Events in Lenoir, NC

Noodle & Bells delivers a water-based workout that is gentle on the joints while building muscle tone, balance, and a stronger core. Using aqua dumbbells and pool noodles, the session blends resistance, stability, and control so the whole body is challenged while keeping impact low. Variations and modifications are available, making it suitable for every fitness level and allowing participants to move at a comfortable pace. Sessions take place in the heated indoor pool at Catawba Valley Medical Center, Fitness Plus, in a friendly group environment that supports progress. Pricing is covered for Fitness Plus members, and the drop-in cost is $8 per class for non-members and guests.

AquaTone offers a gentle, water-based workout focused on building strength, sharpening coordination, and improving overall movement quality. Drawing on the natural resistance of the pool and simple tools like noodles, the class blends mindful practice with elements inspired by Tai Chi to promote control, balance, and smooth flow. The warm water setting supports comfortable, low impact exercise that is easy on the joints and helps build confidence in motion. It is appropriate for every fitness level, from beginners to experienced participants, and suits anyone seeking steady, joint friendly conditioning with an emphasis on balance and body awareness. Sessions are held in the indoor heated pool at Catawba Valley Medical Center Fitness Plus. Access is included with a Fitness Plus membership, and nonmembers or guests can attend for $8 per class.

Enjoy a relaxed museum program with guest speaker Thea Yang, who will share perspectives on Hmong history and the art of traditional embroidered textiles. Attendees can view a selection of flower cloths and story cloths from the museum’s permanent collection. The talk takes place in the Claude and Jo Sitton Education Center, and parking is available at the museum.

Executive Director Clarissa Starnes hosts a relaxed coffee gathering with conversation and the latest museum news as HMA settles into its newly transformed home. Expect highlights on upcoming exhibitions, programs, and events, along with time for questions and casual dialogue. It is a chance to connect with fellow members and friends of HMA, whether reconnecting after the grand reopening or attending for the first time.

Rock School Arts Foundation hosts an open studio for two-dimensional artists to paint and draw together on Thursdays in Studio 101 at the Old Rock School in Valdese, North Carolina. This is shared studio time for artists who want to create in the company of others.

Unwind and move with calm focus in a gentle, low impact Tai Chi class that uses smooth, flowing sequences to support balance, mobility, posture, and stress relief. Instruction is beginner friendly and paced for comfort, with guided movements that build stability, joint friendly range of motion, coordination, and body awareness in a calm, supportive setting. It is a strong fit for anyone aiming to improve balance and reduce fall risk, ease stiffness or aches with low impact movement, or enjoy a relaxing, mindful experience. Pricing is included with a Fitness Plus membership, or $8 per class for nonmembers and guests.

Gentle Waves offers a beginner friendly water workout that keeps impact low while maintaining an upbeat feel. In a heated indoor pool at Catawba Valley Medical Center Fitness Plus, participants move through simple aquatic exercises to lively music in a supportive, social atmosphere. The warm water cushions the joints, helping build confidence and improve mobility while making movement enjoyable. Instruction focuses on clear, easy to follow movements, a comfortable pace with options to adjust intensity, and an inclusive setting for every comfort level. It is well suited for those new to aquatic exercise, anyone easing back into movement, and people looking for a fun, low pressure class. Pricing is included with a Fitness Plus membership, and non members or guests can attend for 8 dollars per class.

Take your workout to the water with a lively aquarobics session in a comfortably heated indoor pool. Using the natural resistance of the water, this class builds cardiovascular fitness, muscular strength, and overall endurance while staying gentle on your joints. The pool is kept at 88 degrees, which supports year-round activity and recovery. Expect heart-healthy cardio moves, strength-focused exercises, and rotating formats that keep each session engaging. The environment is supportive and welcoming. It suits all fitness levels, including anyone seeking an effective, low-impact option that is easy on the joints. Access is included with a Fitness Plus membership, and non-members or guests can participate for $8 per class. The class takes place in the indoor heated pool at Catawba Valley Medical Center Fitness Plus.

Line dancing comes to Hickory, North Carolina with an upbeat night that blends movement, music, and meeting new people. Beginners are supported with introductory lessons, and no prior experience is needed. There is a $5 cover charge. All ages are welcome, with a reminder to be responsible for yourself and your group. The Wizard Saloon keeps the energy high with ice cold drinks, plus pool tables and games for fun between songs. After the lessons, the floor opens for song and dance requests so the music and dancing continue all night.

