Showing posts with label Latino Festival de Ocracoke. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Latino Festival de Ocracoke. Show all posts

Friday, July 12, 2019

Ocracoke Alive Summertime Activities, an Invitation to our Ocrafolk School Fall Retreat Week, & a Latino Mini-Fest on July 13.

Ocrafolk School Fall Retreat 
Ocracoke Alive Summertime Shows
A Festival Latino de Ocracoke Mini Festival (July 13)
Don't Forget to Give Us Your Ocrafolk Festival Feedback

Ocrafolk School Fall Retreat Week: Renewal and Lifetime Learning on Your Favorite Little Island

Even though we are just dipping our toes into summertime Ocracoke activities, Ocracoke Alive is also hard at work looking towards fall and the return of the Ocrafolk School Fall Retreat, October 20-25. This amazing gathering gives fans of Ocracoke an insider’s guide to the island, and a golden opportunity for personal renewal while exploring new frontiers through one of six courses (listed below).

Small class sizes allow for individualized attention from teachers and a one-of-a-kind opportunity to expand horizons. Participants will enjoy great local food, inclusive tours, and unique activities as they make new friends and meet some of the most fascinating residents of this remote Outer Banks Island. For more details on courses, housing, and activities, visit our webpage at www.ocracokealive.org. Proceeds from Ocrafolk School support student and community programming on Ocracoke Island.


The historic Berkley Manor is our home base for the 2019 Ocrafolk School.

Ocrafolk School 2019 Classes
Decoy Carving: Carve & Paint a Redhead Duck Decoy with Jason Daniel

This class will be taught by Jason Daniels, an Eastern North Carolina native who has been living on Ocracoke Island for 17 years. Students will learn how to craft a finished decoy using traditional and modern techniques. Starting from a block of wood, Jason will cover defining details like feather features, side pockets, primaries, tertials and elements of the duck’s bill.

Drawing with Love (and a Little Science) with Kitty Mitchell

Students will learn a variety of techniques to help them “see” like an artist. Don’t worry if you “can’t draw a straight line,” that’s what rulers are for! This class offers a non-judgmental, practical, and spiritual approach to drawing. Participants will learn a variety of “drawing on the right side the brain” techniques and will try different kinds of mediums. There will be practice in proportions, shading, perspective and foreshortening. The class will feature studio work and plein-aire drawing around our beautiful island, weather permitting.

Exploring Ocracoke’s Past, Present, & Future with Ann Ehringhaus

This class will begin by exploring Ocracoke’s fascinating maritime past. These were times of early settlers and pirates who fished and lived from the land. Students will get to meet some of the descendants of these original historic families. This portion of the course features a visit to the Ocracoke Preservation Society Museum, a trip to nearby bird islands and Portsmouth, a historical 19th century sea-coastal village.  Moving into Ocracoke’s present, Ann will guide the group on a tour of island infrastructure, with visits to the Water Plant (est. 1977) and the Tideland Electric Cooperative. Expanding to consider Ocracoke’s future, the class will talk with the National Park Service and other islanders about challenges and possible life changes ahead. This class will be experiential, including group discussions, food tastings, and on-site visits.

Jewelry Making with Robin Macek

This class will encompass a wide range of jewelry techniques including beading, leather wrap, wire wrapping, and ring and rosette creation. Students will work with a variety of materials like gemstones, wood, bone, glass beads, and leather. Robin will be teaching many of the universal jewelry skills such as wire wrapping, attaching clasps, combining findings, and connecting headpins to chain. No experience necessary. Class participants will be able to WOW their friends with the pieces they bring home from their week!

Cooking with Island Chefs with Debbie Wells and Guests


The cooking class for 2019 is going to bring some great Ocracoke chefs together! Both Ruth and Daphne have played critical roles in the development of the Ocracoke food scene, providing dynamic food to their loyal and devoted customers over many years. Ocrafolk School is honored and thrilled to have them for a full day each, leading the cooking class. Together, students will spend some quality time in the kitchen, learn basic techniques, explore new ingredients and experience some traditional island fare. Class time is fun and creative with everyone having their hands in the action.


