By Ann Marie Byrd, Feature Writer
The second annual Arts in April event is a festival dedicating the entire month of April to celebrating the thriving arts community in New Bern!
Melissa Riggle, Executive Director of Visit New Bern says: “Join us as we paint the town vibrant with culture and community! Last year’s Arts in April welcomed 160k attendees throughout the month, and it’s back and better than ever. We’re proud to announce our newest partner, the African American Heritage Culture Center, as we celebrate diversity and creativity in downtown New Bern. Get ready to be inspired, uplifted, and immersed in the heartbeat of our city.”
Mike Williams, President of the African American Heritage and Culture Center (AAHC) at St. Cyprian is dedicated to preserving and promoting the heritage and culture of African Americans in eastern North Carolina. He says, “Arts in April is an opportunity for us to showcase some wonderful local African American painters, sculptors, and singers to the community. It is also an opportunity for people from the community to visit St. Cyprian Episcopal Church which has a very significant role in the history and culture of New Bern.”
The goal of AAHC in partnership with St. Cyprian, is to be the premiere storyteller of African American heritage in greater New Bern.
Margaret Pollock, who leads St. Cyprian’s as the Episcopal priest, is eager to participate in Arts in April. She says, “It’s a beautiful time of year in New Bern, when fresh things spring forth. With that energy, we want to draw the community into St. Cyprian’s Church, located at 604 Johnson Street, to experience that beautiful space with light streaming through stained glass windows. Folks can enjoy the gallery of African American art and artists that will be gathered there to interact with them, including children’s Sip and Paint outside. Also, we want to share songs of triumph and hope in that sacred space, performed by the Williston Alumni Community Choir out of Wilmington. These are alumni from a Black high school, years 1944-1968, who sing in the gospel and spirituals tradition, expressing their shared life experiences of that era.”
AAHC and St. Cyprian’s came together recently when AAHC was looking for a home, and a place to hold events. St. Cyprian’s is perfect for both things and the undercroft of the church serves as an office and meeting space for AAHC. During Arts in April, there are two events with this partnership. The first is on April 13 from 12:00pm – 3pm at the church, featuring a showing with artists Tony Graves, Chrystal Fonville, Lisa Bisbee, Lee Hood, and Tyrone Brown, amongst others. At least two artists will be on the premises to display and discuss their work, with easels going down the knave in the center. On April 26th, the AAHC will host the Williston Alumni Community Choir at 6:30pm, performing gospel music, with joyful messages to uplift the community. The revenue from these events will help with the much-needed repairs and remodels for ADA compliance for the church.
Multiple organizations will participate this year in the Arts in April event, and the epicenter in year two of the activities will continue to be at the New Bern Civic Theatre (NBCT). New Bern Civic Theatre Executive Director, Michael Tahaney, is excited that the Arts in April festival is moving into its second year. “The concept of this annual spring event is to shine a light on the rich and ongoing arts scene in New Bern. The community’s arts are varied and include music, dance, fine arts, aerial arts, public art projects, and more. Music lovers, theatre buffs, art lovers, and families who enjoy creative activities are invited to come downtown and engage with what’s happening on one or more weekends in April.”
The best way to see the most comprehensive calendar of free and ticketed events for each weekend is through the VisitNewBern.com Arts in April webpage. On April 5, 6 and 7th NBCT features Dangerous Prodigy Circus, where aerial arts meet theatre arts in a high-flying interpretation of Grimm’s Fairy Tales titled A Grimm Twist. For the second weekend, April 13, NBCT hosts a ticketed fundraiser benefit for local non-profit Tried by Fire titled Diary of a Mother. This special stage event is a gospel play with music starring Bonita Burney Simmons. The third Arts in April weekend is geared toward families.
On Saturday, April 20 a Family Fun Day will be offering a wide variety of free street festival activities appropriate for kids of any age. Family Fun Day leads to the capstone event that evening at 7:30PM with the New Bern Follies (ticketed event). The Follies, rated [G] this year, offers a Vaudeville-style variety show featuring amazing talent from all over ENC.
And, for the closing weekend NBCT and Surf, Wind, and Fire collaborate with the Music Fest bringing free live music to the streets on Saturday, April 27. At midday, music sets begin in Bear Plaza with various artists. Then, at 4:00PM the venue shifts to the 400 block of Pollock Street. Look for the music tent in front of The Athens Theatre where live music fills the air from 4:00-6:30PM.
“As the street music wraps the hope is people will enjoy dinner at one of the many terrific restaurants within steps of The Athens then return for the indoor headline concert with The Will McBride Group from Raleigh. This is a ticketed event with assigned theatre seating not to be missed by anyone who enjoys a fusion of Rock/Funk/Jazz & Blues. The Will McBride Group performs originals they self-describe as being in the style of Steely Dan, John Mayer, Santana and Stevie Wonder. So much is happening all over downtown and much of it is free,” says Michael.
For tickets and more information about ticketed events at NBCT visit: newberncivictheatre.org.
Danny Batten, Owner of Surf, Wind and Fire, has been instrumental in organizing the Music Festival to be held on April 26-28. He says: “This type of musical festival will be an event fostering social cohesion and equity, creating space for everyone participating in our community. It is an opportunity to spotlight our local talent, to bring folks downtown to support our businesses—and to simply enjoy being a part of the downtown community.”
Music and theatre performances are not the only focus of Arts in April, as New Bern’s visual arts are also flourishing, as demonstrated by the monthly ArtWalk held on the second Friday of each month as well as spring Plein Air activities. The festival will feature hands-on art experiences on the 400 block of Pollock, including the creation of chalk art for kids and murals for both children and adults on S. Front Street, amongst other activities.
Executive Director of the Carven Arts Council (CAC), Jonathan Burger, says: “Arts in April is an opportunity for us to highlight the artistic and cultural community of New Bern. You always hear from visitors and residents about how our vibrant arts scene made them want to visit or move here, so this is a chance for us to center and showcase that at the forefront. Craven Arts Council is excited to be a part of these events, which are a really a collaboration between many groups, artists, and community members.”
This year, the Craven Arts Council will be hosting Art Walk on Friday, April 12; a book signing featuring Victor Dove and Jameesha Harris on April 13 in the CAC main gallery; and the much-loved community mural project.
“The community mural project this year will be located in the alley on S. Front Street by Next Chapter books on the Mike Rogers CPA building on April 27 from 10 am – 4 pm. This year, we put all the lessons we learned last year to good use, and have created an even bigger and better event. Last year’s event demonstrated to us the significant contribution that the arts bring to the economy in our community. Annually, the arts in New Bern contribute almost 5 million in local spending. For example, every person attending Arts in April spent $55.50, so events like this are a great boon to the local economy,” says Jon.
From family-friendly downtown events and fine arts showcases, to theatre and music performances, Arts in April has something for everyone. It’s bound to be a delightful celebration of the arts—that also has a positive economic impact on our downtown businesses.
“Last year’s Arts in April events boasted an estimated $400k in economic impact in our community, and we’re gearing up for an even more impactful April this year,” says Melissa Riggle. “Our continued vision is to showcase the vibrant performing and visual arts scene that makes our city shine, attracting locals and visitors alike.”