Ocrafolk Festival 2019 Performers Announced, Valentine Early Birds, Artisan Applications Due

Ocrafolk Festival 2019 Performers Announced Get Your Ocrafolk Festival Early Bird Tickets, Sweetheart! Artisan Applications Due Now Ocracoke's Latino Festival Makes a Great Contribution Ocracoke Alive Announces Lineup for 20th Ocrafolk Festival We are so excited to announce this year's Ocrafolk Festival Performers. 2019 is our 20th anniversary, and so we wanted to bring back some of the audience favorites from previous years. Please understand that most of our performers turn out to be favorites (Hey! We have pretty good taste!). So if someone you love is missing from this list, take heart . . .they will probably be returning in future years. 2019 Performers include: Molasses Creek (your hosts), Donald Davis, the Steel Wheels, Mipso, Kaira Ba, Aaron Burdette, Chatham Rabbits, Beleza, Craicdown, Noah Paley, Bill Harley, Martin Garrish, Coyote, The Wilders, Paperhand Puppets, Mahalo Jazz, Warren, Bodle & Allen, Bob & Jeanne Zentz, Green Grass Cloggers, John Golden, Rodney Kemp, Jef the Mime, Ballet Folkorico de Ocracoke, and more! Early Bird All Weekend Passes ($50) Available Through April 30! Thinking of Getting Early Bird Tickets? Now's the Time! Valentine's Day can be a sweet time to surprise your family and friends with Ocrafolk Festival Tickets. You also get the added bonus of taking advantage of Early Bird Ticket Specials of $50 for the whole weekend of Ocrafolk fun! Plus we will throw in an Ocrafolk Festival Collector's Button good for stage drawings ($15 value). After April 30th, the price goes up to $65 for the weekend. Single Day Passes to the Ocrafolk Festival will be released at a later date, but you should note that if you are planning on attending two days of the festival weekend, it will be less expensive to purchase the Early Bird All Weekend Ticket Pass than separate day passes.   Sponsor Ocrafolk and Receive Exclusive Rewards 2019 Sponsor Levels are from $600-$3000. Sponsors receive tickets and many perks for helping to ensure that the festival can continue.  For more information, contact us through the Sponsor Ocrafolk page. If you are obtaining tickets by becoming a Sponsor, you will not purchase your tickets separately through the website (unless you need additional tickets for your group). We will include the tickets in your Sponsor Bag.   Ocrafolk Festival Artisan Application Deadline, March 15 Artists who would like to be considered for Ocrafolk Festival 2019 need to apply by March 15. Apply to be an Ocrafolk Festival Artisan Festival Latino de Ocracoke Contributes to Our Community This week the Festival Latino de Ocracoke committee presented $2000 to Ocracoke School (in addition to $500 donated to the Arts Class and Shop Class), as well $1000 to the Ocracoke Health Center. 2019 will mark the 4th annual Festival Latino de Ocracoke, November 8-10. Join us for a multicultural celebration produced by Ocracoke Alive in partnership with Ocracoke's Latino Community! That's All for Now! David Tweedie ~ Executive Director OCRACOKE ALIVE BOARD Desiree Ricker ~ President, Assistant Director Sharon Brodisch ~ Vice President Gary Davis ~ Treasurer Katy Mitchell Chad Macek Gloria Perez Shae Youell

Stuff Your Stockings with Ocrafolk Festival Early Bird Tickets! Holiday News and more from Ocracoke Alive.

