Festival Season Is Just Beginning

Any other community having just hosted the Bennett Place Civil War Surrender Commemoration, Full Frame Documentary Film Festival, and the Doughman might look forward to taking the summer off, but not Durham. In Durham, the summer months are just as prolific with the Juneteenth Celebration, American Dance Festival, Festival for the Eno, the Bull Durham Blues Festival and the NC Gay & Lesbian Film Festival.

Durham's festivals are unique; they don't just fill the calendar, many have earned global reputations and continue to put Durham in the national spotlight. These signature festivals are a part of Durham's story. They are a part of Durham's incredible quality of life.

The New York Times recently called Durham a "major summer dance destination." The American Dance Festival, which runs throughout the months of June and July, is one of Durham's great cultural assets. Tickets for the 2011 season are available here.  For more events, visit the Official Durham Community Calendar, Durham's most comprehensive event calendar, a service of Durham Convention & Visitors Bureau.

February is for Film Festivals

Durham, NC is a great location for movie lovers. Whether it’s visiting the sites of favorite movies, or attending film festivals, Durham has something unique to offer and that’s evident with the three very different film festivals held in Durham later this month.

Running from February 17-19, the Strange Beauty Film Festival features “adventurous and striking short films from around the world that are strangely beautiful and/or beautifully strange.”  Held at Manbites Dog Theater, this film festival is in its second year and is Durham’s newest. Weekend passes are sold out so view the schedule online and purchase tickets at the same time.

Celebrating its 17th year, the Hayti Heritage Film Festival will run from February 17-20. The Hayti Heritage Film Festival “embodies the richness of Black culture while recognizing universal themes and the similarities that exist among all cultures.”  The festival will kick off with a community film day discussion with questions and answer time that is free to the public. For schedule and ticket information, visit http://www.haytifilmfest.org/.

If a weekend of horror and Gothic films sounds appealing, check out the Nevermore Horror and Gothic Film Festival at The Carolina Theatre. Created in 1999, Nevermore is “dedicated to screening brand new horror features from around the world.”  In its 12th year, this festival is not for the faint of heart. Schedule and ticket information can be found on the festival’s website.

Also stay tuned for information about two more Durham film festivals later in 2011: Full Frame Documentary Film Festival, April 14-17 and the North Carolina Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, August 11-14.