National Folk Festival Announces Roster of Returning and New Sponsors for 2016

"Greensboro, N.C., August 31, 2016  — The National Folk Festival announced today its entire list of sponsors for 2016. The 2016 Festival will run in downtown Greensboro from 6 – 10:30 pm on Friday, September 9; from noon – 10:30 pm on Saturday, September 10; and from noon – 6:30 pm on Sunday, September 11. More than 100,000 people attended the Festival in 2015 over the course of the three-day weekend.

“We are delighted to have such a robust group of sponsors partnering with us on the National Folk Festival,” said ArtsGreensboro President and CEO Tom Philion, who leads the Festival fundraising efforts. “Not only have many longtime ArtsGreensboro supporters chosen to support the Festival, but many new organizations have also joined in this effort to provide a FREE, three-day weekend celebrating the roots and heritage of all Americans.”

These sponsors are new for 2016:

·      BB&T: Sponsoring the N.C. Folklife Area

·      Duke Energy: Dance Pavilion Co-Sponsor

·      North Carolina Education Lottery: Dance Pavilion Co-Sponsor

·      Downtown Greensboro, Inc.: Festival Trolley Sponsor

·      Mickey Truck Bodies: Volunteer program Sponsor

·      ITG Brands

·      Allen Tate: VIP Viewing Area Sponsor

·      Ben & Jerry’s: Creamy Frozen Dessert Sponsor

·      Kona Ice of Greensboro: Icy Frozen Dessert Sponsor

These sponsors are returning in 2016:

·      VF Corporation: Wrangler Stage

·      Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina: Lawn Stage

·      City of Greensboro

·      Greensboro Convention and Visitors Bureau

·      Action Greensboro and Its Supporting Foundations, including

o   Joseph M. Bryan Foundation

o   Cemala Foundation

o   Tannenbaum-Sternberger Foundation

o   Phillips Foundation

·      North Carolina Arts Council: N.C. Folklife Area

·      Cone Health: Wellness Sponsor

·      PNC Bank: N.C. Arts Marketplace Sponsor

·      Guilford County

·      Lincoln Financial Group

·      National Endowment for the Arts: Fabric of Freedom

·      AJ Fletcher Foundation: Fabric of Freedom

·      Deuterman Law Group: Festival Mobile App Sponsor

·      Foothills Brewing Company: Craft Beer Co-Sponsor

·      Natty Greene’s Brewing Co.: Craft Beer Co-Sponsor

·      Lincoln Financial Foundation: Fabric of Freedom

·      McDonald’s: Family Stage Sponsor

·      Weaver Foundation

·      Wells Fargo: Family Area Sponsor

·      The Carroll Companies: Artist Sponsor

·      Guilford Merchants Association: Info Booth Sponsor

·      NC by Train/Amtrak: Transportation Sponsor

·      Pepsi Bottling Ventures: Beverage Sponsor

·      Senn Dunn Insurance & PURE Insurance: Opening Reception Sponsors

·      O.Henry & Proximity Hotels: Hospitality Partners

·      AT&T North Carolina: Artist Sponsor

·      Bank of America: Artist Sponsor

·      Craft Insurance: Artist Sponsor

·      North Carolina Folklife Institute

·      All-State Restaurant Equipment

Media sponsors for 2016 include:

·      News & Record

·      Our State magazine

·      Capitol Broadcasting Company

·      iHeart Media

·      Fox 8

·      WFDD

·      UNC-TV

·      WBRF

·      Guilford County Women’s Journal

In-kind sponsors for 2016 include:

·      All-State Restaurant Equipment

·      Caffey Distributing

·      Carolina Theatre

·      Greensboro Grasshoppers

·      North Carolina Folklife Institute

·      PTI Airport

·      The Printery

·      Replacements, Ltd.

·      R.H. Barringer

·      Tech Triad

Approximately 300 artists—musicians, dancers, storytellers, and craftspeople—will take part in the National Folk Festival, with more than 40 different musical groups performing on eight outdoor performance venues throughout downtown Greensboro.

To learn more about all these artists, their traditions, and their stories, please visit nationalfolkfestival.com/performers and connect with the Festival on social media:

·      #NCFolkFest

·      Twitter: @NtlFolkFestNC

·      Instagram: NationalFolkFestNC

·      YouTube: National Folk Festival NC

# # #

About the 2016 National Folk Festival: Co-produced by the National Council for the Traditional Arts (NCTA) and ArtsGreensboro, the National Folk Festival is celebrating the second year of its three-year residency in downtown Greensboro in 2016. The FREE, three-day event is America’s longest-running festival of traditional arts. nationalfolkfestival.com

About the National Folk Festival: Since it was first presented in St. Louis in 1934, the National Folk Festival has celebrated the roots, richness, and variety of American culture. Championed in its early years by Eleanor Roosevelt, it was the first event of national stature to present the arts of many nations, races, and languages on equal footing. An exuberant traveling festival that embraces the diverse cultural expressions of the American people in the 21st century, the National Folk Festival is FREE to the public, and is produced by the National Council for the Traditional Arts (NCTA) in partnership with communities around the country.

