Beyond the Beach

All of us who are on the Outer Banks this week, whether we're living and working here or playing and resting here, are blessed, lucky, fortunate, however you want to say it. Let's remember that as we walk through the week within sight of the ocean and cooled by the salty breezes...

Hopefully by the time you read this the freak jellyfish population explosion in the ocean will have moved on, but if not don't let it get you down. At least the water has warmed up! And there's plenty to do beyond the beach this week...

Roanoke Island seems to be the epicenter of special events this week. * Everybody loves the New World Festival of the Arts, which runs Wednesday and Thursday in downtown Manteo. Shopping among 80 artists' booths set up along the waterfront, stopping in local restaurants for a bite, letting the kids run around on the playground, in other words, a good time. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday...

Roanoke Island Festival Park is hosting a show for kids and a show for adults this week, in addition to all its typical attractions. Kids will enjoy the Wild West Show on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 10:30 a.m. and on Tuesday and Wednesday at 7 p.m. The show promises cowboy-themed entertainment with Chris McDaniel, who presents bullwhipping, trick roping, cowboy poetry and more. * For adults, Elizabeth R and Company's Shepherd of the Ocean, a behind-the-scenes look at the relationship between Queen Elizabeth and Sir Walter Raleigh, runs Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 2 p.m. Barbara Hird and Chris Chappell give astounding performances. * On Saturday, adults and children both will like Rescue Men - The Story of the Pea Island Surfmen, a documentary they'll show on Saturday at 2 p.m...

The Lost Colony is quite active this week as well. * In addition to The Lost Colony Monday through Friday, on Saturday the TLC company is showing Reaching for the Stars, a Spectacle of Song and Dance, with live music and dances. * On Sunday, Tarradiddle Players is using Waterside Theatre to present Disney's High School Musical 2. * TLC is offering a special deal on tickets for Reaching, High School Musical and The Lost Colony over the weekend: $40 per person for all three. Good deal. * It's also the LAST WEEK for a number of Lost Colony special programs: The Tale of the Frog Prince for children (highly recommended), Waterside Art Wednesdays, the Queen's Fairy Quest and Simon's Pirate Adventure...

Going on all week is the 27th annual Pirates Cove Big Game Tournament at Pirates Cove Marina in Manteo. * If you're fishing, good luck. If you're not, stop by in the afternoon (between 4 and 5 is best) to see what the boats are unloading on the docks and to see how many marlin flags are flying...

Across the bridge in Nags Head, don't miss the Watermelon Festival on Thursday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Kitty Hawk Kites and Sports at milepost 12 (across from Jockey's Ridge). They'll have good, old-fashioned fun: seed-spitting contests, potato sack races, pie-eating contests, T-shirt dying, face painting and more...

Up in Kitty Hawk, parents are excited about the opening of Children at Play, the Outer Banks' first children's museum. It opens on Tuesday in Kitty Hawk...

Duck's summer music series is over, but they're still having fun in Duck Town Park. * Free exercise classes (Monday is yoga, Tuesday is Tai Chi, Thursday is Pilates) are held at 7:30 a.m. in the park. * The Music and Theatre Series is still on Wednesday at 10 a.m. (this week it's The Lost Colony's preview of Reaching for the Stars) and the Author Discussion Series is on Friday at 10 a.m. (this week it's the authors of the Taste of the Outer Banks cookbooks)...

Up in Corolla, tours of the Whalehead Club are happening daily, and the Moonlight Ghost Tour is on Thursday evenings at dark. * Wednesday Kite Flying at 11 a.m., Wednesday Wine Festivals at 3 p.m., Thursday Summer Concert Series at 6:30 p.m. (Sea Level is playing this week)...

Out on the town, here are a few highlights:

The Brewing Station has national recording artist Edwin McCain on Thursday and the Jesse Chong Band on Friday; Pamlico Jack's has Mojo Collins on Friday; The Pit has teen nights on Monday, Wednesday and Friday and DJs other nights; Port O' Call has always popular Kelly Bell Band on Friday; Kelly's has Rebelution on Tuesday, Pat McGee on Wednesday and Thursday and Butter on Friday; Ocean Boulevard has Aquarium on Friday; Outer Banks Music Showcase has the OBXtreme Magic Show on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday plus the Star Spangled Revue on Tuesday and Thursday. Plus there are dozens of great local acts playing in restaurants and porches up and down the coast. Check our listings...

Here's where I sign off. * I'll be back with a new blog next Monday...

Check the site all week as businesses and organizations are adding new stuff here every day. If you've got a business or organization that wants to get the word out about something - a sale, a special, an event or a fund-raiser - click on Get Involved just on the right column of this page...

And put your 2 cents in. If you'd like to contribute or add your voice to this blog, you can do that below. Keep in mind that the blog comments are moderated so that this site is only putting positive vibes into cyberspace * We'd really love to hear from you...