Mind and Body Renewal with Desiree Ricker and Guests

Ocracoke is rich with residents who practice various forms of wellness, from meditation and yoga to massage and Reiki, herbalism and aromatherapy to nature intelligence and meridians of TCM. This is a rare opportunity to explore authentic practices to allow you a chance to find what resonates with you. Taught by local professionals, this course will touch on several methods of mind and body wellness so that students may gain a deeper knowledge of practices for a healthier and more integrated life.  Students of this class will participate in a wide range of learning techniques including movement and hands-on experience, as well as seminars and self-practice.

Looking For Summertime Family Entertainment on Ocracoke? Ocracoke Alive Has Ya Covered! 

This summer, Ocracoke Alive has three shows that will keep you and your troupe entertained all week long while visiting our little island. Here is the lineup!

A Tale of Blackbeard Musical (Mondays)


History, action, romance, and humor are artistically intertwined in this production featuring an Ocracoke Island cast! This musical play, by Julie Howard, (directed by Desiree Ricker) recounts the final days of Blackbeard and crew on Ocracoke Island, the budding romance between one of his young sailors and an island girl, and the battle that sealed Blackbeard's fate. Shows run on Mondays, July 1-August 12, at 8 PM at Ocracoke School Gym Auditorium.
Visit 
https://www.ocracokealive.org/tale-of-blackbeard.html for more information.

Season 2: Dingbatters (ALL NEW COMEDY) Guide to Ocracoke (Wednesdays)

This #1 Hit Show is back for a brand new hilarious season with All New Comedy-Skits. Join Desiree Ricker, David Tweedie, Gary Mitchell, and Peyton Piquard in this ultimate guide to Ocracoke visitors (and residents) of all ages! We'll reveal answers to burning questions like . . . How to Score Awesome Housing on Ocracoke, What Happens at a Bicycle Riding Training Seminar, What Can I Find for Sale at an OcraCats Fashion Show, and the answer to visitors' favorite question . . . What's It Like to Live Here All Year Round?  A definite Must See!

Molasses Creek Band in Concert (Thursdays)
For 26 years, Molasses Creek’s high-energy performances and heartfelt songwriting has brought the love of their coastal home to the stage. The band’s elegant harmonies and arrangements, stellar songwriting, blazing instrumentals, and quirky sense of humor have won loyal followers throughout the United States and around the world. Molasses Creek has just released their 17th recording, Catch the Wind, and will feature songs off of their new album along with audience favorites. Join Gary, Fiddler Dave & Kim for a one-of-a-kind Ocracoke evening!

Join Ocracoke's Latino Community for Mini Festival Fundraisers for November's Festival Latino de Ocracoke on July 13th, & throughout the Summer.

Join us at the Ocracoke Community Center on Saturday, July 13 as we celebrate Latino culture with members of our Ocracoke Hispanic community. This fundraiser for November's Festival Latino de Ocracoke, will feature a Taco Fiesta (starting at 3 PM), song and dance performances by residents and our Ballet Folklorico de Ocracoke (5 PM), a presentation of the the candidates for Queen of the November's Festival, and a Grand Dance (9 PM) with performances by El Trio Kartel de la Sierra & DJ Palankas. Don't miss it!

Keep your eyes out for other Latino Festival fundraisers throughout the summer. And mark this year's Festival Latino de Ocracoke on your calendar, November 8-10.

Did You Attend the Ocrafolk Festival 2019?
We Want Your Feedback!

Ocrafolk Festival attendees are often surprised at how many of their feedback ideas come to life when they return to Ocrafolk Festival the following year. We would love to hear from you! Click on the image below to fill out our feedback form. You could win two tickets to next year's festival!

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


Tuesday, September 18, 2018

Ocracoke Alive Fall News: Hurricane Report, Latino Festival, A Tale of Blackbeard, Ocrafolk Festival 2019


Hurricane Florence Update
 


Hello friends! We’ve had a lot of people asking how the storm affected Ocracoke, and would like to assure everyone that things are well on the island.  We did have a bit of rain and wind as we caught the northern arm of hurricane Florence, but for the most part our community was fortunate and received little tide swell from the sound and ocean. Power did go out, but Tideland EMC crews worked hard to keep electricity coming to most of the houses during the storm. Many thanks for their dedicated service!

The biggest impact to Ocracoke has been the two weeks interruption in our fall visitor season. With a seasonal economy, that time off can be the equivalent of a 3-4 weeks break. We know that businesses are as eager to reopen as the tourists are to return, but it takes a little bit of time to put the house back in order. Currently there is sand on the road between Ocracoke Village and Hatteras to the north.  A few days of work, and ferry traffic via Hatteras Island will be able to resume. As of today, residents, non-resident land owners, emergency personnel, and essential services are being allowed to return to the island through Swan Quarter Ferry. The island will reopen to visitors on Friday.

