Press Releases

N.C. Department of Cultural Resources Secretary Susan Kluttz will host a discussion of the new bond proposal Tuesday, June 23 at 3 p.m. at a celebration of Fort Fisher that, until the last few months of the Civil War, kept North Carolina's port of Wilmington open to blockade-runners supplying necessary goods to Confederate armies inland. If the Connect NC bonds are approved by voters this November, state historic sites may receive $24 million to provide badly needed funding to repair or replace outdated HVAC and electrical equipment and $11 million to repair or replace roofs.

N.C. Department Secretary Susan Kluttz will host a discussion of the new bond proposal Monday, June 22 at 3 p.m. at a celebration of Brunswick Town, a major pre-Revolutionary port on North Carolina's Cape Fear River that was razed by British troops in 1776 and never rebuilt. If the Connect NC bonds are approved by voters this November, Brunswick Town may receive $3.5 million. Accelerated erosion along the Cape Fear River is threatening to destroy historic resources including colonial ruins, a Civil War fort and several 18th and 19th century wharves at Brunswick Town/Fort Anderson State

In addition to the "Queen of Steam" locomotive, train rides on motor cars, and lessons on train safety, the Rail Days Festival at the N.C. Transportation Museum June 20 will feature exhibits and designs for trains of the future. Representatives from UNC-Charlotte will discuss technology that will consume less fuel and make for safer, more affordable transportation.

Tryon Palace’s Jonkonnu interpretive performance group will hold free workshops for those interested in joining the troupe in the Waystation Auditorium on Tuesdays, from 1-3 p.m., June 23 to Aug. 11.

Pack a picnic, bring your lawn chairs and blankets, and enjoy the Independence Day holiday weekend at this annual patriotic celebration Saturday, July 4. The Historic State Capitol will sponsor this free, fun-filled family event that has become a downtown Raleigh tradition. For the fifth year, an outdoor naturalization ceremony for approximately 30 new citizens will take place at noon on the Capitol steps.

Go back in time and visit another era during this annual, free event to explore and experience history, fun, food, arts and crafts during the "Days Gone By" program June 20, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Somerset Place State Historic Site. This history, fun-filled and educational day will feature life on a plantation through hands-on historic activities with costumed interpreters.

Tryon Palace research historian Siobhan Fitzpatrick will explore the early history of Tryon Palace and New Bern during a Lunch and Learn lecture held at the North Carolina History Center in downtown New Bern on Friday, June 19. The lecture, entitled “The History of Tryon Palace,” will begin at noon.

The North Carolina Symphony is pleased to announce that four talented young musicians have won top prizes in the 2015 Kathleen Price and Joseph M. Bryan Youth Concerto Competition, the state’s premier competition for young instrumentalists. The finals of this rigorous, two-round audition were held in Raleigh in May. Symphony Music Director Grant Llewellyn and Symphony Associate Conductor David Glover served as judges.

The North Carolina Symphony, led by conductor Brent Havens, will perform some of the greatest hits from the band The Eagles as part of its 2015 Rex Healthcare Summerfest Series at Cary’s Booth Amphitheatre on Saturday, June 27, at 7:30 p.m.   Joining Havens will be vocalists John Hines and Terry Brock, and Glenn DeLaune, vocals and 12-string guitar.

Join the North Carolina Symphony Quartet Thursday, June 18, for an eclectic evening that showcases the artistry of Symphony musicians Jacqueline Saed Wolborsky, Samuel Gold, Nathaniel Yaffe, and Matthew Decker. The program, which begins at 9 p.m., includes string trio music of Dohnanyi and Bach, including a bold arrangement of Bach's keyboard masterpiece, Goldberg Variations, as well as Stop Speaking, a work for snare drum and electronics by modern percussion master Andy Akiho, led by Assistant Principal Percussionist Matthew Decker.  Doors open at 8 p.m.