But the day was not about playing; it was all about giving.
On Tuesday, I attended the Carolina Blood Drive at the Dean Smith Center in Chapel Hill. This was the 22nd year of the blood drive. And, according to Caroline Nelson, the Red Cross Blood Drive Coordinator for Orange County, it is one of the largest blood drives on the East Coast. The event depends heavily on a large number of volunteers, without which, the event would not be possible.
When I arrived, I was greeted by two smiling volunteers, Kate Terrill and Maggie Garvelle. Terrill is a student at UNC Chapel Hill, while Garvelle works at the university. Both were first-time volunteers and said the event had been a great experience.
The blood drive began in 1989, while Paul Hardin was the chancellor of the university. Though he is no longer chancellor, Hardin was present on Tuesday and even donated blood along with several other people throughout the day. The present chancellor, Holden Thorp, along with many others with strong ties to the university, were present for the annual event.
Over the years, this particular drive has attracted people from around Chapel Hill and the university community to come out to donate blood at a time when fewer students are around in the summer months.
While the drive has been successful each year, Nelson shared that there are lots of myths associated with donating that often discourage potential donors from coming out to participate.
Many people think the process is painful, but first-time donors Stephanie McConville and Casey Marshall, both graduate students in the School of Psychology, said the process was not painful at all. Marshall admitted she was nervous at first, but was actually surprised at how painless it was.
And though some were out for the first time as donors, others were present as repeat donors. Jim Curtis, who works at UNC, said he usually donates blood each year, estimating that he has participated in the drive for the past 12 years.
What began early Tuesday morning continued all day until 6 p.m. And after the donors had given, they received something in return. Several area restaurants donated food for the participants. A few of the restaurants included American Hero of Hillsborough, Arby's in Carrboro, Evos Healthy Fast Food, Weaver Street Market and Whole Foods.
Aside from getting a bite to eat, some lucky participants were awarded a number of door prizes. Several gift certificates to area restaurants, subscriptions to Our State Magazine and tickets to upcoming Carolina football and basketball games were among the items awarded. In the end, 976 units of productive blood was collected.
African American Dance Ensemble opens ADF season
I ended my week on Thursday at the opening night performance for the American Dance Festival. Durham's own African American Dance Ensemble opened this year's festival.
It was fitting that the African American Dance Ensemble, AADE, open the festival, given its history. The Chuck Davis Dance Company, also founded by Davis, came to the American Dance Festival, ADF, in 1980 at the festival's invitation. For four years, the company was in residence at festival through its community service program.
Before long, a group of local dancers had gained the professional skills very similar to those from which they were learning. It was in 1985, when that ensemble became an independent dance company and AADE was born, premiering works that were commissioned by ADF.
The evening on Thursday began with a pouring of libation with religious leaders and elders setting the tone for the show and the remainder of the night.
The show contained two acts and an intermission. Part dance, part chance, spoken word, poetry, but all art, the show fused various elements of the performing arts merging as theatre and dance.
After the performance, Chuck Davis gathered the dance company on the stage, summoned the audience to hold hands and asked everyone to hug at least three people with the ADF hug, which had been demonstrated earlier.
Iyaialu Moses and Ruth Sanders McKeithan came out together to see the show. Mosesshared that she loved African dance and loved to see the African American Dance Ensemble perform.
McKeithan echoed those sentiments, adding that Davis was like a son to her and she had known is family years.
Donna Marie Winn, Willie Burt and Barbara Aslston, all members of the AADE Council of Elders, were all smiles at the end of the performance.
Following the show, there was a celebratory gathering in downtown Durham.
For more information about the remaining performances of this season, please visit, www.americandancefestival.org.
Angela Ray is an actress, author and motivational speaker. For comments or tips on future events, e-mail her at Angela@mahoganydime.com.
