Explorations in the Arts

The Del McCoury Band

Bluegrass
Sunday, October 5, 2025
Grover C. Fields Performing Arts Center 
2000 Dr. M. L. King, Jr. Blvd, New Bern
Doors open 3:00 p.m. - Concert 4:00 p.m.

Tickets: VIP $70* / Adults $45 / Students $30

Among the pantheon of music’s finest artists, Bluegrass artist Del McCoury stands alone. From the nascent sound of bluegrass that charmed hardscrabble hillbilly honky-tonks, rural schoolhouse stages, and the crowning glory of the Grand Ole Opry to the present-day culture-buzz of viral videos and digital streams, Del is the living link. On prime time and late-night television talk shows, there is Del. From headlining sold-out concerts to music festivals of all genres, including one carrying his namesake, there is Del.  Where audiences number in the tens of thousands, and admirers as diverse as country-rock icon Steve Earle and jam-band royalty Phish count as a few among hundreds, there is Del.

Now helming the Del McCoury Band, with sons Ronnie and Rob, the ensemble continues to represent in a larger, growing musical community, a peerless torchbearer for the entire sweep and scope of bluegrass history. Those many years, not to mention a good-natured willingness to stay alert to the latest sounds and opportunities around him, earned McCoury a whole new generation of fans, 

And like any genuine treasure, the gifts keep coming. On their latest release, Songs of Love and Life, a glorious 13-song collection, features Del touching down on a diverse set of tracks--vintage and contemporary. 

*Reserved VIP seating will be available in the first six rows at the Performing Arts Center with a $70 ticket purchase. The remainder of the seating will be designated as general admission.

Hubby Jenkins

Old-Time Americana
Saturday, November 15, 2025
Orringer Auditorium
Musicians Workshop at 2:00 p.m.

Registration: $20 per person
Workshop Registration Fee: $20
Concert at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets: Adults $25 / Students $15

Hubby Jenkins is an American multi-instrumentalist who studies and performs old-time American music. He is a former member of the Carolina Chocolate Drops and the Rhiannon Giddens band, and has been nominated for Grammy and Americana awards.

Hubby Jenkins endeavors to share his love and knowledge of old-time American music. Born and raised in Brooklyn he delved into his southern roots, following the thread of African American history that wove itself through America’s traditional music forms. Hubby has performed at festivals and venues around the world, earning himself both Grammy and Americana award nominations. Today he spreads his knowledge and love of old-time American music through his dynamic solo performances and engaging workshops.

Black Box Dance Theatre: Patriot's Path

American Modern Dance
Saturday, February 28, 2026
Documentary Film and Discussion - 4:00 p.m. (free)
Performance at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets: Adults $30 / Students $20

Join us for an unforgettable evening with Black Box Dance Theatre (BBDT) a Raleigh-based professional modern dance company known for its powerful storytelling, emotionally compelling performances, and commitment to making dance relevant, accessible, and transformative. Founded in 2014, BBDT uses movement as a catalyst for connection—building bridges across communities, disciplines, and lived experiences.

BBDT has been nationally recognized for their groundbreaking work with veterans and the military community. Since 2019, the company has partnered with the NC Arts Council, the USO, and veteran organizations to develop "Patriot"—an ongoing multimedia performance project honoring the service, sacrifice, and stories of veterans, active-duty personnel, and their families.

To start we invite you to a free screening of the documentary film "I Feel Myself to Be Part Of Something," directed by Lou Pepe. The film starts at 4:00 p.m. and follows three veterans as they journey through a week of collaborative dance-making with BBDT artists. It offers an intimate view into the transformative power of art, community, and shared storytelling. A discussion will follow the screening.

Then, join us for the main attraction at 7:30 p.m., an evening performance that will feature excerpts from "Patriot's Path," a compelling new chapter of the "Patriot" series. Participants will also enjoy additional selections from the company’s repertoire of original choreography.

Molasses Creek

Folk/Americana
Friday, March 13, 2026 - 7:30 p.m.
Orringer Auditorium
Tickets: Adults $30 / Students $20

For over 30 years, Molasses Creek’s high-energy performances and heartfelt songwriting have brought the love of their coastal home of Ocracoke Island to the stage. The band’s elegant harmonies and arrangements, stellar songwriting, blazing instrumentals, and quirky sense of humor have won loyal followers throughout the US, around the world, and most especially in Eastern NC.

Molasses Creek has recorded 15 albums, reaching the #4 and #5 spots on the National Folk Radio DJ Charts. Their latest releases, Catch the Wind, Waterbound, and People Get Ready, have received acclaim from audiences across the country.

As to defining their style, nobody puts Molasses Creek in a box. No matter how it’s described, their style has manifested in a 30-year run of unpredictable and delightful musical choices. Each member contributes ideas and original music. Performances move between whimsical and sincere in a way that makes you believe that balancing both might be the key to life. The four members of Molasses Creek are: Gary Mitchell - Guitar/Vocals, Fiddler Dave Tweedie - Fiddle/Vocals, Kim France - Bass/Guitar/Vocals, Gerald Hampton - Mandolin/Bass/Guitar.

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