Greensboro Daily Photo

Greensboro Performing Arts

Greensboro Performing Arts is located at 7200 Summerfield Road. The building was formerly a church (Cathedral of Faith Christian Center) and still had the shape and the stained glass window to prove it. However, now, it is the new home of the Greensboro Performing Arts Center and great things are happening there this summer. Currently, the musical "Mary Poppins" is currently in production. There will be a showing tonight and tomorrow night at 7:00 pm. If you are looking for something to do in the North Greensboro/Summerfield part of town, this is a great option. 

Every time we drive by, something new has been added to the property or to what they offer. In addition to the Jumping Bean Coffee Shop being on property, for a year now, there is also a farmers market on Saturday mornings. Plus, Greensboro Performing Arts continues to add classes, and performances. The most recent addition we've noticed is the signage and the metal tree. Consider brushing up on your spelling of supercalifragilisticexpialidocious, grabbing your parrot handle umbrella, carpet bag, favorite kids and experience some wholesome fun and great local performing.

For those who choose to stay closer to town, remember that it is First Friday and there are lots of businesses hoping you will start celebrating downtown even earlier than the Fun Fourth! Let us know what you decide to do.

Happy Juneteenth

This is the second year that Juneteenth is celebrated as a federal holiday. Many events were held this past weekend; the actual date is June 19th; however, the federal holiday is today.  Also today, UNCG, NCA&T, and Guilford College will hold Juneteenth events at the Weatherspoon Art Museum on the campus of UNCG. Today's event will feature speakers from all there institutions as well as poetry by Josephus Thompson and music. The 9:30- 11:30 am event is free and open to the public. See here for details.

The above photo is of the courtyard at the Weatherspoon, back at the beginning of April. However, this is the back entrance closest to the parking lot and the view that you will more than likely notice if you come in from the rear of the building. How wonderful that the three campuses are working together and creating a joint celebration open to the community. Hopefully, the event will be well attended. The art museum is not usually open on Mondays so we are extra appreciative that they are making it available for the community.

Greensboro Children's Museum

Have you been to the Greensboro Children's Museum lately? It is such a special community resource and a perfect option for planning activities for children on these sweltering, summer days. The educational museum boasts twenty, permanent, hands-on exhibits and a 1/2 acre, outdoor learning garden. At the museum, children learn through fun play. There is so much to do and learn here. They are offering eight summer camps and, when we checked yesterday, one still had spots available.

The Children's Museum opened in 1999, twenty four years ago and just keeps getting better and better. See HERE if you want to learn more about the museum. If you want to visit, go to church street, across from the Central Branch of the Greensboro City Library, look east and just to the right of the "LOVE makes a family" banner.

Happy Wednesday! Happy finding great ways to help the children if your life spend their summer! 

Reconsidered Goods, Hello Summer 2022!

Today's photo features Erin Stratford Owens (left) and Tamra Hunt. Erin is the executive director of Reconsidered Goods (RG)  and Tamra is the education program director. Reconsidered Goods is a thrift store for artists and creative types. It is a place where you can find everything from used canvases (to paint over), to pieces of art you want in your house (as is), to items that help you get your creative juices flowing.  In the photo, Erin and Tamra are standing inside the Maker Space in the back right corner of the store. This is the first time for a maker space to be open in the new facility at 4118 Spring Garden Street. On Friday and Saturday afternoons, for a small fee, you can come and create in this space with access to all of the supplies in the designated space. For those few hours a week, RG can become a home-away-from-home studio for your creativity. There is also a Sunday Crafternoon.

Follow RG on Instagram and Facebook to keep up with all of the events, times, dates, prices and other details. Now that Tamra has been hired, RG has been able to reinstate summer camps, too. Both Erin and Tamra have backgrounds that make them a natural fit for their respective positions. Both have grown up in Greensboro, with Erin graduating from Page High School and Tamra from Smith. For their careers, both moved away for a while, Erin to NYC and Tamra to Tennessee. Both moved back to Greensboro only to find it even more creative and art-filled than when they left. Both seem to have landed at RG at the right time, and both have a vision to make RG return to the creative space customers came to love, pre-pandemic. Here's to new beginnings and great opportunities to be creative.

RG is also looking for volunteers and they even have some paid positions available. Imagine yourself HERE!

Barnhill's Art at the H20 Exhibit at Green Hill

Yesterday, we featured Jim Barnhill, artist, on Greensboro Daily Photo. Today's we're featuring a glimpse of his three pieces currently on display at Green Hill in the Cultural Arts Center at 200 North Davie Street. Barnhill's two paintings are gigantic and when you stand in front of them, it is as if you are in the ocean yourself viewing the scene. The placement of the three pieces is masterful.  The paintings are both close to 8' by 12' (yes feet!). The Exxon Valdez painting is from 2012 and the BP Deep Water Horizon painting from 2013. The Cachalot Whale, carved from crabapple wood, was painted in 1993, early in Barnhill's career. The three pieces, spanning 20 years, hint at Barnhill's great love of water, the ocean, and the environmental impact of man's harvesting of fossil fuels. How appropriate that Barnhill is featured in Green Hill's  H20 exhibit! The cachalot whale is the largest toothed predator. As we were walking past the paintings, we began to wonder... who is the real predator, the whale or the oil companies? What you can't see in our photo is that the whale is swimming above a pool of tar.

If you attend First Friday tonight from 6:00 - 8:30 pm, you can see these pieces, and many others, for yourself. Barnhill's paintings, and Holsenbeck's "Where is Our Water Falling" (made from 10,000 water bottles and lots of plastic rope) are so large, you must see them in context. Regardless of what you have planned , have a great weekend!

