Art | Food | Music is on the Plate for Taste of the Albemarle

Posted on May 22, 2013 by Natalie Peel

Taste Poster - 2013A tasteful good time awaits when Arts of the Albemarle hosts its annual spring fundraiser, Taste of the Ablemarle, on Saturday, June 1 in downtown Elizabeth City. Presented by Perry Auto Group, ”Taste” will bring together over 15 restaurant and food vendors to serve their finest delights in an alfresco setting along the city’s historic Main Street. From 6 to 8 p.m., participants can taste delicious samples from our favorite eateries and then dance the night away to Out n’ The Cold from 8 to 10 p.m. Camden County school children will have art on display and Northeastern High School art students will line the street with art banners. Celebrated artist Jaquelin Perry is this years Taste of the Albemarle artist. Prints of her featured painting will be on sale during the event.  These signed and numbered collectibles will be $25, and there are limited quantities. To purchase your tickets, call (252) 338-6455 or stop by The Center at 516 East Main Street. Tickets are on sale now. We offer military discounts! www.artsaoa.com

Posted in Art exhibits, Arts, Arts of the Albemarle, Community Events, Downtown Elizabeth City, Entertainment, Events, Food, Just for Kids, Just for Visitors, Miscellaneous, The Center, Travel, U.S. Coast Guard, Uncategorized, Visual Arts | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

“Gone with the Wind” Exhibit Blows into Elizabeth City June 1!

Posted on May 20, 2013 by ElizabethCityRose

Scarlett's dress (NC Museum of History Photo)“Gone with the Wind” film fans,  this is the moment you’ve been waiting for! Beginning Saturday, June 1 (and to run through Dec. 31, 2013) the Museum of the Albemarle here in Elizabeth City will host the wildly popular exhibit Real to Reel: The Making of Gone with the Wind. Taking visitors behind the scenes of one of the most famous Hollywood films in history, this handsome exhibit will showcase authentic memorabilia from the 1939 film, including costumes, screen tests, scene props, actress Vivian Leigh’s Academy Award and more. The exhibit reveals the true story of how author Margaret Mitchell’s book became a record-breaking film. The featured memorabilia is owned by James Tumblin, the former head of the Universal Studios makeup and hair department. His is one of the largest private collections of “Gone with the Wind” movie memorabilia known. Movie buffs will recognize costumes worn by Vivien Leigh, Clark Gable, Olivia de Havilland, Leslie Howard and others, including: 

  • “Scarlett’s” dress from the attack at Shantytown scene (seen here)
  • “Bonnie Blue’s” velvet dress from her final scene
  •  The uniform “Ashley Wilkes” wore when he returned home after the Civil War
  • “Belle Watling’s” burgundy velvet jacket and accompanying fur muff

You’ll also see Max Steiner’s original theme music, the typewriter that screenwriter Sidney Howard used for the script, a letter of appreciation that Hattie McDaniel (“Mammy”) wrote to a fan and production paintings such as the “Burning of Atlanta” scene. Don’t miss the chance to see this exhibit, which is sponsored by the Friends of the Museum of the Albemarle. Admission is $5 for ages 18 and up; $2.50 (per person) for groups of 10 or more and for senior citizens ages 60 and up. Free admission for active military and their immediate family; youth ages 17 and under; and Friends of the Museum of the Albemarle members. A black tie gala opening is planned for May 31. Anyone may purchase a ticket by calling the museum at (252) 335-1453, so brush off your tux or evening gown and join us! Check the Museum of the Albemarle’s facebook page for special June 1 opening day programs.

Posted in Art exhibits, Arts, Civil War History, Community Events, Downtown Elizabeth City, Entertainment, History, Just for Visitors, literary, Miscellaneous, Museum of the Albemarle, Museums, Travel, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

We Know How to Party, Potato Festival Style

Posted on May 17, 2013 by Elizabeth City Rose

Party Potato Festival StylePotatoes have a long history. The North Carolina Potato Festival in Elizabeth City has a long history, too. That’s why this Saturday, when over 100 vendors combine with live music from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. along the downtown Elizabeth City waterfront, decades of celebrating the spud will be carried on once again. The potato is northeast North Carolina’s biggest crop. It’s been celebrated with a festival since 1940 when a motorcade covering 240 miles throughout northeast North Carolina beckoned folks from the region to converge on Elizabeth City for a big party. Back then there were boat races, a parade and even a Potato Queen. Today we have free boat rides on the Pasquotank River and instead of a Potato Queen, we’ll crown Little Miss Tater Tot at 10 a.m. The first festival was a big success. It was so successful that organizers were ready to launch another festival. But World War II was on the horizon. They agreed to hold things off and Elizabeth City wouldn’t see another festival until 1950 when another motorcade rolled through 11 communities recruiting an estimated 10,000 festival-goers. Shops hung signs and flags welcoming visitors. Festival fever was high. Through the years the festival’s famous, free French fries were added and by the 1960s the World Championship Potato Peeling Contest became a hot attraction. In 1970 the festival went away one more time, but by 2001 the Albemarle Potato Growers Association had breathed in life into this root vegetable fete. Back in 2008, Elizabeth Downtown, Inc. took over the festival and since that time it’s grown in size and attendance. This year you can expect a whole lot of great music, great food and great fun. Bring the family, bring your friends and come celebrate the potato with us.

