Monday, April 23, 2018

Whether it’s soulful Americana music, dramatic opera or critically acclaimed films, this year’s Lumina Festival of the Arts offers something for everyone.

The festival features 35 events including a performance by Grammy-winning artist Rhiannon Giddens and a free outdoor arts fair. Giddens is a founding member of the North Carolina band Carolina Chocolate Drops and a 2017 MacArthur Foundation “genius grant” recipient.

The festival runs July 12-July 29 at various locations on the UNCW campus and venues throughout Wilmington. Tickets go on sale April 24.

“We were thrilled with the response from our community to last year’s Lumina Festival and we’re expanding the offerings this year,” said Kristen Brogdon, director of UNCW Office of the Arts and interim associate vice chancellor of community engagement. “In addition to Opera Wilmington, Alchemical Theatre and our Lumina Concert Series, this year we have even more free events. I’m especially excited about our new outdoor art fair on opening weekend, in collaboration with College of Health and Human Services, ‘Hooked on Arts.’”

The art fair will feature artist booths, local food vendors, a chalk art contest and informal performances in the amphitheater. Opera Wilmington will celebrate its 5^th anniversary with the production of Die Fledermaus. Alchemical Theatre’s production of Twelfth Night will introduce Lumina audiences to UNCW’s versatile black box space the SRO Theatre. Cucalorus will host a screening featuring a 2018 SXSW award-winning film.

Festival partners include UNCW departments of theatre, music, art and art history, the College of Health and Human Services, Community Music Academy, Opera Wilmington, Alchemical Theatre of Wilmington, Black Arts Alliance, Wilmington Latin Dance, Cucalorus and Mouths of Babes Theatre.

For a full schedule of events and ticket information, visit www.uncw.edu/arts/lumina. Free or reduced-price student tickets are available for most events. Contact the Kenan Auditorium Box Office for details at 910.962.3500 or 800.732.3643. Box Office hours are 12 – 6 p.m., Monday through Friday.

-- Venita Jenkins

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Grammy-winning artist and MacArthur Foundation “genius grant” recipient Rhiannon Giddens