First Presbyterian Church & Greensboro History Museum

Today's photo is of the Greensboro History Museum, located between Davie and Church Streets at Summit Avenue. The above view is a photo taken from the parking lot of Tanger Center. If you are ever walking around downtown as the sun is getting ready to set, notice how beautiful the buildings are- especially on a sunny day. We took several on the same day. The sky was blue, the clouds dramatic, and, as you can see from the flags furling and their shadows, the wind was blowing.

Formerly, this building was the First Presbyterian Church of Greensboro, built in 1892, on the site of what had been a Confederate hospital. The church cemetery is still located on site. The new First Presbyterian Church is about a block northwest, in the 600 block of North Elm Street. It has been open since 1929. Both buildings are so beautiful and hold so much of Greensboro's history. If you have time this summer, head downtown and tour both. The museum is always open to the public. The church regularly holds events in which the public is invited.

If you are looking for a Memorial Day event to attend, today at the Guilford County Veterans Memorial in Country Park, the Steve Millikin Black Cap Veterans Group will host a ceremony from 2:00- 4:00 pm. Former Mayor of Greensboro and U.S. Coast Guard Veteran Bill Knight will speak. There are several other events taking place today and tomorrow. The News & Record has published a list (HERE). (We hope you are able to access it. We subscribe and are able to see articles).

Happy Sunday!

Strawberry Celebration

Last Saturday was Strawberry Celebration Day at the Greensboro Farmers Curb Market and the strawberry waffle breakfast was a big hit! The guest chef was Denzell Berry who used locally sourced products like eggs from Massey Creek Farms and Reese's sausage and bacon. While Chef Denzell was busy working the grill, working his culinary magic in the background, the servers were the ones interacting with the public. As you can see from the smiles above, they helped make the experience special and memorable. We didn't get the names of the workers as they were busy helping another customer. As you can see from the name tag though, Aliyah is on the left. Somehow all of these frontline workers managed to smile and greet the public with enthusiasm, knowing the event was for a good cause. The proceeds provided funds for the hunger relief program the farmers market uses to provide fresh food for the community. 

Even if you missed last week's event, here is a link to look for upcoming events and to sign up for the newsletter. Tomorrow is a perfect day to attend one of the three main markets (on Yanceyville, on Market Street at Kensington, and at Sandy Ridge in Colfax). Even if there aren't special events, the markets are always special. There are so many options for buying plants, produce, bakery goods, prepared foods, arts and crafts, and more. Vendors will quickly become your friends and you will find yourself having your go-to stands for your favorite items. And, just like the money raised at the Strawberry Celebration Day, money at the farmers markets helps local people bring local goodness to us.

Happy Friday!

This post goes out to loyal reader Katja Brown who saw us at the event taking photos and asked when we were planning to feature it. 

Legends of NC Tribute to Benefit the New Arrivals Institute (NAI)

Doodad Farm at 4701 Land Road was hopping with music and positive energy yesterday as musicians of North Carolina played at an event to celebrate and help raise funds for the New Arrivals Institute. Doodad Farm is a 60 acre farm with a 140-year-old tobacco barn that got converted to a stage for live music. The stage area was a 50th birthday gift to a music loving dad.* The "Our Legends of NC " tribute featured songs written by North Carolina musicians- nearly fifty songs. Attendees brought their own folding chairs and picnic baskets to enjoy the afternoon. For those who didn't pack food, the Bearded BBQ was there serving up delicious BBQ plates and sandwiches. The crowd was a diverse group from immigrant families, to their ESOL teachers, to social workers, to sponsoring families, to people who work directly with new immigrant families- including those from the New Arrivals Institute (NAI).

The New Arrivals Institute of Greensboro started in the 1990s to meet the needs of the immigrant community. NAI teaches English classes and makes sure parents have childcare while they are in class. NAI is a non-profit that is quick to apply for and receive grants, and adjust their programs,  as needs arise. Relocating to a new country and leaving everything behind is overwhelming. NAI works tirelessly to help immigrants become independent and work their way to becoming citizens. At yesterday's event, it was so special seeing families relaxed, children running, smiling, and even laughing. Hula hoops were a bit hit and a way for children to enjoy being children. Even some adults took the hoops for a twirl- all to the sound of music of North Carolina. Speaking of music, that is Sam Fraizer performing on the Doodad Stage. Sam is a singer/songwriter and talented musician from Greensboro. Yesterday, he performed some songs solo yesterday and then some with Laurelyn Dossett yesterday.

 

*read the Our State Magazine tribute HERE.

Dog Meetup at LeBauer Park

This weekend proves to be a hot one, as hot as 90º, with the possibilities of showers- up to 40º. It will be a great weekend for visiting one of Greensboro's parks. The above photo was taken in LeBauer Park. As you can see, a couple of leashed dogs were meeting, for the first time. The encounter was brief and civil, a win/win for a random canine meet up. There is also an enclosed bark park at LeBauer where dogs can enter, unleashed. 

The Greensboro Bound Literary Festival starts today with venues from Scuppernong Books to the History Museum, the Greensboro Cultural Center,  and more.* You owe it to yourself to attend events at this festival. It started in 2017, and continues to grow, with a little interruption thanks to COVID. The folks putting on the festival have worked very hard to bring great authors and, as feasible, make the presentations walkable. The festival will be a lot of fun, even if you have to attend without your fur baby!

Happy Saturday!

 

* See HERE.

Well Spring Theatre: The Moses Cone "Denim King" Story

The theatre at Well- Spring Retirement Community on Drawbridge Parkway is a gem of a local resource and it is open to the public. Currently, they are featuring "Denim King" a musical telling the Moses Cone Story and the Cone family at the end of the 19th century/beginning of the 20th century.  The play addresses the beginning of the denim industry in Greensboro and tells so much about the Cone family and the history of the mills in Greensboro. Everyone with strong connections to Greensboro needs to see this play. It would be wonderful for the play to be performed every year in Greensboro.

