Greensboro Daily Photo

Depot Stage at the North Carolina Folk Festival

The North Carolina Folk Festival is in full swing and last night the weather was perfect. In the above photo, Holler Choir, a group from Asheville is performing. This group of young musicians puts a creative spin on Appalachian music with songs titles like, "Carolina Moon" and "Hamlet Blues." The tent was full last night, with a few seats remaining, here and there. This tent is set up in the parking lot of the train depot at Washington and Church Streets, a convenient location  for anyone coming in from other cities by train. The train depot, truly a step back in time, had more foot traffic and got more visibility than it had in a long time. The Depot Stage has several food trucks around it, making it possible to eat and listen at the same time.

The Depot Stage and Elm Street Stage (a couple blocks to the west) are the two southernmost stages, a footprint that encourages people to visit the many businesses on or near the 300 block of South Elm. The northernmost stage, the Wyndham Stage, is located at the corner of Church Street and Summit Avenue, just past the Children's Museum; Summit Avenue to Washington Street are your east/west borders. Church Street, between Washington and Friendly Avenue, is filled with marketplace vendors. Jewelry, skins care products, and some very creative clothing were among the booths we saw. We saw so many people we know last night, but are still surprised at the number of locals who have never been in the ten years of the festival. 

Happy Saturday! Hope to see you strolling along Elm and Church Streets. Our t.wn is at its best this weekend!

NC Folk Fest Year 10 Has Concluded

Well, Year 10 of the NC Folk Festival has come and gone. The music was spectacular, the weather perfect, and the new layout along Church Street seemed to work well. Additionally, there was  a stage on Elm, one in the Cultural Arts Center, and one in LeBauer Park, and it seemed to work well. The above photo features the Center City Jams Stage, which was half way between the (Train) Depot Stage and the Wyndham Stage. UNCG was one of the sponsors and many alumni helped and/or performed at the festival; as was the case with the above musicians. During this performance, we were seated by a former UNCG professor who flew in all the way from Washington State for the festival.  He had taught at least two of the above musicians. The above group performing at the Honky Tonk Jam, led by Mark Dillon (UNCG Class of 2010),  was not one that rehearses together, but people who love music and just got together to jam at the festival. They were fantastic. That driving honky tonk sound had the audience enthralled- including us.

Now back to concentrating on all things fall. The season is upon us.

Happy Monday!

NC Folk Fest 2024: Let the Music Begin!

All is in place for the North Carolina Folk Festival to begin. Tents have been installed. Parking meters covered. Sound systems checked. Musicians ready. Volunteers have their assignments. And. So. Much. More. We went downtown yesterday to walk the perimeter and get the lay of the land as the footprint has changed some this year. Here, you see City Stage at the corner of Market and Davie Streets. This photo is bittersweet, though because it was taken on land that once housed the News & Record building, and before that, the King Cotton Hotel. D.H. Griffin completed the demolition this summer. There is no evidence a newspaper ever went to press here. The above water is not a lake, but a low spot that filled with water during the recent rains. The lot is mostly level and ready for its next incarnation The few bricks on site, may be left from the King Cotton Hotel days. By next year, this prime lot will probably have something built on it. East Greensboro continues to grow.

For now, we'll focus on enjoying every minute of the North Carolina Folk Festival. It will begin promptly at 4:00 pm  today with the Queen Bees playing on the Elm Street Stage and and the NC A&T Drumline playing there at 4:45 pm. See a map and schedule HERE. We love seeing Greensboro transform into a haven for a diverse array of music genres and sounds, with workshops, dancing, and something for everybody! Hope to see you there. A silly prize for the first few people who recognize us. "Hey, aren't you Mrs. Greensboro Daily Photo" will get you a fun little prize.

Happy Friday!

 

Nature + Cooler Temps + the NC Folk Festival = Fall in Greensboro

It is starting to feel and look like fall in Greensboro. Temperatures are dipping into the 50ºs and it is getting dark earlier. In the above photo, in northeast Greensboro, not too far from Lake Higgins, look at that copper tree bark. The sun is setting earlier, but as it lingers close to the horizon, it casts a breathtaking glow on the tree trunks. The changing, sweater weather is a big sign that fall is on the way.

Another big clue is that it is time for the North Carolin Folk Festival, which comes to town this weekend. Here is the schedule and here is the map. The footprint is a little tighter this year, which is a good thing. It is easier to get from Point A to Point B, yet the acts aren't so close together that they interfere with each other. There will also be lots of vendors and about 20 food trucks. If all the music, and dancing, and workshops kind you needing a break, head out to one of the trails near the lakes and scenes like the one above will reground you and energize you so that you can head back down to the folk festival. Out of all the cities in North Carolina, they chose Greensboro. Let's show our support. See you downtown tomorrow!

Downtown, View from the Davie Street Parking Deck

Not being drone photographers, we don't get a photo from above very often. However, in late August, during the Food Truck Fesitival, we walked top the top of the Davie Street Parking Deck and got this photo.  It shows a few of the big buildings downtown. Peeking out in the background is the Lincoln Financial Group Building. In the foreground, on the right, is the Center Pointe Building. To the right is the Renaissance Plaza  Building, and in the middle is 300 North Greene Street. Below, is Friendly Avenue and the greenery is in Center City Park.

Center Pointe was constructed in 1966. It is a 17-story building with 97 condominium units. the 19-story Renaissance Plaza was built in 1990. The landscaping there is beautiful. 300 North Greene Street was built in 1989 and is a 21-story office tower. This north part of Greensboro extending from Tanger Center (established 1921) to First National Bank Baseball Field (established 2005) has seen a tremendous amount of growth over the last couple of decades. If you go downtown for the North Carolina Folk Festival this weekend (and we encourage you to do so), have a look at how the footprint of the city is expanding.

Happy Wednesday! 

