Greensboro Daily Photo

Easter Look Brought To You By Dudley Cosmetology University

The Dudley Cosmetology University of Greensboro has been has been helping cosmetology and barber students since 1972. They have an iconic presence in the 500 block of South Elm Street. At Dudley,  you can learn to care for and braid hair, do nails, and so much more. Apparently, you can also learn to embellish beards.

The above photo reflects Dudley's current window display where Easter includes adding a little holiday spirit to beards. If you have a beard and want a unique look for Easter, consider adding some plastic eggs to your facial hair!  Unlike New York City, Greensboro does not have an Easter parade. If they did we're betting some men would be sporting decorated beards. Anyone interested in starting a local Easter parade?

Stepping into the Weekend

Last night was a very busy one in downtown Greensboro. You would have thought it was already the weekend. There was a Greensboro Grasshoppers baseball game last night. Plus there are extra people in town for the World Championships in Irish dancing, which is currently happening in Greensboro. That event alone has brought as many as 5,000 dancers and 20,000 spectators into town. 

 

Those public school families who did not leave town, for their long-awaited spring break, seemed eager to get out and spend time with friends and family. Temperatures accommodated, being close to 70 degrees and with clear skies. In the above photo, several young adults, possibly here with the Irish dancers, are heading south on Elm Street, about to wait for the train to pass.Their clothing is as colorful as a bag of Brach's jellybeans! For those who celebrate Easter, we hope the holidays over the next few days are filled with spirituality, tradition, prayer, music, and maybe even a little Easter candy.

Pretty in Pink

Sometimes, it may seem like we're a bit serious on Greensboro Daily Photo. Today, we'll infuse a little humor into this ten-year-old blog. Today, we ask if you know where this "Pretty in Pink"  bathroom is located. Here is a hint. This Pepto-Bismol, unisex bathroom is located downtown. It is a locally-owned business and the owner is very committed to making downtown a great place to shop.

Maybe you can find this bathroom, when you are out shopping this weekend. Between shopping at farmers markets, attending UNCG's International Festival, watching one of the final four basketball games, and running errands, try to find time to seek out this Andy Warhol pink bathroom. 

If you just can't stand it, you can find the answer, here.  Happy Saturday!

Lincoln Financial Group

The Lincoln Financial Group building has changed owners and names more than once, but it continues to be the iconic skyscraper of downtown Greensboro. The gothic revival style architecture of the taller building, built in 1990. fits in with the older, Jefferson Standard building that dates to 1922. It is hard to believe that they have a 68-year age difference. This mighty fortress at the corner of Elm and Market Streets is built from marble, terra cotta, and marble. Julian Price, president of Jefferson Standard Life Insurance, paid in full for his company's headquarters, because he didn't believe in carrying debt. Do you know of any business executives today who espouse the same philosophy?

The orientation of this photo is from the parking lot behind the Grasshopper's baseball stadium. You can tell from the trees that it is early spring. 

Autotrends on the 400 Block of Battleground Avenue

 

Autotrends is a full-service auto repair center in downtown Greensboro. It is located on a relatively quiet section of Battleground Avenue, just down the street from Smith Street Diner. The above photo was taken at the end of a rainy day last week. On the day it was taken, it seemed as if Greensboro would be eternally wet. However, already this week, with the cool, sunny days, those soggy days are beginning to fade.

Rainy days and wet streets have a way of bringing out the beauty in even the most mundane scenes. If you look behind Autotrends, you can see some of the newer housing that overlooks the ballpark.

Happy first day of Spring!

Crafted Art of the Street Food

It is always fun to find places to eat in Greensboro that are visually appealing. Crafted The Art of the Street Food has a bright mural above the bar that really makes the restaurant look cheerful and upbeat. Often, designers have a lot of color on the bottom half of the room with the top fairly plain. This restaurant is just the opposite, and the decor works. The menu is filled with food from around the world. The flavors are many; from mac and cheese to spicy chicken sandwiches to ramen noodles, and then some. Some of the foods are spicy; all are flavorful.

The restaurant opened in 2012 and, over the last seven years, has been a great addition to the northwest corner of downtown Greensboro. Preyer Brewing Company is right next door. The two establishments share a common wall, creating a sort of "Great Gatsby" experience. You can be in one space, looking out over to the people in the other establishment. Almost always, you can be sure people are getting good food and having a great time.