The play is very well produced and the acting and live music are superb. The above photo features- from left to right- Herman Cone (Mark Kaley), Moses Cone (Olin Davidson), and Ceasar Cone (Caleb Warren). The play continues today (2:00 p.m.) and Sunday (2:00 p.m.). Hope you get to see it. Tickets are available HERE.

Community Theatre Greensboro

According to their website, the Community Theatre of Greensboro (CTG) is the oldest arts organization in Guilford County. It was established in 1949, just four years after World War II ended! CTG works hard to bring a diverse group of people together to experience and celebrate the joys of theatre. Not only do they put on performances, they offer summer camps and other opportunities for students. Several years ago, they moved from the Cultural Arts Center on Davie Street to the above building at 520 South Elm Street. As you can see from the marquee, they are currently presenting "Dream Girls" through May 15th. You can bet this local cast will have some good singers.

Shows are at 7:00 pm, and if you would like tickets, see HERE. Happy Tuesday!

Elsewhere Living Museum: Featuring Matthew T. Giddings & Krystal Mack

First Friday is always such an opportunity to meet people in downtown Greensboro and this past Friday we were fortunate to have met Matthew Giddings (left), executive director of Elsewhere Living Living Museum,  and artist-in-residence Krystal Mack.  Matthew hails from South Bend, Indiana; however, most immediately, he was working in a cultural incubator on the south side of Chicago. He has many visionary goals for Elsewhere, the former thrift shop turned museum on South Elm Street. Matthew has collaborative projects in the works with Guilford County Schools. Also, he is working to establish an in- residency program for entire families to live at Elsewhere where all members of the family will be artists in residence- even if the family has young children. Matthew is working diligently to ensure that access to programs at the museum is equitable and for resident artists to be paid, as opposed to their paying for opportunities to create at the museum. 

As we spoke at length with Matthew on the third floor of the museum, he introduced us to Krystal who was sitting just outside the "ghost room", creating one of her great brooms. Krystal is from Baltimore, MD. Making brooms was one of the ways she coped with the pandemic. In the above photo, you can see some of the smaller brooms she created. The booms are part of a mixed media piece is called "Broom Closet". Based on the artist's statement beside Mack's piece, the whisk brooms represent restoration and meditation. Mack explains the making of brooms requires a meditative focus that helped her cope with the pandemic. In addition to making brooms, Krystal is a writer, an award winning, self-taught baker, and a creative consultant. We were delighted to have had the opportunity to meet her.

Elsewhere Living Museum is transforming before our eyes and is finding its stride as a place with something for everybody. We encourage you to consider joining. On their website,  they offer some great food for thought, "When we invest in Elsewhere, we bring collaborative futures to life."  Collaboration is connection, something we all seem to be craving, post-pandemic.

Happy Monday!

New Arrivals Institute: Meet Laila Hosseinzadeh

Greensboro is such a fabulous place to live because of the people who live here. Laila Hosseinzadeh is an example of a great person doing good deeds for the community. Laila, a Greensboro native and Northern Guilford High School graduate, attended undergraduate school at Appalachian State University. She majored in global studies and has been committed to helping others all along the way. Soon, she will enter a master of social work program. Currently, Laila works at the New Arrivals Institute in Greensboro, where she is Refugee School Impact Liaison/Facilitator.

In the above photo, Laila is at the "Just Be" gift shop in downtown Greensboro, hanging a poster advertising a fundraiser for the New Arrivals Institute. The institute, located at Peace Church on West Market Street, was developed in the late 1990s to help meet the needs of refugees living in Guilford County. The institute offers English language, early childhood, and citizenship classes. They also offer childcare while parents are learning. Additionally, the NAI helps with employment readiness; they have summer programs, and more. The fundraising event it an afternoon of live music. It will be held Sunday May 22nd from 2-8pm at Doodad Farm in Southeast Greensboro. You are encouraged to bring a blanket and hang out for the afternoon. All donations received at the event will go to NAI. Right now, NAI is working diligently to help Afghan families who have recently settled in Greensboro.

We're so glad we met Laila. She is so committed to helping families who are relocating to Greensboro from other countries. We are looking forward attending the upcoming event at Doodad Farm and learning more about the great work she is doing.

Happy Friday! Please head downtown and get your May off to a great start at First Friday! (If you like the items you see surrounding Laila, they are available at the corner of West McGee and South Elm. "Just Be) will be open and ready to welcome you). 

Elm & Bain

This photo, taken last week, is a new downtown Greensboro event and meeting space. It is the last business on the southwest corner of Elm Street, just north of Gate City Boulevard.  Formerly, it was the Blue Bell Plant. Just beyond the above building is the building that forms an "L" with it and says above the top, "Old Greensborough Gateway Center." As an example of the kinds of events they host is the May 11th fundraiser for the North Carolina Folk Festival. Is is called "Fold A'Fare" and is a culinary event offering samplings of global foods created by chefs in Greensboro. Tickets can be purchased at ncfolkfestival.com/folkafare. Even if you don't get tickets for that event, there will be plenty more to choose from. You could even host your own event there. How wonderful to have another event space in the community.

We love the old times look of the black and white photo, but you can tell by the cars that it is a current photo Happy Tuesday!

Farmers Market Day

The above photo was taken at a special event last Sunday at the Greensboro Farmers' Market on Yanceyville Street. However, all of the farmers' markets today will have plants as May 1st is a perfect time to get your plants in the ground. You can head to the Greensboro Farmers' Market, the Corner Market on West Market Street beside St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, the Farmers' Market on Sandy Ridge, or any of the other farms that are offering plants. One such opportunity will be Providence Farm. Spring is such a great time to get out and meet local people with their plants, food, and crafts.

 might not have plants for sale, but they are having live music, bread and meat for purchase, and vendors out to provide you with home made products.After a two year hiatus, Leanne Pizio's arts and crafts show will return on her property on Oak Ridge Road, just a mile east or ORMA. Look for the painted truck at the road as well as a person standing there parking cars. Spring is so glorious in Greensboro. You owe it to yourself to get out and enjoy spring happenings in Greensboro!

