Wednesday, Sep. 01, 2010

Bugs to invade downtown Raleigh

If a chance to eat at the Cafe Insecta doesn't catch your attention, perhaps the return of Jim Alberti's Flea Circus or a collection of aquatic bugs will.

It's all part of BugFest 2010, a one-day event Sept. 11 that will convert Bicentennial Plaza, Edenton Street, Jones Street and all four floors of the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences into a curious bug lover's paradise.

This year marks the 14th edition of the event.

"Familiar downtown areas will be completely transformed," said Emilia Cowans, assistant communications director at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences. "You will not even recognize the area."

Those interested in learning more about the insect world can make their way to Jones Street, which will be blocked off between Salisbury and Wilmington streets, to explore numerous educational stations. There, visitors will find the KidZone and a multitude of bug stations hosted by resident bug experts.

Attendees also can watch Madagascar hissing cockroaches during the running of the "Roachingham 500." More adventurous types can watch adrenaline inducing bee bearding demonstrations.

BugFest also will feature returning Café Insecta, where local chefs will collaborate to create bug-filled dishes for brave souls to try, along with normal food and drink. Hallot Parson, chocolate maker and co-founder of Escazu Artisian Chocolates of Raleigh, will show off his newest creation, the Bamboo Worm Bar, featuring bamboo worms from Thailand.

A favorite attraction from past years, Jim Alberti's Flea Circus, will be located at the Bicentennial Plaza, and the main stage on Edenton Street will feature musical performances from the North Carolina Theatre and bug-cooking demonstrations by Revolution Restaurant.

Inside the museum, visitors also can attend presentations and interactive lectures.

For those interested in insect history, the documentary "Bugged," highlighting the Asian Long Horned Beetle that invaded the United States in the 1980s, will be presented in the museum auditorium.

Ending the bug-filled day is the "Evening Insectival," scheduled from 5 to 7 p.m., which will feature live music, acrobats and a showing of the independent film "Beetle Queen Conquers Tokyo."

"Bugfest is not just a family-friendly event, it is educational, exiting and free," said Liz Jones, curator of educational events. "It provides the perfect balance of learning and fun from beginning to end."

Bugfest will jumpstart the new North Carolina Science Festival scheduled to run from Sept. 11 to 26.

For more information and for a full schedule of events, see ncsciencefestival.org.