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!

Sunday Afternoon at Double Oaks

The Double Oaks B&B at 204 North Mendenhall Street dates to 1909. It was built for Harden Thomas Martin who was a native of Rockingham County,  the next county north of Guilford. The home was first opened as a bead and breakfast in 1998 by Win and Ann Milan. In 2016, James and Amanda Keith purchased the property and they have been working very hard to not only have it be a bed and breakfast, but to also be a venue for activities that bring in the community. The Keiths host events and also make it possible for community members to host events. The above photo features the Sunday afternoon old-time music group during String Band Sunday (from 4-7 pm). On Wednesday evenings they have jazz- Wine Wednesday.

If you know old-time music, you know that the fiddler calls the tunes and pretty much sets the pace for the jam. The above fiddler, Christen Blanton Mack is part of the Zinc Kings. They will be one of the featured bands at the North Carolina Folk Festival in Greensboro (September 9-11). Head to the folk festival to hear Christen fiddle. Or, stop by Double Oaks on Sunday afternoons to hear her fiddling and, maybe even play a tune with her. Savory tacos with homemade tortilla shells are available on Sunday afternoons. We are so lucky that in Greensboro, so many of these local venues offer special events- music, arts and crafts events, food trucks, and more. They say Thursday is the new Friday. Head out and find some fun! A new adventure is only a google search away!

Center Creative Leadership

Last night was the opening reception for an art exhibit at the Center for Creative Leadership (CCL) on 220 North near Owls Roost and Bur-Mil Park. Six artists have their work in a show, entitled, Unexpected Treasures (Kathy Brusnighan, Laura Clisset, Vicki Johnson, Susan Lange, Jean Smith, and Ashley Walters). The opening reception was very well attended with the parking lot full on a Friday night. There were nice snacks and the atmosphere was conducive to relaxing, admiring art, and even strolling the lovely grounds of the Center for Creative Leadership.

Founded in 1970, CCL is committed to advancing the understanding of leadership what it entails to be an effective leader.   When on the CCL campus, you can see the video and artifacts about the Richardson Family. The family's lucrative business began with Lunsford Richardson, American Pharmacist and founder of Vick Chemical Company. It would be H. Smith Richardson, Jr., who would turn the concept of leadership and training leaders into a business. Today CCL is a global enterprise with its roots and home base right here in Greensboro North Carolina. 

One of the big surprises was that during the opening reception, lovely piano playing could be heard throughout the building. The pianist was Lisa Sinclair, a CCL employee for 34 years. While you won't be treated to Linda's piano playing, it is possible to stop by and see the artwork, by appointment, until November 18th. 

Happy Saturday!

Alina Herrera & Dulce Melodrama

The above photo features the Greensboro band Dulce Melodrama during band practice on Sunday evening. The musicians have been playing together for about three years and, if you like energetic, Latin alternative music, you will love this band. They have quite a versatile range and can take classic ballads in Spanish and add a modern twist. With Dulce Melodrama, the old is new! They are getting close to heading into the studio to record, but for now, you can hear them on Instagram (dmdmusic) and on Facebook (Dulce Melodrama). Even better, tomorrow night, they are playing at Ramkat in Winston Salem, as the opening act for Monsieur Periné. Mark your calendar for Tuesday, August 9th. Doors open at 7pm, Dulce Melodrama plays at 8 pm, and Monsieur Periné is on at 9pm. This Ramkat concert will be fabulous.

The above photo features from left to right, José Ponce, who plays lead guitar, Leo Vega, on drums, Daniel Solís, bassist, and Alina Herrera, sings lead vocals and plays rhythm guitar. Ethnically, with heritage from Mexico, Guatemala, and Puerto Rico, these talented musicians come together to bring a sound that can range from folk and traditional to pop, rock, and alternative. We plan to head to the Ramkat to enjoy their concert tomorrow night.  However, even better will be getting to hear them in Greensboro. Maybe we can get Monsieur Periné to Greensboro, too. The Latinx community in Greensboro is growing, providing more opportunities to hear Latin music. We'll let you know about upcoming tour dates for Dulce Melodrama. 

Happy Monday and until tomorrow! ¡Feliz lunes y hasta mañana! 

Dr. Kieth Wright Cello Scholarship

As the Eastern Music Festival (EMF) is coming to a close this week, you have only a few more opportunities to hear wonderful classical music by EMF students who have spent the summer honing their performance skills. This year, there are about 250 students from 41 US states and nine countries.*  EMF has been special to us in Greensboro since its origin 61 years ago. It is a chance to showcase our city to all of the participants from elsewhere.