Conditions are much different for mainland North Carolina, especially south of us where the eye of the storm came ashore. Morehead City, Harkers Island, Beaufort, and Wilmington have dramatic tales to tell. We are keeping our coastal friends in our thoughts during these challenging times.
Click Here to Add Your Critical Support to Ocracoke Alive's Community Programs
Ocracoke Alive September-November Schedule
  • October 27 (Saturday) ~ A Tale of Blackbeard Ocracoke School Gym Auditorium. 8:00 PM 
  • November 9-11  ~ Festival Latino de Ocracoke. 
  • November 15 (Thursday) Tentative ~ Ocracoke Alive Fall Membership Meeting.Deepwater Theater. 7 PM
  • November 24 (Saturday) ~ Ocrafolk Thanksgiving Fundraising Concert (Tentative)Deepwater Theater. 7:30 PM
A Tale of Blackbeard Final Performance (Saturday, Oct 27, 2018).

(Photo by Eakin Howard)

Our next big event coincides with Ocracoke’s Blackbeard Pirate Jamboree, Oct 25-28. On Saturday, October 27 we will have a special performance of Julie Howard’s A Tale of Blackbeard Musical at the Ocracoke School gym auditorium. Presale tickets are available at our website and tickets will also be available at the door. This will be the final performance of this production for the 2018 season and we look forward to all the piratical revelers in the audience as well as on stage. Please check cutlasses and small arms at the door. Many thanks to our volunteer cast and crew for a terrific season! The production has not only been great fun, but has also helped raise funds for Ocracoke Alive's programming in our community and at Ocracoke School!
Reserve Your Ticket to A Tale of Blackbeard, Saturday, Oct 27

When is Ocrafolk Festival 2019? June 7-9, 2019

Photo by George Wood

A quick reminder that next year’s Ocrafolk Festival will be June 7-9, 2019. We always tell folks that the Ocrafolk Festival is the first Friday-Sunday of June.  This next year it jumps back a weekend, so make sure you have reserved the correct date!

October is the month when our Ocrafolk Festival Entertainment Committee lines up performers for the next year. 2019 will be our 20th Ocrafolk Festival and we are planning a big celebration featuring many favorites from previous years. The 2018 Ocracolk Festival ticketing system worked tremendously well! We appreciate you, our fans, for your enthusiastic support and for helping us to stabilize the finances of this outstanding event. You enabled us to pay our bills while raising money for critical student programs!

Pre-purchase 2019 Ocrafolk Festival Tickets in November & December . . .
The Perfect Holiday Gift for the Folkie in your Family!

We’ve had many emails asking about pre-purchasing tickets for next year. We plan to release 2019 Ocrafolk tickets sales in November . . . in time for 2018 holiday season. Give your friends and family the magical gift of Ocrafolk Festival in their holiday stockings!
 

Festival Latino de Ocracoke is right around the corner (Nov 9-11, 2018)!

As the summer season comes to a close, our focus has shifted to the Festival Latino de Ocracoke.  This third annual celebration will take place November 9-11, 2018. The weekend will feature music, dances (by our very own Ballet Folklorico de Ocracoke), games, workshops, and (of course!) food. On Sunday, there will be a basketball tournament at Ocracoke School as part of the festivities. We will post schedule details on the Ocracoke Alive website, so stay tuned as we near November.
Photo by George Wood

Deepwater Theater Fall Schedule

Fall is almost here and there’s just one Molasses Creek Deepwater Theater concert on the schedule. On Thursday, September 27, our hometown band will take to the stage to wrap up its official 2018 season. The MC crew may add more concerts spontaneously on October weekends, but for the time being if you would like to see them . . . now is your chance!  In 2019, they will return, along with a brand-new comedy show from the folks who brought you A Dingbatter’s Guide to Ocracoke. Rumors have also been circulating about an encore season of A Tale of Blackbeard. Stay tuned!
Reserve Your Ticket for Molasses Creek's Sept 27 Concert at Deepwater Theater

Thanks for your support! Ocracoke Alive 2018

David Tweedie ~ Executive Director

OCRACOKE ALIVE BOARD
Desiree Ricker ~ President, Assistant Director
Tom Pahl ~ Vice President
Gary Davis ~ Treasurer
Sharon Brodisch
Allison Serafin
Freddy Contreras
Katy Mitchell

Sunday, August 28, 2016

Skipjack Wilma Lee Labor Day Gala, New Educational Programs, Latino Festival de Ocracoke, Ocrafolk Festival and More!