Bog Garden at Benjamin Park

It has been a while since we visited the Bog Garden and last weekend the weather was absolutely lovely.  The Bog Garden, located at 1101 Hobbs Road,  is a 7-acre natural wetland within a 21 acre natural habitat. The land was donated to the City of Greensboro Parks and Recreation department by the Starmount Company in 1987. There is an elevated boardwalk that makes the trail enjoyable in any season. The City of Greensboro and Greensboro Beautiful have made a commitment to keeping out invasive species and to fill the garden with native plants. Promoting a healthy ecosystem, which includes having native plants, is a way to help birds thrive and to increase animal diversity. There are 29 kinds of native trees alone. Dr. Joe Christian, Greensboro physician, was instrumental in establishing the Bog Garden at Benjamin Park. If our tree identification is correct, the photo features the bald cypress trees planted by Dr. Joe. The view is so peaceful; it is hard to believe you are right on the edge of Friendly Shopping Center.

Friday and Easter Sunday look like they will be perfect days for visiting. Today and Saturday could be a little rainy. Truthfully, if you don't mind a little water, the Bog Garden is lovely at any time, and its look changes given the weather conditions. Go have a look! If you have family coming into town this weekend, this is a nice place to take them to enjoy nature.

*Read more about the Bog Garden and Dr. Joe Christian.

Lynn Witherspoon

Today, we're featuring the ever enthusiastic and energetic Lynn Witherspoon. Lynn's impressive credentials include working with the National Folk Festival, the North Carolina Folk Festival, the upcoming Greensboro Bound Literary Festival, and the Carolina Blues Festival- to name a few. Lynn is the person who, as she puts it, takes care of all the things that happen in the background at festivals and community events. She ensures that the infrastructure is in place. As an example, with the folk festivals, she determines where the stages will be, how many tents they need, where vendors and food trucks will set up, how many volunteers will be needed and where, how to meet the needs of guest performers and presenters, and more. She learned the art of managing the inner workings of a festival by shadowing the crew of the National Folk Festival. However, Lynn had already amassed a tremendous skill set which includes being organized, loving to work with diverse groups of people, seeing the big picture as well as all of the step-by-step details; not to mention she is extremely computer literate. If you don't recognize Lynn, it is because she prefers working behind the scenes.

One of the many features that makes Lynn the perfect person for playing a leadership role in the operations of a local festival is the fact that she is a local herself. When the decision was made for the 2020 North Carolina Folk Festival to be virtual, with her knowledge of Greensboro, Lynn helped find the perfect locations to film. She selected: The Underground Railroad Tree at Guilford College; The Charlotte Hawkins Brown Museum; The Old Mill of Guilford; The Carousel at the Science Center of Greensboro; The Civil Rights Museum; Magnolia House; Center City Park; the First National Bank Baseball Field; and Gateway Gardens. While the folk festivals are near and dear to her heart, right now, Lynn is focusing her efforts on the Carolina Blues Festival* and the Greensboro Bound Literary Festival.  The entire Literary Bound Festival will be indoors and all of the details are nicely outlined on the festival's homepage. While the festival is free, through the homepage, you can access a sign up sheet. The organizers want to  have an idea of how many people are planning to attend each presentation and to honor the capacity of the venues. This in-person festival will be held May 19-22, and don't be surprised if you don't see Lynn. Rest assured, she will be working non-stop every step of the way!

The interview was conducted earlier in the week at Common Grounds, a coffee shop on Elam Avenue. 

*The Carolina Blues Festival will be also be held in Greensboro May 21st- 22nd in LeBauer Park.

Sam Ravenel Child Care Center

Not too far from yesterday's little art gallery on Percy Street is the Sam Ravenel Child Care Center. It is located between Yanceyville Street and Swann Middle School in what is now called the Dunleath neighborhood. In 1959, the Children's Home Society built the above building, a child care and receiving house. On the sign on the left, it says that the building is a foster care and adoption service. It is part of the Children's Home Society of North Carolina, our state's largest non-profit, private adoption agency. The agency is headquartered in Greensboro in a new building just up the road. he society was formed by the Greensboro Chamberer of Commerce and has benefitted from generous private donations. The organization began in 1902 and has found homes for over 25,000 children in their 120 year existence. The above Ravenel Child Care Center is where babies are kept. On the weekends, the parking lot is empty but during the week, during working hours, it is a dynamic space that does so much good for helping children in need of foster and permanent homes. In the above Ravenel Center, in 2015, a support group was started for adult adoptees and birth parents.

The Children's Home Society and Ravenel Child Care Center stand to remind us of the commitment of the Greensboro community to take care of children and to provide a viable solution for birth parents who are not in the position to take care of their children. If you want to know more about the society, follow them on Facebook. Also, on Saturday, June 11th at 8:00 am in Country Park, they will hold a 5K walk/run and family festival fundraiser. Learn more about it here. Those of us who aren't in shape have over two months to be ready for this event.

*follow link to read more about the Children's Home Society.

Utility Line Construction Services

Utility Line Construction Services, ULCS, has been on Walker Avenue for at least a couple of weeks working on the Duke Power Lines. We're not sure what they are doing, but it appears to be a major job involving the actual lines, and doesn't appear to involve cutting trees. It is fun to watch the workers as they move around in the buckets. Of course you have to be careful and keep your distance, but, if you had "truck-obsessed" little ones, they would delight in seeing this set up. The above crew is stationed in the 1700 block of Walker Avenue between UNCG and Lindley Park. You have to allow a little extra time to navigate as the road is closed. However, everyone wants their power to be fully functioning, so a little detour once in a while is a small price to pay to have power!

