The days and nights of autumn are moving by at a remarkable clip - can it really be the last week of October? And still there's so much to do on the Outer Banks! Outer Banks Restaurant Week continues through this weekend, and a plethora of other festivals, book signings, food-oriented fundraisers, musical events and adult-oriented Halloween bacchanalias promise fun for all those who seek it.
First Friday November
Another First Friday draws nigh, bringing with it all the fun, live music, art, sales and good food we've come to expect. The Dare County Arts Council will present two exhibitions. The first, A Celebration of Fiber, displays the works of the Outer Banks Fiber Guild in the Vault gallery space. At the other end of the Arts Council, Pocosin Arts Metals Guild member Joanne Lang opens her show, The Spoon Exhibit. There will be an opening reception from 6 to 8 p.m. featuring live music, light fare and libations.
From 5:30 to 8 p.m. Ducks Cottage Downtown Books will host a book signing for author Gregory Freeman's The Gathering Wind: Hurricane Sandy, the Sailing Ship Bounty and a Courageous Rescue at Sea. Freeman's book tells the story of last year's Hurricane Sandy, the tall ship Bounty, which foundered in the storm just off our coast and the Elizabeth City-based United States Coast Guard teams who undertook the courageous rescue mission. Please note: From 3 to 5 p.m. Friday author Freeman will be joined by members of the United States Coast Guard search and rescue teams who participated in the Bounty mission as part of a panel discussion held at the Dare County Center at 950 Marshall Collins Drive in Manteo.
Have Fun, Do Good
Since 1970, March of Dimes walkers have raised an incredible $2.6 billion to fund research to help moms have healthy, full-term pregnancies! The 2013 March of Dimes OBX March for Babies will be held at Roanoke Island Festival Park's Outdoor Pavilion in Manteo this Saturday, November 1, and there is still time to participate, donate and/or sponsor. Walkers can register online in advance or register onsite Saturday beginning at 10 a.m. The walk begins at 11 a.m. A variety of kids activities will be available as well as information booths from a number of local community-oriented organizations. Local food vendors will be on hand to provide sustenance to the walkers. For more information contact Stephanie Baker at {encode="sbaker@marchofdimes.com" title="sbaker@marchofdimes.com"} or call (252) 261-3339.
Later on Saturday, take part in the Fiesta for Sea Turtles, a fundraiser for the Network for Endangered Sea Turtles to assist with the veterinary expense, care and rehabilitation of sea turtles stranded on our beaches by cold weather conditions. Held at 6 p.m. in the Hilton Garden Inn in Kitty Hawk, the evening will include a cocktail/social hour, an opportunity to enter a drawing for a work by local artist Rick Romano, a brief N.E.S.T. presentation, an impressive Mexican dinner buffet followed by bingo with cash prizes and a sombrero contest. Tickets are $40 in advance (includes 10 bingo cards) and $50/door. For more information, contact Karen Gregory at (252) 453-0651.
On Sunday, November 3 step away from the television and put on your game face for the 4th Annual Outer Banks Shrimp Cook-off to benefit the Outer Banks Center for Dolphin Research! From 12 to 3 p.m. chefs from 10 local restaurants will gather at Ocean Boulevard Bistro & Martini Bar in Kitty Hawk to take part in a competition to determine who prepares the best shrimp dish. A silent auction, door prizes, drink specials, live DJ and an outreach booth with information about local dolphin conservation will round out the event. Tickets are $20/person and may be purchased at the door on the day of the event or in advance at Ocean Boulevard Bistro and Martini Bar, Outer Banks Veterinary Hospital or Salty Paws Biscuits. All proceeds benefit the Outer Banks dolphins! For updates, check out obshrimp.com.
Sing Your Song...
