Storytelling Festival Brings Tall Tales, Music and Fun to Hatteras

Everyone likes a good story, and the history of the Outer Banks began with what was to become one of the greatest stories ever, the mystery of the Lost Colony. Coupled with a heritage of native-born natural storytellers and yarn spinners, it was perhaps only natural that Hatteras Island would come to host the Hatteras Storytelling Festival, two days of tall tales, fascinating historical accounts and fish stories that are just barely believable…maybe. Acclaimed storytellers from across the region, the state and country will come together at the Hatteras Civic Center in Hatteras Village beginning at 5 p.m. Friday, May 1 to share in the stories, history and foot tappin' music that has made this delicate string of barrier islands a favorite vacation destination for generations of Americans.

As part of Friday’s festival experience you’ll enjoy Taste of the Village, a sampling of Hatteras-style food, while attending the welcoming reception and registering at the civic center, followed by performances by that evening’s storytellers. Saturday’s events include a tour of the historic Hatteras Weather Bureau, a celebration of the women who’ve called Hatteras Island home and helped to define its culture, followed by lunch, stories, dinner and more stories before culminating with a concert courtesy of the popular bluegrass band, Nu Blu. Visit the festival website for a complete schedule of events.

First Friday
May’s First Friday will be overflowing with the arts, from live music to a major community art opening to a jewelry show to literature about North Carolina’s effect on…literature! From 5 to 8 p.m. the sidewalks and boardwalks along Manteo’s Historic Waterfront pulse with live music, artisans, magic, period-dressed actors and much more. Tantalizing aromas waft from the kitchens of the Waterfront’s diverse eateries, and many downtown shops and galleries have their own individual celebrations, offering their live music, interesting merchandise, special sales and light refreshments. Artisans from the College of the Albemarle’s top-notch jewelry making program will be holding a show under the cover of the Manteo Pavilion from 5:30 to 9 p.m.

Make sure to stop in at Downtown Books from 4 to 6 p.m. for the book signing party for Marianne Gingher, author of Amazing Place, a compilation of narratives from a wide variety of authors on “what North Carolina means to writers.” From Lee Smith to Jill McCorkle to the Outer Banks' own Jan Deblieu, writers muse on how North Carolina has shaped and continues to shape the literature of its people, from Appalachia to the Piedmont to the Outer Banks. After the booksigning Gingher moves a few doors down to the Dare County Arts Council where she will give a reading from the book beginning at 6:30 p.m. and later meet and greet the public.

In addition to Gingher’s reading, the Arts Council will also host the opening of the 18th Annual Mollie Fearing Memorial Art Show, an always eclectic art exhibit begun as a salute to the memory of Mollie Fearing, one of the founders of Dare County Arts Council. The reception featuring cocktails, hors d'oeuvres and live music will be held Sunday, May 3 from 2 to 4 p.m. The exhibit will remain on display through Saturday, May 30th. For more information call the Arts Council at (252) 473-5558 or visit their website.

Manly Men
Theatre of Dare’s well-received current comedy, Manly Men: An Evening Chock Full Of Lies & Testosterone, begins its second weekend this Friday evening. The contemporary relationship comedy tells the story of Harold, a lost soul seeking the solution to his problematic relationships with women. As Harold solicits advice from a variety of well-meaning men and women things go awry with hilarious results. Performances will be held in the College of the Albemarle auditorium in Manteo at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday with a Sunday matinee at 2 p.m. Admission is $11/adult and $6/student. Please note: Manly Men contains adult situations and language.

Singing Out For Spring
Two upcoming free Spring Concerts by the Outer Banks Chorus will celebrate the advent of Spring and the final conducting appearances of Dr. David F. Evans who is retiring after more than seven years as director of the 50-member community chorus. Dr. Evans is also on the music faculty of the State University of New York (SUNY) at Fredonia. The program will include old favorites as well as newly composed pieces including works from Chandler York, Pavel Tschesnokoff, Hoagy Carmichael, Bruckner, Dan Forrest, Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein and Cole Porter. Many selections will be performed a cappella with others accompanied by piano. Audience members who have previously sung with the chorus will be invited to join in singing the group’s signature piece and finale, “The Music of Life” by Joseph Martin at both concerts. The concerts will be held at All Saints Episcopal Church in Southern Shores on Sunday, May 3 and Sunday, May 17 at 4 p.m. on both dates.

