Greensboro Daily Photo

Carolina Theatre Romeo & Juliet

Last night was a very special night. Artistic Motion School of Arts and Triad International Ballet presented Romeo and Juliet at the Carolina Theatre. The choreography was staged and adapted by Natalya Davidson and Heather Prokhnitski, both accomplished teachers who bring a wealth of expertise to the dance community in Greensboro. The above photo features the lobby of the Carolina Theatre after the final performance of the ballet. A mix of dancers, their families, and fans can be seen in the photo.

Husband and wife team Karina (Juliet) and Grigor Zakyan (Romeo) were perfect in the leading roles. Both have strong connections to Artistic Motion in Greensboro and the Armenian Theatre of Opera and Ballet in Yerevan. This organization dates to the early 20th century and has a long tradition of quality performing arts with links to the Soviet Armenian heritage and the Republic of Armenia- an independent country since 1991. Greensboro can be proud of having such high caliber ballet in the community. In Romeo and Juliet, there were guest artists from the National Ballet of Armenia, Richmond Ballet, the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, and Artistic Motion. Not going unnoticed were all of the village kids, children who are growing up with a strong foundation in the performing arts. Indeed, the hashtag Together we can #BeExtraordinary was achieved.

Happy Friday!

Ukrainian Night at Cafe Europa

On Thursday night at Café Europa in downtown Greensboro, two performances honored Ukrainians and Ukrainian Americans who support Ukrainian independence. The first group to perform was Red Kalyna, a band based in Mebane. They were followed by the Fedynskyj family.

Jurij Fedynskyj is a Ukrainian-American luthier and researcher. Along with his wife and five children, he travels and performs songs of history, morality, and patriotism from Ukraine. Some pieces feature the family playing traditional instruments, while others are performed a cappella. Their music last night ranged across what is now contemporary Ukraine including high culture Baroque as well as traditional songs and dances in Slavonic, Ukrainian, a prayer song in Latin and songs in English. 

In the tradition of the von Trapp family, the Fedynskyjs travel the world, singing and sharing stories about Ukraine to raise awareness, promote peace, and help defend their homeland. Their performance was heartfelt and deeply moving. The five Fedynsyj children are remarkably talented, and their a cappella harmonies are pitch-perfect.

Everyone in the photo is wearing a vyshyvanka—a traditional embroidered garment closely tied to Ukrainian culture. The Thursday performance coincided with Vyshyvanka Day, always the 3rd Thursday in May, and several others in the restaurant also wore vyshyvankas to celebrate and show their support.

From left to right: Back row: Miroslav F.,  Jurij "Jurko" F., Misha Shvets holding Kvitoslava F. . Midrow: Loreins "Tychko" Vellani, Iryna Tkachenko, Mariya F, Natalia F., Adriana F., Olga Vakulenko. Front row: Lesya F.  

Read more here. 

World of Paperhand

We could share a photo a day this month of the Paperhand Puppet Exhibition at GreenHill Gallery at 200 N. Davie Street and still not do the exhibit justice. It will be on display until  June 21st. The above photo features one of the installations at the entrance and gives you an idea of the size of these paper and paint works of art. The Paperhand Puppet Intervention opened in 1998 through the hard work and collaboration of Donovan Zimmerman and Jan Burger. Based in Saxapahaw, the troupe performs around North Carolina. Bread and Puppet Theater in Vermont was the inspiration for Paperhand. Both troupes present social commentary , activist, the natural world, and humanity. 

Paperhand performs outdoors, always mindful of weather as the puppets could be damaged easily. You must see a performance to understand the scope of the undertaking to perform inside these giant puppets. It can take several people working together to move one puppet. Perhaps you have seen them at the Greensboro Summer Solstice event in June. However, it is also a treat to see them on the wall and simply stand and marvel at every last detail. Learn more about them here.

Happy Monday!

Celebrating Spring through Dance!

Spring has spring and it is so fun to see college students enjoying the outdoor space on campus and we have MANY campuses in Greensboro and throughout Guilford County. The above photo was taken on Walker Avenue at UNCG. We didn't want to interrupt to ask questions while we were on campus, but we're betting students were practicing dances for an upcoming performance. Not only were there dancers, in the foreground, there were drummers.

The UNCG School of Dance, part of the College of Visual and Performing Arts,  is located across the street.  That building opened in 1925 and was originally called The Physical Education Building. At one point, it was The Rosenthal Gymnasium and Rosenthal Annex. Today, the building is part of the Coleman Building. You don't have to be part of a dance team or college program to take your shoes off, feel the earth, and dance to your heart's content. May we all find the joy in connecting with the earth beneath our feet. 

