Categories
Miscellany

Art News: ArtsCenter to host open house for African-American community

The ArtsCenter will host an interactive open house for the African-American community on Sunday, Jan. 13 from 2:00 to 5 p.m. The open house will feature a community-led roundtable, refreshments, local entertainment and tours of the facility.

Organizers say the event is part of the center’s ongoing effort to make sure programming better reflects the community.
The event will begin at 2 p.m. with entertainment by Turbo in the Earl and Rhoda Wynn Theater, Teli and Mabiniti on Kora and Balla in the gallery, and T.J. demonstrating Capoeira in the dance studio. Whole Foods will be providing refreshments, and tours of The ArtsCenter will also be offered. ArtSchool teachers will be on-hand to provide mini classes and demonstrations and staff members will be available to answer questions and hear feedback. At 4 p.m., participants will gather in the West End Theater to provide feedback and suggestions in a community-led roundtable. The event is free and open to all.

Categories
Miscellany

Works: January 2008

In their days on the road, the Pressure Boys went through three vans — Death Pete, Crüel Eugene and Almighty God. They were the home away from home for a crew of eight. They all bore the scars of the road. By the time Death Pete was retired it was probably more object d’art than transportation.

Fans and other bands slapped stickers on it or spray painted slogans in layer after layer. Pictured above is Pete parked at a club in Austin, Texas in 1984.

Through MILL, we’ve tried to use our cover to provide a focus on some of the best works by local artists. Our first cover featured sculpture; our second, printmaking; and last month, a winter-themed work from one of the area’s best photographers.

This month we answer the question, “When are you going to do something about music?”

Categories
Arts & Music Community

Community Calendar: 8/30/07

Farmers’ Markets

  • Carrboro Farmers’ Market – Sat 7am-12pm through Dec 22; Wed 3:30-6:30pm through Oct 17. Carrboro Town Commons. 932-1641, www.carrborofarmersmarket.com
  • Southern Village Farmers’ Market – Last week! Thu, Aug 30, 4-7pm, at Market Street on the Village Green.
  • Hillsborough Farmers’ Market – Wed 3-6pm; Sat 7:30am-noon. Apr-Nov. 732-8315.
  • Fearrington Village Farmers’ Market – Tue 4pm through Nov 20. 8 miles south of Chapel Hill on US 15-501, Fearrington Village, Chapel Hill. 542-4000, chatham.ces.ncsu.edu/growingsmallfarms/fearrington.html
  • Pittsboro Farmers’ Market – Thu 3:30-6:30pm through Nov 29. Chatham County Fairgrounds, Pittsboro. chatham.ces.ncsu.edu/growingsmallfarms/pittsboro.html

Special Events

  • After Stonewall – The Triangle Progressive Documentary Series presents a chronicle of the LGBT experience from the Stonewall Riots of 1969 to today. Dinner served. Wed, Sept 5, 6:30pm, Free. 960-6886, www.surgenetwork.org/filmseries. Internationalist Books, 405 W Franklin St, Chapel Hill. 942-1740, internationalistbooks.org
  • Chasing the Rain: My Treasure Hunt for the World’s Most Beautiful Mushrooms – Slideshow of beautiful and exotic mushrooms from all over the world presented by photographer & educator Taylor Lockwood. Tue, Sept 11, 5pm. Wilson Library, UNC campus. For more info, call Liza Terll at 962-4207 or visit lib.unc.edu/spotlight/lockwood.html
  • Free Cholesterol Screening – September is National Cholesterol Education Month, and the Health Education & Cardiac Rehabilitation departments at the UNC Wellness Center at Meadowmont are offering screenings. Thu, Sept 13 & 27, 7-10am. For more info, call 966-2860.
  • Buddhist “Change Your Mind” Day – All are welcome to this free family event with kids activities and talks by seven Triangle Buddhist groups. Sat, Sept 15, 10am-1pm. Piney Wood Park, off East Woodcroft Pkwy, Durham. For info and directions, visit compassiongardening.blogspot.com
  • Piedmont KTC Tibetan Buddhist Meditation Center will participate in the nationwide Meditation-Thon (see www.kagyu.org/meditation-thon.php) on Sunday, September 9, beginning at 9:45am with Shinay sessions every half hour from 10am-Noon. An Open House will follow from Noon-1pm with edible delights. 35 Perkins Drive off Weaver Dairy Road in Chapel Hill. www.piedmontktc.org. 933-2138.
  • St. Paul A.M.E. Church Women’s Missionary Society 101 N. Merritt Mill Road Chapel Hill Saturday, September 8, 2007 7:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. YARD SALE EXPLOSION! Come One, Come All! – Come early for coffee and donuts! We have scoured our CLOSETS and CUPBOARDS, BOOKCASES and BASEMENTS FOR TREASURES for you!