Rediscover playful creativity in a four-day Zentangle retreat that invites letting go of rules and embracing curiosity. Strokes wander, experimentation is welcome, and there is no pressure to get it perfect. With gentle guidance and a warm community, participants explore patterns at a comfortable pace and focus on presence rather than outcomes. Sessions feature whimsical pattern explorations inspired by a Wonderland theme, intuitive mark making that encourages spontaneous choices, and meditative flow practices that support focus and calm. Group sharing provides space to exchange ideas and inspiration. The experience is designed to rekindle artistic joy, clear a busy mind, open the door to creative freedom, ease stress through process-first drawing, and offer practical ways to bring Zentangle principles into everyday projects. Create tiles that reflect a personal story and receive a curated set of Zentangle tools to continue the journey beyond the retreat. Leave feeling lighter, more present, and ready for playful possibilities.

Difficult experiences, whether isolated or repeated and whether rooted in childhood or more recent, can narrow life’s sense of ease and possibility. Their effects may appear as anxiety, depression, ongoing physical concerns, a sense of disconnection from the body, or challenges with trust, closeness, and self-worth. Recovery is within reach. This four day, mind-body retreat with Dr. Arielle Schwartz, a clinical psychologist, EMDR consultant, somatic therapist, and trauma survivor, offers practical pathways toward post-traumatic growth. Participants explore how trauma shapes the mind, emotions, and physiology, then learn tools to restore balance and reclaim well-being. The program weaves together gentle, trauma-sensitive yoga to release held tension, intentional breathing to calm the nervous system and support embodiment, and hands-on applications of polyvagal theory, including vagal toning, to strengthen regulation and resilience. Guided meditation and mindful reflection cultivate presence and clarity, while viewing recovery through the Hero’s Journey invites meaning, courage, and empowerment. Opportunities to share insights help build supportive connections with others on a similar path. By the conclusion, you leave with a resilience plan tailored to you, a deeper understanding of your healing process, and renewed confidence to move forward with purpose.

Build strength in a supportive, low impact setting that uses the natural resistance of water. This multi level aquatic class focuses on muscular strength and endurance and offers options for different abilities so you can work at the pace that suits you. Expect strength focused movements in the pool with equipment such as water dumbbells, paddles, and noodles, along with guidance that keeps impact gentle on the joints. It is well suited for people who want effective training without added strain, including those managing arthritis, joint pain, or mobility limitations. All fitness levels are welcome, and modifications are available. Sessions are held in the heated indoor pool at Catawba Valley Medical Center Fitness Plus. Participation is included with a Fitness Plus membership, and non members or guests can attend for $8 per class.

Enjoy a refreshing aquatic cardio workout in a warm indoor pool kept near 88 degrees. Aquarobics blends low impact movement with high energy sequences to build cardiovascular fitness, strength, and endurance while remaining gentle on the joints. Sessions rotate through different formats and use water resistance to keep things engaging, and the atmosphere is welcoming and supportive. Suitable for every fitness level, it is a good choice for anyone seeking joint friendly cardio or an effective low impact routine. Access is included with a Fitness Plus membership, and non members or guests can attend for $8 per class. The class takes place at Catawba Valley Medical Center, Fitness Plus indoor heated pool.

Soul Benefactor brings a horn-powered mix of soul, funk, and rock to The Best Cellar as part of the Music On The Lawn series with the Inn at Ragged Gardens. Inspired by the classic sounds of Memphis, Muscle Shoals, Macon, and Motown, the band returns for another season of outdoor performances. The summer and fall shows are free to attend. Guests can bring lawn chairs and have some cash handy for the bar and to support the band. All ages are welcome.

Known as the longest running cruise-in in North Carolina, this gathering brings together classic car enthusiasts for a mix of vintage rides, music, raffles, good company, and great food. To keep things friendly and enjoyable for everyone, please avoid burnouts or engine revving. Attendees are also asked to refrain from using the pharmacy parking area until permitted.

