PINEPITCH
August 2025
What’s All the Buzz?
It’s time for the Great Southeast Pollinator Count on Friday, Aug. 22, and Saturday, Aug. 23, from 9 to 11 a.m., at the Ball Garden Visitor’s Center, 3245 Airport Road, Pinehurst. Be a citizen scientist, select a plant, observe pollinator activity for 15 minutes, then submit your findings. The project collects data, promotes conservation and encourages the creation of pollinator gardens. To sign up go to www.sandhills.edu/gardenevents.
Sounds Phishy to Us
Runaway Gin, the best Phish tribute band in all the land, never plays the same show or jams the same way twice. Just like Phish. Hear them on Saturday, Aug. 30, at the Sunrise Theater, 250 N.W. Broad St., Southern Pines. Tickets start at $25. The premium seating with the VIP drinks and dinner package tops the chart at $89. For information go to www.sunrisetheater.com.
Love Letters
The Judson Theatre Company’s summer festival concludes with 10 performances of Ken Ludwig’s homage to his parents’ courtship, Dear Jack, Dear Louise, from Aug. 1 – 10, in BPAC’s intimate McPherson Theater, 3395 Airport Road, Pinehurst. It’s the love story of two strangers — a military doctor in Oregon and an aspiring actress in New York City — who meet by letter during World War II. They dream of being together someday, but the war keeps them apart. For information and tickets go to www.ticketmesandhills.com.
Tonight’s the Night
The Jonathan Robinson Band, a staple of the local music scene, turns up the heat from 5 to 9 p.m. in the Aug. 1 edition of First Friday on the First Bank Stage at the greenspace next to the Sunrise Theater, 250 N.W. Broad St., Southern Pines. Once a sideman in Nashville, Robinson returned to his native North Carolina bringing his Southern rock, blues and country sound with him. There will be cool beverages for purchase. Leave all the collared animals at home. It’s too late for further information. Just park the car and wander over.
Two for One
Poets Pat Riviere-Seel and Malaika King Albrecht will be in conversation about Riviere-Seel’s new book, Because I Did Not Drown, a hybrid collection of personal essays and poems, on Wednesday, Aug. 20, at 5:30 p.m., in the Great Room at the Weymouth Center for the Arts & Humanities, 555 E. Connecticut Ave., Southern Pines. These past and present members of the Weymouth board of directors will read selections from the book while discussing the writing process and blending genres. A signing with books available from The Country Bookshop will follow. For more information go to
www.weymouthcenter.org.
Book It
The Country Bookshop’s August events include Retired Lt. Col. Ted Mataxis Jr. discussing his book Ride to the Sound of the Guns: The Life of a Cold War Warrior, Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Theodore C. Mataxis, at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 14. Then, on Aug. 25 at 5 p.m. Stephanie Griest will talk about her book Art Above Everything: One Woman’s Global Quest to Understand the Sacrifices and Glories of a Creative Life. Both events are free and will be at The Country Bookshop, 140 N.W. Broad St., Southern Pines. For additional information go to www.ticketmesandhills.com.
Mee Meh Mah Moh Moo
Warm up to the Met Opera’s summer encore performance of Lucia di Lammermoor, a tragic opera in three acts by Gaetano Donizetti, at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 6, at the Sunrise Theater, 250 N.W. Broad Street, Southern Pines. Feuding families? What’s a girl to do? For more info go to www.sunrisetheater.com.
Groovy, Baby, Yeah!
The Irresistible Groove, a critically acclaimed party band from Raleigh, will help you dance the night away — well, at least until 9 p.m. — at Live After 5 on Friday, Aug. 8, at the Village Arboretum, 375 Magnolia Road, Pinehurst. Festivities begin at 5:15 p.m. with food trucks, beer, wine and softer offerings for sale. Picnic baskets are allowed, but outside alcohol is not. The music is free. Don’t pull a hammy trying to lindy hop. Need more info? Go to www.vopnc.org.
Creatures of the Night
Bring a flashlight and discover the sights and sounds of nature after dark walking the trails of the Weymouth Woods Nature Preserve, 1024 Fort Bragg Road, Southern Pines, beginning at 8 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 8. All ages are welcome, but children must be accompanied by an adult. For more information call Southern Pines Parks and Recreation at (910) 692-7376.
Party Like It’s Fall
Southern Pines Parks and Recreation will hold its second annual “farewell to summer” party on Friday, Aug. 15, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. in the Downtown Park, 145 S.E. Broad St., Southern Pines. There will be food trucks, tattoos, bounce houses, yard games, water slides and music. Then, grab a blanket or a folding chair and stick around for the 8 p.m. outdoor showing of Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie. For further information call (910) 692-7376.
