By Kay Whatley, Editor
This list may include events from North Carolina counties of Edgecombe, Franklin, Nash, Johnston, Wake, Wayne, Wilson, and beyond (Inner Coastal Plains-Five County area of Eastern NC).
While most listed events are free happenings, some ticketed events may be included. Events may be rescheduled, delayed by weather, canceled, times adjusted, or locations changed without our knowledge. Contact organizers directly for updates.
Thursday, February 15, 2018
Third Thursday Talk: Finding Freedom in North Carolina
Thursday, February 15, 2018 @ 12:30-1:30pm
Learn about communities and spaces that were key to African American liberation in NC. This event is presented by the NC African American Heritage Commission, in partnership with the NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources EEO Committee. Admission is free to this event, held in the auditorium, NC Archives & History Building, 109 E. Jones Street, Raleigh NC. See this event and more on Facebook here.
Movie showing: “Hidden Figures”
Thursday, February 15, 2018 @ 3-5pm
Held at the Wilson County Public Library, Main Library, 249 Nash Street NW, Wilson NC. Watch the box-office smash movie and enjoy free refreshments. Part of Wilson Reads 2018, a free community-wide reading event. The Wilson County Public Library website is www1.youseemore.com/wilsoncountypl.
Yoga in the Galleries
Thursday, February 15 & 22, 2018 @ 5:30-6:30pm
The Arts Center at Imperial Centre for the Arts and Sciences has weekly Yoga classes for the early part of the year. Held on Thursdays through May at Imperial Centre, 270 Gay Street, Rocky Mount NC. Fee is $5 per person per Thursday. (Article) See the center’s Facebook page.
Bill Lyerly, Clyde Mattocks, & Alan Hicks
Rescheduled: New date is Thursday, February 15, 2018 @ 8pm
An evening of really country music, with a little bluegrass mixed in for good measure. Held at the Nash County Arts Council, 100 E Washington Street, Nashville NC. Tickets are $15 (plus service fees) in advance, or $18 at the door. (Nash Arts Member discounts available.) Visit www.brownpapertickets.com/event/3191395.
Friday, February 16, 2018
Psi Games
Friday, February 16, 2018 @ 7-9pm
The Rhine colleagues will lead attendees in a variety of ESP games, including use of Zener cards, and exercises in Remote Viewing of hidden target pictures. As a finale, participate in an actual Spoon Bending Party (spoons provided). Held in the Alex Tanous Library at The Rhine, 2741 Campus Walk Avenue, Bldg. 500, Durham NC. Admission is $25 per person, discounted to $15 for members, students, and Senior Citizens. See event details and registration link at www.rhine.org. Registration recommended as PSI Games fill quickly.
Paramount 10th Anniversary Gala
Friday, February 16, 2018 @ 7:30pm
The Paramount Theatre, 139 S Center Street, Goldsboro NC, celebration with multiple performers scheduled. Tickets start at $15. See www.goldsboroparamount.com/paramount-10th-anniversary-gala.
Saturday, February 17, 2018
Mobile Market by Inter-Faith Food Shuttle
Saturday, February 17, 2018 @ 11am-noon
Food market for families in need. Held at Zebulon Boys and Girls Club, 1320 Shepard School Road, Zebulon NC. Set up begins at 9am, serving the public 11am-noon. See more on the Mobile Market here.
Around The Tables
Saturday, February 17, 2018 @ 10am-12:30pm
Held at Faith Community Baptist Church, 8933 Buffaloe Road, Knightdale NC. This event by Dream Coat Ministries provides community members with free clothing, and serves a free noon meal. Clothing is sorted onto tables by size for men, women, infants, and children. Meal is provided by Faith Community Baptist Church and volunteers.
Wake Forest Farmer’s Market
Saturday, February 17, 2018 @ 10am-noon
Pick up local produce and products at the Wake Forest Farmers Market, 405 S Brooks Street, Wake Forest NC. There will be live music, fresh food, “and lots of kindness.” See seasonal offerings on the farmer’s market Facebook page or www.wakeforestmarket.org.
ABC Craft and Learn: A Kindergarten Readiness Program
Saturday, February 17, 2018 @ 10:30-11:15am
Held at the Wendell Community Library, 207 S Hollybrook Road, Wendell NC. Children ages 3-5 and their caregivers are invited to participate in this interactive program. Craft designed to nurture pre-reading skills and develop fine motor skills. Registration is not required; walk-in. Library is online here.
Brown Bag Lunch
Saturday, February 17, 2018 @ 11am-12:30pm
Having a tough time and in need of food for yourself or your loved ones? Pick up lunch, at no cost, at Zebulon United Methodist Church, 121 W Gannon Avenue, Zebulon NC. See www.zumchurch.org.