The above photo features Dr. Judie Davie Wright and John Keane. John is the 2022 recipient of the Dr. Kieth Wright Cello Scholarship. John studies at Shenandoah University with Julian Schwartz. Dr. Davie Wright arranged the scholarship in her husband's honor shortly after his death. Dr. Wright retired from UNCG and Dr. Davie Wright from Guilford County Schools. After books, libraries, storytelling, and preparing people for a library science career, the EMF was one of their favorite activities; they were season ticket holders. Dr. Wright was especially fond of cello music. At the time the decision was being made to underwrite a scholarship, there wasn't an EMF cello scholarship, so the choice was an easy one. To date, there have been seven recipients of the Dr. Kieth Wright Cello Scholarship. 

On the evening we attended EMF with Dr. Davie Wright (July 15), John was performing in the student orchestra, and he stopped by for a quick visit with us during intermission. Additionally, after the July 22nd student concert, John performed a brief concert for his parents, who hail from Richmond, VA, his girlfriend, and for Dr. Davie Wright. What a nice gesture and a great example of how sometimes when we give, we receive even more in return.  Let's hope all EMF participants all have a chance to make some local, Greensboro, connections.

*Jennifer Fernandez, News & Record, p. A2 July 24, 2022.

The Martha Bassett Show

During the summer, there are many live music options in the Greensboro area. We had the very difficult decision of attending MUSEP at Guilford College or attending the live recording of Martha Bassett's show at Triad Park. We have never attended a performance at the amphitheater at Triad Park, so we went there. The Martha Bassett Show is usually recorded at the Reeves Theatre in Elkin, NC. Last night, however, the Triad area got a treat when Martha's show was recorded at Triad Park on the Guilford/Forsyth County line. Guest musicians were- to the audience's right of Martha (who was in the black and white dress), the South Carolina Broadcasters (David and Ivy S. Sheppard [member Steve Marshall was not on stage in above photo]); Molly McGinn and Jonathan Byrd. This line up was fantastic. All of the musicians were quite accomplished and their songs were prefaced with stories, and in many cases, an explanation of what inspired the song. Martha also played for the audience. As Martha states on her website, she is passionate about collaboration between artists of varying styles, cultures, and generations- and it shows! Martha has been a musician for over 20 years. While originally from West Virginia, she now makes her home in the Piedmont Triad.  Surrounding Martha (to audience's left) and in the back are part of her house band. They are fantastic and seamlessly provided whatever backup sound the guest musicians needed.

Triad Park, at 9252 West Market Street, is quite a recreational resource for the area. In addition to the above amphitheater, there are seven sand volleyball courts, nine horseshoe pits, an asphalt path for walking, biking, and skating, picnic tables and shelters, and more. Also, Triad Park is the location of the field of honor. If you haven't explored it, you owe yourself a visit. If you haven't listened to a recording of Martha Bassett's show, or heard one of her podcasts, we encourage you to do so. Follow this link to hear some of Martha's music. 

Guilford College In Summer: Brimming with Music!

Guilford College was founded in 1837 by the Quakers. Guilford College is a four-year, co-educational liberal arts college, and we are very lucky to have in Greensboro. Summers, the campus looks very different from the academic year. If there would be one word to define summers on campus, it would be music. Especially in July, Guilford College is brimming with music. Last night, another fabulous Eastern Music Festival (EMF) concert was performed in Dana Auditorium. Before the concert, Maestro Peter Perret provided insights into what to look for and anticipate during the evening concert featuring five student-conductors in training. The concert had nice attendance and the audience and student-performers alike seemed pleased with the concert. We sure enjoyed it! The above photo features musicians heading back to their dorms after performing; they were walking and enjoying each others' company. Circling them was a young doe who perhaps was startled as the performers walked through the courtyard.

Sunday, Guilford College will host Music for a Sunday Evening in the Park (MUSEP). And, about where you see students walking, from 6:00 pm- 7:30pm, the MUSEP concert will take place. However, if you come early, you can enjoy a picnic on the lawn with friends or new friends that are easily made at a MUSEP concert. There will be a couple of food trucks, if you don't have a chance to pack something. The band will be "The Beauty Operators." The concert is free, but donations are greatly appreciated. Here is the line up for the rest of the MUSEP summer in case you haven't seen it yet. As for EMF, here is their schedule. Thank you Guilford College for inviting the community in for all of these music events, and, thank you for hosting them. Being known for great music events is a good thing! Hopefully, the EMF students will be able to enjoy the MUSEP concert.

Happy Saturday!

Ukrainians in the Carolinas

Saturday, the Ukrainians in the Carolinas organization held a fundraising event for Ukraine at the Calvin Graves Plantation in Caswell County. The festival, known as Ivana Kupala, was a summer solstice celebration. The event featured music, food, crafts, the making of Ukrainian live-flower wreaths (vinok), dance lessons and more! The live music was a combination of  genres, including Ukrainian folk music. The above photo features the East Piedmont Rounders, a group of old-time musicians. They were playing traditional acoustic tunes with Jan Gittleman flatfoot dancing. The musicians performing are David Thompson, Mary Charlton, Mike Collins, and Larry Vellani, with Charlie Berry working sound. The Red Kalyna American-Ukrainian band also performed later in the afternoon.