Is it just me or is the humidity a bit less? Kids are heading back to school and geese south, so it must mean that we are wrapping up another summer on Ocracoke Island. Here is what happened over the past few months, and what we are looking forward to this fall.

Get Ready to Set Sail for the 3rd Annual Skipjack Wilma Lee Labor Day Gala, Sunday, Sept 4th!

Artwork by Mark Brown
We have managed to make it through an entire year since our last taste of Tom Pahl’s famous grilled shrimp . . . but we can’t take it anymore! Fortunately the Annual Skipjack Wilma Lee Labor Day Gala is right around the corner on Sunday, Sept 4th. By making a donation of any amount, you can join us for stories, drinks, and fabulous hors d’oeuvres from 3-6 PM at the Community Square Docks.

Ocracoke Alive invites visitors and community members alike to step aboard our flagship vessel, to enjoy a beautiful afternoon and hear about our latest developments in our educational programming. Donors who contribute $100 or more are also invited to bring a guest on board for a special sunset cruise at 6:30 PM. If you are planning to attend, please let us know at www.ocracokealive.org or by calling 252-921-0260. The sail has limited spaces. See you there!

Educational Programs to Grow Aboard the Wilma Lee

Free September offerings to feature test programs "Anatomy of a Sailboat" and “Nautical Charts and Navigation"  

Ocracoke Alive has announced the recent hiring of Laura McClain to serve as part-time Educational Program Coordinator.  According to David Tweedie, Ocracoke Alive's Executive Director, McClain's initial focus will be on creating and marketing educational programming to take place aboard the organization's historic sailing vessel, the Skipjack Wilma Lee.

“In the long term, Ocracoke Alive is aiming to grow our educational mission,” Tweedie explained.  “We see that mission involving not just the Wilma Lee and not just school-age learners, but all ages and many areas of learning.”

Initially the organization will work to develop a series of educational programs which will take place around and aboard the Wilma Lee and which will be geared toward middle school students.  A book of lesson plans that was developed for Ocracoke Alive by LEARN NC (a spinoff of the UNC School of Education) will serve as a key guide in that process.

Ocracoke Alive hopes to be able to offer half day and then full day programming to both private and public schools around the state, and, of course, to students and teachers on the island.

“The first step in that development is to create a few 90 minute trial lesson plans and offer them for free to local students as Saturday programs,” McClain explained.
“We are taking small steps, beginning our programs, but we have plans to expand the content and offerings. Having an outdoor classroom aboard a historic boat will give us a platform for so many learning experiences and possibilities,” said McClain.

Besides the two programs they are offering next month, McClain described other possible lessons, including a program highlighting the Wilma Lee’s past as an oystering boat.  “That's next in the pipeline,” she explained, “but we have a lot of work to do and we have some great on-island experts who we are working with to create a collaborative program.”

Ocracoke Alive's initial educational programs will take place Saturday mornings during September.  The programs will be hands-on experiences, designed to entertain and educate all ages.  Kids (and anyone interested) will gather at the Wilma Lee at the Community Square dock.  Programs begin at 9:30 and run for 90 minutes.

"Anatomy of a Sailboat."  During this program, students will come to understand the differences between sail boats and other kinds of boats.  They will get to tour deep into the structure of the boat.  They will examine and take home “scantling drawings” of the skipjack.  Students will learn sailing terminology and classic knot tying.  They may even get to take a ride up the mast in a "bosun's chair." (Sept 10 and Sept 24)

"BUOY Bingo  - Nautical Charts and Navigation" During this program, students will learn the fundamentals in reading nautical charts, using longitude and latitude hydrographic maps to determining location in degrees, minutes and seconds, reading compasses and learning about nautical symbols.  Students will make their own compasses and investigate the variations in magnetic north as well as play a game that will allow them to locate different maritime and historical features in and around Ocracoke Inlet. (Sept 17 and Oct 1)

Please note:  for both of these two programs, the Wilma Lee will remain tied up at the dock.  Future programs will involve sailing trips in the sound. Interested in participating, please let us know by emailing info@ocracokealive.org or calling 252-921-0260.   

