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Beautiful Places, Beautiful Faces

The Sandhills Photography Club and the Artists League of the Sandhills will hold an opening reception on Friday, Sept. 4, from 5 to 7 p.m. for its show “Travels Near and Far.” The exhibit will be on display through Sept. 24 at the Artists League of the Sandhills, 129 Exchange St., Aberdeen. For more information call (910) 944-3979 or go to www.artistleague.org.

Feasting on Weymouth

Reserve a Farm to Table boxed dinner created by Ashten’s Restaurant at the Weymouth Center for the Arts and Humanities on Wednesday, Sept. 16, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. The dinner includes grilled chicken, grilled peaches, two side salads and corn bread. Picnic on the grounds or take it to go. The meal is $20 for Weymouth members and $30 for non-members. To reserve your dinner call (910) 692-6261, go to www.weymouthcenter.org or book through www.ticketmesandhills.com.

Live Music on the Green

On Friday, Sept. 11, from 7 to 8:30 p.m., Darin and Brooke Aldridge will be appearing on the Bradshaw Performing Arts Center’s McNeill-Woodward Green at Sandhills Community College, 3395 Airport Road, Pinehurst. Masks and social distancing rules are in effect for this outdoor concert. Then, on Saturday, Sept. 26, The Contenders will be live on the green from 7:30 to 10 p.m. For information and tickets to either concert — or both — go to www.ticketmesandhills.com.

The Virtual Jenna

Join Today Show co-anchor Jenna Bush Hager, the daughter of George W. and Laura Bush, and acclaimed historian Jon Meacham at a book signing for Hager’s new book, Everything Beautiful in Its Time, sharing the moving stories of her beloved grandparents, George H.W. and Barbara Bush. The virtual event takes place at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, September 9. For information go to ticketmesandhills.com.

25 Years and Counting

Stop by the Southern Pines Public Library on Thursday, Sept. 10, to help celebrate its 25th Dedication Day. The first 50 visitors can enter a raffle to win a book-themed basket of delectable stuff and pick up a cupcake for the road. For more information call (910) 692-8235 or visit www.sppl.net.

Reflections of a Lifetime

In her just released book, South Toward Home: Tales of an Unlikely Journey, former Pinehurst resident Alice Joyner Irby leads you through decades of crises and joys, harsh realities and great kindnesses. Comprised of 26 separate stories combining intimate personal portraits with a pragmatic view of the world around her, Irby’s book describes her childhood in Weldon, North Carolina; the glass ceiling confronting women in the workplace; the creation of the Job Corps as part of Lyndon B. Johnson’s War on Poverty; the McCarthy hearings of the 1950s; and much more. It’s available at The Country Bookshop, through the Outer Banks Publishing Group or on Amazon.

Vote!

National Voter Registration Day is Tuesday, Sept. 22. If you have yet to register, stop by the Southern Pines Public Library, 170 W. Connecticut Ave., Southern Pines to pick up a voter registration form.

As seen in The Sway

Photo by Ted Fitzgerald

Local Woman Imports Tropical Plants for a Living

No one taught Elizabeth Hadley how to love plants. Like the dozens of tropical babies in her greenhouse in Whispering Pines, her love grew from years trial and error, research and TLC. In February 2020, Elizabeth started her tropical plant import business, Whispering Vines.

Whispering Vines brings in greenery from places like Thailand and Indonesia to clients across the state. Elizabeth communicates with plant vendors overseas to obtain rare, tropical plants for nurseries and even reptile vivariums across the state.

Elizabeth’s collection consists of everything from aroids like monsteras and philodendrons to rare orchids, palms and African/southeast Asian flowering trees.

“When it comes to plants, it’s a matter of networking and doing a ton of research,” Elizabeth said. “I’ve focused on developing long term relationships with suppliers overseas, so I can have access to a wider range of plants and the rarer plants.”

When Elizabeth receives an order, she coordinates with the buyer to have them pick up at her greenhouse or she will take them herself.

In the future, Elizabeth hopes to extend her import business to the interior landscaping market. Just as interior designers provide insight in room design, Elizabeth would provide clients with ways to use plants to enhance a space.

“Aesthetically speaking, you have lots of structural elements to plants,” Elizabeth said. “Some are vase shaped. Some are more wild. I feel like plants can add such an incredible aesthetic effect to a room — instead of pieces of furniture that serve no purpose.”

To learn more about Whispering Vines, follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

Thinking about getting in the plant game? This local Facebook group serves as a friendly online community for plant lovers across Moore County.

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TRUST BUT VERIFY: As our communities deal with the challenges presented by the novel coronavirus, please be aware that events may have been postponed, rescheduled or existed only in our dreams. Check before attending.

Troubadour Series

The Contenders, the duo of Josh Day and Jay Nash, will kick off the Bradshaw Performing Arts Center Troubadour Series with a concert at Owens Auditorium, 3395 Airport Road, Pinehurst, from 7:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 11. Their latest album, Laughing with the Reckless, is a testament to the experiences of their life on the road. Opening for The Contenders will be singer/songwriter Aaron Burdett. Tickets are available at ticketmesandhills.com.

Sculpture Race

Celebrate art and human innovation by building a dynamic sculpture in the North Carolina Museum of Art’s Art in Motion Sculpture Race. The only requirement is that your creation be inspired by a work of art from the museum’s collection. There will be a Sculpture Race Webinar on July 8 at 7 p.m. to inspire and inform. Digital submissions are due by July 21. The virtual exhibition and awards ceremony will be July 31. For further information visit ncartmuseum.org.

Let the Live Games Begin

The NHL could be returning to the world of live sports as early as the end of July with the beginning of the 24-team 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs. After canceling what remained of the regular season, players were allowed to return to voluntary training in small groups in June. Phase 3 of the league’s plan — formal training camps — was set to begin in the first part of July. Meaningful hockey (Phase 4) would be close behind, possibly by the end of the month. The PGA Tour and live tournament golf returned in June at the Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth, Texas, but without spectators. From July 16-19 the mini-roars and golf claps will return for the first time after Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine gave the green light for up to 8,000 spectators at the Memorial Tournament in Columbus, Ohio. Can the Super Bowl be far behind?

Getting Fresh on the 4th

There’s something for everyone at the farmers market on the Village Green in Pinehurst from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, July 4. There will be fruits, vegetables, flowers, cheese, meats, breads, desserts, handmade soaps, pottery, woodcrafts, wine, beer, cider, coffee and a partridge in a pear tree.

Walk on the Wild Side

The Southern Pines Business Association will host its annual sidewalk sale on Saturday, July 18. Broad Street businesses will have merchandise on sale displayed outside stores. Normal business hours and social distancing apply. For information call (910) 315-6508.

Magic Carpet Ride

The Imagine Youth Theater will present its musical production of Aladdin Jr. on Thursday and Friday evenings, July 23-24, at 7 p.m. at the Hannah Marie Bradshaw Activities Center at The O’Neal School, 3300 Airport Road, Pinehurst. For information call (910) 420-1025 or go to www.taylordance.org.