Sapphire Valley Outhouse Races
Saturday, February 17, 2018 @ 11am-3pm
Homemade outhouses can be made of wood, cardboard, plastic, or any other homemade items are raced by teams across snow and ice. Outhouses on skis are pushed by two team members, while one team member ‘sits’ inside. Sapphire Valley Outhouse Races are held at Sapphire Valley Ski Area, 217 Sapphire Valley Road, Sapphire NC. See details and flyer at www.skisapphirevalley.com/great-outhouse-races.html.
See Spot Read
Saturday, February 17, 2018 @ 11:30am-12:30pm
Held at the Zebulon Community Library, 1000 Dogwood Drive, Zebulon NC. Program for school-aged children. Practice reading to a therapy dog. Readers of all levels welcome. Registration is not required; walk-in. See the library online here.
2018 Raleigh Winter Pop-up Market
Saturday, February 17, 2018 @ noon-5pm
Free admission at downtown Raleigh’s original vintage market, offering vintage collectors and art lovers a great place to shop and sip at inside and outside of Trophy Brewing. Come shop over 60+ vintage and handmade vendors in a beautiful brewery. Purchase beer or a snack — food trucks all day. Held at Trophy Brewing & Taproom, 656 Maywood Avenue, Raleigh NC. See 2018 dates and details at www.popupraleigh.com.
Basic Bird Identification Skill Building
Saturday, February 17, 2018 @ 1-2pm
Free program held at Prairie Ridge Outdoor Classroom, 1671 Gold Star Drive, Raleigh NC. Ramp up your skills for the Great Backyard Bird Count. This program is best suited to beginning birders and will cover the basics of how to identify birds. Binoculars and field guides provided during the program. (Bring your own binoculars to practice with them.) Pre-registration is required. Program open to age 10 and up. Register by email to Chris Goforth, along with names of all people in your group, the ages of anyone under 18, your email address (if different from the one used to register), and a phone number at which you can be reached the day of the program.
Town Creek Under the Stars
Saturday, February 17, 2018 @ 6-9pm
Gather at Town Creek Indian Mound (NC Historic Site), 509 Town Creek Mound Road, Mount Gilead NC (Montgomery County). Enjoy an evening beneath one of the last great dark sky sites in the BC Piedmont. Site telescopes will be available, or bring your own. Participants should dress for the weather, and may bring a red light to help see in the darkness. Bring chairs/blankets for comfort. Free, but registration is required via this registration page.
Sunday, February 18, 2018
All Writers Speak For A Living
Sunday, February 18, 2018 @ 2-4pm
All writers speak for a living, beginning when you first deliver your “elevator speech” to every agent and publishing pro you meet. Lauren Combs, AUD, professionally trained in speaking clearly, will work individually with writers, published or not yet, to identify the habits that can hold you back, such as how not to drop your voice at the ends of your sentences. Learn to become an effective professional advocate for your writing. Free and open to the public, readers and writers of all genres. Held at the High Point Public Library, 901 N Main Street, High Point NC. Organized by Sisters in Crime’s “Murder We Write” Chapter. See this event and more at www.murderwewrite.org.
Coming Soon
Garden Talks Labyrinths
Monday, February 19, 2018 @ 3-4pm
Held by the NC State Extension Master Gardener Volunteers of Wilson County at Wilson Botanical Gardens, 1806 Goldsboro Street SW, Wilson NC.
Modern labyrinths are often paths bordered by hedges. They can be used as places of solitude and meditation, or for playful fun. Our Garden Talks speaker on Feb 19 Is Cheryl Patterson. Her knowledge of labyrinths comes from annual silent retreats. She has found labyrinths beneficial spiritual tools, more so than journaling or silent meditation.She will share with us her knowledge of labyrinths and plants that are commonly used to create them.
For more information, see the Wilson Botanical Gardens Facebook page.
Coffee with a Cop
Tuesday, February 20, 2018 @ 8:30-10:30am
Gather at Starbucks, 13024 US Hwy 70W, Suite 103, Clayton NC, to network, converse, and have coffee with neighbors and the Clayton Police Department, Go through the drive-thru and get served by Police Chief Blair Myhand. See the Clayton PD Facebook Page for possible updates.
Bond with The Blue
Wednesday, February 21, 2018 @ 8-10am
Take a few minutes to meet-and-greet with some of the Wendell Police Department’s Officers that serve the town. Ask questions, offer ideas, relax, and get to know each other. Held at Edward Jones, 22 N Main Street, Wendell NC.
Dancing with The Arts Fundraiser
Friday, February 23, 2018, 7-9pm
The Nash County Arts Council fundraiser returns for the fifth year. See local performers dance. Audience members will have the opportunity to purchase bids to choose their favorites. Admission is $16 per person. Attendees will have the option to purchase bids (votes) for $1 each. The event will be held at Nash Arts, 100 E Washington Street, Nashville NC. (Article) Tickets for sale here.
