“Life imitates art far more than art imitates life.” Oscar Wilde

Cary, N.C – Oscar Wilde may have been wrong.  At least in the case of Seton McGlennon.  She has made a living of telling people’s life stories through art.  I visited her in her Cary studio this week.

I was greeted at the door like I was visiting my sister, or an old friend.  She was warm, animated, high energy, and full of compelling stories.  The same as her artwork. (more…)

Photo by Don LaVange

Cary, NC – The Cary Jaycees and Spring Daze Arts & Crafts Festival presents the second annual Amateur Photo Contest [Brochure] for the community.

Everyone can participate, adults and youth.  If you love to take pictures and are not a professional paid photographer, this event is for you. All entries will be displayed during Spring Daze on April 24, 2010 at Bond Park at the Boat House. (more…)

Members of the Cary Photographic group prepare for their Raleigh Show

Photo by Bob Lanahan of CPA

Cary, NC -  Cary Photographic Artists (CPA) will hold an opening night reception March 15th, from 6:30 til 8:30 pm for their collection of photographic art at the Raleigh Convention Center. The show will run through from  May 24, 2010. This is their first large scale show and the first to premier their club to the Greater Triangle area. (more…)

Author Peggy Von Scoyoc photographed for CaryCitizen by Hal Goodtree.

Cary, NC – Author and historian Peggy Van Scoyoc has just published her second book, “Desegregating Cary.”

Van Scoyoc draws her material from interviews with people who participated in the integration of Cary’s schools. In fact, the basis for the book is a collection of remembrances, edited and grouped by the author.

Ms. Van Scoyoc followed the same approach for her first book, “Just a Horse Stopping Place,” an oral history of Cary. Both books are available from Lulu and at the Page Walker Arts & History Center.

Her first book have been excerpted in the N&O and now she’ll be writing some stories for CaryCitizen. Stay tuned.

Peggy also recommends “Around and About Cary” as the definitive history of the Town, written by Tom Byrd and illustrated by Jerry Miller. Some used versions are available on Amazon or buy it new from Page Walker.

Cary, NC – Long before there was a CaryCitizen, a group of local photographers had gotten together online to share photos of life in our town. The Cary, NC Flickr Group has grown since its inception in 2007 to more than 125 photographers and almost 1000 pictures.

Here are some of the best photos from the group pool as ranked by a filter that Flickr calls “interestingness.” (more…)

in photo: Shelly Stewart and Wyatt Geist

Cary, NC- Looking for a different “Date Night” for your Valentine sweetie? How about trying a night of romance-based performance? With an all-new collection of clever skits and songs, Cary Players presents their fifth season of “Love Bits & Bites,” opening this Friday.

The show derives it’s name from the short plays (The Bits) and the complimentary sweets and beverages (The Bites) served at intermission. The performances are set on two floors of the elegant Page-Walker Arts & History Center.  Following intermission, the audience switches floors to see a new set of scenes and songs.

This season is directed by Cary Parks & Recreation Director, Lyman Collins with Assistant Director Sarah Preston. Musical direction is provided by Craig Johnson with Assistant Music Director Angie Davis. Song selections include some of Broadway’s best, mixed with sentimental favorites (e.g. Sondheim, Gershwin).  Playwrights include Garth Wingfield, Mark Harvey Levine and the Triangle’s very own Chuck Keith.

Additional performances are Saturday, February 13 and 20 at 8pm, and Sunday, February 14 and 21 at 4 pm. and tickets can be purchased for $17 each at the Herb Young Community Center Box Office or via Ticketmaster (or (800) 745-3000).

For more information, visit Cary Players. And if you are looking for interesting events around town, don’t forget to consult the Cary Citizen Calendar.

Got events? Email Lindsey Chester.

CaryCitizen photo by Hal Goodtree

Cary, NC – The Town of Chapel Hill and University Mall are holding a photo contest on the theme of ecology. Top prize is $1000.

DEADLINE

Photos are due Wednesday, March 3. There’s still time, so get shooting!

Further instructions from the Town of Chapel Hill website:

Send a CD or DVD containing portfolio materials through the post to:

Public Arts Office
405 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Chapel Hill, NC 27514

Or, you can email a .zip file to chapelhillarts@gmail.com. No hardcopy portfolios will be considered or returned, they say.

CONTEST THEME

The winning photos will be on display from April 12 – May 30, 2010 at University Mall. The organizers described the theme of the contest:

For the purpose of this competition and exhibition, the term ecology is broad and encompasses living with nature, conservation, protection and preservation of resources, low ecological impact activities (hiking, biking, recycling, reuse), connections between the built and natural environment, human structures/settlements reclaimed by nature, green building, sustainability, etc.