The concept of life as a test goes back to antiquity, and few would argue against the value of regularly challenging ourselves, if only to more fully expand the spectrum of our life experiences. If you think, perhaps, that you'd like to test your vocal chords, stop into Poor Richard's in downtown Manteo at 8 p.m. on Wednesday nights for karaoke with DJ Billy Raney. You'll discover, as I have, that there are a surprising number of people of good voice among us. (I will continue to honor the heartfelt requests of friends and loved ones that I NOT sing. It seems a small personal sacrifice in order to maintain such valued relationships.) On Thursday nights at 8 p.m. you can test your brain at Poor Richards...or, at least your knowledge of trivia. I'd like to think I'm better equipped for a test of wits, although the occasional cheeky soul has suggested that my remaining wits are in only marginally better condition than my vocal chords. Uh huh.
Or Listen to Chanticleer Sing Theirs...
For singing at an entirely different level, do not miss the Saturday, November 2 performance of Chanticleer, a 12-member multiple Grammy-winning all-male vocal ensemble at First Flight High School in Kill Devil Hills. Chanticleer's incredible repertoire spans 1,000 years of musical creation, from Gregorian chant, Renaissance polyphony and Romantic art songs to jazz, spirituals, contemporary and world music. The show, presented by the Outer Banks Forum, begins at 7:30 p.m. Tickets at the door are $25/adults; $15/students.
Haunted Corolla
Halloween Haunts continue Wednesday, October 30 from 5 to 8:15 p.m. with Creepy in Corolla, a haunted tour that begins at Whalehead and culminates with the climb to a spooky discovery at the top of the Haunted Tower! Wear your costume (bringing a flashlight might be a good idea, too) and get ready for some thrilling chilling fun! Admission is $10/person with children age 5 and younger admitted free. Call (252) 453-9040 for more information!
Halloween Fun for the "Big Kids"
Grown-ups not charged with chaperoning trick-or-treat expeditions or manning the candy bowl by the front door will find there is some adult fun to be had this Halloween night. Beginning at 7 p.m., Trio in Kill Devil Hills will present its Halloween Bash featuring a costume contest with prizes awarded for the most original, funniest and scariest costumes. There'll be live music from 8 to 11 p.m., spooky selections in the wine stations, pumpkin beer and more! There is no cover charge, but participants must be age 21 or older.
Halloween festivities at Kelly's in Nags Head begin at 10 p.m. and include dueling DJs and a midnight costume contest featuring more than $500 in prizes.
At Outer Banks Brewing Station in Kill Devil Hills it's time once again for the Exotic Erotic Ball XII. Beginning at 10:30 p.m., the event is recognized by some as one of the best parties of the year. Create your best costume and compete for the $100 best costume prize while jamming out to the lively party rock dance music of 1100 Lbs.
Down in Avon the Beach Klub at Koru Village is hosting its first ever Halloween Ball costume party featuring Greensboro-based band Holy Ghost Tent Revival and their passionate mix of Dixieland, ragtime and horn-driven rock and roll. Gates open at 7 p.m. and admission is $7/advance, $10/door.
Check OuterBanksThisWeek.com for the latest in local nightlife events.
Looking Ahead
Beginning Thursday, November 7, Theatre of Dare, our local community theater group, will begin a two-week run of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest in Manteo. Directed by Jon Bender, Cuckoo's Nest promises to be the latest installment in Theatre of Dare's impressive track record of well-performed and well-received productions over the past couple of years. Performances will be held in the auditorium of the College of the Albemarle Roanoke Island Campus on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday afternoons at 4 p.m. Tickets are $10/adults, $5/ students (with valid high school or North Carolina college/university ID). Advance tickets may be purchased at Gray's Department Store in Kitty Hawk.
This week you have a chance to win a $35 gift certificate to Agave Roja & a $35 gift certificate to Island Revolution!
For more information about Agave Roja, check out their website.
For more information about Island Revolution check out their website.
Last Week's Winner
Congratulations to Sherry Saam!!!
You won a $50 gift certificate to Gray's Outer Banks & a $35 gift certificate to TRIO OBX!
For more information about Gray's Outer Banks, check out their website.
For more information about Trio -- Wine, Beer & Cheese check out their website.
About the Author Michael Lay
Michael Lay is a local graphic designer, artist, photographer and writer. He lives in picturesque downtown Manteo, NC, and is the manservant of two beautiful and willful feline princesses, Sophie and Sassy. You can contact Michael at mike.lay@oneboat.com.