About the National Council for the Traditional Arts (NCTA): The National Council for the Traditional Arts (NCTA) is one of the nation’s premier non-profit cultural organizations dedicated to the presentation and documentation of folk, tribal, and ethnic arts in the United States. Founded in 1933, it is the nation’s oldest producing and presenting organization with such a focus. Its programs celebrate and honor deeply rooted cultural expressions—music, crafts, stories, and dance passed on through time by families and communities as well as by tribal, ethnic, and occupational groups. The NCTA stresses excellence and authenticity in presenting artists to the public in festivals, tours, concerts, media programs, exhibitions, recordings, and other activities, and works in partnership with communities across American to establish new, sustainable traditional arts events that bring lasting social, cultural, and economic benefits. www.ncta-usa.org

About ArtsGreensboro: With an annual budget of approximately $3.5 million, ArtsGreensboro is a catalyst for innovation to build recognition and support for the arts. Through its ArtsFund-supported grant programs, the 17DAYS Arts & Culture Festival, the Levitt AMP Greensboro Music Series, I HEART ARTS Month, and other opportunities including the National Folk Festival, ArtsGreensboro is driving the health and vitality of our community by supporting arts education, celebrating the diversity of Greensboro, and driving economic impact through excellence in arts programming. artsgreensboro.org"

- A Press Release

Natty Greene's Brewing Co. Launches "Good Works Wednesday"

"GREENSBORO, NC - This April, Natty Greene’s Brewing Co. kicks off “Good Works Wednesday” at its brewpub in downtown Greensboro. The charitable program will donate 10% of ALL restaurant sales to a local non-profit each Wednesday.

“We receive dozens of donation requests daily and unfortunately, aren’t able to fill them all. As a local, family owned business it’s important to us to continue to uplift our community and those in need by supporting local non-profit organizations. Our hopes are that Good Works Wednesday will allow us to open our doors to every non-profit and help the community in more ways than one.” remarked Director of Pub Operations, Doug Boxley. “So come in, grab a beer or bite to eat, and help us raise money for local non-profits!”
 
Good Works Wednesday will kick off on April 6th with United Way of Greater Greensboro whose strategic objective is to break the cycle of poverty. Currently, 1 in 5 Greensboro residents and 25% of Greensboro children live in poverty. 

“Good Works Wednesday continues to prove Natty’s commitment to the community and we are thrilled to be selected to kick off such a great program. All proceeds will be invested into local solutions that are helping us break the cycle of poverty in the greater Greensboro area,” says Michael Cottingham, Vice President of Marketing and Communications, United Way of Greater Greensboro.

Natty Greene’s Brewing Co.’s downtown brewpub is open from 11:00 AM to midnight Monday – Sunday.  Currently, Natty Greene’s is partnered with the Humane Society of the Piedmont for their Annual Barks & Brews, the NC Coastal Federation for Natty Greene’s Annual Oyster Roast, and with the Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest NC for Natty Greene’s Annual Pig Fest.
 
To be considered as a featured non-profit organization please reach out to Natty Greene’s Director of Pub Operations, Doug Boxley, atdouglasboxley@nattygreenes.com."

- A Press Release

Block Party Slides into Greensboro: Slide the City brings it’s enormous waterslide to North Carolina

"GREENSBORO, NC – February 25, 2016  – McGee Street will be transformed into the biggest block party of the summer when Slide the City arrives on May 21. Families and friends alike can slip and splash down the giant waterslide while onlookers enjoy the surrounding block party. Event organizers expect this year to be their best yet.

“This unique event was a huge success last year, but for 2016 we are going to be adding some fun entertainment to give it more of a community feel,” said John Malfatto, Slide the City co-owner. “You can experience your hometown like never before!”

This massive event is bigger and better than the average block party. Families, friends and neighbors are invited to take a break from the heat, speeding through three city blocks on inner tubes. Along with the one-of-a-kind slide, the block party will include food, music, local vendors and street entertainers.

A portion of event proceeds will be donated to the synerG young professionals. synerG, under the umbrella of Action Greensboro, is an active organization of young adults who lead initiatives to attract, engage and connect young professionals to Greensboro. This non-profit organization promotes social and professional networking, leadership opportunities and community involvement for 21-39 year-old young adults. synerG values the creation of opportunities and atmospheres that promote connectedness, diversity/inclusiveness and accessibility.

Online registration opens on March 2. Participants can purchase a single, triple or ultimate slider pass during a selected wave time and are encouraged to sign up at http://www.slidethecity.com/location/greensboro/ before March 18 take advantage of the current rate. Pricing starts at $10.