This invitation is extended to all individuals 18 years or older residing in Orange, Durham, Wake, Chatham and Alamance Counties of North Carolina. There is no entry fee. Selection for the exhibition and awards will be based on artistic quality and adherence to the ecological theme.

PRIZES

The three top place winners will receive $1,000, $500, and $250, respectively. A people’s choice award of $250 will also be offered.

MORE INFO

Read all the rules and regs before you start shooting and planning how you’ll spend the thousand bucks.

Good luck, Cary photographers. Let’s dominate the show!

CARY, NC-  Applause! is sponsoring the Cary Youth Theatre’s 6th Improv Comedy Night, this Saturday, February 13 at 7 p.m. at the Cary Senior Center, 120 Maury O’Dell Place.  Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

This free performance will feature local teens performing improvisational comedy in amusing characters, skits and games based on audience suggestions. Cash concessions will be open throughout the evening.

“Our Improve Comedy Night gives our drama students the opportunity to build their skills and confidence on stage,” said Rachel Green, Youth Theatre Coordinator. “We invite everyone to our evening of no-cost, full-of-laughs entertainment.”

This performance is part of a Drama Workshop Series class offered by Applause! Cary Youth Theatre to teach specific theater skills to teens. Class topics vary, and each class culminates in a performance designed to showcase skills learned in class.

Applause! offers youth theater classes year-round, with week-long camps during the summer. Additionally in the summer, the Applause! Touring Troupe rehearses and performs a patriotic drama as part of the Town of Cary’s Independence Day festivities.

For more, visit Applause! Cary Youth Theatre or call (919) 469-4061. For more weekend events, visit the Calendar.

"Walk in the Garden" by Faye Silliman

Cary, NC- Did you know that every month on the Final Friday, the Cary Arts Community hosts the Cary Art Loop?  Have you ever been?

Well it’s tonight night from 6pm to 9pm, unless there’s a weather cancellation.

WHERE TO GO

Start your Loop with a trip to downtown Cary at the following venues holding artist receptions tonight -

Jordan Hall Arts Center, 908 N Harrison St
Featuring: Cary Photographic Artists

Cary Senior Center, Bond Park, 120 Maury O’Dell Place
Featuring: Elke Brand: Photography
Reception: 6-8 p.m.

Herbert C. Young Community Center, 101 Wilkinson Ave
Edward Baxter: The Ladys in Hats: Oils

Town Hall, 316 N Academy St- 3 shows/ 2 receptions
1- Lori White: NC Scapes: Oils and pastels
Reception: Jan 29, 6-8 p.m.

2- American Institute of Architects – Triangle Design Committee presents 2009 Award Winners

3- Featured FALC Showcase Artist
Sys Oppenlander
Reception: Jan 29, 6-8 p.m.

Page-Walker Arts & History Center 2nd floor gallery, 119 Ambassador Loop
MLK, Jr. Dreamfest 2010 Student Art Competition

End your tour at Studio 180 Salon and Lucid Element Multimedia. This month through April, features work by Faye Silliman, a local artist with a reception and cocktails from 6-9 pm.  Faye  has traveled extensively.  and her background played a major role in creating her broad artistic vision – due in part to her father’s military career and her nomadic lifestyle, which continued throughout her adult life.

So check out something different on a Friday night. I spoke with Anna Smith of Studio 180 and she said many local businesses stay open with refreshments for visitors to the loop . In fact this week, Maximillian’s is giving out a free dessert to Loop patrons.

I know what we’re doing if it’s not snowing!

You can find this and many other interesting events in town on the CaryCitizen Calendar. If you would like to add your event to the calendar, please email Lindsey Chester

Actors from the Playwright's Forum held Friday Jan 22

Story and photos by Angie Lowden

Cary, NC- On Friday, Jan. 22, at 7:30 PM, the Herb Young Community Center played host to a dysfunctional job interview, a family on the brink of financial disaster, a most unusual marital relationship, a feisty grandmother, a first date with multiple personality disorder, a mature couple searching for love, and a grade school reunion that nearly becomes a mob scene.

It was  the fourth staged reading of original plays written by members of the Cary Playwrights’ Forum.  The event was free and open to the public.  The program  featured 7 original short plays or excerpts from longer plays by 7 different local playwrights and was performed by 22 local actors.

Don’t miss out on the next bit of community theater in Cary:

Love’s Bits and Bites
Feb 12-21
Page Walker
More details

More events on the CaryCalendar.