I have always believed that the most attractive area to any city should be its downtown area and its after-hours atmosphere. Cities around the world capitalize financially because they are able to lure their population into their cafes, sports bars, restaurants, art galleries and other attractions. I have lived in Winston-Salem since I was, oh, for life. When I was small, there were outings such as the Street Scene, which made me want to go downtown to enjoy the festivities and go to work with my mom. I even liked the little shop that served breakfast next to my mom’s job on Liberty Street. For some reason, walking the streets to see the hustle and bustle of the business people was of interest to me. As I grew older, the excitement for me began to deteriorate with the livelihood of the area. I went away to school for a couple of years, came back and the same scenario existed. But now there’s a special movement that has created a probing and imaginative nature in me. I believe it will be something for all of us to be proud of, especially if you plan to stay in the area.Supporters of Winston-Salem have been working tirelessly to ensure that our future scholars, businessmen and women, teachers, lawyers, doctors, athletes, and artists have pride in their hometown. These leaders are regenerating economic development and interest in the downtown area. There has already been work done in the Arts District, and now it’s time for everyone to reap the benefits of the dedication of people such as Phil Hanes Jr., Glenda Keels, Lynette Matthews-Murphy, Stacie Brenner and several others who have invested their time and money. Numerous activities have taken place to rekindle visitation to the area. The ArtsIgnite Festival was a 12-day event produced by the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Arts Council that showcased a series of contemporary, classical and popular productions that drew patrons to the Stevens Center, Winston Square Park and other venues downtown. It featured local, national, and international actors and actresses. On Fridays, there are also events such as the Downtown Arts District First Friday Gallery Hop on Trade and Sixth streets, which gives persons interested in the arts the opportunity to explore numerous shops and galleries while enjoying entertainment and refreshments. The Music in the Streets series begins May 1 with features such as: Alive After 5 (held in Corpening Plaza), Summer on Trade, and Fourth Street Jazz and Blues (May 9). They provide live music and, of course, food in the parks.The majority of these events are for the entire family at little or no cost. If you’re interested in films, the River Run Film Festival (April 24-27) will screen feature-length and short films., as does Films on Fourth. One of the latest and most exciting pieces to the downtown area’s resurgence is Rock the Block. This is a more improved version of the Street Scene, but it has an assortment of activities for various ages. Rock the Block provides outdoor and indoor activities such as games for children, an area for extreme sports, a classic car show, music from the different decades, a cyber area for remote Internet use and vendors who sell everything from crafts to food. This is the perfect opportunity to catch all the new cafes and shops primed for sidewalk dining. If you missed the event last fall, which generated the largest gathering of people for one evening of music, art and pure fun in decades, you will again have the chance to go to this all-out block party. On May 2, downtown on Fourth Street, from 6 to 10 p.m., there will be another party in the streets that doesn’t require dress slacks. The only requirement is that you enjoy yourself. The room for excuses concerning boredom and restlessness is being packed with happenings that extend themselves to you. Every so often, things do change. Many times we are not responsive to those changes, and we miss the action. Now, as a young and energetic dweller in Winston-Salem, you have the chance to claim that you were there when the music was on and people were dancing, eating and having a grand time in the streets. You have the chance to show that you are open-minded and supportive of the city’s escalation from lifeless evenings and weekends to stimulating occasions that you’ll relay to your neighbor, co-worker and kids. Most importantly, you have the chance to be a part of the city’s largest block party no matter what zip code you reside in.
If you would like to volunteer to enlist in the Urban Army as a volunteer to promote events such as Rock the Block, please e-mail Katie Pepper at katiep@wrcp.com.