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Calling All Druids

On Sunday, June 21, it will be possible to join the summer solstice celebration at Stonehenge from the comfort of your own bed. Ordinarily the annual celebration brings together pagans, druids and just plain folks to watch the sun rise behind Heel Stone in the English countryside. Think of it like breakfast at Wimbledon without all the overhead smashes and grunting. The sunrise will be live streamed on all English Heritage social media accounts. Do allow for the five hour time change. Pip, pip, cheerio and all that rot.

Ponies on the Block — Literally and Virtually

The painted ponies that have been parading on the streets of Southern Pines will be sold in a virtual auction from Wednesday, June 17, to Saturday, June 20. Proceeds benefit the Carolina Horse Park, a charitable nonprofit corporation. For further details, visit carolinahorsepark.com.

Get Your Walk On

Weymouth Woods — Sandhills Nature Preserve never did put its woodpeckers, tree frogs or fox squirrels on lockdown, and now all state park trails are officially open so you can commune with them. Another popular option is Morrow Mountain State Park, an hour away in Albemarle, offering some of the best hiking trails this side of the Great Smoky Mountains. Visit www.ncparks.gov for all the details.

Mozart in the House

The Great Composers series continues (resumes, exists — hey, we’re all doing our best with this thing) with In Search of Mozart on June 25 at 10 a.m. at the Sunrise Theater, 250 N.W. Broad St., Southern Pines. Co-sponsored by Sandhills Community College, ticket sales will be limited and people oh so socially distanced. Naturally, the screening will be dependent on whether or not North Carolina’s theaters are allowed to reopen by that date. For more information, call (910) 692-3611 or go to www.sunrisetheater.com.

Tiffany Lamps Relit

Tickets have gone on sale for “Tiffany Glass: Painting with Color and Light” at the Reynolda House Museum of Art in Winston-Salem, N.C., rescheduled for Friday, Aug. 7, to Sunday, Nov. 29. The exhibition, the first of its kind for Reynolda, includes five windows, 20 lamps (in addition to several forgeries) and displays on how Tiffany glass was manufactured and the lamps assembled. To purchase tickets go to www.reynoldahouse.org.

Wrestling Pixels

If you’re interested in getting some tips on how to make those pictures you’re taking with that new digital camera Amazon left on your doorstep look even better, sign up for “Virtual! 7 Steps to Better Photography.” It’s a fast-paced four-hour workshop on Saturday, June 20, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., with Marian Diop, the founder of Butler & Badou Portraits. For information, go to www.ticketmesandhills.com.

Float Like a Butterfly

The Native Pollinator Garden in the Pinehurst Village Arboretum is in bloom and attracting butterflies of all shapes and sizes. The garden is a perfect place to take your kids for an outdoor, socially distanced, educational activity learning about Sandhills pollinators. The garden has a covered area with detailed information about the pollinators you might see, as well as the plants that are in bloom. The main entrance to the arboretum is at 395 Magnolia Road, Pinehurst.

Roosterʼs Wife

Grammy winner Mike Farris will be broadcasting live from the listening room of the Poplar Knight Spot on Sunday, June 28. Visit the Rooster’s Wife Facebook page to join in the celebration. Show begins, naturally, at 6:46 p.m.

PinePitch: Virtual Edition

In the immediate aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, many sites dropped their paywalls to allow unrestricted access. This likely won’t last forever, so don’t be surprised if the viewing at some of the destinations listed on these pages now comes with a price tag.

Casino Royale

Casino Guitars will continue its Musicians Matter series featuring local out-of-work musicians on Friday nights from 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. To tune in go to the Casino Guitars Facebook page. Venmo usernames will be posted during the livestream concerts for donations.

Standing ‘O’ from the Cheap Seats

On Wednesday, May 13, at 7:30 p.m., Maestro David Michael Wolff will present his third concert in a live streaming series launched together by Sandhills Community College and the Carolina Philharmonic. To join the audience for the piano-centric performance from an otherwise empty Owens Auditorium at the Bradshaw Performing Arts Center, simply go to www.carolinaphil.org and click the “play” button. The series will continue on May 27 at 7:30 p.m. with Ryan Book on the guitar. SCC piano instructor Kristina Henckel will also be performing in May. Details can be found at www.carolinaphil.org.

At the Sunrise

The Stay-At-Home Film Fest for locked-down Spielbergs has been extended for, well, about as long as we’re going to be locked down. Make a video re-enactment of a scene from your favorite movie or play and submit it. Keep it clean. For complete instructions, visit the Sunrise Theater website at www.sunrisetheater.com. At this writing, Good Shot Judy remains scheduled to give a live outdoor concert on May 23 at 7 p.m. The theater is also hoping to continue The Great Composer Series: In Search of Haydn at 10a.m. on Thursday, May 28. As Ronald Reagan said, “Trust, but verify.” In addition, the Sunrise will be continuing its Virtual Theater in May. Go to www.sunrisetheater.com.

Museums Galore

You’d be hard pressed to find a museum that isn’t doing some sort of virtual tour. What follows is just a smattering of what’s available online.

Want to see the Rosetta Stone and a few Egyptian mummies? Go to blog.britishmuseum.org.

Interested in a trip to Paris? You can visit the Musée de Louvre as long as vous acceptez l’utillsation de cookies.

Join “Degas at the Opéra” or “Raphael and His Circle” at the National Gallery of Art by visiting nga.gov.

If you simply can’t resist Paris in the springtime, you can make a return trip to the Musée d’Orsay at m.musee-orsay.fr to see “Whistler’s Mother,” Edouard Manet’s “Olympia” or Claude Monet’s “The Saint-Lazare Station” and more Degas, which is decidedly not the same as more cowbell.

So you think you are stuck in isolation? Have a look at “The Bedroom” in the Van Gogh Museum’s collection at vangoghmuseum.nl. Or maybe just stop by to check out the sunflowers.

What seems like about a hundred years ago, in April, all of America was worried about becoming Italy. But, even in these perilous times, you can visit the Uffizi Gallery in Florence. Botticelli. Caravaggio. Michelangelo. Leonardo. Virtualuffizi.com will let you book tickets.

And, in L.A., they come and go and talk of Michelangelo (Sincerest apologies, T.S.) at the J. Paul Getty Museum’s “Michelangelo: Mind of the Master” exhibit at www.getty.edu/museum.

Need more? Go to Google Arts & Culture for the motherlode.

Tar Heel Collections

Worried about being charged mileage on your gigabyte globetrotting tours of great museums? Stay right in your own backyard. At the North Carolina Museum of Art in Raleigh it’s possible to explore the collection virtually by going to ncartmuseum.org. Another feature, “NCMA Recommends,” highlights film, music and art from the collection. The Reynolda House Museum in Winston-Salem is producing “Call-a-Curator” to anyone on its email list where team members share their view on art and all things Reynolda. The Cameron Art Museum in Wilmington is currently giving a virtual tour of the photographs of well-known architect Phil Freelon in its exhibition: “Structure in Space and Time — Photography of Phil Freelon.”