Move, breathe, and reset in a music-driven yoga retreat guided by MC YOGI and DJ Taz Rashid. The weekend brings together live sound, dynamic movement, and mindful practices to support growth, ease stress, and rekindle energy within a welcoming community. Expect enlivening Vinyasa sessions, soothing chill flows, and restorative Yin paired with meditation. A signature flow yoga concert merges practice with live performance, while focused silent disco segments use personal wireless headphones to deepen attention and connection to the beat. Throughout, lyrical teaching and immersive soundscapes encourage reflection, clarity, and a renewed sense of purpose, helping participants strengthen the mind body connection and cultivate calm that carries into daily life.

Aquarobics delivers a lively water workout in a warm indoor pool, pairing low impact movement with energetic cardio to support cardiovascular fitness, strength, and endurance while staying easy on the joints. The pool is maintained at 88 degrees for comfort, making it suitable for year-round movement and recovery. Sessions blend aerobic conditioning that uses water resistance with strength and endurance drills, presented in varied formats to keep classes engaging. The setting is friendly and supportive, welcoming participants of all fitness levels, including anyone seeking joint-friendly cardio and an effective low impact option. Participation is included with a Fitness Plus membership, and non-members or guests can take part for $8 per class. The class takes place at the Catawba Valley Medical Center Fitness Plus indoor heated pool.

The Berry site near Morganton, North Carolina offers a hands-on introduction to archaeology. Participants learn excavation techniques and take part in uncovering the site, handling discoveries directly. All tools are supplied and no prior experience is needed. Participation is limited to ages 16 and older, with youth ages 10 to 15 allowed when accompanied by a paying adult. The fee is $10 per person. Registration is required to actively dig, and a follow-up email with additional details and navigation directions is sent after sign-up.

This fundraising golf tournament for the Faith Fair takes place at Lenoir Golf Club. It features an afternoon shotgun start, and a meal is included.

This event features Michael Reno Harrell, an award-winning songwriter, published author, visual artist, and nationally known storyteller from the Southern Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina. Over more than fifty years, his career has taken him through forty-four states and several countries. His songs, stories, and artworks draw on lived experiences and eight generations of mountain roots, weaving regional traditions into a broader American narrative. On stage he blends an easy, familiar presence with sharp insight and purpose, and his work has been recognized across music, literary, and storytelling communities. Highlights include serving as a Featured Teller at the National Storytelling Festival, a Teller in Residence at the International Storytelling Center, and appearances at major music gatherings such as MerleFest and the Walnut Valley Festival. He also teaches workshops in songwriting and storytelling. Tickets are $20 for BAC members and $25 for non-members.

Blue Monday brings a synth-driven, nostalgia-laced party to The Premier, delivering a set that fuses the signature sounds of the 1980s with alternative dance cuts and modern electro rock. Hailing from Charlotte, North Carolina, the band builds a high-energy atmosphere with slick production and plenty of moments to sing along. Retro-inspired attire fits the vibe, with the dance floor front and center.

An immersive retreat with Dr. Brad Reedy and Emma Reedy June invites participants to reconnect with the parts of themselves that were set aside in order to get by. Identities built around approval, achievement, control, and perfection once offered protection, yet over time they can create pain. Through a blend of attachment-informed teaching and mythic storytelling, the experience gently guides a shift from inner criticism to compassion, from survival habits to a grounded sense of self acceptance, and from uncertainty to clear awareness. Participants explore how early bonding and childhood experiences shaped coping styles, relationships, and recurring dilemmas. There is an emphasis on integrating the disowned aspects of one’s story so that judgment can soften into care for oneself and others. The work also highlights relational dynamics such as projection and other unconscious patterns in marriage, parenting, and partnership, offering pathways to respond with steadiness instead of reactivity. Personal responsibility is reframed as a compassionate practice, recognizing how once-helpful defenses may now stand in the way of growth and freedom. Compassionate connection is presented as a powerful support for nervous system regulation, helping safety feel tangible. Life challenges are viewed through the lens of the Hero’s Journey, inviting meaning, direction, and purpose within struggle. The week focuses less on collecting techniques and more on meeting yourself in a new way. As understanding deepens, long-standing symptoms and defenses begin to make sense, and what seemed like failure can open into integration. In a supportive environment, the nervous system has space to orient toward belonging rather than fear. Many leave feeling more connected to themselves, with greater tenderness and clearer ways of showing up in love, parenting, partnership, and purpose. Content includes attachment-based psychoeducation to illuminate how early bonds shape patterns, guided psychodrama to process core emotional themes experientially, and an immersion in the Hero’s Journey inspired by Joseph Campbell. Mindful reflection through meditation and structured journaling supports self-observation. Intimate small-group and dyad conversations cultivate safety, vulnerability, and integration. Creative practices with drawing, art, and storytelling invite insight that reaches beyond analysis.