Happy Wednesday! We are honored to be part of your life.

First Moravian Church of Greensboro

Today is a special day today at the First Moravian Church on 304 South Elam Avenue. At 11:00 am, they are having a ROCK Praise Band. For the service, musicians will play music from Jesus Christ Superstar. It will be a very different vibe from their December, Moravian tea. (Both equally engaging, however)!

If you want a full day of music, after the event at the First Moravian Church, from 2-9 pm today, bands will gill gather at the Back Table* at 816 S. Elm Street to listen to a dozen bands play music and sing, as a fundraiser to benefit Valley Strong Disaster relief. The event is called "Heartstring for Swannanoa. We would love to see you at both events!

Finally, for Muslim friends, the month of fasting during the day, Ramadan,  has come to an end. Today is Eid, a day prayer, feasting, and fellowship.

We hope you have a great day. If you are Muslim, Eid Mubarak!

Happy Sunday!

*Back Table is on Instagram @backtablegso and on Facebook

Hippo Records

Every community needs a good record store. We had the opportunity to visit Hippo Records for the first time this past weekend. They are located at 2823 Spring Garden Street in the same plaza as Fentress Jewelry. If you haven't been in that part of town lately, it is worth a visit. There are some nice specialty shops there.  Hippo Records opened in 2013 and carries quite a variety of albums, from new chart toppers to used oldies-but-goodies.  According to laminate data, vinyl album sales have increased 300% over the last eight years. The younger generation is discovering that old-school sound.  In this digital era, vinyl isn't for everyone; however a sign of a thriving town is if there is something for everybody. Based on the crowd we saw Saturday, records are here to stay and this article is proof positive.

Happy Wednesday!

Donald Davis, Master Storyteller

Last night, Master Storyteller Donald Davis told stories at Friends Home West. For an hour, he transported the full house to yesteryear, when times were simpler and family and community meant everything. He told three stories, the kind that weave and twist around, and about 20 minutes later come back to around to tie everything together. The above photo is an action shot, catching him using hand gestures, eye contact, and different voices to portray events and characters in his past. The first story was about family, the circus, and kittens, and the the Octopus ride. The second was about family, church and longing to be old enough to sit with the 13 and up boys in the upper loft of the church. The third was about the 1960s version of online dating at Davison College why it didn't work, and how he ultimately found love, the old fashioned way. By the end of the three stories, we had traversed his childhood, teen years, and adulthood. 

At the end of the night, Mr. Davis encouraged everyone to think about those special memories from long ago, the ones that get tucked away and sometimes need a little prompting to resurrect.  He was supposed to present last month, but 11 inches of snow kept him housebound in Okracoke. Last night, the planets aligned and Mr. Davis, joined by his wife Trish, journeyed to Greensboro and made the evening special for oh so many of us. It is easy to see why he is considered a national treasure.

Happy Saturday!

MJ Broadway Play at Tanger Center

Yesterday,  was the closing day for "MJ" the Broadway play about the life of singer, dancer, and entertainer Michael Jackson. This jukebox musical follows his career and personal struggles from Gary, Indiana to international stardom. The music, acting, scenery and lighting were superb. It helped us understand why it is so expensive to stage a play.  "MJ" attracted large audiences and the demographic seemed to be younger than many. Michael Jackson has already been gone for 16 years, and his music dates back 40 years ago; however his impact on music, performing, and pop culture will be around forever.

The above photo features a matinee crowd this weekend during intermission. The lobby of the Tanger Center is a generous space with ample lighting, especially by day. As you can see, people were milling about, socializing, having their photo taken with one of the banners from the show, and, of course catching up on a little screen time. Also, people were in line to get drinks and to use the bathroom. Next time we are at Tanger, we are going to count bathroom stalls in the women's room. We think they actually have more stalls than Buc-ee's! Tanger opened nearly four years ago in 2021. We overheard someone saying she couldn't imagine Greensboro without Tanger. 

We read a BBC article this weekend about a Chinese village making a QR code out of trees so that people flying over can scan the image and learn about the village. (See HERE). We had this thought for Tanger guests to get in formation to create a QR code to advertise Tanger Center. We're thinking the QR photo could be taken from the balcony here and put on posters for fun. If they do it, you heard it first on Greensboro Daily Photo. 

Happy Monday!

Cultural Arts Center

Last night, the Greensboro Cultural  Center on Davie Street downtown was a hotbed of activity on First Friday. Galleries and hallways were filled with performing and visual arts. The above photo features the Greensboro Grow Residency Room in the center. Currently in residence is musician Jackie Spade and the room was hopping. Greensboro Grow residencies are available from one to four weeks and, once accepted, use of the space if free to the performing or visual artist. It can be considered an incubator space, or a place to interact and get feedback and publicity for one's craft. 

