Tag: PinePitch

PinePitch

Broadway the Callaway

Liz Callaway has played starring roles in Baby, Miss Saigon and Cats, and was the singing voice of Anya in the animated film Anastasia. Callaway is an Emmy Award winner; she’s been nominated for a Tony award; and, has just released her latest album, To Steve with Love: Liz Callaway Celebrates Sondheim. Sandhills Repertory Theatre brings Callaway to the Lee Auditorium stage at Pinecrest High School, 250 Voit Gilmore Lane, Southern Pines, on Saturday, April 29, at 7:30 p.m. for one performance only. Admission is $30, and premium seating is $95. A percentage of net profits will be donated to the Food Bank of N.C. Tickets are available at the Sunrise Theater box office, 250 N.W. Broad St., Southern Pines, or go to www.sandhillsrep.org.

No Strings Attached

The Paperhand Puppet Intervention, an award-winning puppet troupe, presents “A World of Wonder” at the Fair Barn, 200 Beulah Hill Road S., Pinehurst, from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 16. The performance features Paperhand’s fantastical creatures and characters as animals of all shapes and sizes fill the stage. For information go to www.ticketmesandhills.com.

Heritage Day

The Moore County Historical Association’s annual rite of spring on Saturday, April 15, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., showcases the furnished Bryant House, circa 1820, and the 1760s Joel McLendon Cabin, the oldest dwelling on its original site in Moore County. Both houses will be open, and there will be 18th and 19th century crafters, farm animal petting area, live music and food. There will also be “camps” of both American Revolution and Civil War re-enactors, demonstrations of activities like quilting, weaving, cooking and woodworking. Admission is free. The Bryant House is at 3361 Mt. Carmel Rd., Carthage.

Spring Strings

The Sandhills Community College Music Department will present its annual spring concert featuring students and faculty on Thursday, April 27, at 7 p.m. in BPAC’s McPherson Blackbox Theater, 3395 Airport Road, Pinehurst. Admission is free but seating is limited. For information and tickets go to www.sandhillsbpac.com or www.ticketmesandhills.com.

Azalea Cottage by Jennifer Walker

Art for Art’s Sake

The opening reception for the new exhibit — It’s a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood — at the Artists League of the Sandhills, 129 Exchange St., Aberdeen, will be on Friday, April 7, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. For information go to www.artistleague.org.

Home & Garden Tour

The Southern Pines Garden Club is hosting its 75th Home & Garden Tour on April 15th with the proceeds supporting the restoration of pastureland surrounding the recently renovated barn and stable area at the 100-year-old Weymouth Center. From the dramatic color schemes of a remodeled kitchen to a recently completed two-level covered terrace, the tour features six “idea” houses and home gardens — including the home featured in this month’s PineStraw — bound to inspire. Tickets are $25 online at www.southernpinesgardenclub.com or $30 at selected locations that include Bella Filati Yarns, 277 N.E. Broad St., Southern Pines; the Sandhills Woman’s Exchange, 15 Azalea Rd., Pinehurst; and Eloise Trading Company, 111 W. Main St. Aberdeen.

Not Those Sopranos

It’s organized song, not organized crime. The Metropolitan Opera graces the screen three times in April at the Sunrise Theater, 250 N.W. Broad St., Southern Pines. Falstaff, which seems particularly well-suited to April Fools’ Day, will be shown at 12:30 p.m. on the first day of the month. Richard Strauss’ most popular opera, Der Rosenkavalier, can be seen on Saturday, April 15, at 12 p.m., and the operatic retelling of the story of Emile Griffith, Champion, will be shown Saturday, April 29, at 12:55 p.m. For more information call (910) 420-2549 or visit www.sunrisetheater.com.

Cultivate a Little Spring

The Sandhills Farm Tour, showcasing four farms in the Carthage and Cameron areas, takes place Saturday, April 15, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The tour is self-driving, rain or shine, and family-friendly with demonstrations, children’s activities and farm products for sale. The tour is sponsored by the N.C. Cooperative Extension and the Master Gardener Program of Moore County. It’s free but ticketed. For information and tickets go to sandhillsfarmtour2023.eventbrite.com.

China and the International Order

The James E. Holshouser Speaker Series continues with Gordon G. Chang, the author of The Coming Collapse of China and Nuclear Showdown: North Korea Takes on the World, on Tuesday, April 4, from 4:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., at BPAC’s Owens Auditorium, 3395 Airport Road, Pinehurst. Chang, who lived and worked in China and Hong Kong for almost two decades, has contributed articles to Newsweek, The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal, among other publications. He is a frequent guest on Fox News, Fox Business Network, Newsmax, CNN and MSNBC. Tickets for his presentation “China Shakes the World: A Revolutionary Remaking of the International Order” are $50 per person for general admission or $75 per person, including a copy of his most recent book. There will be a reception and book signing after the program along with a Q&A. For information go to www.ticketmesandhills.com.

PinePitch

Birdwatch

We Know Great Writing When We See It

Since 1986, the Moore County Writers’ Competition has promoted and honored superior writing throughout our communities. Join the awards ceremony where certificates and cash prizes will be presented for poetry, fiction and nonfiction submitted by writers in five different age groups. Winners will read a selection of their entries from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, March 12, at the Weymouth Center for the Arts & Humanities, 555 E. Connecticut Ave., Southern Pines. For information go to www.weymouthcenter.org. Admission is free but registration is required.

A Night with Kelli

The Tony Award winning star of HBO’s The Gilded Age, Kelli O’Hara, will appear live at BPAC’s Owens Auditorium, 3395 Airport Road, Pinehurst, on Saturday, March 18, at 7 p.m. Among her many stage, film and television credits, O’Hara received a Tony Award for Best Leading Actress in a Musical in 2015 for her portrayal of Anna Leonowens in The King and I, and an Emmy nomination for her portrayal of Katie Bonner in the hit web series The Accidental Wolf. For tickets and information go to www.ticketmesandhills.com.