Iron Thunder Bike Night returns to Iron Thunder Saloon & Grill - Hickory for an evening celebrating motorcycles and music.

This no cost public event takes place in Bost Memorial Hall at Corinth Reformed Church and welcomes people from every background, with or without a church home. The focus is on families navigating estrangement, a reality that touches roughly one in ten Americans. Topics include common sources of broken relationships such as past abuse or neglect, ongoing conflict, crossed boundaries, clashing values, and disputes tied to divorce, romantic partners, inheritance, or politics. In this talk, Mary offers encouragement to parents who are grieving the choices of their adult children. While acknowledging that parents cannot direct those choices, she points to a different path that includes Christlike love, steady prayer, and compassionate listening. She also speaks to the heavy weight many carry, including guilt, shame, disappointment, and fear, and invites parents to release the urge to fix or rescue, entrusting their sons and daughters to God’s care. The message centers on hope and peace, helping parents love deeply, pray with perseverance, listen with care, and rest in God while trusting Him with their children’s journey.

FOURK features Krystal King, a Nashville-based artist from Hickory, North Carolina, known for storytelling songs that balance humor with vivid detail. Her sound blends classic and 90s country with touches of blues, rock, and folk, reflecting a spirit reminiscent of Loretta Lynn. She tours across the country and brings a road-tested energy grounded in down-to-earth charm.

The 5th Annual Miss North Carolina Sunshine State Pageant brings contestants to Old Rock School in Valdese, North Carolina for a milestone celebration of confidence, stage presence, and crowning moments. Recognized by Pageant Planet as one of the top five state pageants, the event features required competitions in beauty, fun fashion, and interview, along with a range of optional categories that offer extra stage time and a chance to practice before finals. A host hotel is available at the Hilton Garden Inn Hickory. State Queens receive a prize package that includes an array of gifts, NCSP merchandise and apparel during the reign, a tumbler, a crown box, an embroidered and stoned sash, a full round crown, a trophy and scepter, a queen’s retreat, festive gatherings including a Christmas party and outings, a custom pillowcase, Hulken bags for overall winners, and several cash prizes supported by sponsors. Titleholders in this system are expected to be active representatives, and interested contestants should review the handbook to ensure the responsibilities are a good fit. For more information, email carolinasunshinepageants@gmail.com.

Designed for women navigating any phase of hormonal change, this immersive exercise retreat explores how shifting estrogen levels influence movement, training, recovery, and aging. Led by biomechanist and bestselling author Katy Bowman, the program focuses on partnering with a changing body rather than trying to fix it, building a sustainable practice that supports strength, resilience, and long-term well-being. Participants can expect three days of expert guidance, nourishing meals, and meaningful connection, with logistics handled so it is easy to fully engage. Sessions prioritize a gentle yet effective approach, blending guided exercises with reflection and real-time feedback to clarify range of motion, enhance mobility, and rebuild confidence in what the body can do. Key outcomes include understanding how hormonal transitions affect strength and joints, developing bone-supportive strength without burnout, restoring mobility while protecting joint health, and improving balance and coordination to lower fall risk and cultivate steady confidence. The retreat also weaves in nervous system support to ease stress, encourage better sleep, and bolster emotional health, along with practical ways to adapt everyday movements and workouts to current needs. Expect biomechanics-informed movement tailored to aging muscles, joints, and bones, collaborative planning to design a personalized movement routine that replenishes energy and serves long-term goals, supportive group dialogue that normalizes shared experiences, self-inquiry journaling to anchor insights, and mindful nature walks that refresh alignment. Whether approaching menopause, moving through it, or long past it, attendees leave with tools they can use daily to make movement more aligned, more resilient, and more their own.