Ocrafolk Festival 2019 Early Bird Tickets Released in Time for Holiday Gifting!              It’s hard to believe but the wheels are already turning for next year’s Ocrafolk Festival (June 7-9). We are in top secret discussion with our lineup for 2019 (not revealing any names yet), and have some great surprises in store for our 20thOcrafolk Festival celebration. Hope you can join us! We have just released Ocrafolk Early Bird Tickets online in time for stuffing the stockings of your Folkie Friends and Family. The Early Bird $50 All Weekend Pass price will be good through the end of April, at which point Early Bird Ticket prices will rise to $65 for the weekend. If you are only able to attend two days of Ocrafolk Festival and Saturday is one of those days, it will be most economical for you to purchase an Early Bird All Weekend Pass.   Your Festival Feedback Helps Shape Ocrafolk . . . Kids and Students 0-17 Years Old Free in 2019! Photo by Ann Ehringhaus We work really hard to gather your wise feedback and use it to inspire the crafting of Ocrafolk Festival. Thanks to everyone who responded to this year’s survey. One of the brilliant suggestions floated this year was to make Kids and Student tickets free in 2019. Since one of our Ocracoke Alive goals is to provide fabulous programming for kids and students, this resonated with our crew! Attendees interested in securing Kids/Student passes may do so online as well as on festival weekend.   By becoming an Ocrafolk Festival Sponsor, you help make this happen!  Stay tuned for more press releases in 2019!   Sponsor Ocracoke Alive & Help Make Our Inspiring Programming Possible Diali Keba Cissokho gives a demonstration on the kora during Arts Week 2018 As we approach the end of the year, Ocracoke Alive would like to remind you how critical your contributions are to our mission on Ocracoke Island. Our small community relies upon the generous contributions from folks like you to produce vital student and community programming. Your donation fuels the Student Arts Partnership Program, the Deepwater Theater Community Space, Ocrafolk Festival, Festival Latino de Ocracoke, and community workshops and presentations. We couldn’t do this without your help! Make your tax-deductible contribution to Ocracoke Alive through our website at www.ocracokealive.org, or by sending a check into Ocracoke Alive, PO Box 604, Ocracoke, NC 27960.   Festival Latino de Ocracoke Festival Warms Up Blustery November Ballet Folklorico de Ocracoke gives a colorful performance! November 9-11, Ocracoke Island came alive with the vibrant sounds of mariachi songs, salsa music, and the mouthwatering flavors of a multitude of tasty Mexican dishes. The 3rd annual Festival Latino de Ocracoke brought together Latino and non-Latino islanders with Ocracoke visitors for a celebration of Hispanic culture and heritage. “Ocracoke’s Latino residents have become such an integral part of our community . . . we are thrilled to have a festival to share their culture,” says Ocracoke Alive Director, David Tweedie. Thanks to all of the volunteers and donors, as well as WOVV, Ocracoke Observer & the Ocracoke Current for getting the word out! For a snapshot of the weekend event (including some great photos), read Debbie Leonard’s article, “Ocracoke Celebrates Together,” on the Ocracoke Current website.    And the Quilt Winner Is .  .  . The Ocracoke Quilters gift us with a beautiful quilt each year for the Ocrafolk Festival as a fundraiser. This year was the first year that we didn’t sell all 150 tickets over June’s festival weekend, so as promised we delayed our drawing until our mission was complete. At our annual Thanksgiving Ocrafolk Concert on Ocracoke Island, we sold the final ticket and had the official drawing. We are pleased to announce that Barbara Hardy of Kitty Hawk, NC was the winner! Congratulations and thanks to all the participants. You raised $1500 towards Ocracoke Alive’s student and community programming!

Click Here to Add Your Critical Support to Ocracoke Alive's Community Programs

Ocracoke Alive December Schedule December 15 (Saturday) ~ Ocracoke Community Christmas ConcertOcracoke Community Center. 7:00 PM

Happy Holidays! Ocracoke Alive 2018 David Tweedie ~ Executive Director OCRACOKE ALIVE BOARD Desiree Ricker ~ President, Assistant Director Sharon Brodisch ~ Vice President Gary Davis ~ Treasurer Katy Mitchell Chad Macek Gloria Perez Shae Youell

Get Ready for the Festival Latino de Ocracoke 2017!

Get ready for the Festival Latino de Ocracoke 2017!