All those over 5 years of age and 46 inches tall are welcome to slide! Visit the Slide the City Facebook page to see what fans have to say https://www.facebook.com/slidethecity

About Slide the City

The first event of its kind, Slide the City has seen massive growth since its beginnings in 2014. Their 2015 summer tour stopped in over seventy cities around the world, and is on track to produce more than 100 events this year. Slide the City brings its massive slides to locations from coast-to-coast. With music, local vendors, activities, and more, city streets are transformed into the biggest block party of the summer."

- A Press Release

Ham's Restaurant Announces Relocation and New Concept

"GREENSBORO, NC (July 5, 2015) - The Ham's Restaurant is moving from it's current location at 324 S. Elm St. to a space one and a half blocks north on Elm Street.  The new location will be the Ham's Grille & Oyster Bar at 214 S. Elm St. (across from Crafted and Fincastles).

The move comes amid many new changes in downtown Greensboro, as more dining and entertainment options are moving in to the central business area.

“As more and more people come downtown for dining and a night out, we recognized an opportunity to launch a new concept that has been in development for the past year.  The Ham's Grille & Oyster Bar concept will put an emphasis on the main items that Ham's has become known for along with a seafood and raw bar menu and expanded craft beer offerings,” said Rocco Scarfone, president of Ham's Restaurants, “We are excited about the atmosphere downtown with all of the new breweries and restaurants and we look forward to being a part of the scene for a long time.”

“We wanted to offer variety as well as a more health-conscious menu.  Over the years, we have seen our guests enjoy special limited seafood items, and we lean heavily on the coastal Carolina influence in our own backyard,” said Marty Isom, Food and Beverage Director for Ham's Restaurants.

"I think it is great that Ham's is challenging themselves to bring the best in concept and cuisine for their downtown Greensboro location," said Zack Matheny, President of Downtown Greensboro, Inc., “"I look forward to this new restaurant concept and believe it will help be a great addition to downtown."  

The current Ham's location will be the site of a new project spearheaded by a different group, continuing the development of downtown Greensboro.  Said Scarfone. “There's so much going on, between new apartments, hotels, retail, and live entertainment, we really feel that this is the place to unveil our new concept.”

The new Ham's Grille & Oyster Bar is scheduled to open in August.  For more information, call the Ham's Corporate Office at 336-854-5546, or check www.hamsrestaurants.com"

- A Press Release

National Folk Festival Announces 2015 Festival Footprint

Seven stages, Family Area, N.C. Folklife Area, and N.C. Arts Marketplace will be located at sites across downtown Greensboro

"Greensboro, N.C., June 17, 2015 — The National Folk Festival today unveiled the site map for the 2015 Festival, which will feature 300 artists on seven stages over three days in downtown Greensboro from September 11 – 13, 2015. The Festival is FREE; no tickets are necessary.

ArtsGreensboro President and CEO Tom Philion and Local Festival Director Amy Grossmann outlined the Festival footprint, starting with the Wrangler Stage, the Festival’s “northern star,” which will be located on Elm Street at Lindsay Street, in front of Wrangler headquarters.

Other 2015 National Folk Festival venues include:

·      The Family Area & Stage, located between Lindsay and Summit at Church Street;

·      A stage located on Church Street between the Central Library and the Greensboro Children’s Museum;

·      A stage located at Market Street between Church and Davie Streets;

·      The N.C Arts Marketplace, which will feature the juried work of dozens of regional artists, located around Center City Park on Davie, Friendly, and Elm Streets;

·      The N.C. Folklife Area & Stage, located on Greene Street and in Government Plaza;

·      The Dance Pavilion, located across from the baseball stadium at Eugene and Bellemeade Streets; and

·      A stage located on Commerce Place at Bellemeade.

There will also be two late-night venues for performances presented by ArtsGreensboro outside official Festival hours:

·      Thursday night, September 10, at The RailYard on Barnhardt Street, and

·      Friday night, September 11, at Hamburger Square (McGee at Elm).

“We are delighted to unveil the 2015 National Folk Festival site map,” said Philion. “Downtown Greensboro offers a wealth of possibilities for performance venues, and we are excited to be presenting 300+ Festival artists across such such a broad swath of our center city.”"

