Hawkish
“Jenifer Padilla first began a body of work inspired by hawk feathers that she found during a printmaking residency at the Penland School of Crafts,” says Greenhill curator Edie Carpenter about Padilla’s Italian Bird and Hawk Feather, one of 500 works in the gallery’s Winter Show, opening to the public on December 7. “The vibrant contrast of color in her treatment of the bird’s camouflage suggests an imaginative response to the wild creatures that surround us that we rarely interact with.” Padilla is one of forty new artists exhibiting in the Winter Show, along with forty artists who have been featured in the past ten years and forty artists from the gallery’s first thirty years — all commemorating the gallery’s 40th anniversary. “This year’s Winter Show will be particularly exciting as it brings together works by artists with well-established careers with those of a younger generation,” says Carpenter. Sneak preview available December 6 by advance reservation. Info: (336) 333-7460 or greenhillnc.org. DCB
Why Don’t They Call Them Candle Coffees?
Dating back to 1415, the Moravian Church has a long and storied heritage. Things got going in Greensboro in 1908, when a congregation was formed on East Lee Street. That congregation later moved to 304 South Elam, where Greenboro’s First Moravian Church is just a bit of a misnomer. Over the years they’ve held fifty-one Candle Teas, with this year’s on Friday, December 5, from 2–9 p.m., and Saturday, December 6, from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. Watch candles being made in the Candle Hut and in the fellowship hall, view a miniature crèche or buy seasonal goods, including chicken pies. In the church’s “tavern,” visitors can enjoy Moravian sugar cake, sweet coffee and music by a crackling fire. Then at 3 p.m. on Christmas Eve the public is invited to a lovefeast featuring a church full of lighted candles, plump lovefeast buns and steaming mugs of coffee. Info: (336) 272-2196 or www.facebook.com/events/161890530684253/. DCB
Unsilent Nights
Joyful noises will echo throughout the holiday, beginning with the Greensboro Ballet’s 35th year of performing The Nutcracker. Fifty-nine students will take the stage as whirling snowflakes, giant mice and dancing dolls at the Carolina Theatre December 6–7 and 12–14, accompanied by the Greensboro Symphony (except on the 14th). Guests can have tea with Clara and the cast preceding the performances on Sunday the 7th and Saturday the 13th (www.greensboroballet.org). Then, on December 7, the Bennett College Choir will mix traditional carols with spirituals and gospel songs, joined by the Handbell Choir in a Christmas Candlelight Concert at Annie Marner Pfeiffer Chapel (www.bennett.edu). On December 12, 13 and 15, Bel Canto will present a holiday program with readings from O.Henry’s story of selfless giving, “The Gift of the Magi” (see website for time and venues: www.belcantocompany.com). In the way of free performances, on December 14 the Greensboro Symphony Orchestra will present its annual Holiday Concert — with 2011 Men’s U.S. Figure Skating Champion Ryan Bradley gracing the ice at the Greensboro Coliseum — along with the Greensboro Youth Chorus and the UNCG Spartones (donation of a non-perishable food item for the Salvation Army suggested: www.greensborocoliseum.com). “Hallelujah” will ring out from 100 Greensboro Oratorio Singers on December 18 at the Carolina Theatre in a free performance of Handel’s Messiah (www.oratoriogso.org). Also December 18, the newly formed N.C. Brass Band will present Christmas Wrapped in Brass at First Baptist Church in High Point and December 19 at Ardmore Baptist Church in Winston-Salem (www.ncbrassband.org). For lots more holiday events, see O.Henry’s Art Calendar, page 91. DCB
The Art & Soul of Greensboro
Ogi Sez Ogi Overman Between December’s decking of the halls and roasting of the chestnuts, it’s sometimes tough to keep from hearing the same old songs again and again. Here are some venues that we’re certain will be Little-Drummer-Boy-proof. • December 4, Thirsty’s 2: Just because it’s the dead of winter, don’t think for a moment that beach music goes into hibernation. In fact, the perennial summer kicks into high gear at Greensboro’s famous beach and shag club with two of the genre’s top-shelf acts, Band of Oz and Jim Quick & Coastline. • December 5, Blind Tiger: OK, I know she’s a swimsuit model and a reality TV hottie and, to top it off, Hulk Hogan’s daughter, but Brooke Hogan really can sing. Honest. She has cut two albums, one of which topped the indie rock charts. • December 6, High Rock Outfitters: Drummers are rarely frontmen, but then, most drummers aren’t Jeff Sipe. He has toured and recorded with virtually every Southern rock, Americana, indie rock and jam band on the circuit, and, when not on the road or in the studio, plays with his own genre-bending group, the Jeff Sipe Trio. • December 20, Blind Tiger: For the umpteenth year, Greensboro’s resident twisted genius Don Morgan brings his Umpteenth Annual Piedmont Songbag X-mas Show to the ever-popular BT. Featuring former members of the legendary Tornado, you’ll hear such standards as “Santa on a Crying Jag” and “Sammy One Note.” Traditional this ain’t. OO December 2014
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