Calvin Graves was a North Carolina politician who, according to the historic marker in front of this house (above), in 1849, cast the deciding vote for the North Carolina railroad. While this venue 40 miles north of Greensboro, it is an easy day trip. The money used during Saturday's fundraiser will help build a well for drinking water, medical and tactical supplies in Ukraine. If you are interested in donating, see here. Also, Greensboro will likely see an influx of Ukrainian refugees and there will be ways for you to help Ukrainian refugees. See here.

Have a great Wednesday!

Eastern Musical Festival: Young Artists Piano Recital

Listening to a piano recital performed by young artists at the Eastern Music Festival was the perfect way to spend a rainy Sunday afternoon. For one hour yesterday, Dana Auditorium, on the campus of Guilford College, was filled with the brilliant music of talented young pianists. The above photo is of Alvin Wang who opened the recital with "Chromatic Fantasy and Fuge in D minor, by J.S. Bach. There were about 75 people in the audience as the five different musicians performed: Alvin Wang (Bach), Ann Gao (Chopin), Hazel Musto (Ravel), Robiya Akromova (Rachmaninoff), and Andrew Reveno (Greig). Musto and Reveno were accompanied by Anthony Bock and Akromova and Gao were accompanied by William Wolfram. The remaining Sunday 3pm piano recitals are July 17 and 24 at 3:00 pm in Dana Auditorium. All are free thanks to the sponsorship of Steinway Piano Gallery. By choice, this photo was taken from the very last row in the auditorium, but there are usually plenty of seats up closer.

Here is the calendar for the remaining performances. Some of the events are free, some require the purchase of a ticket; all are open to the public. There is no performance scheduled for today, but tomorrow, from 10:30- 11:30, a string quartet will perform at the McGirt Horton Branch of the Greensboro Public Library at 2501 Phillips Avenue. Later that evening, the Eastern Chamber Players will perform from 8:00- 10:00 pm and those tickets are $33. Fifteen musicians on string and percussion instruments will perform in that evening performance. Please treat yourself to one of the performances this month.

SE Systems

It is so fun to shop at locally owned businesses. Recently, we went to SE Systems to purchase some equipment for making music. The business was founded in 1973 (as Sound Engineering Systems). They are located at 2605 Phoenix Drive. This location is not too far from the Coliseum which is very convenient when big acts come to town to perform and they have a lighting issue or need a piece of equipment. They also offer video and staging services. With all of the live music happening in Greensboro over the summer, you never know what kind of equipment performers will need.

SE's prices are very competitive with online stores and you have an actual person to help you with your entertainment needs. Given the extra hours of light, summer is such a good time to drive around Greensboro and find new sights, sounds, and businesses.

Eastern Music Festival 2022

Are you ready for the Eastern Music Festival (EMF) 2022?It is back with 60 concerts and events! The events for this 61st season begin tomorrow and last until July 30th. The founder, Shel Morgenstern, created the program at Guilford College in 1961. Young artists from around the world attend the summer program to gain additional instruction, exposure, and performance time as a way to help launch their professional careers as classical musicians. 80% of them receive merit or needs-based scholarships. Musicians are lucky to have this program and Greensboro is lucky to have access to all of this high-quality music. Read more about the history of the festival, here.  Also, see here for the schedule.

The above photo is of Dana Auditorium on the campus of Guilford College. Many of the EMF events are held here. It is always exciting to turn off of Friendly Avenue, drive by Dana Auditorium, and see the flags unfurled, announcing the EMF. This photo was taken a couple of nights ago, when the sun was setting about 8:30. We caught the sunlight, just as it was casting a golden glow on the top of the building. Thank you Guilford College for bringing great events to the community since 1837!

Happy Juneteenth

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

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

Greensboro Summer Solstice Event Today!

Today is the day! From 2-10 pm the Greensboro Summer Solstice event will be in full swing at the Greensboro Arboretum and Lindley Park. If you are attending the Greensboro Summer Solstice event, we encourage you to dress in your best fairy costume, wear garlands of flowers, bring your sparkliest magic want, carry a parasol to protect you from the sun, bring some cash to tip performers, and be prepared to have some good ole solstice fun! In case you missed our post yesterday, here is a list of performers and a schedule for the day. The person in the above photo is an example of the kinds of costumes you will see all day long. Don't be shy about what you wear. Also remember they are charging $10 for everyone over the age of 12. The entrance fee will help defray costs and make it possible to pay the performers. 

Happy Saturday! Hello Summer!

