Happy Easter Monday!

There are 2 places in the world that celebrate Easter Monday: North Carolina and the U.S.Virgin Islands.
Why?? They say that a baseball game between two rival teams is the reason North Carolina made Easter Monday a holiday.  I don't know why it's a holiday in the USVI, other than the fact that, if a holiday is celebrated SOMEWHERE in the world, they celebrate it in the USVI too. Both places are home to me.
I was "bahn heah" in North Carolina; was an ex-pat in St.John for 15 years; and  returned a few years ago to my native NC--a happy accident, really. But that's another story.

As an artist with a retail shop and studio, I generally ignore such things as holidays. There is a trade-off to working for yourself as an artist as opposed to having a "real job."  If there are people who are potential customers in the neighborhood, you work. Doesn't matter what the calendar says. You don't get paid for a holiday.   But I don't have anybody breathing down my neck either when I clock in 5 minutes late. Little do they know that their obsessive-compulsive, time-clock-watching habit only had the opposite effect on me:
It only increased my stress level to the point that it only took me longer to get over the morning hee-bee-gee-bees (thanks for that one, Dan Trivelpiece!); and invariably, arrive even later than I would have otherwise.

But hey, guess what?  When we work for ourselves, WE don't have a hissy-fit if I stop to smell the roses along the way, thereby giving me and myself the gift of beauty and peace. Arriving at the shop with a smile inside is an infinitely better way of starting my workday. And it shows. And I even inhaled.

So Who's on First ????

So maybe there aren't so many sports fanatics in the Arts District, but I'll use the baseball analogy anyway since it's the opening day of Baseball Season. I've never been a huge fan of baseball--but my team lost in the earlier rounds of NCAA Basketball Tourney, and I can only chalk it up to March Madness.  Or Spring Fever. Take your choice.

But, like any other Monday in the Arts District, a lot of the shops and galleries are closed.  BUT NOT ALL OF THEM.  A few of us artsy types depend on their own hands and shops for our livelihood. So it matters not that it's a Monday, or even a Monday holiday in a couple places in the world:  WE'RE OPEN.
And it's one beautiful day of sunshine and blue sky and flowers--perfect for a stroll down Trade Street for a little shopping. And it's a good day to treat yourself to a great meal at Finnigan's on a day when they'll be perhaps a little less crowded....AND will have the outdoor cafe tables out.

Then shop and drop some $$ at Earthbound Arts; Retro Art Ware; Willy Nilly, all located in the 600 block within steps of each other; or at Lucky Strike Vintage Boutique a little further down, on the corner of 7th and Trade Streets. And maybe check out Studios at 625 where you may well find Mary Bailey Thomas in her "Art Dreams Grow" studio.

And since I got out and walked down the block to take pictures, I also noticed that Paz Boutique and Yoga Gallery are also open! 

It's a Beautiful Day on Trade Street

It's a beautiful day on Trade Street in the Arts District. Come on down for Sunday brunch at Finnigan's Wake or Mary's Gourmet. Diner and then shop for wonderful wearable. Art at Retro Art Ware and at Willy Nilly, both in the 600 block of Trade St

Retro Art Ware (R A W) at 608 N Trade St., is easy to find....just look for the tall, colorful tie-dyed flag out front!!

Willy Nilly has its door open and the hat rack out front on pleasant, sunny days.

Retro Art Ware

Also alive and kicking on Sundays is Retro Art  Ware. Beautiful tie dyed art to wear.

BLUES-A-PALOOZA Sunday Oct 7th

The AFAS Group's October 2012 edition of Arts on Sunday Festivals kicks off October 7th with BLUES-A-PALOOZA.  This season's edition features performances by Twin City Buskers, Peter May and Friends, and the Charley Ward Band. 

Arts on Sunday has evolved over the years into a hugely popular and well attended series of afternoon art fairs.  The 500 and 600 blocks of Trade Street, along  with the adjacent 200 block of 6th Street, are blocked off to vehicular traffic.

The streets are lined end-to-end with festival tents and tables displaying an amazing array of art and craft by area artists, many of whom sell their creations in shops and galleries in the Arts District.  Many of the bricks-and-mortar shops and galleries hold special Sunday hours as well.  It's a perfect opportunity to get a head-start on your holiday shopping and to show your support for local shops and artists.

Complementing the visual arts scene are a fun variety of performing artists, including stilt walkers, mime and balancing acts, clowns and balloon artists, and jugglers.  A special kids' booth offers creative activities for young people.

Start your day with Sunday brunch at Finnigan's Wake, 6th & Vine or Breakfast of Course. Then stick around for a visual feast of fine art and craft, live music, and great family fun. For more information, visit www.theafasgroup.com.

Photos

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• BLUES-A-PALOOZA - Arts On Sunday Festival

Asphalt Art

Who doesn't love the gigantic asphalt canvas created by closed-off-streets?
Retro Art Ware, located at 608 N Trade St., always supplies a box of colored chalk for kids to use to create art on the street pavement.

One little girl lay down in the street as her mother traced around her shape.  Then the girl added hair and facial features to the chalk shape. The finished drawing was a wonderful, happy-go-lucky creation that danced before your eyes.

BLUES-A-PALOOZA - Arts On Sunday Festival

The October 2012 series of Arts on Sunday Festivals gets cranked up on Sunday, October 7th with its kick-off event "Blues-a-Palooza."  Featured performers this time around include Twin City Buskers, Peter May and Friends, and the Charley Ward Band.

The stage will be located at the 6th and Trade St. intersection, and the 500 and 600 blocks of Trade Street, as well as the 200 block of 6th Street will be filled with artists and craftsmen displaying their wares.  Numerous shops and galleries will be open as well. One can expect to shop at The Other Half, Delurk Gallery, Unleashed Art Center, Willy Nilly, Red Dog Gallery, Retro Art Ware, Earthbound Arts, and Studios at 625.  Other galleries that may be open are Woodland Moth, Inter_Section Gallery, Bubbling Well/Golden Flower.  Shoppers and gallery patrons should encourage their sports-fan-spouses to come along--Finnigan's has several big-screen TVs tuned in to your favorite games and sports events, plus 36 draft beers to choose from for libation.  Our friendly neighborhood bike patrol public safety officers will be on hand to keep watch and ensure everyone's safety.

Come a little early and start your day with delicious Sunday brunch at Finnigan's Wake, 6th & Vine, or Breakfast of Course (in the 700 block). Then spend the afternoon enjoying a visual feast of art and craft. Bring the kids, as there are always some fun activities in store for them.  Bring your dog.  Bring a chair in case you want to sit and enjoy the music.  And bring your wallet filled with cash or debit/credit card, as this is the perfect time to begin your holiday shopping.  There is an ATM conveniently located inside Finnigan's should you need an emergency infusion of cash.

Best places to park are in parking lots with entrances along the 600 block Liberty Street. You may also get lucky and find some on-street parking in the 700 block of Trade or the 500-600 blocks of Liberty.  Then there is always the parking deck at the corner of 6th and Cherry Streets.

If you are one of those folks who keep saying they ought to check out downtown Winston-Salem again, this is THE perfect day for that outing.  It's FUN and it's all FREE.  And if you are an artist who wants to participate, visit the AFAS Group's website for information about how to sign  up.  www.theafasgroup.com

Check out the Trade Street Tracker's new Google+ page for photos of past Arts on Sunday festivals.