Culture in Quarantine

The National Theatre Live, long a staple offering of the Sunrise Theater, will be releasing an encore performance every week in May on its YouTube channel. Find the list at either sunrisetheater.com or nationaltheatre.org.uk. In addition, the Metropolitan Opera has promised encore performances while the opera remains dark. That list is also available on the Sunrise website or at MetOpera.org. And, if you haven’t maxed out on baritones, you can always visit the Royal Opera House via Facebook or YouTube.

Montreux Jazz Festival and Boomer Rock

The Montreax Jazz Festival made over 50 concerts available to stream at no charge for 30 days. Included were performances by Ray Charles, Wu-Tang Clan, Johnny Cash, Nina Simone, Marvin Gaye and Carlos Santana. To find them go to stingray.com/FREEMJF1M and enter the code FREEMJF1M. At a higher altitude, Neil Young has allowed access to some of his “Fireside Sessions,” filmed at his house in Telluride, Colorado, by his wife Daryl Hannah at neilyoungarchives.com.

Take a Hike

Staying home is all well and good but if you feel the need to get out and explore you can do it safely by taking virtual tours — or watching live cams — at a number of National Parks, including Yellowstone at nps.gov. Other parks offering virtual tours are Yosemite, Denali, Kenai Fjords, Hawai’i Volcanoes, Carlsbad Caverns, Bryce Canyon and Dry Tortugas. Or, you can explore 35 of them on Google Earth. You’ll need a comfortable pair of boots and trail mix.

Get a Quick Art Fix

The Barnes Foundation in Philadelphia has been running short daily pieces featuring one of its curators talking about one of their favorite pieces of art in the extensive collection of over 900 impressionist, post-impressionist and modern paintings that include works by Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Paul Cézanne, Henri Matisse, Pablo Picasso, Henri Rousseau, Amedeo Modigliani, Edgar Degas, Vincent Van Gogh and Georges Seurat. The collection also features African masks, Greek antiquities, Native American jewelry and more. The “Daily Servings of Art” are available in bite-sized portions by going to YouTube and searching for “Barnes Takeout.”

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Wizards Run Wild

Celebrate the work of J.K. Rowling at “Wizards of Weymouth” on Saturday, March 28 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Weymouth Center for Arts and Humanities at 555 E. Connecticut Ave., Southern Pines. Enjoy the TriWizard Obstacle Course, Quidditch Toss, LEGO Wizards, Potion Crafting and Wand Wizardry. In addition, awards for the Moore County Writer’s Competition will be presented. Tickets are $10 per child. Adults accompanied by a child are free. For more information call (910) 692-6261 or visit www.weymouthcenter.org. Tickets available at ticketmesandhills.com.

Mothers and Strangers

Samia Serageldin and Lee Smith, editors of and contributors to the highly acclaimed anthology Mothers and Strangers, will appear at The Country Bookshop, 140 N.W. Broad St., Southern Pines, on Friday, March 6, at 2 p.m., to discuss the collection of essays by 18 different writers who challenge the stereotypes of Southern mothers. For information visit www.thecountrybookshop.biz.

Festival of Song

Enjoy the N.C. Symphony’s performance of “A Rodgers & Hammerstein Celebration,” featuring the timeless song collaborations of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II from musicals like South Pacific, The Sound of Music, State Fair, The King and I, Carousel and Oklahoma! The concert, hosted by Oscar Andy Hammerstein III, the grandson of the lyricist/dramatist, is at 8 p.m. on Thursday, March, 5 at Lee Auditorium, Pinecrest High School, 250 Voit Gilmore Lane, Southern Pines. For additional information call (877) 627-6724 or go to www.ncsymphony.org.

Bolshoi Ballet in Cinemas

The tragic fate of a pair of young lovers inspired Sergei Prokofiev’s cinematic score of Romeo and Juliet. Bolshoi stars Ekaterina Krysanova and Vladislav Lantratov embody the star-crossed lovers. The showing is Sunday, March 29, at 1 p.m., at the Sunrise Theater, 250 N.W. Broad St., Southern Pines. Tickets are $25. For more information call (910) 692-3611 or visit www.sunrisetheater.com.

Classical Concert Series

Concert pianist Nathan Lee will perform at the Sunrise Theater, 250 N.W. Broad St., Southern Pines, on Monday, March 9, at 9 p.m. At the age of 15 Lee won first prize in the 2016 Young Concert Artists International Auditions and debuted at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. He has performed with the Cleveland Symphony, Buffalo Symphony, Seattle Symphony and Minnesota Orchestra. For additional information call (910) 692-2787 or visit www.mooreart.org.

Young at Art

Visit the Young People’s Fine Arts Festival, presented by the Arts Council of Moore County, at the Campbell House Galleries, 482 E. Connecticut Ave., Southern Pines, beginning on Friday, March 6, from 5 to 7 p.m. The exhibition of art by Moore County students in grades K-8 will run through March 25. For more information call (910) 692-2787 or go to www.mooreart.org.

Wit & Whimsy

The Uprising Theatre Company’s annual fundraiser to cover the costs of the “Shakespeare in the Pines” 2020 production of The Comedy of Errors will be Thursday, March 19, from 6:30 to 9 p.m., at the Fair Barn, 200 Beulah Hill Road S., Pinehurst. For information go to www.uprisingtheatre.com. Tickets are available at www.ticketmesandhills.com.

Art in Bloom

The Garden Club of the Sandhill’s sweetly-scented showcase of local floral designers, “Blooming Art” begins on Saturday, March 28 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Campbell House Gallery, 482 E. Connecticut Ave., Southern Pines. The exhibit is also open on March 29 from noon to 4 p.m. For more information call (843) 992-1891. The tickets are $10 and available at ticketmesandhills.com.

Wagner at The Met

The Metropolitan Opera’s performance of Der Fliegende Hollander, an early masterwork by Richard Wagner, starring base-baritone Sir Bryn Terfel, will be shown at the Sunrise Theater 250 N.W. Broad St., Southern Pines, at 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 14. For information call (910) 692-3611 or visit www.sunrisetheater.com.

The Rooster’s Wife

Friday, March 6: Miss Tess and the Talkbacks. Tess has always been known for creating an eclectic array of vintage blues, country, and jazz sounds. However varied Tess’ music can be, her voice has been described as seductive and sexy, and a pure joy for listening. She’s celebrating her brand new record at the Spot. Cost: $20.

Sunday, March 8: George Jackson Band, Treya Lam. At the heart of all traditional music lie two important coordinates, the time and place of origin. Born in Christchurch, New Zealand, fiddler George Jackson spent the better part of his childhood living and touring in a house bus with his family band, eventually making his way to Nashville, Tennessee. His fiddle tunes reflect a deep understanding of American roots traditions while remaining entirely true to his own musical and personal identity. Cost: $20.

