students, researchers, teachers, and the viewing public. Photographs and documents can be accessed from a searchable database.

7). Port Discover Preschoolers will learn all about liquids, solids, gases, solutions and mixtures during “Mix It Up,” Port Discover’s Toddler Time program, on Thursday, December 15 at 10:00 am. Children will make a salt bath solution to take home. The handmade bath salts can make a wonderful holiday gift from your child! Toddler Time is a special science program just for preschoolers, ages 3 – 5. Cost for the program is $5 per child and reservations are required. Parents or guardians must accompany the child.

8). The Mint Museum presents “Styling Competition: The New Modern Woman of Charlotte” on Tuesday, December 13th at 7pm. Students from The Art Institute of Charlotte have studied the museum's collection featured in the exhibition “Chanel: Designs for the Modern Woman”. Five student teams, comprised of students from both the fashion and photography programs, researched Coco Chanel's fashion designs, held fashion shoots in the museum's galleries, and now they're unveiling to the public their interpretations for the new modern woman of Charlotte.

9). Reynolda House Museum will present the one-woman play “A Christmas Memory” on Sunday, Dec. 18 at 3 p.m. This year’s performance will mark the museum’s 25th anniversary of the play, adapted from the Truman Capote story. Admission is $8 for members and students, $12 for non-members. There’s a reason Reynolda House has presented “A Christmas Memory” for 25 years. This humble autobiographical story written by Capote never fails to stir personal memories and nostalgia for the real joys of the holiday season and remind us of the importance of spending time with family and loved ones, carrying on our own traditions.

10). Town Creek Indian Mound Stars have always been objects of wonder and provided guidance for travelers, as the Nativity Story reminds us at this time of year. Take a moment during the busy holiday season to gaze up at the beauty of the night sky at the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources' Town Creek Indian Mound on Saturday, Dec. 17. Beginning at 6 p.m., participants will have an opportunity to view not only the stars, but learn about various constellations in the night sky.

2011-12-05T08:49:00.002-05:00

NCMC Events From Around the State… December 5, 2011

1). N.C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher Santa spends a festive evening at the N.C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher and you’re invited to join him. “Santa’s SEAcret Supper” features a kid-friendly dinner with Saint Nick from 6 to 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 17. SEAcret Supper guests will enjoy a SEAcret Scavenger hunt, holiday crafts, cookie-decorating, touch-tank fun, and, of course, dinner with the Jolly Old Elf himself. As a highlight of the evening, Santa will dive with sharks, stingrays and green moray eels inside the Cape Fear Shoals exhibit. Tickets will be $12 per person, but children 2 and younger are free. Children must be accompanied by at least one adult. Reservations are required and will be taken until December 11.

2). Cape Fear Museum launched a series of four community conversations entitled “Making Choices, Taking Sides: Life in North Carolina during the Civil War and Reconstruction” in October. The next part of the series is “The Combatants” on Tuesday, December 13th, from 6:30 – 8:30 PM. Dr. Joseph Glatthaar, author and professor at University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, and Dr. Chris Fonvielle, author and professor at University of North Carolina Wilmington, discuss how Southerners of both races made the choice to fight, and what their experiences were in the Confederate Army and in the U.S. Army.

3). Textile Heritage Museum presents “A Mill Village Christmas” on Saturday December 10, 2011 from 1:00 to 5:00 pm. Instead of being a fund-raiser, the Textile Heritage Museum is open for a FREE tour as a holiday gift to you. Refreshments will be served at the museum, and we’ll have a special exhibit for you to enjoy. Ann Hobgood will have her house on tour, decked out with LOTS of decorations, vintage wreaths, and trees – even a new one! She is creating lots of art these days, so you will be able to see the latest and tour her studio and working areas.

4). Fort Dobbs State Historic Site Fifty soldiers of the Royal Colony of North Carolina arrived on a hilltop near present-day Statesville in 1755. By the next spring, they had completed a three-story log barracks that would be known as Fort Dobbs. Visit Fort Dobbs on Dec. 10 for a glimpse into the daily lives of the provincial soldiers as they prepare for the first winter at their new post. Living history interpreters will present musket and cannon firing demonstrations, as well as on-going demonstrations of 18th-century military camp life. Free programs run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

5). Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum Cookies and caroling will be among the delights of the first annual “Christmas Open House” on Saturday, Dec. 10, from noon until 4 p.m. Vintage Santa Claus displays, twinkling lights and a holiday village will make for festive times at the free family-friendly event. Even the animatronic dog and bear and a snowman or two will be part of the fun. Children will enjoy making nautical bracelets and stencils. A variety of homemade soups will warm the soul, and door prizes will be given. All donations brought for the food bank will earn a 5-percent discount in the gift shop and also a special holiday bag.

6). Tryon Palace presents “Christmas Candlelight” on Saturdays, December 10th and 17th from 5-9pm. Experience an 18th-century candlelit Christmas celebration! The evening program includes a tour through the Palace (and perhaps a word or two with the Governor), performances by Tryon Palace's Fife and Drum Corps and Jonkonnu, and a variety of 18th-century entertainments. The evening ends with a grand illumination over the South Lawn. Call 252-639-3524 for reservations and group bookings.

7). Cameron Art Museum presents Wilmington Choral Society: “Christmas @ CAM V” on Thursday, Dec. 8, 7:30 pm - 8:30 pm and Sunday, Dec. 11, 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm. CAM Members and Students: $5.00 Non-Members: $10.00. Ring in the season with family and friends and enjoy holiday music with the Wilmington Choral Society. This popular seasonal concert is in its fifth year at CAM and continues to delight and play to large audiences for each of the two performances. Ensure you have your seats, purchase on CAM’s website.

8). Asheville Art Museum presents Film Screenings @ the Museum: “Women In Boxes” on Saturday, December 10 and Sunday, December 11 (2:00 p.m. daily). Free with Membership or Museum Admission. The magic world’s silent partners—magicians’ assistants—speak up in this candid documentary revealing that while they may be mute onstage, they are brimming with opinions after the curtain falls. Much like the art of Josef Albers, which often creates optical illusions and conveys a sense of containment, magician assistants’ work relies entirely on their ability to create visually perceived images that do not exist in reality, often utilizing boxes and other forms of containment on stage. Held in conjunction with the exhibition “Homage2”.

9). SciWorks presents “SciWorks Annual Holiday Open House!” on Friday, December 9th from 4-8pm. Join us for a "warm and toasty" evening at SciWorks! Santa promised to stop by! Holiday laser shows in the Planetarium, make an ornament for SciWorks' tree - and make one to take home! Take a stroll to the barnyard on the path lit with luminaries! (Barnyard open until 7pm.) Enjoy live holiday music with the Winston-Salem Suzuki Guitar Ensemble and the Twin City Tuba Band! Light refreshments will be served! Bring friends – free admission for all!

10). Bennett Place State Historic Site The smells and tastes of seasonal delights of smoked ham, potato and sausage soup, biscuits, mincemeat pie, and other period pleasures will greet you at the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources' Bennett Place State Historic Site. The “Christmas in the Carolinas During the Civil War” program on Saturday, Dec. 10. 10 a.m.-4 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 11, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., will showcase a traditional Christmas observance of North Carolina farm families in the 1860s.

11). Mount Airy Museum of Regional History Sunday December 11: Free Holiday Open House 1 – 4pm Tour four floors of museum exhibits, view our themed Christmas trees, shop for holiday gifts, plus enjoy light refreshments and holiday music provided by Almost Irish. This event is Free to the public.

12). Fort Fisher State Historic Site Tap into the Christmas spirit and share holiday cheer as Fort Fisher State Historic Site in Kure Beach sponsors its “Holiday Open House” on Tuesday, Dec. 6, from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Enjoy seasonal refreshments, decorations, and entertainment throughout the day!

13). Hickory Museum of Art presents a gallery talk on Sunday, December 11 at 2 PM by Sandy Rusak, Director of Education at the North Carolina Museum of Art (NCMA). Learn more about “Rembrandt in America”, currently on exhibit at NCMA. Also on December 11, the Museum welcomes doll-maker Louis Nunnery at 3 PM. Louis will share a few words about his work which is currently on exhibit at the Museum. Light refreshments will be served.

14). N.C. Maritime Museum at Beaufort presents Civil War Lecture Series: “One Good Port: Beaufort Harbor, 1862-1865” on December 10th 3:00 pm. Historian Dan Blair will outline the Union Navy’s development and use of the Beaufort Harbor during the war, describing normal operations in Beaufort and how the area was tied into the broader war effort.

2011-11-28T09:28:00.002-05:00

NCMC Events From Around the State… November 28, 2011

1). Cameron Art Museum Presents “Hattitude Holiday Tea, Hat Fashion Show and Spoken Word” on Sunday, December 4, 2011. The exhibit includes many one-of-a-kind hats from collections and Crowns are portrait depictions in photographs of black women in church hats in celebration of Cameron Art Museum’s exhibits “Hattitude: A Convergence of Fashion and Faith and Crowns: Portraits of Black Women in Church Hats”. The holiday Victorian-style tea will include refreshments, a rare community hat fashion show, and spoken word performance inspired by the exhibits by SUN. Seating is limited so reservations are recommended.

2). Weatherspoon Art Museum presents a lecture “The Drama of Identity” on Thursday, Dec 1, 5:30pm. In conjunction with “Persona: A Body in Parts”, Kathryn Shields, Ph.D Art History, will speak about contemporary visual art practices that deal with metaphorical masking, visual communication, and identity. The concept of masking, a general reference to the layering of literal and symbolic meaning in a photograph, also encompasses the malleability of identity and the seemingly fluid boundary between fact and fiction explored by a number of contemporary artists.

3). Turchin Center for the Visual Arts Don’t miss the Fall Boone Handmade Market on December 4th! Mark your calendar for this great opportunity to support your community, buy locally and add unique handmade gifts to your holiday shopping list! This year the market will feature ninety vendors. Visit our website or call 828-262-3017 to learn more!

4). Bentonville Battlefield State Historic Site Leave the hustle and bustle of modern holidays behind and travel back to a simpler place and time at Bentonville Battlefield State Historic Site's "Civil War Christmas" event. On Saturday, Dec. 3, drop by and help decorate an 1860s style Christmas tree, spend time with re-enactor Confederate soldiers around the campfire, sip cider with civilian living historians and tour the circa 1855 Harper House. This free program will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and is open to the public.

5). HandsOn! the children’s museum located in downtown Hendersonville, invites all mad scientists and crazy chemists to make 3-D Puffy Paint! The class, which is designed for children ages 3-10, will take place Wednesday, November 30. Cost to participate is free with $5 admission fee (free for museum members). Space is limited, call 697-8333 to sign up.

6). Museum of the Albemarle Enjoy a morning at the Museum of the Albemarle designing and constructing your own natural holiday wreath, Saturday December 3, from 10:00 am to 12:30 pm. Supplies, some greenery and a delicious catered lunch will be provided. Registration preferred by November 21. $30-for Friends of the Museum of the Albemarle members, $35-non members. After, Nov. 21: $35-Museum members, $40 non members. Reserve your space early-applications available at the Museum’s front desk.

7). High Point Museum Start the holiday season off by visiting the High Point Museum’s 28th Annual “Holiday Open House” on Sunday, December 4 from 1 pm to 4 pm. It’s a day filled with special reenactments, music, demonstrations, refreshments and hands-on activities. The Harp Ensemble from Penn-Griffin School for the Arts will perform from 1:30 pm to 2 pm. The High Point United Arts Council Children’s and Youth Chorale will take the stage from 2:15 pm to 2:45 pm. The Culler Senior Center’s Happy Tones will delight visitors from 3 pm to 3:30 pm.

8). Fort Fisher State Historic Site presents its “Holiday Open House” on Tuesday, December 6, 2011, from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. in the visitor’s center. Enjoy seasonal refreshments, decorations, and entertainment throughout the day, including the elementary school chorus from Leland Christian Academy, songs and stories of Civil War blockade running by noted historical entertainer John Golden (aka Captain Roberts) and actor/interpreter and storyteller Joyce Grear (aka Harriet “Moses” Tubman), telling stories of the African-American experience and cultural traditions in the Cape Fear area associated with the Christmas season.

9). N.C. Department of Cultural Resources Determination, commitment and pride are among many characteristics of North Carolinians depicted in the “Freedom, Sacrifice, Memory: Civil War Sesquicentennial Photography Exhibit”. The exhibit commemorates the role our state played in the Civil War (1861-1865), a defining period in United States history. It will visit the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum in Hatteras and the Catawba County Library in Hickory from Dec. 2-29 on simultaneous eastern and western routes.

10). Joel Lane Museum House will sponsor its annual “Colonial Christmas Open House” celebration on Saturday, December 3, 2011 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free, and donations are requested. The house will be decorated with traditional greenery and will reflect the very different way in which colonists and early Americans celebrated the Christmas holiday. Information about the house and grounds will be offered by costumed docents; re-enactors will demonstrate scenes of 18th-century life; the sounds of live music will fill the air; and other interpreters will entertain children using colonial games and crafts through the “Hands-on History” program.

11). Kings Mountain Historical Museum opens their annual “Trains, Trains, Trains” display on Nov. 29th. The exhibit which runs until January 7, 2012 is put on in conjunction with the Piedmont "S" Gaugers. The exhibit brings together several childhood favorites of holidays past, including Christmas cards, antique dolls, and model train components in various scales. A little something for everyone this Christmas, the “Trains, Trains, Trains” exhibit showcases the history of the railroad in Kings Mountain.

2011-11-21T08:27:00.002-05:00

NCMC Events From Around the State… November 21, 2011

1). Turchin Center for the Visual Arts Don’t miss Gabriel Lehman’s exhibition “My World”, ending on December 3rd! Gabriel Lehman creates landscapes and scenes with a unique style that stirs up childhood memories of simpler times when imaginations were allowed to run wild. Visit our website or call 828-262-3017 to learn more!

2). High Point Museum presents “28th Annual Holiday Open House” on Sunday, December 4, 1 pm to 4 pm. This annual event has become a tradition with local families. Come for a day of special reenactments, music, demonstrations, refreshments and hands-on activities like candle dipping! Free and fun for all ages. No reservations required.

3). Cameron Art Museum presents Book reading, Discussion and Signing: “Meet the Help ~ An Anthology of True Stories” by Rhonda Bellamy and Bertha Boykin Todd on Sat. Dec. 3, 2:00 pm. Free and open to the public. “Meet the Help” offers rare glimpses into the lives of domestic workers and their employers. Through the eyes of 40 different people from 10 states, the book looks at the relationships from all perspectives. In narratives compiled and written by veteran journalist Rhonda Bellamy and community leader Bertha Todd, readers will get factual accounts of servants and the served. Copies of “Meet the Help” will be available for purchase during the program.

4). Historic Oak View County Park presents “Sleigh Rides and Cider: A Winter Night at Oak View” on Saturday, December 3rd from 5:00-7:30pm. This annual winter event is free and open to the public. This event features decorations and displays showing “Christmas at the Oak View Farm: How they celebrated from 1850 to 1950” on view in the Main House, for starters. Then visitors can ride in a horse-drawn carriage through Oak View’s Pecan Grove, listen to holiday music and stories in the 1855 farmhouse, drink hot apple cider near the 1825 Plank Kitchen, browse and buy handcrafted decorations and crafts, and, of course, visit with Old St. Nick!

5). Orange County Historical Museum On November 26 the Orange County Historical Museum will be hosting "Home for the Holidays: A Storytelling Event" at Leland Little's Auction Gallery with local authors including Daniel Wallace, John Claude Bemis, Stephen Demorest, Jill McCorkle and Alan Gurganus. At 7:30 is the wine and cheese reception, with music from a local bluegrass trio and the storytelling begins at 8 pm. Tickets are $18 in advance, $20 at the door.

6). HandsOn! the children’s museum in downtown Hendersonville, invites you join us for “Ivy & Bean Day” on November 22nd all day. If you love these best friends from literature, you will enjoy our crafts and give-aways. Craft is free with $5 admission and is free for museum members. This event is sponsored by Fountainhead Bookstore.

7). Cape Fear Museum Be inspired by the riveting—sometimes poignant, sometimes humorous—stories of the first Jewish immigrants to North Carolina. “Down Home: Jewish Life in North Carolina”, which opened at Cape Fear Museum of History and Science in October, is in many ways the story of the state itself. The documentary, produced by the Jewish Heritage Foundation of North Carolina, will show Sunday, December 4 at 2 p.m. Run time is 81 minutes. The documentary as well as the accompanying book is for sale in the Museum Shop.

8). Reynolda House One of the Piedmont Triad’s newest holiday traditions returns this year as Reynolda House Museum of American Art hosts three evenings of candlelight guided tours on Thursday, Dec. 8, Friday, Dec. 9, and Saturday, Dec. 10. Tours will be offered every half hour from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Tours conclude with live holiday entertainment and refreshments, and beer and wine will be available for purchase. Also included is admission to “Modern Masters from the Smithsonian American Art Museum,” the museum’s featured fall exhibition that has received critical acclaim.

9). N.C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher Artists have long been enchanted by the sea and its creatures.The N.C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher, as a learning center for Coastal America, is now accepting original ocean-inspired artwork from full-time students, kindergarten to university level. The contest encourages young artists to use their creativity and talent to express the importance of our oceans, both personally and globally. Submissions will be judged on visual impact, communication of the ocean literacy principle, and artistic merit. Categories are defined by grade levels. Participating teachers are able to submit their top three entries to the Aquarium by Dec. 20, 2011.

10). Hunter Library at Western Carolina University has released “Travel WNC” a new digital collection. The online exhibit includes images and commentary about 27 towns and communities in western North Carolina over five decades. Visitors can follow a route along footpaths and wagon trails in the 1890s, take a train ride in the 1910s, and drive by car along mountain roads in the 1930s. This digital resource makes rare and unique research materials images from Hunter Library’s Special Collections accessible to students, researchers, teachers, and the viewing public. Photographs and documents can be accessed from a searchable database.

2011-11-15T08:13:00.002-05:00

NCMC Events From Around the State… November 14, 2011

1). Asheville Art Museum presents “The New Materiality: Digital Dialogues at the Boundaries of Contemporary Craft” from November 18, 2011 – March 18, 2012. Curated and organized by Fuller Craft Art Museum in Brockton, MA, this exhibition tests the boundaries that currently exist between technology, art, and craft. The featured artists use new technologies as materials to be manipulated in tandem with traditional craft materials – clay, glass, wood, metal and fiber – to forge new artistic directions and means of expression. The Asheville Art Museum will celebrate the exhibit opening with a public opening reception on Friday, November 18, 2011 from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at the Museum. The reception is free with Membership or Museum Admission.

2). SciWorks Art can inspire and educate. Science can educate and inspire. The two are not often together as an exhibit. Witness “Our Expanding Oceans”, a comprehensive art and education exhibit created by artist Mary Edna Fraser and scientist Dr. Orrin Pilkey, on display at SciWorks Science Center from November 12, 2011 through February 25, 2012. This exhibit will be on display in tandem with another exhibit of the same theme: “Seasons of Change – Global Warming in Your Backyard”.

3). HandsOn! is excited to announce a new exhibit opening Tuesday, November 15th 2011. “Oh, the Places TO GO” is co-sponsored by the BP Fueling Communities Program and Henderson Oil Company. This exhibit will feature a travel agency, 6 x 9 foot map of the world and a “blaze your own trail” maze. Visitors can research the details of trips around the world through imaginative play in the travel agency. Ribbon cutting by the Chamber of Commerce will occur 11:00 am and refreshments will be available. All special events are included with $5 museum admission fee and are free for museum members.

4). CSS Neuse/Caswell Memorial State Historic Site presents Navy and Marine Living History; The Uniform: A look at the uniform of the Confederate Navy and Marines on November 19 – 20, 2011. Saturday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Sunday 12 noon – 4 p.m. In addition to the traditional naval and civilian demonstrations that have been held in year’s past there will be a focus on The Uniform. There will be a special presentation both days depicting uniforms of both the navy and marines during the Civil War.

5). Cameron Art Museum presents “Gallery Conversations: William McNeill” on Sat. Nov. 19th from 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm. William McNeill discusses his extensive collection of handheld church fans which he has acquired through over forty years of collecting. Emphasizing their cultural importance, McNeill’s walkthrough offers a glimpse of Americana and a vanishing way of life. Held in collaboration with the exhibition “William McNeill: My Life as a Handheld Church Fan A Rhapsody on Sweat, Sweet Tea and Salvation” currently on view at CAM.

6). Turchin Center for the Visual Arts Join us for a screening of John Scarlata’s Retrospective Lecture held at the Wellington B. Gray Gallery at East Carolina University on January 15, 2010. 80 minutes in length, this video provides an in depth look at the work and processes of the photographer. Visit our website or call 828-262-3017 to learn more!

7). N.C. Musuem of Natural Sciences While Genghis Khan is famous as the ruthless Mongol warlord who conquered half the known world of the early 13th century, he is also revered as an innovative leader and statesman who brought unity, stability and much more to his people. Join us for a spectacular and uniquely interactive exhibition that tells the amazing true story of Khan — his life, his land, his people, his culture and his enduring legacy. Genghis Khan: The Exhibition opens Saturday, November 19 at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences in downtown Raleigh, and runs through January 16, 2012.

8). Museum of the Albemarle “History Tales: Make It, Take It” will be held at the Museum of the Albemarle on Friday, November 18, at 3:30 pm. Participants must be elementary age school children and accompanied by an adult. Drop in and discover how early American Indians constructed earthen pots to cook their food over fire and participate in a hands-on activity. This is a free family program.

9). Orange County Historical Museum On November 17, the Orange County Historical Museum will be opening its new temporary exhibit "Keeping the Bed Warm (And Beautiful): American Woven Coverlets from the Southern Piedmont and Beyond." Local expert Craufurd Goodwin will be giving a talk during the opening on the aesthetics and expression of coverlet design. The opening will be from 6-9pm.

10). Port Discover Explore the science of aviation through fun interactive air stations during “Aviation Exploration,” Port Discover’s Afterschool Science, Thursday, November 17, from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm. Pilots and experts in aviation sciences will be at Port Discover for an afternoon of flying fun! This program is made possible thanks to Getting Off the Ground, funded by Piedmont Natural Gas. Afterschool Science is Port Discover’s free, interactive science program featuring a different and timely topic each month. Afterschool Science is made possible thanks to the City of Elizabeth City.

2011-11-07T09:51:00.002-05:00

NCMC Events From Around the State… November 7, 2011

1). Waterworks Visual Arts Center presents “Big Chili Cookoff” on Saturday, November 12, 6:30 – 11 pm. A fundraiser to support education and outreach programs at Waterworks Visual Arts Center. A festive evening of fun, food and friendship. Invite your family, friends, and co-workers. Taste the best chili in Salisbury from our fifteen volunteer cooks’ “famous” recipes and vote for your favorites to win! Chili tasting will be 6:30 – 8 pm. The Big Chili Award will be presented to the winner at 8:30 pm. The fun continues until 11 pm! Dance to your favorite songs, ride the mechanical bull, or try your hand at calf-roping. Casual attire.

2). North Carolina Collection On Wednesday, November 16, Bill McDiarmid, dean of the UNC School of Education, will moderate a panel discussion about the current state and future of textbooks in North Carolina. Panel discussion is being held in conjunction with the opening of “Curriculum and Controversy: Two Centuries of Textbooks in North Carolina.” Reception and exhibition viewing at 5 p.m. in the North Carolina Collection Gallery, program at 5:30. Free and open to the public.

3). Greensboro Historical Museum Each year, the Greensboro Historical Museum observes Veterans Day and remembers those who served. On Saturday, November 12 from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm the museum will show the American motion picture classic "This is the Army" starring George Murphy, Joan Leslie, Rosemary DeCamp and Ronald Reagan. Veterans and their families are invited to view the film, share stories about their time in uniform, and view the “Service and Sacrifice Gallery” in the “Voices of a City” exhibit.

4). The Bascom is hosting an event to bring attention to all the non-profits on the plateau and to give our visitors an opportunity to donate to multiple organizations. All non-profits are invited to participate in the first annual “Giving Trees” exhibition! The Bascom will provide the space and participating non-profits are asked to provide a beautifully decorated tree, informational materials on your organization and a donation box which will be on display at The Bascom from November 12-January 3. All “Giving Trees” donations will benefit the participating non-profit organizations. On Saturday, November 12 from 5-7 pm, everyone is invited to the “Giving Trees and Nog Off” opening reception.

5). Joel Lane Museum House Dr. Alan Feduccia will lecture on “Mark Catesby and his Natural History of Carolina, Florida, and the Bahama Islands, 1731-1743” on Sunday, November 13 at 2:00 pm. Admission will be $15 for the general public and $10 for members of the Joel Lane Historical Society. Refreshments will be served. Seating is limited, and advanced payment is required.

6). Cameron Art Museum presents “ONE4$1: A Friendly Call with Margie Worthington” on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 1:00pm – 1:30pm and Thursday, Nov. 19, 6:00pm – 6:30pm. Program admission is $1.00. Art educator and artist, Margie Worthington offers a closer look at a work by William Merritt Chase, “A Friendly Call”, 1895. ONE4$1 is an ongoing illustrated mini-lecture series featuring community speakers from a broad spectrum of backgrounds who have a strong interest in art.

7). Historic Bath State Historic Site presents “Revolutionary War Encampment” on Saturday, November 12th from 10am – 4pm on Bonner Point at Historic Bath State Historic Site. Living history interpreters will represent soldiers of the British Army, colonial militia and sailors from the Revolutionary War. Events include weapons and drill demonstrations, clothing and equipment demonstrations and living history programs and events throughout the day!

8). Cape Fear Museum presents “Cape Fear Indians” in the Learning Center on Saturdays, November 5, 12, 19, 26 from 1-4 PM, for ages: 5-12. Fee: Museum members: free; Non-members: Free with Museum admission. Who were the first inhabitants of the Lower Cape Fear region? Examine local Native American potsherds and make your own clay pot to take home. Learn about Cape Fear Indians’ early hunting and fishing. Make shell jewelry and play a Native American game.

9). Port Discover Explore the world of aviation with Elton Stone, Director of Aviation Maintenance Technology at The College of the Albemarle, who will present “The Plain Truth about Planes,” during Port Discover’s Second Saturday Science program, on Saturday, November 12 at 11:00 am. Learn all about the variety of flight components that you need to become an aviation scientist or pilot. This program is made possible thanks to Getting Off the Ground, funded by Piedmont Natural Gas.

10). Battleship NORTH CAROLINA For the explorer at heart, a new date for the behind the scenes tour of the Battleship has been added for Saturday, November 12, 2011. Bring a friend and join us for a unique, behind-the-scenes tour of un-restored areas of the Battleship. The four-hour tour consists of small groups with guides. Choose between a morning (8:30 - 12:30) or afternoon (1:30 - 5:30) tour. Registration and payment are due by Thursday, November 10th.

11). Turchin Center for the Visual Arts Engage in the Arts through our lecture series! This month, we are featuring artist Val Lyle as she discusses her new exhibition “Sanctuary”. The current exhibition and installation continues the artist's exploration about what it means to be a human being in Appalachia.

12). High Point Museum will host a “Civil War Symposium” on Tuesday, November 8 from 6:30 pm to 8 pm at the High Point Museum. Two High Point University students, Elizabeth Ellis and A.J. Jones, will share their research on what was happening during the Civil War in the Greater High Point area. Ellis focuses on Randolph County (where she is from), and particularly the rise of opposition to the Confederacy within the county during the war. Jones uses the example of Greensboro as a case study on the attitudes of North Carolinians toward secession and how those attitudes shifted from 1860 through the war years.

2011-10-31T08:45:00.002-04:00

NCMC Events From Around the State… October 31, 2011

1). Airborne & Special Operations Museum To celebrate Heroes Homecoming, the Airborne & Special Operations Museum Foundation will be hosting many different events beginning Saturday, November 5, and running through Friday, November 14. On November 6 at 8am The Vietnam Moving Wall will be escorted to the museum by the Fayetteville Police Department and NC Rolling Thunder Chapter 1. At 3pm a Salute to Veterans ceremony will officially open the Parade Field, featuring flags representing veterans from all services. The Vietnam Moving Wall will also be open to the public at this time.

2). N.C. Department of Cultural Resources Heroic tales and valiant feats are depicted in images that reflect North Carolina’s dedication to the war in the “Freedom, Sacrifice, Memory: Civil War Sesquicentennial Photography Exhibit” (www.nccivilwar150.com). The Onslow County Public Library in Jacksonville and the Transylvania County Public Library in Brevard will host the exhibit from Nov. 1-29, sharing images and stories that capture the history and people of the Civil War (1861-1865).

3). Maria V. Howard Arts Center On November 5, 2011, join artist Catherine Jordan in making an embroidered journal cover. This class introduces fabric painting, a few detail stitches and easy finishing techniques to create a journal for yourself or as a gift. Fabric painting adds depth and beauty as a landscape backdrop for surface embroidery, and a beautiful eyelet band adorns the top of the sampler. The project covers a diminutive journal 3” x 4”. The workshop will begin at 9:00 am on November 5th and end at 4:00pm. The workshop fee is $35 with a $40 material fee paid to the instructor.

4). President James K. Polk State Historic Site Join us Saturday November 5 for the “Polk Birthday Celebration”. This living history program will bring back to life the Polk family of Mecklenburg County in November 1795, when James K. Polk was born. Activities will include open hearth cooking, children’s toys and games, woodworking, and musket firing demonstrations. Visitors will have a chance to see some of the types of animals found on a 18th century farm. The site will also host the blue grass band the Flat Possum Hoppers who will be playing out on the grounds. Clay artist Rick Crowley will be on site giving demonstrations and selling hand crafted pieces. There will be a craft area for children, and of course birthday cake!

5). N.C. Museum of History The “Celebrate NC History Festival” on Saturday, Nov. 5, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. kicks off the largest exhibit ever at the N.C. Museum of History. “The Story of North Carolina” highlights more than 14,000 years of the state’s history. Part One of this permanent exhibit opened in April, and now the entire exhibit will be complete. Admission to the festival and the exhibit is free, and weekend parking is free. Award-winning musicians, storytellers, dance groups, authors, craftspeople, re-enactors and other presenters will capture the flavor and diversity of the Tar Heel State. There will be something for all ages.

6). Waterworks Visual Arts Center will host gallery guest speaker Dr. Sharon D. Raynor on Tuesday, November 1, 2011 at 7 pm. Dr. Raynor’s oral history project “Breaking the Silence: The Unspoken Brotherhood of Vietnam Veterans” is a powerful addendum to the exhibition “Imprints”. Her oral history highlights the war experiences of Vietnam veterans of North Carolina. Funded by the NC Humanities Council, her program explores the concepts of trauma, silence, healing, and recovery.