Fall into the Deep…Deepwater Theater that is!

 

While summer comes to a close, that doesn’t mean the fun at Ocracoke Alive’s Deepwater Theater has to! We’ve extended the run of each of our shows into September. This means if you’ve been busy like the rest of the island all summer and haven’t been able to make it to a show, or you’d like to get one more night in with Blackbeard, Molasses Creek, the Island Historian or the Pastor Poet, you can order your tickets online today. There are only a few weeks left!

Here are the remaining dates. For more show info, click on the links. Thanks!


Ocracoke School of Performing Arts will be starting up their fall classes in Deepwater Theater the week of September 12th with acting, dance, musical theater and private voice lessons. Information on these classes can be found at www.facebook.com/OcracokeDance or by emailing ocracokeschoolofperformingarts@gmail.com

Ocracoke Alive proudly presents, the 1st Annual Festival Latino de Ocracoke on November 12th

If you have visited Ocracoke over the past twenty years, you have probably noticed the growing Latino population that has become part of our island community.  Some of these residents have their own businesses that you know and love (Eduardo’s Taco comes to mind . . . one moment, I need to run and pick up an order. . . Okay, I’m back!), and others you may have seen working at various jobs throughout the island. From the Ocracoke School to the fire department, the grocery stores to the restaurants and motels, Ocracoke depends upon these friends and neighbors who have come to call our remote island home. 

Ocracoke Alive is very excited this year to be partnering with members of the Latino Community to assist them in creating the very first Festival Latino de Ocracoke on Saturday, November 12th at the Ocracoke School and Community Center.  The festival organizers, Freddy Contreras, Adrian Espanosa, Gloria Perez, Eduardo Chavez, Cira Badillo, and David Tweedie have been hard at work creating a day filled with traditional games, dances, music, and food, that will be great fun for everyone. Special guests presentations include dance demonstrations by the Ballet Folklorico Guadalupano, and music by Fantasia Huasteca.

Daytime activities will take place at Ocracoke School from 11-5 PM, with an evening performance at the school gym from 7-9 PM (and a movie for the kids at Deepwater Theater). From 9 PM until midnight, the action will move to the Ocracoke Community Center for more dancing and fun.
In addition, during the week leading up to the festival, Ocracoke School students will have an opportunity to learn about Latino Culture, try their hand at piƱata making, cooking, traditional dancing, and practicing their skills at games like raiguela, cintas, and much more.

If you are interested in helping sponsor the event, please contact David Tweedie at info@ocracokealive.org or 252-921-0260. Hope that you can join us! For more information and to keep up to date with plans, visit our Latino Festival page at www.ocracokealive.org

Ocrafolk Festival Memories, June 3-5, 2016

 It’s hard to believe that it is almost Labor Day. It seems like just yesterday we were celebrating Memorial Day and enjoying another amazing Ocrafolk Festival! Nestled between two tropical storms, we had quite a team working to pump out the lake that was the festival grounds Friday morning, while another group did highly effective rain dances to hold off the next storm until our three days of fun had concluded (which it did). 

So with a muddy beginning, the weekend turned beautifully. This year we had many firsts including music beginning Friday afternoon and Friday night’s “Taste of Ocracoke” with the introduction of “Ocrabucks.” Read Annelise Straw’s review on the Ocracoke Current at www.ocracokecurrent.com/137714.
 
While there are some first year kinks to be worked out with A Taste of Ocracoke, the food was great and many restaurants were happy about the business brought by Ocrabuck toting festival attendees! Our first 50/50 auction went well with stunning pieces donated by so many talented artists. With this new format under our belts next year’s auction promises to be even better.  If you are an artist interested in having your work in the 50/50 art auction, join our Ocracoke Alive e-news list at www.ocracokealive.org/blog.html. After the turn of 2017, we will send out a note letting you know that it is time to sign up!

The new musicians and bands fit right in to the mix of much loved returning artists. Fresh faces included Lipbone Redding, the Bucket Brothers, De Tierra Caliente, the Oak Grove String Band, Michael Stanwood, and the Madame Presidents. For our returning performers, each group had grown more, had more to share, and provided a unique and special element to the festival. With music from Friday afternoon through early Sunday evening, this was certainly our longest festival, yet it always seems to pass by too fast! Our artisans had such lovely collections of art, jewelry, and folk pieces that it was difficult not to walk away with one of everything. Paddy’s Hollar at the Magic Bean had much appreciated adult refreshments provided by Zillie’s, and local restaurants and cooks provided a variety of delicious lunch and dinner options.