- A Press Release

Belk To Serve as Presenting Sponsor for 2015 National Folk Festival

Free, 75th-anniversary event - making its first-ever stop in N.C. - will feature non-stop performances on seven stages in downtown Greensboro, September 11 - 13, 2015 "Greensboro, N.C., February 10, 2015 - Belk will serve as the Presenting Sponsor for the 2015  National Folk Festival, which will take place in Downtown Greensboro on September 11 - 13, 2015.   Making the announcement today at the Belk Home Store in Greensboro were Tom Philion, President and CEO of ArtsGreensboro, co-producer of the National Folk Festival; Linda Carlisle, National Folk Festival Honorary Chair and former Secretary - N.C. Department of Cultural Resources; and Greensboro Mayor Nancy Vaughan. They were joined on the podium by Belk Regional Manager and VP Michael Linsbeck and Belk - Friendly Center Store Manager Tami Wolfenden. "We are absolutely delighted to announce that Belk-known for its 'modern, Southern style' and its Southern Musician Showcase-is partnering with ArtsGreensboro and the National Council for the Traditional Arts to bring the National Folk Festival to downtown Greensboro in 2015," said Carlisle. "As a Charlotte-based company, Belk not only recognizes that the Festival will draw attendees from across the Southeast and around the country, but also understands how important this event is to Greensboro, the Piedmont, and North Carolina. We thank Belk for its incredible commitment." "At Belk, we love to celebrate the connections between music and style. And the National Folk Festival - a true national-destination event making its first-ever stop in North Carolina - is the perfect venue to highlight those connections," said Wolfenden. "We're looking forward to hosting more than 100,000 people in Downtown Greensboro in September." Co-produced by ArtsGreensboro and the National Council for the Traditional Arts (NCTA), the National Folk Festival is beginning its three-year residency in downtown Greensboro this year, when it will celebrate its 75th anniversary from September 11 - 13, 2015. The FREE, three-day event is America's longest-running festival of traditional arts; it will highlight both long-standing traditions and the heritage and culture of North Carolina's newest immigrant groups, and set the stage for a continuing and permanent North Carolina Folk Festival, beginning in 2018, after the "National" moves on. With downtown Greensboro as the backdrop, audiences will enjoy up to seven stages featuring continuous musical entertainment-from rockabilly to old-time to mariachi, and from funk to Cajun to jazz. Attendees will also be able to dance non-stop to a variety of musical genres at the dance pavilion; dine on regional and ethnic foods; experience folk art demonstrations and performances by N.C. artists; and share the fun of the Family Activities Area with their children." - A Press Release

Downtown Business Owners Bring Experience and Expertise to new Downtown Venture!

"Area business owners Rocky Scarfone, Paul Talley, Howard Dozier, and Jeffrey Furr are bringing

their experience and expertise together to bring The Great Balls Of Fire Dueling Piano Bar to Downtown Greensboro at 115 South Elm Street.

"Our goal together as a partnership group is to create a synergy on the 100 block of Elm Street that would attract a diverse demographic that would be able to see a show at the Cone Denim Entertainment Center, then after the show go sing along with the piano players at the dueling piano bar or to the multi-faceted nightclub and lounge Limelight, which features Downtown's only rooftop nightclub. There will be no cover at Great Balls of Fire Dueling Piano Bar or Limelight with a ticket stub from Cone Denim Entertainment Center after a show. Great Balls of Fire Dueling Piano Bar will have different touring Piano Players weekly, thus enhancing the customers experience. It will be a fun, laid back atmosphere and one that we believe will become a favorite for bachelorette and birthday parties, or just a night out,” said Scarfone, “as a partnership we wanted to create an affordable night out with a lot of choices and with Great Balls of Fire Dueling Piano Bar situated between the Cone Denim Entertainment Center and Limelight we felt this was a natural to achieve our goal.”

Scarfone is the owner of the local Ham's Restaurants, as well as the Buckhead Saloon, The Underground, and the new Live Nation-affiliated Cone Denim Entertainment Center.

Paul Talley owns the adjoining Limelight Nightclub, Arizona Pete's and the Comedy Zone on Patterson St in Greensboro, as well as the popular Uptown Charlies at N. Church St and Highway 150 in north Greensboro.

According to Talley ,”this is a wonderful opportunity to create an entertainment destination that will appeal to a broad range of people.”

Jeffrey Furr is an Attorney with the law firm King & Spalding and a partner in the Ham's Restaurant in Winston Salem at the Thru Way Shopping Center and a partner in the Cone Denim Entertainment Center. Howard Dozier is a partner in Limelight and the landlord of several downtown locations.

Great Balls of Fire Dueling Piano Bar is set to open on Friday, February 13, with talented and entertaining pianists Joel Randolph and Jerod Brocklehurst, who has opened for and backed up American Idol winners.

Great Balls of Fire Dueling Piano Bar will be open Fridays and Saturdays at 9PM, expanding to Thursdays soon after the grand opening."

- A Press Release

One Man in Custody, Another Wanted in Connection with Elm Street Shootings

           

           "On Nov. 24, Detectives with the Greensboro Police Department have identified two Asheboro men in connection with the exchange of gunfire on Elm St. on Nov. 8 that left one person dead and four others wounded.

            Leonardo Vences, 23, was arrested without incident on Nov. 18 in after a motor vehicle stop in Rock Hill, S.C. He is charged Accessory After the Fact for the murder of 28-year-old Mark Shayne Davis who was fatally shot during the incident.