A Southern Tale

The Country Bookshop and the Weymouth Center for the Arts & Humanities present Marjorie Hudson in conversation with Katrina Denza about Hudson’s debut novel, Indigo Field, on Wednesday, March 22, at 5:30 p.m. at the Weymouth Center for the Arts & Humanities, 555 E. Connecticut Ave., Southern Pines. For information and tickets go to www.ticketmesandhills.com.

Here Comes the Bride

Richard Wagner’s masterpiece Lohengrin returns to the Metropolitan Opera — and the screen at the Sunrise Theater, 250 N.W. Broad St., Southern Pines — on Saturday, March 18, at 12 p.m. Famed Polish tenor Piotr Beczala stars as the mysterious swan knight. The Bridal Chorus may ring a bell. For information call (910) 692-3611 or go to www.sunrisetheater.com.

Oscar and Steve

The Sandhills Repertory Theatre will present An Evening with Oscar and Steve: The Music and Lyrics of Oscar Hammerstein and Stephen Sondheim at the Sunrise Theater, 250 N.W. Broad St., Southern Pines, on Thursday, March 30, at 7 p.m. and again on Sunday April 2, at 3 p.m. For tickets and information got to www.sunrisetheater.com.

With a Little Help from Your Friends

Recommended for children from kindergarten to second grade, the heart-warming story A Sick Day for Amos McGee will be performed Saturday, March 4, from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. at BPAC’s Owens Auditorium, 3395 Airport Road, Pinehurst. Zookeeper Amos McGee knows friends can come in all sizes and species, too. Amos runs races with the tortoise, cares for a particularly shy penguin, and reads stories to an owl. One day, Amos is too sick to visit his zoo friends, but, fortunately, the animals know just what to do. For information and tickets go to www.ticketmesandhills.com.

Three for the Ages

The Sandhills Repertory Theatre presents Judy, Joni and Joan: The Music of Judy Collins, Joni Mitchell and Joan Baez at the Sunrise Theater on March 18 at 7 p.m. and again in two shows on March 19 at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Three outstanding New York-based female musicians — Elizabeth Nestlerode, Samantha Sayah and Jane Bruce — will have you singing along in this tribute to three extraordinary friends and artists whose music transcends the generations. Tickets can be purchased at the Sunrise box office by calling (910) 692-3611 or online at either www.sunrisetheater.com or www.sandhillsrep.org.

Back in Bloom

The Garden Club of the Sandhills ushers in springtime by hosting the 2023 edition of “Blooming Art” at the Campbell House Gallery, 482 E. Connecticut Ave., Southern Pines, on Saturday, April 1, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and again on Sunday, April 2, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. The “Blooming Art” exhibit pairs local art with interpretive floral arrangements. Among the professional floral designers participating this year are Carol Dowd, Matt Hollyfield, Leslie Habets, Crystal Blue, Ellen Burke, Jeremy Bowden, Bill McPhail and Cynthia Ballantyne. Members of the Southern Pines, Olmsted, Pinehurst and Linden Garden Clubs, in addition to the Weymouth Dirt Gardeners and the Garden Club of the Sandhills, will also be represented. Advance tickets are $15 and are available at www.ticketmesandhills.com. Funds raised by “Blooming Art” support scholarships for students in the horticultural program at Sandhills Community College, projects by the Sandhills Horticulture Gardens, and horticultural programs for children.

Photograph By Melissa Schaub

Tee It High and Let It Fly — for Charity

The Carolina Philharmonic will host its 8th annual Maestro’s Cup at Pinewild Country Club, 85 Glasgow Drive, Pinehurst on Sunday, March 12. All proceeds benefit music education programs in the community. For information call (910) 687-0287 or go to www.carolinaphil.org. Then, on Monday, March 20, you can re-tee in The Kelly Cup Golf Championship at Forest Creek Golf Club, 200 Meyer Farm Drive, Pinehurst. Win a car for a hole-in-one on the designated par-3. All proceeds benefit the Sandhills Children’s Center. For information call (910) 692-3323 or go to www.sandhillschildrenscenter.org.

2023 Department PinePitch

PinePitch

Painted Ponies Running Wild — Again

They may not be Misty’s foal, Stormy, but you’re sure to fall in love with more than one of Broad Street’s very own wild horses. These 14 painted beauties will be decorating the town of Southern Pines until early April to capture the imagination of the horse-crazy among us. The event culminates in a live online auction of the ponies on Saturday, April 15, with proceeds benefiting the Carolina Horse Park Foundation. Last year’s herd brought in over $125,000. Info: www.carolinahorsepark.com.

Think Tank Thoughts

The James E. Holshouser Jr. Speaker Series will host Mike Howell, director of the Heritage Oversight Project, for “An Afternoon with the Heritage Foundation,” from 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 5, at BPAC’s Owens Auditorium, 3395 Airport Road, Pinehurst. The event features updates from a leading conservative public policy think tank, including a presentation on the border situation between the U.S. and Mexico. For information and tickets, go to www.ticketmesandhills.com.

Southern Gothic in the Sandhills

On Wednesday, Feb. 22, Weymouth Center for the Arts & Humanities writer-in-residence Valerie Nieman will read from her latest novel, In the Lonely Backwater, a gripping and graceful mystery in the Southern gothic tradition released in May 2022. When Maggie becomes a prime suspect in the prom-night murder of her cousin, we learn she has secrets not even a detective can unravel. Admission is free at the Weymouth Center for the Arts & Humanities, 555 E. Connecticut Ave., Southern Pines. Reading begins at 5:30 p.m. For information, go to www.weymouthcenter.org.