Sunday, March 15: The Blue Eyed Bettys. Weaving spellbinding stories with their exuberant performances, they turn boisterous bars into attentive listening rooms and sleepy pubs into raucous parties. Cost: $20.

Sunday, March 22: Steel City Rovers. This Celtic group from Ontario, Canada, performs dynamic and expressive music that is a unique composite of traditional Celtic music and North American styles including bluegrass, folk and roots. Performing on meticulously crafted replicas of historical instruments rarely seen on today’s musical landscape, they breathe life into newly discovered instrumental melodies from centuries ago. Cost: $20.

Thursday, March 26: Hargreaves and deGroot; Furtado and Price. This special evening will feature two pairs of renowned string players. Tatiana Hargreaves and Allison deGroot immerse themselves in the depths of a centuries-old art form — the interlocking propulsion of Appalachian fiddle and banjo duets — and emerge with a contemporary aesthetic and vision. Tony Furtado is a wide-ranging songwriter adept on banjo, cello-banjo, slide guitar and baritone ukulele, and Luke Price is known for his great balance of taste, rhythm and technical ability. Cost: $20.

Sunday, March 29: Eliza Neals. A Detroit blues-rock star on the rise, honors the gut-wrenching, soul-splitting intent the American roots of contemporary blues represents with inspired songwriting, live performances, and magic not seen in years. Cost: $20.

Unless otherwise noted, doors open at 6 p.m. and music begins at 6:46 at the Poplar Knight Spot, 114 Knight St., Aberdeen. Prices above are for members. Annual memberships are $5 and available online or at the door. For more information call (910) 944-7502 or visit www.theroosterswife.org or www.ticketmesandhills.com.

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It’s for the Kids

The Authors in Moore Schools is conducting its second annual fundraiser in its effort to continue to provide author visits and signed copies of books at no cost to elementary and middle school students in Moore County. The event is on Saturday, Feb. 1, from 3-5 p.m., at the Triangle Wine Company, 144 Brucewood Road, in Southern Pines. For tickets go to www.ticketmesandhills.com.

Tar Heel Traveler in Town

The Sandhills Woman’s Exchange in conjunction with the Given Book Shop will host WRAL’s Scott Mason, the “Tar Heel Traveler,” who will talk about his new book on Tuesday, Feb. 11, at 5:30 p.m. at the Sandhills Woman’s Exchange, 15 Azalea Road, Pinehurst. The cost is $25. For more information call (910) 295-4677 or visit www.sandhillswe.org.

Expressão de Aplauso

The Fine Arts Department at Sandhills Community College will present Quaternaglia, a Brazilian guitar quartet, on Saturday, Feb. 8, at 7 p.m., at the Bradshaw Performing Arts Center, Owens Auditorium, Sandhills Community College, 3395 Airport Road, Southern Pines. Admission is free. For more information go to www.quarternaglia.com.

Ruth Pauley Lecture Series

Mark Anderson, the director of the conservation science team with the Nature Conservancy, will present “Conserving the Southeast’s Amazing Natural Resources in an Era of Climate Change,” on Thursday, Feb. 6, at 7:30 p.m., at the Bradshaw Performing Arts Center, Sandhills Community College, 3395 Airport Road, Southern Pines. For more information visit www.ruthpauley.org.

Get Your Steps in the Easy Way

Sample your way through the village of Pinehurst tasting candies, cakes and all things chocolate while sipping fine wines during the Chocolate and Wine Walk on Saturday, Feb. 8, from 4 – 8 p.m. Check in at Olde Town Realty. Tickets are $35 per person. For additional information call (910) 687-0377 or visit www.InsiderPinehurst.com.

Leave It to Beaver

Stalk North America’s largest rodent on a beaver habitat hike. on Sunday, Feb. 9, at 3 p.m., at Weymouth Woods. The 1.5-mile hike takes you off the beaten path to get up close to an active beaver dam. They are busy, no? Free and open to the public, at the Weymouth Woods-Sandhills Nature Preserve, 1024 Fort Bragg Road, Southern Pines. For more information go to www.ncparks.gov or call (910) 692-2167.

Author! Author!

On Wednesday, Feb. 12, at 5 p.m., The Country Bookshop will host Etaf Rum, author of the widely praised debut novel A Woman is No Man. Rum is a Palestinian-American who grew up in Brooklyn, New York, and is a graduate of North Carolina State University. The event will be at The Country Bookshop, 140 N.W. Broad St., Southern Pines. For more information visit www.thecountrybookshop.biz.

Live on Stage

Professional actors and community thespians will perform the play Almost, Maine on Feb. 8, 14 and 15 at 7:30 p.m.. and Feb. 9 and 16 at 2 p.m., at the Encore Center, 160 E. New Hampshire Ave., Southern Pines. For additional information call (910) 725-0603 or
go to www.encorecenter.net.

A Touch of New Orleans

Celebrate Mardi Gras and raise money for the Given Memorial Library and Tufts Archives at the same time in the annual Holly and Ivy Dinner at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 25, at the Holly Inn, 155 Cherokee Road, Pinehurst. Tickets are $125 and all proceeds benefit the library and archives. Tickets are available at www.ticketmesandhills.com.

Heart ‘N Soul of Jazz

The Grammy nominated jazz vocalist Jazzmeia Horn highlights the Heart ‘N Soul of Jazz 2020 in the Cardinal Ballroom of the Carolina Hotel, 80 Carolina Vista Drive, at 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15. Tickets are $75 VIP reserved and $65 general reserved. Proceeds benefit the Arts Council of Moore County. For information go to www.mooreart.org. Tickets are available at www.ticketmesandhills.

Recreating the Journey

Storyteller Mitch Capel brings to life the journey of African-Americans through plantation life, the Civil War and the struggle for basic human rights on Sunday, Feb. 16, at 4 p.m. at the Sunrise Theater, 244 N.W. Broad St., Southern Pines. Tickets are $10 or $15 for VIP. For more information call (910) 692-3611 or go to www.sunrisetheater.com.

Young Musicians Festival

The finalist concert of the Young Musicians Festival will be Sunday, Feb. 23, at 2 p.m., at the Weymouth Center for Arts & Humanities, 555 E. Connecticut Ave., Southern Pines. For information call (910) 692-6261 or go to www.weymouthcenter.org.

Behind the Words and Music

Four singer-songwriters gather in Nashville’s “in the round” style to discuss the inspiration for their music in a show hosted by Momma Molasses on Saturday, Feb. 22, at 7 p.m. at the Sunrise Theater, 244 N.W. Broad St., Southern Pines. Tickets are $20 VIP or $15 reserved. For information go to www.sunrisetheater.com or call (910) 692-3611.