Another Rainy Night

Last night, the weather was rainy and dreary. Downtown, First Friday was not very well attended, possibly because of the weather. However, even though it is hard to get crisp, clear photos at night, the overall feel of a rainy evening can be quite intriguing. The 300 block of South Elm Street looked quite beautiful last night.

Greensboro has experienced record rainfall this season. However, given the fact that this is the last weekend before Mardi Gras and Ash Wednesday, likely, tonight will be a busy night out on the town. May everyone enjoy the weekend, responsibly.

Mystery Bus

Do you ever go exploring in Greensboro (or your own city) and uncover things that are a mystery? The above photo features a bus parked off of Gate City Boulevard at Tipton Place. It is back there, all decorated, looking like a mobile mural. We're guessing that it is somehow related to the property at the corner of West Gate City Boulevard and Eugene Street, formerly Brooks Lumber. That area has so many murals, lights, and outdoor art, likely the but is part of that venue.

Do you know about the bus? On the day we were on the photo shoot, we didn't see a single person on that street and there wasn't any kind of signage. There was, however, a fence preventing curious street photographers from getting closer. Happy Thursday, which they say is the new Friday! 

Brian Jones at Scuppernong Books

On Saturday, Brian Jones spoke at Scuppernong books. He is the Associate Director of the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in New York. He spoke about the radical legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr.  About one of the best things someone can do to understand fully what was happening at the time while Dr. King was alive is to listen to his speeches and to read his 1967 book, "Where Do We Go From Here?".

The talk was sponsored by the Greensboro Socialists and approximately 40 people were in attendance. Regardless of political beliefs, it was so informative.  Greensboro has many interesting guest speakers, through the Bryan series, the presentations at all the local universities, and the speakers of special interest groups and organizations. Check in with Scuppernong often as they are always hosting informative events.

View of Downtown: Lincoln Financial Group

This view of downtown Greensboro was taken from inside a building on West Gate City Boulevard. The sky was beautiful, and bright. Lights inside the store reflected off of the front of the store window. The top of the Lincoln Financial Group was peeking through the window, situating the photo in Greensboro. On a clear day, the time and temperature can be seen from several blocks away. Have a great weekend. We hope you have a chance to explore Greensboro, finding new vistas and different perspectives, making something old look new.

Bike Patrol in #DGSO

It is becoming increasingly popular to see police patrolling on bicycles in Downtown Greensboro, or #DGSO. In the above photo, two policemen are heading east on McGee Street, about to cross over Elm Street. This part of town is known as Hamburger Square and, while Elm/Market is technically the point where the city spits north/south, east/west, Hamburger Square is equally famous for being a point of much activity downtown, especially during festivals.

The bikes are a convenient way to get from Point A to Point B, or around Point C, quickly, especially during times of high foot and vehicle traffic. Another great benefit of the bike patrol is that it gives officers a chance to stop and interact, positively, with community. Unless they are in pursuit of something urgent, they are encouraged to take time to build community with people along the way. According to the city's website, the Greensboro Police Department has 673 sworn law enforcement officers. According to a 2014 article in the News & Record, 70 officers have been trained to ride bicycles on patrol.

Stoop Scape in Southside

The above stoop leads to an apartment in Southside, on Martin Luther King Drive. It is so personalized with the planter shaped like a head. When plants are in bloom, it looks like a mane of green locks. In the winter, it looks like a head of long, brown hair. Regardless of the season, it is a fine example of someone in Greensboro adding character to the entrance to their home. Giving directions to this place would be quite easy. 

The entrance between Dame's Chicken and Waffles and Manny's Universal Cafe. If you are out for a smoothie or waiting for a table at Dame's, explore Southside. You will be surprised at all of the creative things you will discover. Southside has quite a bit of personality and feels a little bit like a trendy neighborhood in Washington, D.C.

Bonfire at the Psychedelic Art Exhibit

Last week, UNCG's College of Visual and Performing Arts hosted a psychedelic art exhibit inspired by the artwork of the 1960s and the Grateful Dead. It was installed at UNCG's Project Space at 219 West Lewis Street, beside the Forge. Curators Emily Edwards and Lisa Goble thought of so many great details to help build community. In addition to two floors of artwork, they brought UNCG's mobile art truck, provided snacks at the closing reception, and  hosted a big bonfire.

