The Arts Council of Moore County's ARTours program is traveling to New York City in April and Nova Scotia in July.

The now-annual journey to New York in the spring is always a popular offering, and this year promises to be no different. The featured shows and concert are Gershwin's "Porgy and Bess," "Nice Work If You Can Get It" and an evening at Carnegie Hall with the New York Pops.

Tony Award nominee Diane Paulus directs the remake of "Porgy and Bess," starring Audra McDonald, Norm Lewis and David Alan Grier. This heartbreaking love story boasts some of the most famous and beloved works from the great American songbook, including "Summertime," "Bess, You Is My Woman Now," "It Ain't Necessarily So" and "I Loves You, Porgy."

Kathleen Marshall directs "Nice Work If You Can Get It," starring three-time Tony nominee Kelli O'Hara and Tony winner Matthew Broderick. The show features music by George Gershwin and book by Joe DiPietro.

The New York Pops concert at Carnegie Hall takes a stroll down memory lane with an evening of Academy Award-winning scores and songs, including music from "Doctor Zhivago," "Out of Africa," "Titanic" and "Lord of the Rings."

In addition, there will be an 80th birthday tribute to the Oscar-winning music of John Williams, who composed the scores for such movies as "Jaws," "Star Wars," "E.T." and "Schindler's List."

The cost of the New York ARTour is $1,475 per person (double occupancy) for Arts Council members and includes airport transfers; round-trip air from RDU to LaGuardia; three nights at the Warwick Hotel with continental breakfast; theater and concert tickets with bus transport back to the hotel after the show; and tips for drivers and luggage handling.

Travelers depart on April 12 and return on the 15th.

Nova Scotia Trip

A sojourn to Nova Scotia in July could be just the ticket to escape the heat of the Sandhills.

Explore historic seaports, coastal paths and fishing villages with trips to Halifax, Grand Pre National and Halls Harbour. Enjoy unsurpassed birding and whale watching at the Bay of Fundy and Briar Island bogs.

Learn about North American and Canadian history with excursions to Port Royal, one of the earliest European settlements on the continent, Kejimkujic National Park, Lunenburg, the first British colonial settlement in Nova Scotia outside of Halifax, and a drive through Annapolis Valley to Annapolis Royal, Canada's birthplace.

Other tour highlights include lodging at historical inns, such as the Blomidon Inn in Halifax, a former 19th century sea captain's mansion; lunch at the Lobster Pound, where you choose your own lobster, have it cooked, cracked and presented while overlooking the spectacular view at Halls Harbour; and scenic walks along such places as the Blue Rocks, so named because of the rugged slate rock that takes on a blue hue in the afternoon light.

The cost of the Nova Scotia ARTour is $3,995 per person (double occupancy) for Arts Council members and includes airport transfers; round-trip air from RDU to Halifax; five breakfasts, two lunches, and four dinners; first class accommodations; full-time guide; transportation during the tour; admissions fees; and gratuities for hotels, meals and baggage.

Travelers depart on July 7 and return on the 13th.

For more information about the ARTours to New York and Nova Scotia, call the Arts Council's ARTour Director, Katherine MacRae, at (910) 692-2787.