7). Asheville Art Museum will host a symposium and panel discussion on the unique traditions, contemporary issues and future challenges of Southeastern basketry from Friday, November 4 – Sunday, November 6, 2011. Admission for events taking place at the Museum Friday through Saturday is $20 for Museum Members and students (including college students with valid school ID), and $30 for non-Members. Admission for a half-day trip to Cherokee, NC on Sunday, November 4, is $25 for Members and non-Members. Advanced registration for the day trip to Cherokee by Friday, October 28th, is requested.

8). Rockingham County Historical Society Wright Tavern’s “Restoration Celebration” is being held November 5th from 10 am to 3pm. Come join us to celebrate this achievement. Get a glimpse of the past. Activities include games, live animals, exhibitors, food, and history. Come trace your family’s history with the genealogy folks from “Family Search”. Learn to make candles with the Mayodan Moravian Church. Let Frank Bray show you how our ancestors smoked meat and sample some, win homemade desserts in the cake walk, watch quilting, pottery, and hearth cooking demonstrations, pan for gems with the Rockingham County Mineral Club, and much more.

9). SECCA is going to stretch your notions of fashion on Nov. 3. Imagine a dress wrapped around a canoe, models encased in beautifully-tailored pods, unraveled suits - seam by seam, and a wig made of fabric tentacles. SECCA is an affiliate of the N.C. Museum of Art, within the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources. From 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., Thursday Nov. 3, SECCA is celebrating the opening of three exhibitions which include these works and many others. Enjoy performance art, music, food and friends and mingle with exhibiting artists at this free event.

10). Turchin Center for the Visual Arts Connect through the Arts by stopping by our November First Friday! This month, we are celebrating two artists and one new exhibition. Visit our website or call 828-262-3017 to learn more about the times and featured artists!

11). NC Digital Heritage Center is pleased to announce a new digital collection at the North Carolina Digital Heritage Center: “North Carolina Samplers”, now open for contributions from museums and archives across the state. This new online collection will feature images of historic needlepoint samplers held by cultural heritage organizations in North Carolina. Museums and archival collections are invited to contribute images of samplers from their own collections. You can submit existing digital images, or talk with us about how we can help photograph samplers from your collection.

2011-10-24T09:21:00.002-04:00

NCMC Events From Around the State… October 24, 2011

1). The Bascom Looking for an artful alternative to Halloween? Then come to The Bascom in Highlands after six pm on Monday, October 31st, for “Spooky Raku: A Halloween Pottery Firing.” This event is free to the whole community. Spooky Raku will feature glowing red pots against the black night sky, creating a magnificent mood and an unforgettable All Hallows Eve. Everyone is welcome to come by The Bascom's Studio Barn in costume for this fun way to celebrate Halloween in Highlands, before or after you enjoy the tradition of trick-or-treating on Main Street. Enjoy this great new Highlands' tradition. No reservations are required.

2). Weatherspoon Art Museum WAM Association Presents: "Masquerade" on Friday, Oct 28, 7-10pm. "Masquerade" is sponsored by the Membership Committee of the Weatherspoon Art Museum Association as the first in a series of new membership cultivation parties coming to the museum this year. Hair and make-up artists will be on-hand to help you transform your look, and the evening will include food and drink, music, digital and Polaroid photographers, and other festivities indoors and out. In conjunction with the exhibition "Personna: A Body in Parts” which will be open for view.

3). Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson Fall is in the air, and its arrival marks the return of “Colonial Day at Brunswick”. This free educational event will be held Saturday, Oct. 29, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Living historians, dressed in colonial attire, will demonstrate what life was once like in this 18th century port town. Interpretive stations with hands-on activities include stenciling, candle-dipping, militia drilling, and colonial toys and games. Other activities include foodways, lifestyles, colonial medicine, spinning and weaving, colonial medicine, and blacksmithing. Additionally, special tours of this summer’s Peace College Field School excavation area, led by archaeologists Tom Beaman, RPA, and Jennifer Gabriel, will be offered throughout the day.

4). Cameron Art Museum presents “David Dorfman Movement Workshop” on Thurs., Oct. 27, 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm. Free and open to the public – dancers and non-dancers welcome! With the idea of dance as a form of activism, workshop participants will learn strategies for using movement as social and personal commentary. David Dorfman will guide participants to find compositional means for exploring areas about which they are passionate.

5). N.C. Maritime Museum at Beaufort presents “Fright Night” on Friday, Oct. 28 at 5:30 - 8 p.m. Don’t miss the spooky haunted exhibit hall, sweet treats, and a few tricks at this unique Museum event. Proceeds from this partnership help support the East Carteret High School Drama Club. $5 for adults, $2 for children (18 and under) – Museum members receive a discount.

6). Joel Lane Museum House will sponsor its annual “Tavern Party in the Gardens” on Thursday, October 27, 2011 from 6:30 to 8:30 pm with a rain date of Friday, October 28. Admission is $30 per person; $25 for members. The event will include a beer tasting of delicious brews from Boylan Bridge Brew Pub. Light hors d’oeuvres will be compliments of Mitch’s Tavern and NOFO at the Pig. Music on Thursday will be provided by Southern String Band. Volunteers will be on hand to lead guests through some of the activities colonial gentlemen engaged in at taverns, including table top games such as dice and quoits, and we will dance the Cumberland and Virginia Reels.

7). SECCA presents “Film @ SECCA: Journey Into Dyslexia” on Thursday, October 27, 7 pm. Triad Academy and the International Dyslexia Association (IDA) with special sponsorship from SECCA are showing the HBO2 documentary Journey Into Dyslexia on Thursday, October 27 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. A question and answer session will follow the film. This event is free and open to the public.

8). Museum of the Albemarle The Museum of the Albemarle and the Elizabeth City Fire Department will recognize “Fire Safety Month” on Tuesday, October 25 and Friday, October 28, at 10:00 am. Participants must be between the ages of 3 to 5 years old and must be accompanied by an adult. Pre-Schoolers will compare past and present fire trucks, clothing and equipment while participating in a hands-on activity. The Elizabeth City Fire Department will be present to take part in the activities. This is a free family event.

9). N.C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher will host its popular pre-Halloween “Trick-or-Treat Under the Sea” on two evenings again this year. The aquatically-themed festival will be held at the Aquarium from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Wed., Oct. 26, and Thurs., Oct. 27. Dress up in costume (no masks for adults, please) and check out what all the other goblins are wearing. Scoop up candy and prizes, play Halloween-themed games, and treat yourself to face-painting and fortune-telling. Two magic shows are offered each night by “No Sleeves Magic Camp”. There will be spooky divers in the big tank again this year, and two sets of haunted gardens – one for the very brave, and another for the more cautious.

10). Kings Mountain Historical Museum opened their latest exhibit “Honor Our Veterans: Remembering WWI” on September 6, 2011. The exhibit, which features artifacts and photographs from the First World War, will run until Saturday, November 12, 2011. “Honor Our Veterans: Remembering WWI”, offers visitors a chance to explore how the war affected American life both aboard and at home. Majority of the artifacts in the exhibit are from the Museum’s permanent collection, with a few items on loan from local Kings Mountain residents.

2011-10-18T11:01:00.002-04:00

NCMC Events From Around the State… October 17, 2011

1). Museum of the Albemarle Thursday, October 20 at 2:00pm the Museum of the Albemarle continues its Thursday afternoon matinees. Each matinee will feature segments relating to the Albemarle Region from the weekly show on WTKR-TV 3 “Points West” hosted for 12 years by Bob West. Segments were filmed in 1987 and range from the Wright Brothers National Monument charging a fee to a birthday celebration of Murfreesboro. Gather in the Gaither Auditorium and take a step back in time with Bob West. This program is free to the public.

2). Reynolda House Museum of American Art presents “Modernism in the Piedmont” on October 20 at 5:30 p.m. Panel discussion on preserving modernist buildings in the Piedmont Triad, featuring leading area architects, architectural historians, and preservationists. Event is co-presented by Preserve Historic Forsyth and the Winston-Salem Section of the American Institute of Architects.

3). HandsOn! HandsOn!-A Child’s Gallery, the children’s museum in downtown Hendersonville, invites you to come listen to the continuing saga of kitty boy Skippy John Jones at Book n’ Craft on Wednesday October 19, 2011, all day. Cost to attend is included in $5 admission and is free for museum members. Book n’ Craft is sponsored by Fountainhead Bookstore, downtown Hendersonville.

4). N.C. Maritime Museum at Beaufort presents “Traditional Boatbuilding Carpentry” on Saturday, Oct. 22-23, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.Learn traditional boatbuilding techniques in this hands-on workshop. As a team, participants construct a traditional “rack of eye” flat-bottomed skiff. Reservations: $135 – Museum members receive a discount. Participants must be at least 16 years old, unless otherwise noted.

5). Fort Fisher State Historic Site Ready for some fun this fall? Join us Saturday, October 22, as Fort Fisher State Historic Site hosts the Fort Fisher Fall Festival from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Highlighting this event will be scenic hayrides, children’s activities, guided tours, and multiple firings of the site’s “big gun,” the 32-pound rifled and banded cannon. This free event will also mark the debut of a special new exhibit: the Freeman Medal of Honor and its associated artifacts. At 1:30 p.m. in the visitor’s center, Curator of History Ray Flowers will discuss the history of this fascinating exhibit, including the acquisition of these impressive Civil War artifacts and the brave soldier behind the medal.

6). Asheville Art Museum presents “Family Art pARTy! + Up for Discussion: A Day of Color” on Sunday, October 23 (2:00 - 4:00 p.m.) - free with Membership or Museum Admission. Join us for an afternoon of color as we hear from local artists featured in the current exhibition, “Color Study”, followed by hands-on color experiments in the WNC Art Resource Center. Light refreshments are included. Middle school-aged children to adults welcome. This is a wonderful opportunity for families and individuals to enjoy a day at the Museum.

7). Mount Airy Museum of Regional History Join the Mt. Airy Museum of Regional History for an exciting 90 minute lantern-lit walking tour through Mt. Airy's streets and its historic past. Hear about 13 of our "less-mortal" friends and some of their final resting places. Tours are held Friday October 21 and Saturday October 22 at 8pm. Tickets are $10 and pre-paid reservations are required.

8). High Point Museum presents exhibit “Hooray for Hats!” (October 8 until January 16) in our changing exhibit gallery upstairs. This playful exhibit explores hats as symbols of identity. It will feature a variety of hats from our collection, which tell us something about the people who wore them. The hats may be parts of a uniform for an occupation or a club. They may be ceremonial, but each tells a story about the person who wore it. Specifically, we will be featuring military hats, a William Penn marching band hat, crowns from two High Point beauty queens, bridal veils, and a freshman beanie from High Point College, among others.

9). Port Discover Discover all there is to know about slimy worms by taking scientific measurements and observations during “Gummy Worm Dissection,” Port Discover’s Toddler Time program, on Thursday, October 20 at 10:00 am. Children will observe live worms, model play dough and dissect gummy worms. Toddler Time is a special science program just for preschoolers, ages 3 – 5. Cost for the program is $5 per family and reservations are required. Parents or guardians must accompany the child.

10). N.C. Museum of History presents “Tar Heel Junior Historian Association”, new gallery opens Oct. 21. For over 50 years, the Tar Heel Junior Historian Association (THJHA) has helped students across North Carolina discover and appreciate the history surrounding them. The new THJHA gallery will help museum visitors recognize the history surrounding them, with lots of fresh technology and hands-on activities geared to primary sources. The gallery will continue to highlight award-winning junior historian work in new ways, letting the young people demonstrate what they have learned and how they have learned it.

2011-10-10T08:40:00.002-04:00

NCMC Events From Around the State… October 10, 2011

1). Tryon Palace presents "A Kid's Life for Me" -Fall Family Day at Tryon Palace on Saturday, October 15 from 9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. – regular admission. Time travel to the 18th and 19th centuries and experience the adventure of being a kid when North Carolina history was just beginning. All ages will enjoy interactive crafts and activities that make history come alive. Visit the past using the technology of the future at the new North Carolina History Center. And walk through our historic buildings and beautiful gardens throughout the day where you'll be joined by historic characters as you experience what it was like for a kid to live, work, and play in the North Carolina of centuries ago.

2). High Point Museum The High Point Historical Society invites the community to join them for “Myths and Legends of the Piedmont” around a campfire with gooey s’mores. Cynthia Moore Brown, a well-known folk teller around the Piedmont area, will be the reader for the night. These stories will tell the spooky tales of the Piedmont. The event will be at the High Point Museum, Saturday, October 15 from 6:30 pm to 8 pm.

3). Page-Walker Arts & History Center presents Watercolor Society of North Carolina's 66th Juried Exhibition 2011 which opened Oct 9 continues to Nov 26, 2011. See the best of the best in North Carolina watercolors with the debut of the WSNC's annual juried show. Award winning artist, Paul Jackson, AWS, NWS, will be the juror. Also on display Jody Jameson’s A Beaded Path, fine-art beaded jewelry.

4). Cameron Art Museum presents “Music: Duo Sureño”, classical voice and guitar on Thurs. Oct. 13, 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm. CAM Members and students: $5.00, Non-members: $10.00. Duo Sureño presents the hidden masterpieces of the song repertoire with the unique combination of voice and guitar. Featured works by Britten, Rodrigo, Argento, Villa-Lobos and Handel create an intimate performance experience reminiscent of the 19th century musical gatherings in the salons of Vienna and Paris.

5). Asheville Art Museum invites visitors to join our monthly reading group, “Discussion Bound”, on Tuesday, October 11 from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. The Museum’s Discussion Bound series is held on the second Tuesday of every month, and features stories that relate to works of art in our galleries and Permanent Collection. The October discussion will feature “Color: A Natural History of the Palette”, by Victoria Finlay. This program is free with Membership or Museum Admission.

6). Tobacco Farm Life Museum is announcing the start of a new event series called “Stepping Into the Past” Saturday Event Series. Every Saturday the Museum will feature a series of crafters or demonstrators that will be available to the public with the normal Museum admissions. These demonstrations will be interactive with the public and many will have items for sale. Activities include: homemade sweets & bee keeping, blue grass music and quilters & woodworkers. Other scheduled events include blacksmiths, auctioneers, artists of all kinds, and many more.

7). Reynolda House Museum of American Art presents “Modern Thursdays” on Thursdays, October 13–November 3, 4:30–8 p.m. One evening isn’t enough for “Modern Masters”, so we’re hosting four! Hang out with friends and find kindred spirits at these special Museum nights, offered for the first time at Reynolda House. The evenings will center on how the art forms of the post-war scene, such as avant-garde music, film, Beat poetry, architecture, and politically-engaged art criticism connect to contemporary artists and intellectuals.

8). HandsOn! Hands On! – A Child’s Gallery, the children’s museum located in downtown Hendersonville invites you to make an art bag with artist, Donna Ramsey. This awesome art project is designed for children ages 8 and above and will take place Friday, October 14th from 2-4 pm. Cost to participate is $10 non-members (includes admission fee) and $5 museum members. Limited spaces so please call to sign-up.

9). Cape Fear Museum presents “Changes, Compromises, Conflict, Secession, and War” on Thursday, October 13, 6:30 – 8:30 PM. Dr. Daniel Crofts, author and professor at The College of New Jersey, and Dr. Marc Kruman, author and Director of the Center for the Study of Citizenship, Wayne State University, Detroit discuss North Carolina’s antebellum political landscape, and the secession crisis of 1861. Discover the divisions among North Carolinians. Explore the range of ways people reacted to the series of unfolding events that ultimately led to the outbreak of the Civil War. Fees apply.

10). The Bascom is hosting “Tools in Motion: Works from the Hechinger Collection”, a traveling exhibition organized by International Arts & Artists, Washington, DC, featuring 20th century art that celebrates repetition and motion in common, everyday tools and hardware. Tools in Motion will be on view in the Main Gallery at The Bascom through December 23. The exhibition features 50 witty and light-hearted works based on familiar forms ‑ hammers, saws and wrenches – transformed into art of great imaginative power using materials including wood, glass, metal, paper and stone.

2011-10-03T08:26:00.001-04:00

NCMC Events From Around the State… October 3, 2011

1). High Point Museum presents “Ghost Stories Around the Campfire” on Saturday, October 15, 6:30 pm to 8 pm. Join the High Point Historical Society at the High Point Museum as Cynthia Moore Brown weaves her magic through local ghost stories and folk tales. Just in time for Halloween come hear stories appropriate for children of all ages. This event will be free for Historical Society members.

2). Cape Fear Museum presents “Down Home: Jewish Life in North Carolina”, exhibit opens October 7, 2011. Discover how Jews, through a process of struggle and negotiation, became integrated into Southern society and helped build a New South. Explore how North Carolina has shaped Jewish lives and how Jews have contributed to the state’s economic, social, cultural, and educational welfare. Down Home recounts the personal stories of hard work, dreams, and challenges of Jewish immigrants who became Southern, while struggling to maintain their cultural and religious lives.

3). Reynolda House Museum of American Art presents “Lecture and Concert” on Sunday, October 9, 2 p.m. Members/students free, non-members $8. The great American composer Morton Feldman was deeply influenced by the abstract expressionist painters of New York. Wake Forest University Professor of Music Louis Goldstein will explore these associations and perform Feldman’s piano compositions. Goldstein’s most recent recording was ranked in 2010’s top ten modern composition recordings by “Wire” magazine.

4). Asheville Art Museum is delighted to work in partnership with organizations and artists throughout Western North Carolina in celebration of American Craft Week (October 7 – 16, 2011). The Museum is also pleased to present keynote speaker, Carol Sauvion, creator of the critically-acclaimed PBS television series “Craft in America” at 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 9, 2011 at the Fine Arts Theatre on Biltmore Avenue. Following the Keynote Address, audiences will preview the upcoming season of “Craft in America”, scheduled to premier nationwide this November.

5). Bennett Place State Historic Site presents “Road to Secession” on October 8-9. It is October 1861. Join living historians recreate the fervor and excitement of the beginning of the American Civil War. Mustering in and drills will be performed. Robert Szabo, well known 19th Century photographer will be on site taking photos and performing demonstrations. Wagon rides will be provided by Ronald Hudson and his mules for the new recruits and visitors to the enlistment camp and around the Bennett Farm. 19th century baseball game with the Greensboro Patriots vs Team To Be Determined. The Huckleberry Brothers will be on site playing throughout the weekend. Special Lectures by historians and authors on the beginnings of the War Between the States.

6). Joel Lane Museum House is proud to announce a lecture on "Germans Building in the Backcountry of North Carolina” by John Larson on Thursday, October 13, 2011 at 7 pm in the Visitors Center. Admission will be $15 for the general public and $10 for members of the Joel Lane Historical Society. Refreshments will be served. Seating is limited, and advanced payment is required. Tickets are non-refundable unless we must cancel the event.

7). The Bascom In preparation for the The Bascom’s popular “Spooky Raku” firing under the Halloween moon from 6-8 pm on Monday, October 31, Frank Vickery offers a course on Raku firing on Saturday, October 8, 15 and 22 from 10 am-12 noon. Students will be given a bag of clay to create pottery pieces for the Halloween Raku firing. Tuition for the course is $100 Bascom members/$125 non-members.

8). SciWorks presents “SciWorks: Great Imagination Exploration!” on October 8th from 11am – 2pm. This is our version of the Amazing Race® as seen on TV. Three age groups will be competing. The winner of each age group will receive a grand prize of a $5.00 gift certificate to the SciWorks Gift Shop and a free pass to SciWorks. Each participant will receive a gift for explorers. Race participation is FREE with paid admission. All explorers will meet in the Auditorium at 11:00 to go over the rules, get their first clues, passports and maps. Each group will begin in a different section of the museum or its grounds. There will be pit stops, road blocks and challenges to complete.

9). N.C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher The North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher’s newest installation in the Spadefish Gallery, entitled “Woodturning,” showcases works created by members of the Wilmington Area Woodturners Association (WAWA). The show features stunning craftsmanship of wooden vases, bowls, platters and even a cowboy hat. Artists showcased in the exhibit include: Dennis Belcher, Bob Doughtery, Russell E. Gray, Jack O’Connor, Byron Rosbrugh, Bob Post, Ward Holdridge and Jim Stoveken. “Woodturning” will be on exhibit through Dec. 1, 2011.

10). Maria V. Howard Arts Center at the Imperial Centre presents seven new exhibits: Embroiderer’s Guild of America: National Exhibition, “America the Beautiful the National Tapestry”, “Through the Needle’s Eye”; paintings by Amy Freeman: “Standing Still”; trompe l’oeil paintings by Robert Tynes: “”Cutouts”; Annie Hogan: “Double Vision”; and “Sculpture Salmagundi XV” juried exhibition. Opening Reception is Sunday, October 9 (2:00-5:00 pm) includes the official renaming and dedication ceremony for Maria V. Howard, a guided sculpture tour with juror Cliff Tresner, and a trompe l’oeil painting demo by Robert Tynes. Free admission.

2011-09-21T10:00:00.002-04:00

NCMC Events From Around the State… September 26, 2011

1). High Point Museum presents program and book signing Saturday, October 1, 7 pm. Dr. Theodore Kornweibel, author of Railroads in the African American Experience – A Photographic Journey will be speaking about his book and then doing a book signing. The book examines the significant contributions of African Americans to the building, maintenance, operation, and profitability of the American railway system. The program is presented by the High Point Museum and the National Railway Historical Society Greensboro Chapter.

2). Wrightsville Beach Museum presents “An Afternoon with Henry Jay MacMillan” on Sunday, October 2, 2011, 2-6 pm. The Wrightsville Beach Museum invites you to an intimate afternoon as we view seldom-seen works by Henry Jay MacMillan from private collections. Visit the Wrightsville Beach Museum as art experts, family, and local friends of Henry Jay MacMillan share observations on his work and reminiscences of his life. Pieces from private, local collections and from the family of the artist will be shared during this afternoon event. Light refreshments on the porch.

3). Asheville Art Museum is pleased to announce the opening of “Homage2”, on view in Gallery 6 from Saturday, October 1, 2011 – Sunday, March 4, 2012. An Opening Reception for the exhibition will be held at the Museum on Sunday, October 2, 2011 from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. Drawn primarily from the Museum’s Permanent Collection, in addition to works on loan from private collections and the Weatherspoon Art Museum at UNCG, Homage2 highlights artists who have taken up the challenge of the square and have used space and color in unique ways, and pays tribute to artist Josef Albers’s unmistakable influence on the modern art world from mid-20th century to present day.

4). Cape Fear Museum presents “Weird Science” on Saturdays, October 1, 8, 15, 29, 1-4 pm, ages 5-12. Museum members: Free; Non-members: Free with Museum admission. Why does milk curdle? What’s the best environment for worms? Explore strange and sometimes slimy science with fun, hand-on experiments. Make your own “bouncy blubber” and use mud to discover how craters form on the moon.

5). The Bascom Complementing The Bascom’s “Celebration!” fundraiser, the “Tools in Motion” exhibition showcases repetition and motion in common, everyday tools and hardware. This witty traveling exhibition comes from The Hechinger Collection and was organized by Arts and Artists International of Washington, D.C. On view at The Bascom from October 1st through December 23rd.

6). N.C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher The North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher invites families to observe national “Take a Child Outside Week” by signing up for an Aquarium canoe outing, either Saturday, Sept. 24 or Sunday, Sept. 25. Take a Child Outside week, from Sept. 24-30, is nationwide program supported by about 250 organizations, including the Aquarium at Fort Fisher. Its aim is to help remove obstacles that prevent children from knowing the natural world, and to encourage a better appreciation of nature.

7). Museum of the Albemarle In the spirit of the Nags Head Casino join the Museum of the Albemarle for the “Pirates' Jamboree” fund raiser Saturday October 1 from 7pm to 11 pm! Admission is $20 in advance & tickets are available in the Museum’s lobby. Enjoy a fun filled night of dancing and music from DJ Harvey Taylor & live music by Out In The Cold! Enjoy hors d'oeuvres, beverages and cash bar. Come in casual dress or PIRATE attire!

8). Marbles Kids Museum presents “Forces of Nature”, opening Friday, September 30. Lose yourself in “Forces of Nature”, and find what may be cinema's biggest, baddest depictions of real-life earthquakes, volcanoes, and storms. This giant-screen movie from National Geographic and Graphic Films follows scientists on pulse-pounding quests to discover how natural disasters are triggered - without getting literally caught up in their work.

9). HandsOn! Hands On!-A Child’s Gallery, the children’s museum in downtown Hendersonville, is excited to host musical visitor, Tania Battista, of the YouTheatre Program of the Flat Rock Playhouse. She will sing at Hands On! Friday, September 30 at 10:30 a.m. Cost to attend is included in $5 admission and is free for museum members. Tania’s songs are great for any age and will be fun and interactive!

10). N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences “Take A Child Outside Week”, a national initiative spearheaded by the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, kicks off Saturday, September 24 and runs through Friday, September 30. Designed to help break down obstacles that keep children from exploring the natural world, the program encourages children and adults to spend time together outdoors. It was inspired by Richard Louv’s book “Last Child in the Woods,” which identifies the benefits of outdoor experiences for children and addresses some of the problems of what he terms “Nature Deficit Disorder,” such as increased feelings of stress, trouble paying attention and feelings of being disconnected from the world.

2011-09-19T09:57:00.002-04:00

NCMC Events From Around the State… September 19, 2011

1). Asheville Art Museum On Saturday, September 24th the Asheville Art Museum’s ARTmob returns with the “Primary Colors: Cocktail + Dance Party”. The Museum invites you to “party in your primaries” from 7:00 – 10:00 p.m. at Arcade Asheville, located at 130 College Street in downtown Asheville. A suggested donation of $5.00 is requested in support of Color Study, currently on view in the Museum’s Appleby Foundation Gallery through November 6, 2011.

2). N.C. Maritime Museum at Beaufort presents a new exhibit: “Watched by Sound and Sea: Occupied Beaufort, 1862.” Opening reception is Saturday, Sept. 24. The Civil War transforms a quiet southern town in Eastern North Carolina into a hub of Union Navy activity. Discover what life was like in an occupied town and how locals were affected by the war. Guest Lecturer Judkin Browning, author of “The Southern Mind Under Union Rule: The Diary of James Rumley, Beaufort, NC 1862 – 1865” will speak at 3 p.m. No cost. Light Refreshments will be served.

3). Museum of Anthropology presents “A Must-Hear Attraction: Dialect in the Heritage Tourism Landscape in Rural Valdres, Norway”, lecture on Thursday, Sept. 22, 7:00pm. Dr. Thea Strand, Visiting Assistant Professor of Anthropology at Wake Forest, will explore the connections between popular dialect revitalization efforts and tourism development projects in Valdres, Norway, and how the sounds of a rural dialect can be marketed as cultural heritage with broad aesthetic appeal. Admission is free.

4). Port Discover Dr. Tesfaye D. Serbessa, Assistant Professor of Chemistry at Elizabeth City State University, and his students, will assist children in exploring basic concepts of chemistry by conducting fun-filled chemistry experiments during Port Discover’s “Afterschool Science”, Thursday, September 22, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. During the Chemistry 101 program, Dr. Serbessa will lead a variety of chemistry-based activities including making a cold/hot pack, baking soda volcano, color splash or dry ice bubbles.

5). Cape Fear Museum Discover regional history and science topics of interest at Cape Fear Museum’s “Cape Fear 101: Stories from the Savannah” on Tuesday, September 20 from 6:30-8:30 PM. Endangered species biologist Julie Moore with the US Fish & Wildlife Service in Washington, DC will explore the Cape Fear region’s botanical heritage and the legacy of pioneer ecologist B. W. Wells, in conjunction with the Museum’s exhibit “B.W. Wells: Pioneer Ecologist”, on view until February 7.

6). Natural Science Center of Greensboro The Natural Science Center's (NSC) vision to build North Carolina's only center-of-state aquarium in Greensboro will finally move from blueprints to construction on Wednesday, September 21, 2011. To commemorate this event, NSC leaders are holding a unique ground-breaking ceremony at 10 a.m. to officially announce the start of construction of the new, world-class Carolina SciQuarium.

7). HandsOn! Come mix science with art at Hands On! – A Child’s Gallery, the children’s museum located in downtown Hendersonville with “Coffee Filter Tie-dye class”. This drop-in art project is designed for children ages 6-10, will take place Thursday, September 22nd from 2-4 pm. Cost to participate is free with $5 museum admission fee and free for museum members.

8). N.C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher This year, Trick-or-Treat Under the Sea will sport a new look as the Aquarium partners with Green Halloween, a community initiative focused on creating child- and Earth-friendly holiday traditions. In an effort to make Trick-Or-Treat Under the Sea a Green Halloween event, the N. C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher will host a costume exchange. The Aquarium will collect donations of gently used costumes during the month of September. We encourage you to clean out your closets of costumes from years past and bring them to the aquarium Sept. 1-31. On Oct. 1, families are welcome to visit the Aquarium between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. to select a new costume from those donated.

9). N.C. Maritime History Council On September 29, 30 and October 1, the North Carolina Maritime History Council brings its annual conference to Wilmington. This year’s conference theme “Wilmington at War: A Military Crossroads,” centers around the importance of the Port City during wartime as well as times of peace. The conference includes numerous tours, activities, programs and visits to many of the areas historic sites and museums. Interested parties please see the Maritime History Council’s website and click on annual meeting for the complete conference agenda and registration form.

10). N.C. Transportation Museum presents “Day Out With Thomas”, Sept. 23-25, Sept. 30-Oct.2. Thomas the Tank Engine visits the museum and gives train rides with a variety of entertainment events, including music, a magician, Thomas play areas, Imagination Station and the opportunity to meet Sir Topham Hatt. Fee required.

2011-09-09T10:40:00.002-04:00

NCMC Events From Around the State… September 12, 2011

1). N.C. Maritime Museum at Beaufort presents “Locals’ Reception: ‘Blackbeard’s Queen Anne’s Revenge’ Exhibit” on Friday, Sept. 16, 5–7 p.m. This is an off-season opportunity to experience the Museum’s newest permanent exhibit. Light refreshments provided. This is a free event supported by the Friends of the NC Maritime Museum in Beaufort.

2). Port Discover Spend some time in Port Discover’s “Kids Grow” garden during “Nature IDs,” Port Discover’s Toddler Time program, on Thursday, September 15 at 10:00 am. The kids will create a science nature journal for recording, observing, and identifying the natural world around us. Programs in “Kids Grow” garden is made possible by a grant from AgCarolina Financial. Toddler Time is a special science program just for preschoolers, ages 3 – 5. Cost for the program is $5 per family and reservations are required. Parents or guardians must accompany the child.

3). Joel Lane Museum House The Joel Lane Museum House will present “Lizzie Lane’s Colonial Tea” on Sunday, September 28, 2011 from 3 to 5 pm with a rain date of Sunday, October 2. Elizabeth was Colonel Joel Lane’s seventh child. He was a founding father of Raleigh and an officer in the Militia during the American Revolutionary War. In the beautiful colonial gardens at the Joel Lane Museum House, mothers, daughters, grandmothers, and granddaughters will learn the etiquette of taking tea and cakes in colonial times. After tea, they will have a chance to participate in early American crafts and games. The strains of live music will fill the air. Admission is by advanced purchase only, and tickets have sold out early for the last two years.

