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 8, 2018
Coffee with a Cop
Thursday, February 8, 2018 @ 8:30-9:30am
Come in and join the Goldsboro Police Department for a cup of coffee and conversation. Meet at McDonald’s, 2002 Wayne Memorial Drive, Goldsboro NC. Event updates may be found on the PD’s Facebook page.
Black History Month Presentation
February 8, 2018 @ 10:30am
The Max G. Creech Black History Month program will feature Eric Jackson speaking on the unique friendship of two iconic Americans: First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt and Dr. Mary Mcleod Bethune. These women provided love, leadership and understanding o the whole world. Jackson will provide insight on their friendship and lives. This program is open to the public. It is being held at the Harrison Center for Active Aging, 611 W Noble Street, Selma NC.
Coffee and History Program
Thursday, February 8, 2018 @ 10:30-11:30am
Topic is Public Schools with Betsy Flanagan. Held at the Farmville Public Library, 4276 W Church Street, Farmville NC. Farmville Public Library and the May Museum and Park are presenting this program. Farmville resident Betsy Flanagan will discuss important topics related to public schools. Betsy Flanagan is the District 4 representative to the Pitt County Board of Education. See this and other upcoming events at www.facebook.com/pg/farmvillepubliclibrary/events.
Spring Open House
Thursday, February 8, 2018 @ 6-8pm
Come to this open house, if you are interested in learning more about New Life Christian Academy. The school is located at 812 Instrument Drive, Rocky Mount NC. Their website is newlifeacademyrm.com.
Wastelands and Wilderness: Nuclear Lands
Thursday, February 8, 2018 @ 6-7:30pm
Held at the National Humanities Center, 7 TW Alexander Drive, Durham NC. Speaker Peter Galison, a history of science professor at Harvard University, will discuss the relation between wastelands and wilderness in this public lecture. A reception will follow the event. Registration is required. Register here.
Science Cafe: Nanotechnology
Thursday, February 8, 2018 @ 7-8:30pm
Free presentation hosted by the NC Museum of Natural Sciences at The Daily Planet Cafe, 121 W Jones Street, Raleigh NC. Are small things the next asbestos? Nanomaterials (matter at the atomic and molecular scale) have become the building blocks of new technologies. However, these materials may also create unforeseen challenges to environment and health. What is being done to ensure that these nanomaterials will not be the next asbestos or the next DDT? Speaker is Mark R. Wiesner, the James B. Duke Chair in Civil and Environmental Engineering at Duke University. His work has focused on applications of emerging nanomaterials to membrane science and water treatment and an examination of the fate, transport, and effects of nanomaterials in the environment. See full event details here.
East Carolina Wildlife Arts Festival
February 8-10, 2018
Events held at Arts of the Pamlico, 150 W Main Street, Washington NC, and around town. Three days include an unveiling/reception, live entertainment, gallery art walk, Saturday arts festival, and more. See details at www.artsofthepamlico.org.
Friday, February 9, 2018
Cooking for Crowds
Friday, February 9, 2018 @ 9am-noon
Senior Citizens’ Center, 602 E Mason Street, Franklinton NC. Workshop is for those who may need to cook for a large group as part of a fundraiser or special event? Learn how to safely prepare large amounts of foods. Recognize the hazards to food safety that can arise. Call Dominque Simon at 919.496.3344 or email to register.
Free Family Movie Night
Friday, February 9, 2018 @ 7-9pm; doors open 6:30pm
Zebulon Parks & Recreation Department invites all to this free movie night. Held at the Zebulon Community Center, 301 S Arendell Avenue, Zebulon NC. Free popcorn and water provided. See the town website (under construction), or the P&R Facebook page.
2018 Wake Forest Mardi Gras Festival
Saturday, February 9-10, 2018
Enjoy this free Street Festival with a walking parade, children’s activities, contests, and more. Explore downtown and meet area merchants. Activities around the Town of Wake Forest NC. See details at www.wakeforestnc.gov/wake-forest-mardi-gras.aspx.
Saturday, February 10, 2018
Stepping Into The Past (February 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.
February 10 topic is “Food Processing: Hog killing demonstration” with activities 8-11am.
Rolesville Community Hunger Initiative
Saturday, February 10, 2018 @ 9:30am-1pm
Join us for the first annual Rolesvile Hunger Initiative meal packing event with Rise Against Hunger at 502 Southtown Circle, Rolesville NC. Pack meals to ship globally and collect non-perishables to give to food pantries in Rolesville. All ages are welcome to come and help. There will be childcare for younger children. Come for one or both meal-packing shifts:
- 9:30-11am
- 11:30am-1pm
To learn more, sign up, and donate $ to make it happen, visit events.stophungernow.org/Rolesville.
Wake Forest Farmer’s Market
Saturday, February 10, 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.
Brown Bag Lunch
Saturday, February 10, 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.
Live Music & Food Truck Saturday
Saturday, February 10, 2018 @ 6-10pm
Held at 217 Brew Works, 217 South Street S, Wilson NC. Live music by Mark and John Bunn. Cousins Maine Lobster food truck (starting at 5pm).
Sunday, February 11, 2018
Farm Valentines With Goats
Sunday, February 11, 2018 @ noon-4pm
Held at Spring Haven Farm, 5306 Homer Ruffin Road, Chapel Hill NC. “Bring your favorite Valentine to Spring Haven Farm to meet the goats and take a romantic Hayride.” Take a photo with your favorite goat. Meet Peppa Pig, feed the horses, and kids can ride the Tractor Train. All activities are included in the $10 per person ticket price, and kids 3 and under are free. Rain or shine. See
Coming Soon
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
