We have just the balm for winter’s chill: a laid-back vibe, riverfront views and an incredible lineup of events. Roll down your car windows and point your GPS to Elizabeth City to experience an event or two from our April line up. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory | April 6-15 Will you find the Golden Ticket?[/caption] Enjoy the theater production of the story a young boy, Charlie Bucket, winning a tour through the most magnificent chocolate factory in the world, led by the world’s most unusual guide. Who wouldn’t want in on the adventurous tour of Willy Wonka’s world-famous chocolate factory? Now is your chance! Tickets prices range from $8.00 to $18.00. Visit the College of the Albemarle’s Performing Arts website for more information. Jazz Festival | April 7 Head to Elizabeth City to enjoy jazz music played live, including smooth, classic and steel drum. The performances are free and take place in the Burnim Fine Arts Center at Elizabeth City State University, starting at 7:00 p.m. Come and experience the joy of jazz in our river city. Call 252-335-3377 for more information. Step Out with First Friday ArtWalks | Monthlyhe arts bloom year-round in Elizabeth City, and visitors can plan an art-inspired getaway during the First Friday ArtWalk events. Held the first Friday of each month, the fun begins at 5:30 p.m. with a featured artist’s exhibition at Arts of the Albemarle followed by receptions at neighboring retail shops, restaurants and more. Visit www.artsaoa.com. Port Discover Family STEM Day | April 8 Have you discovered Port Discover? This family-friendly destination offers exciting events aimed at educating kids and adults alike. During Family STEM Day both children and adults can participate in bird watching, 3D printing, robotics and other science-related activities. After a day of fun, families are invited to relax on the deck of Grouper’s Waterfront Restaurant to listen to live music by PBNJ and play cornhole, starting at 6:00 p.m. The cost is $5 per person for each event or $50 per family for an all-day family pass. You can purchase tickets here from now until April 7th. Tickets may be purchased the day of the event. Take a Traveling Spin Class | April 22 River City Cycling Club cyclists[/caption] Bicyclists can choose from 33-, 62- and 100-mile rides along rural roads when they register for the Tarwheel Century Ride, now in its 24th year. Organized by the River City Cycling Club, this year’s ride will cover scenic rural routes – with some of the best “support and gear” stops ever (with deviled eggs and smoothies!). Pre-register online or sign up on site the day of the event. Encore Presents Plaza Suite | April 21-23, 27-29 Written by the master of comedy himself, Neil Simon, this portrait of three couples, successively occupying a suite at New York City’s Plaza Hotel, will have audiences crying and laughing. At Arts of the Albemarle’s Maguire Theatre. Visit www.artsaoa.com. Fifty Years of Museum History | April 21 Through June 2019 We will be celebrating 50 years of Museum of the Albemarle history at a black-tie gala on Friday, April 21, from 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. For more gala information, please call (252) 335-7789. Founded in 1967, Museum of the Albemarle’s first exhibits featured local farming, hunting, lumbering equipment and household items. In its first years, there were periods when its operating fund contained less than $200. The exhibit Fifty Years of Museum History examines how the museum has grown and changed over the last half-century and opens the night of the gala. The Ultimate Wedding Expo | April 23 Plan your special day at The Bridal Lounge’s Ultimate Wedding Expo. The expo this year will be all about the engagement party experience. Brides will be able to learn more about the hottest wedding trends. The expo will be held at Museum of the Albemarle from 1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. with a fashion show at 3:30 p.m. Brides may attend the event for free and admission for all other guests is $5. Call 252-267-1230 for more information. Celebrate the warm months in Elizabeth. And we’re on the water, so there’s a nice breeze. Come for a visit and find out what you are missing. For more events, please check out our full events calendar. Christina Rehklau, Director of the CVB, left the corporate world about five years ago to persuade others to take more vacation time by working in tourism. Christina is a recent northern transplant from Ohio, so she’s still working on her Carolinian accent. To her, every day in the Albemarle region presents a new adventure and something to be explored. Follow her explorations of the area on Twitter at @CLRehklau or Instagram at @crehklau.
Roll down your car windows and point your GPS to Elizabeth City to experience an event or two from our April line up.