Friday Dance Workshop with Fabian Vargas (Nov 10) Learn Traditional Ballet Folklorico Dancing with Fabian Vargas of Ballet Folkorico Orgullo y Alma Latina (Ocracoke School Gym, 7 PM) Saturday Schedule (Nov 11) For more details and programs visit www.ocracokealive.org Books To Be Red Lawn ~ 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.  Music Concert by Group “Flor Y Canto” and Mariachi Flores! Food, Including Dishes from All Parts of Mexico! Traditional Mexican Games, Including Raiguela, Loteria, Giant Tic Tac Toe, This Year’s New Addition “El Toro Loco”, Pinatas and much more! Área de Books To Be Red ~ 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. ¡Gran Concierto Con Grupo Musical “Flor Y Canto” y "Mariachi Flores"! ¡Muestra Gastronómica Con Platillo de Todo México! ¡Juegos Tradicionales Mexicanos, Incluyendo Torneo De Raiguela, Lotería, y Gato Gigante!, ¡Además de nuestra nueva adición “El Toro Loco”, Piñatas y Mucho Mas!. School Gym ~ 7:00pm – 9:00 p.m. Music Concert and Folkloric Dances presented by “Orgullo y Alma Latina” and Members of the Community! A Special Representation of Day of the Dead Celebration in Mexico! Gimnasio De La Escuela ~ 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.  ¡Gran Concierto de Música y Bailes Folclóricos Presentados Por Grupo de Ballet “Orgullo y Alma Latina” y Miembros de la Comunidad! ¡Además de Una Representación Especial Del Dia de Muertos!  Dance at the Ocracoke Community Center ~ 9:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m. To Close This Great Event, We Invite You to a Dance with the Band Kalidad Musical and a DJ! Gran Baile en el Centro Comunitario de Ocracoke ~ 9:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m. !Cerrando con Broche de Oro, los Invitamos al Gran Baile Con el Grupo Kalidad Musical Acompañado de un DJ Sorpresa!

Ocracoke Alive Fall News: Latino Festival, Proposed Ocrafolk Festival Changes, Fall Membership Meeting

Greetings from Ocracoke Island and Ocracoke Alive! We are getting ready for a busy fall and would love for you to be a part of our events. This newsletter tells about the upcoming Festival Latino de Ocracoke, proposed changes to the Ocrafolk Festival (we want your input!), and what is happening on the island in November and December. Hope that you are enjoying the season! Your friends at Ocracoke Alive

Ocracoke Alive November / December Schedule November 11 (Saturday) ~ Festival Latino de Ocracoke. Grounds of Books to be Red, Ocracoke School, Ocracoke Community Center. 11 AM-Midnight November 17 (Friday) ~ Ocracoke Alive Fall Membership Meeting. Deepwater Theater. 7 PM November 24 (Friday) ~ Ocrafolk Thanksgiving Fundraising Concert (Tentative) Deepwater Theater. 7:30 PM December 7 (Thursday) ~ Ocracoke Community Christmas Concert. Ocracoke Community Center. 7:00 PM December 15 (Friday) ~ Concert with Finley Woolston and his Joyful Band of Singers. Ocracoke Methodist Church. 7:30 PM

Continue the Celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month with Fesitval Latino de Ocracoke (Saturday, November 11, 2017).               Although October 15 marks the close of National Hispanic Heritage Month in the US, on Ocracoke the celebration is right around the corner! November 11, 2017 brings the 2nd annual Festival Latino de Ocracoke to our community.  The festivities will begin the week before with a number of workshops at the Deepwater Theater, such as papel picado handicrafts and dance lessons.              On November 11, the Festival Latino de Ocracoke day activities will take place on the grounds of Books to be Red on School Road. Traditional games and food from different regions of Mexico will be present, as well as Tamale, Churro, and Itacate workshops. “Flor y Canto”, a folkloric group with roots from Guerrero, Mexico, will perform throughout the day. That evening, a program including music and traditional dances by Ballet Folklorico “Orgullo y Alma Latina” and community members will be held at the Ocracoke School Gym followed by a Latino dance at the Ocracoke Community Center featuring Kalidad Musical.              Festival Latino de Ocracoke is organized by the Ocracoke Latino community with the support of Ocracoke Alive.

Click to Read More & Help Sponsor Festival Latino de Ocracoke!

Give Us Feedback on Proposed Changes to Ocrafolk Festival

Ocracoke Alive Considers Changes for Ocrafolk Festival, Seeks Community Input.