Kids

  • Nature Tales – Story Time at the Garden. Kids ages 4 & 5 gather around in the Botanical Garden to share stories about nature. Every Thursday at 10am; outing & activity afterward. Children must be accompanied by an adult; no more than 3 children per adult please. $5 per family. 962-0522, www.ncbg.unc.edu
  • Express Yourself! – Art program for ages 3-8 + caregivers allows children & adults to explore their own creative paths through open-ended weekly art projects. $2; registration requested. Saturdays, 10:45-11:15 & 11:30-noon. Kidzu Children’s Museum, 105 E Franklin St, Chapel Hill. 933-1455, www.kidzuchildrensmuseum.org
  • Zoom In: Science at the Extremes – Morehead Planetarium’s 1st-ever interactive visitor experience highlights the big & small of our universe. Designed for ages 8-13. Ongoing. Morehead Planetarium, 250 E Franklin St, Chapel Hill. Info hotline 549-6863, office 962-1236, tickets 843-7997, www.moreheadplanetarium.org
  • Jack & the Beanstalk – Sat, Sept 8, 11am. The ArtsCenter, 300-G E Main St, Carrboro, 929-2787, www.artscenterlive.org.
  • Story Time at Carrboro Branch Library presents: “Jimmy’s Overcoat” Saturday, September 1st at 10:30 am. The library is located at 900 Old Fayetteville Rd. at the McDougle Schools Media Center. For more information call 969-3006
  • Come join Miz Moon for a very special Back-to-School Toddler Time with the Teeny Tiny Teacher! Toddler Time will take place at the Carrboro Branch Library on Thursday, September 6 at 4:00 PM. All toddlers are invited to this free program. For further information, telephone the library, 969-3006.

Outdoors

  • Weaver Street Market – Jazz & more! Summertime fun for all ages. Sunday brunch, every Sunday 11am-1pm; Thursday nights, every Thursday 6-8pm. On the lawn at Weaver Street Market, Carrboro.
  • Opening of the 20th Annual Sculpture in the Garden Exhibition – A special gala reception. Preview the art and meet the artists, enjoy refreshments and acoustic guitar entertainment. NC Botanical Garden, Fri, Sept 14, 5-7pm. Free. For more info, call Laura Cotterman at 962-0522.
  • NC Botanical Garden Guided Tours – Meet at the stone gathering circle in front of the Totten Center. Every Sat, 10-11am. 962-0522, www.ncbg.unc.edu
  • Niche Gardens – Guided Garden Walk every Saturday at 10 AM. Discussions on fall planting, garden maintenance, design, and gardening for wildlife with bird and butterfly gardens. FREE, rain or shine. 1111 Dawson Road, 8 miles west of Chapel Hill, off Old Greensboro Hwy. (919) 967-0078 www.nichegardens.com

Volunteers

  • Orange County Literacy Council – Invites anyone interested in tutoring adults & ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) learners to attend an interest meeting. Wed, Sept 5, 10-11am. Skills Development Center, 503 W Franklin St, Chapel Hill & First Baptist Church, 210 W King St, Hillsborough. 933-2151, 732-0868, www.orangeliteracy.org
  • Ronald McDonald House – Seeks volunteers for tasks around the house for families & community service projects. 913-2040, www.chapelhillrmh.net
  • Chatham Animal Rescue & Education – Seeks foster caregivers to provide quality, temporary, in-home care for homeless kittens & cats from Chatham County until they can be permanently adopted. Short-term (as brief as a week) & longer-term needed. fosteracat@chathamanimalrescue.org. PO Box 610, Pittsboro. 542-5757, www.chathamanimalrescue.org
  • 18th Annual Haw River Learning Celebration. A volunteer-run nature science event with 4th graders from local area schools. Runs from Sept 22-Oct 12 at 3 sites on the Haw River. We need people to come for a day, camp for a week (camping crew has the most fun), provide a meal for the crew, donate money to go towards a meal, among other necessities. No experience needed – we train. All you need is to enjoy nature, enjoy being with kids, and have a good disposition. Contact:Aakara Weigand, 919 542-5790, info@hawriver.org, or visit http://hawriver.org.