Queen Anne’s Revenge
There is more to the study of a shipwreck than the excavation and display of cannons and anchors. More Than Meets the Eye: Artifacts from the Sediments at Site 31CR314, Queen Anne’s Revenge, a free program hosted by the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum and scheduled for Wednesday, May 6 at 11 a.m., details what has been learned from the excavation of micro-artifacts from the sediments surrounding and covering the Queen Anne’s Revenge, once the pirate Blackbeard’s flagship. For more information call (252) 986-2995 or e-mail maryellen.riddle@ncdcr.gov or visit the museum’s website.

Rosé Exposé!
Trio's First Annual Rosé Exposé, to be held this Saturday, May 2nd from 6-7:30 p.m., acknowledges the resurgence of interest in rosé wines. Long dismissed by American wine drinkers with the assumption that pink wine = sweet wine (thanks, White Zinfandel) most of the world's rosés are actually dry, and dry rosé is now one of the fastest growing wine segments in the U.S. wine market. Produced from the same grapes that make red wines, rosés’ lighter pink coloration comes from minimizing contact between the juice and the highly pigmented grape skins. Served slightly chilled, these dry, refreshing wines are perfect for summer, full of flavor and pair beautifully with salads, seafood, charcuterie, pizza and more! Stop in at Trio Wine & Cheese this Saturday evening to taste and learn more about these affordable wines. The price is $10/person. Call (252) 261-0277 for reservations.

Surf’s Up
The 2015 ESA Mid-Atlantic Regional Surfing Championships settles in for a four-day stay around the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse in Buxton beginning today and running through Sunday afternoon. Competition begins each day at 7 a.m. The Cape Hatteras Lighthouse is considered one of the premier surf spots on the East Coast, especially in the spring. The event is free for spectators.

A Sign of the Season
The Miss Oregon Inlet will set off on her first cruise of 2015 this Friday, May 1 at 8 a.m. To sign up for this relaxing four-hour cruise of the Outer Banks, book your spot online at MissOregonInlet.com or in person at Oregon Inlet Fishing Center.

Live Local Music

Thursday
Phil Watson at Beachside Bistro, Kill Devil Hills, 6 p.m.
Raygun Ruby at Dajio, Ocracoke, 7 p.m.

Friday
Joey Bouza at Beachside Bistro, Kill Devil Hills, 6 p.m.
Live Music (TBA) at Awful Arthurs, Kill Devil Hills, 6 p.m.
Ocracoke Jazz Society at Howard's Pub, Ocracoke, 7 p.m.
The Other Brothers at Poor Richard's After Hours Pub, Manteo, 8 p.m.
Kevin Wilder at Peppercorns Restaurant and Lounge, Kill Devil Hills, 8:30 p.m.
Broughton & Friends at Gaffer's Sports Pub, Ocracoke, 9 p.m.

Saturday
Rick Agudelo at Beachside Bistro, Kill Devil Hills, 6 p.m.
Pairadocs at Poor Richard's After Hours Pub, Manteo, 8 p.m.
Broughton & Friends at Gaffer's Sports Pub, Ocracoke, 9 p.m.
Dance Group Trio at Basnight’s Lone Cedar, Nags Head/Manteo Causeway, 9 p.m.

Looking Ahead
Perhaps the highlight of the week’s live music offerings is the Soundside Live free concert set for Jennette’s Pier in Nags Head on Thursday, May 7 beginning at 4 p.m. Originally planned for the Outer Banks Event Site adjacent to the Roanoke Sound, the free concert features two great bands, Greensky Bluegrass and Roadkill Ghost Choir. View the video clips on the Soundside Live site for a preview of what’s to come. And, did I mention it’s free? It’s free. For details on the bands, parking, allowed items and other topics, visit the Soundside Live website or Facebook page.