In 2018, Ocracoke Alive’s Ocrafolk Festival will turn 19 years old. What started in 2000 as a small, single day event on the grounds of the Berkley Manor has grown to a three-day weekend that draws faithful followers from around the country for a celebration of music, stories, artisans, and the Ocracoke community.             With the growth of the event, Ocracoke Alive has worked to listen to the needs of the community, increasing performance locations around the village, bringing the performers to Ocracoke School students, and implementing the ideas and feedback of the Ocracoke residents and Ocrafolk fans. The island nonprofit is once again asking for community input.             The growth of the festival has resulted in an increase in its infrastructure and expenses. In 2017, the Ocrafolk Festival expenses were around $67,000, with an income of $69,000 after Cost of Goods. Around half of the expenses go towards businesses right in the Ocracoke community, with the remaining expenses covering visiting performers, equipment rental, and insurance. A little under $30,000 in pre-festival sponsorships comes from a faithful group of Ocrafolk fans, $6000 from Hyde County Occupancy Taxes, $18,000 from product sales, $5000 from a fundraising auction, and the remaining income from vendor fees. The bottom line from 2018? The event made around $2000.             The Ocrafolk Festival has relied upon voluntary admission contributions to date, but Ocracoke Alive is considering requiring admission bands to gated seating areas for 2018’s event. “We want to ensure that we maintain the spirit of this great community event, but we also need to be certain that the event is a successful fundraiser for Ocracoke Alive (and doesn’t bankrupt it), so that we can continue our mission of building cultural programming on Ocracoke,” says Executive Director, David Tweedie.             The suggested plan would not restrict visitors from strolling festival grounds (many of which are on public areas of the village), but would require attendees to have an admission armband to enter into audience seating areas. The 2017 “Requested Donation” level for visitors to support the festival was $25 for adults and $15 for kids for the weekend. Similar music and storytelling festivals throughout country commonly cost $40-50 per day per attendee.             As the festival has grown, it has drawn a greater audience, but the audience has become less inclined to make “voluntary” donations. Many consider the cost of coming to Ocracoke as their donation, and mistakenly believe that the event is completely sponsored by the town. “Their response to our requests for a donation is that they already spent a lot of money to be here,” says David. “Unfortunately, that sentiment doesn’t pay for the event or support Ocracoke Alive programming.”                Ocracoke Alive uses monies from activities like the Ocrafolk Festival to bring programming to the Ocracoke community. The organization sponsors and directs the Ocracoke School Arts Partnership, supports Ocracoke Arts week, produces the Festival Latino de Ocracoke, and summertime programs. In 2018, Ocracoke Alive will produce Julia Howard’s A Tale of Blackbeard, and will sponsor visiting director, Karen Gulotta who will be working with Ocracoke students in the spring.

Give Us Feedback on Proposed Changes to Ocrafolk Festival

Ocracoke Alive Fall Membership Meeting at Deepwater Theater (Friday, November 17, 7 PM)

Ocracoke Alive welcomes you to our home at Deepwater Theater, School Road, Ocracoke on Friday, November 17 for our annual Fall Membership Meeting. We will provide the desserts as we wrapup  2017, vote in new board members, ask for your input, and let you know our plans for 2018. Look forward to seeing you there at 7 PM!

Thanks for your support! Ocracoke Alive 2017 Board of Directors Desiree Ricker ~ President, Assistant Director Tom Pahl ~ Vice President Gary Davis ~ Treasurer Sharon Brodisch ~ Secretary Allison O'Neal Freddy Contreras Jeanie Owens David Tweedie ~ Executive Director

Ocracoke Alive News: 1st Annual Festival Latino de Ocracoke (November 12)! Ocracoke survives Hurricane Matthew. And more!

Annual Festival Latino de Ocracoke is almost here! Nov. 12

On Saturday, November 12, Ocracoke will host the first annual Festival Latino de Ocracoke. Events will take place at Ocracoke School from 11 AM to 9 PM, followed by a dance at the Ocracoke Community Center from 9 PM to midnight. (Click here for a detailed program)
The Festival Latino de Ocracoke will be a day to honor vibrant Hispanic traditions, and a day to celebrate the unity of all who are part of this great community. Through delicious authentic food, traditional dances and music, exciting games, crafts, and fun for all ages, organizers hope this festival will bring the community together to experience and enjoy the friendship of our cultures.

Ballet Folklorico de Guadalupano

Ocracoke Island has become home to many Latinos over the past 20 years. Just as the Ocracoke community has opened its doors and embraced many Hispanic families, organizers of the Festival Latino invite the community to join in a fun-filled day of sharing and learning that will strengthen the bonds between cultures through the celebration of differences and the appreciation of all we have in common.

“We are very excited to partner with Ocracoke’s Latino community and assist them in producing this event,” says David Tweedie, executive director of the community non-profit Ocracoke Alive.  “Ocracoke’s Hispanic residents have become an integral part of our community as friends, co-workers, and business and property owners. We are thrilled for this opportunity to learn more about their culture,” says David.

Festival committee members include Freddy Contreras, Eduardo Chavez, Gloria Perez, Adrian Espinoza, Cira Badillo, and David Tweedie.

