The first official First Friday of the year is coming up and in Manteo and there is so much to do, it's hard to see how it will all fit into one evening.
Next Friday, April 5 is that first Friday we're talking about.
Two really interesting events worth checking out are side by side in Manteo. Of course, the downtown area isn't all that large anyway, but these two really are side by side.
The centerpiece of the First Friday celebrations is the Dare County Arts Council Gallery in what was the county courthouse at one time.
First Friday always introduces the artist who will be featured that month and for April George Wood is his photography will be on display.
George is an interesting guy. He had a whole career as a coastal engineer, but over the past few years he's turned more and more toward photography. His images are difficult to categorize but beautiful and thought-provoking.
Upstairs, in what used to be the courtroom, members of the Southeastern Mystery Writers won are on the Outer Banks for a retreat will be doing readings from their books. They did that last year and it was very interesting.
Next door—ok, two doors down from the Arts Council—at Downtown Books, Kevin Duffy will be on hand to sign his many titles on the history of the North Carolina coast.
His books include The Last Days of Blackbeard, War Zone: WW2 Off the NC Coast, The Lost Light and Shipwrecks of the Outer Banks. Invariably meticulous in their research, they are also a very good read.
His latest project is looking at the Mirlo rescue by the Chicamacomico Lifesaving Station in Rodanthe on August 16, 1918.
He'll also be at the DCAC gallery on Sunday discussing his research.
There's always lots to do on the Outer Banks. Stay with Joe Lamb, Jr. & Associates for and while a discover the real Outer Banks.
