Arts & Culture

One of the first openly gay ministers in the Presbyterian church will soon be ordained at a Chapel Hill church. Katie Ricks is the first openly lesbian pastor in the nation to gain approval since the Presbyterian Church began allowing homosexuals to serve last year. She met with the church's local governing body before its vote last weekend. She says she addressed some members' concerns that same-sex relationships are not accepted by God.

Old Time Fiddler Joe Thompson has died at the age of 93. Thompson was one of the last of a generation of African American string band musicians in North Carolina. As a young man he played for square dances in Orange and Alamance Counties. Thompson told WUNC in 2008 that those dances got wild at times, and made him question whether a good Christian should be playing this kind of music.

Organizers of the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte are looking for the Nation's best barbeque sauce. All month long, the host committee is welcoming proposals of vinegar, tomato and mustard based sauces. The best sauce or sauces will then be sold in gift packs to help off-set the cost of the political event. Jackie Bateman is Grassroots Finance Director for the convention's host committee. She says sauce was a logical place to start.

Duke's Nasher Art Museum in Durham is combining traditional sculptures with more contemporary pieces at a new exhibit today.

Jeff Tiberii: More than a dozen mobiles from late American sculptor, Alexander Calder will be on display. His works will be complemented by contemporary sculptures from seven other artists. The Nasher's Wendy Hower Livingston says the gallery feels different.