Savor the last bit of July with these Best Bets!

Friday, July 30

6-8:30pm: See Hillsborough resident Art Fettig perform "Almost Andy," a skit about North Carolina native Andy Griffith, at the Orange County Historical Museum.

6-9pm: Visit the Blue Light Special artist's flea market to find great steals and support the Skylight Gallery.  

6:30-9:30pm: It's time again for the Hillsborough Last Friday celebration. This month's event will feature music by Killer Filler, an art walk, a pie contest and a wine tasting at the town's Weaver Street Market location.

Saturday, July 31

3pm: The Missoula Children's Theater, with a cast of 60 local kids, will perform "Alice in Wonderland" at the ArtsCenter. Two-show passes are $10 for adults.

7pm: Hindugrass, a band that blends Indian and American folk music, will open for the 8pm showing "Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time." The band was supposed to perform in June, but their show was rained out. Here's a second chance! Hear them preform below in a video taken at a performance earlier this month at the General Store Cafe.

7-10pm: Big Fat Gap performs in the Carolina Brewery 2010 Summer Music Series.

Sunday, Aug. 1

12-4pm: This weekend encompasses not only Hillsborough's First Friday but also Pittsboro's First Sunday. This monthly Sunday celebration offers a leisurely wander through the unique shops and galleries of historic Pittsboro. For an idea of the variety of artists who usually participate, visit  pittsboroshops.com or call 919-960-5892 for  more information.

7pm: Bring in August with John Howie Jr. and the Sweethearts, a band that plays "the sweetest country you've ever heard." They'll perform as part of the Southern Village Summer Music Series.

Friday, July 23
11am-4pm: Today is the grand opening of the latest exhibit at the Orange County Historical Museum, Celebrating 100 Years of Service: The Orange County Public Library. The exhibit uses photos, quilts and texts to showcase the library's 100-year-old history. The exhibit will run through October.

7:30pm: Check out the newly renovated Paul Green Theatre at a performance of Drood, a Tony award-winning musical based on a Charles Dickens novel. The Summer Youth Conservatory will perform the show Thursday through Sunday.

8pm: The Orange Community Players will also present a Tony award-winning musical, Bye Bye Birdie. The show runs Thursday through Sunday, and you can find a complete schedule here.

Saturday, July 24
11am: Catch a kid-friendly show, Up and Down and All Around, Saturday morning at the ArtsCenter. A dancing storyteller and whimsical musician will delight childrens' imaginations.

11:30am-1:30pm: The Virginia Gail Collection in University Mall is hosting a "lunch and learn" all about closets. The shop is providing a free lunch to all who attend to learn organizing tips from closet guru Paul Latz of Closet Creations.

1:30-4:30pm: Start prepping for the Hillsborough Handmade Parade at a workshop all about costume and street-size puppet making at the Central Orange County Recreation Center.

Sunday, July 25
3pm: Today is your last chance to see the 10 by 10 in the Triangle, a series of 10 theatrical shorts by playwrights from all over the world. Tickets are $10.

5-9pm: Stop by the HOPE Gardens Festival, a fundraising dinner event with a tempting menu: local, free range barbequed pork, slaw, fresh garden produce and a vegetarian option. There will also be live music and tours of the garden. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 240-1795 or email nchopegardens@gmail.com

Friday, July 16

7-9pm: In case you missed the June performance, here's another chance to catch Katharine Whalen's band LUCKY, this time at an in-store performance at Flyleaf Books. You'll be able to see their new music video, which was filmed in the bookstore.

7-9pm: Kick back on the Bynum Front Porch and enjoy music from Great Big Gone, a group of Triangle-area music veterans that play "porch picking, finger licking, roots rocking, western swinging, honky tonking Americana all garnished with a pinch of cajun."

8pm: Brush up on your dance moves with tango lessons from the Triangle Tango Society at the Open Eye Café in Carrboro. A beginner's lesson will start at 8pm, and dancing will continue from 9pm until 11:45pm. Admission is $5.

Saturday, July 17The Orange County Speedway, located just off N.C. Highway 57, is the fastest 3/8-mile track in the country.

8am-noon: Celebrate summer's juiciest vegetable at Tomato Day at the Carrboro Farmers' Market. You can learn about the history of the tomato and its origins in Latin America, sample three tomato dishes and peruse a display of all the varieties of tomatoes sold in the market. The event will feature signs, recipes and trivia in both English and Spanish.

4-6pm: The Chatham County Arts Council and Briar Chapel are partnering to present an art gallery installation and artwalk in the Briar Chapel Information Center. For more information or to make a reservation, call 888-249-9429 or email briarchapel@newlandco.com.