We serendipitously stumbled on Jackie Spade's performance last night. Sometimes, we research First Friday events and other times, we like just to see what we can see and learn as we go. Thanks to YES! Weekly, we learned that Jackies's Greensboro Grow residency was centered around his new album "Ugly Rose" and the immersive experience is entitled, "Ugly Rose: An Immersive Experience."  The themes of the experience, through the music, were beauty, pain, and personal growth.  If you want to see it for yourself, Jackie's residency continues for two more days. (Read YES! Weekly article here). We are so appreciative of local journalism and want to hold on to every opportunity to learn about local events. So thank you, Yes! Weekly. And, thank you to the City of Greensboro for making Grow Greensboro and Creative Greensboro possible. When these artistic initiatives are brought to the community, people come together and learn about each other and have fun. February's First Friday was so much fun and did not cost a dime!  We wonder what March 7th will bring.

Happy Saturday!

Mashburn & Olson at Lucky 32

Yesterday, we posted about the Chip Holton painting in real time at Lucky 32 Southern Kitchen. Today's feature in another photo from Wednesday night at Lucky 32. Every Wednesday, from  6pm-9pm, Jessica Mashburn and Evan Olson treat the guests in the bar area to three hours of great music. For years, they played Wednesdays at Print Works Bistro in the Proximity Hotel. This move, over to Westover Terrace and Lucky 32 seems to be working out well for the duo. When we were there, all of the seats in the back bar area were full. 

Jessica and Evan always put so much energy into their music; truly, they are musicians and performers. Born in Pinehurst, NC to musician parents, Jessica grew up surrounded by music and meeting headliners at festivals like Merlefest. Evan hails from West Point, NY. He is a singer-songwriter who came to North Carolina with his parents, graduated from UNCG, and now makes Greensboro his home. We're always proud when someone local has a Wikipedia entry. We discovered Evan's in preparing this post (link above).  It does need a little updating though, because this fabulous singing duo is now husband and wife team. You should go see them at Lucky 32 or one of their other performances. They are often performing at Grandover, High Point Furniture Market, and  for many private parties.  In addition to her voice, Jessica is known for her outfits, hats, and fascinators!

Happy Friday!

Chip Holton Painting in Real Time at Lucky 32

Last night, we had the good fortune to watch Chip Holton painting at Lucky 32, while Jessica Mashburn and Evan Olson played live music and sang. Consistently, at least a couple or two were dancing to the beat of the music and the strokes of the paint brush. Chip has a lot of artwork at Lucky 32, including the column at the entrance that features scenes of the Greensboro community. Chip is a Lexington, NC based artist, but he does a lot of work in Greensboro. *  He is a second generation artist and artist-in-residence at the O. Henry Hotel.  If you ever get a chance to watch Chip paint, we highly recommend it. He paints quickly and accurately. Last night, we saw him referring to his phone a few times; however, his sense of what to add to a painting in inspiring.

If you ever want something to do on a Wednesday night, head to Lucky 32. Hearing live music and watching Chip paint and people dance, combined with great food and service, is a good way to celebrate the middle of the week. We were hoping to interview Chip, but he was so focused on painting, there was no way we wanted to interrupt him. Wednesday nights at Lucky 32 is a great way to keep it local!

Happy Thursday! 

 

* read more about Chip Holton, HERE.

Nutcracker Being Practiced on Ground Floor of Self-Help Building

The above photo of a scene from The Nutcracker ballet, was photographed through the ground floor window of the Self-Help Building at 122 North Elm Street, at Friendly Avenue. Formerly, the ground floor of the 10-story building housed the Junior League's Bargain Box. That wonderful business has long since moved to Mill Street and the ground floor of the Self-Help Building has been renovated. It is possible to walk by and see and hear performances by community groups. Just after the Tree Lighting in Center City Park last Friday, during the Festival of Lights, the Greensboro Ballet and the Greensboro Community Orchestra were practicing here for the upcoming performances of the Nutcracker (Dec 12- 14th at the Carolina Theatre see HERE).

The dress rehearsal in the window sure generated a lot of interest, which hopefully, will result in even more ticket sales. The Nutcracker seems to be Greensboro's favorite ballet.

Happy Tuesday!