Vences was arrested with the assistance of the York County (S.C.) Sheriff’s Department Anti-Crime Team and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division. Vences waived extradition and will be transported to Greensboro in the near future.

            Police have identified Gosafat Rodriguez, 22, as the suspect in Davis’ murder. He has an active warrant for arrest for First Degree Murder. He also faces two counts of Assault with a Deadly Weapon with Intent to Kill or Inflict Serious Injury, and one count of Assault with a Deadly Weapon Inflicting Serious Injury in connection with the incident. Rodriguez is not believed to be in the Triad area.

           Witnesses stated that Davis was involved in an altercation between two groups of people in the area of S. Elm St. and Lewis St. at approximately 2:35 am on Nov. 8. The incident began after patrons had left several clubs at closing time, and became engaged in a verbal dispute that escalated to a shooting.

           Officer J.M. Chavez who fired his weapon at one of the shooters remains on administrative duties while the investigation is ongoing.

           Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers at 336-373-1000, or by texting 274637 (CRIMES) with the keyword badboyz.  Calls and texts are anonymous and confidential."

- A Police Report

.38 Special coming to the Cone Denim Entertainment Center in December

Southern Rockers, 38 Special will perform Dec. 13 at the brand new Cone Denim Entertainment Center (CDEC), located at 113 South Elm St. in downtown Greensboro.

“We are very pleased to have .38 Special performing at the Cone Denim Entertainment Center", said CDEC President Rocky Scarfone. "Their hits over the past three decades makes them an artist that attracts a wide age group of fans and brings back a lot of memories for their fans.” 

Since their beginnings in Florida, .38 Special has always had a southern flavor, with founding member Donnie Van Zant hailing from the same musical family as the original members of the legendary Lynyrd Skynyrd. Their breakthrough came with “Hold On Loosely”, and was quickly followed by “Caught Up in You” (#1 on Billboard's Popular Music Chart) and “If I'd Been the One” (also #1) which went on to become popular classic radio staples. The band has produced 13 studio albums which have sold over 10 million units to date worldwide and placed seven singles in the Billboard Top 40, such as “Second Chance” (#1), “Back Where You Belong”, “Rockin' Into the Night”, and “Teacher Teacher.”

Tickets for all of the performance will be on sale 10am Fri, Oct. 31 at all TicketMaster outlets, online at www.ticketmaster.com, or charge by phone 800-745-3000.

- A Press Release

WFMY News 2 Winterfest Moves to Cultural Heart of Downtown Greensboro

Greensboro, NC - The WFMY News 2 Winterfest will begin its 5th season in the cultural heart of Downtown Greensboro on South Elm Street this winter beginning November 20, 2014 through January 31, 2015.  With construction set to begin onLeBauer Park, the ice rink and slide festival will relocate to the Railyard at 106 Barnhardt St., two blocks South of Natty Greene's Pub & Brewing Co. The Railyard, a 170 space parking lot developed by Momentum Development Partners also has a number of new businesses adjacent to it – the newly developed Spice Cantina, The WORX restaurant, Gibb’s Hundred Brewery and The Forge. The Railyard has hosted numerous other events including the popular City Market, Mosaic Festival’s “Summer Nights” and the Greensboro Saint Patrick's Day Party. Popular features such as the Berico Fuels Ice Slide, Rice Scion Skate Shed, Friday and Saturday Night Disco, ice rink webcam and a kid’s play snow area are all set to be a part of the Piedmont's annual tradition for winter fun in the historic district of Downtown Greensboro. Event organizers are excited to announce the return of WFMY News 2 as the event title sponsor. Additional sponsorships are being provided by Downtown Greensboro Incorporated and the Downtown Residents Association.  WFMY News 2 Winterfest will also be partnering with the 2015 Prudential U.S. Figure Skating Championships to host special events at the Downtown ice rink in preparation for the 2015 Prudential U.S. Figure Skating Championships January 17-25, 2015 at the Greensboro Coliseum Complex. More details are available at www.northcarolina2015.com. Full WFMY News 2 Winterfest programming details will be announced closer to the rink Grand Opening on November 20, 2014. Visitwww.piedmontwinterfest.com to keep up with event happenings." - A Press Release

The “National” Folk Festival will celebrate in downtown Greensboro Sept.11–13, 2015

ArtsGreensboro and NCTA Announce

National Folk Festival Dates for 2015 – 2017

The “National” will celebrate its 75^th anniversary in

downtown Greensboro September 11 – 13, 2015

"ArtsGreensboro and the National Council for the Traditional Arts (NCTA) announced today that the National Folk Festival, which will begin a three-year residency in Greensboro in 2015, will take place September 11 – 13, 2015, in the heart of downtown Greensboro.