It is Friday and, while it is not First Friday, there will be plenty to do in Greensboro. Remember the new policy is in effect where you can walk along the "Downtown Greensboro Social District" with cups of wine, beer, or mixed drinks from a bar or restaurant within the district. To date, the merchants we've talked to are reacting favorable. Of course, be sure not to drink and drive. Have a great weekend. If you missed St. Patrick's Day last night, maybe someone will have a cup of green brew left for you!

Jeans at Friendly; Lamott at Tanger

From the textile mill days, Greensboro was known as the denim capital of the world. The above pair of fiberglass jeans is one of many in the series "Celebrating Jeansboro, NC, 'Arts in the City', and you can find these works of art throughout the city and at the PTI Airport. The jeans above were painted by Public Artist Darlene J. McClinton, M.F.A. The project was first launched in 2015 as a contest for Guilford County School students to submit proposed ideas for designs. This pair at Friendly Center, with the look of splattered work pants, is located in the new side of Friendly in the common area  behind Ben and Jerry's. The idea of celebrating Greensboro's textile history with the blue jeans statues is so fitting. 

On a completely non-related topic, but relevant to Greensboro, Anne Lamott spoke at Tanger Center last night as part of the Guilford College Bryan Series. Lamott spoke to a full house and graciously held a book signing afterward. The line for the book signing was long and Scuppernong Books were on hand for people to purchase books on site. During Lammot's presentation, she revealed her grandson's other grandmother lives in Greensboro. Let's hope that gives her good reason to return to Jeansboro, ummm, Greensboro! We'd love to have her back. Even better would be to get a photo of Jax and his two grandmothers for Greensboro Daily Photo.

The Simon & Garfunkel Story

What on earth did Greensboro do before the Tanger Center?  Did we realize before it was built just how many performances would be held there? This past week alone, they have had a Lyle Lovett concert; The Simon and Garfunkel Story; and tonight is Anne Lamott, the second in the Bryan Series Lectures. Lion King just closed March 6th. The calendar is full, full, full every month and with top of the line performances. Hamilton is less than a month away!

The Simon and Garfunkel Story was performed this past Sunday. It is os the genre where musicians portray the original musicians, chronicling their lives with original film footage, and perform music from the repertoire of group. The harmonies on stage were outstanding and the audience realized the performance was as close to the real Simon and Garfunkel as we will ever likely hear again. If you are in the position to purchase tickets, the Tanger is as good as it gets! Even better is the fact that we don't have to leave town!

Happy Tuesday!

Art Behind Ben and Jerry's

Yesterday was beautiful in Greensboro and Friendly Center had a fair amount of foot traffic. The above scene was taken behind Ben and Jerry's in the patio/courtyard. People were enjoying the weather and spending time together. Long time Greensboro Daily Photo reader, and dear friend, Alice Hill suggested we have a look at the mural boards in this location. There are several. You can see two as a backdrop  to the photo. The one on the right says "Life takes you to unexpected places. Love brings you home. Of course the one on the left says Greensboro. The area was done by local artist, and Grimsley High School graduate, Gina Elizabeth Franco. Gina came to a career in art, almost by accident when she volunteered to paint a library mural. Gina already has several local murals under her belt, including Westerwood Tavern, and the Interactive Resource Center.*

While today's weather is not as inviting as the weather yesterday, it is still a good day to get out and explore the city. One thing you won't want to miss is the reenactment of the Battle of Guilford Courthouse. It will be today and tomorrow; 10am- 5pm today and 10 am- 3pm on Sunday. They are a little short on volunteers, but we're sure the event will be memorable, especially for people who have never seen it before. Have a great day, regardless of what you decide to do.

 

*read more about Gina's art journey HERE, and HERE.

Guilford Green Foundation

First of all, happy 2/22/22! What a date to remember!

Today, we're featuring two volunteers at the Guilford Green Foundation table at this past Saturday's "Really, Really Free Market."  Guilford Green is an organization that works for equality, diversity, and inclusion in the Greensboro community. They are also an LGBTQ Center and work hard to see that everyone is accepted and valued for who they are. Guilford Green concentrates on helping young people who might not have adults in their lives who know how to support family members with gender identities that are different from their own. You may have noticed, many people now sign their names with the pronouns that match their identity. On the table on Saturday, they gave away free buttons with pronoun choices on them.

Teens of today are navigating in a very different world from even ten years ago. Through the Internet, they have a world of information at their fingertips, and they are searching. Teens are talking about and making life choices, often, with parents who don't quite know how to navigate this changing landscape. Guilford Green is a great resource. The organization offers a drop in youth night on Thursdays from 6-8 pm at their headquarters at 121 North Green Street. They are also hiring. For graduating high school seniors attending an institution of higher education in the fall, the Pearl Berlin Scholarship will be awarded in the amount of $1,000- $3,000 for someone who identifies as LGBTQ or who is a straight ally.

As for the two workers at the table on Saturday, we're sorry we didn't get your name, but thank you for all you are doing in the community.

Happy Tuesday!

Really Free Market in Arlington Park

This past Saturday, a Really, Really Free Market was held in Arlington Park. Arlington Park is a neighborhood located south of Gate City Boulevard and east of South Elm/Eugene Street. (Read about Arlington Park, HERE). This park is in today's photo is also called Arlington Park. Every Friday after Thanksgiving, there is a Really, Really Free Market in Glenwood. This is the first one we knew about in Arlington Park. But, the concept was the same. Everything was free. That whole shelter was full of food, clothing, books, and a few household goods. Someone was lucky enough to score a very high-end, like new bedspread. 