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One “Spudtacular” Festival this Saturday in Elizabeth City!

Posted on May 16, 2013 by RebeccaCross

The Potato Festival happens May 18.Everyone will want to be in downtown Elizabeth City this Saturday, May 18, for the North Carolina Potato Festival!  This award-winning festival opens at 10 a.m. with the National Potato Peeling Competition on Main Street and the Little Miss Tater Tot Contest in Mariners’ Wharf Park.  Throughout the day there will be live music on the main stage at Water and Main streets, and even more local musicians on a stage at our NEW location at Water and Ehringhaus streets. There will be pony rides and a potato pitching contest in front of the Museum of the Albemarle. And look for amusement rides, including a mechanical bull, rock climbing wall, bungee jump, bounce house, obstacle course and more! Rides will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.  and it’s only $10 per child to ride all day long, including one “extreme ride.” We will have over 100 arts and craft and food vendors lining the streets, boat rides on the water and a cornhole game in the afternoon. This year’s festival includes a car and motorcycle show as well as a new and antique tractor show. Closing out the fun is the exciting Street Dance with a performance by 40 East beginning at 8 p.m. and a NEW fireworks show at 9 p.m. over the Pasquotank River! There is something for everyone, and we hope that you will come and stay all day.

Posted in Accommodations, Art exhibits, Arts, Boating, Children, Community Events, Downtown Elizabeth City, Entertainment, Events, Food, Just for Kids, Just for Visitors, Miscellaneous, Museum of the Albemarle, Music, Plants, Restaurants, Seasonal, Shopping, Sports, Travel, Visual Arts | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off

Plein Air Workshop, May 21-22 at AOA

Posted on May 15, 2013 by Natalie Peel

DSCN3534Come to Elizabeth City and join us for a two-day Plein Air workshop, May 21-22, led by artist Margie Sawyer. A New Jersey native, Margie has lived in Elizabeth City most of her adult life.  An award-winning regional artist, her work has been exhibited in local, state and regional shows and is part of private and corporate collections throughout the United States and Europe, including the US Embassy in Copenhagen, Denmark.  Currently Margie is an instructor at the College of Albemarle in Elizabeth City, and she teaches adult and children’s art classes in her studio. She is represented by Arts of the Albemarle, Elizabeth City; Greenleaf Gallery, Duck, NC; Little Art Gallery and The Mahler Gallery, both in Raleigh, NC.  For information about the workshop and Margie, please visit www.artsaoa.com or www.margiesawyer.com. To sign up, call (252) 338-6455.

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It’s Rose Buddies Season in Elizabeth City

Posted on May 10, 2013 by Elizabeth City Rose

Elizabeth City's Rose BuddiesRight now along the Elizabeth City waterfront, the public boat docks at Mariners’ Wharf Park are full of sailboats and motor cruisers. This is the time of year when boaters cruise north from the Caribbean and Florida. It’s also the time of year when local folks come out to greet boaters with a wine and cheese party and beautiful, locally-grown roses. These  accommodating volunteers are called the Rose Buddies. They’re known around the world for their hospitality – that’s how we got the nickname “Harbor of Hospitality” – and it all started with a couple of local guys, a rose bush and a golf cart. Fred Fearing and Joe Kramer started the tradition back in the 1980s. The roses were grown in Kramer’s yard. The two men drove to the docks in Fearing’s golf cart with wine, cheese and roses. Kramer would pass but Fred Fearing kept the tradition alive well into his 90s. Kramer’s rose bush would be transplanted at Mariners’ Wharf Park where it grows today, blooming just in time for spring boaters. When Fearing died, the spirit of the Rose Buddies would not go with him. Fearing had left behind a legacy of hospitality here that is not only anticipated by boaters around the world, but also expected by local residents. That’s why when you see all of those boats lined up at the public docks, you’ll not only see the Rose Buddies, you’ll also see all of the folks who come down to the waterfront to offer a helping hand. We love our visiting boaters. We love our visitors by land, sea or air. Come on down to Elizabeth City and find out why we’re the Harbor of Hospitality.

Posted in Boating, Downtown Elizabeth City, Events, Just for Visitors, Miscellaneous, Rose Buddies, Seasonal, Travel, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off

Museum Gets ‘Post from the Coast’

Posted on May 3, 2013 by Elizabeth City Rose
Post from the CoastDid you ever get a postcard in the mail? Didn’t you really like seeing the neatly framed scene on the front and then flipping it over to see who’s been vacationing at the beach? Or what about when you travel? Stopping at the rack and sifting the through those cards can be fun, and you likely took a couple. Well Museum of the Albemarle has managed to get a bunch of those postcards together in one place, thanks in part to collector Gary Cooper, and they’ve put them together in an exhibit they’re calling “Post from the Coast.” They’re little souvenirs marking time throughout popular cultural history and some of the postcards in the Cooper collection will bring back memories of beach days gone by. Old and new postcards will depict scenes from coastal North Carolina ranging from beaches to transportation to architecture –and just plain having fun. And to make the exhibit more interesting, some of the postcards have been enhanced for 3-D viewing. This unique collection of coastal Carolina postcards opens at the museum May 11 and runs through Nov. 16. It’s only the beginning of what promises to be an exciting summer at the museum and in Elizabeth City. Come on down and check it out. We might even have a few postcards you can send home, too.
 
