October 7-14 An Incredible Week For New Bern

Committee members (L to R)
Judy Avery, Nancy Stallings,Danielle Glynn, Melissa Riggle,
Nancy Wyatt, Jim Bisbee, Sandy Bruno
Members not pictured
Susan Moffat-Thomas, Linda Mattocks, Carol Tokarski, Alison Mattocks, Mary Harris

The Arts Ahoy Committee met on Monday morning and we were all happy to hear the tickets are selling extremely well and may be a sell-out. The good news provided the enthusiasm for all of us to embrace the many details that remain to insure the event will be a grand affair., i.e. selection of hors d oeuvres from the list submitted by Seafair’s chef, booking entertainment for the three decks for the First View, organizing guest registration for the evening of the event, parking…the list is long but our able committee members are taking it in stride and everything should go as planned.

The Arts Ahoy gala marks the inaugural of this mega yacht’s stay in New Bern with the unveiling of The SeaFair Collection to include works of art from a broad array of paintings, prints, sculpture and photography by contemporary artists, all available for sale. Artists include Robert Cottingham, Thomas Hartmann and pop-artist icons Robert Indiana, Jim Dine, Tom Wesselman and many others. In addition to the 28 galleries filled with art, there are two outdoor bars, a coffee bar and an open-air bistro and bar on the Sky Deck. What a great venue for MUMFEST’s 32^nd year.

Captain Craig Matthews notified us they departed from Brooklyn at 9:45 am on Monday, expect to reach Morehead City Thursday morning to take on fuel and then on to New Bern arriving, weather-permitting, on Sunday. It will be fascinating to see this 228 foot yacht arrive and watch as Captain Matthews maneuvers the enormous vessel so it can dock at the New Bern Grand Marina.

Arts Ahoy featuring nationally known artists on Thursday, acclaimed musicians performing at the Four Seasons concert on Friday, MUMFEST on Saturday and Sunday with dozens of venues…what an incredible week…what an incredible reputation New Bern is building!

What do you think?

Susan Moffat Thomas

Executive Director

Inaugural Four Season Concert In New Bern, October 12

Ara Gregorian, Artistic Director
Four Seasons Chamber Music Festival

It is quite amazing how many world class musical performances New Bernians can enjoy throughout the year, at a modest price, without leaving the city and the Four Seasons Chamber Music Festival is at the top of the list.  

We are very fortunate, Ara Gregorian, Artistic Director of the Four Seasons Chamber Music Festival, East Carolina University chose to have the inaugural season open in New Bern on October 12 in the NC History Center Cullman Performance Hall at 7:30 pm.

The outstanding program includes Ludwig van Beethoven’s Sonata for Piano and Violin in A Major, Op. 30 No.1, and Richard Strauss' Sonata for Violin and Piano in E Flat Major, Op. 18 with additional selections to be announced.

Robert McDonald, piano, won the gold medal at the Busoni International Competition, top prizes at the William Kapell International Competition and the Washington International Competition along with many other honors throughout his career and is on the piano faculty at the Curtis Institute of Music and The Juilliard School.

Ara Gregorian, violin, the founder of the Four Season Chamber Music Festival made his New York recital debut in 1996 at Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall and his debut as soloist with the Boston Pops Orchestra in Symphony Hall in 1997. He has performed around the world and is a member of the violin faculty at East Carolina University.

Tickets: $25 public, $10 students. Go to http://www.ecuarts.com/

or purchase in person at the Bank of the Arts.

Special thanks to Katherine and John Haroldson for sponsoring this first of a three concert series. The second and third performances are December 1st and May 4th.

Susan Moffat Thomas

Executive Director