Classes

  • Fueling Up on Low-Fat Foods – Reduce your risk for cancer. Learn practical ways to keep your fat intake down and your fiber intake up. Part of a series of cooking classes offered by the UNC Wellness Center at Meadowmont. Wed, Sept 5, 6-7:30pm. To register, call 966-5500. Free for members; $8 for non-members.
  • Discovering Dairy Alternatives/Replacing Meat – Learn alternative sources for the valuable nutrients found in dairy & meat. Part of the UNC Wellness Center’s series of cooking classes aimed at fighting cancer risk. Wed, Sept 12, 6-7:30pm. To register, call 966-5500.
  • Solar Electricity for Homeowners & Professionals – Day course on introduction to solar electricity. Area green building experts educate consumers & builders on today’s solar technologies. Sat, Sept 8, 9am-1pm. This course will be the second in a green building series conducted by GreenPros in collaboration with Central Carolina Community College. Instructors will be Ed Witkin of Carrboro Solar Works and Bob Kingery. To register, call CCCC at 919-542-6495 ext. 223.

Lectures

  • Meditations for a Peaceful Mind – Gen Kelsang Tilopa, resident teacher of Kadampa Buddhism in NC, shows how with simple regular meditations & contemplations, everyone can have a peaceful mind. Wed, Sep 5, 7pm. Free. Kosala Mahayana Buddhist Center, 605 W Main St, Ste 206, Carrboro. 967-1861, www.meditationinchapelhill.org
  • The Galapagos – Lecture & photo presentation by accomplished science communicator Roger Harris. Sun, Sept 9, 5pm. Part of the CHICLE Cultural Program. 101 E Weaver St, Carrboro, 3rd floor. Free and open to the public. For more info, call 933-0398.
  • Cholesterol and Heart Risk – Phil Mendys, Pharm D, adjunct professor of Medicine & Pharmacotherapy in the Division of Cardiology at UNC, discusses the “numbers” behind the assessment of cardiovascular disease and risk assessment. Thu, Sept 13, 6-7pm, UNC Wellness Center at Meadowmont. For more info, email Stephanie at scrayton@unch.unc.edu
  • Genetics and Family History for Cardiovascular Disease – By Dr. Cam Patterson, Chief of Cardiology at UNC Hospitals & Director of the Cardiac Genetics Clinic.Friday, Fri, Sept 14, 12:30-1:30pm, UNC Wellness Center at Meadowmont. For more info, email Stephanie at scrayton@unch.unc.edu

Museums

  • Skyscrapers – Mini-exhibition presenting a variety of interpretations of this modern icon. Through Sept 14. Free. Ackland Art Museum, UNC Campus, Chapel Hill. Wed-Sat 10am-5pm (2nd Fridays until 9pm), Sun 1-5pm. www.ackland.org
  • Planetarium & Digital Theater Shows – Science LIVE Demos. Ongoing. Morehead Planetarium, 250 E Franklin St, Chapel Hill. Info hotline 549-6863, office 962-1236, tickets 843-7997. Thu-Sat 10am-5pm, 6:30-9:15pm. $5.25; $4.25 seniors, students & children. www.moreheadplanetarium.org
  • Heroes of Yesterday, Heroes of Today: The History of the Chapel Hill Fire Dept – Ongoing, Free. Chapel Hill Museum, 523 E Franklin St, Chapel Hill. 967-1400, www.chapelhillmuseum.org

Theater

  • Giant Puppet Show – A Shoe For Your Foot. Live performance featuring handmade masks, stilts, cardboard creations & shadows. Outdoors, set to live music. Great fun for all ages. Bring something soft for your butt! Fridays-Sundays at 7pm through Sept 3; pre-show starts at 6:20. $10; kids 4-12 $7; 3 & under Free. UNC Campus: Forest Theater, 300 S Boundary St, Chapel Hill. www.paperhand.org
  • How I Got That Story – An “embedded” war reporter tries to get a handle on a culture he doesn’t know while covering a conflict he doesn’t understand. Through Sept 15. Deep Dish Theater, University Mall, 201 S Estes Dr, Chapel Hill, 968-1515. Visit www.deepdishtheater.org for show times & ticket info.
  • Speed the Plow – An exploration of the politics of gender & power. Presented by the Free Association Theatre Ensemble. Some adult content. Aug 30-Sept 1, & Sept 7-8, 8:30pm. $15; seniors/students/teachers $12. Email FATEinfo@gmail.com for online discount code. Market Street Books, 610 Market Street, Chapel Hill. 933-5111, www.marketstreetbooks.com

