Have a bite (or 10!) this weekend at one of my all-time favorite foodie events, Outer Banks Taste of the Beach. The four-day culinary spectacle showcases the most talented chefs on the beach with more than 50 events at nearly 40 different venues. We’re talking tapas crawls, oyster dinners, barbecue showdowns and everything in between. There’s something for every taste and tons of opportunities to explore new flavors with events from Hatteras Island to Corolla to the Currituck mainland. And with this delectable lineup, it’s sure to be a Taste of the Beach to remember! I can already taste the possibilities.
Outer Banks Taste of the Beach
Casual chefs to full-on foodie fanatics will revel in the chance to sample fare from many fine Outer Banks restaurants in this four-day event held by the Outer Banks Restaurant Association. You can indulge in a fancy wine dinner one night and mix with the masses in an organic farm to fork experience the next. There are cooking classes, brewery tours, multi-course dinners, seafood boils and, of course, the annual chowder cook-off. As for me, I’m headed to the kickoff party on Thursday night (and probably about 10 other events too). The weekend will wrap up in style with 
the Sysco Foods Chefs Grand Tasting – this year featuring the Bartenders Bubbly Bash! – where about 20 area restaurants will complete for coveted awards while serving up some spectacularly creative cuisine.
Four days of food, drink and fun await you beginning on Thursday, March 17. The complete schedule of events can be viewed here, and I would start planning your dining itinerary now as individual events do sell out.
Outer Banks Wedding Showcase
Soon-to-be brides and grooms, the weekend of the Outer Banks Wedding Showcase has finally arrived. Couples planning to tie the knot on the Outer Banks will not want to miss this spectacular wedding experience at Sanderling Resort. Gather with the area’s premier wedding experts from pastry chefs to florists to photographers and tours of the picturesque grounds of Sanderling, the Outer Banks’ only AAA Four Diamond resort and spa, There will be ceremony set-ups and tablescapes, live music, vendor booths and much more. All who are planning to wed on the Outer Banks are invited, not only those who will choose Sanderling as a venue. The Outer Banks Wedding Showcase will take place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, March 19. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased online in advance.
Dare County Patrons of the Arts Present Soo Bae
The Patrons of the Arts are bringing another incredible musician back to the Outer Banks this week for an intimate residence concert. Cellist Soo Bae will be performing on her legendary Italian instrument, “Ivashkin Joseph filius Andreae of Cremona dated 1710,” which she calls her dream cello. Having attended one of Soo Bae’s concerts on the Outer Banks before, I can say that musicians and music lovers alike will be absolutely captivated by this performance. The concert will take place on Thursday, March 17 at 7 p.m. in Manteo. Tickets can be purchased by contacting Outer Banks Patrons of the Arts secretary, Arlene Price, at (252) 489-1881.
Theatre of Dare’s The Music Man
You have one more chance (well, three) to see Theatre of Dare’s newest production this weekend. The Music Man is the story of a con man turned honest man. At center stage is Harold Hill, a con man who travels to the small town of River City, Iowa, to earn his fortune. Claiming to be a professor of music, he convinces the town that they need a boys’ band and then plans to run away once the boys have paid for instruments and uniforms. The scheme is moving along perfectly until Harold falls in love with the town piano teacher, Marian. The Music Man will be performed at the COA Auditorium in Manteo on Friday, March 18 and Saturday, March 19 at 7:30 p.m. and on Sunday, March 20 at 2 p.m. Adult tickets are $15 and can be purchased online, and student tickets are $10.
Slam Dunk For Our Schools
Get ready for a night of high-flying slam dunks, ball-handling tricks and hilarious family comedy at Slam Dunk For Our Schools, a fun basketball show that will raise funds for the Dare Education Foundation. The Harlem Ambassadors are the visiting team and will be taking on our very own Outer Banks Scallywags team on the court at First Flight High School. Tickets to the family friendly event can be purchased online or at the door ($10 for adults and $5 for students). The show starts at 4 p.m. on Sunday, March 20.
This week in nightlife, there will be plenty of local music on stage following the Taste of the Beach foodie happenings. Get out there for St. Patrick’s Day to kick things off, then check out 90s night, a jazz party, the annual Taste of the Beach pub crawl and a whole lot more. See it all on our Nightlife & Events page!
About the Author Lexi Holian
Lexi Holian was born and raised on the Outer Banks and cannot remember a time when she wasn’t writing. She can often be found planning her next trip abroad but will always return to the Outer Banks, her place of greatest inspiration. You can contact Lexi at lexi@oneboat.com.