Center City Park with the Fryes

Greensboro has two parks downtown: Center City Park (west. 2006)  and LeBauer Park (est 2016). Above is a photo from Center City Park, located at the corner of Friendly, Davie, and Elm. It was taken during the food truck festival. The unidentified couple above were enjoying refreshing fruit juices on this very hot day. They were resting at the statue of  Justice Henry and Shirley T. Frye. Both Fries are impactful community members. Mrs. Frye, ever the dedicated community volunteer, integrated Greensboro segregated YMCAs in the 1970s. Henry Frye was the first African-American chief justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court. 

We sat in Center City Park for a good while watching people at the Frye sculpture and how they interacted with it. Many people had their picture taken beside the Fryes. One young teen stood up on the statue, standing beside them. We had mixed feeling about climbing on the statue, but the pride on his face gave us a spark of hope that he aspires to become the great community member, just like the Fryes. Center City Park, on the day of the food truck festival, was everything a city park should be. People were milling about, resting and enjoying their food; children were playing as parents watched from a distance.  Seeing everyone enjoying the afternoon and interacting would have made the Fryes proud of their community. 

Happy Saturday!

Jade Salon at 1209 Battleground Avenue

Yesterday, we posted about the two owners of Jade Salon, Kate and Annie. Today, we want to show you part of the festival held at the Battleground location. There were even more vendors inside the salon and behind the camera; artists, wellness vendors, and even the SPCA with friendly doggies up for adoption. This part of Greensboro, Mid-town, is still not fully occupied, but it continues to grow. Jade Salon has been there for about a year now. Parking is easy and the salon is beautiful. These little pop up markets are getting more and more popular and, if you see one, by all means stop. Vendors love to talk about their art and products. 

The day we were there, they were braiding color into hair. People were leaving with teal, pink, and purple streaks in their hair. If you are looking for a new look, stop into a salon, Jade, or if you use another salon, yours. Be adventurous. 

Seeing that food truck peeking out mid-right in the photo reminds us on August 25th from 3:00- 9:00 pm, the Greensboro Food Truck Festival will be held downtown- just down the road from Jade, at Friendly Avenue and Church Street. There will be craft vendors, too.  And then, on September 6-8, the North Carolina Folk Festival will be downtown Greensboro. We have so many opportunities to have fun in Greensboro.

Happy Tuesday!

Meet Kate & Annie of Jade Salon

Saturday, driving down Battleground Avenue at Midtown, a Summerfest was happening at Jade Salon. We had the opportunity to stop and meet the owners of this hair and beauty salon who were sponsoring the arts, crafts, and wellness festival in their parking lot . Meet Kate Greisser and  Annie Gordon. They have been friends since they were kids. Originally from Madison, NC, they attended McMichael High School in Mayodan together. Upon graduation, Kate (in the orange dress) went on to study business and Annie went on to study barbering and cosmetology.  With their combined skill sets, they decided to purchase Jade Salon and continue to build on the success and quality service the previous owners had established.  From our visit on Saturday, we saw firsthand all of the extra details Kate and Annie  provide their clients. From the minute you walk in the salon, you feel like you are among friends and at a home away from home. The atmosphere cheerful and the whole staff is friendly.

The original Jade Salon is located in Friendly Center, across from Ben and Jerry's and beside Lulu Lemon. It has been there for 18 years.  The second location is located at 1209 Battleground Avenue,  on the same side of the road as Red Cinema (a little bit closer to town). See here if you are interested in learning more about Jade Salon or booking an appointment. It is always a good day when we get to meet people in Greensboro and to know local proprietors who work so hard to bring joy to others. We left smiling- even after having done yard work all day.

Happy Monday!

 

Happy 20th Natty-Versary

Natty Greene's, in downtown Greensboro, at the corner of South Elm and East McGee, is turning twenty! Yes, it as been twenty years since they took the risk of moving into downtown and bringing their food and spirits to Hamburger Square. They were one of the early businesses to believe in the revitalization of downtown. Many other businesses followed them, some have come and gone, but Elm Street, north and south, remains strong.

The above photo features the outdoor  block party as they were just setting up to get it started yesterday evening. In spite of the menacing overcast sky, First Friday events were held. The outdoor area of Natty's has extend all the way to McGee with the addition of a pavilion where music can take place. Today, from  3:00 - 11:00 p.m., Grammy-nominated music star Brent Cobb will be performing. You can even bring your blankets and lawn chairs and stay for this performance. They've also a beer garden with a  system to more than double their beer-producing capacity on site. They are very committed, however, to remaining a family-friendly place where, with all those food choices,  drinking is optional! Natty will be "hops-ing" today!

Happy Saturday!

Happy July 4th 2024

Full disclosure, the above photo was taken during the Fun Fourth Festival 2023 in downtown Greensboro on South Elm Street. Uncle Sam was working hard walking in the heat and agreeing to take a photo with anyone who asked. The event, Freedomfest, will be held today from 1:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. There will be entertainment, patriotic characters, food trucks, water features, and more. Plan your outfit carefully for the best photos. See all of the festival details, including a map and schedule, HERE. Fireworks will start downtown after the Greensboro Grasshoppers  home baseball game.  The baseball stadium is your best bet for a good view. If you do not have a ticket, setting up a foldable chair outside the stadium is another option. Last year, the game was sold out. 

Meanwhile, just a little north of downtown, the Kirkwood neighborhood will be celebrating for the 75th year. The parade on Independence Road and the 50' flag are the anchors. When you see the 50 foot flag hovering  over the street, you will know you are in the right place. The Kirkwood event times overlap with Freedomfest downtown; however, their neighborhood, originally established for returning WWII vets and their families, will have no shortage of patriotism. However you spend your day today, be safe and neighborly.

Happy Fourth of July!

Anna Murphy: FOLK IT! Art & Craft

We met Anna Murphy at the Summer Solstice event this past Saturday. She is such a talented and creative potter and her work is so affordable. We actually asked her why she wasn't charging more for her work. She explained that she has low overhead since her studio and kiln are in her home. However, the even bigger reason is that she is a cardiac stenographer and she travels for her career. Soon, she will be on-site in New Mexico and she doesn't want to have all of this inventory stocked up while she is away.