Dance

  • Contra – Bring clean, soft-soled shoes; no partner needed, lesson 7:30. 1st Sat of every month, 8-11pm, 8. 932-6050, www.TCDancers.org. Carrboro Century Center, 100 N Greensboro St, Carrboro, 918-7385.
  • Contact Improvisation – Improvised contact with 1 or more dancers, no partner necessary. Beginners welcome. Sundays, 2-4pm. $5. 967-5321, carolinacontact.ods.org. Balanced Movement Studio, 304 W Weaver St, Carrboro. 942-0240, www.balanced-movement.com
  • Israeli Folk – 1st Mondays, 7:30-9pm, $5. Chapel Hill Kehillah, 1200 Mason Farm Rd, Chapel Hill, 942-8914.
  • Free Style – Carrboro Dance Jam with eclectic music by DJ Rovnitsky. 1st & 3rd Fridays, 7:30-10:30pm, $5-8. 698-8776. Balanced Movement Studio, 304 W Weaver St, Carrboro. 942-0240, www.balanced-movement.com

Comedy

  • Back to School with Transactors Improv – Sat, Sept 15, 8pm. $14; students $7. The ArtsCenter, 300-G E Main St, Carrboro. 929-2787, www.artscenterlive.org
  • Literary Readings/Open Mic
  • Books Sandwiched In – Athletic Shorts by Chris Crutcher. Wed, Sept 5, 11:30am. Chapel Hill Public Library, 100 Library Dr, Chapel Hill. 968-2777, www.chapelhillpubliclibrary.org
  • Open Mic – For poetry, music & short fiction. Tuesdays at 7pm, Market Street Books & Maps, Southern Village, 610 Market St, Chapel Hill. 933-5111, www.marketstreetbooks.com
  • Open Mic – Music. Wed, Sept 5, 8pm-midnight. Blue Horn Lounge, 125 E Franklin St, Chapel Hill. 929-1511, www.bluehornloungechapelhill.com
Categories
Community

Recently: 8/30/07

By Valarie Schwartz

Like the poplar leaves starting to pile as the drought yellows and drops them to the ground, people are starting to pile around town.

First the university students arrived, piling their stuff into their living spaces and their young selves out onto streets. About 35 students learned that first weekend that drinking on a Chapel Hill street or while underage piles up misdemeanors on their records

This week, people piled up around schools all over the place. The line forms on the bypass outside of St. Thomas More School around 2:40, with cars backed up to the overpass before the bell rings, letting the children loose.

In the afternoons around the high schools they are piling out — out of the buildings, into the parking lots and onto the streets in cars filled with kids ready to burst at the seams from holding everything in all day.

Along Smith Level Road, the kids are piling onto the rural road to walk home from Carrboro High School on a sidewalk that doesn’t go far; they complete the trip home on steep grassy areas along the roadside.

Wherever you go any time of day, there are more people and cars. Even in the neighborhoods, the children seem to have popped out of nowhere. Where were they all summer? The teenagers messing around on a motor scooter across the street right now — where have they been? They didn’t sleep the whole darn summer away did they?

As the daily patterns change, so does the light. We can see that slant of the sun in the sky by day, and lack of sun when we rise. We know that evenings will now hold more meetings, more work, more of the stuff that fuels and feeds the growth of our communities and ourselves.

But where’s the energy and drive for adults that returned to our kids when this seasonal change brought new books, pencils and faces?

Maybe we simply need the season to change in a way that means we can wear a black shirt outside without melting; that we can stop searching radar maps for an isolated downpour over our house and garden; that our Southern slice no longer looks parched and singed.

There’s a psychological season found with the beginning of school, when fear grips many a belly with the anxiety of everything that’s new — the schedule, the teachers, the school building — it’s there for parents as well as children. But for the adults, we also feel some other tug, a whisper really, of “Labor Day, Labor Day, Labor Day,” because we know, whatever the calendar says about fall beginning on Sept. 23, just like we know summer didn’t (psychologically) begin June 22, fall begins after Labor Day.

So, we’ll pile on a few more days of denial, enjoy the three-day weekend ahead, then full-speed ahead, back to the routine that helps us efficiently toil until new life rips us from its numbing effect with spring — and we hear the new whisper: “Memorial Day, Memorial Day, Memorial Day.”

Categories
Community Miscellany

Greenspace Video

Here’s a recent video about the Carrboro greenspace: