North Carolina Travel Blog

Will High Point, North Carolina ever be the same? If you‟re ready to shake off the chill of winter with an evening of delightful, tantalizing, high-energy entertainment, you won‟t want to miss the Bellydance Superstars on Tuesday, March 10, at the High Point Theatre.

Hailed as “the next Riverdance” by the Sunday Times, UK and London‟s Daily Telegraph, the Bellydance Superstars have been creating a worldwide sensation ever since they first hit the stage in 2003. By the middle of 2007, they had brought their enticing and inspiring reinterpretation of the bellydance art form to an audience exceeding one million people in 18 countries. Add in their more than 60 television appearances, and the world‟s only, full time professional bellydance troupe has introduced their scintillating and sensual art to more than 100 million people. And this broad audience has responded with enthusiasm. The troupe‟s DVDs and CDs are bestsellers; their workshops typically sell out quickly; and CNN has noted that bellydance is the fastest growing dance and fitness trend in the world. 

Now, Triad audiences have a one-night-only opportunity to catch this world-sweeping wave, as the Bellydance Superstars bring their enchanting show to the High Point Theatre. “This is not a “folk show‟ or married to a narrow view of what bellydance is,” says the troupe‟s founder, famed American impresario Miles Copeland. “Our view is that there is plenty of room within the art form to be adventurous, yet still remain primarily a bellydance show and proud of it.” 

Building on the base of the traditional Middle Eastern art, the Bellydance Superstars add Polynesian, “tribal” and modern influences to create a multifaceted interpretation that transfixes audiences everywhere. New York‟s Village Voice newspaper praised the “gorgeous, spiffily dressed, skilled dancers” for delivering a performance that is “sheer genius.” Fox5 News, Las Vegas, applauded them as “Sexy, artistic and beautiful.” And the Cleveland Plain Dealer said simply, “A hit show is born.” 

Tuesday, March 10, at the High Point Theatre in High Point, NC. Phone: 336-883-3627

Since its inception in 1980, the North Carolina Jazz Festival continues a tradition of bringing world-class jazz musicians to Wilmington, North Carolina.

During the weekend of February 5 through 7, 2009, the 29^th Annual North Carolina Jazz Festival will present concerts by more than a dozen traditional jazz artists who will perform in a cabaret-style setting at the Hilton Wilmington Riverside’s ballroom. Aficionados can see and hear their favorite traditional jazz musicians perform live, along with opportunities to meet and mingle with the artists.

Joining this year’s lineup of superb talent for the first time are Israeli clarinet and saxophone player Anat Cohen and Italian pianist Rossano Sportiello. Also new to the 2009 festival are Judy Kurtz and Gypsy Jazz Caravan bassist Mike Weatherly. Returning this year for the all-star lineup on Friday and Saturday evenings are Butch Miles, Randy Reinhart and Nicki Parrott.

Back by popular demand are festival favorites Ed Polcer (trumpet/cornet), Joe Ascione (drums) Bucky Pizzarelli (guitar), John Cocuzzi (vibes and piano), Houston Person (saxophone), and Wycliffe Gordon (trombone).

The 2009 North Carolina Jazz Festival’s Thursday night opening event includes a special half-hour performance of swing music by the UNC-Wilmington Big Band, with a tribute honoring Benny Goodman’s 100^th birthday. Joining the UNCW Big Band is Mike Waddell, a UNCW music professor and former clarinetist with “The Dukes of Dixieland.” Following the opening set, headliner Ed  Polcer & His Swingtet will perform “Lionel, Red, and Bunny: A Tribute to Lionel Hampton, Red Norvo, and Bunny Berigan.”

Presented in partnership with the Cape Fear Jazz Society, the N.C. Jazz festival is the only traditional jazz festival of its size on the coast from Virginia to Georgia. Advance reservations are recommended, as this event often sells out. Individual concert ticket prices vary: Thursday ($30 per person; $15 student rate); Friday and Saturday ($50 general admission, $15 students, each night). Patron tickets ($175 each) include admission to Friday/Saturday concerts and the Patron’s Musical Brunch with all-star musicians (Saturday). Patrons may include Thursday night’s special event concert for a total ticket price of $200. For tickets and information about the N.C. Jazz Festival, call 910-793-1111 or visit www.ncjazzfestival.com. Tickets may also be purchased at Audio Lab (5732 Oleander Dr., Wilmington; 910-392-1200). All events take place at the Hilton Wilmington Riverside, the festival’s host hotel (301 N. Water Street, Wilmington). For hotel reservations and special festival room rates, call 910-763-5900 or visit www.wilmingtonhilton.com.