Anna and her husband are originally from up north, but we are lucky enough to have them living in the Greensboro area now. Let's hope while she is in New Mexico that she doesn't fall in love with it too much. We want her back in Guilford County working in healthcare and creating her unique clay designs. She even makes jewelry! In the short time we talked to Anna, we could tell she is one of those people who can do just about anything they set their mind to doing. You can find her pottery on @folkitcrafts on Instagram and @folk_it-crafts or at [email protected]

Happy Wednesday!

Meet Greensboro's Golden Solstice Fairies: Kathy and Nicole

Saturday's Summer Solstice Festival in the Greensboro Arboretum was absolutely spectacular. For those who like to take photos, it was so perfect. The Paperhand Puppet Intervention Parade around 5:00 p.m. and the Fire Show at the end of the night were highlights. There were several stages of music. Another solstice tradition is the golden fairy. She sprinkles glitter on your head as people approach and indicate that is what they want. This year, Kathy Clark (left) who is an amazing, local, visual and performing artist, is hoping to retire her golden fairy performances. However, she was able to find someone to apprentice under her and learn the ins and out of this tradition. On the left is Nicole Villano who was co-performing this year in the hopes of her replacing Kathy in the future.

Both women are environmentally conscious, and so the glitter they sprinkled was ordered from England and is plastic-free and biodegradable. It is made from plant-derived, regenerated, eucalyptus cellulose. We hope the fairy duet earned enough on Saturday to cover the cost of that very-expensive glitter that ships from England. At any rate, we found their environmental effort commendable. It speaks to the kind of people they are. Kathy has found a very special person to inherit her wings and bowl of glitter. Perhaps they can work some together. With the intense head and sun in Greensboro on Saturday, it must have been nice to be able to take water breaks and work in shifts.

If you have never been to Greensboro's Summer Solstice Event, try to find time next year. Start planning your outfit! Seeing Kathy and Nicole's clothing should give you an idea of the elaborate costuming you will see on both performers and attendees.

Happy Monday and stay cool. It will be in the 90's!

Red Hat Society at World Promenade

From Paris to the world, the Red Hat Society comes out every year to attend Greensboro Beautiful's promenade . The above photo gives you a good idea of the spirit of the festival this past Sunday. Friend groups came together, likely an annual tradition for many, and people were milling around while groups performed. There were also people who sat attentively, enjoying performances. Sunday, between the visitors, performers, and the grounds themselves, the Tanger Family Bicentennial Gardens were at peak beauty.

Here, on the World Stage, the Travis Williams Group was performing. This quintet is a group of talented musicians with Travis Williams on the oud (yes, that's an instrument); Collin Allured on an array of instruments; Ken Simonds on bass; Kinard Douthit on flute; and Bill Smith on percussion. If you follow the link above, you can see their summer schedule. If you want to learn more about the Red Hat Society, see HERE. It sounds like their mission is to gather for fun and fellowship, which was a perfect reason to attend the World Promenade.

Happy Tuesday!

World Promenade 2024

Greensboro Beautiful's June event, Parisian Promenade has been rebranded as World Promenade. As opposed to only representing Paris, the theme expanded to feature artists and performers throughout the world. The above photo features Amanda Garner, Director of Greensboro Beautiful, who helped with this transition. She oversees other community events for the organization. We photographed her during the event in the vendor booth of the Sustainably Yours Mobile Boutique.* She had stopped by while making her rounds to see if the artists and vendors needed anything.

There were food trucks, artists, performers, and more all throughout The Tanger Family Bicentennial Garden. The event was planned in conjunction with the City of Greensboro's Parks and Recreation Department. The family friendly event was extended into the upper part of the garden. Gauging attendance and the mood of the attendees, the event was a big success. This is one of many free events available to the public throughout the year in Greensboro. Here is a link to the Greensboro Beautiful website where you can learn about volunteer opportunities and their many events. Greensboro is known for its beautiful landscaping and green spaces, Greensboro Beautiful, mostly manned by volunteers, contributes significantly to this beauty.

Happy Monday! 

*Follow them @sustainablyyours336 on Instagram

Greensboro History Museum, Former First Presbyterian Church

Yesterday, the Greensboro Bound Literary Festival held sessions at the Greensboro History Museum. Formerly, the History Museum was the First Presbyterian Church. Seeing this view of the entrance of the museum, filled with people, reminded us of what it must have looked like when the building was a church. It was built in 1892, 84 years after Greensboro was established. First Presbyterian relocated to 617 North Elm Street in 1929.

One of the sessions held in the history museum was, "Calling on Ancestors: Writing the Past into the Present." Tyree Daye, Zelda Lockhart, and David Nicholson shared stories of ancestors across generations. The presentation seemed perfect for the history museum where past meets present on a daily basis. The audience listening to  the session in the intimate auditorium is not unlike what it must have felt like to attend a church sermon in the building. The space is a Greensboro treasure.

Happy Sunday!

Conversation with James McBride

Last night, in the auditorium at the Elliot University Center on the UNCG campus, literary great James McBride spoke as part of the 2024 Greensboro Bound Literary Festival. Actually, he engaged in a conversation with moderator and author, Tita Ramierz, who teaches writing at Elon University. She came with a combination of her own well-crafted questions and questions shared from local book club members. McBride has written many books, the ones most-discussed last night were "The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store" and "The Color of Water"-  the latter a memoir that divides chapters between his mother's life (in italics) and his own. McBride also came to UNCG's campus 25 years ago when UNCG freshman read was "the Color of Water" with over 900 people attending his presentation. 

McBride shared so many pearls of wisdom, including what "The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store" is about. McBride explained it addresses small town secrets and the people who keep them, and what it was like to be an American at a time when that term was being revised. It is also about dialog. The book started as a chapter about a camp Moshe started and it grew from there. The topic of immigration and the Jewish experience in America is addressed. The character Malechai leads the reader to ponder what one keeps from the old-country vs. a new way of living. Ramierz noted that McBride was masterful at tying together all the threads of the characters' stories in the last 1/3 of the book. McBride said that he had those last three exciting chapters of Moby Dick in mind when writing the novel. He urges every American student to read those last three chapters of Moby Dick-  and perform one year of service abroad. 

