N OT E D.
WHAT WE’VE HEARD AROUND OUR TOWNS … Compiled by Celia Funderburk
ARTS & CULTURE
Neil Offen
released his book “Building a Better Boomer,” sharing his advice on PHOTO BY JOCK LAUTERER memory issues, exercise, new technology and aging. The book idea came from his experience as a humor columnist, where a common theme for his work was aging in a constantly evolving world. Neil has lived in the area since 1985, primarily working as a journalist for The Chapel Hill Herald, WCHL and The Local Reporter. Joanna Pearson releases her
Author and fashion historian Natania Barron’s critically acclaimed fantasy novel “Queen
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chapelhillmagazine.com
BIG NIGHT IN FOR THE ARTS
Gabriel Eng-Goetz, Pierce Freelon, Takiri Folclor Latino, Tift Merritt, Tray Wellington and Jordan Wiley performed at this year’s event held in Durham this spring. Pictured are Jennifer McEwen, president and CEO of United Arts Council of Raleigh & Wake County, and Katie Murray, director of the Orange County Arts Commission. PHOTO BY NATALIE MCCORMICK
May/June 2024
and July 2025, respectively. Natania is also releasing another threebook series, “Love in PHOTO Netherford,” COURTESY OF which she NATANIA BARRON describes as “essentially a queer ‘Bridgerton’ with witches.” The first of the series, “Netherford Hall,” comes out in August. UNC student Bill Moore released an album titled “New Piedmont
Style” featuring original music that takes listeners through his North Carolina life, with songs like “Hillsborough” and
LLI WESTRA
of None,” which was originally published in 2020, has been picked up by Solaris Books to be republished in addition to two new books to complete the full “Queen of Fate” series. The new books, “Queen of Fury” and “Queen of Mercy,” which transport readers into romance adventures of love, legacy and power, come out December 2024
PHOTO BY CA
PHOTO COURTE
SY OF BLOOMS
BURY
debut novel, “Bright and Tender Dark,” on June 4. The novel follows the journey of Joy, whose freshman-year roommate Karlie was murdered 20 years earlier, and Joy’s search for the truth after discovering a 20-year-old letter from Karlie. Joanna won the 2021 Drue Heinz Literature Prize for a collection of short stories and was a finalist for the Shirley Jackson Awards, the Janet Heidinger Kafka Prize and the Virginia Literary Awards. She lives in Carrboro and works as a psychiatrist.