The fire pit, with psychedelic flames, burned furiously, but controlled, just outside in the lot beside the gallery. Art lovers sat around, talking about the counter-culture art exhibit, munching on fire-pit snacks like roasted peppers and popcorn, and giggling about period-relevant topics like the best tie-dye designs and what it meant to be a "square." It is amazing what today's young adults know about a movement that happened nearly 60 years ago. If you were there, likely you were "feeling groovy!" What a great event for the Greensboro community.

Project Hero

Project Hero was founded in 2008 as an organization dedicated to Veterans and First Responders who are living with with PTSD, TBI, and injury. The non-profit helps them take steps towards recovery. The organizations helps Veterans and First Responders combat mental health issues brought about from PTSD. The organization often sponsors bike rides and sees that participants have adaptive bikes as needed.

The above car was parked yesterday in the Walker Avenue Parking Deck on UNCG's campus. It is a www.ProjectHero.org  car with a California license tag. There was no indication as to why the vehicle was in town. Perhaps there is an upcoming event. Perhaps the Veteran who drives the sedan is a UNCG student. At any rate, it is a vehicle that commands attention; it makes you want to stand up and salute it, even when it is empty.

BMX Bicycle Shop in Downtown Greensboro

Greensboro has a relatively new bicycle shop, DOWNTOWN BICYCLE WORKS. The shop, owned and managed by the French family, sells BMX bicycles. It is a full-service repair shop. They do repairs on the spot, new or vintage bikes, with no appointment necessary. They are located in the 600 block of south Elm Street and open seven days a week. They plan to start renting bicycles. 

Over the past few years, bike riding has been on the rise in Greensboro as have bike lanes and greenway riding miles. With technology and apps, it is easy to find or map your own ride that is perfect for your fitness level. While bicycle motocross (BMX)  bikes are primarily off-road sport bicycles, used for stunt riding and racing racing, there are times when they need to get from Point A to B. The French family is committed to keeping your bike up and running.

MLK Bust Recast in Bronze and Installed in Ole Asheboro

Wilbur Lee Mapp's cement bust of Dr. Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., sat for years at the corner of MLK, Jr. Drive and South Elm Street (featured, here, in 2010). Over the years, it began to show wear, as cement is not durable with respect to holding up to the elements. Greensboro sculptor Jim Gallucci worked with Mr. Mapp to cast the bust in bronze. Mr. Mapp was an integral part of the process to the very end. While he saw the bust completed in Mr. Gallucci's studio, Mr. Mapp did not live to see the dedication and the work of art in its new home at the corner of MLK, Jr. Boulevard and Bragg Street.

Mr. Gallucci says that the situation is bittersweet. On the one hand, Mr. Mapp lived to see his sculpture converted to a more durable material, but he did not see it installed in the heart of the Ole Asheboro neighborhood. Fortunately, many of his family members were on hand  Monday for the dedication. They are featured above, with Mr. Gallucci who is on the left wearing a Russian-inspired hat.

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony in Ole Asheboro

Yesterday was a busy day at the corner of MLK, Jr. Boulevard and Bragg Street, in the heart of  Ole Asheboro. The above photo features the ribbon cutting ceremony for Monday's opening of another segment of the Downtown Greenway. This part of the greenway is very special to the history of Greensboro, not  only for its significance to the revitalization efforts in Ole Asheboro, but also for the installation of three pieces of very meaningful art.

The family of Wilbur Lee Map was on hand for the installation of Mapp's 1994 bust of Dr. Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. In close collaboration with Mr. Mapp, local sculptor Jim Gallucci took Mapp's cement bust of Dr. King and recast it in bronze. Mr. Mapp lived to see the bronze bust completed, but not installed. Also installed on the southside of the greenway were two steel sculptures by Vandorn Hinnant, a Greensboro artist now living in Durham. It is so nice to see citizens, artists, and politicians coming together to celebrate Greensboro. The well-attended event was just perfect for MLK holiday.

Super Blood Wolf Lunar Eclipse Moon

The super blood wolf lunar eclipse moon was beautiful as it rose over Lake Higgins last night. The sky was clear and the breezes were cold. Near Lake Higgins, owls were communicating with each other, filling the night with interesting sounds. Hopefully this full moon be the start of a good day where the Greensboro community comes together to remember Martin Luther King, Jr.'s activism and leadership in the civil rights movement.

