It's a Party!

The Fun Fourth Festival Kick-Off Block Party helps to pay for the very needed but very unglamorous items for the Street Festival -- port-a-johns, insurance and trash crew! All things that all good events need. In fact the poster in our office says"Where are the Port-a-Johns?" Because no matter how hard you try...sometimes the port-a-john delivery folks just don't get them in the correct spot.

But I digress, back to the Block Party. This year we will start at 7:15pm with some Classic Beach tunes from The Extraordinaires -- make sure you bring your dancing shoes because it will be Classic Beach from start to finish. At 9:15pm Nantucket will take the stage to keep the party going!



Bring your money for your beer and your raffle tickets! You could win the 50/50 raffle (another way to raise money for the port-a-johns!)

Hey, and while you're at it bring a canned good or two to donate to the Urban Ministry Food Bank. Its all for a good cause -- plus it will be a great time!! Hope to see you there!!
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Craftscene Spotlight: Chris Bettini-Handmade Chainmaille jewelry

Chris started creating jewelry in 2004 when her boyfriend, Ted, introduced her to the art of Chainmaille. They had stopped by a little shop in Helen, GA that sold Chainmaille Armor. Ted made a comment about wanting a chainmaille bracelet, so upon returning home,  Chris set out on a journey to find everything she'd need to make one. From that moment on, she was hooked, and it's been non-stop ever since.

  Chris creates chainmaille in Sterling Silver, Argentium Silver, Gold Filled, Rose Gold Filled, Brass and Stainless Steel and designs some jewelry using Semi Precious Stones and hand crafted Polymer Clay or Lampwork beads.

You can find Chris's beautiful and intricate creations at the Funfourth Street Festival on Saturday July 3rd and also on Handmade Triad.

Art Can!

A new Fun Fourth Festival attraction, Art Can! is sponsored by the United Arts Council of Greater Greensboro, to create a temporary public art installation made of canned foods items.

Architects Shermin Ata of Shermin Ata Architects with Micah Martin and Emily Hinton of Moser Mayer Phoenix Architects have joined forces to design a U.S. Flag public art installation constructed out of Campbell Soup cans.

On July 3rd, Fun Fourth attendees will be able to watch the installation as well as construct their own designs made out of donated canned goods.

"We're pleased to bring our creative community together to help stock and replenish the Greensboro Urban Ministry Food Bank at a time when folks generally aren't thinking about feeding the hungry. It's a wonderful example of how Art Can! make a difference," said UAC Interim President and CEO Altina Layman.

Want to help? Canned food donations will be accepted for the project at:

• the Freedom Run and Walk on June 26th
• 1776 performances at the Carolina Theatre on July 1st, 2nd and 4th
• the Kickoff Block Party on July 2nd.
• Parade and Street Festival on Saturday, July 3rd
• News & Record Pops Concert and Gate City Fireworks, July 4th
  

Canned goods may also be dropped off at:

• The Carolina Theatre, 310 S. Greene
• Action Greensboro, 317 S. Elm
• Cultural Arts Center, 200 N. Davie
  

So, as you're out and about enjoying all of the Fun Fourth activities, take a moment and bring us some canned goods -- its for a great cause!! You will be amazed at what Art Can! achieve.

Big Fat Gap

Back porch bluegrass band Big Fat Gap has no plans to take Nashville by storm. Some of them even have day jobs. They just like to pick, they like each other, and it shows. Their shows are known to be excellent for those who enjoy sweet three part harmonies, smoking solos, and captivating stage dynamics. Their fun performances bring loyal fans back for more.

They got their name from one of the few remaining stands of old growth virgin forest in western North Carolina located in the Big Fat Gap in Graham County near the Tennessee border. They are Miles Andrews on lead vocals and Bass, Rick Hauchman on mandolin & vocals, Andy Thorn on banjo, Bobby Britt on fiddle and Jamie Griggs on Guitar.

Learn more about the band on their website or take a listen to them on Myspace!

If you like what you hear, come on down to the Fun Fourth Festival and see them perform. Saturday, July 3, 3pm on Stage 1. It'll be hot ... bring your beer money!!
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lemonade wishes and funnel cake dreams

Looking through the Fun Fourth Food Vendor Info notebook when I haven't had any lunch is a bad idea. I am now craving roasted corn and funnel cake and a steak and cheese sandwich - and ooooh, maybe a corn dog and some onion rings and then some Italian ice, washed down with some fresh-squeezed lemonade.


Unfortunately, getting all of these things today would probably involve an hours-long scavenger hunt around Greensboro. So I'll just have to be patient, and wait until Fun Fourth, when every single thing I just mentioned (and more, so much more!) will be available within a two block radius. I may or not be counting down the days until July 3rd.