Last Fridays

It is time again for Hillsborough’s wonderful warm weather festival – Last Fridays, organized by the Hillsborough Arts Council.  2012 marks the 14th season of this terrific event that runs from April through September.  Each month a new band headlines the fiesta with a free performance on the historic Old Courthouse lawn.  Rounding out the festival are additional musicians, food and art vendors, an art walk, a bake-off contest, and much more!

MUSIC

MAIN ACT

Kelly and the Cowboys

For those who remember 'Asleep at the Wheel' doing covers of classic Bob Wills’ tunes we bring youKelley and The Cowboys, a 5 piece band, led by an amazing female vocalist performing early country standards as well as original music, western swing, and blues. This rocking band will have you dancing in the street!

This band excites the crowd with their high energy and amazing musicianship no matter what the musical tastes of the listener may be.

How do they do it? With mind blowing vocals from a spirited young red-head, thrilling upright bass solos, the swinging tag team of guitar and fiddle music, and the rock and roll sound of the electric 4-string mandolin with the archtop guitar dueling for the greatest break and, to top it all off, it's paired with a great dance beat, for those who are out to hit the floor!

CHILDREN’S ACTIVITIES
From 5:30-8:30pm, on the south lawn of the Old Courthouse, children can make "make and take" cardboard costumes to wear during the Hillsborough Handmade Parade.  Frank Doonan will be teaching the art of making simple and fun turtle costumes.

ADDITIONAL MUSICIANS

Weaver Street Marketwill have live music outside from 6:30-8:30pm featuring Diali Cissokho.

The "Washboard Ray and Little Sydney" band from Benson, NC will don their bib overalls, bring their old time instruments including washtub bass, washboard, banjo and their 13-year-old vocalist Sydney Wheless and travel to Hillsborough for Last Friday entertainment at the “Tryon Street Stage” at Hillsborough Presbyterian Church.  This band is in demand for festivals, fundraisers and in February appeared as "The Dillards" in the play Remembering Mayberry, performed by the Benson Little Theatre group. The community is invited to step back in time, pull out their own bib or’alls and prepare for a different musical experience while enjoying scoops of free ice cream dished up by HPC members.

LOCAL ARTISTS

Artists and craftspeople will set up their wares on the sidewalks around the Old Courthouse.

ART WALK

 The Hillsborough Arts Council’s Last Fridays Art Walk showcases the talents of local artists in studios and galleries in downtown Hillsborough.  On Friday August 31, many venues will have artist and opening receptions from 6 – 9 pm.

• The Gallery at the Hillsborough Arts Council at 220 South Churton Street presents “Course Corrections: New Work by Melissa Walker” featuring abstract acrylic paintings incorporating nautical charts as collage by Melissa Walker.
• Melissa Designer Jewelry at 116 South Churton Street features the new studio and gallery of National Award winning designer Melissa Booth.  Specializing in one of a kind gold creations.
• The Eno Gallery at 100 South Churton Street presents “Near and Far” featuring oil paintings by Mike Hoyt. 
• The Hillsborough Artists Cooperative and The Skylight Gallery at 102 West King Street presents work by studio artists Jayne Bomberg and Tom Guthrie (The Studio of Collective Effervescence), Jennifer E. Miller, Andrea DeGette, Jacquelin Liggins, Tiffney Marley, and Calvin Brett.  The Skylight Gallery presents “GemBox” featuring vintage jewelry and findings plus jewelry boxes by Lindsley Bowen.
• Coldwell Banker Howard Perry and Walston at 114 West King Street presents “Hillsborough's Artist of the Future” featuring work by children from the local “KidsTrack” Pre-School.
• Cup A Joe at 120 West King Street presentsphotography and mixed media by Judy Woodall.
• Callaway Jewelry & Spiral Studios at 115 North Churton offers beautiful handmade jewelry in sterling silver and gold by metalsmiths/designers Catharine Callaway and Jeannine Rogers.
• Sovero Art Gallery & Studio at121 North Churton Street, Suite 2-B presents jewelry and oil paintings by Peruvian artist David Sovero.
• The Hillsborough Gallery of Arts at 121 North Churton Street presents “Possibilities” featuring three artists working in different mediums who take a non-linear path to inspiration; kiln-formed glass by Susan Hope, metal sculpture by Renee Leverty, paintings and mixed media by Michele Yellin.
• The Depot at Hillsborough Station at 246 South Nash Street presents photography by Andrea Krivacka.  Take West King Street, go left on South Nash Street and the Depot will be on your right.  There is plenty of parking across from the Depot.

Brochures with a map of the Last Fridays Art Walk are available at any of the participating venues or at www.lastfridaysartwalk.org.

The Hillsborough Arts Council, a non-profit organization supporting the arts in Hillsborough, with funding support in part from the Orange County Arts Commission, Town of Hillsborough Tourism Board, and private contributions.  For general information on the Last Fridays Art Walk contact the Hillsborough Arts Council at 919-643-2500, www.hillsboroughartscouncil.orgor the Alliance for Historic Hillsborough/Orange County Visitors’ Center at 919-732-7741 or www.visithillsboroughnc.org.

BAKE-OFF CONTEST

The Pie Contest has expanded!  This season, each Last Fridays will feature a "Bake-off" with different themes each month.  August is “Kids Night!” Do you have a cookie that gets rave reviews?  Can you make a cookie that kids of all sizes refuse to pass up?  Then August is your time to shine. Judging will begin 6pm at Cup A Joe; awards will be announced at Johnson’s Crossroad’s break.  Ice cream must be at Cup a Joe no later than 5pm to be considered.  It will be sold at Cup A Joe after the winners are announced.  Proceeds benefit the Hillsborough Arts Council.  Entry forms and future baked goods themes can be found online at http://www.hillsboroughartscouncil.org/HillsboroughPieContest.html

OTHER AFFILIATED EVENTS

For the August Last Fridays, the Orange County Historical Museum will debut their new exhibit, “A Cradle of Congregations: Historic Churches in Hillsborough, 1752-1918.”

The Burwell School Historic Site will be holding Family Movie Night with Ebenezer Baptist Church. There will be a free showing of “Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” at 8:30pm on the front lawn. Punch and popcorn will be provided.

An excellent mix of downtown Hillsborough businesses will be alive with activity. Businesses located on both sides of Churton and King Streets will hold extended hours and special offerings during the Last Fridays event.

Plenty of parking during Last Fridays can be found at the Eno River parking deck.

No dogs are permitted in the courthouse area during Last Fridays by order of the police.  Thanks for your understanding.

If you would like to have a vendor booth outside of the courthouse area, please contact the Town of Hillsborough.

The Hillsborough Arts Council, a non-profit organization supporting the arts in Hillsborough, with funding support in part from the Hillsborough Tourism Board and private contributions, sponsors the Last Fridays program.  Coordination support comes from the Alliance for Historic Hillsborough and its member organizations, Downtown Merchants, and a variety of local artists, and civic groups.  For general information on Last Fridays contact the Hillsborough Arts Council at 919-643-2500, www.hillsboroughartscouncil.orgor the Alliance for Historic Hillsborough/Orange County Visitors’ Center at 732-7741 or www.historichillsborough.org.