Equity is a key component to every community. If you want to be involved, there are plenty of options. Today from 11-1pm, you can enjoy the Martin Luther King Parade downtown. After the parade is the unveiling of the bronze bust at the corner of MLK, Jr. Drive and Bragg Street. The Four Seasons Mall will also have students performing, helping with a blood drive, and so much more. Consider spending the day in service and in support of civil rights for all. 

Lincoln Financial Building 2019

Today's featured photo is of Greensboro's iconic Lincoln Financial (Jefferson Pilot) building in all of its glory. Perhaps because winter has so many gray days, it is special on the sunny winter days with blue skies. Yesterday, the afternoon sky in Greensboro was breathtaking. 

This photo was taken from Spring Garden Street, in College Hill, just west of Fulton Street. The Jefferson Standard Building, the white "wing", peeking out on the right, dates to 1923, when it was the tallest building in North Carolina. The central part, with the pyramid on top, is the 20-story addition built in 1990. Together, the cluster is the anchor view of Greensboro's skyline. 

Have a great weekend, and, if you get a chance, participate in the many events centered around the Martin Luther King holiday weekend. 

Nathanael Greene Watching over Greensboro

Time to say goodbye to another week and hello to another weekend. Above is a photo of the commemorative Nathanael Greene statue. The 22-foot tall statue by sculptor James Barnhill has been guarding the city since 2008, the year of Greensboro's bicentennial. A Quaker himself, General Greene reminds us of our city's Quaker heritage.*

The statue in the Holliday Circle roundabout, at Greene Street, has a lot of information at the base and is well worth visiting if you are downtown this weekend. If you are visiting from elsewhere, this statue is a great place to start a tour. Happy Friday!

* reference and link to more information, here.

Strolling Along South Elm Street

It is always heartwarming to see families taking advantage of the businesses and resources in downtown Greensboro. In the above photo, a mother and her two daughters are walking along South Elm Street, near the Community Theatre of Greensboro. Each has her raincoat, boots,  and knows the "stick together and hold hands rule." They seemed so happy enjoying their afternoon together. Even if your family is grown, or far away, adventures around town are also meaningful with friends. There is so much to see and explore.

In the front, right corner of the photo, you can see a white Christmas tree that had been sent to the curb. There are still some decorations around the community. However, most of Greensboro has put the holidays behind and is bracing for possible inclement weather this weekend. Not to fear. Just hold hands and go forth with joy and determination.

2019 Polar Bear Ride

Every January 1st, for the past 21 years, the Greensboro Velo Club has sponsored the Polar Bear ride. In the above photo, they are getting briefed by Dale Brown as cyclists prepare to depart from Cycles de Oro.  There was a course for all levels of cyclists, from those who only wanted to ride 25 miles to those who wanted to ride a full 100 miles.

The talk of the day was how unseasonably warm it was this year (in the 60s) and how cold it was last year (in the teens). At least it was overcast on New Year's Day, but not raining, which meant nobody got a sunburn in January! The cycling communities are growing in Greensboro and there is a real effort to add bike lanes, greenways, and trails to ride off road. Recreational cycling is great exercise and finding a group to ride with makes the sport even more meaningful. If you are looking for a way to exercise, cycling is a popular option. Here's to a great year of riding and sharing the road!

Goodbye 2018!

We close out 2018 with a photo of a young man walking north in the 600 block of South Elm Street, just in front of the Mellow Mushroom. Everything from head to toe, including his Nike backpack, looked brand new, as if Christmas had been good to him.

The 600 block attracts a lot of young people. Some meet up at the Mellow Mushroom. As you can see from the window, it is a visually appealing space and their good pizza is the ultimate food for sharing. Across the street is Elsewhere, a unique museum that attracts young artists from all over the world- literally. The Cat Cafe and the Cafe Genèse also attract a young crowd. Then, also in the south 600 block, is the Social Scene, a place for the latest, "must have" sneaker styles. We wish we'd interviewed the young guy above, however, with street photography, sometimes the photographer doesn't realize how nice the photo is, until sitting down and reviewing the day's photos.

We hope that 2018 has been good to you and that you can walk, as determined as this young man, into the new year!

Downtown Greensboro on a Foggy Eve

Downtown Greensboro was especially beautiful yesterday afternoon as the fog rolled in. Above, you see Triad Stage, the Kress Building, and the fogged-in Lincoln Financial Group building (and more). On the right, Schiffman's Jewelers, in the background, has been a #DGSO institution since 1893. The photograph was taken during "the quiet hour", just before people come to the restaurants for dinner and before offices close. 