No Strings Attached

Get in the Valentine’s spirit with music that’s good for the heart and soul. On Thursday, Feb. 2, at 7:30 p.m., the North Carolina Symphony will perform Felix Mendelssohn’s String Symphony No. 7 at Robert E. Lee Auditorium, 250 Voit Gilmore Road, Southern Pines. It’s one of 12 string symphonies Mendelssohn wrote between the ages of 12 and 14. Busy boy. For more information, go to www.ncsymphony.com.

The Four Freshmen

You don’t need a trip down Route 66 to find The Four Freshmen: Just grab a seat at BPAC’s Owens Auditorium, 3395 Airport Road, Pinehurst, at 7 p.m. on Friday, March 3, when the group that has recorded over 75 albums, 70 top-selling singles and received six Grammy nominations performs live on stage. The integrity of the sound created by the “original guys” (the group was formed in 1948) has been meticulously maintained, with a modern twist of elegance to the time-honored sound that The Beach Boys’ Brian Wilson once called his favorite band to watch live. For more information and tickets, go to www.ticketmesandhills.com.

An Affair to Remember

Just in time for the paperback release, University of North Carolina Wilmington creative writing professor and author Nina de Gramont will talk about her book The Christie Affair on Wednesday, Feb. 15, from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m., at The Country Bookshop, 140 N.W. Broad St., Southern Pines. For information and tickets, go to www.ticketmesandhills.com.

Heart and Soul

Vocalist Clint Holmes headlines the Heart of Carolina Jazz Orchestra under the direction of Dr. Gregg Gelb at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 11, at BPAC’s Owens Auditorium, 3395 Airport Road, Pinehurst. Holmes’ 40-year career has taken him from the top of the charts to an Emmy award for his own TV show and from a Grammy nomination to headlining in Las Vegas. For information and tickets, go to www.ticketmesandhills.com.

Learning about the Lumbee Tribe

The first of three parts in the spring lecture series “Lumbee Life, Lore & Legacy” features Harvey Godwin Jr. discussing “The Background and Local History of the Lumbee Tribe” at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 19, at the Weymouth Center for the Arts & Humanities, 555 E. Connecticut Ave., Southern Pines. Cost is $15 for members and $20 for non-members. For information, go to www.weymouthcenter.org.

2023 Department PinePitch

PinePitch January 2023

Movie Music

Let the sound of music sweep you off your feet at BPAC’s Owens Auditorium as The Carolina Philharmonic performs The Storytellers, an evening of music from the movies — including behind the scenes interviews — on Saturday, Jan. 21, at 7:30 p.m., 3395 Airport Road, Pinehurst. Info: (910) 687-0287 or www.carolinaphil.org.

Cloth, Canvas & Clay

Make this your year of art appreciation with a visit to the Arts Council of Moore County’s January/February exhibit, “Cloth, Canvas & Clay.” The show features paintings and pottery in addition to works by members of the Sandhills Quilters Guild. The opening night soiree is Friday, Jan. 6, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The exhibit runs through Feb. 15 at the Campbell House Galleries, 482 East Connecticut Ave., Southern Pines. For more info: www.mooreart.org.

Southern Suspense

Kelly Mustian will read from her sensational debut novel, The Girls in the Stilt House, at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 25, at the Weymouth Center for the Arts & Humanities, 555 E. Connecticut Ave., Southern Pines. Written by a former Weymouth writer-in-residence, The Girls in the Stilt House is a beautiful and harrowing tale of murder, bootlegging, greed and the unlikely partnership of two teenage girls in 1920s Mississippi. For info go to www.weymouthcenter.org.

Run with the Wolves

Join the bestselling duo of James Patterson and Mike Lupica as they discuss their new book, The House of Wolves. Catch all the ins and outs of this whodunnit where the plot thickens when the murder of a billionaire patriarch triggers a bloody battle for control of his empire. The bestselling authors will be at BPAC’s Owens Auditorium on Tuesday, Jan. 10, at 6:30 p.m., 3395 Airport Road, Pinehurst. Info and tickets: www.ticketmesandhills.com.

Barbershop Brigade

Form up for the North Carolina Harmony Brigade’s 29th Annual Harmony Extravaganza. This elite group of barbershop singers from the United States, Canada and Europe come together to share their love of singing one weekend per year, so get your tickets for Saturday, Jan. 14. Show time is 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Lee Auditorium at Pinecrest High School, 205 Voit Gilmore Lane, Southern Pines. For info and tickets go to www.ticketmesandhills.com.

Books on Broad

The Country Bookshop welcomes Brad Taylor on Saturday, Feb. 4, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. to discuss The Devil’s Ransom, the newest addition to his Pike Logan series. A 21-year veteran of the U.S. Army Infantry and Special Forces, retired Lt. Col. Brad Taylor has written 16 New York Times bestsellers. Sure to be no exception, this latest installment hits shelves only 12 days before you sit down with the author. The Country Bookshop, 140 N.W. Broad St., Southern Pines. Info and tickets: www.ticketmesandhills.com.

Just for Laughs

Whether taking on relationships, his Italian-American family or current events, comedian Joe DeVito’s dead-on timing, unexpected twists and sheer flights of lunacy make him a favorite at the top clubs in New York City — and now BPAC. On Saturday, Jan. 28, at 7 p.m. enjoy the laughs at the Owens Auditorium, 3395 Airport Road, Pinehurst. Info and tickets: www.ticketmesandhills.com.

2023 Department PinePitch

PinePitch

Love and Joy Come to You

And to your holiday concert too! Join the Moore County Choral Society from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 11, for its 48th season and the holiday concert, “Love and Joy” at Owens Auditorium in the Bradshaw Performing Arts Center, 3395 Airport Road, Pinehurst. Wassail not included. Information and tickets: www.ticketmesandhills.com.

