Arts Commission Honors Achievements
Last night the
Raleigh Arts Commission
presented their 2008 Medal of Arts awards in a ceremony that ranged from touching to hilarious to truly bizarre. Each year since 1984 around five people who have most positively impacted arts in the Raleigh area are honored by the city’s official arts advisory body. This year’s awards went to:
- Capital Bank (accepting: Grant Yarber)
- Susan Spurlin Newberry (of Pinecone fame)
- Lucy Daniels
- Lenard D. Moore
- Jeffery H. Richardson
- Dr. Charles “Chuck” Davis
The host of this year’s ceremony was Tift Merritt , who gave a wide-eyed welcome before handing over the bulk of the hosting duties to Arts Commission members Laura Raynor and Brian Starkey. The evening was dotted with a hugely diverse complement of live entertainment beginning with the Broadway Series South Student Ensemble’s performance of “One” (from “A Chorus Line”). Alternating with official presentations were performances by Al Batten and the Bluegrass Reunion, Tift Merritt and the Community Music School Honor Vocal Ensemble, Poet (and honoree) Lenard D. Moore, and the African American Dance Ensemble.
The evening was about the award winners, though, and and rightly highlighted each one’s contributions with a short introduction by an esteemed colleague, a top-notch profile video package not dissimilar from those seen on American Idol, and a short acceptance speech by the recipient. For example, the presentation for Broughton High School’s band director, Jeff Richardson (“JR”), began with a presentation by Elizabeth Grimes-Droessler who is in charge of the arts in the school system. The package, hosted by Ira David Wood, III showed JR in action, teaching the marching band at school, and even included plenty of snippets revealing his unique nature. “By nurture I don’t mean ‘nurture’,” Grimes-Droessler quipped. The real meat here, though, was impressions by school faculty and band alumni. JR, just like the others, has passionately made an indelible mark on the arts in Raleigh. Each presentation quickly opened a window into the interesting, sometimes creepy, but always endearing, characters that we are lucky to have here.
The night’s strangest moment came with Merritt’s performance with the children’s choir. I didn’t recognize the song, but it was an outstanding piano ballad along the lines of Sarah MacLachlan’s “Angel” (except it was in 4|4). While the song was stunning and the nervous choir was adequate, the ballad’s moment was doused by Merritt’s incessant foot stomping; not tapping, stomping !
The highlight of the night had to be the presentation for Chuck Davis and his Dance Ensemble. Davis needs no microphone and radiated his inclusive love throughout the audience when speaking. However the banter between him and the perky, adorable Raynor was something of which Hollywood producers dream. Hilarious and honest!
Davis and Merritt closed the ceremony with the evening’s keynote. While the accomplishments of many in the room are well known, we all need to share that energy and inspire tomorrow’s recipients. “The children are always watching. Lead the way and they will follow.”
A reception followed where the Broughton Jazz Band offered their take on some big band classics. That was the point where the evening truly jelled. Artists interacting with each other; a true community.
Read more about the evening by downloading the official program (.PDF)
Rosebuds and Annuals Release New Discs
Today is a big day for two local bands. The Rosebuds were Spin magazine’s band of the day yesterday, and released their fourth full-length disc, “Life Like” today. The CD can be streamed for a limited time at Merge records’ website . The band will be at the Troika Music Festival in Durham on November 7.
“Such Fun” is the new Annuals release and it can be heard on Rhapsody . The band will appear on “Late Night with Conan O’Brien” on October 27 and at the Lincoln Theatre on October 29.
RDU Open House Coming Saturday
Saturday marks the long-awaited opening of the new Terminal 2 building at RDU airport. The new terminal will be open to the public on
Saturday from 10am to 4pm.
From the
RDU website
:
- See the spacious, modern design of the terminal, which is comprised of glass, wood and steel. The building’s intuitive column-free design guides you effortlessly from ticketing, through security and to the concourse.
- Taste the free samples of 12 local and national restaurants, including Raleigh’s 42nd Street Oyster Bar and the Carolina Ale House or Siler City’s Brookwood Farms BBQ. Other favorites include California Pizza Kitchen.
- Explore 14 retail outlets ranging from nationally-known Borders Books to local specialties like änders Natural Soap Co. to RDU’s first duty-free shop, EJE Travel Retail.
- Learn how RDU is elevating the travel experience by employing new technology in all airline and security processing systems.
- Check out the 40 self-service kiosks and interact with airline personnel on hand for the celebration.
- Talk with Transportation Security Administration personnel and experience the processing of an international passenger in the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Federal Inspections Facility.
- Admire two large art installations. “Wingspun,” an 780-foot glass mural stretching above the concourse; and “Gate of Earth,” a towering metal sculpture that greets passengers in both the ticketing and baggage claim areas.
- Enjoy a great time with family and friends. With free parking, live musical performances, children’s activities and the opportunity to win outstanding prizes, we guarantee the Terminal 2 Open House will be a trip to take.
James Taylor
