The days are getting longer here (probably where you folks are too!). Although the change is slight, an underlying sense of hope and new beginning skirts even the greyest of days. The weather on the Ocracoke gradually became more spring-like during the two weeks. The end of this past week brought temperatures in the 60s . . . and yesterday morning the fog was so thick that the Hatteras Ferry didn’t run until 9:00 AM.
We understand that the warm weather is about to shift as a snow front tumbles out of the North Carolina mountains towards the coast. The accompanying gusty winds do little to stem the streams of cormorants that flood across the sky at dawn, making their daily migrations to fishing grounds on the ocean side before returning to the island at dusk.
Not as many off island performances this time of year, which seems to suit everyone just fine. We rub our hands together and get down to the business of winter projects.
On Island
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“So what do you do on Ocracoke in the winter?” This is one of the favorite questions of summer visitors.
The island lifestyle here has two sides. In the on-season most folks work at least two jobs, squirreling money for the winter. Summer means money and no time.
The winter brings a welcome respite from the tourist trade. Residents can breathe freely, and early in the winter they might even think about taking a trip to Europe, Central America, even the mainland. The deeper into winter we go, the more time we spend counting our acorns and wondering if our calculations are correct. Winter means time and no money.
So with plenty of time, here are some things that you might do if you were here.
Paint your bike. Outrageous designs are best so that your bike will be easy to spot around the village when it is borrowed.
Host a pot luck
Go to the Ocracoke Needle and Thread meeting and learn how to quilt.
Volunteer for one of the island organizations.
Read.
Work construction around the village
Teach at the Ocracoke School.
Play poker on Friday nights.
Record a new album at Soundside Studios.
Write a book, paint, make baskets, jewelry, wooden tables.
Walk on the beach.
Clean the house.
Have tea with friends.
Throw a “Werewolf” party
Join the wine tasting club, the Ocracoke book club, or both!
Attend “Closed Today” movie theater
Collect scotch bonnets and driftwood.
Play music.
Write a blog. Let folks know what they can expect to do when they come to Ocracoke in the winter.
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After first night Raleigh, Molasses Creek returned to Ocracoke Island and Ocrafolker Michael Stanwood soon followed for a couple of days of music and merriment.
On January 7th many residents attended a 12th night party at Leonard Meeker’s residence. In one of his previous lives, Mr. Meeker was the diplomatic ambassador to Romania. He recently spent some time assisting his son’s reelection campaign for the mayor of Raleigh (Charles successfully won another term).
On Wednesday, January 11, members of the Ocracoke Arts Council, the Ocrafolk Festival, Ocracoke School Arts Week, and the Village Arts Walk met with Wanda Johnson, the director of the Beaufort County Arts Council out of little Washington. Wanda has been working with island representatives over the past couple of years on implementation of a NC Arts Council grant program that partners counties with arts councils with neighboring counties that don’t have an arts council. This wonderful grant program has brought many needed funds to Ocraocke for arts programming.
New News from Soundside Studios
Gary Mitchell has been busy these past few weeks as a stream of performers paraded through Soundside Studios working on projects (John Golden, Noah Paley, and Michael Stanwood)
Fiddler Dave is wrapping up a second album of all original fiddle tunes (begun last January). As the last remaining guests record their tracks, Dave and Gary are preparing for a March trip to Chapel Hill to mix the album at Jerry Brown’s “Rubber Room” Studio.
Gary is busy orchestrating a third recording in the popular “Ocrafolk Music” series. We anticipate this new album’s release this summer. He has also been stirring the pot about a Christmas album to follow up on the growing holiday Ocrafolk concerts.
Upcoming Contra Dance Weekend on Ocracoke
On February 24 and 25, Ernest and Joan Kelly will be hosting a free contra dance workshop on Ocracoke Island. These Ocrafolk friends hale from Memphis, TN where both are heavily involved in the contra dance scene. The workshops and dances will take place at the Ocracoke School Gym. Here is the tentative schedule and an explanation of events given by caller Joan. Hope to see you there!
Friday, February 24, 7:00 - 9:30 pm...Family Chillchaser Contra Dance
Lots of teaching; easy dances; suitable for people who have never danced before. Suggested criteria for inclusion of children: Know left from right; be comfortable letting go of parents and interacting with strangers; listen to and follow a short series of instructions.
Saturday, February 25, 10:00 am - noon...Workshop
Teaching a few more complex contra moves, plenty of dancing, and a session of basic waltz instruction. Geared to teens and adults.
Saturday, February 25, 7:00 - 10:00 pm...Chillchaser Ball
7:00 - 7:30...beginner's lesson
7:30 - 8:45...contra dancing
8:45 - 9:00...waltz break (three or four short waltzes, no formal teaching)
9:00 - 10:00...contra dancing, with one waltz to close
When people ask "What is contra dance?" the most accurate answer is "You'll only know for sure when you try it!" But here's a summary for people who want to know more: A lively and distinctively American form of folk dancing, contra dancing is rooted in English Country Dancing. The dance is social in nature, vigorous and joyful. Partners dance together, repeating a series of moves with every other couple in line down the hall. There is no specific footwork to learn, and all the moves are taught, walked through, and prompted by the caller during the dance. Live music, usually led by a fiddle, adds to the zest. Contra dance groups meet regularly all over the United States.
About your caller: Joan Kelly and her husband Ernest are avid contra dancers in Memphis, Tennessee, where Joan is one of the regular teachers and callers for the Memphis Contra Dancers. Ernest maintains the group's website [hometown.aol.com/horselovers]. Joan developed a love for Ocracoke as a child, and then introduced Ernest to the island on their honeymoon in 1999. The Kellys have returned annually for the Ocrafolk Festival where Joan has been a guest caller at the Traditional Ocracoke Square Dance. They are very excited to have the opportunity to visit the island off season and to share their love for dancing with the community.
Jewelry Workshop with Ocrafolk Artist Janet Harriman at Deepwater Theater
Janet Harriman will be teaching a jewelry workshop March 31st, April 1st, and April 2nd, 2006 at the Deepwater theater in Ocracoke, N.C. The class will cover experiments with Art Clay, enameling, silver soldering, torch fired enamel beads, and other related jewelry techniques. Cost is $240.- for the three days, 10-5 pm each day. Supplies are extra, you need to pay for the Art Clay and precious metals. All levels of skill are welcome you need to be at least 18 years old. Students will complete finished jewelry to wear. Call 252 729-8691 or e-mail harrimanjewelry@yahoo.com in January 2006 to sign up. Visit her web site: www.Harrimanjewelry.com. Hope to see you there!
Off Island
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Molasses Creek traveled to Raleigh for First Night Celebrations on December 31. The island band performed three shows in the theater of the NC Museum of Natural Science before joining the crowds for the “Acorn Drop” in front of the capital building. Mandolinist Gerald Hampton graced the stage with Gary, Kitty, and Fiddler Dave . . . even Michael Stanwood jumped on board for a digeridoo solo during the final show. What a hoot!
Not a lot of official off-island events until March. Here is the impending schedule.