518 Summit Avenue at Dunleath's Porchfest

The above photo is another shot of Porchfest, taken at the J.R. Holt house at 518 Summit Avenue.* It is a 4,282 sq. ft. house on the downtown side of the Dunleath neighborhood. This neoclassical revival house was built circa 1922, originally as a single family dwelling, but is now multi-family. The people who attended the music at this porch this past Saturday were thrilled with the level of musicianship performed there throughout the day. We're betting that this property is about to get a facelift.  Look at all of the good bones in this solid brick house.

Summit Avenue starts in downtown Greensboro, just south of Fisher Park, on the easternmost part of downtown and continues through the Dunleath neighborhood, and then north all the way to Reedy Fork. Summit Avenue  was developed as a middle to upper middle class neighborhood during the late 19th and early 20th century. It has some of the most remarkable houses of many different architectural styles with houses that are still getting refurbished. If you want to know more about Greensboro, study the historic architecture of Greensboro and the owners of those homes. In the meantime, early on a Saturday or Sunday morning when traffic is at a minimum, take a drive along Summit Avenue and take in the sights and sounds. Also, speaking of sounds, make a note to attend Porchfest next year and experience the area for yourself!

Happy Tuesday!

*see p. 21 of this document for more information about 518 Summit Avenue. The whole document is of interest to those interested in the Summit Avenue area of Greensboro.

Porchfest 2022 Culminates at Sternberger Park

Porchfest in the Dunleath neighborhood this past Saturday was a big hit. Having started in 2017, they just celebrated their 6th annual concert filled afternoon. All afternoon, people gathered to play music and to listen to music; porches became venues. Summit Avenue, Park Avenue, Cypress Street, Percy Street (and a few more streets) were filled with great music and fun, neighborhood socializing. The event culminated with people gathering at Sternberger Park at 715 Summit Avenue with a group providing a final concert. It was a fulfilled time with a food truck, people with lawn chairs, blankets, and coolers of food. It was a mini MUSEP concert. The above photo features the group "The Headless Chickens" warming up.

Greensboro neighborhoods are doing a good job of branding their neighborhood with special events. While the Dunleath neighborhood is an amazing place to live and hang out 365 days a year, for one afternoon in June, Dunleath becomes one giant concert. If you did not get to attend this year, mark your calendar for next year. What does/could your neighborhood to give it a special character? Let's all do something to help our respective neighborhoods thrive.

And, hats off to Dunleath where creativity and neighborliness is standard fare!

Morehead UMC Block Party

Church isn't just on Sunday, at least that is the case at Morehead United Methodist Church on Horse Pen Creek Road. Every Monday in the month of May, Morehead UMC had a block party with music, fellowship, and food trucks. What a great idea for a church to have these outdoor events. All were invited and the event was easily accessible and highly visible from the road. This was a happy little gathering and celebration on a road that has been torn up and riddled with orange barrels and cones for what seems like a lifetime now. It does appear that construction on Horse Pen Creek Road is nearing completion. And we are sure that Morehead will offer more events to include the community.

In addition to regular church services today, they will provide lunch after church. So, if you are looking for a church that makes a real effort to build community, you might want to attend something at Morehead. It is right beside the Spears Y. The Morehead UMC building of today was constructed in 1970. However, the congregation dates to 1888 and the property where the church is built was the site of the Piney Grove School, which Morehead UMC used as a sanctuary for 45 years.

We drive by this church a lot en route to the YMCA and it is nice to see so many events happening here! Happy Sunday! May you enjoy every minute of this glorious day- whether you are in Greensboro or elsewhere.

Bonnie Raitt at Tanger Center

Last night, Bonnie Raitt gave a spectacular concert at Tanger Center. The concert started at 8:00 p.m. with the ever talented, singer-songwriter Lucinda Williams as the opening act. She sang for an hour and the performance was spectacular. After Lucinda, it took a while to get the stage ready for Bonnit Raitt's concert. The stage crew worked masterfully making the transition. Once the instruments were in place, Bonnie and her band sang without a break until about 11:00 p.m. She mentioned more than once how nice the Tanger Center is and that the acoustics are good. She also mentioned a few times how nice it is to be back performing in person. Her band is very talented, which she acknowledged. 

Tanger Center has transformed downtown Greensboro, especially in the north. Also, it is truly spectacular that we don't have to travel to Durham or Charlotte for concerts any more. She was in Durham last night and will be at Wolf Trap in Vienna, Virginia tomorrow and Friday night. However, for one special night, she was right here with us in Greensboro, NC. She requested that no photos or video be taken and she wanted people to be "in the moment." She even scolded people who were filming. However at the end, she invited people to "take all the photos you want now," which was our cue to capture a photo from a very special evening.

There will be many concerts in Greensboro this summer. Some, like the MUSEP series on Sunday evenings, are free. Others, like the performances at Tanger Center do cost. As for music genres, Greensboro can boast that there is something for everybody. Happy Thursday!

