By Kay Whatley, Editor
This list may include events from North Carolina counties of Edgecombe, Franklin, Nash, Johnston, Wake, Wayne, Wilson, and beyond. Contact information or RSVP deadlines, where applicable, have been included. Events below range from free happenings (majority) to mid-level and ticketed events.
Event information comes from organizers, event postings, and emailed announcements. Attempts are made to verify events from confirmed sources, or multiple sources when possible.
Thursday, April 6, 2017
Dinner Theatre (April 6, 2017 @ 7:30pm)
The Zoo Story will be performed at Big Harold’s Diner on Thursday evening. Big Harold’s Diner is located at 126 Tarboro Street W, Wilson NC. Dinner at 7:30pm, with the show beginning at 8pm. Tickets $25 include dinner and the show. Call 252.291.3663 or email dulamaes@gmail.com to reserve in advance.
2017 Spring Carnival Fundraiser for Special Olympics (March 30-April 9, 2017)
Held each year in the parking lot of the Shoppes at Midway Plantation, near 6601 Knightdale Blvd, Knightdale NC. Admission and parking are free. Open Monday-Friday at 5pm, Saturday at noon, and Sunday at 1pm. This year, all-day ride wristbands are $25, with individual tickets available. This is a great fundraising opportunity to attend this carnival by Powers & Thomas Midway Entertainment, sponsored by the Knightdale Police Department.
RiverRun International Film Festival (March 30-April 9, 2017)
This film festival includes screenings at several locations in Winston-Salem NC. To see what’s showing and purchase tickets, visit the festival website at riverrunfilm.com.
Full Frame Documentary Film Festival (April 6-9, 2017)
This 20th annual festival is held at the Carolina Theatre, Durham Convention Center, Durham Arts Council theater, and other sites in Durham NC. Tickets and details are online at www.fullframefest.org/attend.
Friday, April 7, 2017
Photography Exhibit and Reception (April 7, 2017 @ 5:30-7pm)
Held at the Nash County Arts Council, 100 E Washington Street, Nashville NC. Come for a reception, with food and drink, featuring photography from Melynda Snead and Debbie Sykes. The photography features landscapes, cars, motorcycles, and flora/fauna/frondescence.
Photography will be on exhibit thoughout April and available for purchase. Call Shelly, Nash Arts, 252.459.4734, for more information.
First Friday (April 7, 2017 @ 6-9pm)
Held on the first Friday of every month, from November through May. Admission is free with activities for the whole family. Includes live music, food trucks, No Shame Open Mic, and more. Held at Imperial Centre for the Arts and Sciences, 270 Gay Street, Rocky Mount NC.
Saturday, April 8, 2017
Spring Clean Up Day (April 8, 2017 @ 8-11am)
Join the Spring Hope Chamber of Commerce, 112 W Railroad Street, Spring Hope NC, for a day of “spring cleaning” around downtown Spring Hope in preparation for the 5K race / 1-mile fun run coming up. The Spring Hope Pumpkin Queens leads the effort. See more at springhopeareachamberofcommerce.wildapricot.org/events.
Pig in the Park (April 8, 2017 @ 9am-4pm)
Barbecue teams compete in a whole-hog cook-off for the “Wayne County’s Best Barbecue” title. There will be music, vendors, inflatables for children, and more. This festival is held in Old Waynesborough, 801 US-117 Bypass S, Goldsboro NC. Note that Friday evening, before the cook-off day, music is planned. For details on this Wayne County Boys and Girls Club event, visit www.piginthepark.com.
Community Recycling Day (April 8, 2017 @ 9am-noon)
Drop off your old paint, tires, oil and antifreeze, computers, televisions, and appliances to Town Hall for recycling and disposal. A shred truck will be on site to shred your confidential documents. Need more info? Call Public Works at 919.269.5285. Held at the Zebulon Town Hall, 1003 N Arendell Avenue, Zebulon NC.
Paws in the Park (April 8, 2017 @ 11am-2pm)
The seventh-annual Paws in the Park includes new games, vendors, entertainment, food and more. Bring your family and fur kids out to enjoy the afternoon of fun. Held at Best Friends Dog Park, 480 N Lee Street, Rocky Mount NC. See more about the dog park here.
Paws in the Park Easter Egg Hunt (April 8, 2017 @ 9:30am)
Bring the pup(s) and head to the Ashley Wilder Dog Park located at Knightdale Station Park, 810 S Main Street, Knightdale NC. With questions, contact Knightdale’s Recreation Program Supervisor, Megan Thornton, at 919.217.2236 or via email.
