Here are some things NCMS employees, members, and the general public are talking about this week!

Kenny Chesney, Miranda Lambert, and NC’s Scotty McCreery headline Carolina Country Music Fest!

The Carolina Country Music Fest has more than 40 of the country’s biggest artists all weekend in Myrtle Beach.  Look for Travis Tritt, Brooks & Dunn, Lainey Wilson, and dozens more across several stages.  There are also theme nights and other fun too.  Find out more here.

Great weekend for jazz lovers too!

The High Country Jazz Festival brings first-rate jazz experiences to Boone and Blowing Rock. 2023 headliners include the Legendary Count Basie Orchestra, the Emmet Cohen Trio, and Reggie Buie Group. They will be  performing at the Appalachian Theatre in Downtown Boone and Chetola Resort in Blowing Rock. More info is here. 

The Lost Colony is back

The 2023 season of The Lost Colony is now underway and runs until August 26.  Set on the soundfront on Roanoke Island, enjoy this 86 year-old musical under the stars.  It is a North Carolina experience not to be missed!  More information and tickets are here.

Ruth E. Carter:  Afrofuturism in Costume Design at NCMA

Academy Award–winning costume designer Ruth E. Carter has defined generations through her work in film and TV. Her art adds dimensionality, flair, and culture to the characters she envisions, giving power to the incredible actors who wear her designs. Her vibrancy and attention to detail in costuming is integral to translating stories of race, politics, and culture to the big screen. From humble roots in Massachusetts, Carter has helped style the Afrofuturism movement for almost 40 years.

Creating pieces for films such as Black PantherMalcom XSelma, and Do the Right Thing, Carter has designed costumes for legends like Oprah Winfrey, Denzel Washington, Chadwick Boseman, Eddie Murphy, Angela Bassett, and Forest Whitaker.

In this exhibition the NCMA displays more than 60 of Carter’s original garments while also showcasing her immersive process, historical research, and the attention to detail that imbues every project she brings to life.

How to see the exhibit is here.

If you have an event you would like added to On The Lighter Side, email Randy Aldridge at [email protected].