7pm: Enjoy some grassroots racing: Cheer on your favorite driver at the Orange County Speedway.

Sunday, July 18

2-4pm: Visit the Ackland Art Museum for Music in the Galleries. This week's performance will feature chamber sonatas by Bach, Corelli and others.

2-4pm: Stop by the opening reception of "An Eye on Nature." Art by the 2009 and 2010 graduates of the N.C. Botanical Garden's Botanical Illustration Certificate Program will be on display.

5pm: See another side of the immigratin debate at CHICLE. UNC professor Susan Harbage Page will present her photographic exploration of the possessions left behind by individuals trying to enter the U.S. through the Texas border.

Friday, July 9

10am-9pm: Head to University Mall for the Hot Diggity Days Summer Sidewalk Sale -- retailers are offering give-aways and discounts of up to 70%, and there will also be live performances and games and activities for kids. The sale continues all weekend long during the mall's normal operating hours.

6-9pm: Dozens of art galleries and businesses will stay open late for the monthly 2nd Friday Artwalk downtown. See the website for a list of participants.

8pm: The ninth annual 10 by 10 Festival kicks off this weekend (Thursday, actually) at the ArtsCenter. For $10 you can catch 10 plays in 10 minutes with 10 actors. For the 2010 lineup, click here.

Saturday, July 10

10:30am-1:15pm: Take your 3- to 8-year-old to Kidzu for a Saturday morning art session. This month's featured artist is Frida Kahlo, so participants will explore Mexican art and self-portraits. Cost is $2 per child, and same day registration is usually possible for these Saturday morning sessions.

1am-3pm: Your child can train to become an official Burwell School Docent this weekend. Kids will have the chance to dress in period costume and learn how to share the school's history with the public. This program is most appropriate for kids ages 8 to 18, but all ages are welcome to participate.

Sunday, July 11

7pm: This week's installment of the Southern Village Summer Music Series will feature the Pratie Heads, a group performing traditional music of the British Isles.

7:30pm: You'll have to head to Durham to catch the legendary Ringo Starr at the DPAC. Tickets start at $59, and the doors open at 6:30pm.

Here's our round-up of the best ways to celebrate this patriotic weekend. Have a fun, safe Fourth of July!

Friday, July 2
4:30-6:30pm: Unwind after work at a Weaver Street Market wine tasting - the market hosts them each Friday at both the Carrboro and Southern Village locations.

Saturday, July 3
8am-noon: Just in time for the Fourth of July, find new recipes and enjoy samples and cooking demos at the Thrill of the Grill event at the Eno River Farmers' Market.

7-10pm: Join local author Nic Brown as he celebrates the debut of his new novel, Doubles, at the Crunkleton. The event is sponsored by ROOT liquor, which will be offering drink specials throughout the night. Flyleaf Books will be selling copies of the book, and attendees are encouraged to wear tennis whites.

7-10pm: Enjoy a burger and live music at the Carolina Brewery's 2010 Patio Music Series. This week will feature tunes by Not Dead Yet.

Sunday, July 4
9:30am-3pm: Enjoy an afternoon of family-friendly celebration including a parade, arts and crafts, a pie-eating contest and live music by SEA-CRUZ at the Carrboro July Fourth Celebration.

1-3pm: Celebrate old-fashioned Americana on the grounds of the Horace Williams House with free ice cream and picnicking and a concert by the Village Band.

2-7pm: Big Fat Gap will perform two sets of bluegrass tunes (one from 2-4pm and one from 5-7pm) on the fronch porch of the Carolina Inn for its Fourth of July celebration: Red, White and Carolina Blue. There will also be a Southern picnic buffet and drink specials with seating on the shady front porch.

7pm: The town's annual fireworks celebration will take place again this year at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Gates open at 7pm, the Big Sam Band will perform at 8pm, and the fireworks show will begin at 9:30pm.

Check out some of these fun ways to spend time with your dad this Father's Day weekend.

Friday, June 18

2010 logo by Josh McKelvey3pm: Learn about how Thomas Day, a free black man, became one of the most successful cabinet and furniture makers in antebellum North Carolina during a presentation by Patricia Phillips Marshall, the Curator of Decorative Arts for the N.C. Executive Mansion and the N.C. Museum of History.

5pm: Unwind at this week's edition of Fridays on the Front Porch at the Carolina Inn, featuring Big Fat Gap.

6-9pm: The 28th annual Hillsborough Hog Day will kick off Friday with an evening of live music by Didact and Hot Rooster.