The Rooster’s Wife

Saturday, Feb. 1: The Kruger Brothers. Since their formal introduction to American audiences in 1997, The Kruger Brothers’ remarkable discipline, creativity and ability to infuse classical music into folk music has resulted in a unique sound that has made them a fixture in the world of acoustic music. Shows at 12:46 p.m. and 6:46 p.m. Cost: $35.

Sunday, Feb. 9: Hiroya Tsukamoto, Walter Parks. Tsukamoto is a one-of-a-kind composer, guitarist and singer-songwriter from Kyoto, Japan. Expect fluid mastery, pristine tone, and great warmth. Parks is an extraordinary singer whose songs can break your heart while they get you dancing. Cost: $20.

Thursday, Feb. 13: Open Mic.

Friday, Feb. 14: Valentine’s Dance with the Shakedown. Nothing beats the thrill of live music. Bring your sweetheart, or find your new one on the dance floor. Or just dance, dance, dance! Cost: $15.

Sunday, Feb. 16: Gessner and Murphy. The love light keeps shining with your favorite songs and your favorite people, Lisa Gessner and Paul Murphy, bringing standards and more of your heart’s desire. Cost: $15.

Thursday, Feb. 20: Barnes, Gordy and Walsh. In the world of bluegrass and folk, where the collaborative possibilities are endless, what draws some musicians together is hard to pinpoint. For Joe K. Walsh, Grant Gordy, and Danny Barnes, a newly formed bi-coastal trio, curiosity is the rule, and the tunes are just a starting point. Cost: $20.

Sunday, Feb. 23: Kamara Thomas. Her bewitching live performance incorporates elements of Native American shamanism, trance-inducing jams, and spellbinding stories of the fabled Old West. Cost: $15.

Saturday, Feb. 29: Seth Walker. A soulful singer, a skilled songwriter, and a guitarist with a sharp, clear tone brings his trio to celebrate leap year. Cost: $20.

Unless otherwise noted, doors open at 6 p.m. and music begins at 6:46 at the Poplar Knight Spot, 114 Knight St., Aberdeen. Prices above are for members. Annual memberships are $5 and available online or at the door. For more information call (910) 944-7502 or visit www.theroosterswife.org or ticketmesandhills.com.

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Watch the Birdie

Discover strategies to attract birds to your backyard, including information on feeders and types of food, in a program at Weymouth Woods-Sandhills Nature Preserve, 1024 Fort Bragg Road in Southern Pines, on Sunday, Jan. 12, at 3 p.m. You may even learn how to scare a crow or two. For information call (910) 692-2167 or go to www.ncparks.gov.

Artistic Pioneers

Author and lecturer Vivian R. Jacobson pairs Marc Chagall and Elvis Presley — innovators in their respective fields — in a presentation at the Bradshaw Performing Arts Center, Owens Auditorium, 3395 Airport Road in Pinehurst, at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 9. Tickets can be purchased at www.ticketmesandhills.com.

Jammin’ the Beat

Bring an instrument and a love of music to a jam session and song circle on Tuesday, Jan. 28, at 6 p.m., at the Weymouth Center for the Arts and Humanities, 555 E. Connecticut Ave., Southern Pines. It’s free and open to the public. For more information call (910) 692-6261 or go to www.weymouthcenter.org.

The Phil Does Films

The Carolina Philharmonic Orchestra will present music from the Golden Age of Film at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 18, at the Bradshaw Performing Arts Center, Owens Auditorium, Sandhills Community College, 3395 Airport Road, in Pinehurst. For more information call (910) 687-0287 or visit www.carolinaphil.org.

Lecture Series

Historian Kevin Duffus begins a three-part lecture series on the Cape Fear and 500 years of American history at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 19, at the Weymouth Center for the Arts and Humanities, 555 E. Connecticut Ave., Southern Pines. For additional information call (910) 692-6261 or visit www.weymouthcenter.org. Tickets are available at www.ticketmesandhills.com.

A Day at the Opera

The Sunrise Theater’s Met Opera series continues on Saturday, Jan. 11, at 1 p.m., with Wozzeck, Alban Berg’s 20th century shocker staring baritone Peter Mattei in the title role. Groundbreaking visual artist and director William Kentridge unveils a bold new staging set in an apocalyptic wasteland. For information call (910) 692-3611 or visit www.sunrisetheater.com.

Get Well

Learn about Kombucha tea, CBD and essential oils at a holistic wellness expo running from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at The Pilot office, 145 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Southern Pines. Holistic health experts will exhibit and be available to answer questions. For more information contact mollie@firstflightagency.com. Tickets can be purchased at www.ticketmesandhills.com.

The Rooster’s Wife

Sunday, Jan. 5: The Gibson Brothers. The best brother duo in bluegrass makes its annual appearance with shows at 12:46 p.m. and 6:46 p.m. at the Poplar Knight Spot. Cost: $35.

Sunday, Jan. 12: The Kennedys with special guest, Grammy-winner Jon Carroll. Old friends and collaborators from the D.C. area meet at musical crossroads in Aberdeen. The Kennedys, Pete and Maura, have shared many stages, tour buses and studios with Carroll over the years, and they’re excited to catch up at The Rooster’s Wife. Cost: $20.

Friday, Jan. 17: An Evening with Chris Smither. Honing a synthesis of folk and blues for 50 years, Smither is truly an American original. Rolling Stone and The New York Times agree that Smither continues to be a profound songwriter, a blistering guitarist, and intense performer as he draws deeply from the blues, American folk music, modern poets and humanist philosophers. Cost: $30.

Sunday, Jan. 19: Tire Fire, Stoll Vaughn. Kentucky singer/songwriter Vaughn opens the show for this newgrass-jam-funk-groovemachine-headbangin’-electrified-party-band! Cost: $15.

Sunday, Jan. 26: Cliff Eberhardt with special guest Louise Mosrie. Eberhardt knew by the age of 7 that he was going to be a singer and songwriter. Living close to the Main Point, one of the best folk clubs on the East Coast, he cut his teeth listening to the likes of James Taylor, Joni Mitchell, Bruce Springsteen, Howlin’ Wolf, Muddy Waters, Bonnie Raitt and Mississippi John Hurt. At the same time, he studied great pop songwriters like Cole Porter, the Gershwins, and Rodgers and Hart, all of which explains his penchant for great melodies and clever lyrical twists. He’ll be joined by Louise Mosrie. Cost: $20.

Thursday, Jan. 30: DamnTall Buildings. Whether live or on record, the band radiates the energy of a ragtag crew of music students playing bluegrass on the street. Anchoring that energy is their instrumental chops, their strong songwriting, and their varied influences that stretch beyond bluegrass. Sharing lead vocals, instrumental solos and high-spirited harmony, DamnTall Buildings is more than the sum of its parts. Cost: $15.

Unless otherwise noted, doors open at 6 p.m. and music begins at 6:46 at the Poplar Knight Spot, 114 Knight St., Aberdeen. Prices above are for members. Annual memberships are $5 and available online or at the door. For more information call (910) 944-7502 or visit www.theroosterswife.org or ticketmesandhills.com.