Celebrating its 75^th anniversary in Greensboro in 2015, the “National” is a FREE, three-day outdoor event celebrating the diversity and vibrancy of American culture through music, dance, storytelling, traditional crafts, food, and more. It will feature more than 30 performing groups on seven stages with continuous music and dance performances, along with children’s activities, a North Carolina folklife area, a festival marketplace, and regional and ethnic foods. The festival is expected to draw up to 175,000 visitors—many from across the United States—to Greensboro by its third year in 2017.

ArtsGreensboro and the NCTA will co-produce the free festival in cooperation with the City of Greensboro, the Greensboro Convention & Visitors Bureau, Action Greensboro, DGI, and other local groups.  

“Early September is a wonderful time to be outdoors in North Carolina,” said ArtsGreensboro President and CEO Tom Philion. “Not only is school back in session, but also the weather is usually lovely. In fact, before making this decision, we checked weather statistics for the past 30 years.”

“Downtown Greensboro is in the midst of a renaissance, and presenting the National Folk Festival in this location adds to the momentum,” said NCTA Executive Director Julia Olin. “We like to be where the action is.”

Looking ahead, the National Folk Festival will be held Sept. 9 – 11 in 2016, and September 8 – 10 in 2017.

About ArtsGreensboro

With an annual budget of nearly $2.8 million, ArtsGreensboro is a catalyst for innovation to build recognition and support for the arts. Through the 17DAYS Arts & Culture Festival, power2give, and other opportunities like the National Folk Festival, ArtsGreensboro is driving the health and vitality of our community through support for arts education, celebrating the diversity of Greensboro, and supporting economic impact through excellence in arts programming. www.ArtsGreensboro.org.

About the National Council for the Traditional Arts (NCTA)

The National Council for the Traditional Arts (NCTA) is one of the nation’s premier non-profit cultural organizations dedicated to the presentation and documentation of folk, tribal, and ethnic arts in the United States. Founded in 1933, it is the nation’s oldest producing and presenting organization with such a focus. Its programs celebrate and honor deeply rooted cultural expressions—music, crafts, stories, and dance passed on through time by families, communities, tribal, ethnic, and occupational groups. The NCTA stresses excellence and authenticity in presenting artists to the public in festivals, tours, concerts, media programs, exhibitions, recordings, and other activities, and works in partnership with communities across American to establish new, sustainable traditional arts events that bring lasting social, cultural, and economic benefits. www.ncta.net

About the National Folk Festival

Since it was first presented in St. Louis in 1934, the National Folk Festival has celebrated the roots, richness, and variety of American culture. Championed in its early years by Eleanor Roosevelt, it was the first event of national stature to present the arts of many nations, races, and languages on equal footing. It was also the first to present to the public musical forms such as the blues, Cajun music, a polka band, Tex-Mex conjunto, Peking Opera, and many others. An exuberant traveling festival that embraces the diverse cultural expressions that define the American people in the 21^st century, the National Folk Festival is produced by the NCTA in partnership with communities around the country."

- A Press Release

Photos: Fire on South Elm Street downtown Greensboro

Police tape off South Elm Street

A view from behind the building (notice the fire ladder through the smoke)

More than an hour after the fire started, smoke still poured out of the structure.

A view from Bragg Street to the north of three ladders spraying the blaze simultaneously.

One of the water lines in use.

Photos by Eric Ginsburg

Press release: Private fundraising for Greensboro performing arts center exceeds $35 million goal

The Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro distributed a press release this afternoon announcing that the private fundraising goal for a downtown performing arts center has been hit as of today's deadline. Below is the text from the majority of the press release (excluding the long list of individual private donors):

Private donations totaling an unprecedented $35.4 million-plus have been pledged to the Steven Tanger Center for the Performing Arts, thus surpassing a community challenge by the center’s namesake, The Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro announced today.

The total raised as of today is $35,448,920.

“We are most appreciative of the unprecedented level of support for this critical project for our community,” said Kathy Manning, who is leading the private fundraising effort. “Time and again, individuals, families, foundations and businesses demonstrated their generosity to ensure we build the state-of-the-art facility that will help transform Greensboro. With this extraordinary show of support by the private sector, we are thrilled to move on to the next step – working with the city to get the performing arts center built.”

Fundraisers exceeded a $35-million community challenge made by Steven B. Tanger, president, chief executive officer and a director of Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc. On Sept. 9, shortly after fundraisers had pushed past $20 million in pledges, Tanger announced his own $7.5-million challenge pledge, contingent on fundraisers collecting a total of $35 million in private support.

Among the major gifts committed since Sept. 9 include:

• VF Corporation: $1 million
• Lincoln Financial Group: $500,000
• Bank of North Carolina: $125,000

“I am very pleased that our community has dug deeply and generously to help us achieve my challenge goal of raising $35 million,” Tanger said. “This is an astonishing accomplishment, for which I congratulate the fundraising volunteers. Their diligent work, and the generosity of all of our donors, is making possible a watershed moment in the history of Greensboro. I am filled with gratitude and excited to see this project break ground in the coming months!”

