Over a dozen local and regional civic organizations are partnering to bring two-time Grammy Award winning musician Terrance Simien and the Zydeco Experience to Dare County Schools for a music residency called Creole For Kidz! October 24-26.
The Outer Banks Community Foundation, The Don and Catharine Bryan Cultural Series, Dare County Schools, Dare Education Foundation, Outer Banks Hospital, North Banks Rotary, Outer Banks Relief Foundation, Mustang Outreach Program, Camp-Younts Foundation, North Carolina Arts Council, SouthArts, National Endowment for the Arts and Dare County Arts Council are all working together to ensure Dare County students get to experience the high-quality multicultural performing arts program called Creole for Kidz and the History of Zydeco.
The residency, which will give all Dare County students the opportunity to see Terrance Simien and the Zydeco Experience, recently received a grant from the Outer Banks Community Foundation.
“The Outer Banks Community Foundation is honored to be one of many wonderful sponsors for this great event,” said Executive Director of the Outer Banks Community Foundation Lorelei Costa. “The Outer Banks is such a giving community, and we are proud to be its foundation.”
Dare County Arts Council and The Don and Catharine Bryan Cultural Series are the lead organizations sponsoring Simien’s residency, which will help Dare County students foster a love of American roots music and provide educational tools for them to think critically about music performance.
“We are proud to be a partner in bringing this great arts education experience to the students of Dare County Schools,” said President of the Don and Catharine Bryan Cultural Series John Tucker.
Creole for Kidz! starts with Simien bringing children into the moment with a dynamic and memorable roots music experience. Through the music, Simien teaches children about American history, social studies, geography, and music appreciation.
“Getting to meet Terrance, see him perform and listen to him share his knowledge on Creole and Zydeco history is going to be such a special experience for our local kids,” said Dare County Arts Council President Randi O’Sullivan. “A huge thank you to all of the local and regional civic organizations that are partnering with us to make this residency possible for Dare County students.”
Creole For Kidz! will be at Dare County Schools on the dates listed below:
Wednesday, October 24- Kitty Hawk Elementary School at 8:45am with Kitty Hawk Elementary School students in attendance
Wednesday, October 24- First Flight High School at 1pm with First Flight Elementary, Middle and High School students in attendance
Thursday, October 25- Cape Hatteras Secondary School at 10:45am with Cape Hatteras Secondary and Elementary School students in attendance
Thursday, October 25- First Flight High School at 5pm. This is a ticketed event for home school families and other civic groups.
Friday, October 26- Nags Head Elementary School at 8:45am with Nags Head Elementary School students in attendance
Friday, October 26- Manteo High School at 1pm with Manteo Elementary, Middle and High School students in attendance
The Zydeco Experience band will conclude each school visit by giving students a front row seat to a concert of their very own with skilled musicians who have toured the globe. Simien will also share his Grammy Award with the students and talk to them about working hard to attain their goals.
Terrance Simien and the Zydeco Experience will also be performing on Saturday, October 27 at The Bayou Ball sponsored by TowneBank. The Bayou Ball is a fundraiser to support Dare County Arts Council’s programs, including the Creole for Kidz! residency. Tickets to The Bayou Ball are available here.
For more information about Creole for Kidz! or The Bayou Ball, please call Dare County Arts Council at 252 473 5558 or click here.
Organizations and businesses interested in helping underwrite this residency can contact Dare County Arts Council Executive Director Chris Sawin at DareArtsInfo@gmail.com.