PinePitch

Tea Time on the Tracks

Get that pinky finger in the air to support the Sandhills Woman’s Exchange on the refurbished Aberdeen, Carolina and Western railroad cars parked near the Pinehurst Resort on N.C. 5. Hot tea and food will be served by waitresses in period dress. Entertainment features Hollis Carbrey and tickets are $75. For information and tickets, call (910) 295-4677.

Christmas on Connecticut

Get in the spirit at the Weymouth Center for the Arts and Humanities’ open house beginning Thursday, Dec. 5, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at 55 E. Connecticut Ave., Southern Pines. It continues at the same time on Dec. 6 and runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Dec. 7. The cost is $5 at the door. Need more info? Go to weymouthcenter.org or call (910) 692-6261.

Dancer, Prancer and You

The 5K Reindeer Fun Run weaves through the streets of Aberdeen on Dec. 7 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. All proceeds go to the Boys and Girls Club of the Sandhills. Rendezvous at 100 E. Main St., Aberdeen. For more information, call (910) 693-3045 or go to www.reindeerfunrun.com.

Ted Fitzgerald/The Pilot

Tree Lightings

The village of Pinehurst will come alive at its tree lighting at 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 6 in Tufts Memorial Park, 1 Village Green Road West. There will be music, crafts and an appearance by Santa, who will make the commute from Aberdeen, where he stars in their tree lighting on Dec. 5, from 6:15 to 7:30 p.m. at The Depot, 100 E. Main Street. For a big man, he gets around. Pinehurst information can be found at www.vopnc.org, and for more Aberdeen details, call (910) 944-7275.

Ruth Pauley Lecture Series

Michael Mann, the director of the Earth System Science Center at Penn State University, will present “Leaving the Madhouse: The Path to Climate Action,” at 7 p.m. on Dec. 5 at the Bradshaw Performing Arts Center, Owens Auditorium, 3395 Airport Road, Southern Pines. For more information go to www.ruthpauley.org.

Deck the Halls

The STARworks Gallery at 100 Russell Drive in Star will hold its magnificent ornament sale from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 7. There will be more than 2,500 handcrafted ornaments available. For more information, call (910) 428-9001 or visit www.starworksnc.org.

Ted Fitzgerald/The Pilot

Mr. Claus in the House

The date for the Christmas parade is Dec. 7; the time is 11 a.m.; the place is downtown Southern Pines. There will be bands a-marchin’ and Santa Claus a-wavin’. If you need any more information than that, call (910) 692-7376.

Jazz Age

Join the Three Rivers Land Trust in Pinehurst on Dec. 7 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. to experience a bygone era, touring three restored train cars of the 1900s parked near the Pinehurst Resort on N.C. 5. A jazz band, specialty drinks and food will help support historic preservation and land conservation in the Piedmont and Sandhills. Tickets are available at www.threeriverslandtrust.org/jotr.

Tour of Homes

Visit three historic homes in Southern Pines, one in the Country Club of North Carolina and another in Whispering Pines, all decked out in their holiday finery, in the 42nd Annual Episcopal Day School Candlelight Tour of Homes on Dec. 8 from 1–5 p.m. For more information call (910) 692-3492 or go to www.episcopalday.org. Tickets are available at ticketmesandhills.com.

The Rooster’s Wife

Thursday, Dec. 5: Jonathan Byrd and The Pickup Cowboys. Byrd is a preacher’s son, a Gulf War veteran, and an award-winning songwriter known for literary, outsider songs that have become campfire favorites. He’s joined on drums by Austin McCall with musical Renaissance man Johnny Waken on guitar, saw and mandolin. Cost: $15.

Sunday, Dec. 8: Keenan McKenzie and the Riffers. McKenzie and the Riffers are a dance band designed to perform original music and tight arrangements from the 1930s and 1940s. With three horns, the group plays a mix of clever big band reduction and swing-era combo tunes. Cost: $15.

Thursday, Dec. 12: Holiday Cheer with Newberry and Verch. Growing up, musicians Joe Newberry and April Verch absorbed traditions of home and hearth — in his Missouri Ozarks and her Ottawa Valley of Canada. The holidays have always been a special time of the year for both, with the lure of family and friends, festive decorations, gifts under the tree, and always . . . music. Cost: $20.

Sunday, Dec. 15: Amanda Anne Platt and the Honeycutters. Getting in the holiday spirit with their new EP, “Christmas on a Greyhound Bus,” they’re on a limited run of one-night stands, playing some of their favorite seasonal tunes as well as some original holiday material. Don’t worry, they’ll also be doing a whole set of Honeycutters classics to round out the night. Cost: $15.

Thursday, Dec. 19: Open mic with The Parsons.
Unless otherwise noted, doors open at 6 p.m. and music begins at 6:46 at the Poplar Knight Spot, 114 Knight St., Aberdeen. Prices above are for members. Annual memberships are $5 and available online or at the door. For more information call (910) 944-7502 or visit www.theroosterswife.org or ticketmesandhills.com.

The Nutcracker

Experience the Bolshoi Ballet’s magical production of this timeless classic accompanied by Tchaikovsky’s beloved score on Sunday, Dec. 15, at 1 p.m., at the Sunrise Theater, 244 N.W. Broad St., Southern Pines. For more information, call (910) 692-3611 or go to www.sunrisetheater.com.

Murphy Family Christmas

A tradition like no other, the Murphy Family Christmas Concert, sponsored by Chapman’s Food and Spirits, will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 21, at the Sunrise Theater, 244 N.W. Broad St., Southern Pines. For more information, call (910) 692-3611 or visit www.sunrisetheater.com.

Ted Fitzgerald/The Pilot

Shaw House Holiday

Celebrate the season by attending an open house of the Shaw House, the Garner House and the Sanders Cabin at the corner of Morganton Road and Broad St., in Southern Pines. For information and registration, call (910) 692-2051, email info@moorehistory.com or visit www.moorehistory.com.

PinePitch

Take a Turkey Hike

Work up an appetite on Thanksgiving morning with a refreshing walk guided by a park ranger at the Weymouth Woods-Sandhills Nature Preserve, 1024 Fort Bragg Road, Southern Pines. (Ahem, that’s Nov. 28, ya’ll.) For additional information, call (910) 692-2167 or go to www.ncparks.gov. Bon appétit.

Parade to the Park

The 2019 Southern Pines Veterans Day Parade on Saturday, Nov. 9 will be followed by “Parade to the Park: A Veterans Day Event,” at the Downtown Park, 145 S.E. Broad St., from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be live music by the 82nd Airborne Rock Band and Jaycee, a beer garden of local breweries, food trucks, a vintage car show, tons of kids activities from LAMM Entertainment and the USO mobile unit and over 10 Veterans support agencies. Sponsors are Cooper Ford, The Heritage Flag Company and Cox’s Double Eagle Harley-Davidson.

