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Poetry in Motion: Chapel Hill Marks National Poetry Month

Poetry in Motion: Chapel Hill Marks National Poetry Month

#032

April 01, 2024

Poetry in Motion: Chapel Hill Marks National Poetry Month

Issue #032

In this Chapel Hill Insider Issue…

☁️Chapel Hill Local Weather- High 79^o and Cloudy

📰Poetry in Motion: Chapel Hill Marks National Poetry Month

📰Makala Aayana's Art Inspires Self-Reflection at Chapel Hill’s Public Spaces Exhibition

📰Carrboro Welcomes New Town Manager Patrice Toney in Strategic Leadership Move

📰Minor Quakes Rattle North Carolina, Felt Miles from Epicenter

🏀N.C. State Triumphs Over Duke, Advances to Final Four for First Time in 40 Years

📢 We Want to Spotlight Local Businesses! Want Your Business to Be in Focus? Apply Here!

🍵 One More Day! Win a $25 Starbucks e-Gift Card! Share, Like & Win! The winner will be announced on Tuesday, April 2nd

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Poetry in Motion: Chapel Hill Marks National Poetry Month

In a vibrant tribute to National Poetry Month this April, the Town of Chapel Hill is hosting a series of engaging poetry and art events. Spearheaded by the town's Poet Laureate, Cortland Gilliam, these activities are designed to stir the community's interest across various age groups, offering a platform to explore and appreciate the essence of poetry.

Chapel Hill Community Arts & Culture, in collaboration with the Chapel Hill Public Library, has curated a collection of events that promise to weave poetry into the fabric of community life. Cortland Gilliam, who took on the poet laureate mantle in January 2023, is at the forefront of these initiatives, infusing his passion for activism and cultural organization into the month's activities. The event lineup is both innovative and inclusive, featuring:

Radical Imagining: A Youth Poetry Workshop at the Chapel Hill Public Library on Saturday, April 20, from 2 to 3 pm. This workshop is designed for teenagers aged 13-18 and requires prior registration. It aims to mold poetic expression into a tool for activism, offering a creative outlet for youth to articulate their visions for a just world.

"the poet is a verb" – Local Poet Showcase & Open Mic Night, scheduled for Friday, April 26, at 6:30 pm, welcomes individuals of all ages. This event will present a selection of poets from the Triangle area and is followed by an open mic session, emphasizing poetry's role in community building and collective human experiences.

Black Out Poetry Display, an all-ages, month-long exhibit at the Chapel Hill Public Library, invites visitors to engage in blackout poetry—an art form that involves selectively erasing text to reveal poetic verses. This interactive display encourages participants to craft their pieces using pages from recycled library books.

In addition to these highlighted events, Chapel Hill residents are invited to immerse themselves in poetry through various channels. The town encourages following @chapelhillarts and @chapelhillpubliclibrary on Instagram for daily writing prompts, poet insights, and the chance to have your work showcased. The Chapel Hill Public Library and Poet Laureate Cortland Gilliam offer personalized poetry recommendations and limited-edition bookmarks to celebrate the month.

Makala Aayana's Art Inspires Self-Reflection at Chapel Hill’s Public Spaces Exhibition

Courtesy of Chapel Hill Arts and Culture

The Public Spaces exhibition series, a hallmark of Chapel Hill, continues to bridge art with community spaces, reinforcing the principles of inclusivity and meaningful engagement. This innovative series captivates the community by integrating art into everyday environments, such as the Chapel Hill Public Library and Town Hall, where people often least expect it. Exhibitions are refreshed bi-monthly, offering new perspectives and artistic expressions to the public.

Currently gracing the lower levels of the Chapel Hill Public Library from mid-February to mid-April 2024 is the work of Makala Aayana, a Caribbean-American mixed-media artist with roots in Atlanta, Georgia, and now residing in Durham, North Carolina. Aayana's artistry is a journey towards wellness and sustainability, aiming to knit closer connections, delve into identities, and ignite dialogues. Her exhibition invites onlookers to embark on personal exploration, mirroring the artist’s inquisitive process in creating her art. Through her work, Aayana celebrates the beauty of curiosity and introspection, urging viewers to reflect on their own stories and experiences.

