Welcome to the Supporters of Durham 150 newsletter, designed to keep those interested in Durham’s sesquicentennial updated on all the planning activities surrounding the yearlong commemoration.

 

Durham 150 Closing Ceremony: Tickets on Sale this Week!

As we teased last week, we’re thrilled to formally announce that the Durham 150 Closing Ceremony Presented by Duke University and Duke Health will take place on Saturday, November 2 from 7:30 p.m.-10 p.m. at DPAC. This will be a culminating event of Durham 150 and will explore the history of Durham through narration, video, live performance, and music.

The production will recount pivotal moments of the last 150 years in Durham while spotlighting the work and accomplishments of 29 individuals identified by the Sesquicentennial Honors Commission as heroes and changemakers from our past.

Expect to see video walls featuring historical visual materials compiled by FireStream Media, narration written by historian Jim Wise and recorded by WUNC, 91.5 FM host Frank Stasio, live and recorded music from the John Brown Little Big Band, as well as live actors performing scenes created by Durham playwright Howard Craft and directed by JaMeeka Holloway-Burrell, artistic director of Durham’s Black Ops Theatre Company. A video that envisions the next 50 years in Durham (created, produced and narrated by Durham middle and high school students) will also be a part of the production, as will a live performance of a new Durham anthem composed by Gavin Williams, Joshua Gunn and Phil Cook.

Tickets go on sale August 15 at 10 a.m. and will be available for either $15 or $30 (plus taxes and fees). Tickets will be available online at DPACnc.com or in-person at DPAC’s box office.

To ensure the production is an accessible community event, there will also be a lottery established for $5 tickets closer to November 2. More information about the lottery will be announced soon.

 

Got your Durham 150 merch?

Last-minute back to school shopping? Shop the Durham 150 store (www.Durham150.org/store) to check out the selection of t-shirts, hats, magnets, and stickers available. If you’re a retailer interested in carrying Durham 150 merchandise, let us know.

 

Taking a Moment to Thank our Sponsors

With the Durham 150 Closing Ceremony ticket announcement, we wanted to take time this week to announce the sponsors that are already on board and supporting the event.

• Duke University and Duke Health, Presenting Sponsors
• Nederlander & PFM, Gold Sponsors
• SunTrust Bank, Bronze Sponsor

As we recognize Durham’s past, present, and future with a year of events, activities, and community engagement, we thank all that have already contributed to Durham 150 this year.

You can find a full list of Durham 150 sponsors on our website.

 

Upcoming Durham 150 Events

There are a host of significant events coming up for people of all ages and walks of life. Many are free and designed to help us all learn more about Durham’s past, present, and future. Find a searchable listing of all events here.

 

Celebrate World Relief Durham’s New Legal Clinic
August 16, 2019
5:30-8:30 p.m.
FREE
John O’Daniel Exchange Building
801 Gilbert St., Durham, NC 27701

 

Rock the Park Movie: Throwback Night
August 17, 2019
8:30-10:30 p.m.
FREE
Durham Central Park
501 Foster St., Durham, North Carolina 27701

 

Appetites and Desires: Audio Under The Stars
Durham 150 Grantee
August 23, 2019
8-10 p.m.
FREE
Center for Documentary Studies
1317 W. Pettigrew St., Durham, NC 27705

 

Harvest and Hornworm Festival
August 24, 2019
10 a.m-3 p.m.
FREE
Duke Homestead State Historic Site
2828 Duke Homestead Rd., Durham, NC 27705

 

West End/Lyon Park Legacy – Carroll Street Block Festival

Durham 150 Grantee
August 24, 2019
10 a.m.-2 p.m.
FREE
Meet at the Carroll Street Parking Lot of Morehead Avenue Baptist Church and The Community Park

 

Mallarmé – Chamber Music of 1869
Durham 150 Grantee
September 8, 2019
3 p.m.
Psi Theater, Durham Arts Council
120 Morris St., Durham, NC 27701

 

Foster Street Arts Festival For Entreneurship
Durham 150 Grantee
September 14, 2019
9 a.m.-5 p.m.
FREE
Foster Street/CCB Plaza
201 Corcoran St., Durham, NC 27701

 

FIESTA!
Durham 150 Signature Event
3-7 p.m.
FREE
Carolina Theatre
309 W. Morgan St., Durham, NC 27701

 

Historical Note: Don’t Miss the Historic Marker Unveiling

On August 15 at 6:30 p.m., a new historic marker will be unveiled at the W.D. Hill Center in honor of the historic Algonquin Tennis Club. The club, established in 1922, gave African Americans a place to play the game. The Algonquin Tennis and Social Club, as many called it, became the place where leaders of Black Wall Street and their families and friends could relax, socialize and play tennis. It is also where the Durham Committee on Negro Affairs formed in 1935. Following the historic marker unveiling, there will be a historical program at 7 p.m. that will highlight the athletic, social and political significance of the Algonquin.

To add context to the Algonquin Tennis Club marker unveiling, there will be two screenings of this 1940s-era film that was produced by the Durham Business and Professional Chain. This 28-minute film will show at 3 p.m. and again at 4 p.m. today, Tuesday, August 13, at the Stanford Warren Library. There will be a discussion period after each showing. H.M. “Mickey” Michaux and Marsha Kee will lead the discussion following the 3:00 PM showing of the film. The film provides a glimpse of the heyday of the Hayti business district in the 1940s and 1950s. A brief segment of the film spotlights the Algonquin Tennis Club.

There are 23 other NC Highway Historical markers in Durham County. In honor of the marker that will honor the Algonquin Tennis Club, the Durham County Commissioners will put forth a proclamation at their Monday, August 12 meeting declaring August 11-17 to be “Algonquin Week in Durham County.”

 

Do you have a friend, family member or colleague who would be interested in receiving these Durham 150 newsletters? Let them know they can subscribe to updates on Durham 150 here.

 

Sincerely,
Shelly Green & Patrick Mucklow
Co-Chairs, Durham 150