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

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

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

 

*read the Our State Magazine tribute HERE.

Cinco de Mayo on Quince de Mayo at White Oak

White Oak Amphiheatre was the setting for a Cinco de Mayo festival this past Sunday afternoon. This was a family-friendly event that brought out a crowd to listen to music by the group Conjunto Rio Grande. This group is from a small  town called San Lorenzo, Rio Grande, Zacatecas, Mexico.  Their genre is norteño music and their beginnings date back to 1974. One of their most famous songs is "Gracias por existir." Thank you for existing; and they played it Sunday. If the seats look rather empty, it is because people were down in front dancing away the afternoon. 

At the event, healthcare providers were on site to get people signed up for dental screenings, healthcare plans, and check ups. Also, the Spanish language radio station,  La Raza 98.3 had a visible and audible presence at the event. We get a little chuckle when trying to listen to 98.3 in the car, as 98.1 is WBRF-FM a classic country, outlaw country, bluegrass and old-time station. You can travel from rural North Carolina to rural Mexico with a 2/10 shift of the radio dial. Depending on where you are, one is easier to tune in than the other. Both stations have a loyal following, and we like both.

As for Sunday, the event was enjoyed by all. Families waited in line at food trucks for delicious, authentic dishes from Mexico and Central America. The fruit cups and snow cones were refreshing as Sunday was hot. Happy Tuesday! If you want another event related to the Spanish speaking world, Rita Moreno is speaking at the Tanger Center tonight as part of the Guilford College Bryan Series.

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

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

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

Community Theatre Greensboro

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

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

Elton John Performs His Farewell Tour in Greensboro

Elton John played his fourth and final Greensboro concert last night at the Coliseum to a full house- approximately 16,000 people. In the above photo, he is saying his final goodbye to Greensboro as he is being lifted off behind stage. His first concert in Greensboro was September 21st, 1973, 49 years ago. Last night,  Elton John played for close to 2 1/2 hours, with 22 songs on his set list, He changed clothes and glasses three times. His enthusiasm and energy could be felt by the crowd. The video montage put together for the Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour incorporated beach life in England; life in California; clips from the movie about his life; actual photos and footage from his performances over the years; and more.  

Elton John and his band play so well together; all are accomplished musicians. At the end, he said his goodbyes, making it clear that he is winding down his performances, but that he is nostalgic and grateful that the United States appreciated his music first. His goodbye to the Greensboro audience, in combination with the final songs (Cold Heart, Your Song, and Goodbye Yellow Brick Road), left many in tears. Those who were there will remember the concert for a very long time. 

Goodbye, Sir Elton John. Wishing we could head to Columbia, SC to see your show tonight!

 

Remembering John Coltrane

Today, we are sharing one more post from our visit down in High Point. We finally got to see the John Coltrane monument/statue. Jazz musician John Coltrane was born in Hamlet (Richmond County), North Carolina. However, he grew up in High Point, attending Penn Griffin High School- now Penn Griffin School for the Arts. The above statue is only about a mile from his school. Mr. Coltrane, who learned to play saxophone in High Point,  is said to be one of the most influential saxophonists of all time.

The Coltrane monument in High Point is an 8' bronze sculpture at the intersection of Commerce Avenue and Hamilton Street. It is as if he is watching over Furniture Market. The sculptor is Thomas Jay Warren and the statue was dedicated in 2006. Near the statue is a commemorative sign, historic marker, and a couple of benches, perfect for sitting and reflecting on the influence this great musician had on so many people. His memory continues to live on. The people who were involved in fundraising for the statue were instrumental in starting the John Coltrane International Jazz and Blues Festival. If you like John Coltrane's music, mark your calendar for the John Coltrane International Jazz and Blues Festival, Labor Day Weekend 2022. And, if you want to hear some great blues music before September, the weekend of May 21st and 22nd, Downtown Greensboro will host the 36th annual Carolina Blues Festival.

Bach's Lunch

Yesterday was Johann Sebastian Bach's birthday and Starmount Presbyterian Church is hosting Bach's Lunch every day this week. The free, open-to-the-public concerts start at 12:15 p.m. and last for about 30 minutes. Today's concert is Debra Reuter-Pivetta on flute and Federico Pivetta on piano. Reuter-Pivetta is the principal flutist with the Greensboro Symphony Orchestra and a flute instructor at Salem College. Federico Pivetta is a chamber musician and teacher who often plays duets with his wife. Their performance today will be well worth attending. The rest of the schedule for the series can be seen here. They will continue through Friday. These concerts have been held every March since 1985 and except for the two years of the pandemic. We encourage you to call a few friends and head out to this event. It was easy to forget about these great community events during the pandemic, after two years of of blank calendars.