Veterans Day 2024

Happy Veterans Day 2024. This year's  parade was held on Saturday, November 9th, mostly on North Elm Street, marching south and turning onto East Market Street. The above photo is of the Dudley High School Marching Band of Thunder (MBOT), as they  turned onto East Market Street, near the end of the parade route. The band adheres to a strict practice regimen which includes a dress code. The daily practices are mandatory.   All of the hard work and practice pays off as the band sounds and looks great. The band performs with show style movement and military-style operations-- evidenced by their moves such as about-facing, right flanks, and standing at attention. In addition to musicians, the band has a drum major in front and dancers, the Pantherettes, in the back. If you missed Dudley High School MBOT on Saturday,  they will be back for the December 7th Holiday Parade, downtown Greensboro from 12:00 noon- 2:00 pm. In the background, you can see the Lincoln Financial Group (formerly JP) building in the background, anchoring today's photo in Greensboro. 

On a more somber note, on Veterans Day 2021, we featured Tech Sergeant Albert Lochra (see HERE). This is Greensboro's second Veterans Day without him, as he died on July 1, 2023. He was loved by many in the Greensboro community (obituary HERE). With the sadness of the passing of another one of our remaining WWII veterans, we are reminded of the youthfulness and vitality of high school students today. The cycle of life continues as the Dudley students march on. Let's all do something to honor our veterans today. We are forever grateful for the day we interviewed Mr. Lochra and are on the lookout for our next veteran interviewee.

 

 

Westerwood String Band

Yesterday, we featured the Westerwood Chili Cook Off. Today, we're featuring the Westerwood String Band with Carol Thompson dancing in front with her boards. Over the years, Carol has called dances, been part of the contra dance community, has danced at many of the folk festivals in Greensboro, and keeps the beat with her feet for the Westerwood String Band. It is so fun to see people come together around community, be it a neighborhood or a group with something in common. In this case, all of the string band members love traditional, old-time, acoustic music. 

Carol's neon orange shirt is from the recent Hirsch Wellness fundraising event, "Art Lives Here" . Carol is a visual artist and has worked in graphic design, skills that are useful during the Hirsch fundraiser. The more we talked to people at the Chili Cook Off, the more re noticed the overlap in friend groups. There are so many great people and neighborhoods in Greensboro, all working hard to bring people together. If you are still looking for things to do and a sense of community, don't give up. Better yet, organize something and invite people. 

Happy Tuesday!

Tanger Center for the Performing Arts-- & Juliet

The Tanger Center was full of energy this past week & weekend, as people filed in to see "& Juliet" a pop musical that is a coming-of-age tale about what would have happened had Juliet lived. It also has a sub narrative of Shakespeare's wife Anne Hathaway helping to drive the plot. If you know the music of Brittany Spears, Katie Perry, and Backstreet Boys you have an idea of the music in this play.The acting was superb and the lighting was breathtaking. It was fun to see the audience's reaction as the song lyrics became entangled in the plot. Greensboro is so lucky to have the fabulous Tanger Center for the Performing Arts venue. 

Crowds were good for this show. It is always fun to sit and talk to those seated around you-- especially when they know a lot about musical theatre. The Tanger Center has as many restrooms as a Buc-ee's travel center and lines move quickly. If you haven't been yet, you owe yourself a performance. If you are able to get a 'Tanger Center For All" ticket, they are sold for $20 (at least the last time we checked; see HERE). If you ever have a ticket or two you can't use, find someone who has never been and offer them your ticket(s). Performers love a full house. The audience has the power to bring the energy and enthusiasm that inspires the performers.  Next up, the week of December 26- January 5, 2025 is 'Hamilton.'  Don't throw away your shot to see it!

Happy Tuesday! 

NC A& T Drumline

On Tuesday, Justice Henry and Shirley Frye received the key to the city of Greensboro for their lifelong service to our community. It was a lovely service. The atmosphere was even more celebratory having the NC A&T marching band drumline performing.  The NC A&T band was started in 1918 as a small program and the band became an integral part of the music. The percussionists at the University have developed quite a following, as they not only exude a percussive sound, they dance and perform exciting routines.

The band played tirelessly yesterday before the event and long after the event was over. Between the ceremony and the performance of the percussionists, there was a vibrancy in Center City Park. Usually, during the week it is a very quiet place. But Tuesday, the park came alive. It was such a joy to watch and hear the band perform. Their sound carried for several blocks. Perhaps, the wooden shelter in front of the band added to their sound. In case you want to hear them, the band will be playing at the NC A & T home football game against NC Central. The game starts at 7:00 p.m.

Happy Thursday!

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!

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 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!

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!