I have done it myself. Headed to New York City to catch a Broadway show. Well, here’s a tip. If you want the same great theatre experience without the travel hassle and cost, you need look no further than the North Carolina Theatre in Raleigh. If you have not experienced this great venue, know this: North Carolina Theatre does not simply present shows. They actually produce them. According to Kristin Buie, Communications Manager, “We only have the rights to revivals.

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The Natural Science Center of Greensboro, North Carolina offers a brand new state of the art theater experience. Take a moment during the holidays to experience the exciting 
3-D Sea Monsters feature. Sea Monsters 3-D, created by National Geographic, is showing daily in the Center’s OmniSphere Theater. Journey 80 million years back in time to an age when mighty dinosaurs dominated the land and an equally astonishing assortment of ferocious creatures swam and fought for survival beneath the mysterious prehistoric seas. Stunning, photo-realistic imagery re-creates the perilous underwater realm of two young, dolphin-sized marine reptiles called Dolichorhynchops and follows their incredible journey through waters ruled by some of the most awesome predators ever to prowl the Earth’s oceans.
 For arents and grandparents looking for something exciting and worthwhile to do with the family, this is the ideal outing. Price for 3-D shows: $5/NSC members, $6/non-members (in addition to general admission to the Natural Science Center).

This is so colorful and filled with magic. If you are anywhere near Southern Pines, North Carolina on December 13, I highly recommend this holiday event.  The Moore County Driving Club decorates their horses and carriages for Christmas and drives them through the historic district in downtown Southern Pines. For more information call 910-315-6508. Be sure to have lunch at one of the many wonderful establishments in this colorful small town. Check out our NC Roadtrips web site for a great “walk and talk” video of Southern Pines, NC.

Have you heard of this? The Cumberland County, North Carolina Arts Council and Cape Fear Studios in Fayetteville are sponsoring their third annual Kids Shopping Adventure Saturday Dec 6 from 1 to 6 p.m.

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There is still time to send a Christmas tree to military personnel around the world. Kersey Valley Farms in High Point, North Carolina is handling this excellent and worthwhile effort. You buy the Christmas tree; Fedex provides the shipping FREE. There is a new site Kersey Valley Farms has posted that provides all the latest information and ordering details. There is even a form you can fax in right away to order a tree for troops. Here’s the web site with ordering detail:

www.kerseyvalleychristmas.com

Or call 336-431-1700 Ext 210

If you’re like me, when the holidays roll around you look for unique and interesting things to do. Well, how about taking a journey back in time this Thanksgiving and experience how the early Piedmont North Carolina settlers celebrated Thanksgiving in the late 1700s. You and your family can join in the celebration of Harvest Day at The Schiele Museum of Natural History in Gastonia, North Carolina.

Harvest Day is scheduled for Saturday, Nov 22 at 10 a.m. You will be transported back to harvest time in 18th-century North Carolina and see what has changed in 200 years. Using age-old techniques and recipes passed down through the generations, cooks and bakers will prepare a traditional holiday feast in a spirit of thanksgiving for the season’s harvest. What’s more, you can interact with craftspeople and backcountry folk as they demonstrate early America’s skills and crafts.

The Schiele Museum of Natural History is located at 1500 East Garrison Blvd. Gastonia, NC. For more details phone 704-866-6900.

High Point University in High Point, North Carolina opens their annual Thanksgiving Concert Spectacular to the public with this year’s performance by Marcoux Corner, and Nicholas and Ari Marks. The concert with be held on campus in the beautiful Hayworth Fine Arts Center, Pauline Theatre, Monday, Nov 24 at 7:30 pm. This is a stunning performing arts venue particularly suited to this year’s lineup which features two outstanding musical acts.

Marcoux Corner has often been described as a pure vocal extravagance. This four-piece A Cappella group combines more than 20 years of voice lessons and vocal study at one of the country’s most prestigious colleges for vocal performance. The sound they produce when they join in harmony will make you rethink your attitude about music. It is, at the same time, beautiful and full of so much energy you can’t help but tap your toe and grin from ear to ear.