If you haven't been downtown on Elm Street lately, you owe it to yourself to put on your walking shoes and take a stroll. If you are able, it is highly recommended to begin near the Tanger Center where it is pretty easy to find a parking space and walk all the way to Gate City Boulevard. The entire distance is about 3/4 of a mile. So, there and back would be a mile and a half. You will see so many new businesses and get great ideas for things to do. You can stop, sip, and shop as you go. Have a great weekend. Please take a little time to explore some new corners of Greensboro- or whatever city you happen to live in!

#DGSO

Downtown Greensboro is an organized group that works to inform people about events happening downtown. Plus, the group works to bring people together and to build community. In an effort to encourage people to use the hashtag, #DGSO, a 3' tall, all-uppercase sign has been installed at Hamburger Square.

Located right across the street from Natty Greene's, the giant sign is highly visible from their pub. The letters continually change color- making it even more eye-catching. It looks like one of those signs found at ports of call at Caribbean cruises, conducive to great photo ops. As you can see, the above photo was taken at night and most everyone downtown was in a restaurant eating dinner. 

Gate City Railbenders

Greensboro is lucky to have a wide variety of acoustic music. The above photo was taken during the Festival of Lights downtown this past Friday. The Gate City Railbenders delighted the 600 block of South Elm Street with a few hours of live music. If you like old-time stringband music, you will love the sound the Railbenders.

This upcoming Friday is First Friday downtown, you will have another opportunity to hear live music. While it may not be the above group, there is sure to be a variety of music and other activities. Strolling along Elm and Davie Streets during First Friday has become quite a Greensboro tradition. Here is a list of some of this week's First Friday options. 

Festival of Lights

Last night,  Greensboro's Festival of Lights was held downtown, from LeBauer Park to Gate City Boulevard. The weather was warm and so the event was well attended. Because the date for Thanksgiving was a little early this year, there was a little more time between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Therefore, this Friday was the Festival. Next Friday, First Friday will be held . That should also be well attended.

The above photo was taken at Hamburger Square where people danced to live music, artificial snow was in full force, and even the inflatables got in the act. Happy Saturday. Hopefully you will all be at the Christmas parade today. Santa needs that one extra time to see if you've been naughty or nice!

Post Election Day

Regardless of how you feel about the election results in Greensboro and beyond, almost everyone seems to be glad that this election cycle is over. The plus side is that locally and nationally, more people voted, realizing the importance of the process. However, the yard signs, billboards, memes, and less-than-kind words were stressful.

The above photo was taken this past Saturday between the Cultural Arts Center, the Church Street parking deck, and LeBauer Park. The sunlight was so beautiful, the grasses were at peak color, and leaves were starting to turn orange. It is noticeable that, while this photo was taken in an urban area, there is no signage; absolutely nothing has words on it. A lone, unidentified artist stands, deciding whether to turn right or left. In the distance, there are people enjoying each other's company in the park. The scene is calm and civil, a palate-cleansing, post-election view. 

Westerwood Chili Cook-off

Tis' the season for Brunswick stew, barbecue, and chili. Yesterday was the chili cook-off for the Westerwood neighborhood. Held in Lake Daniel Park by the tennis courts, the Westerwood chili cook-off brought neighbors together to see who could cook the best chili and to build community through eating together.

Westerwood is a downtown neighborhood of 650 homes build around the 1920s, just (you guessed it) WEST of downtown and convenient to everything. The community is full of character, partly due to its beautiful tree lined streets and partly due to the residents who work hard to keep the neighborhood a vibrant, dynamic place to live. As people were eating chili, the Westerwood String Band played old time tunes on their fiddles, banjos, and guitars. It was a perfect fall day for eating chili, listening to live music, and socializing.

If you are looking for a way to bring your own neighborhood together, consider putting on a pot of chili or stew and start inviting. Where there is good food, there will be people. Happy Monday!

Triad Pride Performing Arts

Triad Pride Performing Arts had a booth set up on Sunday at the Pride event downtown. Triad Pride got its start in 1998 as a men's chorus and has been growing steadily since then. In 2016, the Triad Pride Men's Chorus added a sister organization, the Triad Pride Women's Chorus with an initial membership of 21 women. Today, the group is more inclusive, allowing membership to anyone who can sing the alto or soprano part and, in 2017, the non-profit changed its name to Triad Pride Performing Arts, acknowledging that other groups may want to affiliate in the future. According to their website, the organization's mission is to "entertain, enlighten, and enrich, while promoting equality and social justice for all people, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity–fostering pride, understanding, and acceptance."*

They accept new singers in January and August; so, if you are interested in singing with them start practicing now. January is only three months away! They operate out of the Greensboro Cultural Center. Try to get by a concert if you can. They are very good!

* reference and more information, here.

Replacements, LTD Pride 2018

Replacements, Ltd. of Greensboro is known for more than its dishes and crystal. Replacements, just off of I-40 & 85 east of Greensboro, is known not only for replacing that broken piece of china and selling great Christmas ornaments, they are also known for having an inclusive work environment. To the owners of Replacements, partners are partners, regardless of how one identifies and whom one loves. They also have a canine-friendly work environment.

Today, Greensboro's Pride Parade was held downtown on South Elm Street. Not only was it an opportunity to take pride to the streets, the streets were lined with businesses and resources that are inclusive, respecting the rights of all individuals and couples. In the above photo, a young man hands out Replacements' complimentary rainbow buttons, with a smile. His proud mother beams with pride watching her son interacting with everyone who walked by.

The Hampton Inn in Downtown Greensboro

Progress is underway for the Hampton Inn and Suites that is being built at the corner of Greene and McGee Streets in downtown Greensboro. The hotel will be located next to the brick building that houses the CEMALA Foundation. While this lot at 332 South Greene Street does not seem that large, when the project is complete, there will be not only a hotel, but also a 150-car parking deck and an outdoor pool.

As much as Greensboro is growing, hotel space downtown is much needed. With its proximity to the Carolina Theatre and Hamburger Square, both hubs of special events, having additional lodging nearby will make attending events downtown even more appealing. The 120-room six-story hotel will definitely change the footprint at the General Greene statue at the downtown round-about at Holliday Circle. 

The 2018 Wrangler Pop Up Store

At last night's First Friday, the buzz in downtown Greensboro was the fact that the 2018 Wrangler pop-up store had opened. While everyone in the above photo is wearing jeans ...perhaps Wrangler's... the inventory was placed in the back 2/3 of the store to make room for a little Brown Truck Brew and well as the music of the very talented Sam Frazier.* The live music featured songs, like Beetle's cover tunes, that brilliantly evoked the nostalgia of the Wrangler Jeans.

In addition to never-worn merchandise, the Wrangler pop up store featured used vintage pieces that had been repurposed into one-of-a-kind items. Also on site was a person monograming clothing, for those who were interested. At the time of this photo "BOSS" had just been monogramed on a Wrangler shirt with its sleeves cut out by hand. The monogramed shirt looked custom made for a cast member from the movie Grease. With the live music, the denim clothing for sale, the warm weather, and the cheerful crowd, the vibe at last night's Wrangler pop up was positively nostalgic. If you are interested in visiting, the store is located at the corner of Washington and Elm Streets, the building formerly occupied by Glitters, and more recently by local artists Hillary Clement and friends.

 

*If you know the name of the singer who performed with Sam, let us know and we'll include it in this post.

 

 

Native American Dancing at Davie St. Cultural Arts Center

 

The above photo was taken at First Friday in August. Many events were taking place at the Cultural Arts Center on Davie Street. It was the center's open house and most groups and organizations housed in the building were open and held events that would give people an idea of all that was available at the center.

The Guilford Native American Art Gallery and Gift Shop is located in the Cultural Center. It is the first gallery in the southeast to showcase Native American items. It is also a place that attracts people who want to learn more about the Native American groups, and, Native Americans see it as a gathering place to share their history and traditions. If you are looking for something to do today, check out the Cultural Arts Center. You may not be lucky enough to happen on an indigenous dance, but you will dance with joy seeing this great Greensboro resource. 

North Elm Street Scene

 

When there are events in downtown Greensboro, pedestrian traffic definitely picks up. It is so energizing to see people out enjoying their city and walking from Point A to Point.  The above photo was taken on North Elm Street at the Bellemeade Parking Deck during the North Carolina Folk Festival. It was especially humid on Saturday afternoon/evening after the rain.

Final attendance records aren't in yet for the three day festival, but sponsors are hoping for 175,000 people, which would be a slight increase from the attendance at the National Folk Festival last year. The News and Record reported that the owner of Medley Food Truck said that their previous record day was serving 400 people and on Saturday, they served close to 500. The only sign of food and drink is the above photo is the water bottle in the hand of the man on the right. It is highly likely, however, that some of the above festival goers took advantage of some of the fabulous food options.

If you want to read more, see the News & Record article, here.

 

Great Music on WRANGLER Stage

The inaugural year of the North Carolina Folk Festival has come and gone. In spite of the rain, attendance was respectable. Greensboro's own Rhiannon Giddens was a big hit and drew large crowds. Her banjo workshop was especially popular and received rave reviews. Her performances were standing room only. The festival's lineup featured seasoned professionals like Rhiannon and up and coming artists.

The above photo features Kristyn Harris on the Wrangler Stage Saturday afternoon.  Kristyn has been getting lots of national recognition lately and is in the running for Entertainer of the Year and Female Vocalist of the Year. Her western swing, country sound was a hit with the audience.

Greensboro is so fortunate to be the host of this festival and we were lucky to have so many volunteers who took care of so many details for the performers. Here's to getting ready for next year's festival!

Folk Festival Preacher

This evangelist is at the North Carolina Folk Festival preaching the basic Christian redemption message.  Evoking a tradition that dates back to the first century, this man stood, for hours, sharing his message with those who were passing by. Many ignored him, like the young couple in the background. Others gave him a high five to signal their approval of the preacher's message.

The preacher was located between Greensboro two downtown parks, Center City and LeBauer on Davie street. Since he was there on Saturday night, it is highly likely that he will be in that spot on Sunday morning. Here's to a great final day to the folk festival. Let's hope, maybe even pray, for good weather. Happy Sunday; happy folk festival!

Toe Tapping Good Times

As downtown Greensboro fills with locals and out of town guests for the NC Folk Festival, festival goers are smart to look at alternate transportation sources like taxis and Uber-type services to get from Point A to B- even if not partaking in "beverages." The above photo features one option, a Tap Hopper tour mobile. For the over 21 crowd, this service helps you make the rounds to try different breweries without having to drive.

Tap Hoppers began in Greensboro in 2016, by two entrepreneurs Patrick Sanecki and Niels Larsen. For a fee, you get transportation, discounts on food and beverage, insight from experts in brewing, and more. The point is to make your experience social and to keep people under the influence away from the wheel.  The craft  brewery scene in North Carolina is burgeoning and the folk music scene is flourishing. Especially this weekend, we are all lucky to be surrounded by so much toe tapping music. And the over 21 crowd can tap their heels and ride around for a beverage. Let the show begin.

North Carolina Folk Festival Opens Today

This photo was taken a couple of years ago at the National Folk Festival, held in Greensboro for three years. However, it shows you the spirit of activities at the North Carolina Folk Festival that begins today. It will open and close with performances by Greensboro's own Rhiannon Giddens. The event can only happen because of the many volunteers who have been mobilized to ensure that performers, festival attendees, and vendors have the best experience possible.

Volunteers will work tirelessly to see that musicians get from Point A to Point B. They will also document all of the songs that each performer sings. They will help people find stages and acts. Today is First Friday and Greensboro is about to experience three days of non-stop singing and dancing. All free and open to the public. Let the show(s) begin!

North Carolina Folk Festival 2018

This photo was taken at a dance event in downtown Greensboro, earlier in the summer. However, it reminds us that today is the eve of the opening of the 1st annual North Carolina Folk Festival. Greensboro hosted the National Folk Festival for the last three years. The national event served as a way to scaffold our community's learning how to handle the complexity of hosting a multiple-stage folk festival with international talent. 

This year, the itinerant, national folk festival will be held in Salisbury, MD with the expectation that Salisbury will have the capacity to sustain such a festival. In the meantime. all eyes are on Greensboro to  host a fabulous event (information and schedule, here).  For three days, six stages and one dance pavilion will be filled with folk artists of different genres, ethnicities, and musical traditions. If you are local, you owe it to yourself to head downtown and see just how fabulous this event will be. Let the show begin and let Greensboro show you how well suited we are to host such a great festival.

... Listen closely, we think we hear a mariachi band!