Van Gogh at the Sunrise

Van Gogh & Japan is the first of a two-part art series on Vincent van Gogh, with an introduction by Ellen Burke. Though Van Gogh never visited Japan, the film details the inspiration arising from the Japanese art the great painter saw in Paris. Van Gogh & Japan will be shown on Nov. 7 at the Sunrise Theater, 244 N.W. Broad St., Southern Pines. The second film in the series, At Eternity’s Gate, starring Willem Dafoe as the lucid, mad, brilliant artist, will be shown on Nov. 14. Both films begin at 10 a.m.

Art Reception

The Artists League of the Sandhills will have an opening reception for the 25th Annual Fall Show and Sale from 5 to 7 p.m. on Nov. 8 at 129 Exchange St., Aberdeen. The show and sale continue on Nov. 9 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information call (910) 944-3979 or go to www.artistleague.org.

Treasure Hunting

Find one-of-a-kind treasures at the Brownson Arts and Crafts Fair on Saturday, Nov. 9, from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Brownson Presbyterian Church, 330 S. May St., Southern Pines. Handmade items from skilled artisans will include pottery, original art, baskets, jewelry, baked goods and more. There will be a silent auction and a cash raffle. For more information call (910) 585-1924.

Veterans Day Parade

Show your support and appreciation at the annual Veterans Day Parade on Saturday, Nov. 9, in downtown Southern Pines. Pre-parade festivities, including a flyover by vintage aircraft, will begin at 9:40 a.m. The parade, featuring motorcycles, marching bands, ROTC groups, fire trucks, antique cars and, of course, our vets, begins at 10 a.m. For more information go to
www.sandhillsveteransfestival.com.

Festival of Trees

The 23rd annual Sandhills Children’s Center Festival of Trees begins on Wednesday, Nov. 20, and runs through Sunday, Nov. 24, at the Carolina Hotel, 80 Carolina Vista Drive, Pinehurst. There will be beautifully decorated trees, wreaths, mailbox garlands and gift baskets available for bids in an online auction. The Festival Gift Shop will have stocking stuffers. Admission is by any monetary donation at the door. All proceeds benefit children who have special developmental needs.

Sparkling Lights

Ring in the holidays with the annual tree lighting celebration in downtown Southern Pines on Saturday, Nov. 30, beginning at 4:30 p.m. Enchanted trees will twinkle on Broad Street and Pennsylvania Avenue. Don’t forget to keep an eye out for Santa Claus.

Living with the Prince of Tides

The Country Bookshop presents Cassandra King Conroy, who will talk about her memoir, Tell Me a Story: My Life with Pat Conroy, at the Country Club of North Carolina, 1600 Morganton Rd., Pinehurst, on Nov. 10, at 4 p.m. Tickets include an autographed copy of the book and can be purchased at ticketmesandhills.com. For more information go to
thecountrybookshop.biz.

It’s a Wonderful Life

Adapted from Frank Capra’s 1946 movie starring Jimmy Stewart and produced in the style of an old-fashioned radio show, the Sunrise Theater will present a live rendition of the holiday classic at 2 p.m. on Nov. 30 at the Sunrise, 244 N.W. Broad St., Southern Pines. For information call (910) 692-3611 or go to www.sunrisetheater.com.

Giving Guinness a Run

“Read for the Record” will try to break the world record for the number of people reading the same book on the same day, beginning at 4 p.m. on Nov. 7. This year the featured book is Thank You, Omu! The event is sponsored by the Southern Pines Public Library, 170 W. Connecticut Ave., Southern Pines. For more information call (910) 692-8235 or visit www.sppl.net.

The Rooster’s Wife

Friday, Nov 1: Idlewild South. Allman Brothers–style band founded by keyboardist and vocalist Don Eason, a veteran musician whose initial influence came from a live performance of The Allman Brothers on Easter weekend of 1970 at The Winter’s End Concert in Bithlo, Florida. Cost: $20.

Sunday, Nov. 3: Shawn Camp. You may not know Shawn, but you know his work. He’ll bring some mighty talented friends with him, including Mike Bub, Guthrie Trapp and Larry Atamanuik. Cost: $25.

Friday, Nov. 8: Sam Baker. In 1986, Baker was on a train in Peru when a bomb planted by the terrorist group Shining Path exploded in the luggage rack above him. He suffered a brain injury and severe hearing loss, and required more than 15 reconstructive surgeries. Somehow during his long recovery, songs started coming to him. One great writer, and listener. Cost: $15. (Baker also performs at the Cameo Arthouse Theatre Thursday, Nov. 7, at 7:00, and offers a writing workshop Saturday, Nov. 9.) For more details: theroosterswife.org or call (910) 944-7502.

Sunday, Nov. 10: Jamie Laval and Megan McConnell take their audiences on an exciting musical journey through Celtic lands, reimagining Gaelic love songs, boisterous peasant dances and ancient, mythic tales. Laval is recognized throughout the United States and Britain as one of the premier performers of Celtic music on the international touring circuit. Vocalist Megan McConnell is lauded for the ethereal, lyric beauty of her singing and her captivating theatrical style. Cost: $20.

Wednesday, Nov. 13: Jontavious Willis and Jerron Paxton. Every generation or so, a young bluesman bursts onto the scene and sends a jolt through the blues community. Willis has just that effect on people. Through original lyrics, the gifted musician delivers a timeless album that features dynamic vocals and every variety of blues: Delta, Piedmont, Texas and Gospel. Although still in his 20s, Jerron “Blind Boy” Paxton is one of the greatest multi-instrumentalists you haven’t heard of — yet. Cost: $20.

Sunday, Nov. 17: Jill Andrews began writing songs at 19. She went on to found The Everybodyfields, leaving the band in 2009 to embark on a solo career. Cost: $15.

Sunday, Nov. 24: Chris Jones and The Night Drivers. Jones is a quadruple threat as a singer, songwriter, guitarist and — thanks to his role hosting SiriusXM’s Bluegrass Junction — one of the most widely heard broadcasting voices in bluegrass music. His immediately recognizable voice, warm sense of humor and abundance of talent have combined to make him one of music’s most distinctive personalities, and one of its strongest artists. He brings along a band of equals — accomplished writers, singers, musicians all. Cost: $20.

Unless otherwise noted, doors open at 6 p.m. and music begins at 6:46 at the Poplar Knight Spot, 114 Knight St., Aberdeen. Prices above are for members. Annual memberships are $5 and available online or at the door. For more information call (910) 944-7502 or visit www.theroosterswife.org or ticketmesandhills.com.

PinePitch

Trick or Treat

Ages 10 and under are invited to trick-or-treat in the downtown Southern Pines business district, then head to the Downtown Park for a Hauntingly Good Time Festival with games, crafts and more, beginning at 5 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 25. The movie Hotel Transylvania 2 will start at 7 p.m. Bring a blanket or chair. Concessions will be available. For information call (910) 692-7376.

