Have you been hearing about the orcas that are just off our coast? The charter boats have been seeing them and interacting with them offshore on bluefin tuna fishing trips. * I have always wanted to see ocras and here they are, right here, without having to travel to Alaska or Iceland. * After a couple of drinks at Tortuga's the other night I almost had my husband convinced to take me out there in the 28-foot boat, but, then, in the morning, reason had resumed. Plus it was really, really cold this weekend and now the busy weekday schedule has resumed. * So what I'm saying is: It might be a missed opportunity for me, but it doesn't have to be for you. If you've got time, money and warm clothes, a bluefin fishing charter trip this week could yield a big fish (toro, anyone?) and a killer whale sighting...
If that's not an option, here are some other ideas for things you could do this week...
The annual production of The Vagina Monologues will be held at Roanoke Island Festival Park on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. * Veteran V-Day director Gail Hutchison is directing the show. The Vagina Monologues is part of the V-Day movement that increases awareness and raises money for organizations that work to end violence against women and girls across the world. This year's event benefits the Women and Girls of Haiti as well as local organizations that work with women and girls who have experienced violence. * The shows, which cost $20, start at 7:30 p.m., but the doors will open at 6 p.m. and food and beverages will be available. There also will be a Marketplace of local artists and organizations. Get advance tickets at www.brownpapertickets.com/event/163300...
On Wednesday, the Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce is hosting a business seminar called Empower Your Mind, Empower Your Business with Jean Wiley. Wiley will help you design your personal empowerment plan, develop new habits and belief systems and apply positive segmenting that will help you learn to be more successful. It's at the Comfort Inn Oceanfront in KDH from 9 a.m. to noon. Cost is $25/$35. Call (252) 441-8144. * Also on Wednesday, meet up with the peeps from the Dare County Arts Council at Ocean Boulevard for their DCAC Membership Celebration. DCAC is reaching out to residents in many Dare County communities, hoping to gather more support for local artists by building their membership. From 6 to 8 p.m., OB will have six different food and wine/beer pairings for the low cost of $10 each for DCAC members ($15 for non-DCAC members). Jazz musician Wayne James will perform on the oceanside deck if it's warm, inside if it's not. Call (252) 473-5558 for info...
Don't forget that Friday is a teacher workday in Dare County Schools. Entertain the kids at the N.C. Aquarium, Jockey's Ridge or the Outer Banks Center for Wildlife Education or Roanoke Island Festival Park. If you've got to work, consider the Outer Banks Family YMCA's SOS Day Camp. Call (252) 449-8897...
First Friday is back this week in downtown Manteo. Head to Manteo between 4 and 8 p.m. to hear some live music, see some friends, have a great meal, get some deals in the shops and more. * While you're there, stop by Dare County Arts Council to see the two art exhibits that are opening this month. Mike Lay is displaying his colorful paintings and printmakings that mix painting and graphic arts. Phil Cameron displays abstract art -- acrylics with pastels, charcoal, pencil as well as collage. * Both shows will open with a reception on Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. * The Dare County High Schools Art Show opens up Friday at Roanoke Island Festival Park's Art Gallery. The reception is not until April 10, but you can see the show from April 1 to 21...
This weekend, be sure to see Theatre of Dare's production of Diamond Studs: The Life of Jesse James. It's a country and western show that was written by eastern North Carolina son Bland Simpson, along with Jim Wann. It ran off Broadway and was a hit with New Yorkers in its day. See it at the College of the Albemarle campus in Manteo on Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and on Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $15 at the door/$8 for students...
Outer Banks Epicurean has a couple of good classes this weekend. On Friday, it's Food, Wine and Art - pairing foods with wine, then pairing the wine and food with art by local artist Gary Crane. That one's at 5:30 and it's $20 for 3 wines with tastes of Epicurean fare. Saturday, learn to chop, cut, brunoise and julienne at the Basic Knife Skills Class at 1 p.m. Fee is $20. Call (252) 480-0005...
On Saturday, the Dare County Master Gardeners Yard Sale takes place from 8 a.m. to noon at the Baum Center in KDH. * The Whalehead Club is holding its Moonlight Legends, Lore and Ghost Tour. Call to reserve a spot at (252) 453-9040 ext. 2. * Outer Banks Brewing Station is hosting a benefit called Cure for Cooper on Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. Cooper Abbott is a local 2-year-old who has been diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. This is a kid and adult friendly event. Enjoy music, an auction, a raffle and games...
Next week is the start of the Land of Beginnings Festival. Make plans for Monday to attend the Living Legend Community Luncheon at the Ramada Inn in KDH. They'll be honoring Suzanne Tate. Cost is $25. Other Land of Beginnings Festival events next week include storytelling nights on Tuesday at Black Pelican, Wednesday at the Dare Center in Manteo and Thursday at the Fessenden Center in Buxton. Next Saturday (April 9) is The Lost Colony's Fire & Ice gala at the Wright Brothers National Memorial Pavilion. Get your tickets now: Call (252) 473-2127 or visit www.lostcolonygala.org...
Also coming up next weekend is Outer Banks Sporting Events' Flying Pirate Half-Marathon on Sunday and First Flight 5K on Saturday. If you haven't yet registered to run or volunteered to help, do it now! www.obxmarathon.org...
OK, so I want to know what you think about two things: 1) the City of Chesapeake increasing their toll on the Chesapeake Expressway (i.e., the road to the Outer Banks) to $6 on summer weekends and $3 during the off-season and weekdays. Do you think that's fair? * And 2) the State of North Carolina considering charging a $10 each way toll on ferry trips between Hatteras and Ocracoke. Do you think it will harm Ocracoke's economy or not? I know it won't keep me away, but what do you say? Post your comments below... And keep looking around the site for more things to do...BYE!
About the Author Molly Harrison
Molly Harrison is managing editor at OneBoat, publisher of OuterBanksThisWeek.com. She moved to Nags Head in 1994 and since then has made her living writing articles and creating publications about the people, places and culture of the Outer Banks.
