The ArtsCenter's 2025 51st Anniversary GALAxy-51

Welcome to The ArtsCenter's GALAxy 51 website where you are cordially invited to boldly go where no human has gone before!

On Saturday, May 17, from 6:00-9:00pm we will be celebrating our 51st year in the universe at the Haw River Ballroom, where we'll be leaning into an Area 51 and extraterrestrial theme for an out-of-this-world event. 

With a wonderful meal provided by Tandem and delicious desserts donated by local bakeries, we'll be dining family style while being regaled by TAC's own Tyler Dennis who'll serve as this year's auctioneer.

All silent and live auction items will be posted for your viewing pleasure May 4 (MAY THE FOURTH BE WITH YOU!), but in the meantime a couple of highlights include a once-in-a-blue-moon painting workshop by Jane Filer, and weeklong mountain getaway to Blowing Rock. As always, all proceeds raised at GALAxy 51 will help fund our scholarship fund, educational programming and outreach, and studio improvements and amenities.

In keeping with the spirit of a masked ball, we welcome you to come as you are and leave your human costume (and your cares) at home!

Enjoy a delightful menu prepared by downtown Carrboro's very own Tandem!

Passed Hors D'oeuvres 
Lamb stuffed mini peppers with Sambal drizzle (GF) 
Local, spring vegetable and whipped goat cheese tartlets 

Entrees 
House Salad, Herb Vinaigrette (GF) 
72-Hour Braised Short Ribs, bone marrow jus (GF) 
Joyce Farm Chicken with Thyme Chablis Reduction (GF) 
Both served with Carrboro Farmer's Market Spring vegetables and potatoes (GF) 

Vegetarian and Vegan Options - Butternut Squash Risotto (GF)

For more information on Tandem, please visit: https://www.tandemcarrboro.com/

Parking & Directions
The Haw River Ballroom is located 1711 Saxapahaw-Bethlehem Church Rd, Saxapahaw, NC 27340.

Directions

From Chapel Hill/Carrboro
Drive west on highway 54 ten miles from the stop light at Carrboro Plaza. Turn left onto Saxapahaw-Bethlehem Church Rd at the green sign and arrow pointing left to Saxapahaw. The Haw River Ballroom is 3.5 miles ahead.

From Hillsborough
Take Orange Grove Rd, which intersections Hwy 70-A/South Churton St a little south of the Eno River, to Hwy 54, where there is a stop sign. This is about 14 miles. Turn right onto Hwy 54. Turn left onto Saxapahaw-Bethlehem Church Rd at the green sign and arrow pointing left to Saxapahaw. The Haw River Ballroom is 3.5 miles ahead.

From Pittsboro
Take Hwy 87 North. Go through the blinking light at Eli Whitney; 2 miles farther, turn right at the white historic marker announcing Saxapahaw onto Church Rd. The Ballroom is on the right after you cross the Haw River on the Buddy Collins Memorial Bridge.

Parking

Please be aware that our entrance is down the hill past the Saxapahaw General Store and the Butchery, right next to Haw River Farmhouse Ales. 

For handicap parking, please be aware that there are only a few of those spots right outside of the Saxapahaw General Store. 

The main parking meadow of the past is now the new Hawbridge Upper School. Parking is available in the lot outside the school. PLEASE DO NOT PARK IN THE ROAD or in people's yards or driveways or blocking residential gates. 

If you are planning on finding other transportation, such as Uber, Lyft, etc, please be aware that cell service in Saxapahaw can be challenging sometimes.

Taxis

We have compiled a list of reliable and professional transportation companies that service the Saxapahaw area:

Lonnie Parker - (919) 720-3474 - www.dadvans.com - call or text to book ahead 
Super Ride - (919) 923-0657 - call to book ahead 
Carolina Sedan Service - [email protected] - www.carolinasedan.com - email to book ahead
A Formal Affair - (919) 942-5332 - www.afalimo.com - call to book ahead 
Townie Chauffeur and Shuttle LLC - www.townietransport.com - visit website to book ahead

Gala 2024 "Golden Horizon" Photos

Photos by Barbara Tyroler, adapted. 

Photos by Lindsay Metivier, adapted.