4). N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences Whether they’re hiding in the corners of our homes, spinning a web or descending upon us on a single thread of silk, spiders are undeniably fascinating which is why they’re the theme bug for this year’s “BugFest”—the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences’ biggest event of the year and the largest, one-day, bug-centric event of its kind in the country. On Saturday, September 17 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., all four floors of the Museum, as well as Bicentennial Plaza, Jones St. and Edenton St. will become bug central station!

5). Museum of the Albemarle “Pre-Schooler Time” will be held at the Museum of the Albemarle on Wednesday, September 14, 2011 at 10:00 am. Participants must be between the ages of 3 to 5 years old and must be accompanied by an adult. Children will discover the purpose of blimps, what blimps are made of and how they float in the air. Read a book and participate in a hands-on activity. This is a free family program.

6). Asheville Art Museum is pleased to present this September’s ArtFacts workshop, “Collecting WPA Prints”, with June Lambla, owner and manager of Lambla artWORKS, LLC. The workshop will be held at the Museum on Monday, September 12 at 5:30 p.m. The cost for the workshop is $5 for Museum Members and $6 for Non-Members, and includes light refreshments. Advance registration is requested, but not required.

7). Maria V. Howard Arts Center September 17th and 18th Christine Zoller will offer a silk painting workshop. Participants will experiment with a number of silk painting techniques and become comfortable with a fabric some times considered intimidating. The class will also offer a few quick dye methods and will focus on using textile flowable paints and fiber reactive dyes with resists. The workshop will take place from 10:00am to 4:00pm each day in the Arts Education Building of the Maria V. Howard Arts Center at the Imperial Centre. The cost of the workshop is $80 for city residents and $85 for non residents. There will be a separate $25 material fee paid to the instructor.

8). Weatherspoon Art Museum presents "Persona" Opening Reception + Artist Talk on Friday, Sep 16, 6-9pm. Join us for special exhibition preview of “Persona: A Body in Parts”. The evening begins with a Talk by participating artist Kate Gilmore at 6pm followed by a public reception and premiere of Gilmore's live performance artwork at 7pm.

9). CSS Neuse State Historic Site and the Governor Caswell Memorial presents Military Through the Ages on September 17, 2011 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. There will be re-enactors portraying soldiers from the American Revolution through World War II. Visitors will be invited to learn about uniforms, accessories, equipment, and weapons that soldiers used during the wars represented. The event is free, but donations are welcome.

10). Mount Airy Museum of Regional History presents History Talks Lecture Series: Kevin Duffus presents “The Last Days of Blackbeard the Pirate”, 2PM Sunday September 18, Free to the Public, Museum Conference Room. What happened during Blackbeard's last days that precipitated his demise? Who, truly, was Edward Teach, and from whence did he come? What was his true name and where may he have hidden his treasure? North Carolina Humanities Council's Road Scholar author Kevin Duffus, in his newest lecture, invites audiences to enter the dimly-lit passageway of time and learn surprising contradictions to previously-published historical accounts of the last days of Blackbeard the pirate.

2011-09-02T10:34:00.002-04:00

NCMC Events From Around the State… September 5, 2011

1). High Point Museum presents “Washington Street Walking Tour” on Saturday, September 17, 10:30 am. Local historian Glenn Chavis will offer a guided walking tour of historic Washington Street. Washington Street was a thriving business and entertainment district for High Point's black community during the period of segregation. Each tour, lasting approximately 90 minutes, is free of charge but is limited to 20 people so you must call to reserve your spot. Call the Museum to register.

2). Museum of Anthropology presents “Local Peace Corps Volunteers: Bringing Cultures Together for 50 Years”, exhibit running from Sept. 20 – Dec. 16, Tuesday – Saturday, 10:00am – 4:30pm. This exhibit documents the experiences of local Peace Corps volunteers who served in many different countries around the world from the 1960s to the present. Objects and photographs brought back to the United States by the volunteers are on display. The exhibit also includes film clips of interviews in which each volunteer describes how his or her service in the Peace Corps led to better understanding of other people and cultures. Admission is free.

3). HandsOn! Hands On!, the children’s museum in downtown Hendersonville, wants to invite you to celebrate our 4th birthday with us on Wednesday, September 14! Join us for birthday treats provided by Mikes on Main and Three Chopt. The birthday cake is being provided by McFarlan Bake Shop! Events are free with $5 admission and free for members.

4). SciWorks Winston-Salem has joined the “Science Café” movement that has swept the nation. SciWorks, Reynolda Gardens of Wake Forest University and Sigma Xi (the International honor society for scientific and engineering research) have scheduled another series of talks in September, October, and November 2011. Science Cafés are informal talks given by a local expert at a local gathering place. The talks will take place at Buena Vista Grille, 109 S. Stratford Road in Winston-Salem. The Science Cafés begin at 7pm and will be held in the private room. There is no fee to participate in the Science Café.

5). Asheville Art Museum The Asheville Art Museum is pleased to announce next month’s upcoming “Docent Recruitment Day” at the Museum. On September 12, 2011 from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 Noon, Museum staff and active Docents will welcome prospective volunteers who are interested in becoming Museum Docents. Guests will enjoy coffee and refreshments while speaking with the Museum team about this wonderful volunteer opportunity. Attached and below you will find a full press release containing details about the benefits of becoming a Museum Docent.

6). Polk County Historical Assn. & Museum presents a special one-day show of a private collection of Tryon Toy Makers and Wood Carvers works on Saturday Sept. 17. At 2 pm, Ric Dunn and Michael McCue will speak on the history and interesting tidbits of both organizations. Michael has done extensive research on these groups and published "The Tryon Toy-Makers and Wood-Carvers A History 1915-1940". Local artist Richard Baker will sketch displayed artifacts for a small charge to benefit the museum.

7). Tryon Palace Wander the gardens, enjoy a concert by the Tryon Palace Fife & Drum Corps, and step back in time to an era where a man’s personal honor was his most cherished quality. On September 5th, 1802, a prominent New Bern lawyer met his political rival, a former State Governor, in a lethal duel on the streets of New Bern. Watch the drama of that day unfold before your eyes. In this historical reenactment of a duel between 19th-century New Bern political rivals, costumed characters battle to protect their reputations. This event will take place on Monday, September 5 at 4:00 p.m. on the Tryon Palace South Lawn.

8). Weatherspoon Art Museum is pleased to present the exhibition “Persona - Body in Parts” (September 17 – December 11). The exhibition examines the human body as a plastic surrogate form from which multiple and complex identities can be defined. The exhibition includes new work by Carter (New York), a series of new Soundsuit sculptures by Nick Cave (Chicago), recent large-scale photographs by Nikki S. Lee (Seoul), Barbara Probst (New York/Berlin) and Gillian Wearing (London), as well as a newly commissioned sculpture/performance work by Kate Gilmore (New York).

9). Mount Airy Museum of Regional History presents “Toast and Jam” from 5 - 7pm on Saturday September 10. Good Wine and Good Music all set in the Museum's picturesque courtyard. This FREE monthly program will feature wine from Shelton Vineyards and Classic Salsa and Latin Jazz music by West End Mambo, though a special grant provided by Surry Arts Council and the North Carolina Arts Council.

10). Museum of the Albemarle Bring your grandchild to the Museum of the Albemarle, Thursday, September 8 from 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm for the “Grandparent Files: Forgotten Toys”. Learn how toys of the past were made from wood, cloth and string. Bring any toys from your past for a “show and tell” time. You and your grandchild will construct a forgotten toy. Grandparents and grandchildren of all ages are welcome. Supply fee for each child: $5.00 general public; $3.00 FOMOA members; $2.00 FOMOA Grandparent members Pre-registration & Supply Fee requested by September 6th.

2011-08-29T10:08:00.002-04:00

NCMC Events From Around the State… August 29, 2011

1). Joel Lane Museum House The Joel Lane Museum House is proud to announce a lecture on "18th-Century Cemetery Practices in North Carolina” by John Clauser on Thursday, September 15, 2011 at 7 pm in the Visitors Center at 160 South Saint Mary’s Street, Raleigh, NC 27603. Admission will be $15 for the general public and $10 for members of the Joel Lane Historical Society. Refreshments will be served. Seating is limited, and advanced payment is required.

2). Museum of Anthropology presents “Días de los Muertos (Days of the Dead)”, exhibit running Sept. 13 – Dec. 16, Tuesday – Saturday, 10:00am – 4:30pm. MOA’s annual exhibit will feature a traditional Mexican “ofrenda”: a home altar with sugar skulls, colorful tissue paper cutouts, food and beverage offerings, marigolds, and photos of deceased relatives to honor the dead. A children’s “ofrenda” and photographs illustrating different aspects of the celebration will also be on display. This exhibit features text in English and Spanish. Admission is free.

3). Marbles Kids Museum presents “Leggo Your LEGO at Marbles” on Saturday, September 10. Calling all LEGO lovers…this day is for YOU! Come build bridges and towers with LEGO masters while learning engineering techniques that allow you to build strong and high structures. In partnership with LEGO KidsFest.

4). SEMC announces the 2011 Annual Conference: October 25-27 in Greenville, SC. SEMC and the South Carolina Federation of Museums welcome you to a vibrant cultural experience. Join us at the 2011 SEMC Annual Meeting in Greenville nestled in the foothills of the Upstate South Carolina Mountains! Heritage Green has a wealth of museums and historic sites--all waiting to add to your experience. Don’t hesitate…register now! What better way to visit the Carolina’s? Come join Southeastern museum professionals at the SEMC 2011 Annual Meeting, October 25-27! http://www.semcdirect.net/Default.aspx?pageId=704435.

5). Asheville Art Museum The Asheville Art Museum is pleased to announce the opening of “The Elemental Arts: Air Earth Fire Water” on Friday, September 2, 2011. Featuring works by Douglas D. Ellington, Ke Francis, Elizabeth J. Peak and Paula Stark, among other noteworthy artists from the Museum’s Permanent Collection, The Elemental Arts examines the way in which artists have treated or incorporated the four essential elements—air, earth, fire and water—into their work.

6). N.C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher presents “Behind the Scenes Tour” every Sunday in September at 1:00 pm. Have you ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes at an Aquarium? Space for animal holding, husbandry, life support systems, and access to exhibits is hidden behind the aquarium walls. Accompany aquarium staff on a guided tour of animal quarantine, life support, food preparation, and access areas. Fee: $15.00 for ages 13 and up, $13.00 for ages 8-12. Aquarium admission included. PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED.

7). 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 Thursday, September 1 through Friday, September 2nd all day at Hands On! Cost to participate is free with $5 museum admission fee and free for museum members.

8). Museum of the Albemarle Gather at the Museum of the Albemarle on Thursday, September 1, 2011 at 2:00 pm for a matinee. The Museum will show “Wild Caught: The Life and Struggles of an American Fishing Town”. The documentary takes viewers into the life of small-scale commercial fishermen living in Snead’s Ferry. The fishermen in the documentary take you through the struggles they face today due to globalization, imports, rising fuel prices and coastal growth. This documentary is part of the Unheard Voices Project that tells the stories of people in the working world.

9). The Bascom On Thursday, September 8 from 5-7 pm, enjoy “Stella by Starlight - Stella’s Working Space: from protractors and polygons to printmaking and sculpture”, a reception and talk by Susan Robert (B.A. Emory University; J.D. Woodrow Wilson School of Law and B.F.A. Atlanta College of Art). A longtime enthusiast and student of Stella’s work, Robert is a painter and printmaker who will share her enthusiasm in the context of The Bascom’s current exhibit Frank Stella: American Master. Admission is free, but seating is limited.

10). Hickory Museum of Art The Hickory Museum of Art will host a gallery talk with internationally renowned ceramic artist Mark Hewitt on Thursday, September 1 in the Museum’s second floor Coe Gallery. The doors open at 6:00 p.m. for light refreshments, followed by the program at 6:30 p.m. This event is free and open to the public. After a brief introduction by Vale potter Kim Ellington, Mark will begin his presentation, “Going to Carolina in My Mind: Imagination and Reality in North Carolina Pottery”. A question and answer period will follow.

2011-08-22T11:54:00.002-04:00

NCMC Events From Around the State… August 22, 2011

1). Charlotte Museum of History presents “Celtic Festival”, August 27, 2011 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Celebrate the rich Celtic heritage of the Charlotte region with concerts by Beoir Agus Ceoil and the renowned Loch Norman Pipe Band! Bring your own chairs, blankets and picnic dinner and enjoy an evening of Scottish Highland dancing, piping and drumming. Children’s activities, games and raffle prizes will also be available! Admission: Free with a suggested donation of $5 per adult and $10 per family.

2). Asheville Art Museum is pleased to announce the upcoming panel discussion “Art Working” to be held in Gallery 6 of the Museum on August 28, 2011 at 3:00 p.m. Guest panelists include local artists and arts professionals who will discuss the role of government in art, the history of the Works Progress Administration and its legacies in public and private sector grant-making, and how to survive as a working artist today.

3). Turchin Center for the Visual Arts “Fall Exhibition Celebration” will be Friday, September 2nd, 2011. There will be Food, Live Music and a Cash Bar. The main event will be held from 7:00 to 9:00pm, and is FREE and open to the public! We will be celebrating the following exhibitions: “John Scarlata: Living In the Light: A Retrospective & Other Works”, “Sanctuary: Val Lyle, Halpert Biennial: A National Juried Competition & Exhibition”, “Selections: Works from the Turchin CenterPermanent Collection”, “Northmost: R. Martin Stamet”.

4). HandsOn! Hands On!-A Child’s Gallery, the children’s museum in downtown Hendersonville, invites you to come celebrate your canine friends on Friday August 26th, 2011, all day. Cost to attend is included in $5 admission and is free for museum members. “Bring your favorite pet dog in to our Vet Exhibit sponsored by the Etowah Valley Veterinary Hospital for a check-up,” said Beth Bockoven, Operations Manager. At 4:00 pm a police dog will visit so be sure to come meet a working dog!

5). Cameron Art Museum The Cameron Art Museum received a $5,000 grant from the Corning Incorporated Foundation in support of the Museum School. The Museum School provides adult learners a creative curriculum of classes taught by local artists, art historians, scholars, and art professionals on the museum's campus. All classes connect to, interpret, and deepen participants' understanding of the museum's exhibitions and permanent collection. The Museum School provides a gathering place for the interpretation of art for instructors and their students through an engaging, entrepreneurial process.

6). Cape Fear Museum presents “People of the Past Docent Training” on Monday, August 29, 2011 from 10am – 12pm. Be a part of Cape Fear Museum’s long-running “People of the Past” school program. This training session will orient new and returning docents to the 90-minute fourth grade program. Become familiar with the Museum’s methods in working with school groups.

7). Waterworks Visual Arts Center will host an opening reception for the fall exhibition “Imprints” on Friday, August 26 from 6-8 pm. Come early and enjoy a Gallery Talk with exhibiting artist Mona Wu on Friday, August 26 at 4 pm. This event is free and open to the public. “ Imprints” features three exhibitions: “Through a Soldier’s Eyes: Remembering Vietnam”, a collection of photographs, oral histories and artifacts from local servicemen and women; “Principles and Reality” by Thomas Floyd paintings and lithographs exploring his feelings and emotions that arose from his Vietnam experience; and “New Work” by Mona Wu, incorporating her Asian interests and knowledge in her work by combining printmaking, Chinese brush painting, and calligraphy.

8). Greensboro Children’s Museum The insatiable curiosity of Curious George – the little monkey who has captured the imagination and hearts of millions of children and adults for 65 years – comes to life Saturday, October 8, 2011 – January 22, 2012, at the Greensboro Children’s Museum. The exhibit, “Curious George: Let’s Get Curious!”, will introduce young children to Curious George’s world and lead visitors on a fun, meaningful interactive math, science and engineering-based adventure.

9). Marbles Kids Museum presents “Marbletinis to the MAX” on Thursday, September 8 from 5:30pm-8:00pm. Marbletinis to the MAX is a monthly happy hour (2nd Thursday of each month) at the Wells Fargo IMAX Theatre at Marbles featuring two showings of an inspiring documentary, specialty martinis, beer and wine, and light appetizers. Tickets include admission to the night’s documentary, a cocktail of your choice and light appetizers. Additional drink tickets may be purchased. Event tickets are $20/person or $10/IMAX Power Pass holder. All ticketholders must be at least 21 years of age.

10). Museum of the Albemarle Join the Museum of the Albemarle on Thursday, August 25 at 2:00 pm for an afternoon matinee. The Museum will show “The Carolina Brogue” which is a production of the North Carolina Language and Life Project at North Carolina State University. The documentary focuses on the dialect and life of the people living on the North Carolina coast. This event is free to the public.

2011-08-15T13:15:00.002-04:00

NCMC Events From Around the State… August 15, 2011

1). Wrightsville Beach Museum of History “Lumina Daze” returns on Sunday, August 28 from 4:00 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Blockade Runner Beach Resort. This evening of fun will benefit Wrightsville Beach Museum. Music will be provided by Wilmington Big Band, Buddy Skipper and the Jetty Jumpers with Carey Patterson and Pug West, and Dixieland All-Stars. New this year is a Live Auction in addition to our popular Silent Auction. Ticket prices are $15.

2). N.C. Maritime Museum at Beaufort presents “Murder Mystery Dinner” on Saturday, September 2. End your summer with a BANG! The Provost Marshall in occupied Beaufort has been murdered. Was it the sweet Southern Belle, a disgruntled Union soldier, or a jealous husband who pulled the trigger? You solve the Civil War mystery! Seating is limited. $30.00.

3). N.C. Department of Cultural Resources The Civil War savaged lives yet secured the future of generations in North Carolina and the rest of the nation, and altered the course of American history. The injustices suffered by African Americans were a major cause of the American Civil War (1861-1865). The fight for liberation is one aspect seen in the “Freedom, Sacrifice, Memory: Civil War Sesquicentennial Photography Exhibit” (www.nccivilwar150.com), which will visit the Pender County Public Library in Burgaw and the Rockingham County Public Library in Eden from Sept. 1-28.

4). HandsOn! Hands On!-A Child’s Gallery, a children’s museum located in downtown Hendersonville is excited to announce the “Finding Fitness Forever” Scavenger Hunt! This active scavenger hunt is a part of the national “Let’s Move” initiative to combat childhood obesity started by First Lady, Michelle Obama. The scavenger hunt begins on Tuesday, August 16th and lasts until Saturday, Sept. 10. Use your brain and use your body to find fitness opportunities throughout the museum. Complete a scavenger hunt form and win a certificate. So, come on in and get moving at Hands On!

5). Discovery Place Discovery Place is now accepting applications for adult volunteers for the upcoming exhibition “Mummies of the World”, which makes its southern U.S. premiere at the Museum on November 11, 2011. Mummies of the World is the largest exhibition of real mummies and artifacts ever assembled, featuring an astounding collection of 150 specimens, including real human and animal mummies and related artifacts from South America, Europe, Asia, Oceania and Egypt.

6). Mount Airy Museum of Regional History presents “History Talks”. Eric Williams presents “The Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail” at 2 p.m. on Sunday August 21. Free to the public. Eric Williams, retired site manager of Ninety Six National Historic Site will speak about the Overmountain Victory Trail, its history and the significance of this Revolutionary War campaign along with the creation and development of the National Park Services interpretive trail system commemorating the campaign.

7). Natural Science Center of Greensboro The Natural Science Center (NSC) of Greensboro is having a party on Wednesday, August 24th from 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. to celebrate Axl and Kisa's 7th birthday! Visitors attending the celebration in Animal Discovery can watch the tigers tear into their meat-filled birthday presents, sign giant birthday cards, make a tiger craft and listen to special tiger Keeper Talks. The twin tigers, Axl (male) and Kisa (female), were born on August 24, 2004 at Conservators Center, a large cat rescue in Mebane, NC.

8). The Bascom The Center for Life Enrichment presents “Faces of the Fallen: A Tribute to Those Who Gave Their Lives in Afghanistan and Iran” on Thursday, August 18 from 10 am-12 noon at The Bascom. A poignant look into the faces of the first 1327 service men and women who died in Afghanistan and Iraq, as represented by 250 American artists. Portrait painter and professor Annette Polan, chairman of Faces of the Fallen, will relate how this project transformed her life and how art can connect us to world events.

9). Waterworks Visual Arts Center “Through a Soldier’s Eyes: Remembering Vietnam” is a collaborative project between the Rowan Public Library and Waterworks Visual Arts Center. This special exhibition honors and illustrates the Vietnam experience of local servicemen and women through a powerful assemblage of artifacts, photographs, and oral histories gathered over the last twelve months, as well as lithographs, paintings, and woodblock prints from two visual artists, Thomas L. Floyd’s (Tecumseh, NE) “Principles and Reality” and New Work by Mona Wu (Winston-Salem). Opening Reception is Friday, August 26 from 6-8 pm.

10). Charlotte Nature Museum Cool your heels in the wonders of water and learn about its living inhabitants, as Charlotte Nature Museum hosts its August “Creature Feature: Wild in the Water” on Saturday, August 20, from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. North Carolina streams, ponds and lakes are the native home of a boundless array of plants and animals. Float on this cool fact – the Catawba River contains the most dams of any North Carolina river, at 244 miles long with seven man-made lakes. Learn about the ecological importance of our natural water reserves and the steps we can take to preserve them.

2011-08-08T10:17:00.002-04:00

NCMC Events From Around the State… August 8, 2011

1). 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.

2). Port Discover Chef Andy Montero will present “Earth to Sky,” in Port Discover’s new Kids Grow garden, during Port Discover’s Second Saturday Science program, on Saturday, August 13 at 11:00 am. Yummy health snacks will be prepared as kids learn how to use and consume every part of the plant--from roots, stems, leaves to seeds and the "fruit" from the plant. Programs in “Kids Grow” garden are made possible by a grant from AgCarolina Financial.

3). Greensboro Children’s Museum presents “Kickoff to Kindergarten” on Saturday, August 13th from 3-5pm. Kickoff to Kindergarten is a free event offered by the Greensboro Children's Museum to help prepare children and their families for kindergarten or pre-kindergarten. The Museum has partnered with Guilford County Schools to have Kindergarten teachers and school leaders available to answer last minute questions for students and parents and to provide helpful information.

4). High Point Museum presents “Washington Street Walking Tour” on Saturday, August 20, 10:30 am. Begins at Changing Tides Cultural Center, 613 Washington St. Local historian Glenn Chavis will offer a guided walking tour of historic Washington Street. Washington Street was a thriving business and entertainment district for High Point's black community during the period of segregation. Each tour, lasting approximately 90 minutes, is free of charge but is limited to 20 people so you must call to reserve your spot. Call the Museum at 885-1859 to register.

5). CSS Neuse State Historic Site and the Governor Caswell Memorial presents 2nd Saturday: Women’s Role in the Civil War and a Social on August 13 from 12:30 p.m. until 3 p.m. At 1 p.m. Brenda McKean will give a lecture about Women’s Role in the Civil War to be followed by a book signing. Then at 2 p.m. we will have present a historic tea, detailing etiquette of the period. Historic Games will also be available for kids to play during this time.

6). Fort Fisher State Historic Site Nothing caps off a round of toe-tapping fiddle music better than a commanding cannon blast, and that’s just what awaits visitors of Fort Fisher State Historic Site at “The Sounds of Fort Fisher: 19th Century Music and Artillery” slated for Saturday, August 13, 2011, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Highlighting the program will be period music provided by North Carolina favorites, the Huckleberry Brothers, inside the visitor’s center. The program will also feature costumed tours of Fort Fisher’s remaining earthworks throughout the day, and cannon firings at 10 a.m., 12 noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.

7). N.C. Transportation Museum The N.C. Transportation Museum in Spencer opened a new offering this summer in the Wagons, Wheels & Wings exhibit space, adding a bit of water to the wagons and wheels on display. “Workboats of Core Sound” features the photography of Lawrence Earley, as he has documented the working lives of the fishermen and boat builders of Core Sound, on North Carolina’s Outer Banks. “Workboats of Core Sound” features 50 black and white photographs with extended captions relating the stories behind the images.

8). Cape Fear Museum presents “Learning Center: Dynamic Dinosaurs” on Saturdays, August 13, 20, 27, 1-4pm for ages 5-12 yrs. Free with museum admission. Dinosaurs big and small; come meet them all! From the Apatosaurus to the Velociraptor, explore bones, teeth and skin casts of creatures long extinct. Investigate “living fossils” and make a skeletal “dino” model to take home.

9). The Bascom presents “Creativity Workshop” with Mary Lou Carpenter on August 11th-13th from 10 am - 4 pm. This mixed media offering is a stimulating and invigorating experience for the creative spirit utilizing a variety of materials and techniques. Working from a model, explore the art of “Painting the Figure” with Randall Sexton from August 16th-20th. Gain an understanding of the interrelated components of painting including drawing, value, color, and edge relationship.

10). Battleship NORTH CAROLINA presents “The Blue and Gray Navies: Two NORTH CAROLINAS - From Wood & Sail to Iron & Steam” on Saturday, August 13, 2011 from 9am to 6pm. Carolina Living History Guild members will set up displays that highlight the history of the USS North Carolina and the CSS North Carolina during the American Civil War. Displays will include steam engineering, ironclad ship construction, navigation, small arms of the US and CS navies, and the "arts of the sailor." Visitors will be able to view reproductions of period small arms and working models of steam engines, as well as many other items.

2011-08-01T08:49:00.002-04:00

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”.

2011-07-25T08:55:00.002-04:00

NCMC Events From Around the State… July 25, 2011

1). High Point Museum presents “Arts Splash Concert in the Historical Park” on Sunday, August 7, 6 pm to 7:30 pm. Enjoy the bluegrass music of Zephyr Lighting Bolt while relaxing in the Historical Park! Brought to you by the High Point Area Arts Council and the High Point Museum. Drop-in – free.

2). Asheville Art Museum presents “Lunchtime Art Break: A Tisket A Tasket: Appalachian, Cherokee and Low Country Baskets” on July 29th – 12noon to 1pm. FREE Admission. The Museum presents a series of gallery talks and presentations designed to inform and engage you in dialogue with members of our curatorial and education departments, docents and special guests. Join us on July 29 as we hear from Museum Curator, Frank Thomson about “A Tisket A Tasket: Appalachian, Cherokee and Low Country Baskets”, on view at the Museum through Sunday, January 8, 2012. Held in the Holden Community Gallery, this Art Break is free and open to the public.

3). Cape Fear Museum presents “Dynamic Dinosaurs”, Saturday, August 6, 13, 20, 27 from 1-4pm – ages 5-12. Dinosaurs big and small, come meet them all! From the Apatosaurus to the Velociraptor, explore bones, teeth and skin casts of creatures long extinct. Investigate “living fossils” and make a skeletal “dino” model to take home.

4). 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.

5). Cameron Art Museum presents “Music in the Courtyard: Lisa and Galen, acoustic” on Thurs. Aug. 4, 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm. Program admission: CAM Members and students: $5.00, Non-members: $10.00. Enjoy Wilmington musicians Lisa & Galen performing original acoustic music to showcase their range of talents and musical interests in a departure from their jazz sets. Lisa Rankin: vocals, piano, keybass, flute, recorder, tin whistle, harmonica, 6 and 12 string acoustic guitars. Galen Hunsucker: acoustic and electric guitars, vocals. Music held outdoors weather permitting, inside if not.

6). Marbles Kids Museum presents “Family Science Olympiad at Marbles” on Saturday, August 6th, 1:00pm-4:00pm. Grab your family for a friendly competition in the Sport of Science! Bring your brain power and challenge yourself in a series of interactive and hands-on challenges. Don’t crack under pressure as you build an egg drop device or blow a fuse as you explore snap circuits, but do expect to be blown away as you turn wind into power and send paper airplanes a flyin’! Be a Marbles Medalist during the first Family Science Olympiad with the North Carolina Science Olympiad.

7). Museum of the Albemarle Sign up for the Museum of the Albemarle’s program “What is a C-130,” Tuesday, July 26 from 9:00 a.m. until noon. Participants will learn the facts about the U.S. Coast Guard’s C-130 airplane manufactured by Lockheed Martin; envision the size of the C-130 by measuring the wingspan and length of the fixed wing plane; talk to the crew of a C-130 from Air Station Elizabeth City, and make a C-130 model with the assistance from local artist Doug Lane using creative art. Pre-registration and a supply fee are required.

8). The Bascom Dine at Lakeside Restaurant on Wednesday, July 27th and help The Bascom simply by having dinner. Lakeside will generously donate 15 percent of the gross sales from the evening's supporters to the art center. You get the chance to have a great dinner from acclaimed chef Marty Rosenfield and support The Bascom. When making your reservation, be sure to mention you are dining to support The Bascom. To make a reservation, call Lakeside directly at (828) 526-9419.

9). HandsOn! presents “Comedy Camp”: August 2 – 5, grades rising 1st – 6th, *$35 ($30-members). Laughter is the best medicine! Learn about the health benefits of good, clean humor! Work on presentation, timing, puns & homophones and practice these concepts by acting. Comedy Presentation at 12:30 on the last day. Cost to attend the performance: $5.00. This camp is taught by Dr. Dennis who generously donates his time, expertise and energy.

10). Winston-Salem Delta Fine Arts presents “Releasing the Spirit: Faces of the Theatre” – portraits by Carmen L. de Jesus, running from July 26 to September 3, 2011. Artist reception on Sunday, July 31st from 3-5pm.

2011-07-18T09:50:00.002-04:00

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.

2011-07-12T08:40:00.002-04:00

NCMC Events From Around the State… July 11, 2011

1). SECCA Get ready for a soul-satisfying night of funk and R&B music as the Southeastern Center for Contemporary Arts (SECCA) and Foothills Brewing present “Crossroads @ SECCA #002”, the second installment of its brand new Crossroads concert series launched earlier this year. “Crossroads @ SECCA #002” will take place on Saturday, July 23, from 7-10 p.m. at the McChesney Scott Dunn Auditorium, SECCA’s intimate 300-seat venue. Headlining the concert will be 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.

2). N.C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher Visitors to the NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher this summer will find a new exhibit in the Exotic Aquatics Gallery. Aquarium staff has added white-spotted jellyfish (Phyllorhiza punctata) to its collection. The Exotic Aquatics Gallery traditionally features non-native marine species. Guests can learn more about the life cycle of a jellyfish while viewing these beautiful animals. This exhibit furthers the Aquarium’s objective to educate the public on the importance of well-balanced ecosystems.

3). Asheville Art Museum The Asheville Art Museum is honored to welcome back renowned pianist John Cobb, who will once again perform at a very special Pianoforte recital on Sunday, July 17, 2011 at 3:00 p.m. in the Museum’s Gallery 6. Tickets to this event are $6 for Museum Members and students and $8 + Museum admission for Non-Members. His performance is part of the Museum’s distinguished Pianoforte Concert series.