In addition to her visual art, Makala Aayana leads and curates "A Concept: You" (ACY), a podcast and community initiative designed to inspire individuals toward self-improvement and holistic well-being. ACY fosters intergenerational bonds by sharing knowledge and experiences, motivating listeners to discover their true selves and how they wish to be perceived in the world.

Carrboro Welcomes New Town Manager Patrice Toney in Strategic Leadership Move

Patrice Toney courtesy of the Town of Carrboro

Patrice Toney has been appointed as the new Town Manager of Carrboro, North Carolina, following a comprehensive national search. With over 25 years of experience in various local government roles, including assistant city manager in Winston-Salem, Toney brings a wealth of knowledge and leadership skills to Carrboro. Her career highlights include managing diverse city departments, excelling in budget and evaluation, and championing community development initiatives. Toney's appointment is part of Carrboro's commitment to progressive governance and community responsiveness, marking a significant leadership transition with her slated start on May 6, 2024.

N.C. State Triumphs Over Duke, Advances to Final Four for First Time in 40 Years

Courtesy of ABC11

In an electrifying South Region final, North Carolina State's robust forward DJ Burns Jr. led the charge with a season-best 29 points, closely followed by DJ Horne's impressive 20 points, propelling the 11th-seeded team to a significant 76-64 victory over their Atlantic Coast Conference counterpart, Duke. This triumph marks North Carolina State's first advancement to the Final Four in 40 years, a feat not achieved since the days of coach Jim Valvano's legendary win in 1983. Now, with a nine-game winning streak in tow, the Wolfpack sets their sights on Glendale, Arizona, for the national semifinals, where they'll face off against Purdue, led by Zach Edey, preceding a match between defending champion UConn and Alabama.

Despite a rocky end to their regular season, North Carolina State's remarkable journey to the Final Four included a rigorous path through the ACC Tournament, where they clinched their spot in the 68-team NCAA field with a victory over Duke in the quarterfinals. Duke, on the other hand, failed to secure a place in the Final Four for the second time in three seasons, despite a notable victory over top-seed Houston in the Sweet 16.

The game saw moments of contention, including a technical foul called on Wolfpack coach Kevin Keatts, which momentarily boosted Duke's spirits. However, North Carolina State quickly regained control, extending their lead through strategic plays and capitalizing on Duke's misfortunes, including a key player's foul out. Freshman guard Jared McCain led Duke with 32 points, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Wolfpack's momentum.

The victory sparked widespread celebration among North Carolina State fans, with even Governor Cooper joining in with a supportive tweet, encapsulating the team's monumental achievement and the collective joy of their supporters.

Minor Quakes Rattle North Carolina, Felt Miles from Epicenter

Two minor earthquakes struck Surry County, North Carolina, near the North Carolina-Virginia border on Saturday night. The first, a 2.3 magnitude quake, occurred at 7:48 p.m., followed by a 1.5 magnitude quake less than an hour later. Both were centered near the town of Lowgap, approximately 20 miles west of Mount Airy. These tremors were felt miles away from their epicenters and occurred near Sparta, the site of a significant 5.1 magnitude earthquake in 2020 that resulted in considerable damage. Read the full story here.

Wine Down Wednesday

Location: La Vita Dolce, 610 Market St, Chapel Hill, NC 27516

Dates: April 3, 2024, and every week on Wednesday until October 24, 2024

Time: 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM

Health on the Block

Location: Hargraves Community Center, 216 North Roberson St, Chapel Hill, NC 27516

Dates: April 6, 2024 Time: 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM

Price: Free

There will be free health screenings including dental screenings, blood pressure checks, and food, games, and prizes for all! Registration is not required. Just show up!