In addition to performances and presentations by Ocracoke residents, visiting artists will include Ballet Folklorico Guadalupano (dance) and Fantasia Huasteca and Mariachi Espuelas de America.

“The majority of Latin Festivals around the nation are created with the main objective of celebrating the Latino or Hispanic culture. However, we want this one to be a little different,” said Freddy Contreras, member of the festival committee. “We want this festival to be an occasion where all participate, build friendships, and get to know each other’s cultures. We share a wonderful place as a home and I personally think that we all should always be united in working for the best of this community,” says committee chair Freddy Contreras.
 
Mariachi Espuelas de America

The event receives financial support from Ocracoke Alive, the Ocracoke Civic and Business Association, Eduardo’s Tacos as well as from businesses and individual sponsors. A portion of proceeds will benefit Ocracoke School and the Ocracoke Child Care.
Show your support of the Festival Latino de Ocracoke!
There are two ways to make a donation.
1. Mail in a tax deductible contribution to "Ocracoke Alive, PO Box 604, Ocracoke, NC 27960"

2. Donate Online at www.ocracokealive.org
Read more by clicking the button below.

Donors will receive
(1) A Festival T-shirt for every $50 donated
(2) Thanks on Website & from Stage
(3) Tax Letter from Ocracoke Alive
Questions? Contact David Tweedie (252) 921-0260

Ocracoke Receives a 4 AM Visit from Hurricane Matthew

Village Craftsmen on Howard St. as seen from Fiddler Dave's back porch.

We have our fair share of storms on Ocracoke, but Hurricane Matthew was certainly one for the books. With the exception of those who remember the storm of ’44, Matthew covered the island with more water than any current residents had seen. At the Village Craftsman the water level measured at 4.5 inches above Hurricane Alex (the highest water level previously recorded). Deepwater Theater flooded about six inches inside but had little damage once the water went down.
Ocracoke Alive's Deepwater Theater really lives up to its name!

The Skipjack Wilma Lee was safe at the National Park Service docks, thanks to Captain Rob who had moved it prior to the storm. This level of water caused a massive amount of destruction to cars, homes, freezers and refrigerators stocked with food and, most importantly, the ability to restore what was lost as businesses were forced to close. While the community of Ocracoke is amazingly resilient, there are plenty of people relying on help from UMCOR, Albemarle Food Bank, FEMA and other organizations that have recently visited the island to help.Fallen branches and flooded debris from Ocracoke village take up half of the Lifeguard Beach Parking Lot

Gary Mitchell of Molasses Creek made a video of Hurricane Matthew as viewed from his soundside porch.

Classes at Deepwater!

Fall at Deepwater Theater means a renewed focus on upcoming performers and artists and a rest for those who performed all summer. Ocracoke School of Performing Arts began their fall session in September offering classes to students 3 and up in acting, dance, musical theater and singing. Each day after school students chasé into the theater in tutus, sing songs from classic musicals, or practice their skills in acting and improvisation…and it’s beautiful! Community classes and events, from concerts and yoga to piñata making and past life regressions (really!) are either scheduled or already happening. It’s an exciting time of year as the theater transforms from a space entertaining visitors to one bursting with local children and adults.

Test run of Skipjack Wilma Lee Educational Programs a success!

The educational programs aboard the skipjack Wilma Lee that we field tested this fall were well received.  We held a total of 5 programs, 4 Saturday programs and one weekday program for a junior Girl Scout troop.  In total, we reached 18 students and 16 adult learners who all responded positively and felt that had learned something new about sailboats and navigation.  This was also a learning experience for us as we tested our programs and made additions, adjustments and realized that we have a lot of fun and interactive information that we can share.  We are looking forward to tweaking these programs and offering a few more this spring in hopes of attracting student groups from off the island.  Many thanks to Laura McClain and Tom Pahl for their hard work! Also thanks to all the donors who supported our Labor Day Gala. You made the workshops possible!

Upcoming Events

November 17, 7:00 PM ~ Ocracoke Alive Fall Membership Meeting at Deepwater Theater

November 25, 7:30 PM ~ Ocrafolk Festival Thanksgiving Fundraiser. Join members of Molasses Creek, storyteller Donald Davis, and performers from the Ocrafolk Community for our annual concert. $15 Adults, $7 Kids

December 9, 7:30 PM ~ Free Christmas Concert with Finley Woolston and the Joyful Band of Singers. At the United Methodist Church.