During a brisk Saturday afternoon, several gathered inside a well-heated tent at the Heritage Cultural Farm for their first Black History Month program. The program featured a documentary showing that reflected African American figures and stories that have yet to reach mainstream recognition. Herman and Veronica Alston, co-owners of the Heritage Cultural Farm welcomed everyone and treated the attendees with homemade chicken soup and sausage biscuits from their friend, Larry Andrews. Andrews, a Franklin County resident enlightened attentive listeners with a compilation of Dr. MLK speeches, intertwining familiar and lesser known speeches (watch below).

For those looking for a little retail therapy, the Country Store on the property was open and filled with products derived from North Carolina producers.

The next event is scheduled for Saturday, March 1st featuring the Heritage Quilters. The local artisan group will speak about the history of quilting.

The Heritage Cultural Farm is located at 102 Clint Street in Warrenton, NC.

VIDEO: Larry Andrews recites Dr. MLK speeches

Known for crafting compelling narratives that resonate deeply with audiences, Warren County native Garrett Davis is bringing another profound stage production, Father Figure to the McGregor Hall stage on Sunday, February 2nd.

Centered around the importance of why fathers should be in the lives of their sons, Father Figure is branded as an “Edutainical(TM)” experience, which combines the emotional depth of live theatre with music and storytelling. In Father Figure, Davis highlights the impact of fatherlessness while offering hope, healing, and a path forward.

Gdavis Productions and Films, founded by Davis in 1994, is a leading theater company known for nationally touring stage plays that depict real-life situations, including Mama’s Girls and Forget Me Not.

Another Warren County native, Dartez Wright, once Davis’s student at Warren County High School and now serves as Creative Director, is also featured in the play.

Tickets for Father Figure are $20 (advance), $25 (day of show), and $15 (student), and are on sale now at https://www.etix.com/ticket/v/11557 or by calling the McGregor Hall office at (252) 598-0662. The box office will also open one hour before the show starts.

McGregor Hall is located at 201 Breckenridge Street in Henderson, NC.

The North Carolina Arts Council is pleased to announce the opening of its grant application period for the fiscal year 2025–2026. Starting January 6, 2025, arts organizations and artists across the state are invited to apply for funding to support projects that enhance the cultural landscape of North Carolina.

All applications must be submitted electronically by the deadline (Monday, March 3, 2025) unless otherwise specified in the grant guidelines. It’s important to note that applications will undergo a preliminary review by Arts Council staff; incomplete submissions or those not meeting evaluation criteria will not be considered for funding.

Funding Period:
For most grants, the funded activities should occur between July 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026. Applicants should be aware that award notifications may be delayed until the state budget is approved.

Eligibility Requirements:
To qualify for funding, organizations must:
* Be a nonprofit in good standing with the state of North Carolina or have applied for nonprofit status using a fiscal agent.
* Have been producing quality arts programs for at least two consecutive years.
* Have prior-year organizational cash operating expenses of at least $20,000.

Additionally, all applicants are required to have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number, which can be obtained through Sam.gov.

Grant Categories:

The Arts Council offers a variety of grant opportunities, including:
* Grants for Organizations: Supporting arts organizations in delivering programs that engage audiences and reflect their communities.
* Grants for Artists: Providing project grants to individual artists to pursue projects that further their artistic and professional development.

Applicants are encouraged to review the specific guidelines and eligibility criteria for each grant category to determine the best fit for their projects.

Application Assistance:
Prospective applicants are encouraged to begin the application process early to ensure all materials are completed and submitted by the March 3 deadline.

For more information and to access the online application portal, visit the North Carolina Arts Council’s official website.

The North Carolina Arts Council is dedicated to supporting the state’s vibrant arts community and looks forward to funding projects that contribute to the cultural enrichment of North Carolina.