UPDATE: Like all of you, we are actively monitoring developments related to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and its impact on our beloved ClydeFEST. Due to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recent recommendations to limit gatherings of more than 50 people, we will unfortunately not be holding ClydeFEST on April 25, 2020. With the recommendations… Read More →
Artists-in-Schools: Pittsboro Elementary School Embraces Every Beat with West African Musician Diali Cissokho
Diali (pronounced “Jelly”) Cissokho arrives at Pittsboro Elementary School bright and early. He has 25 drums to unload and set up so that he’s ready to teach 3rd grade classes how to do what comes so naturally for him – play the drums. What these students may not know is that Diali, a well-known West… Read More →
Who Values Arts: Kris and Dwayne Howard
For the dynamic duo, Kris and Dwayne Howard, a love of the arts grew from Dwayne’s children’s inspiration and commitment to theater and performance art. The Howards, who have been in Chatham County since 1995, have been incredibly supportive of Dwayne’s two children, Heather and Blake – both of whom have pursued careers in the… Read More →
Artists-in-Schools: The Power of Ancient Dance Takes Hold of J.S. Waters School with Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana
The excitement builds at J.S. Waters School as students eagerly await their performance. They’re sitting in neat rows on the floor, not exactly sure of what they’re here to see, but sure they’ve taken a mini field trip – a break from their normal routine – so something exciting must be about to take place…. Read More →
Artists-in-Schools: A Deep Dive into Civil Rights History and Literature with Mike Wiley
If you know Mike Wiley, you know that he is full of expression, captures an audience almost instantly, and finds a way to pull out the inner theater artist in everyone he meets. This fall, students and teachers at Perry Harrison Elementary and Bennett School discovered this first-hand during Wiley’s performance of Jackie Robinson: A… Read More →
Artists-in-Schools: West African Musician Diali Cissokho Unifies Students, Drumming to a Central Beat
Stretching across the multi-purpose room, you see an audience full of wide eyes and slight restlessness. The students at North Chatham Elementary are curious about the performance they’re about to see and anxious for it to begin. As soon as West African musician, Diali (pronounced “Jelly”) Cissokho, begins playing the kora (a West African jumbo… Read More →
The Chatham Experience 2019: Exceptional Talent, Unique Collaborations, HOT Fun!
True. Chatham. Experience. If you were lucky enough to attend The Chatham Experience: Benefit Concert for Chatham Arts Council’s Artists-in-Schools Initiative in late September, you know what we’re talking about. Only in Chatham could you go to a unique venue like the Chatham Beverage District, enjoy local eco-friendly food and drink while listening to well-known musicians… Read More →
The Chatham Experience 2019: Save the Date!
Chatham Rabbits, The Bluegrass Experience, and Diali Cissokho all on one stage in the Chatham Beverage District?! Yep! Save the date for The Chatham Experience: Benefit Concert for Chatham Arts Council’s Artists-in-Schools Initiative, on Sunday, September 29! This year’s event is a unique cross-generational fundraising concert, sponsored by Opus Financial Advisors, featuring musical performances by… Read More →
Artists-in-Schools: Curriculum Come to Life in Two Chatham County Elementary Schools
History, math, science – sometimes everyday curriculum can be difficult to grasp for elementary school students. The concept seems unfamiliar or too far removed from everyday life to grasp. But when a student becomes an integral part of dissecting and reconstructing it in a different way, the ability to connect with curriculum concepts is more… Read More →
Artists-in-Schools: The West African Kora Makes its Way to Three Chatham County Schools, Thanks to the Talented Diali Cissokho
This May, three Chatham County schools experienced an interactive performance of West African kora (a West African jumbo spike-lute with 22 strings made from fishing line), singing, and drumming with Diali Cissokho, as part of the Chatham Arts Council’s Artists-in-Schools Initiative. Bennett K-8 School, Virginia Cross, and Perry Harrison Elementary students and teachers were called… Read More →