ABOUT US

Pianists, poets and painters,  that is  what the Don and Catharine Bryan Cultural  Series is all about.   As our mission states we strive to Inspire, Educate and Challenge by presenting major cultural events to our beautiful home – the Outer Banks of North Carolina.

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Founded in 2012. with our first programs in 2013, the Series grew from the dream of Col. Don Bryan USAF ret. and his wife Catharine that their adopted home have access to cultural  events of the highest order.  They wanted the Series to serve audiences of all ages  and to  become a cultural destination.

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From our first program, a concert by Norfolk pianist Chris Kypros, we have strived to make our programing both affordable and accessible. The list of artists the Series has brought to our audience is as varied as it is outstanding.   Historians  David McCullough and Clay Jenkinson have made multiple visits.   The Series has hosted the Amara Piano Quartet, cellist Soo Bae among others and the Series hosts our own  exceptional Surf and Sounds Chamber Music Series, now entering its 8th season.   In 2020 the Series welcomed US Poet Laureate Joy Harjo for a virtual reading with our audience and a separate session with local high school students.  

 

Perhaps the most unique event was the screening of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde with organ accompaniment by noted organist Dorothy Papadakos.  Former Alvin Ailey dancer Elbert Watson brought his dance troupe to the Series and one time Martha Graham lead dancer Christine Dakin provided a solo show.   NC Potter Ben Owen taught a Series audience how to throw a pot. A full list of the Series programing is available on this page.

 

Education is a key part of the Series’ mission.   We have worked with the Dare County Schools and local nonprofit partners to bring diverse artists to the schools including zydeco great Terrance Simien and at the other end of the spectrum the North Carolina Symphony Wind Ensemble. We also make free tickets available for students and their parents whenever possible.

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We have worked with many nonprofit partners in bringing our events to the public.   We often work with the Dare County Arts Council.  We brought a performance of Pirates of Penzance to audiences in partnership with the Outer Banks Forum or the Lively Arts.   We have  supported or presented programs with the Dare County Youth Orchestra, Outer Banks Patrons of the Arts, Radio Hatteras, Chicamacomico Historical Association, North Carolina Watercolor Society,  Ocracoke Alive and many more.

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The Series has been supported by many local donors and businesses.   Grants from the Dominion Power Foundation and the Outer Banks Community Foundation have sponsored programs.   Don and Kay Bryan established a fund at the Outer Banks Community Foundation to serve as an endowment and major funding for Series comes from that source.  Additional funding comes from ticket sales and our generous donors.   To support the Don and Catharine Bryan Cultural Series visit our Donate page

 

An all volunteer group the Series is led by its Board of Directors, all local arts enthusiasts, all committed to the mission.  The Board organizes and staffs all our events.  It also handles promotion, marketing and fundraising.  For more information about the Series please send an email to info@bryanculturalseries.org or visit our Contact page.