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Do You Care about the Arts in NC?

Posted on May 1, 2013 by Natalie Peel

NC Arts Council The N.C. Arts Council wants to connect with you to develop their 2014-2018 Strategic Plan.  Join us for a public meeting and tell us: What are the key issues in your community and your work? How are the arts a solution in your community? What can we do together to position the state’s arts industry as essential to the state’s future? Meetings have already been held in Charlotte, Morganton and Chapel Hill. Join us for this open public meeting on Thursday, May 2 from 7 to 9 p.m. in The Twiford Room on the 3rd floor at Arts of the Albemarle. For more information visit www.ncarts.org/publicmeetings. Please call (252) 338-6455 to RSVP.

Posted in Art exhibits, Arts, Arts of the Albemarle, Community Events, Downtown Elizabeth City, Education, Events, Just for Visitors, The Center, Tourism Presentations, Travel, Visual Arts | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off

Fun Activities for All at Port Discover this Weekend!

Posted on April 30, 2013 by Jess Faulkingham

Port DiscoverOn Friday, in conjunction with First Friday ArtWalk, Port Discover offers 1st Friday Kids Art-In to its members, on Friday, May 3 from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm. Parents let your children come to Port Discover to create some kid-friendly art and watch a movie, while you enjoy an evening on the town. This activity is available to Port Discover members only; however, memberships can be purchased at the door. Admission is $10 for first child and $5 for each additional child (per family) and includes pizza and fruit ( for children ages 5 to 12-years-old).  Space is very limited for this event so reservations are encouraged. Then on Saturday, May 4, grown-ups learn about the science of beer-making! Join Dr. Casey Nekl as he demonstrates the fascinating process of fermentation during Quatro de Mayo, Port Discover’s adult-only event at 4 p.m . Tickets to Quatro de Mayo are $25 per person and seating is limited.  Tickets can be purchased at Port Discover or on-line at www.portdiscover.org. To register for these programs please call (252) 338-6117 or email portdiscover@portdiscover.org. See you this weekend!

Posted in Community Events, Downtown Elizabeth City, Entertainment, Events, Museums, Port Discover, Science, Travel, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off

May Madness en Route to River City!

Posted on April 29, 2013 by Elizabeth City Rose

Downtown Waterfront MarketThis crazy cool weather is about to break. When it does, we’re pretty sure you’ll want to be right here in River City. It’s here, in the coming month, that you’re gonna’ find festivals, art shows, musical theatre and concerts.

  • Friday, May 3  Elizabeth City will kick off this colorful time of the year with the  First Friday Art Walk. Stroll up and down Main Street while you stop and enjoy original artwork by local and regional artists and artisans.
  • Saturday, May 4  Head over to the first Downtown Waterfront Market of the 2013 season. Fresh produce, jams, jelly and good friends are always on tap at the market. Later in the day you can enjoy Quatro de Mayo at Port Discover. That’s our own Port Discover cience center for kids, only this is one of their grown-ups only programs where you’ll learn the science of brewing your own beer. 
  • May 10-12  The following week, Elizabeth City’s own kids’ musical theatre company, The Center Players, will dazzle with Disney’s “Beauty and Beast,” over at the Maguire Theatre, located on the second floor of Arts of the Albemarle at The Center. 
  • Saturday, May 18   Hang out all day and all night at the N.C. Potato Festival in downtown Elizabeth City. All day long you can hear live music, eat great festival food, check out the numerous vendors, the antique car show and the kids will have plenty to do what with all of the rides and games. Stay the evening for the street dance and fireworks at dusk.
  • Friday, May 31  Finally, you can round out the month with a really special event on May 31 at Museum of the Albemarle. That’s when they’re having a gala event to usher in the “Real to Reel: The Making of Gone with the Wind” exhibit. The exhibit will feature artifacts from the film such as actual props and costumes, and scripts. Vivian Leigh’s Best Actress Oscar statue will also be on display.

So yeah, Elizabeth City really knows how to celebrate the warm months. And we’re on the water, so there’s a nice breeze. Just come on down and find out how nice it is and we’ll show you a good time. See you in May.

Posted in Art exhibits, Arts, Arts of the Albemarle, Children, Community Events, Downtown Elizabeth City, Education, Elizabeth City Historic Neighborhood Association, Entertainment, Events, Food, History, Miscellaneous, Museum of the Albemarle, Museums, Music, Port Discover, Science, The Center, Visual Arts | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off