When asked what he would write next, McBride talked about how hard it is to write a book after you've published one that is so widely successful. He said that he has to get it out of his head that the next book needs to be a "home run." He also said he's had his turn and that he is ready to give someone else a chance. McBride reminded the audience we need to support young, up-and-coming writers, which can be done with the help of the indie bookstores and librarians.

McBride, a journalist himself,  mentioned that at one time Greensboro had the most talented journalists, but local news is now lacking. Through good journalistic practices, people learn to write and the community stays abreast of what is happening. He asserts journalism is the perfect background to be a fiction writer.  

If you have not read "The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store," do yourself a favor and read it. We plan to reread it, focusing on ideas his talk. Also, we want to pay more attention to the relationship between Fatty and Big Soap, and look for the reference at the end regarding "waiting for the future." We knew we would love McBride's insight into his writing and life in general. What we  didn't anticipate was how special it would be to spend the evening surrounded by people who love to read and discuss books

If you want to attend the Greensboro Bound Literary Festival over the next three days, see the schedule HERE, and if you want to purchase the books, head to Scuppernong Books.

Greensboro BOUND Literary Festival 2024

The Greensboro BOUND Literary Festival is upon us. The above photo was taken at Scuppernong Books yesterday. They have a display of books, the works of the authors who are coming to town. It starts today and events will be happening until Sunday. See HERE for a schedule and more information. James McBride, author of "The Color of Water" and "The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store" is speaking tonight on UNCG's campus. Pre-registration was required and it is full. 

In 2018, the festival was co-founded by Brian Lampkin, co-owner of Scuppernong Books, and Steve Colyer a retired telecom executive. The authors and their presentations, or conversations, and workshops represent a wide diversity of topics and genres. The author selection is also quite diverse.  The festival organizers have worked hard on the logistics, in an effort for attendees to make it from Point A to Point B (see here).  Greensboro is so lucky to have this great event centered around BOOKS! Year 7 looks pretty fabulous. 

Happy Thursday!

UNCG Annual Spring Pow Wow 2024

On Saturday, April 13, UNCG held their annual spring Pow Wow on the lawn of Elliot University Center on the campus of UNCG. It was a hot, sunny day, and also the day of the "Science Everywhere" event. Formerly, for nearly 40 years, UNCG held an International Festival in early April on campus. Fortunately, Pow Wow is still being held. It was so fun watching the young children learning the cultural practices and traditions of their families.

Commencement services are starting to be held on college and university campuses. UNCGs will be this Friday and Greensboro College will hold graduation on the same day. NCA&Ts undergraduate ceremony will be on May 11th and that of Guilford College on May 18th. April is a time to hold all of those culminating events, even Pow Wow, where Indigenous American students and families in the Greensboro Community can gather one more time before people go their separate ways for the summer.

Happy Tuesday!

 

*Cumberland County will hold a Pow Wow this Saturday (see HERE), 

Hillel in Greensboro

Hillel, established in 1923, is an inclusive Jewish organization found on university campuses. The first Hillel to open in North Carolina was at UNCG in 1936.  Hillel serves eight different campuses in North Carolina, one of which is UNCG.The Jewish student population at UNCG is small, but Hillel has an office on campus to meet the needs of Jewish students and to help them strengthen their Jewish identity. According to Hillel.org, there are only 200 Jewish students at UNCG (1.2 percent). 

The above photo was taken at Temple Emanuel on Jefferson Road at their recent Jewish festival. The campus Hillel representatives were at the event to interact with students and to raise awareness of their presence on campus. The Hillel corn hole game was a clever way to raise awareness. The organization gets its name from the Babylonian, Hillel the Elder, who was a Jewish religious leader, scholar, and founder of  the House of Hillel School of tannaim. The name is the symbol of a quest for higher learning. According to the tank, blue is the color of heaven and divine revelation and white is associated with purity and cleanliness; hence, the blue and white corn hole board and decorations at Hanukkah.  Saturday is the Jewish Sabbath, so, Shabbat Shalom to all of our Jewish readers.

Happy Shabbat!

Happy New Year- Photo of Year 2023

Happy New Year! January 1st is the day the City Daily Photo members all select a photo of the year to represent their city. For 2023, we picked this street scene on South Elm Street. It was taken during the Festival of Lights on Friday, December 1st. We like it because it shows a family-friendly event downtown, one being enjoyed by people of all ages. It shows how Greensboro has managed to honor the profiles of the old buildings, yet keep the shops and services relevant in the 21st century. What was formerly Coe Grocery is now Hudson Hill, a shop that sews leather goods and clothing, honoring techniques and materials from the last century. 

2023 in Review: We also like to pick a "best" photo of each month. If you are new to Greensboro Daily Photo, don't visit very often, or are introducing someone new to the site, the January 1st post is always a good place to begin. 

December: Festival of Lights: https://www.greensborodailyphoto.com/2023/12/tree-lighting.html

Since the above photo comes from December, that gives us an opportunity to select another photo from December. We're picking the Center City Tree Lighting, also from the Festival of Lights. We love it because it showcases the first Greensboro City Park downtown and shows people coming together to enjoy each other.

November: Northeast High School Marching Band: https://www.greensborodailyphoto.com/2023/11/northeast-band.html

This photo was taken during the Veterans' Day Parade downtown. We love the energy of the drum major, as well as all of the camaraderie and great memories public school bands make for students. Performing arts are often underrepresented in schools and they add so much to creating well-rounded students.

October: Greensboro Arboretum: https://www.greensborodailyphoto.com/2023/10/greensboro-arboretum.html

This photo shows the beauty of Greensboro's scenery. The photo was taken in the arboretum in Lindley Park, a lovely public space in Greensboro.

September:  Denim History Revolution Mill: https://www.greensborodailyphoto.com/2023/09/denim-at-revolution.html

At one time, Greensboro was the top producer of denim in the world. Revolution Mill does a good job of sharing information about that history, as well as having textile and jeans-making machines in the hallway. Also, Revolution Mill was a functioning mill  owned by the Cone family.

