Our Adventures

Greensboro, NC

As Greensboro evolved into one of North Carolina's primary cities, changes began to occur within its traditional social structure. On February 1, 1960, four black college students from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical College sat down at an all-white Woolworth's lunch counter, and refused to leave after they were denied service. Hundreds of others soon joined in this sit-in, which lasted several months. Such protests quickly spread across the South, ultimately leading to the desegregation of Woolworth's and other chains. The original lunch counter and stools where the four first sat are still in their original location, now home to the International Civil Rights Center and Museum (though a section of the counter is also on display at the Smithsonian). The museum opened on February 1, 2010, the 50th anniversary of the sit-ins.

In spite of this period of progress, old wounds had yet to heal. On November 3, 1979, members of the Communist Workers Party (CWP) were holding an anti-Ku Klux Klan rally, when a group of KKK and neo-Nazis caravaned into the Morningside Heights neighborhood where the rally was being held and ambushed the protest. Four local TV news stations filmed the event as it happened. Although a pistol likely was fired by a CWP organizer (allegedly into the air) and the Klan caravan was beaten with sticks prior to stopping, only the anti-Klan protesters were injured and killed. Five CWP members died and seven were wounded. Television footage of the event was shown nationwide and around the world, and the event became known as the Greensboro Massacre. The accused Klansman and neo-Nazis all were acquitted by an all-white jury in two separate criminal trials. In 1985, a civil suit found five police officers and two other individuals liable for $350,000 in damages to be paid to the Greensboro Justice Fund.

In 2007, Greensboro voters elected the first African-American mayor of the city, Yvonne Johnson.

More. . .

As you can see we are having so many additional experiences in Greensboro that I had to create a Part 2.

Club Fifth Season

The Club Fifth Season, often referred to as Fifth Season, is located inside the Sheraton at the Koury Center Four Seasons Mall. I had heard about the club for a while since we moved here but we never went until my cousin, Alfred, called and asked us to meet him there. They are only opened Thursday–Saturday where you can enjoy beach, Top 40, and classic dance hits. The club has a capacity for up to one-thousand and has three dance floors. I was truly surprised to see such a wonderful establishment as this, it was more than I expected. They have a strict "dress code" which is enforced so come dressed to empress and leave your caps, t-shirts, shorts (dress shorts for ladies permitted), etc. at home or you will be turned away. Thursday is DJ night and ladies are free, Friday night there's a band. Not sure what happens on Saturday night, but we were told we were not old enough to attend. HA!HA! It is basically for the younger set as most places are on Saturday night. We met a couple that told us about the Zion Bar and Grill one Thursday night while we were there and that is another favorite of ours listed below.

Piedmont Blues Festival

The annual Piedmont Blues Festival is held in May every year and hosted by the Piedmont Blues Preservation Society at the Triad Stage downtown. This year they featured Cyril Neville (the youngest of the Neville Brothers) with special guest Big Chief Monk Boudreaux, Diunna Greenleaf & Blue Mercy, with Special Guest Steady Rollin′ Bob Margolin, the Nighthawks, Adrian Duke (has a voice like Ray Charles), Landon Spradlin Blues Band and Bump & Logie. Most of the day was sunny and hot and then it started to rain. A little while later we had thunder and lightening. There was a tent for seating on a first come first serve basis, but when it began to rain everyone headed for the tent and those seated adjusted their chairs so many could crowd in. We were still enjoying everything until the thunder and lightening started. We waited for it to slow down drastically and headed for the car. The show was not over because there was 2-3 more acts to come with Cyril being the last at 9:00 PM. Although we could have gone back after the rain stopped, we chose not too. There were plenty of beer stands and food wagons to quench your thirst and feed the tummy. After each performance, you could buy cds, shirts and get an autograph or picture taken with each performer. This time we only bought t-shirts and beer holders since it was our first.

We joined the Piedmont Blues Preservation Society and receive an email each week from Casey to let us know what's happening in the surrounding area as far as the blues goes. Hence, the following venues were discovered.

Zion Bar and Grill

Zions is a laid back Caribbean bar and grill. It is considered Greensboro′s only blues, rock & reggae restaurant. On Sundays they have jam sessions starting around 7ish. You have various talent playing most of the evening. The food is great and the drinks are worthy of a repeat. On one of our visits there we met "Jackie". When she came in the door we thought she was a part of the club staff and the hostess with the mostest. She performed Betty Wright′s song " Tonight Is The Night (that you make me your woman). She was real good. The only mistake she made was inviting me to sing with her and I quickly declined. She is not there every Sunday but if you can catch her, you are in for a treat. The owner is cool and laid back as well, however, he pays attention to everything that goes on whether it looks like it or not. I am in somewhat of a competition for highest scores on various Mega Touch games. They recently hosted "The Tams" on June 5th. We were unable to attend due to a prior engagement in Washington, GA. Zions is located just off I40 at the Guilford College Road exit, a left and a couple of rights and they are on the left.

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