Day Two of the NC Arts Market started on the exhibit floor after getting my booth set up for the day. I met several new presenters from North and South Carolina and Georgia — always one of my favorite parts of these conferences. Every conversation is a chance to learn what communities are looking for and imagine where The Colorful Hat might fit in the coming season. 🎪

The morning showcase at the Carolina Theatre featured Ball in the House, a fantastic acappella group I’ve seen showcase at other conferences, and magician Jason Huddy. Jason always brings high-energy comedy magic — and later in the day, he stopped by my booth for a great chat about his resident show in Pigeon Forge and the conference. 🎩✨

The expo hall continued to be a hub of activity, and I’m hopeful that several of the presenters I met will become new stops for The Colorful Hat Circus & Variety. 

In late afternoon, the Champagne, Charcuterie, and Conversations networking event at the Armory was a blast — a mix of presenters, choreographers, and performers sharing ideas and stories. 🍾🧀

Dinner for me was a quick Pad Thai and Thai iced coffee at Thai on Main, followed by a scoop of cookies & cream at The Parlour, a local ice cream shop. Trying local ice cream is becoming a bit of a conference tradition for me! 🍨

The evening showcases back at the Carolina Theatre were incredible. The highlight of the night (and arguably the entire conference) was Mike Wiley, performing an excerpt from his one-man play Breach of Peace, based on the stories of the 1961 Freedom Riders. It was beautifully staged, deeply moving, and a powerful reminder of the stories that live on through live performance. 🎭

The night also included Canadian singer-songwriter Julian Taylor, whose smooth voice and charm defined a perfect folk set, and comedian John Heffron, who closed the evening with plenty of laughs. 🎶😂

It was a full day — inspiring showcases, engaging conversations, and plenty of ideas to bring back to The Colorful Hat. 

When I’m working on my MacBook, I usually have jazz playing in the background.

Lately, I’ve been listening to the jazz albums by Penn Jillette — not because they’re the greatest jazz records ever made (though they’re pretty good!) — but because they remind me of seeing Penn & Teller perform live over the years… and even getting to meet them briefly after a few shows.

If you don’t know, Penn plays upright bass alongside pianist Mike Jones as the pre-show concert before each Penn & Teller performance — a fun surprise for anyone who loves live music and magic.

There’s something special about listening to music from someone whose work you’ve experienced on stage. It feels like an echo of that shared energy.

Today I was reminded how powerful that connection can be. When audiences feel that connection, it changes everything.

That’s what I love most about live entertainment — the way a single performance can become part of your memories… and sometimes even the soundtrack of your life.

As the producer of The Colorful Hat, a show built around the joy and wonder of live performance, I’m constantly inspired by moments like these — reminders that what happens on stage often stays with us long after the curtain closes.

- Thomas Seaton, Producer of the Colorful Hat 

 Want to listen for yourself?
 “The Show Before the Show” – Mike Jones & Penn Jillette
 “Are You Sure You Three Guys Know What You’re Doing?” – Mike Jones, Penn Jillette & Mike Hamilton

NC Arts Market 2025 – Day 1 Recap
Reflections from Durham, North Carolina

Last week I attended the North Carolina Arts Market, presented by the North Carolina Presenters Consortium.
The conference brings together presenters, agents, and performers from across the region to network, celebrate and strengthen live arts.

Registration & Setting Up
I arrived in Durham on Sunday morning, checked in at registration, and set up my Colorful Hat exhibit booth. There’s always a buzz of excitement at the start of these events — familiar faces reconnecting, new introductions, and that shared sense of possibility. 

“Survival and Sustainability in Uncertain Times”
After I set up, I had time to attend a panel discussion called “Survival and Sustainability in Uncertain Times.” The conversation was led by an impressive group of voices: Grammy Nominated Rissi Palmer, Manoj P. Kesavan (founder of BOOM Charlotte), Nate McGaha (executive director of Arts North Carolina), singer-songwriter Tift Merritt, and Vicki Vitiello (deputy director of the North Carolina Arts Council).

Hearing an honest discussion from professionals in different roles is always encouraging, helpful and inspiring. 

Opening Celebration at the Durham Armory
That evening, the opening celebration took place at the Durham Armory — a lively and welcoming event featuring dinner from 13 Tacos and Tapas.

Storyteller Donna Washington gave the opening plenary, an inspiring talk centered around the power of fire — both literal and metaphorical — and its role throughout human history. Her storytelling was captivating and deeply moving. 
I was fortunate to share a dinner table with some wonderful new and old friends, including storyteller and mime Antonio Rocha, Alaska’s fiddling poet Ken Waldman, and producer Scott Coulter of Spot-On Entertainment. 

Evening Showcases at the Carolina Theatre
The night concluded with the first round of juried showcases, presented in the beautiful Carolina Theatre of Durham, a 99-year-old gem that perfectly captures the spirit of live performance. As someone who loves historic venues, it was a joy just to sit in that space and take it all in.
One of the evening’s highlights was magician Trigg Watson, whose blend of technology and sleight of hand had the entire audience amazed. I had seen him on America’s Got Talent, but seeing his act live was something special — especially his original prediction routine and his signature AGT piece.
The music lineup was equally strong: Ranky Tanky filled the theater with their infectious blend of jazz and Gullah-inspired rhythms, and Darin and Brooke Aldridge delivered a warm, heartfelt set that connected beautifully with the audience. Hearing them talk about their many appearances at the Grand Ole Opry took me back to my own experience of programming and running lights at the Opry earlier this year. 

Moments like this remind me why I love creating The Colorful Hat — a show that celebrates the joy, wonder, and connection that live entertainment brings. Every performer, every audience member, and every theater plays a part in keeping that magic alive.
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