Saturday, June 19

9am-1:30pm: Saturday is Family Volunteer Day at Spence's Farm. Bring the whole family and learn about organic farming by helping to garden and care for animals.

9am-6pm: Hillsborough Hog Day will continue all day Saturday with games and entertainment for the whole family. There will be a barbecue cooking contest, more live music, arts and crafts, a car show and merchandise vendors. For a full schedule of events, click here.

1:30pm-9:30pm: The Long Leaf Opera will host its fourth National Vocal Competition at Christ United Methodist Church in Southern Village. From approximately 1:30-4pm, ten finalists will compete in a semi-final round. Then, the top five finalists will compete at 7:30pm for cash prizes and a role in an upcoming Long Leaf Opera production. Admission to both performances is free with donations accepted.

Sunday, June 20

4-8pm: Support the HOPE Gardens - a community garden and education center - at a cook out and festival featuring live music and garden tours.

6pm: The ArtsCenter will host a special Father's Day concert, "African American Traditions II," on the Southern Green at Southern Village. The concert will feature Donna Washington, a nationally acclaimed storytelling performer and award-winning author and recording artist, and gospel music performances. Admission is $5.

Friday, June 11
4-9pm: Head north of Mebane for the Occaneechi Band of the Saponi Nation's annual Pow Wow. The festival will feature traditional native music, dance, food and crafts. Admission is $3-$6, and kids 5 and under get in free. Call the tribal office at 304-3723 for more information.

8:30pm: Cyril Lance and his "arkestra" will perform as part of the ArtsCenter's American Roots Series. Tickets are $14 and $12 for members.

9:30pm: Groove to Beatles classics with Abbey Road LIVE! at Cat's Cradle. Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 the day of the show.

Saturday, June 12

8am-noon: Learn about everything under the soil at the Eno River Farmers' Market this Saturday. There will composting advice, information on butterfly gardening and cooking demonstrations with root crops.

2-6:30pm: Carrboro Greenspace is hosting urban farm tours consisting of more than 15 sites in Carrboro and Chapel Hill. Tours depart from Carrboro Raw and will be followed by a potluck dinner at Shoeless Joe's garden, located at 201 Lindsay St.

11pm-4am: Graduating high school seniors from Carrboro High School, Chapel Hill High School and East Chapel Hill High School and their invited guests will party all night at Project Graduation, the 17th annual community celebration at the UNC Student Union featuring music, games, prizes and food. 

Sunday, June 13

2pm: Pat Stone, the editor and creator of GreenPrints magazine, will perform "The Greatest Garden Stories Ever Told" at the North Carolina Botanical Gardens. Tickets are $20 or $15 for members. Stone is also a professional gardening storyteller with a reputation as the "Garrison Keillor of Gardening."

2-4pm: The Preservation Society of Chapel Hill will host an opening reception for Jennifer Hahn's exhibition of oil paintings, which will be on display from June 13 through July 4.

4pm: Learn about the history of mills in our state at a presentation sponsored by the Hillsborough Historic District Commission and Historical Foundation of Hillsborough and Orange County. Stay until 5:30pm for a three course dinner. Tickets for dinner are $20 and must be purchased in advance.

Friday, June 4
5-9pm: Take a trip to Hillsborough for this month's Cruise-In with a Twist car show. You can enjoy music and food and check out the vintage cars in The Shops at Daniel Boone parking lot. Admission at these shows is always free.

8pm: Catch a benefit concert for the Woods Charter School at Cat's Cradle featuring Robert Sledge & the Flashlight Assembly, The Harvey Dalton Arnold Blues Band and Great Big Gone. Tickets are $10.

8:30pm: Laurence Juber, lead guitarist for Paul McCartney's band, Wings, will perform at the ArtsCenter. General admission tickets are $20.

Saturday, June 5
9am-noon: Take part in the ninth annual Walkable Hillsborough Day at Cameron Park Elementary School in Hillsborough. The event will kick off with a community walk, and there will also be a bike rodeo and a safety forum.

9am: Bring your favorite young person to the Youth Fishing Rodeo at Bob Strayhorn's farm, located between Chapel Hill and Hillsborough off N.C. 86 and New Hope Church Road. There is no cost to participate, and prizes will be awarded for the first fish caught, the most creative hat and for fish size (by age group). A free hotdog lunch will follow the fishing competition.

9am: Get some exercise and support a good cause by racing in the Lending Legs for Learning 5K at Bolin Creek Greenway. Donations of $25 will include registration and a T-shirt and will raise money for the lending library at the N.C. Children's Hospital.