NC Foothills Finest partners with BallDawgs to bring the Future Stars Shockwave youth basketball camp to the Martin Luther King Center. Designed for students in grades 3 through 8, this experience focuses on elite, hands-on instruction in a high-level skill lab setting. Ty Lawson leads the training, bringing credentials that include being the ACC’s top player, winning an NCAA title with the UNC Tar Heels, earning a first-round selection in the NBA Draft, and competing in the league for close to a decade. Two grade-based sessions are offered, and spots are limited to keep the instruction focused. The camp fee is $75 and includes a custom tee shirt along with the skill lab training. Each camper who registers also receives a complimentary ticket to the Ty Lawson vs. 828/704 event. After the camp, the venue pivots to a high-intensity one-on-one showcase that invites challengers to face a pro, with rules and participation details to be announced. Spectator access is open to the community, with admission set at $10 for adults and $5 for kids.

With more than sixty years of history, Art in the Park returns to downtown Blowing Rock for a new season highlighting fine art and handcraft. Artists set up along Park Avenue in the town center, close to local shops, restaurants, and parks. Each show features a carefully curated mix of artists working across many mediums. Expect unique pieces for the home, functional creations such as furniture and pottery, and wearable art from handcrafted jewelry to textiles. This season is presented by 4 Forty Four, and the event proceeds regardless of weather. Free shuttle service operates continuously during show hours from Shoppes on the Parkway. Additional parking can be found on Maple Street, Wallingford Street, and at the Blowing Rock Art & History Museum. Some locations, including Rumple Church and Blowing Rock School, may collect a small fee that supports local charities. Each Sunday after the event, a free Alair Homes Concert takes place in Memorial Park, weather permitting.

The Autolawn Party welcomes the public with free admission for spectators, who can also cast a vote for their favorite classic car. Centered on a European classic car show, this outdoor celebration of the automobile offers live music, great food, a beer garden, merchandise for purchase, an awards ceremony, and creative art activities for kids. Participation is limited to a maximum of 80 entrants to highlight a broad mix of high quality, original vehicles in an intimate, relaxed setting without the pressure of traditional concourse events. Proceeds from the day support educational programming at the Hickory Museum of Art. This event takes place rain or shine. For details, contact Danielle Cannon, Hickory Museum of Art Director of Donor Relations, at (828) 327-8576 or dcannon@hickoryart.org.

The Glen Alpine Fall Festival returns with a full day of small town charm, live music and entertainment, and seasonal celebrations. Expect a range of food trucks serving BBQ, sweets, and other autumn favorites, plus local craft vendors and artisans with unique handmade goods. Families will find activities for kids including games, face painting, and other fall-themed fun. The festival welcomes vendors and sponsors. Celebrate the season in Glen Alpine while enjoying great food, local shopping, and a lively community atmosphere.

This monthly cruise-in from 4x4 Outdoors in Hickory brings enthusiasts together to display their vehicles and enjoy a relaxed cruise along 70 with friends. Food trucks will be on site for limited hours. For safety and courtesy, donuts, engine revving, and burnouts are not allowed, and everyone is asked to respect the property.

Patchwork takes the stage at The Honey Hog Restaurant with a full band lineup. Jamie Trollinger and Mark Mulholland handle guitar and vocals, joined by Wesley Lewis on bass, Grub Thornberg on keyboard, and Richy Payce on drums.

Denim & Diamonds 2026 is presented by the Children’s Advocacy and Protection Center, with a focus on building awareness and support for child advocacy. Ticket details will be announced soon.

Organized in collaboration with the Hickory Jazz Society, the City of Hickory, and the Hickory Downtown Development Association, this free downtown concert is part of the JAZZ LEGACY Concert Series. It takes place at Union Square Downtown Hickory on the Commscope Stage in front of Olde Hickory Taproom. This installment features Maria Howell and Noel Friedline in a live outdoor jazz setting. The series consists of four open air concerts on this stage.

Port City Quartet presents a Southern Gospel concert at Harrisburg Baptist Church in Lenoir, featuring four part harmonies, treasured classics, and original songs that share a message of faith and worship. The event is family friendly and welcomes friends, families, and church groups for a time of music and fellowship. Admission is free, and a love offering will be received.

