As those who just attended Dark Mofo would attest though, it’s a cold winter here in Australia for art lovers. But up in North America they’re well and truly enjoying the heat of Summer. Every State in the US has their own claim to fame when it comes to their galleries and art institutions, but few have taken our interest more than the North Carolina Museum of Art.
Originally opening in 1956, the museum’s earliest claim to fame was that they held the first major museum collection in the USA to be formed thanks to State legistation and funding. And to this day, their permanent exhibition remains free to the public. Meanwhile, at 164 acres, they boast the country’s largest museum park – with dozens of pieces of art for guests to enjoy. There’s also an outdoor amphitheater, which is the largest stage for performance attached to a museum in the USA, holding some 3,000 people. Oh, and to top of it all, they have some 40 (yes, fourty) additional galleries on site.
I had the chance to talk to George Holt last month, the Director of Performing Arts & Film Programs at the Museum, about how the park is embracing the Summer with a series of events in their Joseph M. Bryan, Jr. Theatre, taking in special concerts and cinema screenings throughout the warm months. This is Holt’s 19th Summer season at the museum – and it’s the museum’s 19th seasons of outdoor concerts and films. He’s been there since the very beginning and tells me that it has “evolved into a popular program we’re very proud of”.
When it comes to their music selections, “…we have a passion for culturally diverse music that has its roots all over the world… from folk to roots as well as prominent singer/songwriters….” Already this year they’ve enjoyed the likes of Gary Clark Jr. who Holt was apt in saying was “already considered to be one of the great guitar players”, Brandi Carlile and “the great Neko Case, who returns to the museum for the second time”. Just a few days ago, King Sunny Adé and His African Beats from Nigeria greeted their stages with his socially conscious music and incredible twenty five piece band.
Next up on the agenda are Paris Combo, who will be playing the venue on July 11th. “We were proud to present them years ago, and excited to bring them back. They perform Hot Club Paris Music with a contemporary sensibility”. As for the rest of the season? “Bluegrass has a rich history in this part of the country. We’ll be presenting the Punch Brothers (July 16th) playing their classic bluegrass, while being adept in interpreting all styles – even classical! We’re bringing the great South Florida band The Mavericks (August 29th) to the museum for the first time. Fronted by an incredible singer, there’s a real Latin flavour to their music. I’m excited about Dawes (September 25th) as well.”
And all this music is set against an incredible backdrop of their 160 acre park. Every now and then, George tells me they bring the music and film worlds together – such as they did last year with a special screening of 20 Feet from Stardom. Though this isn’t happening this year, there remains an incredible array of classic and contemporary cinema on display, from 2014’s How To Train Your Dragon 2 (July 10th) to 1964’s To Kill a Mockingbird (July 17th), 1998 cult favourite The Big Lebowski (August 15th) alongside recent Oscar winners Whiplash (August 14th) and Boyhood (August 28th).
For tickets and more details, head to: http://ncartmuseum.org/