The success of the private fundraising efforts has resulted in the biggest private-public partnership in Greensboro’s history. “It’s awe-inspiring to see the $35 million goal achieved,” Greensboro Mayor Nancy Vaughan said. “We’re very appreciative of the residents and business leaders in Greensboro who have invested in this important project for our downtown.”

Ground is expected to be broken for the center next fall, with an anticipated opening in 2016. It will be located on land bordered by North Elm and East Lindsay streets and Summit Avenue.

Greensboro temporarily reinstates teen curfew downtown

This morning the Greensboro City Council voted 8-1, with Dianne Bellamy-Small (far left) casting the lone dissenting vote, to reinstate a teen curfew in downtown for the next 60 days, effective immediately.

Council is holding a public meeting with community leaders to discuss the issue at 2 p.m. Read more about what's happening here, and pick up YES! Weekly next week for full coverage of the issue.

Greensboro council calls emergency meeting to discuss teen curfew

The Greensboro City Council called an emergency meeting tomorrow (Wednesday) morning at 9:30 a.m. to discuss reinstating the teen curfew. After several small fights involving young people downtown on Saturday night, leading to 11 arrests, council is planning a brief public meeting.

A rumor circulated last week prior to the arrests Saturday that council would be taking another look at the curfew, but numerous council members including Mayor Robbie Perkins said they hadn't heard anything about it.

Police spokesperson Susan Danielsen said that of the 11 people arrested Saturday night downtown between 11:30 p.m. and 1 a.m., one was 16-years old, five were 17-years old, four were 18-years old and one was 20-years old. Four small-scale fights along Elm Street near Center City Park resulted in the arrests on a variety of charges including assault on a law enforcement officer and inciting a riot.

"We did have to use pepper spray and we did have to physically restrain some people and [there was] one use of a taser," Danielsen said. "We also responded to a call of 'shots fired' in that area. We had an officer who saw and heard a muzzle flash."

There were no injuries in the apparent use of a firearm, she said, and the incident appeared to be separate from the fights. None of the small-scale fights were related, as far as police could determine, and there was nothing police could identify that united the participants or a mass of people at the park other than age. 

Danielsen said between 300 and 400 young people — not all teens, she added, "but they’re certainly not 50" — were gathered at Center City Park playing music and hanging out, adding that despite some news reports there was no riot.

Greensboro police called for back up from UNCG police and the Guilford County Sheriff's Department, though it is currently unclear when the call was issued. Danielsen was unsure if the incidents were an anomaly or part of a pattern of smaller issues with young people downtown at night, saying she'd have to check the data. 

"As the weather gets nicer you expect more people to be outside," she said. "It’s kind of the natural rhythm to have more events occur in the summer. We’re looking at a lot of options because this is not just a police responsibility."

Police were already planning to have an increased presence downtown for the Fourth of July, and Danielsen said it was important to keep things in context and remember most people who will attend Fourth of July events downtown are peaceful. Danielsen encouraged parents to know where their kids are for the holiday and to hold structured events if possible. 

The incidents Saturday were not related to a nearby Saturday Night Lights event that happened at Festival Park earlier in the evening, Danielsen said, adding that police were involved in the event and attendees left peacefully. The fights also didn't include people coming downtown to go to clubs or people leaving earlier after eating dinner, she said. 

UPDATE: The city's official meeting announcement says council will discuss reimplementing the teen curfew "in the central business district for approximately 60 days." The meeting will be in the plaza level conference room of the Melvin Municipal Office Building downtown, and the announcement refers to it as "an emergency meeting."

When asked if the fights were an anomaly, Perkins said, "Obviously we had a similar problem a couple of years ago" and added that "We can’t afford not to take action." Perkins said the response would be multi-faceted and that the city will hold a meeting with community leaders at 2 p.m. tomorrow to discuss other aspects of a solution. The meeting will likely be in the same room as the earlier council meeting and is open to the public.

"The real question we’ve got to ask is, 'Why do we have so many young people in the streets of Greensboro at 12, 1 o’clock in the morning?'" Perkins said.

Demolition beginning, new downtown apartments coming

Demolition begins Monday on the old North State Chevrolet site at 451 N. Eugene Street in downtown Greensboro to make way for the Greenway at Stadium Park apartments, according to a press release sent out today. Construction is scheduled to start in September and the 70 "exclusive" and "luxury" apartments are supposed to open next summer.

The four-story apartment building will be sandwiched between the Greenway at Fisher Park apartments — a relatively new complex built by the same developer —and the Greensboro Grasshoppers stadium near the northern edge of downtown. The Stadium Park apartments will share some amenities with the Greenway at Fisher Park apartments but will boast some additions, including a second pool.

