 HOME | BLOG | ABOUT US | CONTACT US | PAST ISSUES | ADVERTISING RATES | RACK LOCATIONS Arts are alive and thrive in Chatham County by Molly Matlock ChathamArts (www.chathamarts.org) anticipates working alongside the NC Arts Incubator and the Chatham Artists Guild to bring you continual coverage of cultural events and services off the beaten path here in Chatham. We’ll be offering regular columns in the Chatham County Line to keep you current regarding the freshest developments in arts education, cultural tourism, and the value of arts in developing sustainable communities. These three arts organizations vastly improve quality of life for our Chatham communities and for visitors. We do this by fostering and presenting our rich creative identity and heritage through business development for professional artists, gallery exhibits, studio tours, impactful residencies in our public schools, grants and scholarships, and through quality monthly cultural events. Here’s a brief sampling of what’s happening now at ChathamArts: Concerts - Friday, November 13 (brace yourselves), Fearrington Barn. It's time again for ChathamArts' annual Bluegrass Experience Anniversary Concert featuring keynotes by Bill and Marcie Ferris. Bill Ferris directed the National Endowment of the Humanities and now teaches at UNC in the History Deptartment and in the Folklore Curriculum. You've probably heard him on NPR a time or two. Marcie is a renowned foodie and foodways expert. They will sell and sign their latest books at the event. The BBQ joint will sell dinner plates, and Fearrington will offer a cash bar. Advance tickets at www.chathamarts.org or Beggars & Choosers, the ChathamArts Gallery, and Red Gate Music. Doors open at 6 p.m. to give you time to chat, eat, drink and be merry. Music begins at 8 p.m. sharp. Thanks so much to Tommy Edwards and the Experience for bringing us world-class traditional music each fall. Gallery - ChathamArts Evening Gallery Gala with Artist Lecture, Wine and Chocolate Tasting: Thursday, Dec. 3. ChathamArts Gallery celebrates the opening of their December-January exhibit, "American Beauty." Drop by 115 Hillsboro Street from 6 to 8:30 pm. Visit www.chathamarts.org for more information. Regular hours: Wed – Sat, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., Sundays, 1 – 4 p.m. 100 Mile Film Series: Sustainable Cinema Linda Booker's "Love Lived on Death Row," Tuesday, Nov. 24, 7 p.m., chronicles the remarkable story of the Syriani sibling's journey from hate and anger to love and forgiveness for their father who murdered their mother in 1990. After 14 years of estrangement, their miraculous reconciliation led them to a campaign for his clemency that captured the nation's attention on The Larry King Show. Prior to the film: a theatrical reading of "For Strong Women", a poem by award-winning author Marge Piercy presented on behalf of women who have survived violence or loss and held on to a deep capacity to love. Admission is $5/adults and $3/students. Get ready for a red carpet event if there ever was one! Screening of Rhett and Link’s "Looking for Mrs. Locklear," Friday, Jan. 29, 2010. Rhett and Link of Internet comedy/music fame met in first grade in Ms. Locklear's class when she caught them writing on their desks. After an hour of forced unicorn drawing, Rhett and Link formed a friendship and creative collaboration to last a lifetime. Their film chronicles their 2006 search for Ms. Locklear, which led them to a host of characters and most importantly, to the Lumbee Tribe of NC. This film has been selling out across the nation. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased online at www.chathamarts.org. ChathamArts’100-Mile Sustainable Cinema events happen every final Tuesday of the month at Fearrington Village Barn. Fearrington Village is located on US Hwy 15-501 midway between Chapel Hill and Pittsboro. For more information, please visit http://chathamarts.org/programs/sustainablecinema09.html. Classes: Current "Drawing for People Who Can't Draw" with Emma Skurnick. Tuesdays, Nov. 3 - Dec. 8, 6-8pm. Cost: $120 "Beginning Crochet Series" with Michelle Stebelle. Wednesdays, Nov. - Dec., 7-8:30 pm. Cost: $120 or $25/class session. Drop-ins welcome. Beginning January, 2010 Improv classes! Anoo Brod of Transactor’s Improv will be teaching beginning improvisational acting for teens and adults starting this January at Briar Chapel Development. Former Transactor and Chatham County powerhouse extraordinaire, Jane Allen Wilson will teach Spirit of Improv for youth and adults in Siler City. Improv will make you smarter, funnier, and more zen-like. Psychologists say so. Also, stay tuned for details about our upcoming salsa, voice, and Latin dance classes and about our new afterschool arts programs and upcoming summer programs like Drama Camp taught by Larissa Biggers! Registration form available at www.chathamarts.org. For more info, visit: http://chathamarts.org/programs/programs-classes.html Arts on the Air- On Tuesdays, live stream ChathamArts new talk radio show, "Inside the Artists' Studio" on WCOM FM radio. You can live stream it at www.wcomfm.org every Tuesday from 4 - 5 p.m. Stay tuned for the Podcasts. Molly Matlock is executive director of the Chatham County Arts Council. |