Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

CLEMMONS — The Shallow Ford Foundation is launching a new program — The Bingham Arts Series. The series will feature four events in 2023-2024, offering both visual and performing arts.  

The first event will happen this October with a free outdoor concert featuring NOTA (None of the Above — http://noneoftheabove.net/ ) at The Dock at Historic Broyhill on Sunday, Oct. 8, from 3-5:30 p.m. 

NOTA is an acoustic Americana-Bluegrass band that has performed throughout North Carolina and the East Coast. The concert will be in a newly updated location at the Historic Broyhill — The Dock, which is an outdoor, converted loading dock behind the building. Attendees should bring lawn chairs and other items typically needed for an outdoor concert (bug spray, sunglasses, hat). Abbott’s Frozen Custard will have its truck on-site with sweet treats and beverages for sale.  

Other offerings in the series will be inside the Historic Broyhill. To welcome the season of Advent, the series will feature a Christmas Cantata and reception on Dec. 3 with ensembles from area churches; a juried art show and sale in partnership with Muddy River Art Association and entitled “A Vibrant Community” with a reception and awards on March 17, 2024. 

On June 9, 2024, Danny Green, music/artistic director, and the Salem Community Orchestra will wrap up the schedule with a classical, pops and patriotic concert performance. 

This new series of art and cultural events is underwritten by the Thad and Mary Bingham Community Fund of the Shallow Ford Foundation and reflects the foundation’s and donors’ desire for philanthropy to help contribute to the Clemmons area’s health and vibrancy. Thad and Mary loved the community and set up a fund with the foundation to help it flourish long after their lifetimes. Donna Bingham Merriman, daughter of Thad and Mary, was thrilled to see her parent’s fund sponsor the series. 

“Mom had an artistic talent, and my parents loved fun activities that brought the family together,” Merriman said. “In honor of them both, we’re looking forward to bringing our whole family to see NOTA.

Chair of the board of directors Bob Sipprell described how the Shallow Ford Foundation decided on this programming.

“Our foundation’s purpose is to attract and use philanthropy to enhance the communities in our service area of Clemmons, Lewisville and Yadkin County,” Sipprell said. “In Clemmons specifically, we saw an opportunity for more place-based arts and cultural activities to attract area artists and bring residents and families together.”  

Asked whether this will be an annual series, Sipprell said, “That would be fantastic. If the response is strong, we’ll know we are offering a program series that the community wants to see and may want more of. We also hope that other residents will reward our efforts and contribute to this kind of cultural programming so that we can expand the offerings.”    

More details will be available on each of the programs as the dates get closer. For now, mark your calendar and brush off your lawn chair for a lively, fun acoustic bluegrass event with NOTA on Oct. 8 at 3 p.m.