Educator Fernando Jones has taught young musicians in both virtual and in-person settings. (Photo: Courtesy Fernando Jones)
Unlike jazz camps, camps that focus on the blues are a rarity. In 2010, when Fernando Jones decided to start one at Columbia College Chicago where he is on faculty the veteran bluesman and educator wasn’t quite sure it would work. It did, and since then Jones’ blues camps have become an annual rite of summer. By 2019, the camps had welcomed hundreds of kids at sites in eight states, as well as the United Kingdom, Italy, Japan and Cuba. Last year’s program was shaping up as a major event, as well, until the pandemic hit in March.
SUPPORT
Friday Morning Support Group: 10:30 a.m.-noon. For adults with any mental health issue. 336-768-3880 or www.triadmental health.org
Tides and Thrives Support Groups: 10:30 a.m.-noon virtual meeting. To access the Thrive support group: 701-802-5332, access code: 579141#, online meeting ID: thrive91. For Tides support group: 978-990-5127, access code: 815890#, online meeting ID: tides.
THEATER
The Little Theatre of Winston-Salem: “Hadley High”: March 5-14. A new play by Chad Edwards on YouTube. Tickets are $11.49 including fees and can be purchased by calling 336-725-4001 or www.LTofWS.org.
F UNCSA: Contemporary Voices: A Virtual Theater Festival in March with livestreams of two prerecorded plays. “Down in the Gace of God” will be livestreamed at 7:30 p.m. on March 5-6 and at 4 p.m. on March 7. “Sweat” will be livestreamed at 7:30 p.m.March 12-13 and 4 p.m. March 14. Reservations are available at www.uncsa.edu/performances or by calling the UNCSA box office at 3
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Answer: Black History Month, observed throughout the month of February each year, celebrates the historical achievements of African Americans. Black History Month grew from the idea Carter Woodson and other African American leaders had in creating âNegro History Weekâ back in the late 1920s. Every president since 1976 has recognized February as Black History month, and each year has had its own theme. For 2021, the theme is The Black Family: Representation, Identity, and Diversity.
Because Winston-Salem has such a rich African-American heritage and history, Black History month is usually met with many activities throughout our area. This year, while there won’t be many in person events, there are some attractions and online events celebrating Black history and culture scheduled during February. One virtual event of interest is Freedom Summer, an online play presented by the North Carolina Black Repertory. This play runs from Feb. 19 to 28. For ticket informati
This anything-but-normal year began normally enough on the local and regional art scene.
The beginning of the year is traditionally a slower time for visual art in North Carolina, and January was true to form in that respect. For review in my column, I saw a benefit exhibition at Artworks Gallery and a traveling show of Allison Saarâs prints at UNCG s Weatherspoon Art Museum in Greensboro.
Late in the January, as is my custom, I spent a few days in New York attending the annual Outsider Art Fair, although I didnât write about it in my column. Little did any of us know what a troubled place New York would be only two months later.