Nevermore Film Festival
February 23-25, 2018
This 19th annual film festival is a juried competition festival with feature and short films from around the world. Submissions emphasize horror, science fiction, dark fantasy, animation, mystery/suspense, and action-thrillers. Held at The Carolina Theatre, 309 W Morgan Street, Durham NC. See www.carolinatheatre.org/films/festivals/nevermore.
Open Mic
Saturday, February 24, 2018 @ 3pm
The Franklin County Arts Council’s Diversity Team will host its second annual open mic in celebration of Black History Month.. This year’s theme is “Embracing the Dream”. Each artist or group will have 5 minutes to sing, recite, read, or play pieces related to dreaming. Held at the Arts Council headquarters (The Pottery), 22 S Main Street, Franklinton NC. Email Jackie Dove-Miller to book a spot at the mic.
Spay-ghetti & No Balls Dinner Fundraiser
February 27, 2018 @ 6:30-8:30pm
With kitten season approaching, it’s the perfect time to celebrate “World Spay Day” and bring awareness to animal overpopulation. Come enjoy camaraderie with other cat-lovers, SAFE Care Clinic staff and volunteers, and enjoy a dinner of spaghetti with no meat-balls, at this 4th-annual a spaghetti fundraiser benefiting the SAFE Care Clinic at SAFE Haven for Cats, a 503(c)(3) nonprofit. Tickets are $10 per adult, $5 per child (under 12 years old). Purchase tickets on this EventBrite page. Held at Abbotts Creek Community Center, 9950 Durant Road, Raleigh NC.
Blue Dragon Festival
Saturday, March 3, 2018 @ 10am-1pm
Participants will learn traditional Chinese crafts, taste food, and help decorate the dragon’s head at this free festival. When the Blue Dragon is finished, children will run with him into the woods to wake up all the insects for Spring First-ever Blue Dragon Festival organized by the Arts Council of Wayne County and Friends of Cliffs of the Neuse. Held at Cliffs of the Neuse State Park, 345A Park Entrance Road, # A, Seven Springs NC (Wayne County). More here.
International Festival of Cultures
Saturday, March 3, 2018 @ 12-4pm
The festival will be held in the Brown Auditorium at Nash Community College, 522 N Old Carriage Road, Rocky Mount NC. Celebrate the city’s diverse cultures. For event updates, see the Facebook event.
For those interested in being a part of the event, see www.rockymountnc.gov or call 252.972.1181 for information on available booths.
First Friday
Friday, March 2, 2018 @ 6-9pm
Visit the Imperial Centre for the Arts and Sciences for “First Friday” and enjoy exhibits and special activities. The address is 270 Gay Street, Rocky Mount NC. Admission is free. See imperialcentre.org.
Stepping Into The Past
Saturday, March 10, 2018 @ 8am
This weekly series focuses on demonstrations and displays of traditional / old-time processes. This presentation is included with museum admission fee. See upcoming topics at www.tobaccofarmlifemuseum.org/events/stepping-into-the-past. Held at the Tobacco Farm Life Museum, 709 N Church Street, Kenly NC.
March 10 presentation is “Working the Land: Antique tractor displays/farmer appreciation”.
Muscle Mopar and More
Saturday, March 17, 2018 @ 8am-4pm
Spend St. Patrick’s Day at this Bunn vehicle-oriented event. Spectators enter for $1 per person. Enjoy a day of family fun at this car, truck, and motorcycle show with vendors, food, music and more. Low riders participate in a Car Limbo contest. Held at the Montclair Complex, 907 NC Hwy 98 E, Bunn NC. Register a vehicle, or see spectator details at carshowpro.com/events/view/156.
Workday in the Apiary
Saturday, March 24, 2018 @ 10am-4pm
Come help Baxter’s Bees assemble and paint bee boxes, put together frames, and get hives ready for bees this Spring. Or, help with pollinator garden plantings. Lend a hand and learn about other ways to support beekeepers and honey bees. Baxter’s Bees is located on Arendell Avenue, Zebulon NC. In January 2018, most of their beehives were poisoned and vandalized. Support this local business as they recover from the vandalism. To volunteer and for address, Email Baxter’s Bees or call 919.665.5038.
Event organizers: News site display ads, with a link, are available for a monthly fee. Call 919.637.6973 or email Sales.
To request inclusion of a free or low-fee event, email details to the Editor. Sponsors and logos are not included in Things To DO listings. Events are added at the editor’s discretion.
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 or staff. Any highlighted events are selected by staff, generally due to prior experience with the event or knowledge of offerings.