The portion of the downtown greenway (the inspiration for the complexes' names) along Smith Street, between the to complexes, is partially completed and more work is scheduled by the end of the year. Construction has already begun on the nearby northwest cornerstone of the greenway, and the area has seen other recent changes including the addition of Deep Roots Market and the relocation of the Boston House of Jazz to 125 Summit Avenue in downtown.

There's more action going on in the area, and we'll post an update once we have details.

Ed Wolverton out at Downtown Greensboro, Inc.

This just came in. Read the full press release below:

Downtown Greensboro Charts New Direction to Encourage Growth

GREENSBORO, NC – Dawn S. Chaney, Chair of the Board of Directors of Downtown Greensboro, Inc., announced today the decision that Ed Wolverton, currently serving as DGI President, will depart from employment at DGI on an amicable basis at the end of his contract term, July 1, 2013.  Subsequently, he will assist the organization for a 90-day transition period by focusing attention on special initiatives, year-end reports, mandatory fillings, annual meeting and other projects as needed during a transition phase expected to be 90 days.
    This action comes after recent discussions about the need for enhanced economic development efforts and increased programming for Downtown.  A six-member task force made up of leaders from both the City and DGI was created to explore new directions and responsibilities in an enhanced collaboration.
    “For the task force to have complete freedom to consider all alternatives and options moving forward, I will not seek an extension of my current employment contract,” said Wolverton.  “As Downtown is a leading economic engine for the community with a value of over $700 million, this decision will allow the task force to recommend any steps that could further grow the local economy or improve services for the center city,” he said.
    Wolverton thanked Board members, volunteers, City officials and staff for their leadership during the past five years; he pledged to help the organization move forward.  He remains optimistic about the future of Downtown and noted that over $200 million of new projects are in the pipeline.
    Chaney noted that, “Ed’s accomplishments, especially with regard to improving the overall environment downtown and his dedication to the vitality of Downtown and to DGI are sincerely appreciated.”
    “At this critical juncture, the DGI Board is ready to move forward in a new direction,” continued Chaney.  “Our emphasis as an organization will change from one of maintaining and managing the downtown environment towards becoming a major force in growing our Downtown.  We intend to restructure our Board, action groups and volunteer advisors in order for DGI, working in collaboration with the City, to be a catalyst and lead agent for growth, job creation and economic prosperity.”
    In partnership with the City Council, entrepreneurs, investors, and civic leaders, DGI has attracted over $260 million in new investment in the past five years.  “With persistence and hard work, the vitality of Downtown has been increased by the addition of a long-sought full-service grocery store, a veterinary practice, medical services, attractive residential space and expanding retail to complement the traditional downtown office population,” said Sam Simpson, incoming board chair.   “We are moving in a new direction with added responsibilities.  In doing so we are re-thinking all areas of our organization – leadership, board, and committees.”

Noise ordinance discussion postponed, Hoffmann explains

A proposed change to Greensboro's noise ordinance that would make the decibel levels lower (and thereby stricter) was removed from city council's agenda last night after it met with opposition from some members prior to the meeting. District 4 Councilwoman Nancy Hoffmann, who had suggested a decreased threshold from 75 to 65 decibels after 11 p.m., said she asked for the item to be pulled but said it may still need to be revisited.

"I think that it’s an issue that we need to reconsider but we may need a little time to work through that," Hoffmann said, adding that some council members liked the ordinance as is while others may be open to revisiting it. "The police chief now is actually looking at some better or more sensitive equipment that can be used."

 Changes to the city's noise ordinance early last year were controversial and was met with fierce opposition from club owners, patrons and other residents. The ordinance affects the city as a whole but the discussion was focused on a rift between downtown clubs and residents, with developer Roy Carroll as the face of those pushing for a stricter ordinance. Carroll, who built Center Pointe on North Elm Street and lives in the building, later said he would back candidates that supported his point of view in the fall 2013 city council elections.

Hoffmann said the issue had been framed as a battle between Carroll — who leaned heavily on the police department and city council before it was put on council's agenda — and Greene Street Club, but that she had received calls from residents throughout the city, including in her district. One even complained about noise from the Greensboro Coliseum, she said, which is exempt from the ordinance. Hoffmann, whose district does not include downtown, said she has heard from several downtown residents who are still unsatisfied with the ordinance.

"In terms of the downtown business area, you have a number of constituencies," Hoffmann said. "What you’re always trying to do is to get to the center so that no group or no constituency is unfavorably or negatively impacted. There’s always lots to learn, you’re always trying to get to the best possible situation and solution to an issue or problem. I think that’s where we hope to get to at some point in time."

Hoffmann said there may be ongoing antagonism between Center Pointe and Greene Street, but said the current ordinance has a decibel threshold that is higher than Greensboro's peer cities, such as Greenville, SC or Raleigh, and that the current method of measuring noise may not adequately address the booming bass tones in some music. Hoffmann said the ordinance may be addressed in the coming months.