Pride and Prejudice at Van Dyke Theatre

Saturday evening was very special. At the Van Dyke Theatre in Downtown Greensboro, Tara Raczenski (second from left) and her cast of amazing actors performed a musical comedy of Jane Austen's 1813 book "Pride and Prejudice". The story was adapted into a musical play by Tara Raczenski, who also wrote the lyrics and songs. She also assembled a very talented cast of actors from many local theatre groups. Tara also performed the role of Mrs. Bennet. In the play, Mrs. Bennet is mother to five daughters with very different characters. By the end of the play, the audience knew and loved the characters. The musical arrangement by Chris Tilley is catchy, memorable, and on point with the play. He was also music director and accompanist. Of the twenty unique songs in the musical, we especially loved the snappy opening number, "This Is England". 

Tara Raczenski, originally from Kentucky, earned a theatre degree from Oral Roberts University.  In addition to acting, she has held a variety of theatre positions in Guilford and Forsyth County.  We predict this show will make it to Tanger Center and then to Broadway. Can we please slip it into the 2024-2025 Broadway series at Tanger Center? All of the local high school students could be offered an opportunity to go see it. 

Happy Tuesday!

 

 

 

MUSEP 2024

Yesterday, Music for Sunday Evening in the Parks (MUSEP) was held in Lindley Park (3300 Starmount Dr.), on the West Market Street side of the Greensboro Arboretum. Music was provided by the salsa group Orquesta Internacional la Clave. This group from Bogota delighted the crowd. 

When we took this photo, only a few couples were dancing, but along the way more people joined in. The music was fabulous and the weather was perfect.  Greensboro is so lucky to have the MUSEP Concert Series. It is free, open to the public, and you can buy food from the food trucks, or you can bring your own food. Some people set up elaborate picnics; some rely on the food trucks. Some are on picnic blankets: others bring chairs. MUSEP is two hours of music in the backdrop of a Greensboro park with an opportunity to socialize with others in the crowd.

Happy Monday!

Dean and Marilyn Green Rehearsal Hall

Such was the scene, yesterday afternoon, at the corner of Friendly Avenue and North Elm Street. To the right, on the  floor is the Dean and Marilyn Green Rehearsal Hall, located in the Self Help Building at Center City Park. The community will have a Bird's-eye view of the Greensboro Symphony Orchestra rehearsing and, when weather permits, will get to hear them, too. This rehearsal hall is just a block away from Tanger Center where they perform.

We're not sure what they were doing to the building yesterday, but the cranes and buckets were out and, at least on the ground floor, windows were being cleaned. Plus, there were people inside. This is such a creative initiative for Greensboro. We can't wait to see it in use. You just never know what you are going to see when traveling along Elm Street.

Happy Wednesday.

Paperhand Puppet Intervention at Summer Solstice

The Paperhand Puppet Intervention is an inspiration to all who see it. Saturday, at the Summer Solstice Festival in the Greensboro Arboretum, was no exception. The above photo gives you an idea of the craftsmanship that goes into making the larger-than-life puppets. There were at least 25 of them at the solstice event, and many of the people handling the puppets were volunteers, bystanders at the festival. 

The Saxapahaw group was founded 26 years ago in 1998 by Donovan Zimmerman and Jan Burger. Zimmerman was inspired after having seen the Bread and Hand puppet performance in Vermont. Bread and Puppet was established in the early 1960s in New York City by Peter Schulman. The name derived from the fact that great and oil were served at the puppet shows. Fast forward 60 plus years and Bread and Puppet is still going strong and so is Paperhand Puppet Intervention. This latter group is always a special feature of the solstice event. A but thank you to all involved in bring them to the festival. Imagine the eyes of the little children when these larger-than-life puppets come walking by. The person navigating the stilts and monarch butterfly is likely  trained, as she navigated those stilts beautifully.

We completely in awe of all involved in the Summer Solstice event.

Happy Tuesday!

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!

Visual and Performing Arts at the Continental Club, Downtown

Last night was hopping at the Continental Club at 816 South Elm Street. Viva Le Vox with the Tremors, among a backdrop of  artwork by Jack Stone and Frank Russell.  The guest list read like a Who's Who is Greensboro artists.  We didn't even have a chance to interview anyone because artists were having deep, meaningful conversations with each other. Above, accomplished mixed-media artist Jerry Cartwright and Frank Russell are discussing Frank's mixed media pieces. The fish hanging from the ceiling are also Frank's artwork. You may recognize them from local restaurants over the last decade. The event was billed as a vernissage- the first usage of the word we've heard in Greensboro. Let's hope vernissages are trending in Greensboro. The back room of the Continental Club is perfect for these events, and Preston Wiles was the perfect host. The almost-solstice, very full moon was an added bonus.

Today, the arts will continue to thrive with the Summer Solstice event at the Greensboro Arboretum from 2:00 p.m.- 10:00 p.m.  We can't wait. See you there.

Happy Saturday!