9:30am-noon: Participate in National Trails Day at Battle Park. Take a trail tour and orientation and then join Battle Park staff and other volunteers in a trail-building session. Tools and equipment will be provided, and there is no fee to join in. Call 962-0522 to register and learn the meeting location.

Sunday, June 6

Noon-4pm: Stroll through downtown Pittsboro's shops and galleries and enjoy lunch at a local eatery during the town's monthly First Sunday celebration.

2-4pm: Get out and enjoy the beautiful weather in a guided hike at the Johnston Mill Nature Preserve. Cost is $5; call 962-0522 for more information.

If you're not headed out of town for the weekend, check out the variety of events going on here in Chapel Hill. Have a fun, safe and relaxing Memorial Day!

Friday, May 28
6-8pm: As part of the town's Last Friday event, the Orange County Public Library in Hillsborough will stay open late and host an evening of fun activities for kids, including contests, prizes, refreshments and an old-time Appalachian band. Freebies such as advance copies of books, bookmarks, and bumper stickers will be available while supplies last.

6:30pm: Catch a performance by Brazilian Soul on the old courthouse lawn in Hillsborough as another part of the town's monthly Last Friday event. Artists, food vendors, musicians and craftspeople set up their wares along the street, and art galleries, businesses and restaurants stay open late.

7-10pm: Check out the Teen Talent Contest at the Carrboro Century Center, hosted by the Carrboro Recreation and Parks Department. Teens auditioned last week and will perform the same acts this week, competing for first, second and third place prizes. Admission is $3 per person. For more information, call 918-7371.

Saturday, May 29The Sacrificial Poets pose with their coaches and chaperones while at the 2009 International Youth Poetry Slam Festival in Chicago. Photo courtesy of Kane Smego.
7-9pm: If you've never seen the Sacrificial Poets perform, check them out Saturday at Flyleaf Books. The Chapel Hill group is North Carolina’s only youth performance poetry team, and they compete on the national level. This week, the group's mentors and coaches will face off for a slam.

7:30-8:30pm: Enjoy two improvisational comedy teams competing against one another for laughs at the DSI Comedy Theater. Admission is $10, and the show is appropriate for all ages.

8pm: For only $4, you can catch a movie on the Village Green at Southern Village. This week's film is Alice in Wonderland. For more information, call 969-7301, ext. 231.

Sunday, May 30
1-5pm: Did you know that Kidzu is open each Sunday from 1-5pm, and the usual admission fee is waived? Take your kids to the museum for an afternoon of activities and hands-on exhibits.

7pm: Bring a blanket and a picnic dinner and groove with Better Off Dead, a Grateful Dead Tribute band, as they perform on the Village Green at Southern Village. The concert is free.

9pm: Sunday seems to be the night for tribute bands. If the Grateful Dead isn't your favorite, catch I Was Totally Destroying U2, a U2 tribute band, at Local 506.

Friday, May 21Michael Malone. (Photo by Briana Brough.)
7:30pm: The Friday Center will host a performance of Esther, a musical retelling of the biblical tale with lyrics and music by Chapel Hill composer Pali L'Yriel Delevitt. Tickets are $16 in advance and $18 at the door.

8pm: Emmy-award winning author and television writer Michael Malone and his wife, Maureen Quilligan, will present a concert version of Guys and Dolls at St. Matthew's Episcopal Church. The event is free and is part of the church's Faith and the Arts Series.

Saturday, May 22
Noon-6pm: Scope out a variety of green homes all over the Triangle in this year's fifth annual free self-guided Green Homes Tour. Pick up a tour guide at select locations this week. The tour will also continue Sunday from noon-6pm.

2-4pm: The Triangle Youth Ballet will perform Cinderella and other dances at the Hanes Theatre at Chapel Hill High School. With a running time of 50 minutes and no intermission, the Cinderella performance is appropriate for young children. Call 932-2676 for tickets and pricing.

3:30pm: Bring your kids to Kidzu for the Creepy Crawlies Family Event where they can sing, dance and explore the movement of springtime creatures with elementary dance teacher Debbie Cook. The event is free, and no registration is required.

Sunday, May 23
2-4pm: Visit the "Celebration of Support" art exhibition and raffle at the UNC Student Union Gallery. The show will feature art by Burmese refugee children created during therapy sessions with the Art Therapy Institute. 

3pm: North Carolina Botanical Garden Director Peter White will present a lecture on biodiversity and conservation in North Carolina an the southeast. The event is free, but call 962-0522 to reserve a seat.

4-7pm: Tickets are sold out to the Farm to Fork Picnic, a celebration of local food and farms, but you can still sign up for the waiting list online. The picnic will take place rain or shine at the W.C. Breeze family farm north of Hillsborough.