In addition to the above mentioned items, there were N-95 masks available,  The Guilford Green Foundation and LGBTQ Center had a booth. Nurses were there checking blood pressure, glucose levels, and giving flu shots. A Good Neighbor Movement and Greensboro Mutual Aid collaborated to bring us this great event. We left with two good books and two cabbages. There were many, many amazing pieces of clothing, but we resisted because we didn't really need the items. Usually, we take items to donate/share, but weren't really prepared. The free market was small but very, very successful. It was an event where people of all ages were talking to each other. The sense of community was so evident. If your neighborhood hasn't hosted one of these events yet, you owe it to yourself to organize one. They can be as small or as big as you want, as long as everything is.... FREE!

Happy Monday!

Beautiful Sky Over Lake Higgins

In Greensboro, the sky was so beautiful this past week.The above photo was taken at Lake Higgins just a few days ago. As you can see, even when trees are still without leaves, with the sun shining, winter days can be as glorious as summer. Lake Higgins is a great option if you want to hike a trail or launch a kayak or fish- or, all of the above. In January, the Lake Higgins trout supply was replenished for winter trout fishing; boats are available for rental; and there is a beginning birding class happening from 10:30- 12 noon (see here). This 226-acre municipal waterway always seem to have something happening.

If you don't want to spend the day in nature, consider visiting one of the many farmers markets. Another option would be to head downtown to the Free Market at 1201 Bellevue Street from 11am-3pm. Everything there will be free. There will also be nausea there checking glucose and blood pressure. They will also be giving flu shots. Feel free to bring any useable item that you do not want. Maybe you will see something you want to take home. These "everything free"  events really build community. You will meet new people if you hang around the free market a while. It is located south of Gate City Boulevard, and a few blocks east of Elm Street.

Hope to see you there. Happy Saturday!

Farm Fresh Dairy Products

Today is Farmer's Market Day again. We go between the one at Sandy Ridge and the one on Yanceyville.  The above photo was taken last weekend at the Greensboro Farmers Curb Market on Yanceyville. Featured in the photo is Mathura who runs Snow Creek Family Organics in Hanging Rock, Stokes County. Saturdays, when inventory permits, Mathura drives down to the market with his yogurt, ghee, paneer curd, and raw milk. He prides himself on how humanely he treats his animals. His grass fed cows produce a milk that many lactose intolerant people can actually drink. Like most of the vendors at the Yanceyville Farmers Curb Market, Mathura is happy to talk about his product. He makes sure that it meets your needs, before you make the purchase. The Yanceyville market has been going strong since 1874, almost 150 years!

Hope to see you stop by, today. Happy Saturday!

Piedmont Triad International Airport: Wrangler Jeansboro Statues

The Piedmont Triad International Airport was started in 1927 and, the 112 acre facility has been evolving and changing ever since. One of the latest efforts has been to enhance the facility with public art.

In 2018, four Wrangler Jeansboro statues were installed at Piedmont Triad International Airport. The above statue is by Jerry McGuire of Pfafftown. It is called "Slice of Heaven." This statue is located is baggage claim, one of the public areas of the airport that you can actually view even if you are not traveling. You don't need to go through airport security to see it. The statue itself is made out of fiberglass. The first installations of the jeans statues were in 2016. They are located not only at the airport, but also around town. Wrangler sponsored them as a nod to Greensboro's history with denim and jeans.* At one time, Cone Mills in Greensboro was the largest denim maker in the world. Wrangler actually coined the term Jeansboro in 2015. Many of the jeans statues were painted by students of Guilford County Schools.**

When we were at the airport Saturday night, we were only picking up a traveler, but it sure made us want to do a little globe trotting. However, at the end of the day, it sure was nice to return home and hunker down for the Sunday morning snow storm. Happy Wednesday 

 

*reference and more information, HERE.

** another great reference.

Downtown Greensboro

Today on this Christmas Eve day, we're featuring the Tinsel Town tree decorated by Downtown Greensboro. Tinsel Town was conceptualized last year as a way to bring community together without needing to physically be in the same place at the same town. Downtown Greensboro was established in 1996 and for the past 25 years has worked tirelessly to improve the business district and to make downtown an enjoyable place for the residents of Greensboro.

Their all-green, Tinsel Town tree is still on display in LeBauer Park- as are all of the other trees. Just look at the DGI tree with name cards for all of the downtown streets. So clever and front row center is ELM Street. The tree to the right features a Moravian star, an iconic symbol of the the Moravian church, especially at Christmas. We wish you a Merry Christmas. Many of the local churches will be featuring Christmas Eve services and midnight mass. If you are interested, check their social media to verify times. If you are downtown over the next few days, make sure you stop by and see these creative trees. 

Making Memories at LeBauer Park

If you are looking for something to entertain hildren who are home, consider visiting one of Greensboro's parks. LeBauer Park, one of two downtown parks, is the perfect way to spend the afternoon. LeBauer Park has been open for five years now. It opened on August 8, 2016 and we have to wonder what on earth did Greensboro do without it. Even when there aren't special events in the park, families can gather and play ping pong, exercise their dogs, let children play on the playground, and more.

The part featured above in today's photo is the Lincoln Financial Children's Garden. And yes, if you were on one of the top floors of the Lincoln Financial building, you could see this garden they helped fund. The garden has been very well maintained and actually still looks brand new. That rubberized surface makes the garden safe, even for toddling toddlers. As you can see from the above photo, everyone is having fun.

Happy second day of winter!

Lobby Art Piece at Tanger Center

Yesterday, we featured a photo of the outside of Tanger Center with no people. Today, we wanted to share a view of the inside just before Sunday's afternoon performance of Dear Evan Hansen. It was close to a full house! Notice how many people are wearing cobalt blue tops- almost as if it were planned.  We also wanted to point out the artwork, in case you missed Dawn Kane's November 15th article about it in the News & Record.