Auld Lang Syne for All

Pencil in downtown Southern Pines’ First Eve celebration and Pine Cone Drop on Saturday, Dec. 31, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., to ring in the New Year with live music, carnival games, face painting, and much more. The cone drops at 8 p.m. at the railway station in downtown Southern Pines.

Ride the Rails

With popcorn as a serendipitous side, recapture your holiday spirit with a free viewing of The Polar Express at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 22, at the Sunrise Theater, 250 N.W. Broad St., Southern Pines. For more info, go to www.sunrisetheater.com.

Weymouth Wonderland

Walking in a winter wonderland has never been more magical — or more convenient. From Dec. 2 – 4 enjoy candlelight caroling, teddy bear teas, Santa Claus and more at the Weymouth Center for the Arts & Humanities, 555 E. Connecticut Ave., Southern Pines. For additional info on each day’s festivities, go to www.weymouthcenter.org.

While Away The Hours

If the holiday cheer is overwhelming, settle down for an opera inspired by Virginia Woolf’s Mrs. Dalloway. Follow three women as they grapple with their inner demons in this compelling drama adapted from the 1925 novel written by Woolf and performed by the Metropolitan Opera live in HD on Saturday, Dec.10, at 1 p.m., at the Sunrise Theater, 250 N.W. Broad St., Southern Pines. For information, go to www.sunrisetheater.com.

Wintry Writings

In all the holiday hubbub, be sure to reserve some reading time for those bookworms on the nice list. At 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 7, current Weymouth writer-in-residence Valerie Nieman will read from her novel In the Lonely Backwater, a mystery in the Southern gothic tradition. Free admission. Weymouth Center for the Arts and Humanities, 555 E. Connecticut Ave., Southern Pines. For info go to: www.weymouthcenter.org.

Do You Hear What I Hear?

It’s the sound of a nearly decade-old tradition that gets sweeter with time. On Sunday, Dec. 18, join a Moore County institution when Rev. Paul Murphy and his family perform their annual Christmas Concert at 2 p.m. and again at 7 p.m. at the Sunrise Theater, 250 N.W. Broad St., Southern Pines. For information, go to www.sunrisetheater.com.

Giddyup

The colorful annual Christmas Carriage Parade staged by the Moore Country Driving club will be Saturday, Dec. 10 at 1 p.m., give or take, in downtown Southern Pines. Come on, it’s a bunch of horses so if they’re a minute or two late, cut ‘em a break. It’s worth the wait.

O Tannenbaum

Break out your holiday spirit for the Pinehurst tree lighting at Tufts Memorial Park on Friday, Dec. 2, from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. They officially flip the switch at 6:30 p.m., but with vendors spreading holiday cheer and Santa on-site, there’s some Christmas cheer for the whole family. For more information, visit www.vopnc.org.

Party in the Pines

Calling all night owls. Break out your dancing shoes and shuffle off to The Carolina Hotel, 80 Carolina Vista Drive, Pinehurst, at 8 p.m. on New Year’s Eve for a gourmet dinner buffet, dancing to The Band of Oz, a Champagne toast and a midnight breakfast buffet. Bring your best Shama Lama Ding Dong sashay to start 2023 on the right foot. For info: www.eventbrite.com/e/party-in-the-pines-tickets-464647592457.

2022 Department PinePitch

PinePitch

Jealousy, Gambling and Death — What’s Not to Like?

Tragic love takes the stage in high-def at the Sunrise Theater, 250 N.W. Broad St., Southern Pines, in a live performance of La Traviata by the Metropolitan Opera on Saturday, Nov. 5, at 1 p.m. For more information go to www.sunrisetheater.com.

Sunday Serenade

Duke University’s Ciompi Quartet arrives Sunday, Nov. 6, at 2 p.m. to sweep you off your musical feet. In a career that spans five continents and hundreds of concerts, the quartet has acquired a reputation for performances of intelligence and creative programming, mixing the old and new in exciting ways. Join them at the Weymouth Center for the Arts & Humanities, 555 E. Connecticut Ave., Southern Pines. Info: www.weymouthcenter.org.

The Brothers Kossler

Settle into the Bradshaw Performing Art Center’s intimate McPherson Theater from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 22, for an exciting evening of classical guitar artistry with the Kossler Duo. Brothers Adam and John have established themselves as soloists, chamber musicians and educators, and have performed in concerts across the country. Concessions will be available for purchase. McPherson Theater at BPAC, 3395 Airport Road, Pinehurst. Info and tickets: www.ticketmesandhills.com.

Sweet and Powerful

At the age of 22, Japanese native Risa Hokamura is on the short list of the world’s finest violinists. She’ll appear in the second of the four-concert Classical Concert Series at the Sunrise Theater, 250 N.W. Broad St., on Monday, Nov. 14, from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Presented by the Arts Council of Moore County, tickets can be purchased at the Arts Council offices at Campbell House, 482 E. Connecticut Ave., Southern Pines or by calling (910) 692-ARTS. For additional information go to www.mooreart.org.

O Christmas Tree

Join friends new and old from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 26, for the tree lighting celebration up and down the streets of Southern Pines. Santa Claus will be spreading cheer and taking pictures with good boys and girls (please bring your own camera). Downtown Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-7376.

Photograph By Ted Fitzgerald/The Pilot

Thank You for Your Service

Bring the whole family and support all of Moore County’s troops and veterans at the annual Veterans Day Parade on Saturday, Nov. 5. To all those who served, we want to honor and thank you. If you are a local veteran, please join the parade. Downtown Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-7376.

Ornaments, Lights, Action!

Let the twinkling and giving begin at the 26th annual Sandhills Children’s Center Festival of Trees, Nov. 16 – 20, at the Carolina Hotel, 80 Carolina Vista Drive, Pinehurst. The display of Christmas magic is open daily beginning at 10 a.m. Each item is designed or donated by local businesses and residents, and all proceeds go to help children with special developmental needs. Admission is by any monetary donation at the door, with a special “Girls’ Night Out” Nov. 16 with the McKenzie Brothers Band. For more info: www.FestivalofTrees.org.