4). Weatherspoon Art Museum presents exhibition: "Henri Matisse: In Two and Three Dimensions (Jul 2 - Oct 2, 2011). An artist whose radical style left a lasting mark on modern art, Henri Matisse (French, 1869-1954) was attracted to the female human body and used it as one of the primary themes in his work. In paintings, works on paper, and sculptures, the artist created figures that are emotionally powerful without necessarily being anatomically detailed or accurate. This exhibition presents side-by-side displays of two- and three-dimensional work by Matisse to showcase how the artist linked themes, imagery, and processes over the course of his career.

5). Transylvania Heritage Museum presents “4th Friday Gallery Walk at the Museum” on July 22, -- Music by "Main Street Mary and The Honky Tonk Boys". Handcrafts on the Lawn: Local crafters demonstrate & sell. Check out the latest exhibits in the Museum. Heritage Gifts shop will also be open offering many locally made items. Suggested donation $5 adults, $2 children.

6). Maria V. Howard Arts Center at the Imperial Centre Rocky Mount photographer Charlie Killebrew spent 55 years photographing events, disasters, and everyday life. Selections from the Braswell Memorial Library Killebrew Collection are on display at the Maria V. Howard Arts Center in downtown Rocky Mount now through September 11, 2011. The exhibit samples an extraordinary visual documentation of the latter half of the 20th century in North Carolina’s twin counties.

7). The Bascom presents “Grounded in Nature: Paper”, a three-dimensional handcrafted sculpture by Charleston based paper artist Jocelyn Chateauvert that runs through September 4. During a visit to the exhibition, visitors are invited to enter the artist’s wonderful creative world and make your own sculpture. Paper samples will be provided. This exhibition in the Loft Gallery, is sponsored by Frances Bunzl.

8). Turchin Center for the Visual Arts Join one of the Turchin Center’s volunteer docents for a 30–45 minute tour of a current exhibition every Saturday during the month of July at 2pm. These free “mini tours” will focus on different aspects or components of an exhibition or artist. Topics include: Girls, Derangements and Distortions, Selections from the Turchin Center Permanent Collection, Chromata: Laura Berman, and An Appalachian Vision.

9). Port Discover Spend the morning in our “Kids Grow” garden exploring the basic needs of plants. We’ll get your hands dirty and then enjoy yummy snacks made from the garden during “Chef Me,” Port Discover’s Toddler Time program, on Thursday, July 14 at 10:00 am. Remember your sunblock! Programs in “Kids Grow” garden is made possible by a grant from AgCarolina Financial. Toddler Time is a special science program just for preschoolers, ages 3 – 5. Cost for the program is $5 per family and reservations are required. Parents or guardians must accompany the child.

2011-07-05T10:47:00.002-04:00

NCMC Events From Around the State… July 5, 2011

1). Weatherspoon Art Museum Marking the sixth year anniversary of the devastation that swept through New Orleans, the Weatherspoon presents a video installation, “A Man Screaming Is Not a Dancing Bear” (2008) by Jennifer Allora and Guillermo Calzadilla. The artistic duo creates metaphors for political and social issues through alternative interpretations of cultural materials, particularly music and musical instruments. “A Man Screaming Is Not a Dancing Bear” integrates film footage shot by the artists in New Orleans and the Mississippi delta, where hurricane Katrina wreaked havoc in 2005, with the rhythmic drumming of jazz. Through Sept. 18th.

2). Cameron Art Museum presents “Music in the Courtyard: El Jaye Johnson & The Port City All-Stars”, on Thurs. July 7, 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm. Program admission: CAM Members and students: $5.00, Non-members: $10.00. El Jaye Johnson & The Port City All-Stars will feature the drum and percussion section extensively and explore a "mixed bag" of genres, including jazz, blues, funk, R&B, reggae, Latin, Caribbean, and Afro-Cuban all intertwined with simple melodic phrasings and complex syncopation. Simply put, "A mind boggling, toe-tapping, hand-clapping, musical experience." Music held outdoors weather permitting, inside if not.

3). North Carolina Collection Gallery In 1939, world-renowned etcher Louis Orr embarked on what came to be a twelve-year undertaking to produce a set of fifty-one etchings of important North Carolina buildings and sites. Marking the sixtieth anniversary of the set’s completion, the NCC Gallery presents an exhibition of 30 of the etchings, with original drawings, etching plates, and letters and photographs documenting the project.

4). N.C. Museum of History The N.C. Museum of History in Raleigh launched the online exhibit “A Change Is Gonna Come: Black, Indian and White Voices for Racial Equality” on Friday, July 1. Accessible at www.nccivilrights.org, the exhibit highlights the experiences of courageous Tar Heels in the struggle for equal rights for all North Carolinians. Focusing mainly on the years 1865 to the 1980s, the exhibit gives voice to the individuals and communities who challenged a system of oppression based on race.

5). SECCA presents “People’s Biennial” from July 9 – September 18, 2011. Organized & Toured by Independent Curators International (ICI), Curated by Harrell Fletcher & Jens Hoffmann. “People’s Biennial” is a bright, lively and irreverent platform to address the question of what being an “outsider” means today as an artist, an institution and a city. Featuring unique artists from five cities across the United States (Portland, OR; Rapid City, SD; Winston-Salem, NC; Scottsdale, AZ; Haverford, PA), this nationally-touring exhibition celebrates creativity that lives vibrantly, but inconspicuously outside the mainstream.

6). Battleship NORTH CAROLINA presents “Navigate: Battleship 101” a NC Dept. of Cultural Resources 2nd Saturday Program on Saturday, July 9, 2011 from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm. Ship volunteers stationed throughout the ship will engage visitors in specific subjects and areas including: gunnery, radar, sickbay, galley, engineering, and daily shipboard life. Free with Battleship admission.

7). The Bascom Photographer Greg Newington returns to The Bascom for “On Assignment: Photographing Local Color” on Friday and Saturday, July 8-9. Student will experience a day in the life of a photojournalist, starting with receiving their assignment in a sealed envelope and returning with the finished photo for the “editor desk”. “Grounded in Nature: Paper”, a three-dimensional handcrafted sculpture by Charleston based paper artist Jocelyn Chateauvert runs from July 1-September 4. This exhibition in the Loft Gallery, is sponsored by Frances Bunzl.

8). North Carolina Maritime Museum presents “Shackleford Banks: Horses, Hiking and Heritage”. Experience Outer Banks heritage and wildlife with a guided hike on Shackelford Island. Reservations are required. There is a $25 fee.

9). Port Discover Naturalists with the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences bring live animals to Port Discover for “Animal Tracks and Signs,” Port Discover’s Second Saturday Science program, on Saturday, July 9 at 11:00 am. Learn how to use your senses to uncover the different clues left behind by animals and meet some of the animals you might encounter in your own backyard.

10). Historic Halifax State Historic Site Since eating good food and visiting friends are two popular North Carolina pastimes, Historic Halifax State Historic Site suggests that families pack a picnic when they come to visit July 9 in the second installment of the popular three-part program “2nd Saturdays.” The theme for July is “Market Day.” Participants include: local farmers offering produce and food items; James Pender, with handcrafted tin items; Ellis Vaughan, with cane and rush chair seats; and Lynn Boyd, a local author whose book, “The Awakened Heart,” is set in Halifax at a market fair.

11). Mount Airy Museum of Regional History presents “Toast and Jam” on Saturday, July 9, 5 – 7 p.m. Good Wine and Good Music all set in the museum’s picturesque courtyard. This FREE monthly program sponsored by B & L Custom Jewelers is scheduled for the second Saturday of each month (May-October), from 5-7 p.m. It will showcase a number of the regions wineries as well as local musical talent. The wineries will be offering wine tasting and sales, along with a brief educational program about their wines between musical sets. An added feature this year will be live broadcasts by WSYD. Round Peak Vineyards will be the featured winery and blues music will be provided by Reggie Johnson.

2011-06-27T10:02:00.002-04:00

NCMC Events From Around the State… June 27, 2011

1). Turchin Center for the Visual Arts presents "Halpert Biennial Juror Talk" and afternoon tea reception on Sunday, July 17 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Juror Steven Matijcio, Curator of Contemporary Art at SECCA in Winston-Salem will share his perspective of the Halpert Biennial entries and announce the competition award winners.

2). Joel Lane Museum House The Joel Lane Museum House, “The Birthplace of Raleigh,” will sponsor its annual “Independence Day Open House” on Monday, July 4, 2011 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. On the grounds, re-enactors will demonstrate various aspects of colonial life, and visitors will be able to participate in chores such as churning butter and carrying water in buckets. There will be old-fashioned crafts and games for the children and lemonade for all. The garden in its full summer glory will be on view, and herbs from the garden will be for sale. Local author, Suzanne Adair, will be here to sign and sell her historical novels. Authentically costumed volunteer interpreters from Historical Interpretations will add flavor.

3). Hands On! Hands On!-A Child’s Gallery, a children’s museum in downtown Hendersonville, is excited to announce a new volunteer program. Hands On! is fortunate to have Junior Volunteers, ages rising 5th grade and above, to act as “Playologists” this summer. Interested children can join trainings for this program until June 30th.

4). N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences Join popular science writer Rob Dunn for a lecture based on his new book, “The Wild Life of Our Bodies: Predators, Parasites, and Partners That Shape Who We Are Today” (HarperCollins, 2011), in which he uses the principles of evolutionary ecology to illustrate how humans have become increasingly disconnected from nature and are sicker because of it. The lecture, as well as a book sale and signing, will be held at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences on Thursday, June 30, 7-9pm.

5). N.C. State Capitol Pack a picnic, bring your lawn chairs and your blankets, and enjoy the Independence Day holiday weekend by attending this annual patriotic celebration on Monday, July 4. The North Carolina State Capitol will sponsor this free fun-filled family event that has become a downtown Raleigh tradition. For the second year, an outdoor naturalization ceremony for approximately 30 new citizens will take place at noon on the Capitol steps. From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. the event will offer the public a variety of musical performances, historical and military displays, carriage rides, and several hands-on and play activities for children to enjoy.

6). Museum of the Albemarle Join the Museum of the Albemarle and the Museum Gift Shop on Friday, July 1, for First Friday Art Walk. The Museum of the Albemarle will be open late from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. in conjunction with Elizabeth City’s First Friday. Start your Independence Celebration early by viewing the Museum’s “Our Story” colonial Section. View a Liberty Pole and shoe buckles of James Iredell, one of the first justices of the United States Supreme Court. . Enjoy the creative expressions of pottery in the “Formed, Fired, and Finished: North Carolina Art Pottery” exhibit. And, take a walk through the history of the U.S. Coast Guard in the “Out of the Blue: Coast Guard Aviation” gallery. Be sure to stop by the Museum Gift Shop and register for door prizes, (you don’t have to be present to win) and enjoy some light refreshments.

7). Weatherspoon Art Museum Marking the sixth year anniversary of the devastation that swept through New Orleans, the Weatherspoon presents a video installation, “A Man Screaming Is Not a Dancing Bear” (2008) by Jennifer Allora and Guillermo Calzadilla. The artistic duo creates metaphors for political and social issues through alternative interpretations of cultural materials, particularly music and musical instruments. “A Man Screaming Is Not a Dancing Bear” integrates film footage shot by the artists in New Orleans and the Mississippi delta, where hurricane Katrina wreaked havoc in 2005, with the rhythmic drumming of jazz. Through Sept. 18th.

8). Marbles Kids Museum presents First Friday at Marbles and Family GLEE! with NC Theatre – “Hairspray Dance Party!” on Friday, July 1 from 6:30pm-7:30pm - Museum open until 8:00pm. Join North Carolina Theatre as they present a blast of a dance party for the whole family! Watch a performance by NCT’s best HAIRSPRAY DANCERS and learn to groove as they teach you some cool ‘60’s dance moves. You can even make your own ‘60’s bouffant hair style with the help of Team Marbles! Kick off your 4th of July holiday celebration with NCT, MARBLES and HAIRSPRAY!

9). The Bascom On Thursday evening, July 7, enjoy a preview of the “Frank Stella: American Master” exhibition and the Mountains in Bloom Garden Festival Flower Show from 6-8 pm at The Bascom. The preview reception allows the first peek at the exciting Stella exhibition and the award-winning floral, horticultural and photography exhibitions that comprise the Flower Show. This will be a wonderful prelude to other Mountains in Boom events taking place from July 8-10 Tickets are $50 per person.

10). Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum presents “Muster 1861” on July 5, 10:30—11:30 a.m. Children’s programs focusing on aspects of the Civil War on Hatteras Island. Learn soldier slang in ‘Talk Like a Reb or a Yank’ and try your hand at Checkers or Pigs in a Pen. In ‘T-mail Not E-mail’ hear how the telegraph was used in the 1860s and use Morse code to make a name bracelet. Ages 6 and up.

2011-06-22T09:22:00.002-04:00

NCMC Events From Around the State… June 20, 2011

1). Transylvania Heritage Museum presents “4th Friday Gallery Walk” at the Museum, Jun 24 - Live music by Quarter House with John and Anita Bishop and Handcrafts on the Lawn, Transylvania Heritage Museum, 189 W. Main St., Brevard. See the latest exhibits in the Museum, and shop at Heritage Gifts for locally made items. Suggested donation $5 adults, $2 children.

2). Hands On! presents “Dino Dig! Camp”: June 21-24, grades rising 2nd – 5th. Become a paleontologist and discover digging for dinosaur bones! Participants will keep a dinosaur journal, dig for dinosaur bones, assemble the dinosaur and learn about the worldwide range of these ancient creatures! Journal will be taken home at the end of camp so you can continue journaling and learning about dinosaurs!

3). Asheville Art Museum presents “Art Break: A Chosen Path: The Ceramic Art of Karen Karnes” on June 24 from 12:00-1:00 p.m. The Museum presents a series of gallery talks and presentations designed to inform and engage you in dialogue with members of our curatorial and education departments, docents and special guests. Free with Membership or Museum Admission ($8 adults, $7 students/seniors.) This event will be presented by ceramist Leah Leitson.

4). NC Museum of Natural Sciences Art inspires. Science educates. But what happens when those roles are reversed? Or better yet, combined? Witness “Our Expanding Oceans”, a comprehensive art and education exhibit created by artist Mary Edna Fraser and scientist Orrin Pilkey, on display at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences in downtown Raleigh from June 25 to November 6, 2011. The exhibit will explore the major elements of global climate change and the greenhouse effect with an emphasis on melting ice and rising seas.

5). NC Museum of History New research reveals surprising findings about the number of North Carolina soldiers who died during the Civil War. Josh Howard, Research Historian at the N.C. Office of Archives and History, has spent more than a year spearheading the North Carolina Civil War Death Study. Howard will highlight his investigations and share stories he has discovered during “History à la Carte: Recounting Civil War Sacrifices” on Wednesday, July 27, at 12:10 p.m. He will explain how he researches the topic and will discuss some of the soldiers’ unusual experiences. Admission is free. Bring your lunch; beverages are free.

6). The Bascom On Saturday, June 25, The Bascom’s first “Summer Barn Dance” of the season takes place from 7-10 pm. Gather with friends and neighbors enjoy the music of The Wild Hog Band and celebrate the nostalgia of Highlands’ yesteryear. Don't miss it. Tickets are $5 per person, cash only, and can be purchased at the door. Food and beverages will be available for purchase.

7). Museum of the Albemarle Join the Museum of the Albemarle every Thursday, at 2:00 p.m. for a matinee. The Museum will show a Miles Clark’s silent home movie of the Elizabeth City High School Band and the Elizabeth City area. Come out and reminisce about days gone. If you can’t make Thursday’s matinee, don’t worry. The Museum will show the Miles Clark homes movies into July until all movies are shown. Free to the Public.

8). High Point Museum recently obtained an important new collection to add its current list of exhibits, Meredith’s Miniatures. The acquisition, a group of 30 miniature rooms, is a gift of Meredith Slane Michener, who created them over a period of 15 years beginning in 1990. Fascinating in detail and craftsmanship, on a scale of 1 to 12, the rooms represent a wide variety of subjects, from a French library room in High Point, to Old Salem, to as distant places such as Sweden, with some rooms simply created from the artist’s imagination.

9). NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher By most accounts, Monday was a typical day at the NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher. On this day, however, over 30 special guests benefitted from generous donations that allowed them to spend the day at the Aquarium; something they might not otherwise have been able to do. The NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher was grateful to receive generous donations from Wilmington Rotary and Time Warner Cable to provide a family Aquarium Day through the Blue Ribbon Commission. This special day came about as a result of the Commission’s continued effort to forge partnerships with families and to “address the issue of youth violence in the Cape Fear area”.

2011-06-13T09:16:00.001-04:00

NCMC Events From Around the State… June 13, 2011

1). Reynolda House Museum of American Art presents “Looking Aloud: Who’s Afraid of Modern Art?” on Thursday, June 16 and Thursday, June 23 at noon. Members and students free, non-members free with Museum admission. Reynolda House Education staff will lead these gallery discoveries, visiting “Figuring Abstraction”, a small, focused exhibition on view in the West Bedroom through October 30, 2011. These staff-led gallery discoveries begin a series of conversations about modern art that will continue with the exhibition, “Modern Masters from the Smithsonian American Art Museum”, opening October 7, 2011.

2). Turchin Center for the Visual Arts Explore your inner artist with a summer arts workshop! Artists of all skill levels welcome. Enrollment is limited so register today! Advanced registration is required. All workshops will be held during the month of July as a part of An Appalachian Summer Festival.

3). Cameron Art Museum The Coastal Carolina Clay Guild (CCCG) Pottery Sale will showcase over thirty guild members selling functional and ceramic sculpture works in the Weyerhaeuser Reception Hall at the Cameron Art Museum. Guild members will also be on hand on June 18th from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. demonstrating the creative process through hand built and wheel thrown pottery at the Pancoe Clay Studio during the sale. A portion of the proceeds benefits the Cameron Art Museum. “Kids @ CAM Clay Day!” will also be held on Saturday, June 18th from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Parents and kids are invited to come get their hands dirty and make art with clay that can be taken home.

4). NC Museum of Natural Sciences This is already turning out to be the year of the tornado – even downtown Raleigh hasn’t gone unscathed. What better time to stock up on tips for surviving tornadoes, as well as hurricanes and lightning storms, than at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences’ second annual “StormFest”, Saturday, June 18 from 9am to 5pm. You can also meet local television meteorologists and discover the techniques and tools they use to predict the weather. The event also includes demonstrations, activities and educational material for all ages.

5). Port Discover Explore changes in the weather around us during “Wonders of the Wind,” Port Discover’s Toddler Time program, on Thursday, June 16 at 10:00 am. The children will discover how the wind plays an important part in daily weather forecasting and learn fun ways to enjoy a windy day. Toddler Time is a special science program just for preschoolers, ages 3 – 5. Cost for the program is $5 per family and reservations are required. Parents or guardians must accompany the child.

6). The Bascom Ann Strub will be at The Bascom on Friday, June 17th from 4-5 p.m. signing her book, “Ann Strub Paints Her Muse”, a celebration of the artist, her mother and the rich history of New Orleans. The book will be available for purchase at The Shop at The Bascom. Join us for Ann Strub’s “Story Telling with Paint” membership reception on June 17 from 5-7 p.m. Become a member of The Bascom and enjoy the artist’s figurative and narrative painting presentation. Bascom memberships start at $35.

7). The Weatherspoon Art Museum presents exhibition: “Encore!: Japanese Actor Prints from the Permanent Collection” through August 7, 2011. During the early 1700s in Japan, a new form of artistic expression known as ukiyo-e or floating world pictures developed which depicted the escapist and ephemeral pleasures offered at the time by the entertainment districts of the cities of Edo (present-day Tokyo) and Osaka. Free.

8). The Black Mountain College Museum + Arts Center in downtown Asheville is pleased to present the exhibition “JACK TWORKOV: The Accident of Choice, The Artist at Black Mountain College 1952” with an opening reception from 5:30 – 7:30 on Friday June 17th. This exhibition includes important works by Jack Tworkov, who taught painting at Black Mountain College during the summer of 1952. Exhibition curator Jason Andrew will give a special lecture about Jack Tworkov on Saturday, June 18 beginning at 11:00 a.m. Admission is free.

9). Museum of the Albemarle The Museum of the Albemarle and Port Discover partner for “Sprouting Scientists and Hand-on Historians” summer camp scheduled for June 20 through 24 from 8:30 am until Noon. Campers that are 5 to 8 years of age will spend Monday through Wednesday at the Museum of the Albemarle experiencing a high sea adventure by discovering the life of a pirate. Thursday through Friday the campers will begin a new adventure at Port Discover where they will make pottery with artist Paul Foreman, tie-dye t-shirts with natural dyes, learn to mill wheat, and make healthy snacks form the Port Discover Kids Grow Garden.

10). Natural Science Center of Greensboro Celebrate scales and tails with “Reptacular!” at the Natural Science Center of Greensboro on Saturday, June 18, 2011. This event will feature enrichment activities, keeper talks and other family friendly activities with the Center's resident snakes, lizards, crocodiles and tortoises. Guests will have the opportunity to witness the weighing of Bertha, the giant Burmese python, and help celebrate the tortoises' birthdays. There will also be live crocodile feedings, face painting and a reptile craft. “Reptacular!” will run from 10 am to 4 pm and is free with paid admission or membership.

2011-06-06T11:06:00.002-04:00

NCMC Events From Around the State… June 6, 2011

1). Mount Airy Museum of Regional History presents “Toast and Jam” on Saturday, June 11 from 5 – 7 p.m. Good Wine and Good Music all set in the museum’s picturesque courtyard. This monthly program is scheduled for the second Saturday of each month (May-October), from 5-7 p.m. It will showcase a number of the regions wineries as well as local musical talent. The wineries will be offering wine tasting and sales, along with a brief educational program about their wines between musical sets. Olde Mill Winery and Vineyards will be featured this month along with the music of Foothills Blues Society. WSYD will be broadcasting live each Toast and Jam this year.

2). Aycock Birthplace State Historic Site will showcase the art of free family fun on June 11 in the first of the popular three-part program “2nd Saturdays.” The theme June 11 at Aycock Birthplace in Fremont is “2nd Saturdays: Quilts! Quilts! Quilts!” The Cotton Club Quilters Guild of Goldsboro will demonstrate quilting using modern methods from noon to 4 p.m. Visitors can sit with costumed interpreters at a quilting frame and try their hand at quilting 1800s style. Visitors can also participate in a hands-on activity to create their own quilt square using construction paper. Aycock Birthplace’s antique quilts will be on display, and visitors can go on guided tours of the site’s historic buildings.

3). SciWorks On Saturday, June 11, from 8:30 to 11:00 PM, the Forsyth Astronomical Society and SciWorks Planetarium will have an astronomy observation at SciWorks. The public is invited to attend this free observation event! This will be an excellent opportunity to view the planet Saturn, several deep-sky objects, and the spring and summer constellations. Call SciWorks after 5:30 PM on June 11 at 336-767-6730 for cancellation information. The next observation will be at SciWorks on August 6, 2011.

4). Asheville Art Museum ARTmob presents “Pecha Kucha Night” on Thursday, June 9 (7:00 p.m.). Admission is $5 for Members and $7 for non-Members. Following the success of the Museum’s first Pecha Kucha Night held in January, the ARTmob returns with the second installment of Pecha Kucha, meaning “chit chat” in Japanese, during which presenters will once again “exhibit” 20 images for 20 seconds each. ARTmob participants will enjoy watching guest presenters share their own creative inspiration while enjoying complimentary food and drinks provided by local businesses.

5). High Point Museum presents “Fifth Annual Evaluation Extravaganza” on Saturday, June 11 from 10 am to 2 pm. Whether you have a doll that belonged to your great grandmother, an old toy you played with as a child, your mother’s wedding china, or a gold locket that belonged to your great aunt, the High Point Museum’s Evaluation Extravaganza can provide details about the objects you treasure. Dust off those collectibles and bring them to the fifth annual Evaluation Extravaganza, the Museum’s own version of the popular series “Antiques Roadshow”.

6). NC State Capitol The State Capitol will mark the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Big Bethel on Saturday, June 11. The battle took place in June 1861 in Virginia. Henry Lawson Wyatt, honored with a statue on the Capitol grounds, died at Big Bethel, and was the first North Carolina soldier to die in battle for the Confederate cause. From 10 a.m. until 3 p.m., the North State Rifles re-enacting group will be on the northwest Capitol grounds at the Wyatt monument. Group members will speak about Wyatt’s life, model the variety of uniforms worn by Tar Heels in the first year of the war, and give a lecture on the Battle of Big Bethel. Displays at “Remembering Big Bethel” will shed light on how soldiers made the transition from home to the battlefield.

7). Natural Science Center of Greensboro On the heels of the highly successful traveling exhibit, “Bodies Revealed”, the Natural Science Center of Greensboro (NSC) will officially open its own permanent human body and health exhibit called “HealthQuest” on June 11 at 9am. “HealthQuest” combines 21st century medical science with state-of-the-art videography, real preserved human bodies, a unique End-of-Life section and over a hundred 'kid-cool' interactives. It provides visitors a memorable experience and journey into personal health that showcases how choices in life impact our major body systems.

8). Alamance Battleground Saturday, June 11, is the first Second Saturday Event of the summer at Alamance Battleground. The event, "Arts, Crafts, Music & History Under the Pines", runs from 10:00 am. until 4:00 p.m. The Alamance Jazz Band will be in concert from noon until 1:00 so bring your lawn chair and enjoy the "Big Band" Sounds of the Alamance Jazz Band. Then stay for a lunch of hot dogs, hamburgers and ice cream sundaes being prepared by the Alamance Battleground Friends all proceeds go to support programs at the Battleground.

9). N.C. Transportation Museum The N.C. Transportation Museum's 2011 “Family Rail Days Festival”, scheduled June 11 and 12, will celebrate the golden age of railroading and offer something for every member of the family. Featuring historic locomotives and rail cars displayed alongside modern rail equipment, the event will give visitors a chance to enjoy train rides, great music, model train layouts.

10). Historic Wright Tavern The Rockingham County Historical Society Museum and Archives (RCHSMA) will host their 2nd Saturday “Family Day” on June 11, 2011, from 10:00 A.M.-3:00 P.M., on the Museum grounds at Wright Tavern in Wentworth. The theme for this event is “The Civil War Experience.” The 11th VA Co. G Lynchburg Home Guard and The Old North State Field Hospital Civil War reenactors will be in attendance. In addition, visitors can trace ancestors with genealogy experts from Family Search, pan for gems, learn about heirloom gardening, explore Civil War artifacts found right here in Rockingham County, listen to period music and tour of the historic structures and grounds of Wentworth Village.

2011-05-30T17:42:00.002-04:00

NCMC Events From Around the State… May 30, 2011

1). Bentonville Battlefield Grave markers honoring 20 Confederate soldiers who died during the three-day Battle of Bentonville, which caused nearly 4,200 Union and Confederate casualties, will be dedicated at the site on June 11. The ceremony is part of the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources’ 2nd Saturdays summer series combining arts and history, and is also the site’s annual June Summer Seasonal Living History Program. Starting at 10 a.m., visitors will hear artillery and musket fire such as split the air in March 1865. The permanent marker dedication ceremony will be at 2 p.m.

2). High Point Museum presents “Quaker Wedding & Colonial Dancing” in the Historical Park on Saturday, June 11, 10 am to 4 pm and Sunday, June 12, 1 pm to 4 pm. Discover the beauty and simplicity of a traditional Quaker wedding. Our historical interpreters will reenact a typical ceremony from the early American period and explain how it exemplifies Quaker beliefs. Also come try out some popular country dances of the late 18th and early 19th century. No experience necessary! All ages welcome. Free!

3). Reynolda House Museum of American Art “Barbara Babcock Millhouse in conversation with Michele Gillespie” on Tuesday, June 7, 5:30 p.m. $25, includes reception and signed copy of “Reynolda: 1906–1924”. A new pictorial history by Barbara Babcock Millhouse chronicles the Reynolda estate from 1906–1924, the formative and active years of the working estate and model farm. To celebrate the publication of “Reynolda: 1906–1924”, Reynolda House presents a conversation between Millhouse and Michele Gillespie, Kahle Family Associate Professor of History at Wake Forest University.

4). Port Discover For the first time, Port Discover and the Museum of the Albemarle are partnering to bring children a great weeklong summer camp. “Sprouting Scientists and Hands-On Historians” is a week-long summer camp introducing children to the science and history in their own backyards. The dates of camp are June 20 – 24 from 8:30 a.m. – 12 noon. Campers will be divided into two age groups: ages 5 – 8 (Kindergarten must have been completed) and ages 9 – 12.

5). Historic Bethabara Park will host a “French & Indian War Encampment” on Saturday, June 4, from 10:30-4:30. Step back into the past at Historic Bethabara Park and explore the history of the French and Indian War. The NC Provincials Regiment from Fort Dobbs will camp outside the Palisade walls and conduct military drills. Mingle with members of the regiment and discover what life as a soldier in colonial North Carolina was like. Learn about medical practices of the period, including bleeding, dentistry, musket ball removal, amputation and cranial surgery from Albert Roberts, who portrays a physician traveling the colonial wilderness.

6). Maria V. Howard Arts Center The Maria V. Howard Arts Center announces the concurrent openings of five new exhibits with a community reception on Sunday, June 5, 2011 from 2:00-4:00pm. The exhibits include: Photos from Braswell Memorial Library’s Killebrew Collection, Charity Valentine’s photography: “Forgotten”, William Neil Coleman’s assemblage: “I Am”, The 54th National “Juried Art Show”, and John Carrasco, III’s sculptures: “the space inbetween”. The Free June 5th reception honors all five exhibits and all visitors are welcome. Several artists will be in attendance to meet the public.

7). N.C. Transportation Museum presents “Rail Days”, June 11-12, 2011. The N.C. Transportation Museum's 2011 Family Rail Days Festival, scheduled June 11 and 12, will celebrate the golden age of railroading and offer something for every member of the family. Featuring historic locomotives and rail cars displayed alongside modern rail equipment, the event will give visitors a chance to enjoy train rides, great music, model train layouts.

8). Mount Airy Museum of Regional History presents Museum Mondays in June (June 6, 13, 20, 27) The Mount Airy Museum of Regional History will be opened to the public every Monday in June from 10am until 5pm. Museum Mondays in June are in addition to our regular days - Tuesday through Saturday from 10am until 5pm.

9). Fort Fisher State Historic Site If you’re looking for some family fun that’s easy on the pocketbook, visit the Fort Fisher State Historic Site on Saturday, June 11, from 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m., as the site celebrates the second Saturday in June with “Storms of Shot and Shell,” a field artillery extravaganza. Visitors will see and hear the frequent firing of a full six-gun battery lining the south air strip. They can also meet historian Chris E. Fonvielle, Jr., who will debut his new book on Timothy O’Sullivan’s historic photography of Fort Fisher.

