By Tracy Grosner, Rocky Mount Parks and Recreation
The Imperial Centre for the Arts and Sciences a series of community events, workshops, and arts classes coming up, both free and low cost. Unless otherwise noted, these events are held at the Imperial Centre, part of the City of Rocky Mount Parks and Recreation facilities, located at 270 Gay Street, Rocky Mount, North Carolina.
The Imperial Centre is:
“…one of the premier cultural facilities on the eastern seaboard. Occupying the combined former sites of the Imperial Tobacco Company and old Braswell Memorial Library in downtown Rocky Mount, the complex houses an Arts Center, Children’s Museum & Science Center, and community performing arts theatre. The 135,000 square foot facility involved the historic restoration and renovation of the old buildings which had been dormant for more than 50 years. Completion of the project spanned two years and resulted in a state-of-the-art facility that preserves the historic aspects of the original buildings. The Imperial Centre for the Arts and Sciences is owned and operated by the City of Rocky Mount.”
See more about Imperial Centre community events, educational workshops, exhibits, and performances at imperialcentre.org.
For more information about the events listed, or to register (required for some happenings), call 252.972.1266, email, or use a registration/ticket link (if provided below).
Art Saturdays: Drop-in Workshop
These free workshops began October 28, 2017, and are held on Saturdays through December 16, 2017, 11am-1pm.
Drop in and travel around the Imperial Centre, observe sculpture, paintings, drawings, photographs, architecture, and many more artist-made objects, and then make your own. Held in the Art Gallery and the Arts Education Center.
Registration is not required; drop-ins of age 6 and older are welcome. Each Saturday the workshop is limited to 25 participants.
KinderScience
Science lessons designed for preschool children (ages 3-5), are held on Tuesdays, beginning on October 31, 2017 and continuing through December 12, 2017, 10:30-11:15am.
Preschoolers will explore a different topic each session through hands on activities, games, crafts and experiments.
These educational events are free with museum admission. Registration is not required.
First Friday
“First Friday” is held at the beginning of the month and activities are free for all ages. The next date is Friday, November 3, 2017, 6pm-9pm
Kick off the month with an evening full of activities, for the whole family, at Imperial Centre. Enjoy live music in the art galleries, food trucks, show off your talent during “No Shame Open Mic” in the theater, activities in the Children’s Museum, planetarium shows, and other activities.
Admission is free. No registration required.
Nature Walk With A Naturalist
Nature walks are scheduled for Saturday, November 4, 2017 and Saturday, December 2, 2017. On both Saturdays, the walk begins at 10am and ends around noon.
Get outdoors with Imperial Centre educators at Sunset Park, 1550 River Drive, Rocky Mount NC. The group will identify and learn about trees, plants, and the signs of the seasons.
Nature walks are free for all ages. No registration required.
Abstract Painting: Family Workshop
This family workshop is in the Arts Education Center at Imperial Centre, on Saturday, November 4, 2017, 1-4pm.
Learn how to transform objects into abstract compositions using shapes and line to create a lively and colorful artwork. Workshop is open for beginner to advanced, age 6 and up.
Registration for this family workshop is $15 for a Rocky Mount resident family, $22.50 for a non-resident family. Registration fee includes up to 3 individuals/family members. Call 252.972.1266, or search for the workshop’s registration here.
Saltwater Etching: Family Workshop
Take part in this unique opportunity on Saturday, November 11, 2017, 1-4pm, in the Arts Education Center at the Imperial Centre.
Draw or stamp designs into metal! Learn the etching process, and create a unique artwork and jewelry piece. This workshop is open for beginner to advanced; participants must be age 10 or older.
Registration for this family workshop is $15 for a Rocky Mount resident family, $22.50 for a non-resident family. Registration fee includes up to 3 individuals/family members. Call 252.972.1266, or search for the workshop’s registration here.
Eastern Youth Orchestra
Plan to be at the Theatre at the Imperial Centre on Sunday, November 12, 2017, for this special event. Doors open at 1:30pm, with performance beginning around 2:30pm.
Starting in 1970 as a community orchestra by Dr. Charles Moore, the Eastern Youth Orchestras (EYO) grew to include advanced high school musicians. The orchestras were conducted over many years by faculty members from the School of Music at East Carolina University. The senior orchestra is currently conducted by Dr. John O’Brien. A junior orchestra was formed in 2003 with the help of its current director Dr. Gregory Hurley, then a preparatory level under the nurturing direction of Wendy Bissinger. The EYO has been a springboard for many young musicians, and has several hundred alumni now teaching and performing music.
This production is free to Rocky Mount residents and tickets are limited. For tickets, reserve via this eTix page, call the Imperial Center 252.972.1266, or email (with any questions).
Holiday Stocking: Family Workshop
Get in the holiday spirit and create stockings together on Saturday, November 18, 2017, 1-4pm, in the Arts Education Center.
Join members of the Tar River Piecemakers Quilt Guild to design and make a special holiday stocking. Work independently or together as a family using textures, textiles, and sewing techniques. Open for beginner to advanced, age 6 and up. This one-day workshop is limited to 30 participants.
Registration for this family workshop is $15 for a Rocky Mount resident family, $22.50 for a non-resident family. Registration fee includes up to 3 individuals/family members. Call 252.972.1266, or search for the workshop’s registration here.
First Friday
The final 2017 “First Friday” is scheduled for Friday, December 1, 2017, 6-9pm.
Kick off December with an evening full of activities. Enjoy live music in the art galleries, food trucks, show off your talent during “No Shame Open Mic” in the theater, activities in the Children’s Museum, planetarium shows, and more.
Admission is free with lots of activities for the whole family. No registration required.
Recycled Ornaments: Family Workshop
Bring the family for creative fun on Saturday, December 2, 2017, 1-4pm, in the Arts Education Center at the Imperial Centre.
Transform trash into art! Working together, deconstruct, cut, and fold aluminum soda cans into a variety of shapes and designs. Open for beginner to advanced, all ages welcome.
Registration for this family workshop is $15 for a Rocky Mount resident family, $22.50 for a non-resident family. Registration fee includes up to 3 individuals/family members. Call 252.972.1266, or search for the workshop’s registration here.
Designing The Surface: Clay Family Workshop
Play with clay on Saturday, December 9, 2017, 1-4pm, in the Arts Education Center at the Imperial Centre.
Join us for an afternoon of painting on clay! Families experiment with color, shape, and the process of image transfer to create their very own tile design. Beginner to advanced age 6+.
Registration for this family workshop is $15 for a Rocky Mount resident family, $22.50 for a non-resident family. Registration fee includes up to 3 individuals/family members. Call 252.972.1266, or search for the workshop’s registration here.
Winter Wonderland
Step into a Winter Wonderland on Sunday, December 10, 2017, 1-5pm, at Imperial Centre and downtown Rocky Mount.
A day of winter time activities for the whole family! Enjoy music, children’s activities, carriage rides through downtown, and even a visit from the big man himself, Santa.
This special day is free to all, and no registration is required.