The Last Waltz

It Makes No Difference what’s happening Up On Cripple Creek, because on Thursday, Nov. 24, at 7 p.m., the Sunrise Theater will present the Thanksgiving tradition like no other — its free screening of The Last Waltz, the Martin Scorsese-filmed tribute to The Band. What’s The Weight? Sunrise Theater, 250 N.W. Broad St., Southern Pines. Info: www.sunrisetheater.com.

Notes of Nostalgia

The Sandhills Repertory Theatre presents “Judy Norton in Concert” in two shows at the Sunrise Theater, 250 N.W. Broad St., Southern Pines, on Saturday, Nov. 12, at 7 p.m., and on Sunday, Nov. 13, at 3 p.m. Best known as the character Mary Ellen in the hit television series The Waltons, Norton has a long career spanning decades in music, film and television. For tickets and additional information go to www.sandhillsrep.org, sunrisetheater.com or call (910) 692-3611.

Last Dance

Don’t miss your last chance to dance and mingle on Sunrise Square for the final First Friday of 2022. Enjoy food trucks, some Southern Pines Brewery brews, and listen to great music while supporting the local theater on Nov. 4 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Leave the dogs, outside alcohol and rolling coolers home, and make a night of it. Sunrise Theater, 250 N.W. Broad St., Southern Pines. Info: www.sunrisetheater.com.

Santa is Never Overdue

Santa Claus is coming to town on Saturday, Nov. 19, and he’s making a special stop at the Given Memorial Library. Take a photo, make a craft and leave with a special gift bag. There are two time slots, from 9:45 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Library cards not required but space is limited, so Santa’s helpers are taking reservations beginning Nov. 1. Given Memorial Library, 150 Cherokee Road, Pinehurst. Info and reservations: (910) 295-3642.

2022 Department PinePitch

PinePitch

Charity on the Hoof

Take your horse-loving herd on a self-guided tour of six exquisite horse farms from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 16. All proceeds benefit the Prancing Horse Center for Therapeutic Horsemanship. Tickets are $25 in advance or $30 the day of. Children 12 and under are free. Prancing Horse Center, 6100 Hoffman Road, Hoffman. Trot off to www.prancing-horse.org for information and tickets.

Photograph By Ted Fitzgeralds

Live After 5

Don’t miss the last concert of the 2022 Live After 5 concert series on Friday, Oct. 14 from 5:15 p.m. to 9 p.m. with entertainment experts Bantum Rooster. Wildfire Pizza, Jaya’s Indian Cuisine, and Sunset Slush will be on-site with a wide selection of food for all to enjoy. Beer, wine and additional beverages will be available for purchase. Bring your picnic baskets but leave the outside alcohol at home. Kids’ crafts ensure a good time will be had by all. Tufts Memorial Park, 1 Village Green Road, Pinehurst. Info: www.vopnc.org.

Cabin Cool

Catch up on some upscale cabin coziness on Saturday, Oct. 22, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with a tour of eight historic cabins in Pinehurst, Southern Pines and Carthage, taking them all the way from flannel to flawless. One of the cabins is featured in this edition of PineStraw beginning on page 90. Drop into the Woman’s Exchange before or after the tour for a complimentary dessert and drink the day of the event. Tickets are $25 and proceeds support the Sandhills Woman’s Exchange, 15 Azalea Road, Pinehurst. Info: (910) 295-4677 or www.sandhillswe.org.

Photograph By Ted Fitzgeralds

Handmade for the Holidays

There’s something for everyone at the 43rd annual Holly Arts and Crafts Festival on Saturday, Oct. 15 beginning at 10 a.m. and boasting the talents of over 100 crafters — from woodworking to glass, stitched art to lawn ornaments, jewelry to metal sculpture. Your favorite downtown shops and restaurants will be offering sales and specials, with food trucks on hand to ensure you shop but don’t drop while you cross names off that holiday gift list. Tufts Memorial Park, 1 Village Green Road, Pinehurst. Info: www.vopnc.org.

Celebrating Iconic Female Leaders

Spend your Saturday with former governor of South Carolina and U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley as she discusses her book If You Want Something Done: Leadership Lessons From Bold Women. She joins The Country Bookshop’s Kimberly Daniels Taws in an intimate and inspirational conversation on Saturday , Oct. 8 from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Bradshaw Performing Arts Center, Owens Auditorium, 3395 Airport Road, Pinehurst. For information and tickets visit www.ticketmesandhills.com.

Photograph By Ted Fitzgeralds

Moore Heritage, More Fun

Blend treasure hunting with history and fall fun for the whole family at the 14th annual Shaw House Heritage Fair and Moore Treasures Sale from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 8, rain or shine. The Heritage Fair offers unique vendors, baked goods, live music, demonstrations of old-time crafts, treasure sales and farm animals for petting. The Shaw House, Sanders Cabin and Garner House will be open for tours. The tobacco barn and museum highlight historic agriculture of the Sandhills. The Moore Treasures Sale features collectibles, pottery, jewelry, art, antiques, vintage books, toys, glassware and much more. All proceeds benefit the ongoing efforts of the Moore County Historical Association. Admission is free. The Shaw House, 110 W. Morganton Road, Southern Pines. Info: (910) 692-2051 or www.moorehistory.com.

Have Hydrangeas, Send Help

Give your hydrangeas a fighting chance at survival by attending an hour-long presentation on the care and keeping of the colorful plants at the Sandhills Horticultural Lecture Series on Friday, Oct. 14 at 1 p.m. In addition to hearing from expert Wake County gardeners, attendees will also see a video of the Cape Cod Hydrangea Festival. Registration is not required, but seats are limited, so arrive early at the Sandhills Horticultural Gardens, Ball Visitors’ Center, 3245 Airport Road, Pinehurst.

