| Wilmington,
NC – January 2010 – Wilmington
& North Carolina's Cape Fear Coast is among the most historically
significant African-American regions in the United States. African-American
ancestry is traced back to the 1700's, and although much important history
left no visible landmark, several historical sites still exist, such as
the Cape Fear Museum, Bellamy
Mansion, and Thalian Hall,
as well as churches, cemeteries, homes and historical markers. A new interpretive
marker for the Orange Street Landing at Cape Fear site (part of the National
Underground Railroad Network to Freedom, a National Park Service program)
was unveiled in mid-January at the corner of Orange and Water streets.
During the month of February, festivals and special events will celebrate
Black History Month. Other events that commemorate African-American heritage
take place throughout the year.
FEB. 1-27: "BUNCE ISLAND
EXHIBIT." This 20-panel traveling multi-media exhibit tells the story
of Bunce Island in Sierra Leone, its connection to the Atlantic slave trade,
its historic relationship to the rice growing regions of mainland North
America, and the formation and development of the Gullah/Geeche culture.
The historic presence of Gullah people and their culture in North Carolina
has largely been excluded from documentary records, textbooks, and until
recently, the scrutiny of professional historians. Presented by the African
American Heritage Foundation of Wilmington, Inc., in conjunction with the
Office of Institutional Diversity and Inclusion at UNC-Wilmington. Free.
Randall Library, UNCW. 910-962-2170; library.uncw.edu/index.phtml
FEB. 8-25: ACTIVIST
AUTHORS EXHIBIT. Exhibit of posters, celebrating activist authors and
created by the students in Professor Diana Ashe's spring course, ENG 318:
Writing & Activism, will be on display on the Second Floor Art Wall,
Randall Library. UNCW. 910-962-2170. www.uncw.edu/intprogs/IWeek.htm.
FEB. 15-20: INTERCULTURAL
WEEK & FESTIVAL, 18th ANNUAL. This week-long series of films,
lectures, performances, and exhibits celebrates the rich diversity of cultures
within UNCW and the Wilmington Community. The week culminates on Saturday,
Feb. 20 with an Intercultural Festival featuring international food, dance,
music & exhibits. Saturday's festival: 11am -3pm in UNCW's Burney Center.
Free. 910-962-3685; www.uncw.edu/intprogs/IWeek.htm
FEB. 15: LECTURE:
"Joy and Justice: An Invitation to the Young to Serve the Children of the
Poor." 7pm. A Boston Public School educator during the 1960s Civil
Rights Movement, author Jonathan Kozol (Death at an Early Age and Letters
to a Young Teacher) draws upon four decades of experience to guide teachers
into the ethically complicated and passionate rewards of teaching. Admission
charge. Kenan Auditorium, UNCW. 910-962-3500; www.uncw.edu/intprogs/IWeek.htm
FEB. 18: AFRICAN AMERICAN
READ-IN. 11am-1pm. Randall Library's African American Read-In celebrates
the National African American Read-In with a focus on African American
activist authors - like Sojourner Truth, Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm
X, Angela Davis - whose efforts and works served as a unifying force for
the African American community throughout history and furthered the cause
of Civil Rights in the U.S. UNCW professors and students will lead a program
of presenters/readers who will share their favorite African American activist
works. Java City, Randall Library, UNCW. 910-962-2170; www.uncw.edu/intprogs/IWeek.htm
FEB. 18-21: MUSIC: "THE
HOUSE THAT GORDY BUILT: A TRIBUTE TO THE MOTOWN GREATS." 8pm
(Thurs-Sat) & 3pm (Sun). Musical revue presented by Techmoja Theatre;
directed by Kevin Lee-y Green. Admission charge. Hannah Block 2nd Street
Stage/Community Arts Center, Wilmington. 910-341-7860.
FEB. 20: CIVIL WAR LIVING
HISTORY WEEKEND. 10am-4pm. To commemorate the 145th anniversary
of the Battle of Forks Road come see Confederate, Union and U.S. Colored
Troops re-enactors provide a glimpse into the camp life of soldiers in
the late 1800s, tours of the battle grounds between the museum and Halyburton
Park led by Dr. Chris Fonvielle, Civil War foodways program by the Bellamy
Mansion, and hands-on family activities. Bring the family to the museum's
historic site and walk the original battlefield of the final fight for
Wilmington on February 20, 1865. The site is where Major General Robert
F. Hoke made his last stand against Union soldiers comprised primarily
of U.S. Colored Troops. This significant skirmish followed the fall of
Fort Fisher, and led to the fall of Wilmington and the final surrender
by the Confederate armies. History comes to life on this informative and
fun day for all! Free; donations welcome. 910-395-5999 Cameron Art Museum,
www.cameronartmuseum.com.