10). NC Dept. of Cultural Resources Several regiments of the U.S. Colored Troops (USCT) fought with conspicuous gallantry in the Union Army efforts to capture Fort Fisher in 1865. The efforts of these former slaves and free blacks will be recognized with the dedication of a North Carolina Highway Historical Marker (www.ncmarkers.com) on Thursday, June 2, at 10 a.m. at the National Cemetery in Wilmington, at the Market Street entrance.

2011-05-22T19:22:00.002-04:00

NCMC Events From Around the State… May 23, 2011

1). Cape Fear Museum presents “Learning Center: Pirate Invasion” on Saturday, June 4 and 11, 1 to 4 p.m. What were pirates really like? Discover the world of pirates as you make and hoist your own Jolly Roger, get a pirate tattoo, and make a Lego pirate ship. Dress up like a privateer and learn how to tie knots aboard a ship. Play pirate games and go on an exciting treasure hunt through the Museum! Free with paid Museum admission. Appropriate for children ages 5 to 12. Parental participation is required.

2). Transylvania Heritage Museum presents “Historical Walking Tour Season” from May 14, 2011 - Oct 22, 2011. The Transylvania Heritage Museum has two walking tour per month from May until October. The tours are the second and fourth Saturday afternoons and begin at 5 p.m. Go by the Museum for a brochure of the Tour Schedules. Cost is $10 per person. Call the Museum, 828-884-2347, for reservations or more information.

3). Bennett Place State Historic Site presents “Memorial Day Remembrance: U.S. Military through the Ages” on Saturday, May 28th, 10am-4pm. Memorial Day was founded after the American Civil War. Flowers and tokens were placed by the graves of both Union and Confederate soldiers in respect and remembrance. The program will feature American soldiers/living historians from various time periods in American history, The American Revolution, American Civil War, Spanish American War, WWII, and others. Join American soldiers of different eras and learn more about their duty, honor, and sacrifice.

4). Battleship NORTH CAROLINA On Memorial Day, May 30, 2011, at 5:45 pm, people of all generations from across the State will gather together on the deck of the Battleship to pay their respects. The annual “Memorial Day Ceremony” has been observed for the last 46 years and this year, in the Ship's 50th anniversary celebration of being moored in Wilmington, it is honored to have guest speakers, Governor Beverly Perdue, Governor of North Carolina, Senator Kay Hagan, United States Senator of North Carolina, Secretary Linda Carlisle, Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources and key-note speaker, VADM Carol Pottenger, Deputy Chief of Staff for Capability and Development at NATO Headquarters.

5). Fort Dobbs State Historic Site Fifty soldiers of the Royal Colony of North Carolina arrived on a hilltop near present-day Statesville in the summer of 1755. By the next spring, they had completed a three-story log barracks that would become known as Fort Dobbs. On May 28-29, 2011, visit the site of Fort Dobbs for a glimpse into the daily lives of the provincial soldiers as they settle into their new post. Living history interpreters will present musket and cannon firing demonstrations, as well as on-going demonstrations of 18th-century military camp life. Interpreters will be working to complete a replica of a mud bread-baking oven of the sort the soldiers used 250 years ago.

6). Marbles Kids Museum presents “First Friday at Marbles” with ADF Project Dance on Friday, June 3 6:30pm and 7:30pm - Museum open until 8:00pm. Enjoy an evening of play and adventure with the American Dance Festival, featuring Gaspard Louis, a member of the world-renowned Pilobolus Dance Theatre from 1996-2001. Gaspard will lead two children’s movement workshops. Get ready to immerse yourself into bold movements!

7). Hands On! Hands On! –A Child’s Gallery, a children’s museum located in downtown Hendersonville, will be hosting a “Physics Phun” class on May 27th from 3:30pm-4:30pm. In this one hour workshop, kids will learn about Newton’s laws of physics and make an exciting craft that demonstrates these laws. Hands On! science classes are led by resident scientists, Dr. Bunson & Dr. Beaker. “Physics Phun” is for ages 1st grade & up and the class will be free with $5.00 admission for non-members and free for members. Pre-registration is required.

8). Asheville Art Museum presents “Lunchtime Art Break at the Asheville Art Museum: Looking Back: Celebrating 60 Years of Collecting at the Asheville Art Museum” (docent-led tour). Join us on May 27th (12:00-1:00 p.m.) for the Asheville Art Museum’s lunchtime Art Break, led by Museum docents. The Museum presents a series of gallery talks and presentations designed to inform and engage you in dialogue with members of our curatorial and education departments, docents and special guests.

9). Discovery Place The transformation of Earth and its natural phenomena is showcased in an epic photography project called “LIFE: A Journey Through Time”, opening at Discovery Place Wednesday, May 25. An interpretation of life on Earth from its earliest beginnings to its present diversity, the exhibition is an original multimedia presentation that blends art, science, and the imagery of acclaimed National Geographic wildlife photographer Frans Lanting.

10). The Minetta Lane Center for Arts and Peace presents a free concert with Kay and Patrick Crouch on Friday, May 27 at 7 pm. The Center will open with a FREE concert held at the Center in the Jane Anna Hall. Performing will be Kay and Patrick Crouch. Due to limited seating, tickets are required. Reserve your ticket by emailing Heather.MinettaLane@gmail.com with “Free Concert” in subject line. Please include your name, phone number and number of tickets to reserve. Requests will not be taken after Tuesday, May 24.

2011-05-16T12:37:00.002-04:00

NCMC Events From Around the State… May 16, 2011

1). Museum of the Albemarle Blackbeard’s Crew will be returning to the Museum of the Albemarle for the weekend of May 20 & 21 in conjunction with the North Carolina Potato Festival. On Friday, May 20, beginning at 5:00 p.m., visitors can belly up to the table in their finest pirate attire with members of Blackbeard’s Crew. After dinner participate in pirate games and listen to sea chanteys from the children’s musical duo C-Shells. A $10.00 donation covers each dinner and tickets may be purchased at the Museum of the Albemarle. Reservations are required.

2). Waterworks Visual Arts Center presents our summer exhibition “In The Details”: May 21 – August 13. “In The Details” features five solo artists’ meticulous approaches to create worlds in their artwork where every inch matters. Featured artists are woodcarver Dan Abernathy (Sparta, NC), fiber artist Nancy Cook (Charlotte, NC), artist Michelle Heinz (New York City), clay artist Holden McCurry (Asheville, NC), and artist Trena McNabb (Bethania, NC). Please join Waterworks in welcoming these artists at the public Opening Reception on Friday, May 27 from 6-8 pm. This event is free and open to all. Light refreshments will be served.

3). Transylvania Heritage Museum presents “Honoring the Sacrifice, 1861-1865”, American Legion Building, E. Jordan St., Brevard, Friday, May 20, 7 - 9 pm. An evening of remembrance with a portrayal of Mrs. Anna Jackson, wife of General Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson, by Nora Brooks, along with Civil War ballads and songs by Wayne Erbsen. The real Mrs. Jackson visited Brevard in 1911, so this event will commemorate her visit as well. Daryle Hogsed will demonstrate and explain the soldiers' equipment.

4). Eden Preservation Society The Eden Preservation Society presents: “An Afternoon with Rockingham County Author Charles Rodenbough”. Charles is the author of many local history books including “History of a Dream Deferred: William Byrd’s Land of Eden”. There will be books for sale that day. Sunday, May 22 at 2:00 p.m. at Church of the Epiphany, 538 Henry St., Eden. The event is free and open to the public!

5). Port Discover Toddlers will discover liquids, solids, gases, solutions and mixtures while at “Mix It Up,” Port Discover’s Toddler Time program, on Thursday, May 19 at 10:00 am. Children will learn why measurements are important in science as they put these skills into practice while making play-dough. Toddler Time is a special science program just for preschoolers, ages 3 – 5. Cost for the program is $5 per family and reservations are required. Parents or guardians must accompany the child.

6). NC State Capitol On May 20, 1861, delegates from across the state met in the House Chamber of the State Capitol and voted to sever North Carolina’s ties with the Union. On Saturday, May 21, 2011, the Capitol will present “North Carolina Secedes,” a living history program commemorating the historic vote and a look at the state’s early wartime preparations. The free event will take place from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and is open to the public. It is part of the North Carolina Civil War Sesquicentennial, a commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the Civil War in North Carolina (www.nccivilwar150.com).

7). The Bascom presents “Collective Spirits”, a three-day celebration of wine, food and the arts marking the opening of the Summer Season on the Highlands/Cashiers Plateau. From May 19-21, wine and dine throughout the weekend with some of the worlds most revered winemakers and the Southeast’s most renowned chefs. All will converge on Highlands and Cashiers among art lovers, community leaders and special guests for Private Home Wine Dinners, the Grand Tasting ‘Meet & Greet’ Wine Market, benefit wine dinners at local restaurants, the ‘Catch the Spirit’ Village Sip & Stroll, an exclusive ‘Reserve Wine” Tasting and the finale - the Grand Gala Benefit Dinner and Auction at The Bascom.

8). SciWorks presents “Science Café: The Science and Engineering of Dams” on Tuesday, May 17th, 7:00pm at Big Shotz Tavern. Science Cafés are informal talks given by a local expert at a local gathering place. At a café participants can... learn about the latest issues in science, chat with a scientist in plain language, meet new friends, speak your mind, and, talk with your mouth full!

9). Asheville Art Museum The Asheville Art Museum is pleased to announce “FANATICON2”, a free event for fans of comic books, science fiction, fantasy and pop culture, on Saturday, May 21, 2011 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Headlining the event is acclaimed comic book writer Gail Simone (Wonder Woman, Birds of Prey).

10). Mount Airy Museum of Regional History Saturday, May 21: “Beginners Knitting” Class from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Have you always wanted to learn to knit or would you like to just brush up on your skills? The Mount Airy Museum of Regional History will be holding a Beginner's Knitting Class on Saturday May 21 from 10am-2pm. Museum members Free; Non-members $5, Bamboo needles are available for $8 or BYO #10 or larger needles. Call 336-786-4478 to make your reservation.

11). High Point Museum Local historian Glenn Chavis will begin offering guided walking tours of historic Washington Street this month. The first one will be Saturday, May 21. They will be offered once a month through September. Washington Street was a thriving business and entertainment district for High Point’s black community during the period of segregation. Its prominence declined after integration, but it has drawn a lot of attention in recent years since becoming a focus area for The City Project, which is dedicated to revitalizing High Point’s core city area.

2011-05-09T09:07:00.002-04:00

NCMC Events From Around the State… May 9, 2011

1). Mount Airy Museum of Regional History presents “Toast and Jam” on Saturday, May 14 from 5 – 7 p.m. Good Wine, Good Music, and a Taste of Mount Airy, all set in the museum’s picturesque courtyard. This monthly program is scheduled for the second Saturday of each month (May-October), from 5-7 p.m. It will showcase a number of the regions wineries as well as local musical talent. The wineries will be offering wine tasting and sales, along with a brief educational program about their wines between musical sets. Stony Knoll Vineyard will be the winery and music will be by Casino Cruise.

2). Waterworks Visual Arts Center presents 8th annual “Family Fun Day” on May 14 from 11-3. Bring the entire family out, and join Waterworks Visual Arts Center for a day of free hands-on art activities and artist’s demonstrations at our 8th Annual Family Fun Day. This year’s theme is “Celebrate Sculpture”. Children will be encouraged to use color, texture, and movement to create their own fun sculptures to take home. Guided by professional artists and art educators, children will have the opportunity to choose from five stations to create fun sculptures!

3). Museum of the Albemarle North Carolina’s rich art pottery tradition will have a turn in the spotlight when the Museum of the Albemarle hosts “Formed, Fired and Finished”, May 14, 2011 in Elizabeth City. The exhibition will feature a collection of more than 90 pottery pieces on loan from Dr. Everett James and Dr. Nancy Farmer, of Chapel Hill. Showcasing unusual words by talented potters, it will be the first and largest showing of North Carolina pottery in Eastern North Carolina.

4). Cape Fear Museum presents Learning Center: “Wonders of Light” on Saturday, May 14, 1 to 4 p.m. Why is the sky blue? What makes a rainbow? Discover the colors of light and see what happens when you mix them. Conduct fun mirror experiments and learn how light travels. Explore the mysteries of light and color and even make an object disappear! Free with paid Museum admission. Appropriate for children ages 5 to 12. Parental participation is required.

5). N.C. Department of Cultural Resources Staff members, volunteers, board members and others will get a lesson on planning for the worst for museums and cultural agencies on Monday, May 16, 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. at Jackson Library on the campus of UNC-Greensboro. The workshop will include some hands-on training in dealing with wet books and paper. The North Carolina Connecting to Collections (C2C) Project of the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources is the sponsor of the free program. To register, visit http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/disasterpreparednessgreensboro.

6). N.C. Maritime Museum In ceremonies this week, communities on the Outer Banks pay honor to World War II British and Canadian sailors who gave their lives to defend the coast of the United States. The British War Grave ceremonies take place at 11 a.m. on Thursday, May 12, at the World War II British Cemetery in Buxton, and again at 11 a.m. on Friday, May 13, at the World War II British Cemetery in Ocracoke. Receptions follow both events at 1 p.m. Held by the Friends of the North Carolina Maritime Museum, the Ocracoke Community, the U.S. Coast Guard, the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, the National Park Service and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, the ceremonies honor the 63 foreign sailors who lost their lives just off the coast of the Outer Banks.

7). Bellamy Mansion Museum presents “Mondays @ The Mansion Series - The Slave Cabin Project” with Joseph McGill of the National Trust. On May 16, 2011 this researcher will share his knowledge of slave life after sleeping in the Bellamy Mansion’s intact urban slave quarters which are currently undergoing restoration. Mr. Joseph McGill, Jr. is a Program Officer for the National Trust for Historic Preservation; he works out of the Southern Regional Office. The program begins at 7pm with light reception to follow. Tickets are $10.

8). Hands On! Hands On!-A Child’s Gallery, the children’s museum located in downtown Hendersonville, would like to invite 5-10 year olds to make some noise with us! Sign up for our “African Drumming” class, led by local drum teacher Maria Mason Freeman, May 11 from 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Each class introduces children to basic drum rhythms and includes a fun musical instrument craft. Cost to attend class is $15 ($10 for members). Space is limited; must have minimum of 3 participants to hold class! Call 828-697-8333 to sign up.

9). Port Discover Energize your body and mind with a fun-filled class of yoga on the Elizabeth City’s waterfront green. Registered Yoga Teacher, Lorrie Taylor, will present “Fit As Can Be!” at Port Discover’s Second Saturday Science program, on Saturday, May 14 at 11:00 am. Kids will be instructed in a kids-focused yoga class and be given information about the importance of daily exercise in their lives. “Fit As Can Be!” is a part of Port Discover's Kinetic Kids programs made possible by the Albemarle Hospital Foundation.

10). Turchin Center for the Visual Arts “An Appalachian Summer Festival” will be here before you know it! Don't miss the Summer Exhibition Celebration, Chita Rivera & Ben Vereen, k.d. lang, Dierks Bentley, The Manhattan Transfer & MORE! Tickets for our 2011 season are now on sale for the 27th season! Call 800-841-ARTS for your tickets.

2011-05-02T09:42:00.002-04:00

NCMC Events From Around the State… May 2, 2011

1). Museum of the Albemarle North Carolina’s rich art pottery tradition will have a turn in the spotlight when the Museum of the Albemarle hosts “Formed, Fired and Finished”, May 14, 2011 in Elizabeth City. The exhibition will feature a collection of more than 90 pottery pieces on loan from Dr. Everett James and Dr. Nancy Farmer, of Chapel Hill. Showcasing unusual words by talented potters, it will be the first and largest showing of North Carolina pottery in Eastern North Carolina.

2). NC Department of Cultural Resources As it has for generations, the Civil War engages and fascinates students of history like almost no other topic. A keynote address by David Blight of Yale University titled “Race and Reunion: Has Civil War Memory United or Divided America?” will kick off an all-day conference at the N.C. Museum of History on Friday, May 20. The conference, “Contested Past: Memories and Legacies of the Civil War,” is being held on the 150th anniversary of North Carolina’s secession from the Union. It is the first of three sesquicentennial symposiums the N.C. Office of Archives and History will sponsor around the state between 2011 and 2015. Pre-register by May 10th.

3). N.C. Transportation Museum On May 7, the N.C. Transportation Museum has a day full of activities for kids and adults. The annual Carolina Classic Motorcycle Club Show, traditionally held the first Saturday in May, will be joined by two more events, The Governor’s Highway Safety Program and the UNC-TV Dinosaur Train-themed “Just for Kids” Junior Conductor Jamboree. All of the events are free. In celebration of such a busy day, the museum is adding a Caboose Train to our regular passenger train ride, and expanding the day’s train ride schedule.

4). SECCA presents “Film @ SECCA: David Hockney, A Bigger Picture” on Thursday, May 5, 7:00-8:30. Filmed over three years, this documentary is an unprecedented record of a major artist at work. It captures David Hockney’s return from California to paint his native Yorkshire, England, outside through the seasons and in all weathers. “A Bigger Picture” explores the influence of place on the creative process and is presented in conjunction with SECCA’s new exhibition “American Gothic”.

5). Cape Fear Museum presents “Pirates” a special exhibit opening May 14. Welcome to a world of swashbucklers, scallywags, and scurvy sea dogs. Encounter pirates of the New World – a motley mob that ruled the waters from the Carolinas to the Caribbean. Meet Stede Bonnet and, aye, Blackbeard himself. Play pirate games, learn to speak like a pirate, and uncover a rich buried treasure of pirate facts and fiction.

6). Town Creek Indian Mound The annual “Astronomy Day” event at Town Creek Indian Mound will take place on Saturday, May 7. This daylong event will allow for observation of the sun during the day and stargazing later that night. The daytime activities include viewing the surface of the Sun through the site’s 12-inch Dobsonian telescope, free handouts, and a display explaining various aspects of astronomy. Once the sun sets and the sky has darkened, the staff will reopen the site at 8 p.m. and set up the Dobsonion telescope for the nighttime observations.

7). The Mint Museum The Mint Museum Uptown will present the iconic paintings of American artist Robert Henri in the special exhibition “From New York to Corrymore: Robert Henri and Ireland” (7 May – 7 August 2011). Organized by The Mint Museum and sponsored by Bank of America, this will be the first exhibition to examine Henri’s fascination with the Irish landscape and people, particularly children. The exhibition will travel nationally following its debut at the Mint.

8). N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences Come be amazed when the A/V Geeks present “Retro Astro” — a unique collection of favorite clips from the NASA Images project — at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences in downtown Raleigh on First Friday, May 6 at 7pm. Free. Skip Elsheimer of the A/V Geeks was tapped to digitize film and video for the NASA Images project (nasaimages.org). Unfortunately, due to funding issues the project stalled, but not before he digitized more than 600 videos and films about the history of NASA and our country’s reach for the stars.

9). Port Discover presents "First Friday Kids Night-In,” on Friday, May 6 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, for children ages 4-years-old and up. Space is very limited for this event so reservations are encouraged.

10). Reynolda House Reynolda House Museum of American Art and The Children’s Theatre of Winston-Salem will present a drama titled “The Orphan Train” on Friday, May 6 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, May 7 at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Admission is $5 for members and students, $8 for non-members. For information and to purchase tickets in advance, please call 336.758.5150 or visit reynoldahouse.org. The performance is in conjunction with the museum’s spring exhibition, “Trains that Passed in the Night: The Photographs of O. Winston Link,” on view through June 19, 2011. Ticket cost includes admission to the exhibition.

2011-04-26T08:31:00.002-04:00

NCMC Events From Around the State… April 25, 2011

1). Marbles Kids Museum presents selections from “Sideways Stories from Wayside School “on Sunday, May 1 from 1:00pm and 2:00pm. Counting to 100 alphabetically! Talking pigtails! Teachers turning students into apples! The Pickle Jar Players will present theatrical reading selections from Raleigh Little Theatre’s production of Sideways Stories from Wayside School, the best-selling series for the elementary kids. Raleigh Little Theatre will offer a full stage production of the play in May.

2). Museum of the Albemarle will host a “Native American Day Camp” on Thursday, April 28, from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. Campers need to be first through fourth grade students. Campers will explore the life of the Carolina Algonquians living in the Albemarle Region through discussions on health and healing practices, make a clay pot, view artifacts, discover hunting methods, make a bead necklace and much more. A catered lunch and snacks will be provided. Space is limited and pre-registration is required by Tuesday, April 26, 2011. Registration forms can be picked up at the Museum of the Albemarle. Cost: FOMOA Member - $20.00 and Non-Member - $25.00.

3). Page-Walker Arts & History Center presents “An Icon Transformed: Metamorphosis of an Old Cary School into a New Arts Center”; exhibition from April 29 to June 20 with an artist’s reception on April 29 6-8 p.m. Through the eyes of three of Cary Photographic Artists' most talented photographers: Heath Clayton, Jim Larcom and Joe Lipka, the transformation of Cary’s historic landmark school building into Cary’s newest visual and performing arts center is revealed. Displays of school memorabilia and historical collections will augment the exhibition.

4). Reynolda House brings the classic drive-in experience indoors with “Reynolda After Hours: Reynolda’s Indoor Drive-In”, Friday April 29 at 8 p.m. Guests can customize their own dream ride, watch actor Steve McQueen in his first leading role in the 1958 drive-in classic “The Blob,” and enjoy movie theater refreshments and blob-like Jell-O shooters. The museum will provide cardboard frames to be decorated into original hot rods, and prizes will be awarded for the craftiest car. Admission to Reynolda’s Indoor Drive-In is $5 for members and students, $8 for non-members.

5). NC Department of Cultural Resources The Civil War savaged lives yet secured the future of generations in North Carolina and the rest of the nation, and altered the course of American history. The injustices faced by African Americans were some of the most significant factors leading to the American Civil War (1861-1865). The fight for liberation is just one of many moving features of the “Freedom, Sacrifice, Memory: Civil War Sesquicentennial Photography Exhibit,” (www.nccivilwar150.com) which will visit the Wilson County Public Library from May 2-28. The exhibit will commemorate the bravery and resiliency of North Carolinians throughout the Civil War with stimulating images gathered from the State Archives, the N.C. Museum of History, and State Historic Sites.

6). Museum of the Cape Fear The National Weather Service and the North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources’ Connecting to Collections Project will present SKYWARN on Monday, May 2, from 1:30-3:30 p.m. at the Museum of the Cape Fear Historical Complex. The program will help any interested parties to understand the warning process of potential severe weather and how to read weather patterns in order to protect sites or homes, the public, and staff at cultural heritage institutions.

7). Historic Oakview Park We're excited to be preparing for our annual "Antique Automobile Show," taking place on May 7. Relive automobile history at the Antique Auto Show at Historic Oak View County Park on May 7, 2011 from 10am until 4pm. The Triangle Chapter will also be assembling their 1917 Take Apart Model T at 11:30am and 2:30pm.

8). Cameron Art Museum presents “Music in the Courtyard: The Wolfe Gang”, organic free-range music on Thurs. May 5th, 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm. Program admission: CAM Members and students: $5.00, Non-members: $10.00. Experience “The Wolfe Gang” performing original songs and instrumentals with unique arrangements of zydeco, rock and roll, rhythm and blues, reggae, jazz, swing, funk, soul, folk, country, and blues. The longtime Wilmington musicians --guitarist/vocalist Michael Wolfe, bassist Robb Harrington, and drummer Gene Carmen--have been drawing notice worldwide with their new release, “read the fine print”. Music held outdoors weather permitting, inside if not.

2011-04-19T08:29:00.002-04:00

NCMC Events From Around the State… April 18, 2011

1). Museum of the Albemarle The Museum of the Albemarle will hold “History Tales: Make It, Take It” on Tuesday, April 19 at 3:30 p.m. Elementary students accompanied by an adult will discover why people wore hats, the types of hats and have an opportunity to participate in a hands-on activity. The program is free to the public.

2). Cherryville Historical Museum As part of the museum’s Spring fundraising, we will raffle off a $3,000 value Tank ATV on April 30, 2011 during the annual Cherry Blossom Festival! Tickets can be purchased at the festival or by contacting the museum. In addition, several events will take place throughout the day on the 30th; including turkey call demonstrations from the national champion, storytelling in our storyteller cabin, puppet theatre for children and a representative from Cherryville New Year Shooters will give a talk.

3). Port Discover To celebrate Earth Day, preschoolers will learn the 3 R’s—Reduce, Reuse, Recycle—that keep our earth happy while we say “Thank You, Earth!” at Port Discover’s Toddler Time program, on Thursday, April 21 at 10:00 am. Children will make a planter out of recycled materials and enjoy a morning playing in the soil. Toddler Time is a special science program just for preschoolers, ages 3 – 5. Cost for the program is $5 per family and reservations are required. Parents or guardians must accompany the child.

4). NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher Do you find objects in nature, such as interesting shells, bones, egg cases, rocks, pine cones and other treasures? If you enjoy exploring natural areas such as beaches and forests, and collecting found treasures, come to the Aquarium to share and swap. “Nature Swap” showcases natural objects, such as shark teeth, skulls, and shells. You can learn more about natural objects from Aquarium staff by examining their collection, and by bringing in your own finds. You can also acquire points for your treasures to use in trade for another item of equal or lesser value.

5). Joel Lane Museum House Macaroni Kid is excited to announce our Macaroni Kid Meet Up “Pathways to the Past” partnering with the Joel Lane Museum House and Inter Faith Food Shuttle for an afternoon of education and community service on April 30, 2011, from 1:00 – 4:00 PM. Joel Lane Museum House the birthplace of Raleigh will host demonstrations for children showing the life in the 18th century North Carolina in “Pathways to the Past”. Activities will include making rag dolls, writing with a quill pen, “tin” punching, candle dipping, and other hands-on activities.

6). Guilford College Art Gallery Guilford College Art Gallery & Etherington Conservation Services are co-hosting “Hometown Treasures,” a perfect event to learn about preservation, techniques & history of your personal artifacts, Sat., Apr. 30, 9a-5p in the Art Gallery. Books, prints, drawings, photographs, ephemera, oil paintings, small scale metal objects and wooden artifacts (up to 3/person) can be evaluated. Preservation recommendations offered - no monetary values. Call 800-444-7534 for appointment. Free & open to public.

7). SECCA On April 21, The Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art (SECCA) will present “American Gothic: Aaron Spangler & Alison Elizabeth Taylor”, an exhibition of two mid-career artists translating Renaissance era techniques and the humble medium of wood into a powerful reflection on the rise and fall of rural America. The exhibition, organized by SECCA and curated by Steven Matijcio, will open with a free Talk @ SECCA by Aaron Spangler at 6 p.m. on Thursday, April 21. Minnesota-based Spangler will discuss the techniques, motivations and experiences that inform his intense practice of woodcarving. A reception with refreshments and a cash bar will immediately follow the artist talk.

8). Cameron Art Museum presents “Theatre Culture and Community” on Thurs. Apr. 28, 7:00 pm and Sun. Apr. 30, 2:00 pm. Program admission: CAM Members and students: $5.00, Non-members: $10.00. UNCW students studying the practice of “devising” theatre with Dr. Anne Berkeley present original, short performance pieces. In devised performance work actors build from scratch an artistically engaging performance text with music, dance and drama.

9). Turchin Center for the Visual Arts We will have a “Lunch & Learn” on Wednesday, April 20 from 12 noon until 1pm. Join Appalachian State University Printmaking Professor, April Flanders’ as she discusses her current work featured in her solo exhibition Beyond their Natural Range. Her most recent work addresses the uncontrollable nature of invasive botanical species in the Appalachian region. Bring a bagged lunch and we will provide the bottled water.

2011-04-12T08:31:00.002-04:00

NCMC Events From Around the State… April 11, 2011

1). Duke Homestead State Historic Site George Hamilton IV will be performing at Duke Homestead State Historic Site on Sunday, April 17, at 2 p.m. This home-grown country music legend will be singing Easter-themed music, following last year’s tour celebrating his 50 years with the Grand Ole Opry. Tickets are $10 per person, with half-price tickets available for Duke Homestead members and for children under 12.

2). Port Discover Port Discover offers a full day of heart healthy fun & fitness-building during the “Spring Break Kinetic Kids Camp,” on Wednesday, April 27 from 9:00 am – 3:00 pm. Kids will get to dissect and examine a pig’s heart, construct a heart valve from household objects, and exercise to Zumba! Spring Break Kinetic Kids Camp’s health programs are a part of Port Discover's Kinetic Kids program made possible thanks to University Health Systems Foundation and the Albemarle Hospital Foundation.

3). Battleship NORTH CAROLINA Battleship NORTH CAROLINA welcomes spring with the 4th annual “Easter Egg Hunt” from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm at Battleship Park, on Friday, April 22, 2011. Hippity Hoppity down the Battleship trail for a day of fun with continuous games, bounce house, petting zoo and pony rides (additional fee) for all to enjoy. Make sure to bring your camera and take pictures with Buddy the Battleship Bunny.

4). High Point Museum Chris J. Hartley, author of “Stoneman’s Raid, 1865”, will be the featured speaker at the High Point Museum Wednesday, April 20 at 10 am. Hartley’s book is the most detailed and complete account written of an action that remains controversial. George Stoneman’s 1865 Union cavalry raid did much for his tattered reputation, perhaps even helping the major general to the governorship of California in 1883. But many take a darker view of Stoneman’s Raid. The High Point Museum Guild invites all lovers of history to attend this free event and hear about Stoneman’s Raid on High Point and the surrounding area in 1865.

5). Cameron Art Museum presents “Gallery Conversations: Georgia Mastroieni and Holly Tripman” on Thursday April 14th at 6:30 pm and Sunday, April 17th at 3:00 pm. Cost: Museum Admission, CAM Members: free. Twice a month you can join in the conversation of this informal series with various members of CAM’s staff discussing the art work on view. Georgia Mastroieni, curator of education, and Holly Tripman, registrar share the dialogue taking closer looks at selected pieces and themes in the exhibition “Remembering BIG: The Life and Works of Allen D. Carter”.

6). The Bascom The quality and excellence of exhibits and programs, part of the core of The Bascom's mission, are highlighted this spring at with “American Still Life, Yesterday and Today”. Opening on April 16, this juried exhibit includes a combination of works by contemporary American artists enhanced by historical still life examples borrowed from museum collections. Observe some of the innovative ways contemporary artists visit the still life genre. The exhibit runs through July 4. Admission for the exhibit and the opening reception on Saturday, April 16 from 5-7 pm is free.

7). N.C. Collection Join author Mark Nicholls for a discussion of his new book “Sir Walter Raleigh: In Life and Legend”. He’ll divide fact from fiction in recalling the man whose spirit of adventure helped set the course of North Carolina’s history on Thursday, April 14, 2011, 5:45 p.m. in the Pleasants Assembly Room, Wilson Special Collections Library, UNC-Chapel Hill campus. 5:00 reception. Free and open to the public.