The ceiling art in the entrance hall is by Cuban artist Mabel Poblet. Entitled "Genesis" , the installation consists of approximately 200 strands of reflective, metallic and clear discs. They create a nice balance of a busy ceiling with lots of movement against a busy floor with lots of movement, with the middle space open and empty. The lobby, Phillips Hall, is 8,000 square feet and the Phillips Foundation financed the artwork and its installation.* It also fits nicely with Janet Echelman's iconic floating artwork hovering above LeBauer Park. Happy Tuesday!

*reference and read the N&R article HERE (please consider subscribing, if you don't already). 

Tanger Center

Dear Evan Hansen reopened on Broadway in New York City on Saturday, just as the touring cast was performing the last shows at Greensboro's Tanger Center. Again, attendance was high at Tanger for this show , the third in the Broadway Series (Wicked, Beautiful, and now Dear Evan Hansen). Tanger and the Broadway series have both been a big hit in Greensboro and a much needed addition to 2021.  In the above photo, you see the advertisement board for all of the plays this year. It is located on the LeBauer Park side of Tanger Center and the photograph was taken on a non-performance day when all was quiet. Had we taken a photo yesterday, you would have seen people rushing into Tanger and pouring out, after the shows. 

Next up, at the end of December, is "Come From Away," about what transpired in 2001, the week after the September 11th attacks when 38 passenger planes were diverted to Gander, Newfoundland.  It is the story of the kindness of locals when 7,000 strangers were stranded in their town. On September 11, 2019, we featured Greensboro's own Katja Brown who was one of the people detained in Gander with her two toddlers. A lot has changed in Katja's life since 2001, and even since 2019 when we interviewed her, one thing is for sure; she will always have the memories of the kindness of people in Gander on September 11th, 2001. To be sure, when Katja sees "Come From Away," it will be through a very different lens from those who did not experience the event! If you want a ticket to the play, you should check availability soon.

Here's to a great week for everyone. If you have students in the Guilford County Schools, you have five more days before winter break begins! 

Black Friday 2021

Today is the day all of the retailers have been waiting for, Black Friday. People will be out shopping for special deals. If you subscribe to the Greensboro News & Record, Wednesday's edition was as thick and full of advertisements, just like old times. Let's hope retailers and shoppers have all of their dreams come true. The above photo was taken outside the K&W  Cafeteria, on Northline Drive, at Friendly Center. Stores at Friendly Center will be ready for you today. If you haven't driven along Northline lately, you might not know that the stops are now 4-way, making it easier for all drivers to get a turn getting through the intersections and left turns are now as easy as right turns.

If you are out shopping, let the above photo of Nancy, ringing the bell for the Salvation Army, reminds us to remember others. Whether you donate to the Salvation Army's red kettle or another organization, give to the needy in some other way, or donate to someone in need directly, remember that there are many in need this year and kindness and generosity is especially appreciated. While we were talking to Nancy, who is a bell ringer for the first time this year, the above man got out of his car to drop a donation in the kettle. The people of Greensboro are giving people. We're betting you, dear reader, are already doing your part! Happy Black Friday!

Open House on Thursday at Tanger Center

With the "Beautiful: Carol King" Musical," this was a busy weekend for Tanger Center. The above photo features people leaving after the 1:00 p.m. showing yesterday afternoon. North Elm just got a whole lot busier. Tanger has a lot on its plate this week, too. Some events are by-invitation-only; others are for ticket holders (Sting); however, the best opportunity of all is FREE! On Thursday from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Tanger is having an open house for people to go in and have a look at Greensboro's newest performing arts venue. 

If you have not yet had a chance to go inside Tanger Center, please take advantage of this opportunity on Thursday. You will like it. Check out the restroom on the ground level (at least the one for women). It has 40 stalls, which helps greatly with using the facility during intermission- if you have ever been to Broadway in NYC, you will realize what a nice feature this is. Have a great week and let us know what you think of Tanger!

Glenwood Art and Creative Greensboro

Harry Turfle, front right-  holding a cup of paint and a paintbrush- is lead artist on the Creative Greensboro Project in Glenwood. This weekend, artists and community members came out to help with the painting of the crosswalks at the corner of Glenwood Avenue and Grove Street. The painting was the culmination of many neighborhood discussions and meetings between interested Glenwood residents. Harry said, in true artists' fashion, the group had to change their plans for the design. The special paint needed for painting on asphalt was not available in yellow and purple (supply chain issues)!  They didn't want to delay the project. As you can see above, the slightly more muted palate is actually quite striking and the black and white squares add a lot of energy to the design. The Glenwood group wanted the design to have movement without being too distracting to pedestrians.

Harry, passionate about community art, especially in his Glenwood neighborhood, identifies as an "wast coast mutt," having lived in several cities and states along the eastern seaboard. Harry came to Greensboro to attend UNCG, where he earned an MFA in art. He is very happy to call Greensboro, and Glenwood, home now. Thank you Harry for all you are doing for the community.

Read more about the Creative Greensboro and Artist In Residence programs, HERE.

Dia De los Muertos

Today's photo features one of the altars from the 2020 Casa Azul Day of the Dead/Día de los Muertos exhibit. It was set up in the Center for Visual Artists at the Greensboro Cultural Center at 200 North Davie Street. Last year, with more stringent COVID restrictions, families brought in pre-made altar boxes. This exhibit features photos of the deceased and the Virgin of Guadalupe, an apparition of the Virgin Mary in Mexico in 1531.

The Day of the Dead holiday starts tomorrow, as does the 2021 Día de Muertos Offend Exhibition in the Center for Visual Artists (see HERE). Opening night hours, November 1st, will be from 5-8pm. Tuesday will be extended hours from 12 noon - 8pm. The event is free and open to the public and will be shown until November 13th. If you and your family celebrate Day of the Dead, you will already know about the holiday. If not, The holiday is a time to honor ancestors and loved ones that have gone to the spirit world. The movies "The Book of Life" and "Coco" are related to the holiday. Also, you can learn about it from the exhibit and Casa Azul volunteers. 

