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.

Closing Ceremony Countdown

The excitement surrounding the Durham 150 Closing Ceremony Presented by Duke University and Duke Health at DPAC is at an all-time high in these few weeks until November 2. Tickets are moving quickly, media interest is piqued (special thanks to media partner ABC11 for their continued coverage), and rehearsals are taking place.

Director Steve Martin, Playwright Howard Craft, and Scene Director JaMeeka Holloway-Burrell have also finalized casting for the transitional scenes. We’re pleased to have Thaddaeus Edwards, Lauren Foster-Lee, Emmett Anderson, and A.C. Donohue portray figures from Durham’s past — some well known and others that worked tirelessly behind the scenes without recognition — as well as deliver a powerful choral poem together. The John Brown Band, Zoocrü, and the North Carolina Central University Choir have also been finding time to rehearse with musicians, perfecting music from different time periods and elements of the anthem, “I Choose Durham,” (written by Joshua Gunn, Phil Cook, Mavis Swan Poole, Loverboy Vo, Jeremy Ross, Kwesi Justice, and Gavin Williams) that will premiere at the event.

We’re also finalizing which groups will be present in the front of house at DPAC to engage attendees before finding their seats. In the lobby and concourse, there will be a Photo Mosaic Mural sponsored by Olive and Olive & Olive Intellectual Property Law for a photo opportunity, as well as the Museum of Durham History’s Story Kiosk sponsored by C.T. Wilson Construction to offer people a chance to record their story for our historical archives. Other groups that will be on-site include The Helius Foundation, Stagville Memorial Project, and a Sesquicentennial Youth Education Project by Chi Vo. Ms. Full-Figured North Carolina Pageant participants will be volunteering as ushers at the event, and the Durham Medical Orchestra will be on site with a brass quintet. Featured community organizations are a combination of community organizations that are Durham 150 grantees, and those that have created Durham 150 events.

There will also be Durham 150 merchandise (hats, t-shirts, glasses, magnets and stickers) available for purchase. If you’d like to buy your swag in advance, check out Durham150.org/store.

Great seats are still available to the culminating event of our yearlong sesquicentennial commemoration. Tickets are currently available for either $15 or $30 (plus taxes and fees) at DPACnc.com or in-person at DPAC’s box office.

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.

Leap of Faith: A Tribute to Durham Then and Now
Durham 150 Grantee
October 27, 2019
2 p.m.
Hillside High School
3727 Fayetteville Rd., Durham, NC 27707

Historic Fayetteville Street Corridor Brochure
Durham 150 Grantee
Available on October 25, 2019
FREE
Various Locations

Point4Health
Durham 150 Grantee
October 27, 2019
11 a.m.–2 p.m.
FREE
Maplewood Square
1520 Chapel Hill Rd.

Bull Moon Rising
October 31 – November 3, 2019
FREE
CCB Plaza, Downtown
201 Corcoran St., Durham, NC 27701

Durham 150 Closing Ceremony
November 2, 2019
7:30-10 p.m.
Durham Performing Arts Center (DPAC)
123 Vivian St., Durham, NC 27701

Latinos in Durham: A Short Story of an Invisible but Vibrant Force
Durham 150 Grantee
November 7, 2019
6 p.m.
FREE
Durham County Library – East Regional Library
211 Lick Creek Ln., Durham, NC 27703

Dimensions of Black: The Founding Fathers of Hayti
Durham 150 Grantee
November 9, 2019
7:30 p.m.
FREE
St. Joseph’s Historic Foundation/Hayti Heritage Center
804 Old Fayetteville St., Durham, NC 27701

National Pupusa Day Celebration
Durham 150 Grantee
November 10, 2019
2-8 p.m.

Film Screening: “Durham: A Self Portrait”
Durham 150 Signature Event
November 16, 2019
6-8 p.m.
Carolina Theatre
309 W. Morgan St., Durham, NC 27701

Race Across Durham Trail Marathon and 10-Miler
November 17, 2019
West Point Amphitheater
5253 N. Roxboro St., Durham, NC 27712

Uplifting Activist Women in Durham History: An Interactive Exhibit and Zine Project
Durham 150 Grantee
November 24, 2019
3 p.m.
FREE
Community Family Life & Recreation Center at Lyon Park
1313 Halley St., Durham, NC 27707

Historical Note

Have you ever realized the Hill Building (now housed by 21c Museum Hotel) looks familiar? That’s because it was designed by the same architectural firm – Shreve, Lamb & Harmon – as the Empire State Building. Did you know that North Carolina Central University was the nation’s first state-supported liberal arts college for African Americans? We’ve worked with ABC11 to have anchors and reporters record a few of these ‘Did You Know’ vignettes that will be shared over the next few weeks. Tune in and see how many fun facts about Durham you already know, and which stories you might learn more about at the Durham 150 Closing Ceremony on November 2.

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.