Beach Fest (April 8, 2017 @ 11am-5:30pm)
Come for this fourth-annual concert and fun day, part of The Farm Concert Series. Presented by YETI Coolers, this event is at The Farm,
215 Batten Road, Selma NC. This year’s best beach music lineups includes: Jim Quick & Coastline, The Embers, Band Of Oz, and Hip Pocket. Tickets are $20; parking $10. Find more details on The Farm and Beach Fest at www.thefarmnc.com/news.cfm/page/4th-annual-beach-fest.
Hope Station Food Drive (April 8, 2017 @ 10am-noon)
Gather at Wilson Community Church, 2301 Montgomery Drive W, Wilson NC. Volunteers will be gathering bags of donated food and delivering them to Hope Station. See www.wccnc.org for contact information.
Grow And Share Volunteer Day (April 8, 2017 @ 10am)
Each Spring, nonprofit Grow And Share holds garden plant giveaways to help people start their gardens and grow their own food with free plants — tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and more. Volunteer to help Grow And Share each Saturday as they go from seed to seedlings, with free plants distributed in April-May. Volunteer work takes place in the Grow And Share “Tucker” greenhouse, Raleigh NC. See their Facebook page for more information and contact/address.
ABC Craft and Learn: A Kindergarten Readiness Program (April 8, 2017 @ 10:30-11:15am)
Children ages 3-5 and their caregivers are invited to participate in this free, interactive program with an alphabet craft to nurture pre-reading skills through writing and play and to give opportunity to develop fine motor skills children require to start school. No registration needed. Held at Wendell Community Library, 207 S Hollybrook Road, Wendell NC.
This reading program is also being held on this date, 10:30-11:30am, at Zebulon Community Library, 1000 Dogwood Drive, Zebulon NC.
It is also held on this date at 11:30am at East Regional Library, 946 Steeple Square Court, Knightdale NC. Pre-registration is requested at this library. See Wake County library events here.
Stepping Into The Past (April 8, 2017 @ 10am-3pm)
April 8 topic is “Blacksmith: Metal work demonstrations.” This weekly series focuses on demonstrations and displays of traditional / old-time processes. This presentation is included with museum admission. See more at www.tobaccofarmlifemuseum.org/events/stepping-into-the-past. Held at the Tobacco Farm Life Museum, 709 N Church Street, Kenly NC.
Brown Bag Lunches (April 8, 2017 @ 11am)
Each Saturday, Zebulon United Methodist Church provides free “brown bag lunches” to anyone who drives or walks by the church at 121 W Gannon Avenue, Zebulon NC. For more information on food distribution for those in need, or to volunteer, visit www.zumchurch.org.
1st Annual Doxie Race (April 8, 2017 @ 11am-noon)
Dachshunds from all ages, sizes, and backgrounds compete for the coveted Flowers Plantation Dachshund of the Year Trophy! Bring your dog to run the race or come to cheer. The Charity of Choice is RUFF (Rescue Ur Friend Forever). Entry Fee is $5. Register at theclubatflowersplantatio.regfox.com/2017-doxie-race. A special award will be given for the best dog costume. Food Trucks may be available. Held at The Club at Flowers Plantation, 120 Flowers Pkwy, Clayton NC. See more at www.flowersplantation.com.
Free Family Fishing Fiesta! (April 8, 2017 @ 10am-3pm)
Join the NC Wildlife Resources Commission and NC State Parks and Recreation at Jordan Lake State Recreation Area for a free Family Fishing Fiesta. Gather at White Oak Recreation Area on White Oak Beach Road, Apex NC, to enjoy bank fishing, hands-on activities, and demonstrations. Learn how to cast and how to fillet a fish, meet biologists, park rangers and law enforcement personnel — many of whom speak English and Spanish. Loaner fishing rods and bait are on a first-come, first-served basis. Everyone fishes for free. See details at www.ncwildlife.org/fiesta.
Volunteer Cleanup Day (April 8, 2017 @ 10am-3pm)
Volunteers requested at Nature’s Roots Farm, 2017 Sunset Road, Oxford NC. Interested in helping with farm cleanup/restoration projects? Help this farm for the day. Free lunch provided, along with free entrance to their morning or afternoon workshop on April 15, 2017. Open to anyone who wants to help, preferably kids 6 and up. See updates and events at www.facebook.com/natures.roots.farm1.
Sunday, April 9, 2017
A Firefighters Concert with Sister Hazel (April 9, 2017 @ 6-9pm)
Concert benefit for Professional Fire Fighters and Paramedics of North Carolina at Dorton Arena, 1025 Blue Ridge Road, Raleigh NC. Tickets for this event are being sold through the local Firefighters Associations. Tickets available here. General Admission tickets, call 919.714.7944.