Starmount Presbyterian is a beautiful church located at 3501 West Market Street. The church was established in 1952, an outgrowth of Orange Presbytery, Church of the Covenant, and the First Presbyterian Church.  This is when Greensboro was really expanding westward. Starmount Presbyterian does so much for the community. It is part of the Greensboro Interfaith Hospitality Network, a group that houses homeless families. They have missions abroad. For one week, each March, their mission is to bring high quality music to the public. Head on over this week and show them some support! You won't regret it.

Happy Tuesday!

The Simon & Garfunkel Story

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

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

Happy Tuesday!

Lyle Lovett Performed at Tanger Last Night

Last night Lyle Lovett and his band performed at Tanger Center. If you like Texas singer-songwriter music, last night's concert was for you.  The songs were part country, part bluegrass, rock, spiritual, and more. Additionally, part of the charm of this fabulous concert was the storytelling Lovett infused throughout the show. One great tidbit was that the song for his senior class was "Freebird", also, the president of his high school during his sophomore year, Sylvester Turner, is now mayor of Houston. Also, Lovett shared his second cousin (once removed) Phillip "Stan" Williams was in the audience. Those were the personal touches Lovett added between songs.

Mr. Lovett said he enjoyed performing in Greensboro and he was quick to praise the sound quality of the Tanger Center. The woman who sat beside us during the performance said that Josh Groban made a similar comment praising the acoustics of the building. Thile the quality of this photo is not the best, it captures the feel of the stage and band set up last night. And, if this were a video with audio, you would hear how great the music sounded. If you follow Tanger Center on social media, you likely already know that the recent showing of "Lion King" at the Tanger Center had an attendance count of 46,000 people, with an economic impact of $12 million for just the "Lion King." Yes, from the smaller concerts to the high profile Broadway shows, the Tanger Center has added an opportunity for some fabulous entertainment for Greensboro.

The Day Students from Wilmington Came to Town

Today's photo is not a prize winner, but the story is great. Last night, walking through LeBauer Park en route to First Friday. We noticed a very large group of students running to a briefing with their teachers. They were given some ground rules for the evening and then instructed to head to the LeBauer Park 3-D sign for a group photo. It was a group of middle school, performing arts students from Wilmington. Two busloads of students, teachers, and parent-chaperones, approximately 110 people, came to Greensboro for an educational experience- and what a memorable one. Yesterday, by day, students received instruction from the UNCG School of Music. According to one of the parents, for some, it was their first time on a college campus. In addition to their time at UNG, and in LeBauer Park, they got to see the Lion King at Tanger Center. You could feel the excitement in the group. 

This whole event was significant, because it is proof positive of what a special community resource we have in the Tanger Center. That students would drive from the beach to Greensboro to see a performance is significant. Also, having so many fine institutions of higher education in the area is as added bonus, especially when you can incorporate instruction from professors with seeing a professional performance. We can be so proud Greensboro is able to offer such fine academic and cultural experiences. We can also be proud that schools are willing to drive three hours for a learning tour. The students were very well behaved, at least from our perspective. We don't know who dreamed up the itinerary, but it was brilliant!

Happy Saturday!

Artistic Motion Dance School of Arts and Preparatory Academy

Today, we conclude the photo shoot at Prescott Street with the rear view of the building where Artistic Motion Dance School of Arts and Preparatory Academy is housed. While the address is 800 West Smith Street, the building is right across the street from the house we featured yesterday and next door to the office building featured on Monday. The decoration of the back of the building is brilliant advertising. Smith Street is one way and if you take the street into town, you cannot possibly miss this building. If you notice, the sheet between the slivers of windows is made from giant vinyl banners. The part at the end of the building and between buildings is paint that matches the colors of the banner perfectly. The lines for the parking spaces accentuate the geometry of the building. 

Artistic Motion was founded in 2000. According to their website, they have an internationally acclaimed faculty with dancers from Russia, Georgia (the country), The Dominican Republic, England, and from many prestigious dance programs throughout the United States. They offer classes from ages 3-adulthood. The studio is conveniently located and there is plenty of parking. Perhaps the greatest news about Artistic Motion is that it is currently in partnership with Triad International Ballet, a new professional ballet company set to begin their first season in 2022! If you have ever seen a performance from dancers at Artistic Motion, you know the talent and precision of the dancers.

 Happy Wednesday! May we all find the beauty in the people and places of Greensboro. May we all have the positive outlook and commitment to perfection of artists in motion!

The Loose Cannons

It has been a minute since we took this photo. Actually, it was last fall at Golden Antiques on North Highway 220. The above group is known as the Loose Cannons and it was lovely to listen to them while shopping. Formerly, the group was known as Tuesday Tunes; this was their first performance under their new name. The group is part of The Early Music Society which is a non-profit group dedicated to playing music from the Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque eras. They use early music instruments like recorders, percussion, and string instruments. Notice these talented musicians have made special masks to be as COVID safe as possible!