Our Admiralty Cruise was a fantastic fundraising event that featured festival artists aboard the Skipjack Wilma Lee with wine, beer, hors d’oeuvres, and a sunset sail for certain levels of sponsors and those who had purchased tickets. If you haven’t spent time on this amazing vessel, you should try it our next year, it’s a pretty special treat! Saturday evening concluded with more intimate shows at Deepwater Theater dancing in the Community Square and the Community Center. 

From puppet parades and kid’s fun, to workshops and all-star jams, new faces and old favorites…this was a year to remember! We are so thankful to everyone who came out to the festival this year. Thank you to our outstanding sponsors, proud button wearers, INCREDIBLE volunteers, inspiring musicians and storytellers, mud-dancers, water-pumpers, artisans, food vendors, and the truly special island of Ocracoke that allows this wonderful festival to take over this tiny village every year. To read more and see more pictures from this year’s festival check out the Ocracoke Observers article “Ocrafolk Festival: Like a Family Reunion” at https://ocracokeobserver.com/2016/06/08/ocrafolk-festival-like-a-family-reunion/

Next year’s Ocrafolk Festival will be June 2-4, 2017. Keep up on all the festival news at www.ocracokealive.org

Ocracoke Fig Festival Unleashes a Fruity Frenzy

 
 While only in it’s third year, the Fig Festival in August is decadently delicious! The growing event featured two days of fig competitions (cake & preserves), performances by Molasses Creek, and Martin Garrish and friends, an Ocracoke square dance led by Philip Howard, fun booths selling fig related items, and an open house on the Skipjack Wilma Lee. 

This year Ocracoke Alive had a booth at the festival and sold our (rather appropriate) Ocracoke Alive t-shirts with the fig leaf on the front and the fig cake recipe on the back. Didn’t get yours? Just shoot us an email and let us know what sizes and colors you are looking for and we can see what we have left. We will be restocking for 2017 before the next season begins! 

Here is a tutorial on making Fig Muffins, produced by Gary Mitchell and David Tweedie. 

That's all for now! Look forward to seeing you off the island!

Skipjack Wilma Lee Labor Day Gala, New Educational Programs, Latino Festival de Ocracoke, Ocrafolk Festival and More!



Is it just me or is the humidity a bit less? Kids are heading back to school and geese south, so it must mean that we are wrapping up another summer on Ocracoke Island. Here is what happened over the past few months, and what we are looking forward to this fall.

Get Ready to Set Sail for the 3rd Annual Skipjack Wilma Lee Gala, Sunday, Sept 4th!

Artwork by Mark Brown
We have managed to make it through an entire year since our last taste of Tom Pahl’s famous grilled shrimp . . . but we can’t take it anymore! Fortunately the Annual Skipjack Wilma Lee Labor Day Gala is right around the corner on Sunday, Sept 4th. By making a donation of any amount, you can join us for stories, drinks, and fabulous hors d’oeuvres from 3-6 PM at the Community Square Docks.

Ocracoke Alive invites visitors and community members alike to step aboard our flagship vessel, to enjoy a beautiful afternoon and hear about our latest developments in our educational programming. Donors who contribute $100 or more are also invited to bring a guest on board for a special sunset cruise at 6:30 PM. If you are planning to attend, please let us know at www.ocracokealive.org or by calling 252-921-0260. The sail has limited spaces. See you there!

Educational Programs to Grow Aboard the Wilma Lee

Free September offerings to feature test programs "Anatomy of a Sailboat" and “Nautical Charts and Navigation"  

Ocracoke Alive has announced the recent hiring of Laura McClain to serve as part-time Educational Program Coordinator.  According to David Tweedie, Ocracoke Alive's Executive Director, McClain's initial focus will be on creating and marketing educational programming to take place aboard the organization's historic sailing vessel, the Skipjack Wilma Lee.

“In the long term, Ocracoke Alive is aiming to grow our educational mission,” Tweedie explained.  “We see that mission involving not just the Wilma Lee and not just school-age learners, but all ages and many areas of learning.”