Missed MUSEP due to the Rainy Sunday Evening

Yesterday, during the day, the weather was lovely, warm and sunny. Then, just about 7:00 p.m., rain clouds started rolling in and shortly thereafter, it was raining throughout Greensboro. Above, you see rain in the distance over northwest Greensboro at the Carlson Farms Golf Course of the Greensboro Country Club. 

The first MUSEP (Music for a Sunday Evening in the Park) was to hold their first free concert of the season from 6:00- 8:00 pm, but it had to be cancelled due to the prediction of inclement weather. Indeed, it did rain yesterday evening. The concert series is presented by Creative Greensboro from June- August. Scheduled was Greensboro Big Band on the lawn of Greensboro College. However, it just isn't safe to have all of the electricity and sound system running when it is raining out.  MUSEP will not have a concert on Father's Day next Sunday. Weather permitting, they will return on Sunday, June 23rd at LeBauer Park. The schedule is HERE, in case you are interested. These free concerts have a way of bring the community together. If you like music, picnics, and fellowship, this series is for you. In the meantime, we have to admit, out garden loved the rain and the frog chorus put us to sleep!

Happy Monday!

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!

Karenni Dancers at the Greensboro Cultural Center

Last night,  First Friday celebrations were held in downtown Greensboro. The above photo was taken in the cultural arts center, where there was music, art, and dance throughout the building.  The above dancers are part of the Karenni ethnic group, a group with roots in Myanmar (Burma) and Thailand. Greensboro's population has diversified significantly over the last couple of decades. According to Guilford County Schools, more than 118 languages are spoken by students throughout the district, with Spanish, Vietnamese, Urdu, Arabic, and French among the most widely spoken. The languages spoken by the Karenni are Phare Pro Karen and Northern Pro. For younger generations, dance is a way to stay connected to community and is a universal language. These dancers were so talented. We know they are making their families proud.

If you want to learn more about the cultures of Greensboro, the Greensboro Cultural Center is a great place to go to learn about diversity in our city.

Happy Saturday! 

POTS Acoustic Music

The Piedmont Old Time Society has an open jam the second Saturday at the Corner Market on Market Street. At the last Jam, Rebecca Kress of Guilford College's WQSF radio station heard the group and invited them to her show last Friday. The above photo features part of the group practicing in the home of a member. You can't see Rebecca because she is behind the guitar player taking copious notes. 

The group performed on Rebecca's show. She asked great questions and had a way of pulling everyone into the questions and comments. Fun was had by all. If you like acoustic music, you will probably love the POTS jams. The people are very friendly and inviting. They also meet in the Continental Club on the first and 3rd Thursday's at 7:00 pm.

Happy Friday!

Garrison Keillor Returns to the Carolina Theatre

Last night, Garrison Keillor- of Prairie Home Companion and NPR fame-  made his fourth visit to the Carolina Theatre in Greensboro. For an hour and a half he provided non-stop entertainment which included a lot of singing, often including the audience.  With a recurring theme of aging, he talked about how the age 60+  audience knew songs from memory and with a shared repertoire, whereas younger generations now rely on using their phones for lyrics in lieu of memorizing information. Much of his performance centered on reminiscing on his 50 year career and what the view from age 81 looks like. 

We last saw Garrison Keillor at the Carolina Theatre eight years ago, in 2016 (see HERE). While visibly older and thinner,  with a softer voice, he still has his quick wit, clear memory, and his ability to transport listeners with a good story. He is still standard attire- a nice suit with a red tie, red tennis shoes, and red crew socks. It was a lovely evening, and a bittersweet unspoken thought that he won't likely have another eight years to return for a 5th time. We were also informed by Carolina Theatre Executive Director Brian Gray, that Benjie Cone, also 81, died this week. His wife Betty spearheaded the multi-million dollar renovation of the Carolina Theatre, and Betty is the very reason the venue still exists. Benjie was always at her side, helping as needed. We are grateful for the Cones, for the Carolina Theatre, and for the opportunity to live in a community that attracts performances like that of Garrison Keillor. There are so many reasons to be thankful.

Happy Friday!

 

Tina

The Tina Turner Musical is in town at the Steven Tanger Center for the Performing Arts. If opening night was any indication, performances will be nearly sold out, if not completely sold out. It tells of how Tina overcame so many obstacles to rise to the top. All of the acting, singing, and dancing is strong. Ari Groover is a fabulous Tina Turner. Symphony King played young Tina Turner and wowed the audience with her voice and charisma. Ari and Symphony are both performers with amazing careers ahead of them. The above photo features the curtain at Tanger and the people with seats in front of the front row. The live orchestra was actually on stage during the performance, so the orchestra seats are available. 

