North Carolina Arts Market 2025 - Day 1 Recap

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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