Wicked at the Steven Tanger Center (aka T-PAC)

"Wicked" played to a sold out crowd last night at the Tanger Center for the Performing Arts (T-PAC). It was the last night of the play. It was extremely well received by the community, as is the Tanger Center itself. The above photo was taken well before the play started, before many people had taken their seats. Helping with filling the house is the practice of having a digital lottery for seats available for $25 for those who are selected (see here for details, in case they offer this option for future plays). Broadway in NYC has "Rush" as their opportunity for heavily discounted "same day" tickets. The theater is so wonderful and seeing a Broadway quality play performed is something everyone should experience at least once. If you ever have an extra ticket that you can't use, consider giving it so someone who otherwise might not be able to afford one.  Everything about "Wicked" was fabulous, from the acting, to the set design, to the orderly manner in which ushers helped people to their seats. All of the seats appear to be good ones.

The next Broadway play offered at Tanger is "Beautiful: The Carole King Musical" from November 9-14. This run is not as long as "Wicked." If you like that 70s sound, get your tickets soon. See the rest of the lineup, here. After one big show, people are already talking about what a wonderful community resource we now have downtown. As we were leaving the theater tonight, all of the trucks and a bus were lined up to strike the set for the play. By the time this post publishes, there will. be no evidence that "Wicked" was ever in Greensboro; well, that is except for all of the t-shirts and other items from the merchandise stand everyone will be wearing for a very long time.

Bellemeade Parking Deck

Bellemeade Parking Deck between Elm, Bellemeade, and Greene Street just got a whole lot busier now that it is one of the designated parking decks for the Tanger Center for the Performing Arts. The above photo was taken recently as people were filing in to attend Wicked. Police have been there to help ensure traffic runs smoothly in these opening weeks of Tanger. As you can see, traffic bogs down a little bit, so you want to arrive early. Plus, it is fun to stroll leisurely to your seat once in the theater. Sometimes, there can be a little bit of a delay getting out. We just need to remind ourselves that we didn't have to drive to Durham, Raleigh, or Charlotte to see Broadway plays.

The Bellemeade Deck is 8 stories and can accommodate over 1,200 cars. Did you know it is built on the site of the former O. Henry Hotel and that the O. Henry statues are right across the street from the deck? As you can see from the above photo, the structure is a combination of cement and granite. The cement is functional as it is strong enough to support the weight of the cars; the granite is a stylish touch. Today is Friday and while it is not First Friday, it is always a great time to be downtown.

Pumpkin Patch Time

It is pumpkin time again and this patch found out in front of the Guilford College United Methodist Church at 1205 Fleming Road, where it intersects with New Garden Road and Ballinger Road.  You only have to walk around the pumpkin patch and look at the signage to realize just how dynamic this church is. In addition to church service, they have Girl and Boy Scout troops meeting there. They offer adult English classes on Wednesdays. They have a pre-school.  They are advertising a Brunswick stew sale. This Saturday, October 23rd, from 9:00 am - 3:00 pm, they are having a Fall Festival with professional crafters and a bake sale. This should be a fun event and one of many things you will be able to do this weekend to get out and celebrate autumn. If you buy a pumpkin, the proceeds to to the youth groups at the church. What a wonderful opportunity to do something for a church that does so much for the community.

Do you have your pumpkins yet? Do you like the traditional orange or are you seeking the white, green, and pastel ones? Do you like the textured ones that look like they have warts on them? It seems like every year there are more and more novel options. Happy week of the full moon! Happy pumpkin hunting!

Playing Soccer on the Fields at Guilford College

What could be more fun on a sunny, Sunday afternoon in October than grabbing a folding chair and heading to an outdoor field to watch kids play soccer? The above photo was taken at Guilford College where light blue and dark blue were playing their hearts out. While we were there, light blue was dominating the game. However, there wasn't even any sign of a scoreboard. All players were giving it their all and trying to apply all of the techniques and strategies learned from their coaches. Over the last two decades, soccer has grown in popularity in Greensboro and opportunities are available to compete at all levels. 

It is so wonderful that Guilford College has made it possible for their fields to be used by the community. Guilford College was established in 1837 and for 184 years has been an important part of our community. As many institutions of higher education *IHE) struggle financially, the college community  and the local population at large need to collaborate and do everything to help the smaller and private IHEs thrive. Happy Monday. Here's to the Guilford Quakers and those children on the field who just may become future Quakers!

It Feels Like Broadway...

The Broadway play Wicked began its run in Greensboro at the Tanger Center and it is glorious. Last night, in spite of a slight drizzle, people dashed to their seats to see the production. One thing greeters and ushers could not emphasize enough was to allow yourself plenty of time to get there and get seated. You owe it to yourself to arrive early enough to take in this beautiful experience. This 3,023 seat state-of-the-art facility had its long overdue opening, September 2021. And, there is no looking back. Greensboro is so lucky to have a performing arts center of this magnitude downtown. No longer do we have to go elsewhere to see fabulous, professional performances. According to their website, it is anticipated that The Tanger Center will host about 150 events a year. On average, that's about one performance every two and a half days. 

Not only will Broadway plays be performed at Tanger, the Bryan Series from Guilford College and the Greensboro Symphony Orchestra will perform here. Let's all do what we can to support the arts. If, financially, you are in a position to do so, purchase an extra ticket and invite someone who is not in a position to purchase one. Everyone who is interested deserves an opportunity to go in and see this Greensboro treasure. Truly, The Tanger Center for the Performing Arts is something fabulous for our community.  Happy Saturday!