In addition to good singing and dancing, Tina's backstory let the audience get to know who Tina was not only on stage, but also who she was as a person. Greensboro is so lucky to have Tanger and to be able to see top quality shows without needing to drive elsewhere. Try to see "Tina" is you can. Also, next season's Broadway line up at Tanger has just been announced: Back to the Future; MJ, the Michael Jackson Story; Hamilton; Some like it Hot; Mamma Mia; The Neil Diamond Musical A Beautiful Noise; and Juliette.

Happy Wednesday!

The Battle of Guilford Courthouse

In Greensboro, this is the weekend of the Battle of Guilford Courthouse, at least the reenactment. The original battle happened on March 15, 1781, but the above scene is what you will see if you head out this weekend- today or tomorrow. So head out to Country Park and see people reenacting, preparing food, talking about life if the 1800's, taking care of their horses, going down to the river to pray, and doing just about anything period-appropriate that you can imagine To be sure , they will not be using their cell phones, they will be present in the moment Greensboro is so lucky to have an event that attracts people from all over the country to come here and experience what life would have been like almost 250 years ago.

The weather should be nice today, between 50º- 70º and it shouldn't be raining. If you have never seen the reenactment battles, you owe it to yourself to go and do so. Remember, the red coats are the British. 

Happy Saturday!

SIX@Tanger Center for the Performing Arts

Yesterday was a glorious day and, as you can see, spring is springing in Greensboro. This photo was taken on North Elm Street at the back of Tanger Center for the Performing Arts. The people walking along the sidewalk had just seen the afternoon showing of the Broadway musical SIX. It is about the six wives of Henry VIII, who ruled England from 1509-1547. In Hamilton fashion, the actors sang their way through their lives with a bit of history. They singing was high-energy, contemporary, and up-beat throughout the hour and a half production. The all-female cast and musicians, competitive through most of the show, come to the realization that Henry VIII was famous largely because he had SIX wives. There were a couple of jabs about the concept of "patriarchy" and, to engage the audience, they must have said "Greensboro" a dozen times. It was a great way to help the audience connected to the performance.

As you can see, exiting the theatre was glorious with the sun shining. While the air was crisp and windy, the brightness of the day had everyone walking with a syncopated upbeat. Indeed, SIX was a great way to celebrate Women's History Month. Who are the Greensboro women in your lives? It is a great month to show love and appreciation. Actually, every month is a great time to show love and appreciation.

Happy Monday!

(Do you see the JP/LFG building playing peek-a-boo)?

Bright Star Playing at the Sunset Theatre in Asheboro, NC

Bright Star is live musical theatre playing until Sunday at the Sunset Theatre at 234 Sunset Avenue in Asheboro, NC. We had the good fortune of attending last night's show, and, it reminded us so much of Triad Stage. The music and acting was superb. The theatre is intimate and located in the center of town. While the production was in Asheboro, so many of the people involved (especially the musicians) had connections to Greensboro and Guilford County. Above, is a photo of the cast at the end of the production.

The script was written by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell. If you want tickets, see here. If you like live theatre and have time to go see this production, it is top quality. The setting is the Blue Ridge Mountains and Asheville, North Carolina in 1923 and 1945.  If you don't mind spoilers, see the synopsis, here. As for the Sunset Theatre, it dates to 1929, only two years after Greensboro's Carolina Theatre. How wonderful that it is still in use.

Happy Friday!

Mebanesville Performed at Common Grounds

Live music warms the soul and last Saturday night's performance of Mebanesville at Common Ground Coffee Shop at 602 South Elam was no exception. It was a cold and rainy night, but the band brought cheer to customers and staff alike. Mebanesville members like to say the band has been living locally while exploring music globally since 2000. Their diverse sound is described as Transatlantic rhythm and roots. The above photo features Iryna Tkachenko whose musical talents include bowed psaltery, mandolin, melodica, ukulele, vocals, and xylophone; Peggy Boswell (back row) pennywhistles; Jane Davis, violin and vocals; Sherry White Lea, bodhran, djembe, hand percussion, harmonica, and vocals; David Thompson (back row) bass; and Larry Vellani, banjo, bass, guitar, mandolin, and vocals. Mebanesville performs at many venues and for community organizations, mostly in the Piedmont, but is always open to new adventures. 

The Elam location of Common Grounds has been open since 2013. They open daily at 7:00 am. Check their website for closing times, but the earliest they ever close is on Monday and Tuesday when they close at 9:00 pm. It is nice to know where to find late-night coffee shop and even nicer when live music is happening- such is the case often at Common Grounds. The combination of good coffee and music is heavenly. A heartfelt thanks to all involved on Saturday, with a special shout out to Sasha, the extraordinary barista, Catherine Thompson who was running sound, and all the Mebanesville friends and family who came out. Two of the band members, David Thompson and Jane Davis are from Greensboro, the others live between here and Mebane.

