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Experience performing, literary and visual arts in downtown Manteo on Saturday, October 2 during opening day for Dare County Arts Council’s courtyard.

There will be a host of different art events on the hour from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. giving the community a taste of what the new outdoor space will offer.

“Opening day is all about showcasing the courtyard’s diverse capabilities and potential,” said Dare County Arts Council executive director Jessica Sands. “Everyone is invited to come out to see the courtyard and take part in the activities we have planned. Having this wonderful multi-functional outdoor art space is going to expand our offerings to include large installations, unique workshops, hands-on demonstrations, music and dance performances, film screenings and so much more.”

Opening Day events include:

10 a.m.: Nature Out Loud interactive music show for kids

11 a.m.: Downtown Books Author Parapalooza

Noon: Theatre of Dare’s selections from Little Shop of Horrors

1 p.m.: Artist Talk with sculptor Christina Weisner

2-4 p.m.: Live music by One Love Caribbean steel drum band

There will also be interactive activities for children and adults all day long.

“What is Parapalooza,” asks Downtown Books owner Jamie Hope Anderson. “It’s a one-of-a-kind event that will bring together as many local authors as we can get in one place, the courtyard! Once there, the authors will each take a turn reading a paragraph, of their choosing, from any of their books. I’m planning to have a great selection of Outer Banks writers and authors to make for an interesting hour of reading, listening, connecting and celebrating the opening of the Arts Council’s new space!”

All of the courtyard opening day events are free and open to the public.

There will be a formal grand opening in 2022 when all of the final elements of the courtyard are installed.

DCAC expressed thanks to the Percy W. & Elizabeth G. Meekins Charitable Trust, Dare County Tourism Board, Outer Banks Community Foundation, The Cannon Foundation, The Camp-Younts Foundation, Dominion Energy, Southern Bank Foundation, Lowe’s, Walmart Giving, Ace Hardware, The McLaughlin Family Charitable Fund and community donors for supporting this project. This project is supported by the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.

For more information, contact Dare County Arts Council at 252-473-5558 or visit DareArts.org/courtyardproject.

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