WEEK AHEAD: Long and loud week of activities scheduled locally

The week’s activities begin with a bang and end with a bike ride, mixing in music, fashion, art and history in a torrid seven-day span.

There is an old adage to the effect of “Don’t wear white after Labor Day.” You might add “Buy new comfortable shoes,” because this week kicks off a string of nearly non-stop events leading through the Christmas holidays.

Spectators can take a rest this afternoon on the lawn of New Bern Academy, while actors do the walking – in paces – for the annual Stanly-Spaight 1802 duel-to-the-death reenactment.

The 4 p.m. shootout at the corner of Hancock and New streets will feature some warm-up music by sponsoring Tryon Palace’s Fife and Drum Corps.

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Tuesday, the Palace activities shift back to the Pollock Street main grounds for the opening of the Autumn Garden Hours. Garden tickets are $8. A separate ticket is needed to tour the Palace interior and nearby historic houses.

The autumn tours continue through the end of October.

The Palace has an indoor lecture on Thursday – “Movers and Shakers in the African American Community – Past and Present.”

The 7 p.m. program is in the visitors’ center and includes a panel discussion.

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Spirited singing and dancing in the jazz style of the 1920s Cotton Club in Harlem comes to the stage of New Bern Civic Theater for 10 shows, beginning with preview night for “Ain’t Misbehavin’” on Thursday.

The music is inspired by “Fats” Waller and a cast of five singer/dancers provide the talent.

Call 252-634-9057.

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The fourth of five ArtWalks is on tap Friday night and you’ll need good walking shoes to make the trek around the downtown and sample exhibits, instruction and entertainment.

The venues range from the Craven Arts Council’s Bank of the Arts on Middle Street to the Farmers Market.

More than a dozen participating galleries, art-related shops, restaurants and stores extend their hours during each ArtWalk until 8 p.m.

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Women often complain of “having nothing to wear.” The Démodé Fashion Show this weekend at Tryon Palace should provide some revelations into what it was like to find just the right attire in the 18^th century.

The clothes were hand-made in those days. The programs, Friday through Sunday, includes a fashion show at the visitors center, a fashion day on the Palace grounds, with a gown-maker producing a period piece of clothing in one day. Sunday’s finale is a light-hearted lecture at the Commission House parlor, with a topic that promises the truth and history on 18^th-century ladies undergarments.”

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Little Toby Walker brings his own style of blues back to the Trent River Coffee Company Friday in the opening concert of the Down East FolkArt Series.

He from Long Island, and trained under blues veterans in the deep South. His music is complemented by his humor and stories.

The doors open at 7 p.m., with the show beginning an hour later.

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The New Bern 300th Anniversary Celebration has “Founder’s Day – Remembering the 300th Anniversary of the Founding of New Bern” Saturday morning at the Christ Church Ministry Center on Middle Street.

A memorial ceremony and special guests are included in the 10:45 a.m. event, which begins with the laying of a wreath at the bust of Baron Christopher de Graffenried, located next to city hall on Pollock Street.

The ceremony then moves to the ministry center at 11 a.m.

The entire event is to honor de Graffenried, the city’s founder, along with the German Palatines and Swiss who came with him in 1710.

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Bear City Opry brings its monthly blend of country, gospel and good-natured humor to the Masonic Theater on Hancock Street Saturday night.

A talented troupe of area musicians and singers regularly play to full houses, so get advance tickets or arrive early.

The doors open at 6 p.m. Call 252-670-7082.

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Several thousand bicyclists descend upon New Bern Saturday and Sunday for the annual Bike MS Historic New Bern Ride.

The two-day event raises money for multiple sclerosis research, programs, services and advocacy.

Last year, more than 2,250 cyclists and 400 volunteers took part in the New Bern ride, and raised more than $1.7 million.

Cyclists can choose routes of 30, 50, 75 and 100 miles.

Registration fee is $55. Call 919-834-0678.

Charlie Hall can be reached at 252-635-5667 or chall@freedomenc.com.