Initially the organization will work to develop a series of educational programs which will take place around and aboard the Wilma Lee and which will be geared toward middle school students.  A book of lesson plans that was developed for Ocracoke Alive by LEARN NC (a spinoff of the UNC School of Education) will serve as a key guide in that process.

Ocracoke Alive hopes to be able to offer half day and then full day programming to both private and public schools around the state, and, of course, to students and teachers on the island.

“The first step in that development is to create a few 90 minute trial lesson plans and offer them for free to local students as Saturday programs,” McClain explained.
“We are taking small steps, beginning our programs, but we have plans to expand the content and offerings. Having an outdoor classroom aboard a historic boat will give us a platform for so many learning experiences and possibilities,” said McClain.

Besides the two programs they are offering next month, McClain described other possible lessons, including a program highlighting the Wilma Lee’s past as an oystering boat.  “That's next in the pipeline,” she explained, “but we have a lot of work to do and we have some great on-island experts who we are working with to create a collaborative program.”

Ocracoke Alive's initial educational programs will take place Saturday mornings during September.  The programs will be hands-on experiences, designed to entertain and educate all ages.  Kids (and anyone interested) will gather at the Wilma Lee at the Community Square dock.  Programs begin at 9:30 and run for 90 minutes.

"Anatomy of a Sailboat."  During this program, students will come to understand the differences between sail boats and other kinds of boats.  They will get to tour deep into the structure of the boat.  They will examine and take home “scantling drawings” of the skipjack.  Students will learn sailing terminology and classic knot tying.  They may even get to take a ride up the mast in a "bosun's chair." (Sept 10 and Sept 24)

"BUOY Bingo  - Nautical Charts and Navigation" During this program, students will learn the fundamentals in reading nautical charts, using longitude and latitude hydrographic maps to determining location in degrees, minutes and seconds, reading compasses and learning about nautical symbols.  Students will make their own compasses and investigate the variations in magnetic north as well as play a game that will allow them to locate different maritime and historical features in and around Ocracoke Inlet. (Sept 17 and Oct 1)

Please note:  for both of these two programs, the Wilma Lee will remain tied up at the dock.  Future programs will involve sailing trips in the sound. Interested in participating, please let us know by emailing info@ocracokealive.org or calling 252-921-0260.   

Fall into the Deep…Deepwater Theater that is!

 

While summer comes to a close, that doesn’t mean the fun at Ocracoke Alive’s Deepwater Theater has to! We’ve extended the run of each of our shows into September. This means if you’ve been busy like the rest of the island all summer and haven’t been able to make it to a show, or you’d like to get one more night in with Blackbeard, Molasses Creek, the Island Historian or the Pastor Poet, you can order your tickets online today. There are only a few weeks left!

Here are the remaining dates. For more show info, click on the links. Thanks!


Ocracoke School of Performing Arts will be starting up their fall classes in Deepwater Theater the week of September 12th with acting, dance, musical theater and private voice lessons. Information on these classes can be found at www.facebook.com/OcracokeDance or by emailing ocracokeschoolofperformingarts@gmail.com

Ocracoke Alive proudly presents, the 1st Annual Festival Latino de Ocracoke on November 12th

If you have visited Ocracoke over the past twenty years, you have probably noticed the growing Latino population that has become part of our island community.  Some of these residents have their own businesses that you know and love (Eduardo’s Taco comes to mind . . . one moment, I need to run and pick up an order. . . Okay, I’m back!), and others you may have seen working at various jobs throughout the island. From the Ocracoke School to the fire department, the grocery stores to the restaurants and motels, Ocracoke depends upon these friends and neighbors who have come to call our remote island home. 

Ocracoke Alive is very excited this year to be partnering with members of the Latino Community to assist them in creating the very first Festival Latino de Ocracoke on Saturday, November 12th at the Ocracoke School and Community Center.  The festival organizers, Freddy Contreras, Adrian Espanosa, Gloria Perez, Eduardo Chavez, Cira Badillo, and David Tweedie have been hard at work creating a day filled with traditional games, dances, music, and food, that will be great fun for everyone. Special guests presentations include dance demonstrations by the Ballet Folklorico Guadalupano, and music by Fantasia Huasteca.

Daytime activities will take place at Ocracoke School from 11-5 PM, with an evening performance at the school gym from 7-9 PM (and a movie for the kids at Deepwater Theater). From 9 PM until midnight, the action will move to the Ocracoke Community Center for more dancing and fun.
In addition, during the week leading up to the festival, Ocracoke School students will have an opportunity to learn about Latino Culture, try their hand at piƱata making, cooking, traditional dancing, and practicing their skills at games like raiguela, cintas, and much more.