But that’s not all. You will also enjoy Nicholas Marks — the world renowned Flamenco guitar player. Accompanied by violinist Ari Marks, he performs a variety of Gypsy, Rumba, and Flamenco music. The is a rare and rich cultural experience. Take the family and go. Tickets are available by contacting the HPU Box Office at Hayworth Fine Arts Center at 336-841-4673.

Wilmington and North Carolina’s Cape Fear Coast are famous for their holiday flotilla’s — lighted boat parades that capture the region’s nautical essence. There’s the Holiday Flotilla at Wrightsville Beach and the Island of Lights Holiday Flotilla in Carolina Beach. What’s more, you can enjoy everyone’s annual favorite, Enchanted Airlie in Wilmington.

This is the stuff great holiday memories are made of. These spectacular nighttime holiday flotillas are very popular, with thousands of cheering visitors enjoying the spectacle of sailing vessels of all shapes and sizes from rowboats to yachts. Here’s what is in the offing this year:

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Charlotte, North Carolina is one of only four cities in the United States to host this fascinating exhibit. A Day In Pompeii is a significant cultural experience for our state that should not be missed. This magnificent exhibit, on display until January 4, 2009 at Discovery Place, takes you back in time to 79 A.D. where you can experience everyday life in ancient Pompeii, the doomed Roman city soon to vanish in the cataclysmic eruption of Mount Vesuvius. What nature destroyed it also preserved in the ash of the volcano. Now, you can step into a bustling ancient Roman city blessed with beautiful weather, built on fertile ground and filled with lively people.

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Fayetteville, North Carolina is associated more with Fort Bragg than merry Old England. But each year the restored downtown area of the city is transformed into A Dickens Holiday. On Friday, Nov 28, from 1:00 – 9:00 p.m., historic downtown Fayetteville, under the guidance of the creative people at the city’s Arts Council, transforms itself back to a simpler time when the pace of life wasn’t so hectic, when families still enjoyed spending evenings together, and life revolved around village life.

Horse drawn carriages rolling up and down the central streets will carry shoppers the old fashioned way past merchants’ windows adorned with beautiful Victorian holiday decorations, artisans and vendors serve up delightful treats. I’m told Father Christmas is going to be there for picture taking with the kids. For more visit www.theartscouncil.com

Jamestown, North Carolina is home to one of our state’s most unique attractions — Castle McCulloch. The “castle” is actually a restored gold refinery constructed like an authentic medieval castle with three foot thick walls, a 70-foot tower, a drawbridge, and a moat. 

And does this stunning venue come alive for the holidays! It’s called “Christmas Castle”. It will be open every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday night from November 29 until Tuesday, December 23. You can enjoy the old world beauty of this magnificent castle adorned with timeless Christmas treasures. This includes…

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Bryson City, North Carolina is home to the ever popular Smokey Mountain Railroad. Judging from the calls and e-mails received here at NC Roadtrips.com, kids of all ages are looking for a holiday train ride. I tell ‘em to check out one of the best — The Polar Express comes to life when the train departs Bryson City for a journey to the North Pole. This is high up in the Great Smokey Mountains of North Carolina, so there is all the holiday charm and magic you are looking for. You get to read along with the magical story and meet Santa. Enjoy holiday caroling, hot cocoa, a special treat and a memento for the children. Daily departure times vary. Ticket price includes admission to the Smoky Mountain Trains Museum. The Polar Express runs from 11/7/2008 – 12/23/2008

For info go to their web site at www.gsmr.com or call Great Smoky Mountains Railroad at 800-872-4681.

Selma, North Carolina has transformed itself. If you haven’t been, you need to plan a visit. Particularly if you love small town charm and antiques. The changes in Selma are dramatic and the decision of the town leaders to attract antique dealers, arts and specialty retail to save their downtown area has made this quintessential North Carolina small town a different place today. The streets are full of antique shoppers searching for that unique treasure or bargain. And while you’re there, be sure to take in a show at the American Music Jubilee Theatre. They have great performances every weekend.

What you’ll find: 100,000 square feet of antique shops and malls all within walking distance of each other on a picturesque 1950s streetscape. Antique dealers work cooperatively to market Selma as a destination. Selma is just 30 miles east of Raleigh off of US Hwy 70. Check out there web site at www.selma-nc.com

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