August:  The Hopper Trolley:  https://www.greensborodailyphoto.com/2023/08/hopper-trolley-.html

Downtown Greensboro has implemented a trolley to transport people through town for free. It is a fabulous way to get people moving through town. 

July: Fourth of July Fireworks at Grasshopper Baseball Stadium: https://www.greensborodailyphoto.com/2023/07/stars-and-stripes-spectacular.html

The Fourth of July, Fun Fourth, and the baseball games are a great way to enjoy a holiday. This year, the baseball game sold out, but you could see the fireworks even if you weren't sitting in the stadium. 

June: Parisian Promenade at Bicentennial Gardens: https://www.greensborodailyphoto.com/2023/06/harajuku-fashion.html

Attending Parisian Promenade is a fun way to spend a Sunday afternoon and to kick off the summer months. Again, this was another free event open to the public. The young women in this photo are a friend group that loves to dress up in Harajuku fashion. This is proof positive that Greensboro is a cool, trendy place for young adults.

May: Krispy Kreme Doughploma: https://www.greensborodailyphoto.com/2023/05/krispy-kreme-doughploma.html

Krispy Kreme was founded in Winston-Salem in 1937 and now, they are an international company. On a special day in near graduation, they offer seniors free donuts. It as a fun time, Seniors line up in their caps and gowns and people from all different schools are in line talking, celebrating, and taking photos. This photo shows students at the Krispy Kreme on Battleground Avenue.

April: Lincoln Financial Group: https://www.greensborodailyphoto.com/2023/04/lincoln-financial.html

We'd hate to let a year go by without celebrating Greensboro's iconic downtown building, Jefferson Standard, Jefferson Pilot, Lincoln Financial Group. While the names of the businesses occupying the space have changed, the building remains a beacon of local history. We're still hoping to get an invitation to see the view from the top floor.

March: Temptations- Ain’t Too Proud at Tanger Center for the Performing Arts https://www.greensborodailyphoto.com/2023/03/temptations-tanger.html

We loved this photo so much because it shows the energy of the people moving outside of the Tanger Center for the Performing Arts. The photo has a "Beetles" Abbey Road air about it as people walk past the truck that carried equipment for the Temptations' show. Tanger is such a great addition to downtown.

February: Wayne, Downtown Mail Carrier Extraordinaire. https://www.greensborodailyphoto.com/2023/02/meet-wayne-usps-mail-carrier-extraordinaire.html

Each month we feature people and, at the end of the day, it is the great people of Greensboro who make it such a great place to live. In February, we featured Wayne.He knows all of the downtown business owners and managers by name, and, while he is fast and efficient on the job, he always takes time to acknowledge people and to check in on them. He is a fine example of a trustworthy federal employee with a great disposition and work ethic. In a world of craziness, be a Wayne!

January: Page/Grimsley High school Basketball https://www.greensborodailyphoto.com/2023/01/

Sports, especially friendly high school rivalries are the best and a great way to spend a Friday night. The January photo was taken at a Page/Grimsley basketball game. We don't remember who won that night, but we do know that people played and cheered their hearts out. 

Stop by tomorrow, the anniversary of Greensboro Daily Photo. We will begin our 16th year of production! And, if you will continue reading, we will continue to publish.

Happy New Year! Happy Monday!

Hudson Hill 527 South Elm Street, Formerly Coe Grocery

This is one of our favorite photos from The Festival of Lights. South Elm street looks so lovely with families milling about and stores open with colorful lights framing the scene. Then there is Santa peeking out of a second story window, where so much magic happens at Hudson Hill- lively conversations, plan making for future businesses, ideas about recapturing some of Greensboro textile history. Hope for the future grows when you realize that many of the people sewing leather and denim are young- as in between 25 and 40.

As seen on the signage on the side of the building, the Hudson Hill Building was formerly Coe Grocery and seed (See 2016 photo HERE).

Triad A Cappella Connection

The above photo was taken at Scuppernong Books on Friday night at the Festival of Lights, just as the Triad A Cappella Connection was finishing up two hours of unaccompanied singing. Their hands jubilantly went up in the air after their evening of harmonizing to holiday songs. The group specializes in four-part harmony, a cappella singing, barbershop style. According to their website, they offer a wide variety of music from jazz, traditional, Broadway hits, and more. They like to dress up in costumes and prepare choreography as the opportunity permits. They were a fun group to watch perform.

The group is based out of Kernersville and they are accepting new singers. If you are looking for something to do, groups like this one are a great way to socialize and connect to others. They are an affiliated chapter of Sweet Adelines International. If you aren't read to join, but want to see where they are performing next, see HERE.

Happy Thursday!

Center City Tree Lighting 2023

The Festival of Lights was held Friday, December 1st, with the annual tree lighting just before 7:00 pm. In anticipation, people had been milling around downtown, shopping at LeBauer Park, ice skating, spending time in the Cultural Arts Center and listening to live music on Davie Street- which was only open to pedestrian traffic near the park. As the time grew closer for the lighting of the tree, the crowds grew thicker with small children hoisted on parents' shoulders, and cell phones primed for the perfect shot. After the lighting couples captured photos kissing with the tree as a backdrop. Some of this anticipation and joy is captured in the above photo. Always special for us is fitting a little bit of the Lincoln Financial Group building in the scene. 

Check back this week, we'll be featuring lots of around-town, slide-of-life views.  May we all find ways to illuminate these low days of December. Remember, "Nothing can dim the light from within" (Maya Angelou). 

Happy Monday!

West Market United Methodist Church Andrews High School

Yesterday was the Holiday Parade in downtown Greensboro. The above photo features Andrews High School turning off of Greene Street onto Market, approaching Elm Street. West Market Street United Methodist Church can be seen in the background. It is the closest church to the Market/Elm intersection where the streets divide north/south and east/west. When the community comes downtown and families have a fun, save time together downtown, it is a moving and spiritual feeling. 

