Ava Gardner Museum Plans Festival to Celebrate the Arts

(Smithfield, NC) - The Ava Gardner Museum announced the Ava Gardner Fest 2006 will be held on Sept. 30 and Oct. 1, 2006. Ava Gardner Fest is a celebration of the life of legendary film actress Ava Gardner and a showcase for creative arts from her beloved birthplace. The festival, which features free films, live jazz, art and fine crafts, is conveniently located in historic Downtown Smithfield along the I-95 and I-40 corridor in eastern North Carolina.

“Ava Gardner was passionate about the arts. Her inner circle of friends included some of the world’s best-known artists, poets, writers and musicians,” said Angela Lawson, Executive Director of the Ava Gardner Museum. “By featuring regional artists and musicians this festival honors Ava’s passion for creative arts and her affection for her North Carolina heritage.”

Ava Gardner Fest 2006 will include a special exhibit featuring costumes from the award winning film “Mogambo.” The costumes — worn by Gardner, Grace Kelly and Clark Gable — are part of the $50 million dollar collection owned by actress Debbie Reynolds. Reynolds’ collection of more than 3,500 costumes and motion picture artifacts is the largest private collection of Hollywood memorabilia in the world.

Ava Gardner Fest 2006 will run from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm on Saturday, Sept. 30 and 1:00 – 5:00 pm, Sunday, Oct. 1. Additional scheduled events include:

Live Jazz and Big Band sounds from the main stage in Town Hall Park
Rick McDuffie Group: 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
Mike Waddell Quartet: 1:30 - 3:30 pm.
Free showings of Ava Gardner films in the historic Howell Theater
Arts and Fine Crafts Marketplace featuring regional artists
Guided heritage tours to Ava’s birthplace, gravesite and other points of interest
Great regional foods at Downtown restaurants

For more information on the Ava Gardner Fest 2006 or the Ava Gardner Museum visit www.avagardner.org or e-mail Angela Lawson, Museum Director, at avainfo@avagardner.org, or call 919-934-5830.

The Ava Gardner Museum, one of North Carolina’s premier attractions, is located at 325 East Market Street in the heart of downtown Smithfield, NC. The Museum is dedicated to displaying and preserving artifacts from the life of screen legend Ava Gardner. The Museum’s hours are Monday through Saturday, 9:00 AM until 5:00 PM and Sunday 2:00 PM until 5:00 PM. Admission is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors and teens and $3 for children.

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