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.
Many churches are holding special Easter services and special events. Check with churches in your area for special events. Some egg hunts are listed in our article on Easter Happenings.
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 13, 2017
Book Discussion and Signing (April 13, 2017 @ 2pm)
Meet the best-selling author of Amish Romance, Beverly Lewis, and join the discussions. Held at Wilson County Public Library, 249 Nash Street W, Wilson NC. For more information, call the library at 252.237.5355 or visit the library website.
Introduction to Entrepreneurship (April 13, 2017 @ 6:30-8:30pm)
Ready to start a business? Figure out those critical first steps toward entrepreneurship. Learn about researching the market and competitors, securing funds, and projecting results. Registration requested. Held at East Regional Library, 946 Steeple Square Court
Knightdale NC. Contact 919.217.5305 if interested. Also scheduled for April 27.
Teen Minecraft Club (April 13, 2017 @ 5:30-7:30pm)
Work with other teens to design and create in the world of Minecraft. Held in the Computer Lab at Braswell Memorial Library, 727 N Grace Street, Rocky Mount NC. For more information, contact Scott Houston at 252.442.1951 x.257.
Friday, April 14, 2017
Drama “He is the Lamb, He is the Light” (April 14, 2017 @ 7pm)
Englewood Baptist Church invites you to attend a dramatic presentation of how God so loves the world. Presented at 1350 S Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount NC. Admission is free. Two performances on Saturday too.
Saturday, April 15, 2017
Super Shred-a-Thon (April 15, 2017 @ 10am-2pm)
Wilson Police Department hosts this event, held in the Wilson Mall parking lot near K&W Cafeteria, 1501 Ward Blvd, Wilson NC. Bring papers to shred — check stubs, credit card offers, receipts, outdated tax documents, etc. This event is free and for individuals. No businesses/commercial shredding allowed.
Grow And Share Volunteer Day (April 15, 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.
Stepping Into The Past (April 15, 2017 @ 10am-3pm)
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.
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 Avenue, 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.
Brown Bag Lunches (April 15, 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.
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.
NC ‘Cuegrass Festival 2017 (April 15, 2017 @ noon-6pm)
Hosted by Empire Eats and The Pit Authentic BBQ, this event takes place around 328 W Davie Street, Raleigh NC. Enjoy barbecue, brews, bluegrass music at this “kid-friendly, dog-friendly and lawn chair-friendly” event. Follow your nose to the pigs cooking at The Pit. On stage will be multiple bands, including Christiane & The Strays, Moore Brothers Band, The Malpass Brothers, Time Sawyer, and Old Habits.
At the gate, $5 suggested donation. We’re . It’s all for a good cause to benefit SAFEchild, the Junior League of Raleigh’s BackPack Buddies program, and Team Chris Combs to Strike Out ALS, and Raleigh Cub Scout Pack 325. For more information, visit www.cuegrass.com.
Drama “He is the Lamb, He is the Light” (April 15, 2017 @ 2pm & 7pm)
Englewood Baptist Church invites you to attend a dramatic presentation of how God so loves the world. Presented at 1350 S Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount NC. Two showtimes Saturday. Admission is free to all shows.
Sunday, April 16, 2017
The Prodigal (April 16, 2017 @ 10am-noon)
Held at Held at 106 Hull Road, Snow Hill NC (though Facebook event lists Launch Theatre Productions’ address: 100 N Carolina Street, Goldsboro NC). Launch Theatre Productions and New Life World Outreach Center present The Prodigal — a musical retelling of Jesus’ parable of the prodigal son. See details and poster (image) at www.facebook.com/launchtheatre.
Discovery Table: A History Mystery (April 16, 2017 @ 1-4pm)
Head over to the Finley Center exhibit hall, Historic Yates Mill County Park, 4620 Lake Wheeler Road, Raleigh NC for this free activity. Registration not required. “The Yates Mill Museum needs your help! Staff found a strange artifact that needs to be studied and identified. Use clues and your observational skills to discover for yourself what object of the past is being displayed and what the artifact must have been used for historically.” For all ages, but adult accompaniment required for all children.
Coming Soon
In addition to the upcoming events listed below, check out our article on Earth Day.
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.
Author Visit: Jeremy Whitley (April 22, 2017 @ 1-3pm)
Meet the Creator of Princeless and writer for Marvel’s Unstoppable Wasp. Held in the Warner Room at Braswell Memorial Library, 727 N Grace Street, Rocky Mount NC. For more information, contact Scott Houston at 252.442.1951 x.257.
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.
Good Reads Book Club (April 24, 2017 @ 10:30am-noon)
Come for a discussion of the book The Ballad of Tom Dooley by Sharyn McCrumb. This adult program is being held at Braswell Memorial Library, 727 N Grace Street, Rocky Mount NC. If interested in becoming a member of the Book Club, contact Kesha Joyner at 252.442.1951 x.253.
Angle of Imagination Art Show (April 27, 2017 @ 6-8pm)
Nash Community College’s Advertising and Graphic Design program will be holding their 8th-annual art show. Their featured artists will demonstrate their “Angle of Imagination.” Hors D’Oeuvres will be provided by the college’s culinary program, and music will be provided by a local jazz band. The show will be held in the Brown Auditorium at Nash Community College, 522 N Old Carriage Road, Rocky Mount NC.
Teen Game Night (April 27, 2017 @ 5:30-7:30pm)
A variety of games will be available for play with friends or family. Held in the Teen Area and Computer Lab, Braswell Memorial Library, 727 N Grace Street, Rocky Mount NC. For more information, contact Scott Houston at 252.442.1951 x.257.
Tar River Food and Wine Festival (April 27, 2017 @ 5-9pm)
Fundraising festival with food, wine, and jazz. Held at Rose Hill Plantation, 3815 Rose Hill Lane, Nashville NC. Tickets $60+fee. See details at tarriverwinefestival.com.
Money Smart Week “Estate Planning” (April 27, 2017 @ 6-7pm)
Attorney Mike Eatmon of Etheridge, Hamlett, & Murray, LLP presents Estate Planning with Q&A session. Money Smart Week is a national initiative between the American Library Association and the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago to provide financial literacy programming to help members of your community better manage their finances. This adult program is being held at Braswell Memorial Library, 727 N Grace Street, Rocky Mount NC. For more information, contact Kesha Joyner at 252.442.1951 x.253.
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.
Pondapalooza (May 13, 2017)
A full day of live music, food, craft beer and good clean fun. Bring the family and settle in for the day to celebrate our community at the Rocky Mount Mills, Falls Road, Rocky Mount NC. Find out more at koipondbrewingcompany.com.
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.
