By Shanece Brent, Staff Writer

Published in print Sept. 24, 2014

Greensboro’s third annual 17 Days Arts and Culture festival kicked off last week on September 19. The festival, which lasts until October 5th, is a collection of all Greensboro has to offer in arts and entertainment.

From dinning to theater and everything in between, 17 Days is bursting with events in venues that showcase the very best of what this city has to offer. Last year, the festival boasted a whopping 100+ events that occurred within a three and a half week period; this year, that number has doubled, presenting over 200+ events, including both ticketed and free to the public programs.

In addition to the rise in the amount of events this year, 17 Days now features a list of official festival restaurants. One of these restaurants is Mad Hatter Bar and Grill, located at 201 Smyres Place.

The festival has been taking place for three years, but this the first in which restaurants have been invited to participate, a privilege that Brad Tarnowsky, who manages the restaurant’s social media and the front of house, and the Mad Hatter staff take seriously.

“Our staff members are reminded that for the next 17 days, we are not only promoting the festival, but we are also demonstrating the art of hospitality and customer service,” Tarnowsky said.

Many of the festival’s official restaurants have added menu items and special 17 Days deals. New on the Hatter menu – chicken dumplings, fried green tomatoes, and bread pudding. In addition to new food choices, Mad Hatter is offering several events over the course of the festival, including a blind wine tasting on October 1st.

With about 85,000 people attending 17 Days events last fall, the addition of events should lead even more people to partake in festival activities. “I expect us to be a little busier than usual as guests come to check out the new culinary ventures our chefs are doing in honor of the festival,” said Tarnowsky.

Food and local music often blend in Greensboro establishments, and the Mad Hatter is no exception. “September 24th we are celebrating our local musical artists by having the band After Thought play live from 6-9 pm. We also have Johnny Woodard play live on Monday nights with half off wine by the glass,” said Tarnowsky.

In addition to local artists, 17 Days provides an influx of art that is transforming Greensboro into a hub for local and national musicians and artists. Grammy award-winning songwriter Steve Earle and DC-based electric blues guitarist Tom Principato are among the musicians slated to perform on Greensboro stages.

When he’s not at the restaurant, Brad is excited to enjoy the events of the festival too. “I personally will be attending the performance of Triad Stage’s “The 39 Steps”, UNCG Fall Briefs, and hGopefully [UNCG production] “‘Twelfth Night’,” Tarnowsky said. “Being a UNCG Graduate, I want to support my fellow artistic Spartans!” And artistic Spartans abound in this year’s 17 Days events. UNCG’s symphonic band and wind ensemble will participate, and other Greensboro colleges are represented in the events listings as well.

“It’s important to embrace our local artists and culture! We at Mad Hatter are also honored to be housed in the same building as the original Ham’s!” Tarnowsky said. “Our site is a cultural landmark for locals, being that it has been here since the early 1930s! So we like having the opportunity to celebrate our cultural influences.”

Whatever you love, chances are you can find it among the events of Greensboro’s 17 Days festival.