Autumnfest in the Pines

The 41st annual fall festival features live entertainment, arts and crafts, food, a 5K run, a 1-mile Fun Run and Health Walk, youth sprints and children’s activities. Admission is free at the Downtown Park, 145 S.E. Broad St., Southern Pines. For information call (910) 692-7376 or go to www.mooreart.org.

Heritage Fair

Join the celebration supporting the Moore Country Historical Association at the Shaw House Heritage Fair from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 4, at 10 W. Morganton Road, Southern Pines. There will be live music, re-enactors, tours, live demonstrations, kids’ activities and food vendors. For additional information call (910) 692-2015 or see www.moorehistory.com.

Cameron Antiques Fair

Over 300 antique dealers, including the 12 who call Cameron home, will set up shop during the annual festival that runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., on the weekend of Oct. 4 and 5. The festival takes place rain or shine in Cameron’s Historic District, 485 Carthage St., Cameron. For information call (910) 245-1231 or go to www.antiquesofcameron.com.

Low Country Boil & Halloween Party

Grab your dancing shoes, dress in your favorite Halloween costume and party at the Low Country Boil & Halloween Party featuring DJ King Curtiss and catered by White Rabbit at 6:30 p.m. on October 31 at the Fair Barn. All proceeds benefit the Given Memorial Library and Tufts Archives. Tickets are $75 and can be purchased at ticketmesandhills.com or at the Tufts Archives.

First Friday

The Empire Strikes Brass, a high energy brass-funk-rock band from Asheville, will take the First Bank Stage at the Sunrise Theater, 250 N.W. Broad St., Southern Pines, on Friday, Oct. 4, from 5 to 8 p.m. There will be food trucks aplenty and alcohol for purchase. No outside alcohol allowed. For information visit www.sunrisetheater.com or call (910) 692-8501.

Holly Arts & Crafts

The annual Holly Arts & Crafts Festival is Saturday, Oct. 19, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., on the village streets of Pinehurst, 395 Magnolia Road. Over 200 craft vendors in myriad genres from woodworking to glass, jewelry to sculpture will join the downtown shops. There will be a food court and a Kids Zone with games and crafts on the Village Green sponsored by Given Tufts. For more information visit www.pinehurstbusinesspartners.com.

Elephant on the Water

Enjoy Dumbo on the big screen at the Aberdeen Lake Park Recreation Station, 301 Lake Park Crossing, Aberdeen, on Friday, Oct. 18, at 7:15 p.m. Admission is free, and concessions will be available. Additional information can be found at www.townofaberdeen.net or by calling (910) 944-7275.

“Unleashing the Pawsibilities”

The Moore Humane Society’s annual gala will be Friday, Oct. 25, at the Country Club of North Carolina, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Hosted by Patrick Kelly of Star 102.5FM with live music from The Sand Band, a full buffet and a prize-packed auction, the goal is to raise $50,000 to cover veterinary costs for life-saving operations and spay-neuter procedures. Tickets are $75 and a table of eight is $500. To make reservations visit www.moorehumane.org.

Birds, Bees and Butterflies, Oh, My!

Help celebrate the opening of the new pollinator garden at the Village Arboretum in Pinehurst on Saturday, Oct. 5, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The “Flutterby Festival” will feature guided tours of the new garden and a tent where you’ll be surrounded by monarch butterflies. At the end of the event you can tag and release monarchs for their great migration to Mexico. Live music will be provided by the Carolina Philharmonic. There will be food vendors and kids’ activities. For further information go to villageheritagefoundation.org.

Thundercluk!

Half mortal. Half God. All natural chicken. The Arts Council of Moore County and Sandhills Community College present “Thundercluk,” the Viking chicken, featuring the animation and storytelling of Paul Tillery and Meg Wittmer. The exhibit will be in the Katharine L. Boyd Library, SCC, 3395 Airport Road, Pinehurst, Oct. 2–30. There will be a reception and artist’s talk on Oct. 2 from 3–5 p.m. It’s free and open to the public. The exhibit will include illustrations, animation and storytelling. The character was created by Tillery while he was at the Savannah College of Art and Design, where he earned his Master of Fine Arts degree in 2014. For further information visit www.mooreart.org.

The Rooster’s Wife

Sunday, Oct. 6: Julian Loida is a Boston-based percussionist, composer and producer. His musical curiosity and open-mindedness have propelled him toward a wide range of sounds, genres, and artistic endeavors. Loida will open the evening with selections from his amazing new solo vibraphone album. Folk rocker James Maddock brings prodigious guitar skills to match his evocative lyrics. Cost: $20.

Thursday, Oct. 10: In 2018, Beth and Ara Lee James formed the duo project Stand and Sway, pushing the boundaries of soul and folk music and attempting to break down the walls that have separated the worlds of music and poetry. Cost: $15.

Sunday, Oct. 13: Introduced by the legendary Li’l Queenie and Leigh Harris, Josh Paxton and Debbie Davis have spent the better part of two decades exploring their shared musical interests, ranging from Ellington and Jelly Roll Morton to Stevie Wonder and Randy Newman. They have performed in Switzerland, Italy, and France in addition to performances across the U.S. Piano and all that jazz. Cost: $15

Thursday, Oct. 17: Open mic with the The Parsons. Free to members.

Sunday, Oct. 20: Journey to the Andalusia region of Spain for an authentic Spanish Tablao at The Rooster’s Wife. Experience the intense, emotional power of Flamenco. Eduardo’s Noche Flamenca combines Spanish music, dance, cuisine and wines with renowned performers from Cuba, Spain, Venezuela, Canada and the United States. Cost: $18.

Thursday, Oct. 24: Jeremy Pinnell, Kentucky’s son from across the river, is a soft-spoken man, born to an area that is equal parts Southern hospitality, Northern attitude and Midwestern charm. Raised from humble beginnings singing in church, he learned guitar from his father and soon his craft made heads turn and rooms fall silent. When he left home at 18 to venture into the unknown, Pinnell found himself surrounded by the demons of the world he tried to sing away. The stories told are true, not embellished folklore. Jeremy will not speak of them; only sing. While he has returned to his roots and is living an honest life, his experiences must be heard to be believed. They are real, and most importantly, never forgotten. Cost: $15.

Sunday, Oct. 27: Rosier. Lanaudière is known round the world as Québec’s most musical region. There, traditional music is in the air and water, handed down through generations. Such is the story of the members of Rosier, four young gals and a guy named Colin who grew up in active musician families in Lanaudière, and carry the traditions forward while adding some new songs and sounds of their own. They perform a sparkling, diversified, bilingual repertoire of intimate waltzes, reels and beautifully sung call-and-response songs. Cost: $15.

Unless otherwise noted, doors open at 6 p.m. and music begins at 6:46 at the Poplar Knight Spot, 114 Knight St., Aberdeen. Prices above are for members. Annual memberships are $5 and available online or at the door. For more information call (910) 944-7502 or visit www.theroosterswife.org or ticketmesandhills.com.