It you are looking for a downtown church, West Market Street offers traditional, modern, music, and radio services and has been a Greensboro institution for nearly 200 years. That romanesque building has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1985. It is located by the courthouse. We hope you find time in December to explore downtown, and, today, the West Market Street UMC is having a carol service at 11:00 am, if you are looking for a way to kickstart the holiday season. Tonight, from 5:30- 6:45, is the start of their 3-week group to get questions answered about advent and the Christmas season in general. This is a very dynamic church. As for the Andrews High marching band, in the foreground, they are dynamic and amazing too. Yesterday was an all-around great day in Greensboro.

Happy Sunday!

Festival of Lights 2023

The Festival of Lights last night in downtown Greensboro did not disappoint. People came out to celebrate in droves and the drizzle did not dampen the festivities. From LeBauer and Center City Park on North Elm to Gate City Boulevard and South Elm, businesses were open and people were strolling along the streets. The above photo features a trio of carolers in LeBauer Park with the Janet Echelman's 95 by 65 foot aerial sculpture as a backdrop.  This is the second iteration of her "Where We Met"  sculpture that continues to light up the night sky over the park.

Last night, there was plenty of entertainment in LeBauer Park, including a holiday market and an ice skating rink. The park remained busy even after the tree lighting took place just before 7:00 pm. Performers entertained everyone until the event drew to a close at 9:00 pm. Here is a link listing many of the performers throughout the night. December, the month with the least amount of daylight in the northern hemisphere, is a time when to work a little harder to bring light into the lives of each other. Last night was just such an event. Will we see you at the parade today?

Happy Saturday!

Howl-O-Ween 2023

Yesterday, Country Park was filled with Trick-or-Treaters and their canine companions. Dogs came dresses as everything from ladybugs and been (above) to bats and superheroes. The little dogs seemed to love  strutting their costumes and the bigger ones seemed to tolerate them well. The event was sponsored by Guilford County Animal Services and Greensboro Parks and Recreation. This was  the third year for the event. Dogs got treats, too. 

In addition to getting out and enjoying the lovely fall weather and getting exercise, many businesses and organizations that offer services for dogs were on hand too. When we were there, all dogs were well behaved and everyone was complying with having their dogs on a leash. There were even food trucks on hand to feed hungry adults. Every indication is that the event will be held again next year. Let's hope between now and then, we can get the shelters cleared of as many animals as possible. Events like Howl-o-Ween remind us to adopt, not shop!

Happy Monday!

Westerwood String Band

Yesterday, we featured the Westerwood Chili Cook-off on Greensboro Daily Photo. The annual event was held in Lake Daniel Park near Benjamin Parkway. Today's photo is of the Westerwood String Band that played at the event. Carol Thompson, who is dancing in the above photo, has been coordinating music for the chili cook off  for years. The group  sometimes practices at a member's house and at other times at open jams. One place you are likely to see these band members is the jam organized by the Piedmont Old-Time Society, currently meeting the first and third Thursday evening at the Continental Club.

The band's genre is old-time, or string band, music which has been played in North Carolina since the Scots-Irish settled here. True to old-time music, there are fiddles, banjos, guitars, and an upright (double) bass, all acoustic instruments. You may recognize Carol as she is frequently seen dancing, down front and off to the side, at events like the North Carolina Folk Festival- when old-time musicians are performing. The boards with cornmeal help with movement and obtaining a percussive sound. Sunday was a lovely day for the event and the music added a yet another layer of liveliness to the already upbeat, community-building event. We're wondering where the Westerwood String Band will play next.

Happy Wednesday! 

Crafted, The Art of the Taco, Along South Elm

Crafted, The Art of the Taco, opened on South Elm Street in 2012 and for the last eleven years has been bringing creative, upscale tacos to downtown Greensboro. The business stayed busy during Greensboro Pride, and, as you can see from the rainbow at the entrance, they are welcoming to all. This low building allows room in the frame of the photo to show that the skies were blue last Sunday. What is slightly less evident in the photo is that Mayor Nancy Vaughn is enjoying a meal at Crafted. It is always nice to see our local politicians out and interacting with their constituents. In case you can't find her, she is behind the word BEER.

Thursday is the new Friday and tomorrow is First Friday, so consider heading downtown and incorporating it into your weekend. Even without asking her, we're betting the Mayor would endorse that plan. Hmmmm, we think we're in the mood for a "Honky Tonk" taco, or maybe a bowtie taco....

Happy Thursday!

West February 1 Place in Downtown Greensboro

West February 1 Place is a a small street tucked between Elm and Greene Streets, leading to Governmental Plaza and The Guilford County Courthouse. February 1, 1960 is the day of the Sit-Ins at the Woolworth lunch counter. Other than the artwork on the street, with the Rolex clock and the buildings, this street is a real step back in time. It is the site of many pop-ups and a spill-over space for other events. Such was the case this past weekend when there were different booths on the street during Greensboro Pride. There is so much history on this corner as well as some powerful artwork.

The Cup of Freedom cup of coffee sculpture is on this street, just out of camera range. At the very end of the street, what looks like a tiny arch, is the upper part of the Millennium Gate by  local sculptor, Jim Gallucci. Street scenes remind us that it is the people that make a community great.

Happy Wednesday!

Ballet Folklorico at Art in the Arboretum

The Art in the Arboretum this past Sunday was nothing short of spectacular. It was the perfect combination of arts and crafts, music, and dancing. Also adding to the event was the fact that some of the flowers and foliage were very showy in their beauty, and the weather was spectacular. Fifty artists were selected to sell their crafts and there were three stages of entertainment, and entertainment was free. Greensboro Beautiful partners with the City of Greensboro to enhance the beauty of our community. Mebane Ham coordinated the event. A graduate of UNC Chapel Hill, Mebane Ham is an independent public relations and communications professional. Fiddle and Bow, founded in 1981, sponsored and staffed one of the stages. 

The above photo features one group of performers from the Ballet Folklorico Mexican Tradition of Julio Ruiz. Their goal is to bring greater awareness and understanding of the Latino culture, especially in Greensboro. The audience, young and old alike, was mesmerized by their dancing. The clothing was beautiful and the way they moved skirts and bandanas in sync. This stage, for international music and dance, is a permanent structure in the arboretum- just waiting to be used for other special events.  Mark your calendar for Sunday, October 6, 2024 if you want to be part of this event next year

Happy Tuesday!

