14 Things to do in March

Veronica Tibbitts (Art 2 Wear Dress) on display at the Gregg Museum of Art and Design

14 THINGS TO DO IN MARCH

This month offers plenty of opportunities to absorb a little arts and culture. From the master chorale to the Wailin’ Jennys; The Capital Quilters Guild Quilt Show to the St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival; the Best of NC at Gallery C to Tiffany Glass at the Reynolda House in Winston Salem, there is beauty for every eye to behold.

all month | ALL THAT GLITTERS

In need of a little shimmer and shine? Take in the spectacle that is All That Glit- ters—Spark and Dazzle from the Permanent Collection at the Gregg Museum of Art & Design now through May 17. The Gregg has an extensive private collection, so when available space opened up in the gallery, director Roger Manley and curator Janine Le Blanc came up with the idea to exhibit some sparkling pieces. The exhibit primarily features clothing and fashion accessories—cases of bejeweled hats and shoes; a collection of sequined sweater pins from the 1940s; an intri- cately detailed wedding kimono. There are also two must-see pieces, according to Evelyn McCauley, marketing and com- munications director at the museum. The first is Miao Flower Crown, a 20th-century Chinese wedding headpiece made en- tirely of silver. “It is spectacular. The detail on this piece—each flower, bird, ribbon—is very compelling,” says McCauley. The second is a dress made almost completely out of aluminum, designed by Veronica Tibbitts in 2011 for the Art 2 Wear student fashion show at N.C. State. “The bodice is made of a screen with aluminum insets. The skirt starts out as fabric, then cascades into a train made entirely of pleated aluminum scales. It’s extraordinary,” says McCauley. While you’re there, check out Design By Time, a concurrently running exhibition exploring the effect of time on fashion, furniture, textiles and more.

See website for museum hours and times; free; 1903 Hillsborough St.; gregg.arts.ncsu.edu

all month | OLD SCHOOL BANDS

Unearth your tie-dye t-shirt, suede fringe jacket and desert boots from the attic—a few old-school favorites are rocking this month. Founding member of the Grateful Dead Bob Weir will play all
the jams with his trio The Wolf Bros at the Duke Performing Arts Center March 3. Band members include award-winning producer and funk-rock legend Don Was and drummer Jay Lane. Gen X marks the spot at the Ritz March 5 for indie rockers Big Head Todd and the Monsters. Then, get itty bitty with the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band at the Carolina Theatre March 12. Cool, man.

See websites for show dates, times and tickets; dpacnc.com, ritzraleigh.com, carolinatheatre.org

all month | N.C. SYMPHONY

This month, the North Carolina Symphony is offering a sampling of show tunes, jazz and Motown at the Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts. March 6-7, the symphony welcomes Oscar Andy Hammerstein III to host A Rodgers and Hammerstein Cel- ebration. Hammerstein is the grandson of the legendry librettist and lyricist. Wesley Schulz conducts with guests Teri Hansen
and Nicholas Rodriguez on vocals. March 13-14 the symphony welcomes a Frenchman to America for An American in Paris. Famed pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet lends his world-famous talent to an evening of music featuring George Gershwin’s I Got Rhythm Variations and An American in Paris. (Join symphony director Grant Llewellyn on March 11 for a special talk about Gershwin at Quail Ridge Books.) March 21 will find you Dancing in the Street: The Music of Motown. Guest-star singers join the symphony for a rhythm and blues tribute to the magic of Motown—you heard it through the grapevine.

See website for individual show dates, times and tickets; ncsymphony.org

March 3 & 29 | MASTER CHORALE

The North Carolina Master Chorale of- fers two different concerts to begin and end the month. They open in dramatic fashion with a full-throated performance of Antonín Dvorák’s Requiem on March 3. Then they follow with a spotlight on the Barons of Broadway, a tribute to legends of musical theatre: Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe, Frank Loesser and Andrew Lloyd Webber on March 29. Both concerts are held at the Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts.

See website for show dates and times; from $30; 2 E. South St.; ncmasterchorale.org

March 5 | WAILIN’ JENNYS

No woman, no cry. The Wailin’ Jennys are back by popular demand. The respected trio of folk musicians will perform at the Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts March 5 as part of PineCone’s Downhome Concert Series. The Jennys—a.k.a. Nicky Mehta, Ruth Moody and Heather Masse—have been melding bluegrass harmonies with traditional roots music for more than fifteen years and have amassed awards, accolades and a loyal fanbase.

7:30 p.m.; from $32; 2 E. South St.; pinecone.org

March 5-22 | CAROLINA BALLET

Join the Carolina Ballet for A Celebration of Female Choreographers, a first-of-its- kind event to pay tribute to the ballet’s Founding Principal Guest Choreographer Lynne Taylor-Corbett and emerging talent in the field: Mariana Oliveira, Adriana Pierce and Jenny Palmer. The featured piece of the show is Taylor-Corbett’s Boléro, set to Maurice Ravel’s stirring score, which premiered to audience ac- claim during the ballet’s 20th anniversary season.

See website for ballet dates and times; from $36.00; 2 E. South St.; carolinaballet.com

March 6-8 | INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL

Think global, act local: the 34th International Festival of Raleigh returns to the Jim Graham Building and Exposition Center at the N.C. State Fairgrounds March 6-8. The International Festival is a celebration of the diverse cultures represented in the Triangle area. Over 50 groups gather together to share their traditions, music, art, dance and cuisine. The event is kicked off every year with a naturalization ceremony—over 200 candidates from 40 different countries will take the oath of citizenship. Other highlights in- clude: the Biergarten Stage for live music and libations, the World Bazaar market for shopping; Sophia’s Corner for kid activities and crafts; and the Sidewalk Cafes for sampling and more sampling. The International Festival is sponsored by International Focus,a nonprofit organization that promotes understanding between the people of North Carolina and the international community through the exchange of cultural arts.

