Weeks of March 16 & 23, 2026
So much is happening this spring at your Historic Turnage Theatre! Poet, Faith Overton shared her poem about creativity with an audience at the Turnage recently reminding the audience that creativity is what happens every day at your local arts council and community theatre - - the bubbling up of ideas and connections that turn into art in many forms for the enjoyment of many. And many activities we have just for you!
During the week of March 23, puppeteer Hobey Ford will visit four schools in Beaufort County thanks to support from a NC Arts Council cARTwheels grant and support from Anonymous Trust. Then in late March, Pepito & the Trash Cans illustrates how beautiful creativity can come from just what you have or what you have left. Join us on Friday March 27 at 6:30 PM for a joyful, bilingual musical storytelling performance by Luke Vandergriff. Luke shared “I didn’t realize I loved performing till my mid 30s. I was living in Bolivia as a missionary and teaching English to supplement my income. The lack of resources drove me to make do with what I had. Little by little doors opened up for me. I started an open mic in a public square. I started teaching art classes at a children’s home, which led to writing plays and painting murals. Then, in 2019, there was a massive forest fire. Hundreds of communities were devastated. So, I put together a team of musicians that participated in the open mic, and we did 5 concerts in 5 different communities. The response was incredible. People came up to us with tears running down their faces, thanking us and saying they appreciated the supplies they received, but they needed the music and the encouragement even more. That’s when I knew that I loved performing. Shortly after that brief tour, I started writing Pepito & The Trash Cans to perform in children’s homes. I wanted to inspire the kids to be creative with whatever they had available to them at the time.
Musical creativity takes center stage in the Turnage Gallery on three Mondays this spring -- March 30 (Motown), April 20 (blues, rock & reggae)( and May 11 (jazz – rescheduled due to weather from March 16), with a three-part music series -- Quincy Jones and Friends. A versatile pianist, vocalist, and multi-instrumentalist, Quincy Jones is known across Eastern North Carolina for his ability to move effortlessly between Great American Songbook jazz standards, soulful originals, and genre-blending influences rooted in jazz, funk, R&B, and pop. Joined by fellow musicians, this evening promises rich melodies, dynamic collaboration, and the kind of musical chemistry that is unforgettable. Tickets are $10. Concessions will be available for purchase.
In late March, two free youth spring camps will support creating outdoors in the new Turnage art garden emerging in partnership with the Pamlico Rose Institute’s Wellness AmeriCorps Team. These half-day afternoon camps are being led by Lisa Hodges, Artist & Master Gardner who will share the basics of container gardening, including herbs, native plants, pollinators, and select vegetables, while also creating outdoor mosaics and garden art to take home & install in the Turnage Theatre’s emerging Art & Wellness Garden. March 30 –April 2 (https://www.artsofthepamlico.org/events/youth-art-garden-camp) & April 6 – 10 (https://www.artsofthepamlico.org/events/youth-art-garden-camp-xab5n). Camps are almost full, register today!
In April, the free Thursday Matinee is the 1948 version of Under the California Stars. Join us at 3 PM for popcorn and a movie! A set of four 2026 Art Walks begin in downtown Washington on Friday, April 10. Musician Jeff Boenig will be playing guitar during Art Walk. On the same evening, a Second Verse poetry workshop – Paint the Poem will take place. On Saturday, April 11, AOP’s first Cowboy Ramble, Run & Rhythm supported by Onslow Stoneworks, the City of Washington, Beaufort County and Washington Tourism Development Authority will offer a free an all-day music, movie event and 5K ramble or run! Visit artsofthepamlico.org to learn more and register for events.
Plan to find the creative you as part of a new Learning Collective at AOP. The series begins on April 15 led by AOP Board member Amanda Monath. The first series, Art, Mystery and Romance: The Sabine Trilogy with Dr. Philip Niban, begins on April 15 with each meeting held from 1:30 – 2:30 PM at the Turnage. To register, visit https://www.artsofthepamlico.org/events/learning-collective-series-art-mystery-and-romance-the-sabine-trilogy.
Check AOP’s online calendar, visit artsofthepamlico.org, find us on Fb and Instagram or grab a calendar inside or outside at the theatre for dates for free art and networking events including USA Dance Chapter events, Tuesday Painter gatherings, traditional music jams in the gallery on Thursday eves and Saturday mornings, Pamlico Writers Group and Second Verse events and more!