Pow Wow 2023

The Guilford Native American Association held its 46th annual Pow Wow 2023  at Country Park. While it wasn't a religious event, it did feel very spiritual having people dancing on  land their ancestors once inhabited. Greensboro once served as the site where Keyauwee and Saura once met. The above photo shows some of the dancers waiting to make a grand entry at 7:00 pm last night. Today, the event starts at 11:00 am, with Grand Entries starting at 1:00 pm. Winners of competitive events will be announced today.

If you have never attended before, you are welcome; however, here is a list of Pow Wow etiquette. For example, you should not take photos of individual people without their permission. It has been a few years since we've been able to attend and we noticed a lot more people wearing original beadwork.All of the original beading and jingle dresses were simply breathtaking. There were also many vendors. Everything from clothing, to drums, to food, to jewelry are available. We ate collard wraps with pear chow-chow and they were delicious.

Happy Sunday!

North Carolina Folk Festival 2023

Today is the day. Folks, the North Carolina Folk Festival is a really big deal. We wanted to advertise it one more day so that you get out and celebrate these musicians in town. The above photo is of City Stage, which is located between Davie and Church Street. Here is a map of the entire venue footprint: LeBauer Park, Lawn Stage, Center City Jams, Van Dyke Stage, and Old Courthouse Stage- with food trucks and craft vendors in between. That is a very reasonable distance between stages to get from one event to the other.

The music will be great whether you are attending during the day or at night. The last events start at 9:30 tonight. Saturday proves to be fun. Mark Dillon will lead the Honky Tonk Jam and María Gonzales will lead the Latin Dance Social. We love seeing how Greensboro comes together to support this monumental undertaking. Look at the above crowd. Indeed, they were having fun.

Happy Friday!

North Carolina Folk Festival 2023

Once Labor Day is over, mentally we transition to fall, a lovely season in Greensboro. We also know it is time for the North Carolina Folk Festival. The festival kicks off on Wednesday evening with a special concert, "Songs of Hope and Justice"  at 7:30 pm at The Carolina Theatre. Singer-songwriter Laurelyn Dossett will host an accomplished group of folk musicians. The next events will be on Friday evening, beginning at 5:00 pm (see complete schedule HERE). The music is as varied and diverse as the people of Greensboro; indeed, there is something for all tastes of fold music. It is a good opportunity to listen to and learn about new genres of music. 

The above photo features Larry Bellorín. He will perform this year with Joe Troop. They describe their music as Venezuelan Appalachian Fusion.  Larry is a legend of llanera music. Joe is a Grammy-nominated bluegrass and old-time musician. Together, the sound of these singer-songwriting multi-instrumentalists is unique and incredible. They are performing twice, on Friday at 9:00 pm and Sunday at 3:30 pm. Larry and Joe both live in North Carolina; so, when you fall in love with their music, you will have opportunities to hear them again. Our North Carolina Folk Festival is so special, the event is well organized, the footprint from stages to food trucks to arts and crafts exhibits (to port-a-potties)  is always well planned.

From 2015-2017, the National Folk Festival was in Greensboro, giving our community the chance to learn from the best how to put on a music festival. When the National Folk Festival transitioned to the next city to help learn the ropes, Greensboro's event converted to the North Carolina Folk Festival We owe it to the performers to show them that our city supports the performing arts. Please encourage your folk music loving friends far and wide to come to Greensboro from the 8th-10th. Hope to see you there, too. The Friday-Sunday performances are FREE. People are encouraged to donate if they are able. Bring your change and bills. There will also be ways to donate through cash apps.

Happy Tuesday!

Autumn Will Be Here Before We Know It!

While this was taken on the 4th of July, it is one of our favorite photos of Summer 2023 in Greensboro. It was taken in front of the International Civil Rights Center and Museum. The above photo shows people out at a festival enjoying the summer with family and friends. The sun was shining brightly.

We are hearing people saying they wish fall would hurry up and get here. Fall will be here in 33 more days, just over a month. This is the last week of vacation for Guilford County Schools students (on a traditional calendar) as school resumes on Monday, August 28th. After the start of school comes Labor Day, and then the National Folk Festival, and then fall. Let's not rush our days away.

Happy Monday!

Downtown Greensboro: First Friday July 2023

Look how lively Greensboro is in the above photo. It was taken at the South 300 block of Elm Street, actually at Hamburger Square during Fun Fourth. It lets you see that if the Greensboro hosts and advertises an event, the public will attend. It was really hot on the Fourth and just beyond the railroad tracks, a hydrating fire truck from Station 10 was there to the delight of children and canines alike.

First Friday is another great event and local businesses work hard to keep downtown lively and it is today. From 6-9pm tonight, there is a lot to do in the Greensboro Cultural Center on Davie Street. There will be shopping, open galleries, live performances, and more. There is still the program where for each $25 you spend downtown, you enter your receipt into a drawing and have the chance to win $500. The business where you spent the money wins $500 also. We know several businesses that have won. We're still trying for the big win. There is also a Grasshoppers game. How will you spend your day and evening?

Happy Friday!

 

Sherwood: From the Kirkwood Parade to the Greensboro Community Swim Association's City Meet

The above photo features several members of the Sherwood group at the Kirkwood Fourth of July event. They placed first as entrants in the Kirkwood Parade and the young guy in the middle is holding their trophy. We think they must be Kirkwood community members who are also affiliated with Sherwood Swim and Racquet Club. The Sherwood swim team took top honors at the 2022 Greensboro Community Swim Association (CSA) City Meet. We're betting they want another top prize at CSA City Meet. Greensboro has several strong teams, though. We'll know on Saturday.

We are reminded that the CSA City Meet gets underway at the Greensboro Aquatic Center (GAC)  today. City Meet brings swimmers gather from all over the area. For three days, you see teams having their end-of-swim season bonding moments and efforts of personal records. From the CSA parade to the medaling and closing ceremonies, it is quite a special summer tradition in Greensboro. The Community Swim Association Championship was established in 1958, sixty five years ago. The Kirkwood Fourth of July Parade was established 74 years ago- in 1949. The Sherwood Swim and Raquet Club was estalblished in 1961. That is a lot of history and combined years of tradition. The way we see it, everyone who participates is a winner.