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Civil War Living History
Weekend (Battle of Forks Road)
|
FEB. 21: LECTURE: PROF.
JOSEPH A. OPAL, CURATOR OF THE BUNCE ISLAND EXHIBIT. 3pm-5pm. Professor
Joseph A. Opala of James Madison University discusses the content of the
exhibit and video. Program and exhibit provide a basis for discussing important
historical, cultural, and contemporary issues related to the history and
culture of the Cape Fear region and the Gullah/Geeche Cultural Heritage
Corridor. Free. UNCW Randall Library. 910-962-2170; library.uncw.edu/index.phtml
FEB. 23: FILM SCREENING:
"4 Little Girls" 7pm. Lumina Theatre, UNCW. Free. Sponsored by NAACP.
910-962-4279;
www.uncw.edu/stuaff/presents/lumina.htm
FEB. 25: "SPOKEN WORD:
COAST POETRY JAM." 8pm. The Coast Poetry Jam returns to CAM featuring
the hottest poets in the Port City and beyond. Produced by "Yo Girl" Sandra
and hosted by Bigg B. Admission charge. Cameron art Museum, Wilmington.
www.blackartsalliance.org.
FEB. 27: KIDS' BLACK HISTORY
MONTH CELEBRATION. 2pm-4pm. Craft activities and story time at the
Children's Museum of Wilmington will teach about African American history.
Admission charge. Children's Museum of Wilmington. 910-254-3534; www.playwilmington.org
FEB 27: MUSIC: DR. EMERY
STEPHENS, BARITONE. 3pm. Dr. Emery Stephens, baritone, offers a musical
overview of memory, African American culture and identity. This program
is held in conjunction with CAM's exhibition "Recollection: The Past is
Present" on view February 19 - June 20, 2010. Admission charge. Cameron
Art Museum, Wilmington. 910-395-5999;
www.cameronartmuseum.com
ONGOING: EXHIBITION (FEB.
19-JUNE 20): "RECOLLECTION: THE PAST IS PRESENT." This exhibition's
visual and thematic referencing of the past while being rooted firmly in
the present connects the art work of Amalia Amaki, Lillian Blades and Beverly
Buchanan to the historical-tinged quilts by African American women in the
exhibition. The use of textural materials, color, found objects,
building shapes and cultural images balance delicacy and strength while
evoking the individualized stories and shared histories of the diaspora
of African Americans, Africa and the Caribbean. Admission charge. Cameron
Art Museum, Wilmington. 910-395-5999; www.cameronartmuseum.com
ONGOING: BELLAMY MANSION
MUSEUM OF HISTORY & DESIGN ARTS. A 25-panel exhibit, "African-American
Architects & Builders in N.C.," explores the lives of free and enslaved
African-American artisans and builders who worked in the trades pre-Civil
War. And, on the northeast corner of the Bellamy lot stands the original
brick slave quarters, which is currently undergoing a major restoration.
Admission charge. Bellamy Mansion, Wilmington. 910-251-3700; www.bellamymansion.org
ONGOING: CAPE FEAR MUSEUM
OF HISTORY & SCIENCE. Exhibits trace African-American history in
the Cape Fear region from the 1700s to 20th century. Explore the development
and desegregation of New Hanover County schools through images, artifacts,
personal recollections. These stories provide insight into our community's
history. Admission charge. Cape Fear Museum of History & Science, 814
Market St., Wilmington. 910-798-4350; www.capefearmuseum.com
Coming Soon!
MARCH 18-21: NORTH CAROLINA
BLACK FILM FESTIVAL, 9th ANNUAL (formerly Cine Noir Film Festival).
The NC Black Film Festival is a 4-day juried and invitational competition
& screening of independent films by African-American filmmakers with
guest artists, panel discussions, workshops, and more. Genres include features,
shorts, animation, and documentary films. Sponsored by the Black Arts Alliance.
Admission charge. Cameron Art Museum, Wilmington. 910-612-7832; www.blackartsalliance.org;
www.cameronartmuseum.com
Festivals and events provide
a fun and affordable way to experience a region's history and culture.
Before traveling any distance, please contact individual event organizers
to confirm event status. For a complete Calendar of Events, winter packages
and specials, and more information, please visit www.GoCapeFearCoast.com.
For a FREE Official Visitors Guide to Wilmington & N.C.'s Cape Fear
Coast, call 1-866-266-9690 or 910-341-4030 or email visit@capefearcoast.com.
Media:
Wilmington
/ Cape Fear Coast CVB
Connie
Nelson
Communications/PR
Manager
(910)
341-4030 ext. 120, or
(866)
266-9690
|
The
New Hanover County Tourism Development Authority d/b/a Wilmington/Cape
Fear Coast Convention and Visitors Bureau is the official destination marketing
organization of New Hanover County that stimulates economic development
through the promotion of travel and tourism.
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