The Big Easy

Join the New Orleans Masquerade Band for a Jambalaya and Jazz Fundraiser, featuring jazz and blues of the 1920s and ’30s, on Sunday, Oct. 16, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at The Fair Barn. There will be small bites by Southern Whey, delicious jambalaya and dessert served by White Rabbit Catering, and cider tastings compliments of James Creek Cider House. Hosted by the Given Tufts Foundation, all proceeds benefit the Given Memorial Library and Tufts Archives. Pinehurst Fair Barn, 200 Beulah Hill Road S., Pinehurst. Info and tickets: www.ticketmesandhills.com.

Charo in Class and Concert

Music and pop culture icon Charo may be best known for her signature “cuchi cuchi” phrase, but she’s also been voted “Best Flamenco Guitarist” twice by Guitar Magazine. Her bubbly personality and trademark 1970s expression have endeared her to millions of fans around the world. On Friday, Oct. 21, from noon to 1:30 p.m., Charo will host a master class on guitar and performance, a special opportunity for a small group to learn from a world class artist at BPAC’s intimate McPherson Theater. If you miss her master class, there’s still time to catch her on stage. She’ll be performing that evening from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at BPAC’s Owens Auditorium. Both locations are at 3395 Airport Road Pinehurst. Additional information and tickets are at: www.ticketmesandhills.com.

The British Are Coming!

Make your way to downtown Southern Pines for the penultimate First Friday of the season with The English Beat, a UK band that fuses Latin, pop, soul, reggae and rock — all in support of your local theater. As always, leave the dogs and outside alcohol at home but enjoy the food trucks, along with some Southern Pines Brewery brews, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 7. On the square at the Sunrise Theater, 250 N.W. Broad St., Southern Pines. Info: www.sunrisetheater.com.

2022 Department PinePitch

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Come One, Come All, Come Sunday

Bring your own blanket or lawn chairs for an outdoor jazz concert on Sunday, Sept. 25, from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. featuring internationally renowned artists performing their own tributes to Duke Ellington’s masterpiece, “Come Sunday.” Between the music and the cash bar, it can’t miss. Cost is $25 for members and $35 for non-members. Weymouth Center for the Arts & Humanities, 555 E. Connecticut Ave., Southern Pines. Info: www.weymouthcenter.org.

Flutter into Fun

Mark your calendars for monarchs! On Saturday, Sept. 24, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., enjoy live music, fun activities and food while learning about monarch butterflies, insects, and birds. Tour the pollinator garden and step into the magical monarch butterfly tent before releasing them to join the great migration. Live music by the Carolina Philharmonic, information from local organizations, food vendors, kids’ activities and more await you at the Village Arboretum, 105 Rassie Wicker Drive, Pinehurst. Info and tickets: www.ticketmesandhills.com.

The Free Company

With the creation of The Free Company, author James Boyd played a critical role in combating propaganda and defending democracy in days leading up to World War II. On Sunday, Sept. 18, at 2 p.m., the original 1941 recording of Orson Welles’ radio play His Honor, the Mayor — produced by The Free Company — will play, followed by local historian Bill Case speaking about the origins of the group. A light reception will follow. Tickets are $20 for members and $25 for non-members. There will be a second playing of the recording on Sept. 19 at 5:30 p.m. Weymouth Center for the Arts & Humanities, 555 E. Connecticut Ave., Southern Pines. Info: www.weymouthcenter.org.

Photograph By Ted Fitzgerald

Live After Five

Come sail away to the sweet sounds of Carolina beach music from the award-winning band The Castaways as the Live After Five season begins to wind down. Live horns and versatile vocals will swing you through everything from country to Southern rock, while you enjoy the on-site food trucks and activities for the kiddos. Picnic baskets are allowed, but leave those alcoholic beverages at home. Tufts Memorial Park, 1 Village Green Road, Pinehurst. Info: www.vopnc.org.

What’s Sweeter than a Rose?

Two Roses! Check out the dynamite pair, Duo Rose — lyric soprano Elizabeth Pacheco Rose and bassoonist Saxton Rose — as they perform with Lithuanian pianist Skirmante Kezyte in an intimate concert setting on Sunday, Sept.11, at 2 p.m. at the Weymouth Center for the Arts & Humanities, 555 E. Connecticut Ave., Southern Pines. Tickets are $25 for members and $35 for non-members. Info: www.weymouthcenter.org.

Ruth Pauley Lecture Series

Dr. Marcia Chatelain received the 2021 Pulitzer Prize in history for her book Franchise: The Golden Arches in Black America, which shows how the McDonald’s fast food chain became a great generator of Black wealth, and explores the intersection of race, inequality, food and consumer capitalism in America. Join her Thursday, Sept. 15, at 7 p.m. as she speaks on “Hungering for Change: Food Justice and Civil Rights.” The lecture is free and open to the public. Bradshaw Performing Arts Center, Sandhills Community College, 3395 Airport Road, Pinehurst. For additional information contact info@ruthpauley.org.

Little House in the Sandhills

Laura Ingalls-approved: Continue the celebration of the 100th year of the historic Woman’s Exchange when the cabin reopens for the fall season on Sept. 7 at 10 a.m. It will be open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., serving lunch daily from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Sandhills Woman’s Exchange, 15 Azalea Road, Pinehurst. Info: (910) 295-4677 or www.sandhillswe.org.

Fall into Fun

Let the fall breeze blow you over to Autumnfest in downtown Southern Pines on Saturday, Oct. 1, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. There’s something for everyone at this festival featuring arts and crafts, live entertainment, a 5K run, youth sprint races and great food. Follow the scent of pumpkin spice to Downtown Park, 145 S.E. Broad St., Southern Pines. Info: www.mooreart.org.