Happy Thursday!

Happy July 4th, 2023

The Fourth of July is a big celebration in Greensboro. The Apple Pie Bicycle ride happens at 7:30 am at Bur-Mil Park today. There is a ride for all levels of strength and endurance. From 1pm-6pm downtown is Fun Fourth. Elm Street is blocked off and there will be plenty to do and see. At least one Uncle Sam will be in attendance. Last Fourth, we spotted two Uncle Sam at Fun Fourth (see HERE). So many businesses were closed yesterday and even more today. Here's to as many people as possible getting a four day weekend.

Regarding the Fourth of July in Greensboro, the most famous neighborhood event  is the Kirkwood Parade. This is the 74th year for Fourth of July fun in this neighborhood just north of downtown and slightly west of Irving Park. From 4:30- 8:30 pm, families will march and drive down Independence Road. Fun like you see above can be had when families and neighborhoods work together, building community and making memories. There is no entry fee and the event is not monetized. It is just a time for families to enjoy each other.

Happy Tuesday, Happy Fourth of July!

The Greensboro Summer Solstice Festival

The Greensboro Summer Solstice Festival was held this past weekend, after having been delayed by a week due to possible bad weather last weekend. While the weather was a bit threatening this past weekend, it rained around Greensboro, but not actually on the festival. The organizers had to scramble and find new vendors and performers because many couldn't reschedule. However, at the end of the day, it was a successful event and those who attended seemed satisfied. To our knowledge, there aren't summer solstice festivals of this caliber in other North Carolina cities. Do you know of any?

We selected the photo of the above four women to share today because they really captured the essence of the festival. It is not just about performers, but also about what the attendees bring to the event. All four came dressed as if they were performing in Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream." They were having so much fun together. We owe a big thank you to the people who put on the festival, including vendors, performers, and attendees. 

Tomorrow's event "Fun Fourth" downtown will also have a dress-up component. You are encouraged to wear your boldest patriotic and red, white, and blue outfits. It is always fun to see what people wear. Of course at least one Uncle Sam will be in attendance. The race starts at 7:30 am and the other events are from 1-6pm. See you there! If someone asks to take your photo, ask "Are you with Greensboro Daily Photo." Indeed, it could be us !

Happy Monday!

The Greensboro Summer Solstice Festival

Happy Summer Solstice Event! It will be held today in Lindley Park and the Greensboro Arboretum from 2:00- 10:00 pm. This festival is a fun way to spend an afternoon. The above photo was taken a few years ago and shows you the great length people go through to dress up and make the event fun. Not only performers, but everyone is encouraged to dress as fairies and sprites .

The solstice event was started in 2005. According to their website, "Mission: We aim to create an experience for our festival-goers that blends local artisans, performers and budding entrepreneurs with a little bit of magic and a lot of love, opening up imaginations to the possibilities in each of us." The event is so much fun and a chance to be playful and joyful, something that is proven to keep us healthy. It is also a fabulous opportunity to get great photos. The festival closes with a fire finale which is breathtaking in the dark. Children are absolutely mesmerized.

On another note, we have been members of the City Daily Photo community for the past 15 years. Cities all over the world post a photo a day of their city. The first of the month is theme day and the July theme is "climate". Our Summer Solstice photo fits perfectly with the theme. In Greensboro, the weather today is expected to be between 68º and 91º. So, if you are coming out to the festival, be prepared for a little bit of everything and find a way to protect yourself from the sun and to stay hydrated. We can't wait and don't care what the weather does. We're ready!

Happy Saturday!

The Unbridled Joy of a Child

Sometimes our photos are firmly grounded in the people, places, and events of Greensboro. Sometimes, the photos are taken in Greensboro, but technically, could have been taken anywhere. Today's photo (the latter example)  was captured in the Target parking lot in Jefferson Village. A dad and his daughter went to Target and from the moment they got out of the car until they entered the building, they were on the great, joyful, imaginary plane ride. The dad's arms are extended in full flight mode, the little one's wings had more movement. Can you see the bounce in her step? Their conversation exuded imagination in full force. 

Sometimes, we wish for big vacations in distant places. However, in the eyes of a child, a fun round of imagination and creativity- with an adult who makes you feel loved and secure- is all it takes to build positive memories that will last a lifetime. Sometimes, when children go on errands with adults, they feel the stress of the adults. As we enter the Fourth of July week, let us all approach the upcoming days with the unbridled joy of a child. Tomorrow is the Solstice Festival in the Arboretum and this Tuesday is Fun Fourth, downtown. As we greet one another at these wonderful community events, let's do so jubilantly. If you see the people who have worked tirelessly to make these events happen, please thank them for their hard work.

Happy Friday... preparing for takeoff!

Dunleath Porchfest 2023

Today is porchfest in the Dunleath neighborhood of Greensboro. Located just north of the Greensboro Farmers Curb Market and Yanceyville Street, Dunleath is a cohesive neighborhood. They have activities and events that evoke that feeling of the neighborhoods of yesteryear. Big front porches and generous sidewalks help bring people together. This is the kind of neighborhood where everyone knows each other's names, interests, and needs. Recently, on May 6th, they held a neighborhood yard sale. On August 1st, neighbors will come together to celebrate national night out.

Today, from 11:00 am - 6:00 pm, you will hear performances with a festival-like feel. And, best of all, the event is free and open to the public. Music in Sternberger Park  will conclude the event. Neighbors open their porches to musicians, who offer their talent for the event. Every street becomes a venue. Organizers try to space the bands out so that they don't ending interfering with the music of other groups. Also, hosting houses only have one concert, giving guests the opportunity to roam the neighbors and see more of the architecture and landscaping. Performances last 45 minutes. Porch hosts will have maps to distribute to guests. While the event is free, musicians appreciate tips in their tip jar. There is a lot of expense that comes with performing.

This photo was from last year, on Cypress Street just as a performance had finished, we seem to recall. Hope to see you there!

Happy Saturday!