According to the Facebook page of the Triad Early Music Society, they are part of the American Recorder Society, which is based in Charlotte, NC. You can see many sizes of recorders in the above photo. Members have performed at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church. It was enjoyable not only to listen to this group, but also to learn about them. There are so many interesting opportunities in Greensboro and stumbling upon this group led to learning about their affiliate groups. From the Loose Cannons to the Tuesday Tunes to the Early Music Society to the American Recorder Society, that is quite a rabbit hole of musical adventure; a journey all brought about by getting out and exploring our community- something we try to do regularly. 

Happy Thursday, a great day to start planning the weekend. Don't forget Monday is Martin Luther King, Jr Day.

Lobby Art Piece at Tanger Center

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

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

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

Tanger Center

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

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

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

Part of the Fabulous Orchestra Pit at "Wicked"

The above photo is of the orchestra pit at Tanger Center. During the intermission of Wicked, several people were up front by the stage looking at the instruments and musicians. As you can see from the above photo, musicians - at least the ones who play instruments that involved blowing through them-  are encased in a cubicle ( a COVID protocol). The trumpet player in the front/left part of the photo, Rusty Smith, was ever so patient with a middle school child who was talking music with him. The student admitted to not practicing enough and Rusty was giving him musician-to-musician advice. Rusty is one of the local musicians to play during Wicked. The others are Carla Copeland-Burns, Anna Lampidis, Wayne Leechford, Lynn Beck (in photo, playing French horn), Sean Devlin , John Beck, Jesse Kapsha, John Simonetti, and David Lane. There were also 6 people in the traveling orchestra.

Every aspect of Wicked was perfect; the acting, the set, the dancing, singing, and music. It is especially nice to know some musicians were local. We wish we had been able to interview performers and musicians to see what it is like to perform at the Tanger Center for the inaugural Broadway show. Indeed, it is going to be a good season!

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

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

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

1 aChord Sings at SCRAPFEST

Yesterday, in LeBauer Park, at an event called SCRAPFEST, 1aChord sang a set. 1aChord is a trio that met at UNCG, by chance started singing together and were invited to audition for America's Got Talent early this past summer. They refer to themselves as "church babies" and the first song they sang together at the UNCG cafeteria was by the Clark Sisters, an American Gospel group. After the trio sang that day, the women working in the cafeteria sang their praises and encouraged them to continue singing together. The AGT judges gave them a standing ovation. Their sound is described as contemporary gospel. The three are Christoff Hairston, Julian Kennedy, and Travis Cunningham.* All three are from North Carolina. Cunningham from Raeford; Kennedy from High Point; and Hairston from Greensboro and actually graduated from Weaver Academy. They all credit UNCG and their professors for playing an instrumental role in helping them get where they are today.

SCRAPFEST is an acronym for Sustain, Conserve, Renew, Adapt, and Provide, a festival established to benefit Piedmont Land Conservancy. SCRAPFEST was presented by Little Brother Brewing. Those angelic, heavenly voices- voices that grew out of a lifelong church experience and honed by UNCG- were a little bit of heaven, right there in LeBauer Park. It will be fun to follow their careers. 1aChord is definitely making Greensboro, UNCG, their families, and their respective churches proud.  

*see the article with the America's Got Talent audition here. 

It Feels Like Broadway...

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

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

Angels In Heaven

"The angels in Heaven have signed my name." As Lalenja Harrington and Laurelyn Dossett performed this Badgett sisters song on stage, during "Songs of Hope and Justice", the sign language interpreter took their spoken words and transformed them into visual music. Throughout the evening, there were times interpreters were swaying to the music, too. Listening to beautiful music by talented North Carolina performers singing a song written by North Carolina women, nestled between the Greensboro Courthouse and the West Market Street United Methodist Church, seated with an attentive audience: It doesn't get better than that. It was as if we were holding church service, right in the middle of Market Street, Ground Zero for the city's north/south street designation.

West Market Street is peeking out of the right corner of the photo. Today, the NC Folk Fest events at this location, the Old Courthouse Stage, don't start up until 1:00 pm, giving church goers a chance to meet first. It is a good thing, as the first act on the stage is "Hard Drive" a North Carolina Old-time and Bluegrass group. Bluegrass, especially, can get a little loud and hard-driving flashy, a good thing- unless it is overpowering a preacher is trying to deliver a heartfelt sermon. Indeed, every detail of this festival is well-planned. As a matter of fact, just may attend the West Market Street UMC church service this morning and already be at the folk festival- the best of both worlds.

Happy Sunday!

NC Folk Festival 2021, The Festivities Have Begun!