Happy Tuesday!

 

My Fair Lady at Tanger Center

Seeing a performance at Tanger Center for the Performing Arts is the perfect activity for a cool, drizzly Sunday afternoon. Yesterday, we had the good fortune to land a 2nd row ticket to see "My Fair Lady." The acting and the scenery of this Broadway revival show were superb. Photography isn't allowed during performances, but the above screen was up before the performance began. It is a nice example of a scene around London in the early 20th century. 

Tanger Center held its first public performance in September 2021. On the one hand, it is hard to believe it has already been open two and a half years. On the other hand, it is hard to believe there was a time when it was not in Greensboro. It is such a key venue for bringing top shows, concerts, and lectures to the area. It seats 3,000 beautifully and was made possible through a combination of donations and public funding. Here is a link to upcoming events. February kicks off with the percussion group STOMP this weekend.  Sometimes it is possible to get discounted tickets at Tanger. 

Happy Monday!

 

 

Sheila Duell Sings at Jazz Night at the O. Henry Hotel

Last night was Jazz Night at the O. Henry Hotel. People gathered in the lobby to dine and hear great live music. In addition to the weekly band, Dave Fox (piano), Neil Clegg (flute, saxophone), and Matt Kendrick (bass).  Henry Burns (not pictured) was playing with the group, and Sheila Duell was singing in English and French. It has been four years since Greensboro had an opportunity to hear Sheila sing at the O. Henry, and the audience welcomed her back with open arms. The two different parties we sat near both came to hear Sheila sing. 

Sheila has a B.A. in Theatre & Drama and French from the University of Indiana. She has been trained in acting at the Sorbonne in Paris, France.  In addition to her talent performing musically, she is accomplished in T'ai Chi, actually having trained in China.* In addition to hearing great music tonight, we had the opportunity to meet people from all walks of life in the audience. Especially when Sheila Duell was singing in French, it felt a little like being in Europe. As we were leaving, it started to drizzle and the doorman walked us to the car with an umbrella. What an all-around lovely evening. Jazz happens at the O.Henry every Thursday from 6:00- 9:00 p.m. It will leave you in a good mood for the weekend

Happy Friday!

* Reference and more information HERE.

Closing Out 2023 with Mebanesville and One Last Cup of Coffee

As is only natural, the end of the calendar year is a good time to reflect on the previous year and anticipate the new. Throughout 2023 on Greensboro Daily Photo, we have shared many changes in the Greensboro community and the surrounding area of Guilford County. Today's post takes us to Gibsonville, on the Guilford/Alamance County line. Saturday, December 23rd, was the final day of the coffee shop, The Guilded Bean. This coffee shop was a very fun place to hang out and to purchase great coffee on East Main Street in Gibsonville. It may even have been the eastern-most coffee shop in Guilford County. 

Above, the band Mebanesville is seen performing on the afternoon of the last day. This performance was especially significant, because Mebanesville also played on the opening day a few years ago. Mebanesville is so named because the members are located in or near the town of Mebane and practice in Mebane a lot. The musicians in the photo are Larry Vellani on guitar and vocals; Sherry Lea, percussion; Peggy Boswell, penny whistle; David Thompson, bass. They played and sang a lot of holiday tunes and even had a small band of pre-schoolers join them near the end. The band performed in an alcove between the Guilded Bean and Wade Jewelers. It is bittersweet to have a coffee shop close. Hopefully, another one will open to fill the void. Coffee shops have a way of bringing people together, creating a meaningful "third space", and attracting great music talent like Mebanesville. Mebanesville is known for its world music from the Mediterranean basin, the British Isles, Ukraine, and beyond. 

Happy Friday!

 

Piedmont Old Time Society's Jam at the Continental Club

If you think this lighting looks festive, you should have heard the above musicians playing old-time, string-band music last night. This group is the Piedmont Old Time Society, or POTS. They meet the first and third Thursday of the month, gathering at the Continental Club at 816 South Elm Street at 7:00 pm. The group is open to those interested in acoustic, string-band music. It is possible to attend and join in on the jam or to go and sit on the sidelines and listen. Each jam needs at least one fiddler, a bass, guitars and banjos. Last night, there was also a mandolin. The group was comprised of people from Greensboro and Winston-Salem.

Last night, the above group was playing in the back room and in the front room a jazz trio was performing. Both events were enjoyable, putting everyone in a holiday mood. The Continental Club bills itself as a "cool, international social club, for disruptors and innovators." For sure, on Thursdays, it seems that way.

Happy Friday!