8). Outer Banks History Center Join the Friends of the Outer Banks History Center on April 12 from 7-9 p.m. to hear details of the Bodie Island Lighthouse restoration straight from the contractors who have worked on the project. This presentation is part of the annual membership meeting of The Friends of the Outer Banks History Center. Light refreshments will be served. The event is free, and the public is welcome to attend.

9). SECCA The Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art (SECCA), along with six other organizations, is presenting a collaborative celebration April 13 to premiere “The Greenhorns,” a film highlighting a rising generation of farmers and their holistic approach to producing food. Beginning at 5 p.m., the event will be a festive and unique evening of food, film and community. The program will be held rain or shine at SECCA, located at 750 Marguerite Drive. Activities include a cocktail hour, Seed Circus, supper and the film screening. Admission is $8 for SECCA members and $10 for non-members.

10). Natural Science Center of Greensboro Bunnies, bunnies and more bunnies are hopping to the Natural Science Center on Saturday, April 16 from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. for the annual “Bunny Day” special event! This popular family event is always memorable for kids of all ages. So hop on over to enjoy the fun!

2011-04-04T11:26:00.003-04:00

NCMC Events From Around the State… April 4, 2011 1). Bellamy Mansion presents “Mondays @ the Mansion: Funerary Art and Rural Cemeteries” with Janet Seapker on Monday, April 18th 10:30am, $5 with coffee. 2). Fort Dobbs State Historic Site Hundreds of soldiers, American Indians and civilians from the 18th Century will come to life as costumed interpreters at camp and battle during the free Fort Dobbs State Historic Site “War for Empire 1761” Living History weekend April 9-10. Each day’s events will offer a glimpse into military operations and camp life during the harrowing Cherokee War that pitted native warriors against provincial soldiers during this crucial time in the Colonial Carolinas. Major battle re-enactments with musket and cannon firings are scheduled at 1:30 p.m. Saturday and again on Sunday. 3). N.C. Department of Cultural Resources The North Carolina Connecting to Collections Project (C2C) will host a workshop to train participants in the basic care of museum artifact collections on April 5, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Mt. Airy Museum of Regional History. Adrienne Berney, Collections Care Trainer for the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources’ C2C project, will lead the session. Berney, who has served as an objects curator for a state history museum, has also worked with several historic houses. 4). Historic Halifax Celebrate 235 years of American Independence from Great Britain on Tuesday, April 12, at the annual “Halifax Day” festivities. From 9 a.m.-5 p.m., visitors at Historic Halifax State Historic Site may join in the remembrance of the April 12, 1776, vote by North Carolina’s Provincial Congress to separate from the British Crown. The program will feature colonial-costumed interpreters, living history demonstrations and tours of historic buildings for young and old. It is sponsored by the Historical Halifax Restoration Association, Inc. All activities are free and open to the public. 5). Historic Wright Tavern The Rockingham County Historical Society Museum and Archives (RCHSMA) will present their first "Family Day" on April 9, 2011, from 10:00 A.M.-3:00 P.M., on the Museum grounds at Wright Tavern in Wentworth. Activities will include games, music, story-telling, demonstrations of everyday work in the home, and tours of our historic structures and grounds. Staff from the LDS Genealogy Library will assist visitors and explain how to use the internet to research family history. Archaeologists at work and American Revolutionary reenactors will be here, too! Adults and children alike will enjoy fun, food, games, exploration, and hands-on activities. 6). Greensboro Children’s Museum presents “Urban Homesteading Workshops-Eat Fresh! Create your Own Edible Landscape” on Saturday, April 9th from 10:00 am-12:00 pm, 2:00 pm-4:00 pm. Herbs in your scrambled eggs, a handful of cherry tomatoes, and cucumbers for a tasty sandwich or salad… Imagine fresh, delicious produce growing wherever you live! Come learn basics of gardening with the Edible Schoolyard and start your family on a new adventure in eating! 7). N.C. Collection Gallery presents “And They Talked—Always They Talked: 215 Years of the Dialectic and Philanthropic Societies” on Thursday, April 7, 2011, 5:45 p.m. in the Pleasants Assembly Room, Wilson Library, UNC-Chapel Hill. Longtime Di-Phi member Kevin Cherry will discuss the origins and development of the societies. A reception, viewing of the exhibition “From Di-Phis to Loreleis: A History of Student Organizations at UNC”, and a capella performance by the Loreleis will begin at 5:00 p.m. in the North Carolina Collection Gallery, Wilson Library. Free and open to the public. 8). Bellamy Mansion presents “Music at the Mansion” with Susan Savia, performing beautiful American and English music circa 1850 through 1920. Susan will play Harmonica, Jaw Harp, Strum Stick and Appalachian Dancing Man. Some of the music, considered popular during the period, is now rare and unknown. She will bring it back to life for your listening pleasure while benefitting the treasure that is Bellamy Mansion. Admission $15.00 includes free dessert. Wine available for purchase. Doors open at 6:45 pm. 9). Black Mountain College Museum & Art Center On the evening of April 6th at 7:00PM, the Black Mountain College Museum + Arts Center will host a film screening of “Don't Know, We'll See: The Work of Karen Karnes,” by Lucy Massie Phenix. The filmmaker will be in attendance. A renowned studio potter and Artist in Residence (along with David Weinrib) at Black Mountain College from 1952-54, Karnes is making a rare visit to Asheville from her home in Vermont. 10). Turchin Center for the Visual Arts Presents four new exhibitions… “Chromata: Laura Berman”, “Places for Contemplation in Public Buildings: Constructing a Model Space for Reflection”, “Open Spaces, Sacred Places: Tom Stoner & the TKF Foundation”, “Beyond Their Natural Range: April Flanders”. Stop by and enjoy the new exhibitions!

2011-03-28T09:17:00.002-04:00

NCMC Events From Around the State… March 28, 2011 1). Battleship NORTH CAROLINA On April 6, 2011, crew members who served aboard the Battleship NORTH CAROLINA (BB55) in the 1940s will return to what was once their home in celebration of the Ship's 70th birthday along with her 50th anniversary of being moored in Wilmington, North Carolina. The historic event kicks off at 2:00 pm on April 7, 2011, as the Battleship and her crew welcome aboard the North Carolina Azalea Festival Official Party and Azalea Queen Heather French Henry. To hear more of their lives, join the Living History Crew all day on Saturday, April 9, aboard the Battleship and interact with World War II interpreters as they bring the Ship to life by re-enacting daily duties & drills. 2). Asheville Art Museum The Asheville Art Museum proudly presents an “Evening with Karen Karnes and Special Guests” on Thursday, April 7, 2011 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. in Diana Wortham Theatre. Tickets are $3 for Museum Members and $5 for non-Members. Please join us for a special evening talk with artist Karen Karnes, author/biographer Mark Shapiro, and other special guests. Karnes, a former Black Mountain College faculty member, is the subject of our exhibition “A Chosen Path: The Ceramic Art of Karen Karnes”; Shapiro is the editor of the monograph of the same title. 3). Mint Museum The provocative humor and pioneering style of metalsmith Gary Lee Noffke will be exhibited in a major retrospective of the artist’s work at the Mint Museum Uptown this spring. Featuring significant examples of Noffke’s hollowware, flatware, and jewelry, the exhibition “Attitude and Alchemy: The Metalwork of Gary Lee Noffke” (2 April – 11 September 2011) not only captures the artist’s rebellious nature, but also examines his methodology, evolution of style, and impact on the field of metal. 4). N.C. Department of Cultural Resources Heroic tales and valiant feats are depicted in images that reflect North Carolina’s dedication to the war in the “Freedom, Sacrifice, Memory: Civil War Sesquicentennial Photography Exhibit” (www.nccivilwar150.com). Ashe County Public Library in West Jefferson will host the exhibit from April 1-28, sharing images and stories that capture the history and people of the Civil War (1861-1865). 5). Eden Historical Museum presents “Hats from the Attic”: A special exhibit brimming with style at the Eden Historical Museum beginning April 2, 2011. Open Saturdays from 10am-4pm. Also open during Olde Leaksville’s Ladies Night Out on Friday, May 6 from 6pm-8pm. Admission $1.00. Eden Historical Museum, 656 Washington Street, Eden, NC 27288. 6). Cape Fear Museum presents “Gallery Chat: B.W. Wells” on Sunday, April 3, 2 to 3:30 p.m. Join photographic artist Freda Wilkins in Cape Fear Museum’s newest exhibit, “B.W. Wells: Pioneer Ecologist”. Freda will chat informally with visitors about her work capturing digital images of and helping map out endangered species in the Big Savannah – a rare landscape unique to our region. Free with Museum admission. 7). Joel Lane Museum House The Joel Lane Museum House is proud to announce a lecture on “Stitches in Learning – A Look at North Carolina Schoolgirl Needlework” by Susan Stallings on Thursday, April 7, 2011 at 7 pm in the Visitors Center. Refreshments will be served. Seating is limited, and advanced payment is required. Needlework, or fancy work, was an important part of a young woman’s education. This presentation will give an overview of schoolgirl needlework in North Carolina during the first-half of the 19th century including connections to descendants of the Lane family. 8). SciWorks What's ahead for NASA and space exploration in the coming decade? Spend an evening at SciWorks with Mike Lucas and find out! Mike Lucas, a Solar Ambassador with NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, will present a program on how NASA will select and fund future space exploration missions in the coming decade. SciWorks Auditorium, Thursday, April 7th from 7 - 8:30pm, free event! 9). Port Discover In conjunction with First Friday Art Walk, Port Discover offers “First Friday Kids Night-In,” on Friday, April 1 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). Cameron Art Museum presents “Quilt Presentation and Demonstration: Old Baldy Quilters” on Sun. Apr. 3 from 1:00 – 3:00 pm. Program admission: CAM Members: $5.00, Non-members: $10.00. Come enjoy a fun afternoon learning about historical and contemporary quilt techniques with the Old Baldy Quilters from Bald Head Island. Group members will give a short illustrated presentation, show examples of their work, and more. Held in conjunction with the exhibition “From Heart to Hand: African-American Quilts from the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts.”

2011-03-22T09:01:00.002-04:00

NCMC Events From Around the State… March 21, 2011

1). Historic Bath State Historic Site A new display at Historic Bath, “The Civil War at Home: Uncovering Local History Through Family Letters,” will highlight some of the ways readers can glean bits of local knowledge 150 years later through personal letters exchanged during this pivotal era in American history. Canteens, spectacles, binoculars and belt buckles from the Civil War era will be on display through 2011. Based on these letters, Historic Bath staff member Bea Latham will give a lecture titled “A Woman’s Place was in the Home: Learning about Life Through Civil War Letters” on April 16 at 10 a.m.

2). Museum of the Albemarle Help to celebrate Perquimans County, one of the 13 counties that make up the Albemarle area, Sunday March 27 from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Learn more about the artifacts in “Our Story, and Out of the Blue: Coast Guard Aviation that represent Perquimans County”. Period furniture craftsman Ben Hobbs and other guest speakers will be available to share personal reflections of Perquimans. Light refreshments will be served.

3). Gregg Museum of Art & Design presents “Trace Evidence”, a symposium held March 24-26 at NC State University's Gregg Museum of Art & Design located on the second floor of Talley Student Center. The symposium is in conjunction with “Traces: Mapping a Journey in Textiles and Pull of the Moon: Recent Work of Barbara Lee Smith”, January 20- May 14, 2011. Panels, fashion shows, and tours of galleries, museums and studios around the city are all part of a shared effort to probe the many ways textiles may be explored as an art medium.

4). N.C. Dept. of Cultural Resources The first families of North Carolina who helped define the state’s cultural diversity will be highlighted in a talk by Dr. Jeffrey J. Crow, Deputy Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources, at 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 25, at the North Carolina Museum of the Albemarle, 501 S. Water St., in Elizabeth City. Telling two compelling stories, one about leader of the Tuscarora Tom Blunt, and the second about Abraham, an 18th-century Afro-Moravian, Crow will share the tale of a struggling Carolina colony at a critical moment in history.

5). Reynolda House Some artists strive to capture a beautiful scene in a landscape, an important person in a portrait, or an abstract idea or emotion on canvas. Unlike many of his contemporaries in the 1920s and ’30s, artist Thomas Hart Benton often chose to tell a story. In the new Reynolda House Museum of American Art exhibition titled “Thomas Hart Benton, America’s Master Storyteller,” visitors will see his large-scale oil masterpiece, “Bootleggers,” alongside three lithographs. The lithographs are based on scenes the artist created for the mural program of the Missouri State Capitol Building, “Thomas Hart Benton, America’s Master Storyteller” will be on view now through July 31, 2011. The exhibition is included in the cost of admission.

6). The Bascom There is so much to see and do at The Bascom this spring! Exhibitions include “Out Back and Down Under” that runs through March 25. Enjoy recent works by photographer Greg Newington that include images from his recent Aussie tour Down Under, and from Out Back on our mountain plateau. Also, through April 9, “Regional Art Organizations, Selected Works” is an exhibition initiative that supports the work of individual artists and arts organizations in the region surrounding our mountain plateau.

7). Port Discover Port Discover’s Afterschool Science presents “1 + 1 Equals Achoo!,” a kid’s health awareness program, on Thursday, March 24 from 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm. Dr. Maille Lyons, from Old Dominion University, presents the unique interactive game illustrating how sickness can spread through a community. Children will also learn what can be done to prevent the germs from spreading and stay healthy!

8). Marbles Kids Museum presents “First Friday at Marbles and Be a Star!” with NC Theatre on Friday, April 1- Museum open until 8:00pm. Put on your Sunday’s best for an evening of play and adventure with NC Theatre. Celebrate a fun-filled evening of Sunday hat-making, song and dance, and a sneak preview of NC Theatre’s production of “Hello, Dolly!” “Be a Star!” is sponsored by Wachovia, A Wells Fargo Company.

9). Bennett Place State Historic Site presents “Soldier Life at Bennett Farm”. Campfire cooking of salt pork and Johnny cakes, chopping firewood, mending uniforms and other aspects of the daily life of a Confederate soldier will be demonstrated on Saturday and Sunday, March 26-27, at Bennett Place State Historic Site. Re-enactors will encamp as “Tarheel” soldiers during free programs from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on Sunday, as part of the Civil War Sesquicentennial observance www.nccivilwar150.com.

2011-03-14T09:14:00.002-04:00

NCMC Events From Around the State… March 14, 2011

1). Asheville Art Museum The Asheville Art Museum is pleased to present the exhibition “An Inside View” with an opening reception on Friday, March 18, 2011 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. This exhibition is in the Holden Community Gallery located on the first floor of the Museum and admission to this gallery is always free to the public. The exhibition will be on view through Sunday, July 10, 2011.

2). SERCA presents “14th Annual SERCA Meeting Atlanta, Georgia” on March 18-20, 2011 - “Integrated Pest Management and Identification”, presented by Patrick Kelley, Insects, Ltd. The Southeast Regional Conservation Association is pleased to present this workshop for conservators from many specialties and allied professionals. Pat Kelley, of Insects, Ltd., will lead the program on pest identification, abatement and control. The meeting will be held on the campus of Emory University at the R.W. Woodruff Library.

3). Historic Stagville State Historic Site presents “Christ Unchained: African-American Slaves and the Civil War Era” on March 20th from 2-4pm. To inaugurate Historic Stagville’s series of programming and events commemorating the sesquicentennial of the Civil
War in North Carolina the site welcomes Dr. Dan Fountain, an associate professor of history and the director of public history at Meredith College. Dr. Fountain’s recent publication, “Slavery, Civil War, and Salvation: African American Slaves and Christianity, 1830-1870” takes a new look at the African-American conversion experience and argues that only after emancipation did African- Americans more consistently turn to Christianity.

4). NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher The North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher’s Spadefish Gallery newest showcase is an exhibit entitled “High Surf Advisory” featuring works created by world acclaimed artist, Gary Cleaveland with Red Flag Surf Studio. Cleaveland is a self taught artist who uses the rhythm of ocean tides as his muse to create sensational works of art. “High Surf Advisory” will be on exhibit March 1 - April 28, 2011.

5). Bellamy Mansion presents “Arbor Day Celebration” on March 20th from 1-4pm. A family-friendly event featuring pine tree give-aways, tree care booklets, garden tours, green tours of the mansion, leaf and tree-themed games and coloring stations - something for everyone who wants to learn about the environment and the importance of urban forests.

6). Port Discover To commemorate March being National Nutrition Month, preschoolers will learn about the true benefits of “An Apple A Day” at Port Discover’s Toddler Time program, on Thursday, March 17 at 10:00 am. Children will get to create a fun placemat for their dinner table. “An Apple A Day” is a part of Port Discover's Kinetic Kids programs made possible by the Albemarle Hospital Foundation. Toddler Time is a special science program just for preschoolers, ages 3 – 5. Cost for the program is $5 per family and reservations are required. Parents or guardians must accompany the child.

7). N.C. Transportation Museum Steam will again soar over Spencer Shops as the N.C. Transportation Museum hosts the first ever “Spring Kick Off”, March 19. The museum will welcome the warmer season with a day full of music, food, games for the kids and train rides. One of the museum’s largest and most impressive structures will also be honored during the day’s events. The March 19 Spring Kick Off will feature two different trains. The museum’s regular passenger train will be pulled by a classic diesel engine, and special rides will be available on a train full of cabooses, pulled by the Flagg 75 steam locomotive.

8). Bentonville Battlefield Step back in time to see raw recruits answer the call for volunteers to join the Confederate army in late May 1861, at Bentonville Battlefield State Historic Site. The program “The Union is Dissolved: Mustering Soldiers off to War” kicks off the Civil War Sesquicentennial commemoration on March 19-20, from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. with the 146th Anniversary of the Battle of Bentonville Living History Program. Military re-enactors will portray enlisting officers, recruits and the army surgeons charged with certifying the health of the new soldiers at John Harper’s home just outside of the village of Bentonville.

9). Waterworks Visual Arts Center presents “Identification” through May 14. Two solo exhibitions and a group show take a broad variety of approaches to the theme of contemporary identity and personal sovereignty. NC artist Katie Claiborne’s subtly expressive paintings pinpoint the delicacy of a human moment, hinting at the vast array of emotion beneath the surface of a gesture. SC artist Susan Lenz’s emotionally charged paintings with embroidered messages convey the importance of decisions as aspects of our individual characters. “You and Me,” a group show features the works of eleven regional artists who explore the question of individualism through self portraiture.

10). Battleship NORTH CAROLINA Calling all Navy engineering enthusiasts! Join the Battleship NORTH CAROLINA for an in-depth program on the Battleship's power plant on March 19, 2011, from 1:00 pm until 5:00 pm. Learn in detail about the ship's eight Babcock & Wilcox boilers, four sets of General Electric turbines and reduction gears, steam and diesel powered service turbo generators, along with electrical distribution, water distillation, and steering mechanisms. Our program features classroom presentations and behind-the-scenes tour of engineering spaces.

2011-03-07T08:20:00.002-05:00

NCMC Events From Around the State… March 7, 2011

1). Asheville Art Museum The Asheville Art Museum is pleased to host The Curator’s Bazaar Saturday + Sunday, March 12 + 13, 2011 in the Pack Place Community Gallery during regular Museum hours. Admission to the Bazaar is free. The Museum hosts a bazaar featuring books, frames, art and a variety of other special items for sale. Be sure to save the date and stop by to find wonderful and rare items. Curator Frank Thomson promises “a garden of earthly delights” and says the Bazaar “will feature a variety of affordable treasures including original works of art, quality frames, books and some surprises.”

2). High Point Museum presents “Southern Belles: Civil War Stories of Some Exceptional Women” on Sunday March 13, 2 pm to 4 pm. Location: Morgan Community Room, 1st floor High Point Public Library. Beautiful women in hoop shirts, sipping mint juleps while lounging on the veranda comes to mind when the phrase "southern belles," is mentioned. However, the hardships and tragedies faced by women during the Civil War resulted in some amazing tales of triumph, downfall, or incredible actions by women during that tragic period of American history. Heritage Research Center staff will present a program highlighting some of these stories.

3). Transylvania Heritage Museum Saturday, March 12, 1 – 2 pm, 2nd Saturday program is “The American Chestnut”, presented by Don Surrette. Learn about the efforts being made to restore this forest giant in our local area. Transylvania Heritage Museum, 189 W. Main St., Brevard. Reservations not required.

4). Cameron Art Museum presents “Quilt Demonstration: First Culture African American Quilting Circle” on Sunday, Mar 13th from 2:30 pm to 4:00 p.m. Want to find out more about the communal pleasures of quilting? Come join the members of the First Culture African American Quilting Circle as they give lively demonstrations in the Brown Wing at the Cameron Art Museum of their quilting techniques and answer questions.

5). Port Discover To commemorate March being National Nutrition Month, nutrition experts Angie & John Lamberson, registered dietitians and owners of Nutrition Pair, LLC., will present “Eat Right with Color” at Port Discover’s Second Saturday Science program, on Saturday, March 12 at 11:00 am. Kids will learn to "Eat from the Rainbow," participate in a Fruit & Vegetable "Fear Factor" challenge, and get to create Funky Fruit & Vegetable Art! “Eat Right with Color” is a part of Port Discover's Kinetic Kids programs made possible by the Albemarle Hospital Foundation.

6). Mint Museum A public symposium organized by the Mint Museum of Craft + Design will be part of a closing celebration for the inaugural exhibition, “Contemporary British Studio Ceramics: The Grainer Collection” during its final week on view. Featuring innovative discussions by leading international art scholars and artists on important trends and developments in contemporary British ceramics, the Symposium will be held Thursday, 10 March, 3:00-7:00 p.m. at the Mint Museum Uptown (at Levine Center for the Arts, 500 South Tryon Street) and is free with museum admission.

7). SECCA This spring The Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art (SECCA) is presenting an exhibition of international significance titled “Oscar Muñoz: Imprints for a Fleeting Memorial”. The traveling exhibition will open on March 12, 2011 with a Talk @ SECCA at 2 p.m. by visiting Colombian curator José Roca. A reception will follow immediately after with music and refreshments. “Imprints for a Fleeting Memorial” will be on view at SECCA through June 5, 2011.

8). Bellamy Mansion The Bellamy Mansion once again presents the “Art of the Table”, which will kickoff the Mansion's 150th anniversary celebration. The event runs from March 10-13 (kickoff March 10th 6-10:30pm) and showcases the talents of local artists, designers, florists and hotels and event planners, who create unique themed tablescapes throughout the mansion's 12 spectacular rooms. The Art of the Table celebrates the history and presence of one of the most spectacular examples of antebellum architecture in North Carolina and provides an opportunity to help usher the Bellamy into another 150 years in the Wilmington community.

9). Museum of the Albemarle The Museum of the Albemarle will hold “Junior Museum Explorers” on Tuesday, March 8, 2011 at 3:30 p.m. This program’s theme is Coastal North Carolina. Student will participate in a specialized gallery tour and a hands-on activity. Explore spring time in the Albemarle region. This is a free event and is suitable for middle school students.

10). Cape Fear Museum On Tuesday, March 8, Cape Fear Museum of History and Science will host “Colonial Stories”, a presentation about the area during the Colonial era. Beginning at 7 p.m., Museum Curator Barbara Rowe and Historian Janet Davidson will discuss and demonstrate how the Museum gathered a variety of historical records – letters, newspaper accounts, documents, etc. – to shape an understanding of the Lower Cape Fear region during the 18th century.

11). N.C. Maritime Museum presents the "Brown Bag Gam" free speaker series. Pack a snack and meet at the Museum during your lunch hour for informal presentations on topics of maritime history, culture and the natural environment. Presentations are at noon on most Wednesdays. The spring season beings March 9 with "A Pirate's Table," and continues March 16 with "Dolphins," and March 23 with "Modern Lapstrake Boatbuilding."

2011-02-28T10:07:00.002-05:00

NCMC Events From Around the State… February 28, 2011

1). Aycock Birthplace State Historic Site “Who is buried in Grant’s Tomb?” was a common question heard on the television show “You Bet Your Life” in 1959 when the Aycock Birthplace State Historic Site first opened its doors. That question and many more will be asked on March 3 at 7 p.m., when Aycock Birthplace will hold its second annual “Civil War Trivia Contest”. Categories include “Way Down South in the Land of Cotton,” “What’s Your Name?” “Chickens in the Breadpan Pickin’ Out Dough” and “So You Want To Be in Pictures?”

2). Museum of the Albemarle The Guild of Museum Friends of the Museum of the Albemarle will be sponsoring a presentation and luncheon on Thursday, March 3, 2011 featuring Edith Mayo, Curator Emeritus, in Political History at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History. The topic of her presentation is “The Role of Greek Sororities in Women’s Higher Education.” The talk, to be followed by lunch, will take place at the First United Methodist Church in Elizabeth City, 201 S. Road Street, and is open to members and non-members.

3). Marbles Kids Museum presents “Dig-In Community Garden Summit” with Advocates for Health in Action on Saturday, March 5 - 8:30am-1:00pm. Dig in the dirt with Advocates for Health in Action at Marbles Kids Museum. Learn to build, maintain and sustain a community garden through informative workshops and booths. Whether your neighborhood, workplace or school is looking to grow healthy, fresh food, or you’re a home gardener looking for tips and advice, “Dig In” is for you! This summit is free and open to the public.

4). Cameron Art Museum presents “GALLERY CONVERSATIONS: Anne Brennan and Daphne Holmes” on Sun. Mar. 6, 3:00 pm. Cost: Museum Admission, CAM Members: no cost. Twice a month you can join in the fun of this new informal series of with various members of CAM’s staff discussing the art work on view. Anne Brennan, assistant director, and Daphne Holmes, curator of public programs share the conversation in Feb. and Mar. taking closer looks at the work and themes in recently opened exhibitions.

5). Outer Banks History Center Recently the Bodie Island Lighthouse has been encased in more than 2,000 pieces of scaffolding while undergoing restoration. The current lighthouse, first lit in 1872, is the third beacon to bear the name Bodie Island Lighthouse. Learn the history of all three sea coast lights next month in the exhibit “The Lighthouses at Bodie Island: Third Time’s The Charm.” Join the Friends of the Outer Banks History Center, staff, and members of the Outer Banks Lighthouse Society for the opening reception, “First Friday,” on March 4 from 5:30–7:30 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

6). N.C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher presents “Scales and Tails” on Saturday, March 5 and Sunday March 6, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. See, touch, and learn about our cold-blooded neighbors. Staff and invited experts will introduce you to dozens of live amphibians and reptiles, including alligators, frogs and toads, salt and freshwater turtles, snakes, salamanders, iguanas, lizards, tortoises and more! All ages. Regular Aquarium admission rates apply.

7). Cape Fear Museum presents “B.W. Wells: Pioneer Ecologist”, Special Exhibit Opens March 4. Explore the breathtaking nature photography of ecologist B.W. Wells and discover his passion for the flora and fauna of the Lower Cape Fear region. Inspired in 1920 by the beautiful wildflowers of Pender County’s Big Savannah, Wells dedicated himself to documenting North Carolina’s native plants. In this exhibit, the story of Wells’ efforts to preserve the Big Savannah is told through a wealth of stunning photographs he took to document his research.

8). Hickory Museum of Art is hosting a new exhibition by Fanjoy Labrenz, “Scene Unseen”, beginning February. “Scene Unseen” is a photography and videography installation by Hickory artists Sally Fanjoy and James Labrenz. The Museum’s main gallery has been transformed through the use of digitally projected stills and video images on walls and LCD screens, as well as large photographs printed on aluminum. The exhibition runs in the Coe Gallery through April 15.

9). N.C. Transportation Museum The N.C. Transportation Museum brings history to life Friday, March 4, during "Night at the North Carolina Transportation Museum." Those who lived and worked around the machines of the past will tell their stories during this third annual event. These special free tours take place at 5:30, 6:30 and 7:30 p.m.

10). Greensboro Children’s Museum will hold is annual “Kickoff to Kindergarten Parent Days” event on February 28th from 11-1pm and 5-7pm. This drop-in event is free to the public and was created to help parents prepare for their child’s first day of Kindergarten or Pre-Kindergarten. Representatives from Guilford County Schools and other community pre-K resources will be available to answer questions regarding transportation, school health & nutrition, after-school options, English as a second language, PTA, and Kindergarten curriculums.

2011-02-22T08:42:00.002-05:00

NCMC Events From Around the State… February 21, 2011

1). Greensboro Children’s Museum presents “Black Diamond: Satchel Paige and the Negro Leagues” on Sunday, Feb. 27th 2-3:30pm. A musical for young people by Washington, D.C.'s Discovery Theater and a Smithsonian Favorite! Especially developed for ages 3 -10. Score a home run with this inspirational musical play about America's national pastime in the days of segregation. Cosponsored by the Greensboro Grasshoppers.

2). Duke Homestead State Historic Site A lecture, “Red Strings: Unionist Sentiment in Piedmont, North Carolina,” presented by N.C. Division of State Historic Sites Assistant Education Curator Jeff Bockert, will commence on Feb. 26 at 2 p.m. It kicks off commemorative events at Duke Homestead State Historic Site. Light refreshments will be provided. The program is the first in a series of events at Duke Homestead for the Civil War Sesquicentennial. Bockert will discuss the anti-secessionist political efforts during the antebellum period in the Piedmont.

3). Maria V. Howard Arts Center The walls of the Maria V. Howard Arts Center in Rocky Mount are swimming with colorful creatures! David Edgar’s “Tides of the Plastiquarium” exhibition is being featured January 22 – May 8, 2011. As a part of the Spring Exhibitions series, Mr. Edgar is presenting a one-day workshop February 26 to instruct participants (ages 13-up) how to use recyclable plastic containers to create these fanciful creatures. For more information, contact: Jennifer.rankin@rockymountnc.gov.

4). Port Discover To commemorate February being Heart Health Month, Albemarle Hospital’s Community Health Nurse Pamela Etheridge, RN, BSN, will present “Body Check” at Port Discover’s Afterschool Science program on Thursday, February 24, from 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm. Kids are invited to attend while we investigate ways to keep your body healthy. They will learn things from how to monitor their hearts to what to do in an emergency, and more.

5). The State Capitol The State Capitol and the Richard B. Harrison Library will host a session of the 2011 National African American Read-In on Saturday, Feb. 26. The Read-In will be held at the State Capitol from 2-4 p.m. and is free and open to the public. The event is held in recognition of Black History Month. The public is invited to share favorite passages from the writings of contemporary and historical black authors.

6). The Bascom The second Bascom “Winter Barn Dance” of the season is on Saturday, February 26th, from 7-10 pm. Celebrate the service of our police, firefighters and EMS to the community. Gather with friends and neighbors and relive the memories of a great Highlands' tradition. Enjoy the music of Cashiers’ “The Wild Hog Band” sponsored by Jon and Bobbie Golden. Tickets are $5 per person and can be purchased at the door. Admission for honorees is complimentary. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. Don't miss it.