See website for festival dates and times; from $6; 1025 Blue Ridge Road; internationalfocus.org/festival/

March 13-29 | BUD, NOT BUDDY

Grab your young buds and go see Bud, Not Buddy, Theatre Raleigh’s latest production running March 13-29 at the Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts. The play, adapted by Reginald André Jackson, is based on the Newbery Award-winning young adult novel by Christopher Paul Curtis. The story follows a young boy’s search for his father in depression-era Michigan and touches on issues of race, family and belonging and is set to a stirring jazz soundtrack. Bud, Not Buddy is recommended for ages 9+ and has a run time of 75 minutes with no intermission. The 2 p.m. performance on March 28 is sensory friendly—a partnership with Arts Access.

See website for show times and dates; from $12; 2 E. South St.; theatreraleigh.com/bud-not-buddy/

March 14 | ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE AND FESTIVAL

Erin Go B’Raleigh. The St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Wearin’ ‘O the Green Festival takes place downtown March 14. Now in its 38th year, the parade is a celebration of all things Irish (bag pipers, Irish dancers and leprechauns) and not-exactly-Irish (clowns, acrobats and floats). The parade starts promptly at 10 a.m.—consult the website for a map to plot out your lucky spot along the route. The parade wraps up around 11:30, but the fun is not over. Head over to City Plaza for the Wearin’ ‘O the Green Festival. Bring the whole family and enjoy live music, Irish dancing lessons, food truck fare and, of course, beer (green and otherwise). Green attire is recommended to ward off mischievous leprechauns.

10 a.m. parade, 12 p.m. festival; free; see website for parade and festival information; raleighstpats.org

March 20-21 | QUILT SHOW

Sew exciting: The Capital Quilters Guild Quilt Show returns to the Kerr Scott Building at the N.C. State Fairgrounds March 20-21. It’s a tailor-made way to spend World Quilting Day (March 21). Quilters and the quilting-curious can enjoy hands-on activities, bid on silent auction items, enter a raffle to win a quilt, shop vendors and a gift boutique and admire a wide range of artistic styles in special exhib- its. Block out some time to admire local artists and get inspired to create your own work of art.

9 a.m. – 5 p.m.; $8; 1025 Blue Ridge Rd.; capitalquilters.org

March 20-21 | BURNING COAL THEATRE’S CABARET NIGHTS

Life is a cabaret (for two nights only). Burning Coal Theatre presents its spring Cabaret Nights March 20-21. The theatre transforms into an inti- mate night club for two hours of music from some of Raleigh’s favorite singers. The lineup includes: Benaiah Barnes, Christy Connell, MeMe Cowans, Shane de Leon, Alec Donaldson, Juan Isler, Lee Jean, Carly Jones, Danielle Long, Natalie Reder and Tyanna West. Cocktails and nibbles will be available for purchase while you swing, sway and sing along (under your breath). Willkommen.

7:30 p.m.; $35; 224 Polk St.; burningcoal.org

March 24 | THE CONE FAMILY

The North Carolina Museum of History’s Notable North Carolina Lecture Series delves into the history of The Cone Family March 24. Carrie Streeter, scholar of United States history, women’s studies and the American South, will present a history of one of the state’s most economically and culturally influential families. Brothers Moses and Ceasar Cone established Cone Mills in Greensboro, transforming the area into a textile hub. Meanwhile, sisters Claribel and Etta amassed an impressive art collection featuring paintings, sculptures, textiles and jewelry that continues to awe viewers. From their mountain home on the Blue Ridge Parkway—now a national park—to Cone Hospital in Greensboro, the family has left an indelible mark on our state.

7 p.m.; from $10; 5 East Edenton St.; ncmuseumofhistory.org

March 28 –  June 21 | TIFFANY GLASS

Breakfast with Tiffany’s? Plan an excursion to Winston-Sa- lem this spring to take in The Reynolda House’s Spring 2020 exhibit, Tiffany Glass: Painting with Color and Light. Presented in conjunction with the Neustadt Collection of Tiffany Glass in Queens, New York, the exhibit features some of Louis C. Tiffany’s most enduring works including five windows and 22 lamps. Additional displays showcase Tiffany’s design process, manufacturing and—for collectors—how to suss out a forgery. There will also be a special showing of Katharine Smith Reynolds’s collection of Tiffany blown-glass vases. Taking inspiration from the floral themes of Tiffany’s art, visitors are invited to enjoy the spring blooms in Reynolda Gardens, four acres of formal gardens on the greater grounds of the estate.

See website for exhibit dates and times; $18; 2250 Reynolda Road, Winston Salem; reynoldahouse.org

March 28 – May 23 | BEST OF N.C.

North Carolina art collectors and aficionados take note: it’s time for Gallery C’s annual Best of NC art show, featuring important artists from the 19th and 20th centuries. Gallery owner Charlene Newsome is pleased to announce a prize offering this year: an original George Bireline, a piece first exhibited at the NCMA in his one-man retrospective exhibit in 1976. Other artists in the show include: Phillip Moose, Sally Prange, Hobson Pittman, Francis Speight and Sarah Blakeslee.

See website for gallery hours; free; 540 N. Blount St.; galleryc.net