Krazy for Kaboom!

Buckle up before blasting into an educational tour of the scientific method with the famed Doktor Kaboom! The klutzy but lovable educator-entertainer uses humor and comedy to demonstrate spectacular applications of physical science. Who said learning can’t be fun? Join the good Doktor for “Look Out! Science is Coming!” on Saturday, Sept. 17, from 5-6 p.m. at the Owens Auditorium, 3395 Airport Road, Pinehurst. Info and tickets: www.ticketmesandhills.com.

Everything’s Coming Up Roses

Klea Blackhurst’s award-winning and critically acclaimed tribute to Ethel Merman, “Everything the Traffic Will Allow,” is in town for one night and one night only on Thursday, Sept. 29, from 7 p.m. to 8:40 p.m. in the Owens Auditorium of the Bradshaw Performing Arts Center, 3395 Airport Road, Pinehurst. Blackhurst brings bright new interpretations to Merman’s signature songs like “I Got Rhythm” and “Everything’s Coming Up Roses.” For info and tickets go to: www.ticketmesandhills.com.

Much Ado about Mousse

Devotees of downtown Aberdeen’s The Bakehouse will be lining up for the first Lunch ‘n’ Learn of the fall season at the Sandhills Woman’s Exchange. The former owner and renowned pastry chef, Martin Brunner, will present “Making Chocolate Mousse Demo and Tasting” on Wednesday, Sept. 21, at 10 a.m. As a professor of baking and pastry arts at Sandhills Community College, Brunner will ensure you and your taste buds both learn something delicious. Cost is $25 with lunch by chef Katrina. Sandhills Woman’s Exchange, 15 Azalea Road, Pinehurst. Info: (910) 295-4677 or www.sandhillswe.org.

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Acting and Air-Conditioning — What’s Not to Like?

The Judson Theatre Company continues its summer theater festival with two Sandhills area premieres. Catch one or both to beat the August heat. Opening Aug. 5 at 8 p.m. and running through Aug. 14 is the comedy fantasia Buyer & Cellar about a struggling actor working in the basement mall of Barbra Streisand’s home. And, from Aug. 19 – 28, get ready for Tick, tick, BOOM! a three-person musical by the author of Rent about an aspiring composer worried he made the wrong career choice. Performances begin at 8 p.m. for both shows in the black box McPherson Theater at Bradshaw Performing Arts Center, 3395 Airport Road, Pinehurst. Info and tickets: www.ticketmesandhills.com.

Even Better than Scooby-Doo

Don’t miss the first in Weymouth’s new Saturday morning family series featuring Mitch Capel as “Gran’daddy Junebug” on Aug. 6 at10 a.m. Capel is a master storyteller, recording artist, published author and poet. He has been featured at numerous schools, libraries, museums and festivals since 1985, including the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.; the National Storytelling Festival in Jonesborough, Tennessee; The Smithsonian’s 2009 Folklife Festival on the National Mall; and the presidential inauguration of Barack Obama. Free admission but registration is required. Weymouth Center for the Arts & Humanities, 555 E. Connecticut Ave., Southern Pines. Info: www.weymouthcenter.org.

Elle and Kermit

Step back in time with two favorite throwback films in the Sunrise Theater’s Summer Film Series. Check out Legally Blonde at 7 p.m. on Thursday Aug. 4, or catch The Muppet Movie at 7 p.m. on Aug. 11. Sunrise Theater, 250 N.W. Broad St., Southern Pines. Tickets are $10. Info: www.sunrisetheater.com.

Photograph By Ted Fitzgerald

Live After Five

Bounce!, a high energy wedding and party band from the Triangle area, will be playing all your favorite dance songs from the last 40 years. Local favorite Whiskey Pines will open from 5:15 p.m. to 5:50 p.m., so grab your lawn chair and don’t be late. Dance the night away till 9 p.m. at Tufts Memorial Park, 1 Village Green Road, Pinehurst. Picnic baskets are allowed and food trucks are standing by, but no outside alcohol. Not to fear, you can still purchase beer, wine and soft drinks as you slide into your blue suede shoes. Info: www.vopnc.org.

Where’s John Travolta When You Need Him?

Break out the headbands and shimmy into your bell-bottoms, then head to downtown Aberdeen for an evening of Snap and Hustle with “the greatest disco revival show in the world.” For one night only catch Boogie Knights at a pop-up disco from 8 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. at The Neon Rooster, 114 Knight St., Aberdeen. Info and tickets: www.ticketmesandhills.com.

Calling All Amateur Pitmasters

For three days dip yourself into all things barbecue at the Pinehurst Barbecue Festival, a celebration of taste and tradition. With four signature events sprinkled across the weekend like a dry rub, you can revel in bourbon pairings, grilling classes and music from tribute band Chicago Rewired. From September 2 – 4, there’s something for the whole family at the village of Pinehurst. 6 Chinquapin Road, Pinehurst. Info and tickets: www.ticketmesandhills.com.

Triplets by Cindy Edgar

The Artist Sees What Others Only Glimpse

Get a view through the artists’ eyes at two exhibits this month. The Artists League of the Sandhills, 129 Exchange St., Aberdeen, will host an opening reception on Friday, Aug. 5, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. for its exhibit “Small Gems of Art,” which will run through Aug. 26. Info: (910) 944-3979.

Also on Aug. 5, the Arts Council of Moore County will present the 42nd annual “Fine Arts Festival” opening and awards ceremony at the Campbell House Galleries, 482 E. Connecticut Ave., Southern Pines from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The show will remain open until Aug. 26. Info: (910) 692-2787 or www.mooreart.org.