7). Discovery Place For thousands of years humans have been manipulating the elements and the world’s raw materials and constantly generating new materials that function differently. The Museum will offer an opportunity to get hands-on with the latest in cutting-edge materials that are stronger, smaller, cleaner and smarter by exploring the innovative elements of materials science during a special “MAKING STUFF Weekend at Discovery Place”, February 25-27, 2011.

8). Fort Dobbs State Historic Site Visit Fort Dobbs State Historic Site on Feb. 26-27 for a glimpse into military operations and camp life during the harrowing Cherokee War that pitted native warriors against provincial soldiers protecting English settlers on the country’s western frontier. Living history interpreters portraying provincial soldiers and Cherokee warriors will present musket and cannon firing demonstrations, as well as on-going demonstrations of 18th-century military and American-Indian camp life on the 251st anniversary of the battle. Free programs run from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on Sunday.

9). Transylvania Heritage Museum At the 125th County Celebration, hundreds of citizens signed banners in support of the creation of a County Museum. Twenty-five years later, The Transylvania Heritage Museum is proud to announce the opening of new exhibits on Saturday, February 19th at 1:00 as we begin the celebration of Transylvania County's Sesquicentennial Year. The Exhibit is entitled "The Transylvania Tapestry" and focuses on the variety of people who have come to Transylvania County and helped shape its history.

10). Reynolda House The yearlong celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Winston-Salem Southbound Railway culminates with a free talk by Winston-Salem native W. Jeff Miller at Reynolda House Museum of American Art on Wednesday, February 23 at 7 p.m. The event coincides with the current exhibition at Reynolda House, “Trains that Passed in the Night: The Photographs of O. Winston Link,” on view through June 19, 2011. The Norfolk & Western Railway, the subject of the exhibition, reached as far south as Winston-Salem, and the Southbound Railway continued the lines into the southwestern areas of North Carolina, having a significant impact on the local economy. The exhibition will be open to guests attending the event.

2011-02-14T09:43:00.002-05:00

NCMC Events From Around the State… February 14, 2011

1). Tryon Palace presents Lunch and Learn: “Perukes, Pates, and Periwigs: Wigs in 18th-century Fashion” on Wednesday, February 16, 12:00 p.m. Speaker: Nancy Packer, Tryon Palace Director of Collections and Chief Curator North Carolina History Center - Free admission; bring your own lunch, beverages will be provided. For over a century, wealthy and even not-so-wealthy Americans and Europeans regularly shaved their heads, then re-covered them with elaborate, costly, and often uncomfortable wigs. What lay behind the all-consuming passion for wigs in 18th-century culture? Learn more about the truths, myths, and curious facts about wigs in 18th-century fashion.

2). Asheville Art Museum The Asheville Art Museum is pleased to present a lecture and Museum tour titled “Whistler as Printmaker: From Realism to Impressionism and Beyond” on Saturday, February 19, 2011 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. in the Forum of Pack Place and the Asheville Art Museum. Kenneth Myers, Chief Curator and Curator of American Art at the Detroit Institute of Arts, will discuss the three major phases in Whistler’s career as a printmaker which culminated in the famous prints he completed in Venice in 1879 and 1880 and the great late etchings he completed in Amsterdam in 1889.

3). Charlotte Nature Museum Little scientists are needed to join a nationwide Citizen Science bird counting effort right in Charlotte’s very own backyard! Join us for a feathered world of fun at Charlotte Nature Museum’s February “Creature Feature” event “Great Backyard Bird Count”, Saturday, February 19, 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. As part of a national study project at Cornell University, this annual event engages bird-watchers nationwide to count birds and tally the species observed in order to investigate trends in bird populations, migrations habitats and more.

4). Brunswick Town / Fort Anderson will re-introduce two historical time periods when it presents “Wanted: Preparing for War: the 146th Anniversary of the Fall of Ft. Anderson and the 245th Anniversary of the Stamp Act Crisis” this February 19-20, 2011. Highlights of the two-day program include special guided tours of Battery B (normally closed to the public) and a presentation by Dr. Chris Fonvielle on “Building Up for War: Constructing the Cape Fear Defenses.” The living history program is free and will feature Civil War infantry and artillery demonstrations, sutlers (vendors), a blacksmith, and a period photographer. That evening, historians in period costume will participate in vignettes that recall the 1765 -1766 Stamp Act Rebellion in the Cape Fear region. The Stamp Act program will be interactive with audience participation.

5). Guilford College Art Gallery presents “Stickworks at Guilford College - Artist’s Talk”. Acclaimed environmental sculptor Patrick Dougherty will give a talk about his work, Sunday, February 20, at 2 p.m. in Bryan Jr. Auditorium, Frank Family Science Center, on the Guilford campus. Dougherty will reflect on his experiences building a monumental, site-specific, sapling sculpture at Guilford College, and will share anecdotes about some of the more than 200 other temporary sculptures he has built around the world.

6). Battleship NORTH CAROLINA Learn about and explore the Battleship NORTH CAROLINA's power house of armament at the “Firepower Program” on February 19, 2011, from 9:00 am until 5:00 pm. This all day event is a stimulating program that will discuss the Ship's 16-inch and 5-inch guns from the gun houses to the ammunition loading compartments; the 40mm and 20mm guns, and the weapons that they replaced (1.10 and 50 caliber guns).

7). Port Discover Preschoolers will learn about how their hearts work, what food helps their hearts stay healthy, and more during “Keeping the Beat!” Port Discover’s Toddler Time program, on Thursday, February 17 at 10:00 am. Children will discover how to create their own stethoscopes. “Keeping the Beat!” is a part of Port Discover's Kinetic Kids programs made possible by University Health Systems Foundation and Albemarle Hospital Foundation. Toddler Time is a special science program just for preschoolers, ages 3 – 5. Cost for the program is $5 per family and reservations are required. Parents or guardians must accompany the child.

8). Turchin Center for the Visual Arts “Lunch and Learn” Wednesday, February 16th, 12noon. Join installation artist, David Meyer, as he discusses his newest work from the exhibition Into the Void. Meyer's work explores many aspects of the human condition in relationship to the physical world through a unique approach to materials and objects. His work ranges from installations to simple objects that compel the viewer to take a second look. Bring a bagged lunch and we will provide bottled water.

9). Museum of the Albemarle “Pre-Schooler Time” will be held on Thursday, February 10, and Wednesday, February 16, from 10:00 am until 10:45 am. Participants must be between the ages of 3 to 5 years old and must be accompanied by an adult. Children will discover the different traditions of Valentine’s over the years, read a book, view Valentine Cards from the Museum’s collection and participate in a hands-on activity. Free family program.

10). Historic Halifax State Historic Site The town of Halifax and its connection to the maritime Underground Railroad will be highlighted Saturday, Feb. 19, with a program at 2 p.m. in the Historic Halifax visitor center. Michelle Lanier, Curator of Multicultural Initiatives with the N.C. Division of State Historic Sites, will give a presentation on the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom, a program directed by the National Park Service to identify significant sites where enslaved African Americans made attempts to gain their freedom by escaping bondage. The Roanoke River in North Carolina has been designated as a route to freedom along the network (http://www.nps.gov/history/ugrr/).

2011-02-08T11:31:00.002-05:00

NCMC Events From Around the State… February 7, 2011

1). Museum of Anthropology presents “LECTURE: Change and Stability: Cultures and Climate of the North Carolina Piedmont in Prehistory” on Tuesday, February 15, 7:00pm. As part of a series of talks about North Carolina archaeology, J. Ned Woodall, Professor Emeritus of Anthropology, Wake Forest University, will discuss the impact of climate change on Native American groups in North Carolina prior to the arrival of Europeans. Admission is free.

2). NC Dept. of Cultural Resources It is called a brother’s war, and nowhere was that more true than in North Carolina. The American Civil War claimed more lives than any military engagement undertaken by this country. North Carolina lost at least 35,000 soldiers, more than any other Southern state, and great hardships were suffered by those both at war and left at home. In observance of the sesquicentennial of the Civil War (1861-1865), the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources has organized the “Freedom, Sacrifice, Memory: Civil War Sesquicentennial Photography Exhibit” to travel the state from April 1, 2011, through spring 2013 as part of its commemoration (www.nccivilwar150.com).

3). Historic Oak View County Park On February 12, 2011, we will open the traveling exhibition "From Morning to Night: Domestic Service in the Gilded Age South." This exhibition comes to us from Maymont Foundation in Richmond, VA, and tells the story of a predominantly African American labor corps - barely a generation removed from slavery - that worked primarily in white households as cooks, maids, laundresses, nursemaids, butlers, and chauffeurs. This exhibition will remain on display in the Main Farmhouse through June 12, 2011.

4). Reynolda House Museum of American Art presents spring exhibition, on view February 19–June 19, 2011 - “Trains that Passed in the Night: The Photographs of O. Winston Link”. Exhibition opening party will take place Friday, February 18, 7-9pm. Members and students free, non-members $5. “I hear the train a-comin’, it’s rollin’ ’round the bend…” Reynolda House’s spring exhibition opens with a party featuring The Bo-Stevens performing the train songs of Johnny Cash, menu selections from the dining car, a cash bar, and admission to the main floor of the historic house.

5). SECCA The Southeastern Center for Contemporary Arts (SECCA) is pleased to announce launch of “Crossroads @ SECCA”, a new concert series to be held at the recently renovated McChesney Scott Dunn Auditorium which kicks off on February 19, features renowned artists whose creative explorations that blur the boundaries of musical genres. Making their Winston-Salem debut during the inaugural Crossroads performance are two groups: Jim White, a super creative singer-songwriter (accompanied by a 4 piece band) & The South Memphis String Band.

6). Museum of the Albemarle The Museum of the Albemarle will present a Civil War Living History Day, Saturday, February 12 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. to commemorate the 149th anniversary of the Battle of Elizabeth City, fought February 10, 1862. Demonstrations, mustering of the troops and artillery and musket firing will occur on The Green and at Waterfront Park as part of the day’s events. Members of the Tar Heel Civilians, a North Carolina Civil War reenactment group will be presenting programs that bring the civilian aspect of the wartime era to the public. This event will explore the hardships and depravation of the War by featuring living history presentations by navy and artillery, and civilian re-enactors.

7). Tryon Palace presents Lunch and Learn: “Fashion c. 1770” on Thursday, February 10, 12:00 p.m. Speaker: Laura Poppe, Tryon Palace Historic Clothing Interpreter, North Carolina History Center, Large Orientation Theater. Free admission; bring your own lunch, beverages will be provided. Do you ever wonder how many layers Martha Washington put on every morning? Or what the term “small clothes” meant? Perhaps you’re interested in the intricacies of a well-built pair of stays or a fashionably-cut gentleman’s coat. Learn about these questions and more during our lecture on clothing worn by men and women of the late 1770s.

8). SciWorks Throughout this country and the world, African-Americans have made significant contributions in the fields of science and technology. The “African-American Scientists and Inventors” exhibit (through April 2011) shows familiar items from our homes, communities, and offices that have been influenced by the patented inventions of African-American individuals. The items displayed illustrate the principles behind the invention and are not the actual invention. They are modern-day counterparts of the original invention.

9). Cameron Art Museum 6th Annual Civil War Living History: “Forks Road Battlefield Presents”, Fri. Feb. 11 Schools-only day and Sat. Feb. 12, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm. On Saturday the Cameron Art Museum commemorates the 146th anniversary of the Battle of Forks Road on the museum's historic site with “Forks Road Battlefield Presents”, a look into preparations as the Civil War began. This year the sixth annual event focuses on the daily routine of newly enlisted soldiers during war time. Confederate, Union and U.S. Colored Troop reenactors are on site to provide a glimpse into the camp life of soldiers in the 1860s. The day also includes infantry and artillery demonstrations, artisans demonstrations, family art activities, and more.

10). Tryon Palace Disasters come in many forms — natural, human-generated, intentional, and unintentional — and all are capable of causing significant property damage. Sometimes priceless documents and artifacts are damaged or lost. The North Carolina Connecting to Collections Project (C2C) will sponsor an Emergency and Disaster Preparedness Workshop hosted by Tryon Palace in New Bern on Feb. 21 from 9:30 a.m-3 p.m. Staff, board members and volunteers at cultural organizations will be instructed on how to respond to emergency situations.

2011-01-31T09:38:00.002-05:00

NCMC Events From Around the State… January 31, 2011

1). Cape Fear Museum presents “Learning Center: Astronomy Adventures” on Saturdays, February 5, 12, 19. Why does the moon appear to change shape? Why does Earth have seasons? Blast off on a journey through the universe and explore planets, stars, the moon and other celestial bodies. Create your own constellation, build and use a star map, and discover the reason for the seasons!

2). Museum of the Albemarle Douglas Jackson, Elizabeth City State University Assistant Professor of Music will speak at the Museum of the Albemarle Guild meeting February 3, at 10:30 a.m Jackson will speak about Max Roach, a Pasquotank native and world famous drummer. The program is to be held in the Gaither Auditorium and is open to Guild members and the public. This is a free program.

3). Asheville Art Museum The Asheville Art Museum is pleased to screen the film “Don’t Know, We’ll See: The Work of Karen Karnes” on Saturday and Sunday, February 5 and 6, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. each day. This film screening is free with Museum Membership or admission. “Don’t Know, We’ll See: The Work of Karen Karnes” beautifully captures the work and life of ceramist Karen Karnes, who worked nearly every day for over 50 years creating art. Filmmaker Lucie Massie Phenix has been a friend of Karnes’s since the 1960s, so this portrait of her has an intimacy that is unique in the genre of documentaries.

4). Tobacco Farm Life Museum is hosting its annual “Breakfast with the Commissioner” event with Commissioner of Agriculture Steve Troxler on Friday, Feb. 4th at 8am. During the breakfast, the commissioner will talk briefly about North Carolina agriculture and will present the 2011 “Excellence in Agriculture” award. The public is welcome and tickets are available at the museums for $20. Reservations are encouraged.

5). Reynolda House Museum of American Art presents “African American Read-In” on Tuesday, February 1st at noon. Free; bring a bag lunch. Join a community of more than one million readers across the world observing the twenty-second annual African American Read-In Chain. The event is held in recognition of Black History Month, and the public is invited to the Museum to share favorite passages from the writings of contemporary and historical black authors.

6). Greensboro Children’s Museum presents “Silly Saturday - Pajama Jammy” on February 5 –Jam - 10am-4pm. Put on your pj’s, grab your teddy bears, & slip on your slippers….it’s Pajama Jammy Jam Day! Activities include pillow-making, family “race to bed” relays, pillow case racing, & classic bedtime stories.

7). Greensboro Historical Museum presents “Thomas Day: Master Craftsman and Free Man of Color”, program and book signing on Sunday, February 6th at 3pm. Thomas Day (1801-61), a free man of color from Milton, North Carolina, plotted a carefully charted course for success in antebellum southern society. His surviving furniture and architectural woodwork still represent the best of nineteenth-century craftsmanship and aesthetics.

8). Tryon Palace presents Free Day: “My Life” on Saturday, February 5, 9:00a.m. – 5:00p.m. Free Admission to Gardens, First Floors of Historic Buildings, and the North Carolina History Center’s Mattocks Hall, Gateway Gallery, and Duffy Gallery. Reduced ticket price to the North Carolina History Center Regional History Museum and Pepsi Family Center. $12 for adults and $5 for students. Sponsored by the Harold H. Bate Foundation. Step into the shoes of the many different people of Eastern North Carolina’s past and experience what life was like for them. Learn their stories by visiting the first floors of our historic buildings and our gardens and by joining in on hands-on crafts, games, and activities for the whole family – all free of charge!

9). Discovery Place Discovery Place will boldly confront one of the most divisive issues of our time when it presents “RACE: Are We So Different?” from February 5 through May 8, 2011. Making its debut appearance in the southeastern U.S., the exhibition challenges visitors to ask, “Is race real?” As contemporary scientific understanding of human variation has continued to develop, so has the concept of ethno-racial groups. Through the examination of the science, history and cultural impact of race and racism, “RACE: Are We So Different?” provides visitors with fresh scientific and cultural perspectives intended to inform, test and question modern perceptions.

10). Mount Airy Museum of Regional History presents “Beginner's Genealogy Class” - five-part series designed for those interested in researching his/her family tree. The first class will be held on Tuesday February 1st in the Museum's 2nd floor Classroom from 6 - 8 pm. There will be a small fee of $25 for the entire course ($5 per class.) Museum members will not be charged. This class is limited to 25 students. For reservations or more information, contact the museum at 336-786-4478.

2011-01-25T09:12:00.001-05:00

NCMC Events From Around the State… January 24, 2011

1). Guilford College Art Gallery Internationally-acclaimed North Carolina-based artist Patrick Dougherty will create a monumental, site-specific, sapling sculpture at Guilford College, February 2 -20, 2011. The public is invited to watch Dougherty as he works throughout the month. Volunteers are sought to help gather building materials and construct the sculpture. In conjunction with the residency, an exhibition featuring photographs, drawings, and models from two decades of the artist’s career will be presented in Guilford College Art Gallery, Hege Library, through April 15th. Dougherty will give a talk about his work, Sunday, February 20, at 2 p.m. in Bryan Jr. Auditorium.

2). Marbles Kids Museum presents “The Ultimate Wave 3D Opens in IMAX” on Tuesday, February 1. Featuring 10-time world surfing champion Kelly Slater, “The Ultimate Wave Tahiti 3D” follows a quest to find the perfect wave-riding experience. The film’s action focuses on Tahiti and the volcanic islands of French Polynesia, home to some of the world’s most challenging surfing and to astounding coral reef ecosystems at the turbulent interface between island and ocean.

3). Cape Fear Museum presents “Learning Center: Playing with Math” on Saturday, January 29. Measure, estimate, identify, reason, plot and predict your way through interactive mathematics activities. Come play with math to discover how it figures into your everyday life. Design your own math button to wear and take home.

4). Port Discover Port Discover’s Afterschool Science invites kids to get messy at “Seed Me Grow” on Thursday, January 27, from 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm. Kids will examine different methods of seed dispersal and the diversity of plant adaptations. They will design, dissect, and discover all they need to know about seeds in one afternoon. In addition, seeds will be available to take home, so they can be used for this year’s planting and harvesting.

5). Joel Lane Museum House In celebration of Black History Month, the Joel Lane Museum House is proud to announce a lecture on "Joel Lane and the Enslaved People Who Lived on His Plantation" by Florence Mitchell, PhD. on Thursday, February 3, 2011 at 7 pm in the Visitors Center. Admission will be $15 for the general public and $10 for members of the Joel Lane Historical Society. Refreshments will be served. Seating is limited, and advanced payment is required. Tickets are non-refundable unless we must cancel the event.

6). N.C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher Sabrina Buchanan’s beautiful designs and unique color patterns catch your eye and soothe your soul. Buchanan’s creations are featured in an exhibit entitled “Look Again” at the NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher’s newly renovated Spadefish Gallery until February 25. The Spadefish Gallery at the NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher showcases local artists throughout the year. Artwork that coincides with the Aquarium’s mission of “Inspiring Appreciation and Conservation of North Carolina’s Aquatic Environment” is located on the second floor, near the auditorium. Artwork is available for purchase by contacting the artist.

7). Natural Science Center of Greensboro Want to know if spring is just around the corner? Greensboro's own "Woody the Groundhog" will make his annual Groundhog Day meteorological prediction at the Natural Science Center of Greensboro at 10:00 a.m. on February 2. While other groundhogs may rely on their shadow alone, "Woody" will use his up-to-date Weather Center, as well as his weather sense to come up with his “scientific” prediction. Visitors are invited to come out to witness this memorable prediction by Woody the meteorologist and root for the prediction they want!

8). Turchin Center for the Visual Arts The Halpert Biennial '11 is now open for artist submissions. Sponsored by the Turchin Center for the Visual Arts and An Appalachian Summer Festival, it is a national juried visual art competition and exhibition that is open to all two-dimensional visual artists, over the age of 18 and currently residing in the United States. Any original, two-dimensional works of art including paintings, drawings, prints, photography, mixed media, and works using traditional and non-traditional materials are considered for the selection process. Awards total $5,000. Deadline for entries is March 28, 2011.

9). Mount Airy Museum of Regional History Saturday January 29 6pm – “Annual Robert Burn's Night Supper” at Trio Restaurant, Main-Oak Emporium, Mount Airy. The Scottish Heritage Society of the Blue Ridge and the Mt. Airy Museum of Regional History invite you to a special evening of dining, toasting, entertainment and celebrating the life of Robert Burns, the Bard of Scotland. A traditional Scottish supper will be served. Reservations must be made by Wednesday January 26. Call the Museum at 786-4478, ext #229.

10). N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences Spend a day exploring the ocean in the middle of downtown Raleigh! On Saturday, January 29 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. visitors are invited to the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences to learn about the marine mammals along our coast—including whales, dolphins and seals—and the challenges they face in today’s world. Educational stations on North Carolina’s Marine Mammal Stranding Program, dolphins along our coast, climate change’s impact on our oceans and unique adaptations marine mammals have for aquatic survival will extend from the first through third floors of the Museum.

2011-01-18T09:48:00.001-05:00

NCMC Events From Around the State… January 18, 2011

1). N.C. Department of Cultural Resources A new study shows that while North Carolina still lost the most men in the war of any Southern state in the Civil War, the figures used since 1866 are wrong. Josh Howard, a research historian in the Research Branch of the N.C. Office of Archives, will discuss his work on the “North Carolina Civil War Death Study” on Tuesday, Jan. 25, from noon to 1 p.m. in the Government and Heritage Library, 109 E. Jones St., in downtown Raleigh. The talk is free and open to the public. The project, spearheaded by Howard, encompasses reviewing the military records, as well as archival and newspaper accounts of military deaths during the American Civil War amongst North Carolina Confederate and Union units.

2). Museum of the Albemarle Gather at the Museum of the Albemarle on Thursday afternoons at 2:00 p.m. all this month for a movie matinee. The Museum will show Miles Clark’s silent home movies of the Elizabeth City High School Band and the Elizabeth City area during the month of January. Come out and reminisce about days gone by while the home movie is showing. Scheduled dates: January 13, 20, and 27. Free to the Public.

3). N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences There’s patience, and then there’s patience. It took Jackie Orsulak 10 years to get the photo that won the Grand Prize in this year’s “Wildlife in North Carolina” photo competition. Her photo, along with 30 others, will be on display at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences from January 7 through March 31. For the past decade, Orsulak has volunteered to guard sea turtle nests near her home in Duck. The idea is to have someone there when the hatchlings emerge to make sure they have a good chance at reaching their new home in the Atlantic. Orsulak was minding a nest at Southern Shores last summer when the hatchling in her Grand Prize photo made a break for it in the early evening while it was still light out.

4). N.C. Museum of History Kick off Black History Month three days early at the 10th Annual “African American Cultural Celebration” on Saturday, Jan. 29, at the N.C. Museum of History in Raleigh. From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., this free family event will feature more than 75 presenters — well-known musicians, storytellers, dancers, playwrights, authors, artists, re-enactors and more — who will bring to life North Carolina’s diverse African American heritage and culture. Both fun and educational, this festival includes hands-on activities for all ages. Parking is free.

5). The Bascom Center for Visual Arts Enjoy The Bascom year round! In January and February, enjoy, exhibitions, classes and Winter Barn Dances at The Bascom. In conjunction with his Out Back and Down Under exhibition, Greg Newington returns to The Bascom on January 28-29 for “Photography for Lovers”. Part of Highlands Romance Weekend, learn how to add a sense of romance to your photos using light, filters and Photoshop.

6). Museum of Anthropology presents the new exhibit “Culture & Couture” running from Jan. 25 – Aug. 20, Tuesday – Saturday, 10:00am – 4:30pm. In cultures around the world, clothing can be used to express religion, gender, social status, and standards of modesty. This exhibit displays traditional costumes from across the globe as well as garments that reveal the impact of outside cultural influences. Wake Forest students selected clothing, accessories, and images from the Museum’s permanent collection to explore these themes. Admission is free.

7). Port Discover Preschoolers will discover what kinds of animals hibernate and which ones are out on the search for food during “Critters Among Us”, Port Discover’s Toddler Time, on Thursday, January 20 at 10:00 am. Children will make fun-shaped bird treats to hang outside for their own critters! Toddler Time is a special science program just for preschoolers, ages 3 – 5. Cost for the program is $5 per family and reservations are required. Parents or guardians must accompany the child.

8). Mount Airy Museum of Regional History Saturday, January 22nd, 10am - 5pm “White Liquor & Dirt Tracks - Legacy of Teamwork” event and exhibit opening. Event features an early racer's roundtable, meet and greet with Junior Johnson, Rex White and Chocolate Myers and others, Emmy winning filmmaker Neal Hutcheson, NASCAR historian and author Daniel Pierce, a concert plus a new racing exhibit produced in partnership with Richard Childress Racing, Wood Brothers Racing, Hendrick Motorsports, Michael Waltrip Racing and the Richard Petty Museum.

9). Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum The Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum will hold a “Community Day” on Monday, Jan. 24, from 2 – 5 p.m. In the past year, the Museum has opened two new exhibits: “Pirates, Brigands and Scalawags: The Golden Age of Piracy” and “Ships Ashore.” In July 2010 the remains of a shipwreck found in Corolla, possibly the oldest in the state, were transported to the Museum for research, education and display. Community Day is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served.

2011-01-10T09:31:00.002-05:00

NCMC Events From Around the State… January 10, 2011

1). Asheville Art Museum The Asheville Art Museum is pleased to present the exhibition “A Chosen Path: The Ceramic Art of Karen Karnes” on view Friday, January 28 through Sunday, June 26, 2011 in the Appleby Foundation Gallery. The public is invited to an opening reception Friday, January 28, 2011 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., free with Museum Membership or Museum admission.

2). Cameron Art Museum presents MUSIC: “My Wonderful Machine”, ambient music, Thurs. Jan. 13, 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm. Program admission: CAM Members: $5.00, Non-members: $10.00. My Wonderful Machine (MWM) is the haunting ambient musical duo of Jamin Belmont and Hope Henderson from Wilmington. The two developed an original sound that ranges from mod folk to experimental indie rock. MWM is an alluring atmospheric band with a seductive sound that will draw you in.

3). Cape Fear Museum presents “Mystery at the Museum” Saturday, January 22, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Something unusual has happened at the Museum. Investigate the crime scene then gather your evidence. Take fingerprints, conduct chromatography tests, and analyze DNA. Interview historic witnesses and track down live animals. Forensic science, technology, and your imagination will help you solve the latest Mystery at the Museum.

4). N.C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher Need a reason to get outside? Participate in the N.C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher’s “Nature Swap” by first exploring together outside. Do you find objects in nature, such as interesting shells, bones, egg cases, rocks, pine cones and other treasures? If you enjoy exploring natural areas such as beaches and forests, and collecting found treasures, come to the Aquarium to share and swap.

5). Museum of the Albemarle The Museum of the Albemarle will hold “History Tales: Make It, Take It” on Tuesday, January 18, 2011 at 3:30 pm. Elementary students accompanied by an adult will discover how quilts are more than just a blanket to keep warm in some families and how quilts are constructed, while participating in a hands-on activity. The program is free to the public.

6). Battleship NORTH CAROLINA A unique, behind-the-scenes tour of un-restored areas of the Battleship will happen on January 15, 2011, at the Battleship NORTH CAROLINA. The tour is limited to ages 12 and older and limited to 40 participants per each time slot. It is not appropriate for those who have difficulty climbing narrow ladders or over knee-high hatches. Wear warm, comfortable, washable clothing, sturdy, rubber-soled shoes and bring a camera! Choose between a morning or afternoon tour. Registration and payment are due by Thursday, January 13th.

7). N.C. Department of Cultural Resources A case exhibit of small artifacts from the wreck of what is believed to be “Queen Anne’s Revenge” (QAR), Blackbeard’s flagship, will be on display at the N.C. Museum of History in Raleigh from Jan. 7 through Jan. 30. The artifacts are fresh catch from the fall expedition at the shipwreck site near Beaufort. The “QAR” ran aground in Beaufort Inlet in 1718, and the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources has led research at the site since 1997. The exhibit originated at the N.C. Maritime Museum in Beaufort, the official repository for the shipwreck artifacts, within the Division of State History Museums.

8). Mount Airy Museum of Regional History Saturday January 15 7:00pm - 8:30pm In the Spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr – “Surry Countians Continuing the Dream”, Museum Annex 144 W. Oak Street, A Special one-hour spiritual service of love and healing, featuring music, prayer and scripture is a tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr and to those community leaders of Surry County who have quietly and spiritually made contributions to local African-American history over the past two hundred years. This event is FREE to the public.

9). Somerset Place State Historic Site A Civil War lecture Jan. 15 arranged by Somerset Place State Historic Site in Creswell has been moved to a new location because of anticipated interest. The program "The Impact and Implication of the Civil War from the Enslaved Person's Perspective: Forced to Aid My Enemies' Cause," is at 2 p.m. in the Vernon G. James Conference Center in Roper. Former site manager Dot Redford will speak. The conference center is at 207 Research Station Road, Roper.

2011-01-03T08:39:00.002-05:00

NCMC Events From Around the State… January 3, 2011

1). Bellamy Mansion presents “History Lecture” with Tom Massey on Monday January 31, 2011 from 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm. Bellamy Board Member and Cape Fear Community College History Instructor, Tom Massey, will discuss Development of slavery in Colonial times. Why was this system of labor was adopted? How long did it take for to develop full fledged chattel slavery? How did this labor system impact American History? A perfect lead-in to Black History Month. A Q & A session will follow. Refreshments will be served.

2). Cameron Art Museum presents Gallery Conversation with Anne Brennan “Materials of MINImuseum” on Sat. Jan. 15, 11:30 am. Cost: Museum Admission, CAM Members: free. Share in the fun of this new informal series of lively art talks with various members of CAM’s staff. The series begins with Anne Brennan, assistant director, offering a hands-on chance to touch, look at and discuss the variety of materials used by Richard McMahan to make his miniature world of art.

3). Asheville Art Museum Join us for a Discussion Bound book talk on Howard Norman’s “The Bird Artist: A Novel” on Tuesday, January 11, 2011 from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the Asheville Art Museum. This event is free with Museum Membership or Museum Admission. Howard Norman’s haunting novel is set in turn-of-the-century Newfoundland. It is about a young man who confesses to the murder of the village lighthouse keeper and whose gift for drawing birds becomes both his physical and his emotional release. A 1994 National Book Award finalist, Norman employs a spare writing style that ably describes the characters and the landscape.

4). N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences There is still nothing wrong with your television. The Museum is still controlling transmission, and inviting you to join us on First Friday to ponder “The Sixth Finger” — one of the first episodes from the popular 1960s sci-fi television series “Outer Limits” — at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences in downtown Raleigh on Friday, January 7 at 7pm. Free.