If you are interested in helping sponsor the event, please contact David Tweedie at info@ocracokealive.org or 252-921-0260. Hope that you can join us! For more information and to keep up to date with plans, visit our Latino Festival page at www.ocracokealive.org

Ocrafolk Festival Memories, June 3-5, 2016

 It’s hard to believe that it is almost Labor Day. It seems like just yesterday we were celebrating Memorial Day and enjoying another amazing Ocrafolk Festival! Nestled between two tropical storms, we had quite a team working to pump out the lake that was the festival grounds Friday morning, while another group did highly effective rain dances to hold off the next storm until our three days of fun had concluded (which it did). 

So with a muddy beginning, the weekend turned beautifully. This year we had many firsts including music beginning Friday afternoon and Friday night’s “Taste of Ocracoke” with the introduction of “Ocrabucks.” Read Annelise Straw’s review on the Ocracoke Current at www.ocracokecurrent.com/137714.
 
While there are some first year kinks to be worked out with A Taste of Ocracoke, the food was great and many restaurants were happy about the business brought by Ocrabuck toting festival attendees! Our first 50/50 auction went well with stunning pieces donated by so many talented artists. With this new format under our belts next year’s auction promises to be even better.  If you are an artist interested in having your work in the 50/50 art auction, join our Ocracoke Alive e-news list at www.ocracokealive.org/blog.html. After the turn of 2017, we will send out a note letting you know that it is time to sign up!

The new musicians and bands fit right in to the mix of much loved returning artists. Fresh faces included Lipbone Redding, the Bucket Brothers, De Tierra Caliente, the Oak Grove String Band, Michael Stanwood, and the Madame Presidents. For our returning performers, each group had grown more, had more to share, and provided a unique and special element to the festival. With music from Friday afternoon through early Sunday evening, this was certainly our longest festival, yet it always seems to pass by too fast! Our artisans had such lovely collections of art, jewelry, and folk pieces that it was difficult not to walk away with one of everything. Paddy’s Hollar at the Magic Bean had much appreciated adult refreshments provided by Zillie’s, and local restaurants and cooks provided a variety of delicious lunch and dinner options.

Our Admiralty Cruise was a fantastic fundraising event that featured festival artists aboard the Skipjack Wilma Lee with wine, beer, hors d’oeuvres, and a sunset sail for certain levels of sponsors and those who had purchased tickets. If you haven’t spent time on this amazing vessel, you should try it our next year, it’s a pretty special treat! Saturday evening concluded with more intimate shows at Deepwater Theater dancing in the Community Square and the Community Center. 

From puppet parades and kid’s fun, to workshops and all-star jams, new faces and old favorites…this was a year to remember! We are so thankful to everyone who came out to the festival this year. Thank you to our outstanding sponsors, proud button wearers, INCREDIBLE volunteers, inspiring musicians and storytellers, mud-dancers, water-pumpers, artisans, food vendors, and the truly special island of Ocracoke that allows this wonderful festival to take over this tiny village every year. To read more and see more pictures from this year’s festival check out the Ocracoke Observers article “Ocrafolk Festival: Like a Family Reunion” at https://ocracokeobserver.com/2016/06/08/ocrafolk-festival-like-a-family-reunion/

Next year’s Ocrafolk Festival will be June 2-4, 2017. Keep up on all the festival news at www.ocracokealive.org

Ocracoke Fig Festival Unleashes a Fruity Frenzy

 
 While only in it’s third year, the Fig Festival in August is decadently delicious! The growing event featured two days of fig competitions (cake & preserves), performances by Molasses Creek, and Martin Garrish and friends, an Ocracoke square dance led by Philip Howard, fun booths selling fig related items, and an open house on the Skipjack Wilma Lee. 

This year Ocracoke Alive had a booth at the festival and sold our (rather appropriate) Ocracoke Alive t-shirts with the fig leaf on the front and the fig cake recipe on the back. Didn’t get yours? Just shoot us an email and let us know what sizes and colors you are looking for and we can see what we have left. We will be restocking for 2017 before the next season begins! 

Here is a tutorial on making Fig Muffins, produced by Gary Mitchell and David Tweedie. 

That's all for now! Look forward to seeing you off the island!