Spring Fling: Play Like a Kid Again at Dix Park (April 9, 2017 @ 2-5pm)
Kid-free event for 18+ only. “Hey adults, this one’s for you! Leave the kids at home!” There will be an egg hunt, Inflatable Obstacle Course, a photo booth, I Love Locopops, and more. Bring a picnic blanket and a lawn games to play. Advanced Registration is Required and spaces are limited. Go here to register.
Class: Basil, Basil, and more Basil (April 9, 2017 @ 2-4pm)
Class held at Toad Song Farm, 14765 Buffalo Road, Clayton NC. Come gather in the farm’s multi-purpose space and learn about basil. Learn how to grow and use basil, participate in activities with basil, and taste dishes made with basil. Class fee is $20 per person paid in advance. Call Mary at 919.815.6090 to check if space is still available / pre-register or visit this link.
Coming Soon
In addition to the upcoming events listed below, check out our articles on:
Tax March on Raleigh (April 15, 2017 @ 10am-8pm)
Hosted by The Ascent of the Resistance, this march is focused on gathering a crowd on the annual Tax Return deadline day to show the president that they want to see his returns. Location is the North Carolina State Capitol, 1 E Edenton Street, Raleigh NC. See the Raleigh march details here or visit taxmarch.org to view all locations.
Save the honeybees with Tar River Beekeepers (April 15, 2017 @ 10am-noon)
Hosted by A Time for Science at GO-Science, 729 Dickinson Ave, Greenville NC. Join this event featuring two certified beekeepers to learn about bees. Taste local honey and observe live hives. Fee of $5 per child charged at Go Science. See more about this museum at www.facebook.com/goscience.
CLAWS at Wild Birds Unlimited (April 15, 2017 @ noon-4pm)
Join the birds of CLAWS for a fun spring afternoon. Birds will be there to say “Hello!” Bring a camera for selfies with Grip the African Raven. Held at Wild Birds Unlimited of Chapel Hill, 1806 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Chapel Hill NC.
Retro Film Series Double Feature (April 21, 2017 @ 7pm)
Two movies for $9. The Retro Film Series movie showings are held at the Carolina Theatre of Durham, 309 W Morgan Street, Durham NC. Come and watch Terry Gilliam’s Adventures of Baron Munchausen and Monty Python’s And Now for Something Completely Different. See more at www.carolinatheatre.org/films/festivals/retro-film-series.
Zebulon Farm Fresh Market Opening Day (April 22 @ 9am-1pm)
“ZFFM” is open every Saturday from May to October 2017. This year’s location is the same: Zebulon Municipal Complex, 1003 North Arendell Avenue, Zebulon NC. Shop for fresh fruits and vegetables, meats and eggs, baked goods, honey, and more. Meet local nonprofit groups, and participate in programs that help feed the community. See more here or on the ZFFM Facebook page.
Bailey NC Flea Market / Craft Fair (April 22, 2017 @ 8am-2pm)
Bailey Chamber of Commerce is planning its town flea market and craft fair in downtown Bailey NC. Details will be forthcoming. See the Bailey Chamber Facebook page for updates and vendor details. Note that the town generally plans a Spring town-cleaning day in April too.
Art Of Murder (April 28-May 12, 2017)
Check out this comedy/drama about art, retribution, and murder. Held at the Barn Dinner Theatre, 120 Stage Coach Trail, Greensboro NC. Tickets and show information available at www.barndinner.com or by calling 336.292.2211.
Eastern NC Film Festival (April 29, 2017)
This festival promotes a mix of amateur and professional filmmakers and actors. Held at Pitt Community College, in Winterville NC. Details on films and ticket availability are online at encff.com/passes-tickets.
Wilmington Jewish FILM Festival (April 23-25, May 2-4, 2017 and May 7-9, 2017)
Fourth-annual festival is presented “3 by 3” — three days over three weekends. Held at the Thalian Hall Center for the Performing Arts, 310 Chestnut Street, Wilmington NC. Details and ticket information may be found at www.wilmingtonjff.org. Tickets on sale starting April 1.
Shearing Day at Clover C Farm (May 13, 2017 @ 8am-3pm)
Head over to Clover C Farm, 117 Cheves Road, Bunn NC. The farm is holding their annual shearing day with Fred Pugh III, master shearer. Come and watch this “age-old management practice” as the farm harvests wool from their flock. Check out hats and other goods made from the wool and learn too. The farm is on Facebook here.
Ed. Note: Event information gathered from various sources. While attempts are made to verify data, for most events contact details are included. If you’re planning to attend an event, use contact information or event links to confirm, check for updates or changes, or verify space is available. These events are publicized by The Grey Area News, but are not events overseen by this news site.