5). Fort Fisher State Historic Site Shed those winter blues and kick off the Civil War sesquicentennial with the Fort Fisher State Historic Site as we usher in the sesquicentennial with the program “Glory Enough for All: the 146th Anniversary of the 2nd Battle for Fort Fisher” slated for January 15, 2011 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event will include guest speakers, panel discussions, guided battle walks of the remaining earthworks (tickets available for $5 per person), and thematic tours. Throughout the day re-enactors will bring history to life with Confederate artillery demonstrations and Union infantry impressions, with small arms firings.

6). Somerset Place State Historic Site Somerset Place State Historic Site in Creswell will present the lecture "The Impact and Implication of the Civil War from the Enslaved Person's Perspective: Forced to Aid My Enemies' Cause," on Saturday, Jan. 15, at 2 p.m. Former site manager Dot Redford will speak. The commemoration of North Carolina’s Civil War 150th anniversary is sponsored in part by the North Carolina Office of Archives and History, within the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources.

7). Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson State Historic Site in Winnabow will present local historian Jack Travis, who will speak on "Jumping the Gun: The January 1861 Captures of Forts Caswell and Johnston" on Tuesday, Jan. 18, from 7-9 p.m. at the Southport Community Building on the grounds of Fort Johnston. Travis is the author of “Men of God, Angels of Death: A History of General Lee’s Premier Artillery Battery.”

8). Natural Science Center of Greensboro On January 26, 2011, NASA Scientist and Supervisor, Trina Ray, will give a talk at the Natural Science Center of Greensboro (NSC) on the famous “Cassini-Huygens Mission to Saturn” at 7 PM in the Center's OmniSphere Theater. Ray will share highlights and significant findings of the spacecraft's first years in orbit. The talk is open to the public and is free of charge.

9). Cape Fear Museum presents “Cape Fear 101: Photography in Focus” on Tuesday, January 11, 7 p.m., New Hanover Room, Main Library, 201 Chestnut Street. Why does Great Grandma look so grumpy? Join Museum Registrar Terri Hudgins as she uses photographs from the Museum’s collection to explain how changing photographic technologies have taken us from the formal portrait to the snapshot. $5 for Museum members; $7 for non-members.

2010-12-28T09:13:00.002-05:00

NCMC Events From Around the State… December 28, 2010

1). Somerset Place State Historic Site Somerset Place State Historic Site in Creswell will present the lecture "The Impact and Implication of the Civil War from the Enslaved Person's Perspective: Forced to Aid My Enemies' Cause", on Saturday, Jan. 15, at 2 p.m. This program is a part of N.C. Department of Cultural Resources’ Civil War sesquicentennial commemoration. Former site manager Dot Redford will speak.

2). Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson State Historic Site in Winnabow will present local historian Jack Travis, who will speak on "Jumping the Gun: The January 1861 Captures of Forts Caswell and Johnston" on Tuesday, Jan. 18, from 7-9 p.m. Travis is the author of “Men of God, Angels of Death: A History of General Lee’s Premier Artillery Battery.” This program is a part of N.C. Department of Cultural Resources’ Civil War sesquicentennial commemoration.

3). Tryon Palace presents “Twelfth Night with the Stanlys” on Wednesday, January 5, 6:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m., and 8:00 p.m. Stanly House - $10 per adult. The Stanly family cordially invites you to attend their grand Twelfth Night party – January 5th, 1803. Join in the festivities with traditional entertainments followed by light refreshments. Who knows, you may even be crowned the King and Queen of the evening! This event is designed for adults; reservations and prepayment required by January 3. Payments received after December 17th by credit card only. Call 252-639-3524 to register.

4). N.C. Museum of History presents “Marching with Washington’s Army” on Saturday, January 15, 1-4 p.m. Learn about the daily life of a Revolutionary War soldier as members of the Raleigh Chapter, N.C. Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, interpret their experiences.

5). N.C. Museum of Art presents “Family Fun Saturday: What Time Is It?”, 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Families explore the galleries to look and connect with works of art that focus on circles; then it’s back to the studios to create their own original art based on the theme. Preregistration is required; call (919) 664-6785. Ages 4–84+

6). Mount Airy Museum of Regional History Ring in the New Year with the Mt. Airy Museum of Regional History at Old North State Winery. Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door. RainJacket will perform, champagne toast at midnight. Call 336-786-4478 or 789-9463 to purchase tickets. All ticket sale proceeds will benefit the Museum.

7). Museum of the Albemarle The Education Department at the Museum of the Albemarle is adding new programming especially for grandparents and their grandchildren. The first of these programs will be “The Grandparent Files” held on Sunday, January 9, 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. During this program grandparents will learn from our Collections Department techniques to properly care for the special mementos collected as their grandchildren grow. Grandchildren present will be able to make special memories that may be included in the grandparent files.

8). N.C. Aquarium at Fort Fisher It is time to celebrate turtles…all year long! The NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher will be promoting Partners in Amphibians and Reptiles Conservation’s (PARC) 2011 Year of the Turtle by offering special turtle programs the second day of every month starting on January 2, 2011. Turtles on the Two’s will focus on turtles, both freshwater and saltwater species. Visitors will gain a better understanding about turtles, and see why these shelled animals are so loved at the Aquarium!

9). Greensboro Children’s Museum presents “Silly Saturday - Pirate Day!” on January 8th from 10a-4pm. Shiver Me Timbers Matey! Grab your eye patch, parrot, & pegleg for GCM’s first Silly Saturday of 2011. Dress like a pirate! Swash-buckling activities include talk like a pirate contest, best family of pirates costumes, & coconut bowling. Don’t miss out or you’ll have to walk the plank!

2010-12-20T09:44:00.002-05:00

NCMC Events From Around the State… December 20, 2010

1). Tryon Palace presents Lunch and Learn: “Twelfth Night Traditions” on Monday, January 3rd at 12:00pm with speaker Karen Ipock, Tryon Palace Curator of Education. North Carolina History Center - Free admission; bring your own lunch, beverages will be provided. “The Twelve Days of Christmas” is a well-known holiday carol, but in the 18th and early 19th centuries, it was much more. The twelve days following December 25th were marked by religious services, feasting and revelry — culminating in a grand Twelfth Night party that marked the end of the holiday season. Learn more about these traditions in this luncheon lecture.

2). High Point Museum presents “Junior Senior Prom – Third Annual Benefit for the High Point Museum” on Thursday, January 6, 6 pm to 10 pm. Enjoy an extraordinary evening with friends, entertainment and fabulous food in the unique environment of High Point University The University Center. High Point Historical Society hosts its third Annual Benefit for the High Point Museum. $50 for Historical Society members and $75 for non-members.

3). N.C. Museum of History presents “Washington’s Will: A Final Farewell to His Nation” – a part of the George Washington Lecture Series, sponsored by the Museum Associates – on Thursday, January 6th, at 7:00 p.m. Jill DeWitt, Assistant Curator at Mount Vernon Estate & Gardens, will present this lecture. Tickets are $12 per lecture.

4). N.C. Museum of Art “Fins and Feathers: Original Children’s Book Illustrations from The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art”, on view through January 30, 2011. “Fins and Feathers” celebrates the artistic achievements of children’s book artists with 33 original picture book illustrations from the late 1960s through today. “Fins and Feathers” features some of the best works from the collection of The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, in Amherst, Massachusetts.

5). Asheville Art Museum Join the Asheville Art Museum for a film screening of “First Works” on Saturday and Sunday, January 8 and 9, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. each day. This event is free with Museum Membership or Museum admission. In the film First Works, a diverse group of now well-known film directors such as Martin Scorsese, Spike Lee and Ron Howard discuss what it was like to direct their first film and what inspires them to continue, despite changes in the film industry. After the film, view artwork in all four of the Museum’s galleries. Held in conjunction with the exhibition “The Director’s Cut I: 1995 – 2010”.

6). Turchin Center for the Visual Arts Appalachian State University’s Turchin Center for the Visual Arts has updated their website just in time for the new year. The website’s new layout is easy to read, user friendly and includes all up-to-date information on the happenings at the Turchin Center! Visit www.tcva.org check out the new look and find out more information about the current exhibitions that opened on December 3, 2010. “The Hemlocks! The Hemlocks!: Grief and Celebration” by Lowell Hayes and “In the Void” Sculpture by David Meyer will be on display at the Turchin Center through March 19, 2011.

7). Duke Eye Center, Touchable Art Gallery presents “Art Beyond Sight Awareness”, Student Art Exhibit, featuring art by North Carolina students with visual impairments extended through January 14, 2011. We have an extraordinary opportunity to extend this exhibition in both our Touchable Art Gallery and Connector Gallery for 10 days in January. Both galleries will be open weekdays January 4-14, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. for visitors to experience this exhibit through touch and sight.

8). Marbles Kids Museum presents “Music Makers – The Mozart Experience” on Saturday, January 8 10:00am-3:00pm. Play musical instruments, make a powdered wig, dress up and meet members of the North Carolina Symphony! This is our new Music Makers series, in partnership with the North Carolina Symphony.

9). N.C. Department of Cultural Resources Stories from a pirate’s life continue to unfold as artifacts are recovered and conserved from the wreck of the presumed Queen Anne’s Revenge (QAR), Blackbeard’s flagship, off the North Carolina coast. A media event at the QAR Conservation Lab at East Carolina University on Dec. 14 at noon previewed some of the objects. Artifacts from the fall expedition at the shipwreck site, along with artifacts being transferred to the N.C. Maritime Museum (NCMM) in Beaufort, were shown. A major exhibit of “Queen Anne’s Revenge” artifacts will open at the Maritime Museum in June 2011.

2010-12-13T08:56:00.002-05:00

NCMC Events From Around the State… December 13, 2010

1). Bellamy Mansion presents African-American History Day with Jonkonnu Celebration on Saturday, December 18th from 11am-2pm. Grab the family and attend this free 3-hour event. Come early at 11 AM to make a mask so you can join in the fun; then stay to hear story tellers and Sarah, the enslaved Bellamy cook, tell about her life in the kitchen. Learn about and participate in the Jonkonnu parade and celebration scheduled for 12:30.

2). Museum of the Albemarle The Museum of the Albemarle will hold History Tales: Make It, Take It on Tuesday, December 14, 2010 at 3:30 pm. Elementary age students accompanied by an adult will discover different Christmas traditions, share some of their own Christmas traditions and participate in a hands-on activity. The program is free to the public.

3). Port Discover Port Discover’s Afterschool Science presents 1 + 1 Equals Achoo!, a children’s health awareness program on Thursday, December 16 from 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm. Dr. Maille Lyons, from Old Dominion University, presents the unique interactive game illustrating how sickness can spread through a community. Children will also learn what can be done to prevent the germs from spreading and stay healthy!

4). Reynolda House Museum of American Art On a cold, crisp November morning in 1930s Alabama, young Truman Capote and his friend Sook woke up, announcing, “It’s fruitcake weather!” So begins A Christmas Memory, the beloved play performed annually at Reynolda House Museum of American Art. This year’s performance of the holiday favorite will be Sunday, December 19 at 3 p.m. Admission is $8 for members and students, $12 for non-members. For information and to purchase tickets, please call 336.758.5150.

5). Asheville Art Museum The Asheville Art Museum invites you to enjoy the season with a Holiday Art Camp Monday, December 27 through Thursday, December 30, 2010 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. each day. The cost is $18 per day for Museum Members and $20 per day for Non-Members. Take a break over the holidays and sign your art enthusiasts up for one or all four days of hands-on fun at the Museum’s Holiday Arts Extravaganza! Campers will spend their afternoons creating art of all kinds in the bright and sunny studio at the Asheville Art Museum. Pre-registration is required.

6). Cape Fear Museum presents Learning Center: Toy Science on Saturday, December 18. Explore toys that spin, balance and roll to uncover the scientific principles involved in play. Why do tops spin? How does a yo-yo work? What makes toy cars move? Experiment with historic toys. Investigate the inventive process by creating your own toy to take home.

7). Town Creek Indian Mound Windy cold days, and long and colder nights are tough on birds, as summer’s lush vegetation has withered away and insects have died or gone dormant. Town Creek Indian Mound State Historic Site will help feed these feathered friends with its Christmas for the Birds free program on Saturday, Dec. 18, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Visitors can help create homemade pine cone bird feeders using suet and bird seed. They can also decorate trees along the site’s entrance with these festive “ornaments.”

8). Tryon Palace presents Lunch and Learn: The 18th-Century Holiday Table, Speaker: Matt Arthur, Tryon Palace Living History Coordinator on Tuesday, December 14, 12:00pm at the North Carolina History Center. Free admission; bring your own lunch, beverages will be provided. Feasts and parties were an integral part of the colonial and early American Christmas tradition. In this program, learn about the dishes and desserts that made for a joyous 18th-century holiday celebration.

2010-12-07T10:09:00.002-05:00

NCMC Events From Around the State… December 6, 2010

1). President James K. Polk State Historic Site Samuel and Jane Polk may well have provided holiday cheer to weary travelers along the major trading route near their home. Like those travelers, you can enjoy Christmas in Mecklenburg County with the Polk’s at the President James K. Polk State Historic Site in Pineville on Dec. 11, from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. The free program will allow families today to “Make History This Holiday” as well. The traditional customs and foods of Christmas from the early 1800s will be on display, when future President Polk would have been 7 years old.

2). N.C. Historic Sites Costumed interpreters will provide the warmth and fun of A Heartfelt Christmas in a 1780 Christmas reminiscent of the Allen family on Dec. 11, from11 a.m.-4 p.m. at Alamance Battleground in Burlington. Also on Dec. 11, from 11 a.m.-4 p.m., A Colonial Christmas Open House at the House in the Horseshoe near Sanford will share crafts and cannon fire in a return to 1781 and the hope and excitement of the nascent nation. Visitors will “Make History This Holiday” when taking a short road trip to these two sites from the Revolutionary War period.

3). Asheville Art Museum The Asheville Art Museum will host a special film screening of Contemporary Stories from America’s National Parks on Saturday, December 11 and Sunday, December 12 at 2:00 p.m. each day. This film is free with Museum Membership or admission. “Contemporary Stories from America’s National Parks”, directed by Ken Burns, is a five-segment film within a film about how America’s National Parks are changing with time.

4). Bennett Place State Historic Site A merry and measured Civil War-era Christmas will be celebrated with pine cone and ribbon decorations, smoked ham and other seasonal delights on Dec. 11 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and on Dec. 12 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at Bennett Place State Historic Site in Durham. The Christmas in the Carolinas During the Civil War program will present Christmas in the modest fashion of James and Nancy Bennett on the family farm, and will allow visitors to capture the “Make History This Holiday” theme.

5). Historic Edenton Christmas 1790 was very merry for James Iredell, who on Feb. 10, 1790, had been nominated as Associate Justice of the Supreme Court. That good fortune would be celebrated through food and music, with treats of ham, pecan pie cookies, apple cider and more. Melodic tunes played on the violin would lighten the spirits of holiday visitors. Such a Christmas will be recreated at Historic Edenton State Historic Site on Dec. 10-11 from 1-5 p.m. at the annual Iredell House Groaning Board celebration. A “groaning board” and holiday music will capture the merriment at the home of the early justice and legal scholar.

6). Charlotte Hawkins Brown Museum Step into 1940s style at Canary Cottage, the home of the very correct Dr. Charlotte Hawkins Brown, which will be decorated to the standards of the schoolmistress for the Dec. 12 Annual Christmas Open House, 1-5 p.m. The Charlotte Hawkins Brown Museum near Sedalia will display the simple elegance of bygone days at the private academy and allow visitors to experience the “Make History This Holiday” theme.

7). Reynolda House Museum of American Art Candlelight guided tours of historic Reynolda House will be Thursday, Dec. 9, Friday, Dec. 10 and Saturday, Dec. 11. Visitors can choose a guided tour at 4:30, 5:30, or 6:30 p.m., and enjoy live entertainment and refreshments in the Babcock auditorium. Beer and wine will be available for purchase before and after the tour. Tours feature stories about the Reynolds family holiday traditions, period decorations throughout the house, and carols played on the original Aeolian organ.

8). Museum of the Albemarle Pre-Schooler Time will be held at the Museum of the Albemarle on Thursday, December 9, 2010 and Wednesday, December 15, 2010 from 10:00 am until 10:45 am. Participants must be between the ages of 3 to 5 years old and must be accompanied by an adult. Pre-Schoolers will learn various Christmas traditions, read a book and participate in a hands-on activity. This program is free to the public.

9). Tryon Palace presents Christmas Candlelight on Saturday, December 11 and 18, 5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Tickets will be sold for specific tour time slots and are good for evening activities, only.$20 per adult, $10 per student. Experience an 18th-century candlelit Christmas celebration! The evening program includes a tour through the Palace (and perhaps a word or two with the Governor), performances by Tryon Palace’s Fife and Drum Corps and Jonkonnu troupe, and an assortment of other performers. The evening ends with a grand illumination over the South Lawn.

10). Fort Fisher State Historic Site Come celebrate the Christmas season at a Holiday Open House to be held Thursday evening, December 9, 2010, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., at the Fort Fisher State Historic Site. Sponsored by the Friends of Fort Fisher and the Fort Fisher Chapter No. 2325, United Daughters of Confederacy, the open house will feature seasonal refreshments along with great discounts on everything in the gift shop for the special history lover on your Christmas list.

2010-11-29T08:48:00.002-05:00

NCMC Events From Around the State… November 29, 2010

1). Harmony Hall Harmony Hall Plantation presents Christmas Open House at 18th Century Harmony Hall at the site on December 11th from 3pm to 8pm. The program will feature Early American Christmas traditions, violin concerts, wagon rides, tea and refreshments and more!

2). Town Creek Indian Mound Visitors will enjoy stargazing at one of the last dark-sky locations in the Piedmont region at Astronomy Night at Town Creek Indian Mound in Mount Gilead on Dec. 4, from 6-10 p.m. The highlight of the night will be the Orion Nebula, found in the constellation Orion. Other heavenly features including clusters and galaxies will be examined as well. During this time of year, the Department of Cultural Resources encourages residents and visitors alike to get away from the bustle and take a moment to “Make History This Holiday” on a quiet night.

3). N.C. Historic Sites From plum pudding to collard greens, or cotton stalks and popcorn, there will be lots of activity at the free, family-friendly holiday open house programs at Bentonville Battlefield and Aycock Birthplace state historic sites, sharing good cheer and the theme “Make History This Holiday.” Bentonville Battlefield State Historic Site will hold its holiday celebration on Dec. 4 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., featuring furlough time with a Civil War soldier at Bentonville Battlefield circa 1863. The Gov. Charles B. Aycock Birthplace State Historic Site holds open house on Dec. 7 and 9 from 6:30-9 p.m., recreating a celebration with the Aycock Family circa 1870.

4). Museum of the Albemarle Experience the sights and sounds of the holidays during the Museum of the Albemarle’s Holiday Open House on Saturday, December 4th from 1:00 p.m.—4:00 p.m. This year’s theme is A Star-Spangled Christmas and complements the Jaycees Christmas parade and the Lighted Boat Christmas Parade. Special Holiday songs will be performed by area musicians. A patriotic themed Christmas Village will greet you when you step into the lobby. Patriotic themed decorations will adorn the main lobby tree. This holiday program is a free family program.

5). N.C. Transportation Museum The N.C. Transportation Museum invites visitors to celebrate the holidays with two great train rides. During Santa Train, Kris Cringle himself will be your fellow passenger as your roll down the tracks. On our Cookies and Cocoa with Santa rides, visitors can enjoy a nighttime train trip to visit the Jolly Old Elf in the Round-house. Santa Train takes place Dec. 4-5, 11-12 and 18-19. Train rides take place every 45 minutes between 10 a.m. and 3:15 p.m. each Saturday of the event. Rides take place every 45 minutes between 1:30 and 3:45 p.m. each Sunday of the event.

6). Historic Stagville The Christmas celebration at the Stagville Plantation traditionally meant fun for all, and visitors will enjoy the Christmas in the Big House, Christmas in the Quarters program at Historic Stagville in Durham on Saturday, Dec. 4. Guests can make merry with drummers, storytellers and artisans at the pre-Civil War site. At this time of year, the North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources encourages visitors and residents, young and old, to “Make History This Holiday” with a visit to State Historic Sites and museums.

7). Historic Halifax Colonial Christmas traditions, along with local art and handmade crafts, will delight young and old at Historic Halifax on Saturday, Dec. 11, from 10 a.m.-4p.m. Costumed re-enactors of the 5th North Carolina Regiment of the Continental Line will bring a lively bang with firings of 18th-century muskets. The colonial celebration captures the State Historic Sites theme “Make History This Holiday.”

8). High Point Museum Just in time for the holiday season, High Point Museum will open a mini exhibit in the lobby. Merry Christmas, High Point! will feature Christmas themed objects and images from the Museum’s collection. Coinciding with this exhibit, beginning December 1, an historic Christmas postcard or greeting card will be unveiled daily on the Museum’s Facebook page. Become a fan of the High Point Museum to receive your daily Advent image. “Merry Christmas, High Point!” will be on display in the Museum lobby from December 1 through January 30.

9). N.C. State Capitol The spirit of the holidays will be present at State Capitol’s annual Open House on Thursday, Dec. 9, through Sunday, Dec.12. The halls will be decked with seasonal decorations, and local groups will perform traditional and contemporary holiday music in the rotunda at various times of the day. A Civil War Christmas Encampment will take place on the Capitol grounds Saturday, Dec. 11, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.

10). Turchin Center for the Visual Arts The Hemlocks! The Hemlocks! Grief and Celebration by Lowell Hayes, will be featured in the Mayer Gallery and Gallery B. This series of paintings is a celebration of the life and beauty of the eastern hemlock, and of the rare Carolina Hemlock, which occurs only in the mountains of North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia. Also opening is, In the Void: Sculpture by David Meyer, - an artist whose work explores many aspects of the human condition and the physical world. Both of these exhibitions will be showing December 3, 2010 – March 19, 2011.

2010-11-22T08:46:00.002-05:00

NCMC Events From Around the State… November 22, 2010

1). Reynolda House Museum of American Art Candlelight guided tours of historic Reynolda House proved so popular in their first year, they are back again for the 2010 holiday season. On Thursday, Dec. 9, Friday, Dec. 10 and Saturday, Dec. 11, visitors can choose a guided tour at 4:30, 5:30, or 6:30 p.m., and enjoy live entertainment and refreshments in the Babcock auditorium. Beer and wine will be available for purchase before and after the tour. Tickets are $12 for members and students (18 and under), $18 for non-members and advance purchase strongly suggested.

2). Horne Creek State Farm Historic Site The warmth of a turn-of-the-century Christmas will be shared at Horne Creek Living Historical Farm in Pinnacle on Tuesday, Nov. 30, and Thursday, Dec. 2. Christmas by Lamplight will offer the holidays as the Hauser family and their neighbors would have enjoyed them. Dramatic readings of “The Christmas Story” and the essay “Yes Virginia, There is a Santa Claus,” along with caroling and organ music will capture the holiday magic and allow visitors to “Make History This Holiday.” Reservations are required for the non-refundable tickets, which must be purchased in advance.

3). Turchin Center for the Visual Arts In the Shadow of the Volcanoes: Contemporary Art from the Mountains of Central Mexico, July 2 - December 4, 2010 in the Main Gallery features paintings, drawings, printmaking, fibers, ceramics and mixed media sculpture by contemporary, Mexican artists. Our six main contemporary artists include: Carlos Arias, Antonio Álvarez Morán, Rosa Borrás, Sergio Gonzalez Angulo, Joaquín Conde, and Luz Elvira Torres, many of whom teach in the School of Arts and Humanities at UDLAP. In addition, we are featuring 20 young and emerging artists that are alumni of UDLAP’s School of Arts and Humanities. Come out and see the exhibition before it closes!

4). The Bascom Looking for that perfect, one-of-a-kind, wonderfully affordable gift for that special someone on your holiday gift list? On November 26-27, from 10 am-5 pm, put your holiday gift shopping behind you at The Bascom's Artists' Marketplace, featuring a gathering of artist tables in the Dave Drake Studio Barn. This is the ideal place to find unique, handmade gifts in ceramics, fiber art, jewelry, and decorative items. While at The Bascom, you can also explore our White Elephant Sale. Don't miss this opportunity to find ideal gifts for everyone on your list!

5). Joel Lane Museum House The Joel Lane Museum House will sponsor its annual Colonial Christmas Open House celebration on Saturday, December 4 and Sunday, December 5, 2010, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. each day. Admission is free, and donations are requested. The house will be decorated with traditional greenery and will reflect the very different way in which colonists and early Americans celebrated the Christmas holiday. Information about the house and grounds will be offered by costumed docents; re-enactors will demonstrate scenes of 18th-century life; the sounds of live music will fill the air; and other interpreters will entertain children using colonial games and crafts through the “Hands-on History” program.

6). Historic Oak View County Park Come get in the holidays spirit with your family and Historic Oak View at our annual winter event on December 4th! Decorations and displays showing Christmas at the Oak View Farm: How they celebrated from 1850 to 1950 will be on view in the Main House. Ride in a horse-drawn carriage through Oak View’s Pecan Grove, listen to holiday music and stories in the 1855 farmhouse, drink hot apple cider and listen to a dulcimer player in and around the 1825 Plank Kitchen, buy handcrafted decorations and crafts, and, of course, don’t forget to visit with Old St. Nick!

7). High Point Museum presents 27th Annual Holiday Open House on Sunday, December 5, 1 pm to 4 pm. This annual event has become a tradition with local families. Come for a day of special reenactments, music, demonstrations, refreshments and hands-on activities like candle dipping! Fun for all ages, free! No reservations required.

8). Tryon Palace presents Hands-on History: Three Centuries of Holiday Traditions at the North Carolina History Center on Monday, November 29, 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. For three hundred years New Bern has been home to people from many cultures and countries. Stop by our hands-on gallery cart to learn how North Carolinians of different backgrounds have celebrated the holiday season through the centuries.

9). Duke Homestead State Historic Site Pre-school to second-grade students will enjoy the Christmas Traditions and Celebrations program at Duke Homestead State Historic Site. Crafts, songs and homemade gingerbread will highlight the events on Nov. 30-Dec. 2 and Dec. 7-9 from 9 a.m-1 p.m. Donations of $1 per child are requested. Grown-ups and families will enjoy the 1870 Christmas by Candlelight tours on Dec. 3 and Dec. 10 from 7-9 p.m. Period costumes, caroling, hot apple cider, dancing and a visit from Santa will be special features of the holiday activities.

10). N.C. Department of Cultural Resources Museum and historic house managers, curators and volunteers will learn the basics of care for artifact collections at a Connecting to Collections (C2C) workshop with demonstrations and hands-on training Monday, Dec. 13, at the Rocky Mount Children’s Museum. Images and hands-on activities will address record keeping, environments for storage and display, and materials and techniques for cleaning and housing artifacts. The registration fee of $20 includes lunch. To register, use this link: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/c2collectionscarebasicsrockymount .

2010-11-15T10:37:00.003-05:00

NCMC Events From Around the State… November 15, 2010

1). Tryon Palace presents African-American Lecture with guest speaker Irene Smalls, “Lady Jonkonnu”, on Thursday, November 18, 7:00pm in the Visitor Center Auditorium. Irene Smalls, referred to as Lady Jonkonnu, is an author, storyteller and historian. Among numerous other accomplishments, Ms. Smalls is a former Miss Black New York State. She is a graduate of Cornell University majoring in Black Studies and has an MBA from New York University. She resides in Boston, MA with her family.

2). Port Discover Preschoolers are invited to check out Super Sound! at Port Discover’s Toddler Time, Thursday, November 18 at 10:00 am. Bang! Clang! Rattle! Take an adventure into the world of sound waves and how sound travels. We will identify sounds and each child will make their own maraca. Toddler Time is a science program just for preschoolers, ages 3 – 5. Cost for the program is $5 per family and reservations are required. Parents or guardians must accompany the child.

3). Mint Museum of Art Visitors to the Mint Museum Randolph will soon have the unique opportunity to view an early masterpiece by American painter Mary Cassatt. The painting, “Madame X Dressed for the Matinée” (1878), comes from the collection of Charlotte and Philip Hanes of Winston-Salem, N.C., who have generously placed it on long-term loan at the Mint. In honor of this important loan, the Museum has organized a small spotlight exhibition on Cassatt. Mary Cassatt’s Madame X: A Masterpiece from the Charlotte and Philip Hanes Collection will be on view 20 November 2010 – 3 April 2011.

4). N.C. Museum of History presents the new exhibit Toys, Toys and More Toys!, opening Wednesday, November 24th. Children and adults will delight in this small lobby exhibit filled with 51 toys, including an electric train that chugs throughout the exhibit. From teddy bears to Beanie Babies, the toys offer a kid’s-eye view of American culture over the last century.

5). Cameron Art Museum presents Richard McMahan’s MINI museum from Oct. 8, 2010 – Feb. 13, 2011. “Big works in small packages” describes the extraordinary work of artist Richard McMahan in his MINI museum. Comprised of 1100 miniature reproductions of great works of art by Picasso, Salvador Dali, Jackson Pollock, Vincent van Gogh, and Frida Kahlo; as well as cave paintings and historical furniture and decorative arts.

6). Museum of the Cape Fear Get a glittering glimpse of how Victorians in the early 1900s decorated their homes for Christmas. Join a family-friendly tour of the 1897 Poe House to see its winter-themed decorations of silver and white. Shimmering ornaments and local greenery transform this historic home into a holiday showpiece. Tour the Poe House, located at the Museum of the Cape Fear Historical Complex, for a special look at the décor from Monday, Nov. 22, 2010, through Jan. 9, 2011.

7). SECCA Josh Tillman, an adjunct professor of music at Winston-Salem State University (WSSU), will be performing with two other musicians for the opening of two exhibitions at The Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art (SECCA) on Nov. 18. The opening for the exhibitions will be held from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., at SECCA, located at 750 Marguerite Drive. The event is free and open to the public with a cash bar (with proper age ID). The exhibits, “Shinique Smith: Every Brick” and “Glenda Wharton: The Zo”, will be on view from Nov. 18, 2010 through Feb. 13, 2011.

8). N.C. Transportation Museum The N.C. Transportation Museum invites you to run a steam locomotive for a once in a lifetime opportunity. With the return of the Flagg 75 coal engine, the museum is offering a new program called, At the Throttle. This November and December, thirty minute sessions will be available for those purchasing a ticket to power the Flagg 75 engine across the south end of the N.C. Transportation Museum, the former Spencer Shops steam locomotive repair facility. Additional dates in March and April, 2011 are also planned.

9). High Point Museum On Saturday, November 20, the High Point Museum is pleased to present some rare film footage. Featuring the historic lowering of the railroad tracks in the late 1930s, the film was made by the Williams family of Kivett Drive. The home movie also reveals various scenes from the black community during this period. This DVD was made possible by Walter Leroy Williams. The film will be shown at 1 pm, 2 pm and 3 pm.