PINEPITCH
PinePitch
Rites of Spring
The Carolina Philharmonic presents the “Ripples of Spring,” at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 3, at BPAC’s Owens Auditorium, 3395 Airport Road, Pinehurst. The concert features Aaron Copland’s Appalachian Spring, Jean Sibelius’ Finlandia, and Cello Concerto No. 1 by Camille Saint-Saens with cellist Sophia Bacelar. For additional information visit www.carolinaphil.org.
Great Art, Big Screen
Go in-depth with exhibitions on screen of Vincent Van Gogh and Michelangelo Buonarroti in May at the Sunrise Theater. Van Gogh: Poets & Lovers explores the artist’s years in the South of France in an effort to better understand the troubled and iconic painter. The first showing is Thursday, May 8 at 7:00 p.m. with a second screening on Monday, May 11 at 3 p.m. On Tuesday, May 20 at 2 p.m. Michelangelo: Love and Death makes a cinematic journey through the great chapels and museums of Florence, Rome and the Vatican. There will be a second showing on May 22 at 7 p.m. For more info go to www.sunrisetheater.com or call (910) 692-3611.
Calling All Authors
At least the Sandhills variety. Meet the authors and illustrators of the Sandhills at the fourth annual Pages of the Pines, a festival celebrating the books of local writers and artists. The gathering begins at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 3, and lasts until 2 p.m. at the Southern Pines Public Library, 170 W. Connecticut Ave., Southern Pines. For more information go to www.sppl.net.
First of the Firsts
The TGI Friday tradition like no other — First Friday — debuts for 2025 on the outdoor stage at Sunrise Square, 250 N.W. Broad St., Southern Pines, featuring the music of J & The Causeways, a New Orleans soul and R&B band with backbeats and soaring horns surrounding the sound of vocalist Jordan Anderson. Festivities begin at 5 p.m. Y’all know the rules for this free, family event — Cujo stays home. For further information go to www.sunrisetheater.com or call the Sunrise Theater at (910) 692-3611.
Make Mine a Double
The Women of Weymouth hold their annual happy hour on the grounds of the Weymouth Center for the Arts & Humanities, 555 E. Connecticut Ave., Southern Pines, on Friday, May 30, from 5 to 9 p.m. There will be appetizers and desserts by Genuine Hospitality Catering, a wine bar, vendors and music by John McDonald. For more information visit www.weymouthcenter.org.
Bye-Bye Birdie
Susan Campbell, hummingbird bander, researcher, naturalist and PineStraw columnist, will talk about the birds of the Sandhills on Wednesday, May 7 at 1 p.m., at the Sandhills Horticultural Gardens, 3245 Airport Road, Pinehurst. She’ll offer identification tips and talk about our feathered friends’ preferred foods and nesting habits. The talk is free, but the audience is limited to 100. For information go to www.sandhills.edu/gardenevents.
Fired Up
Starworks’ International Woodfiring Conference, “Sustain: Woodfire NC 2025,” takes place in Star from May 22-25. The gathering unites artists, students and ceramic enthusiasts from more than eight countries to explore every facet of woodfiring, examining its cultural, environmental, ethical and aesthetic dimensions. Registration begins at $190. For information go to www.WoodfireNC.com
Being a Dad
World-renowned bestselling author James Patterson sits down with David Woronoff, publisher of The Pilot and PineStraw, to discuss Patterson’s warm and relatable nonfiction book The #1 Dad Book. Filled with stories and advice to unlock the mysteries of fatherhood, they take the stage on Thursday, May 15, from noon to 1:30 p.m., at the Sunrise Theater, 250 N.W. Broad St., Southern Pines. Tickets are $30. For information go to www.ticketmesandhills.com.
Your Best Daffy Duck
If you can say “despicable” without spitting, you can throw down a blanket or put out a chair and watch Despicable Me 4 under the stars on Friday, May 16, beginning at 8 p.m. in Downtown Park, Southern Pines. Singer and songwriter Savanna Bassett will perform from 6:30 to 8 p.m. It’s all free. For information call (910) 692-7376.
Garden Party
Wear your fancy hats and spring colors when the Village Heritage Foundation hosts its Spring Garden Party at the Village Arboretum’s Timmel Pavilion, 105 Rassie Wicker Drive, Pinehurst, on Tuesday, May 6, from 4 to 6 p.m. There will be wine and grazing tables slam full of hors d’oeuvres. Tickets are $30 per person and can be reserved at www.ticketmesandhills.com.
Classical Chords
Enjoy the Astralis Chamber Ensemble from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Boyd House Great Room at the Weymouth Center for the Arts & Humanities, 555 E. Connecticut Ave., Southern Pines. The ensemble is a globally acclaimed group comprised of award-winning musicians featuring unique instrument pairings. For additional information go to www.weymouthcenter.org.