Blood, Guts and Books

Finish your summer reading quest with the author of Ship of Blood: Mutiny and Slaughter Aboard the Harry A. Berwind, and the Quest for Justice on Wednesday, Aug. 24, at 5:30 p.m. A native son of Sanford, author-in-residence Charles Oldham will share his love for all things Tar Heel history from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Free admission, registration required. Weymouth Center for the Arts & Humanities, 555 E. Connecticut Ave., Southern Pines. Info: www.weymouthcenter.org.

Have a Brighter By and By

Enjoy your Sunday with one of Weymouth’s popular “Come Sunday” Jazz brunches on Aug. 28 from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bring your own blanket, chairs and a picnic. There will be a cash bar with mimosas, beer, wine and non-alcoholic choices. The event features internationally renowned jazz artists each performing their own rendition of Duke Ellington’s classic, Come Sunday. Cost is $25 for members and $35 for non-members. Weymouth Center for the Arts & Humanities, 555 E. Connecticut Ave., Southern Pines. Info: www.weymouthcenter.org.

Photograph By Ted Fitzgerald

Rock On

First Friday is back from its July hiatus with Dangermuffin, a Carolina-based band that weaves lyrical themes of sea, sun and spiritual connection with Americana, island-influence, folk and jam. Enjoy food trucks, some Southern Pines Brewery brews, and listen to great music while supporting the local theater on Aug. 5 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. No dogs, outside alcohol or rolling coolers. Sunrise Theater, 250 N.W. Broad St., Southern Pines. Info: www.sunrisetheater.com.

2022 Department PinePitch

PinePitch

Fireworks and Fun

Check out the rockets’ red glare at the Pinehurst Harness Track from 6 – 10 p.m. on Sunday, July 3. Fireworks will begin around 9:15 p.m., with plenty to keep you busy until then, from a kids zone with inflatables; a variety of food vendors; and Liquid Pleasure, the great dance and show band that has appeared with stars like Paula Abdul and Aretha Franklin. 200 Beulah Hill Road S., Pinehurst. Info: www.vopnc.org.

Up Close with Roy Firestone

Laughs guaranteed at this one-night-only show featuring Roy Firestone, the seven-time Emmy Award-winning host of ESPN’s legendary Up Close Primetime. You may also remember Firestone from his appearance in the film Jerry Maguire, where he played himself in an unforgettable scene, but did you know he was also a critically acclaimed humorist, musician and impressionist? Firestone has performed in more than 2,000 venues spanning two decades. You can catch him at the Owens Auditorium from 7:30 – 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 16, 3395 Airport Road, Pinehurst. Info and tickets: www.ticketmesandhills.com.

Everyone Is a Reader

If you’re on the hunt for a summer read join The Country Bookshop’s Kimberly Daniels Taws for three author events in July. Hugh Eakin will be chatting virtually with Taws about his book Picasso’s War on Wednesday, July 13, from 1 – 2 p.m. On Friday, July 15, author Rick Ridgeway will be at The Pilot, 145 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Southern Pines, from 6 – 7 p.m. to talk about his outdoor explorations in Life Lived Wild: Adventures at the End of the Map. To wrap up the month, join author-illustrator Matt Myers on Tuesday, July 26, at 4 p.m. to celebrate the release of his new book, The World’s Longest Licorice Rope. His wife, Maya, will discuss two of her books, Not Little and Little Kids First Big Book of Baby Animals at The Country Bookshop, 140 N.W. Broad St., Southern Pines. Info and tickets for all events: www.ticketmesandhills.com.

Far Out Artwork

If you miss the psychedelic ’70s, then climb into your VW bus and drive to Seagrove for a special trip down memory lane. Carolina Bronze East, a studio and gallery space in the Historic Lucks Cannery in Seagrove, is owned by two ’76 East Carolina University grads, still making art, defying the odds. Their new display, “The ’70s Show,” showcases the talent that walked through the art school during that decade. Be quick about it, though, because the show closes July 7 at the Historic Lucks Cannery Artwalk, 365 Fernandez Loop, Suite 205, Seagrove, N.C. For more information call (336) 873-8291.

Summer on the Stage

Switch up your poolside routine and check out the inaugural Summer Theatre Festival, brought to you by the Judson Theatre Company. Beat the heat in the intimate, air-conditioned Bradshaw Performing Arts Center’s McPherson Theatre as three exciting 21st century shows receive their Sandhills area premieres. Running from July 22 – 31 is the two-man musical spoof of aspiring playwrights seeking Broadway contracts, Gutenberg! The Musical! Then catch Buyer & Cellar August 5-14 for a comedic fantasia about a struggling actor working in the basement mall of Barbra Streisand’s Malibu home. Wrap up the summer Aug. 19-28 with tick, tick . . . BOOM, a three-person musical by the author of Rent about an aspiring composer worried he made the wrong career choice. BPAC is at 3395 Airport Road, Pinehurst. For tickets visit judsontheatre.com. See you at intermission.

Christmas in July

If you’d rather deck the halls than sweat on the deck, you’ll want to join in the Yuletide festivities at Given Memorial Library on Saturday, July 23. Santa Max will be flying in on a summertime sleigh to celebrate Christmas in July. There will be a photo opportunity with Santa, a craft and a goodie bag to take home. Reservation required. There are two time slots to choose from, 9:45 – 11 a.m. and 11 a.m. – 12:15 p.m., 150 Cherokee Road, Pinehurst. Info: (910) 295-3642.

Patriotism on Parade

Nothing says Independence Day like a parade, and the village of Pinehurst is ready to celebrate, decked out in red, white and blue! Move your feet to snag a seat before the official parade begins at 10 a.m., Monday, July 4, at Tufts Memorial Park, 1 Village Green Road, Pinehurst. Info: www.vopnc.org.

Hot Town, Summer in the City

It’s the deals that are burning up the sidewalks in Southern Pines on July 16 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tables will be set up both inside and outside of the downtown stores so you don’t have sweat to get the biggest discount. The event is hosted by the Southern Pines Business Association.

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