Waggin’ Train
Crazy for canines? Then grab the kiddies and — heh — paws to check out UNCG’s North Carolina Theater for Young People’s production of Go, Dog, Go! March 21–26 at Taylor Theatre (406 Tate Street). Adapted from the popular children’s book by P.D. Eastman, the series of vignettes promises dogs of all sizes and colors, and “fanciful frolic and frivolous fun,” as actors zoom around the stage on various vehicles and wheels to give the sense of perpetual motion. Theatrical treats that will no doubt have you begging for more. Tickets: (336) 272-0160 or vpa.uncg.edu.
Lady in Red
Most would agree that Kimberly Roberts, to borrow from The Talking Heads, “looks so cute in [her] little red suit,” but cuteness isn’t the point of the crimson-clad Roberts, vice president of Cultural Development for Crumley Roberts, attorney at law and the creator of the firm’s employee wellness program. As chair of the American Heart Association’s 2016–17 Guilford County Go Red for Women Campaign, Roberts is striking out across the state on her Little Red Jumpsuit Tour to educate women about heart health. And Roberts’s mission is serious business: cardiovascular disease claims the lives of one in three women every year, making it the second leading cause of female deaths. So jump start your heart and schedule a tour stop by contacting Ruth Darling Heyd, Executive Director of Community Engagement and Employee Wellness, at RDHeyd@CrumleyRoberts.com.
Drawing Your Eire
Sons and daughters of Erin — or anyone looking for a good excuse for a quaff: Celebrate all things Irish at Otis and Wawa’s second annual St. Patrick’s Day Pub Crawl on South Elm Street (March 18). Check in at the pint — oops, make that point —
of origin, Gibb’s Hundred Brewing Company between 1 and 3 p.m. Then enjoy an afternoon and evening of fun and games, or craic as they say on the Emerald Isle, as you make your way to seven-odd watering holes in the vicinity. A portion of the ticket sales ($15 each) goes to benefit future projects in the Gate City’s blossoming downtown. Info: downtowngreensboro.org.
This is Your Life
Sharpen your pens and your prose! O.Henry is officially calling for submissions for our August Summer Reading issue. The topic? “My Life in 1,000 Words.” Just tell us your life story or a story from your life — a mini memoir, if you will — in a thousand words. We’re looking for a variety of styles — comical, quirky, poignant, irreverent, or noir-ish . . . Please send your submission no later than May 1st to ohenry.mylife@gmail.com, and our editors will select a handful for prizes and publication. Ready? Aim! Write!
Comedy of Arias
Single Turkish Bey Mustafa — bored with his harem, if you can believe it — seeks single, spirited Italian girl. And ciao, bella! Thanks to a shipwreck, the feisty Isabella arrives in Mustafa’s home of Algiers. Just one problem: She’s the girlfriend of his servant, Lindoro. Sit back and enjoy comic opera as only Giacomo Rossini (composer of The Barber of Seville) can deliver at Piedmont Opera’s production of Italian Girl in Algiers (March 17, 19 and 21) at Winston-Salem’s Stevens Center (405 West Fourth Street). Tickets: (336) 275-7101 or piedmontopera.org.
You Can Take It With You
Any foodie coming home from Europe is envious of how small, independent grocers there enrich their neighbors’ lives with the most delicious freshly baked bread, seasonal vegetables, plus local meat and cheeses. The newly opened Market at The Traveled Farmer shares that mission, but adds a barista ready to pull an espresso and serve a just-baked muffin to a hungry commuter, as early at 7 a.m. The produce, though, is what catches the eye: Easter-egg radishes, plump little baby carrots and sweet taters galore, drawn from area farms that include Fair Share, PTB, Mighty Tendril and Schicker’s Acre. Picnic? Got the fixings — including Goat Lady cheese and mushroom focaccia — with some rustic tables in case it’s chilly outside. Or pick up a carton of Chef Jay Pierce’s signature collards, chili mac ’n’ cheese or hoppin John on the way home for a quick dinner. The Traveled Farmer, 1211 Battleground Avenue, Greensboro. Info: (336) 792-1999 or traveledfarmer.com.—DCB
Order of the Ginkgo
The sap is rising, greenery is sprouting . . . what better time to show your appreciation for one of the world’s oldest trees? With origins in China and dating back about 270 million years, the gingko, whose fan-shaped leaves that turn bright yellow in fall, is one of the most recognizable trees. On March 16 at 2 p.m. you can learn more at Paul J. Ciener Botanical Garden (215 South Main Street, Kernersville) at “Ginkgo: The Tree that Time Forgot,” based on the book by the same name by Professor Sir Peter Crane. The author will discuss the gingko’s cultural and medicinal importance, before signing copies of his book. To register: Call (336) 617-8344 or email abowers9@triad.rr.com. For more info:cienerbotanicalgarden.org.
Blessed Are the Peacemakers
Half a century ago, March 30, 1967, The Carolina Peacemaker, a Greensboro weekly, published its first issue. Founded by John Marshall Kilimanjaro in a period of deep racial tension, the paper was to provide a “journalistic vehicle through which the hopes, ambitions, fears, and aspirations of the entire citizenry regarding social, economic, and civic affairs might be expressed.”
Today, Kilimanjaro, who retired from North Carolina A&T as professor of drama, theater arts and language, is publisher emeritus of The Peacemaker — at the age of 86. Wife Vickie is associate publisher. Daughter Afrique is editor.
“For years I tried to run away from the family business,” Afrique says. “But my father kept calling, saying he needed help. I keep a box of letters, just as my father did when he was editor, from people all over, telling us how important The Peacemaker has been in their lives.”—RHJr
Ogi Sez
In keeping with the March weather — the old “in like a lion” thing —we plan to have a roaring good time enjoying the gamut of this month’s musical offerings. The one thing they all have in common, though — and I ain’t no lyin’ king — is that they’re all top-shelf, A-list performers. If you don’t care for one, stay tuned, the next one will fix what ails ya.
• March 3, Greensboro Coliseum: Since his days with The Gap Band, Charlie Wilson has been the King of Cool. He has also amassed eleven Grammy nominations and a BET Lifetime Achievement award. His current “In It To Win It” tour also includes local fave Fantasia and Johnny Gill.
• March 4, Cone Denim Entertainment Center: If you’re a Guns N’ Roses fan but not sure who exactly might be in the band this week, take heart. The note-for-note, lick-for-lick tribute band, Appetite for Destruction, is coming to town. And they’ll be on time.
• March 11, Haw River Ballroom: For Americana, alt-country aficionados, the best news of the year so far is that genre pioneers Son Volt released a new album February 17. Even better is that they’ll be in the area promoting it this month. Can’t wait.
• March 28, Lucky 32: How many artists have a Master’s in ethnomusicology, play accordion, keyboards, musical saw, adunga, bombo, zheng, vihuela and tenor banjo, and have a vocal range that shatters glass and looks that stop traffic? There’s only one right answer: Crystal Bright. She is in a class by herself.
• March 31, Carolina Theatre: When Dobro legend Jerry Douglas put the Earls of Leicester together in 2014 to recreate the music of Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs, the bluegrass world was poleaxed. Since then they have captured virtually every IBMA award available and the hearts of every bluegrass buff on the planet.
