2010 Art Blast
Date: Wed, September 8th 2010 - Sun, September 12th 2010
Downtown Wilmington, North Carolina is the place to be in September to experience arts and cultural events that complement the destination’s history, culture, and natural beauty. The inaugural ARTBlast Festival makes its debut September 8-12. During the five-day festival, a host of musical, theatrical, and dance performances, as well as art, literary, and film events will be staged at various Downtown venues. The 9th Annual Downtown Wilmington ArtWalk & Parade (Sept. 11), one of Downtown Wilmington's signature events, also takes place during ArtBlast.
The ARTBlast Festival includes theatrical performances at Cape Fear Playhouse at Newcastle (“Shadowlands,” Thurs.-Sun.), Front Street Brewery’s Beam Room (“Murder on the High Seas,” Thurs.), Nutt Street Comedy Room (“The Nutt House” Wed. & “Quarter Life Crisis Comedy Tour” Fri.-Sat.), and Thalian Hall (“The Secret Garden,” Thurs.-Sun.). There will also be a Danceblast (Fri.) and a Contra Dance (Sat.) at the Hannah Block Historic USO/Community Arts Center. Live music will be featured at Bellamy Mansion (jazz, Fri.), The Soap Box Laundrolounge (Fri.-Sat.), as well as other restaurant and nightlife venues. Film screenings will take place at Thalian Hall (Wed.) and The Beam Room (Wed.). Art galleries with special events include Projekte (Thurs.), Opera Room Bar & Gallery (Thurs.), Bottega Gallery (Fri.), and New Hanover County Public Library (Sat.). Events are still being added to the lineup, so be sure to check out the complete ARTblast Festival schedule at www.artblastwilmington.com. This year’s Downtown Wilmington ArtWalk & Parade takes place during ARTblast on Saturday from 10am until 5pm. The ArtWalk features local and regional artists who display their treasures along six blocks of Front Street. Here you’ll find one-of-a-kind paintings, photographs, handmade jewelry, and sculptures. This day-long event draws over 10,000 people. Back by popular demand, The Grand Procession of Peculiar Pets (an art parade) will take place on Saturday during the ArtWalk at 1:30pm (corner of S. Front St. and Orange St.), making its way north along Front Street. This year’s parade theme is “peculiar pets.” Participants are invited to make their costumes in advance during four free costume-making events: Aug. 27 at Art Box (255 N. Front St., 2nd floor, 6pm-8pm); Sept. 2 at Wilmington Children's Museum (116 Orange St., 3-5pm), Sept. 4 at Riverfront Farmers Market (Water & Market sts., 9am-11am); and Sept. 4 at Projekte Gallery (523 S.3rd Street, 4pm-6pm). Workshops include art supplies. Participants may also create costumes using their own supplies. Art Blast and the Downtown Wilmington ArtWalk & Parade are presented by Downtown Business Alliance (DBA), Do It Downtown, and CoolWilmington.Com Productions. For details and vendor applications, call 216-374-8884, email: artandantiquewalk@hotmail.com or visit website: www.dbawilmington.com.