And so, the North Carolina Folk Festival is well underway. Yesterday, after opening remarks at the Lee Wrangler Stage (formerly City Stage), the UNCG Old Time Ensemble treated us to some very great songs and tunes. Above, playing fiddle, smiling, and wearing sunglasses, is Dr. Christen Blanton Mack, who leads the ensemble. To her left, also playing the fiddle is Tristin, a UNCG senior, who lead co-lead the first song, "How Many Biscuits Can You Eat?" (Watch this video from another era to find out the answer). The song was so full of energy and upbeat. Dr. Mack has done so much to help the group get that tight, string-band sound that is so important in old-time music. The UNCG Old Time Ensemble was formed in 2008; for fourteen years, they have been playing a genre of music that has been a part of North Carolina's culture for generations. Last evening, the old time ensemble was playing music in there very spot we featured yesterdays.

As for the North Carolina Folk Festival, it will continue until Sunday evening at 6:00 p.m. and literally, there is music for everybody's tastes. The festival extends along West Market Street, to the West Market Street United Methodist Church. The vendors are also along Market Street this year and there are some great ones. The weather, the music, the energy, and everything has been so perfect so far. Don your mask and head downtown to see some great singing, instruments, food, arts and crafts, and dancing! Happy Saturday!

 

NC Folk Festival 2021

Today is the day we've all been waiting for, the start of the North Carolina Folk Festival. The above photo is of the Lee Wrangler Stage, located at the corner of Davie and Market Street.Here is a map of where all of the stages are and Here is a schedule. Opening remarks start at 5:00 pm tonight and there will be so much to do until the festival ends on Sunday at 6:00. There is everything from local talent to many performances with an international connection, like Conjunto Guantanamo Cuban to Afghani rubab, tabla and dhol. The goal of the festival is to be as inclusive as possible and "to amplify the diverse voices of people and communities from all walks of life whose creative expressions are inextricably woven into the cultural fabric of our nation."*

The festival is outdoors and masks are encouraged. You may want to bring your best dancing shoes, plus a folding chair, or sports chair, as the above chairs will fill quickly. Here is a photo from 2019. The opening act, after the opening words on this stage, will be the UNCG Old-time Ensemble with traditional string band songs. There will be so much local talent on that stage and throughout the festival. You won't want to miss it!!!

*reference and more information here.

First Friday Sept

It is First Friday tonight and downtown Greensboro will be full of goodness and joy tonight. The above photo features the drum circle that will be happening in Center City Park (200 North Elm Street)  from 6:30-9:00 pm. No experience is necessary, just bring your positive attitude and a drum if you have one. If you don't, there are usually extras available to borrow. The Healing Earth Rhythms organizes and facilitates the event, but they really depend on audience participation. You can play, watch, or dance. People of all ages are invited to participate. The only expectation is that you enjoy drums. 

From North Elm all the way to South Gate City Boulevard, there will be interesting things to see and do. Just across the street from Center City Park, First Friday Art Park will be set up in LeBauer Park. We hope you have a great Labor Day Weekend and that you save some energy for the upcoming North Carolina Folk Festival, from September 10th-12th. Read about the line up, the schedule, safety protocols and everything else, here. Happy Friday!

Carlton Wood

This past Friday, Carlton Wood was out on the 300 block of South Elm Street playing trumpet. Originally from Roxboro, Carlton has played music all the way from San Diego to New Orleans and back. He has quite a repertoire of songs, and especially likes to play New Orleans style. He has written a gospel song that he hopes to get published. He also does impressions and is especially good with his Kermit the Frog voice.

Part of the fun of traversing Elm Street on the weekends is meeting people like Carlton. His dream is to make it big on Instagram and hopes to get an account soon. Maybe he will be playing downtown this weekend.  If you see him, please request a few tunes and cheer him on. Happy Tuesday!

Healing Earth Rhythms

Healing Earth Rhythms leads a community drum circle every First Friday at Center City Park in downtown Greensboro. The above photo was taken at their last gathering on August 6th from 6:30 pm- 9:00 pm. The next drumming event in Center City Park will be Friday, September 3rd. The event is presented by Greensboro Downtown Parks. You can bring your own drum or use one of the loaner drums. Drum therapy is an ancient approach to promote healing and self expression through rhythm. Some people drum because they enjoy the percussive sound; others drum because it resonates with them spiritually. Regardless of what you get out of the event, as long as you want to be there, you are invited. Drumming is encouraged, but not mandatory.

It is hard tell from the angle of this photograph, but most people in the audience had some type of instrument. The mom in the center of the photo is recording her son who was doing such a great job of keeping the beat to the music.  Healing Earth  also hold new and full moon drum circles. If you visit the First Friday event, you can learn more about other opportunities to drum.  We hope you have a lovely Sunday and that you have a chance to come downtown on a First Friday and participate in the  drum circle!