A structured six-week starter program focused on weight management is available at Catawba Valley Medical Center Fitness Plus. Before beginning, participants become members and complete pre-program assessments. The first week includes sessions on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday that cover nutrition basics, an introductory workout plan, and safe equipment use. During weeks two through six, participants follow a schedule that works for them, complete 150 minutes of exercise each week on their own, and track food choices along with weekly behavior goals. The program fee is 25 dollars and a Fitness Plus membership is required. Non-members may sign up for 90 dollars, which includes a six-week membership. To take part, complete the interest form and register before the first Monday of the month.

Confident reading should be within reach for every child, and this free, in-person program shows how caring community members can help. Patrick Beaver Learning Resource Center offers a three-day training with full days of in-person instruction that equips tutors with evidence-based strategies to support students who find reading challenging. After finishing the training, each tutor is paired with one student to provide 60 free, one-on-one lessons across the school year, nurturing skills, confidence, and a love of reading. Teaching experience is not required, only compassion, a willingness to learn, and a commitment to a child's success. Work with one child and make a lasting difference for both of you. For details, call 828-624-2012 or email info@patrickbeaverlrc.org.

A seasonal pop-up consignment shop in Hickory showcases women’s and men’s clothing, shoes, and accessories. It takes place at the Hickory Metro Convention Center and offers free admission. Across multiple days, shoppers can browse gently used and new pieces from brands such as Free People, Madewell, Nike, Reformation, Lululemon, and Abercrombie, typically priced 50 to 80 percent below retail, with a dedicated half-off day included. The sale happens twice a year, and those interested in consigning can register to sell items for cash.

A return to Fulda features the TAN side portraying East German Infantry. Teams form squads for three days of play and settle in for two nights of camping, all with an eye toward a Warsaw victory. The focus is on coordinated, team-based action from start to finish.

Deacon Black brings a rock and roll party to Hickory Premier, celebrating classic favorites with standout musicianship and a lively stage show. The performance unfolds in an intimate setting that keeps the energy high and the music front and center, creating a memorable night for classic rock fans. Tickets are available.

Find practical ways to quiet trauma-driven reactions and reconnect with yourself in this in-person retreat led by Anna Runkle, creator of the Crappy Childhood Fairy approach. Through clear, repeatable practices, you will learn to notice and settle dysregulation, lessen the pull of triggers, and restore a steadier sense of ease. The experience blends hands-on training in Anna’s Daily Practice, interactive teaching that turns concepts into usable skills, and intimate group work that encourages understanding and meaningful connection. Structured worksheets help you map triggers, track symptoms, and plan concrete next steps, while guided journaling deepens reflection and self-awareness. The focus is on staying regulated more often, making healthier choices with greater clarity, and building resilience that supports everyday life. Participants leave with tools they can keep using long after the retreat, along with a sense of community to support ongoing growth. This program is open to everyone, but it is not intended for individuals in a mental health crisis.

At the Berry site near Morganton, North Carolina, participants learn about the location’s history and receive instruction in archaeological techniques. Take part in the excavation and handle pieces of the past as you contribute to work in the field. No prior experience is required and all tools are provided. Participation is open to those 16 and older, with ages 10 to 15 welcome when accompanied by a paid adult. The fee is $10 per person. Registration is required to participate, and a follow-up email with further information and navigation directions will be sent after registering.

Part of the Second Saturdays series at Shoppes on the Parkway, this community gathering features local and small business vendors, Larlin's Lemonade, permanent jewelry from Mountain Muse Boutique, and live music from the Andy Ferrell Duo. A free coloring station is available, and the focus on community connection adds to the mountain-town charm. Sponsors include Leafguard, Renewal by Anderson, Champion Windows, and The Pet's Table.

Learn to paint everyday objects with artist Jean Lee Cauthen in a hands-on workshop designed to build confidence and spark expressive brushwork. Working from simple subjects helps clarify core principles that carry over to still life, landscape, and more. Tuition is $175 or $150 for members. All materials are provided, and participants are encouraged to bring a packed lunch and a playful spirit. Guided by a clear, step by step process, participants will complete a small painting of an ordinary item while exploring how to begin a painting, what a medium is, and how to make strong choices throughout. Expect practical practice with color mixing, blocking in, understanding value, using energetic marks, and choosing vivid palettes. Some prior painting experience is recommended. The atmosphere is relaxed and supportive, and instruction is tailored to a range of skill levels. Jean’s background includes growing up in Naples, Italy, New Orleans, and the Carolinas, and earning an MFA in Painting and Drawing from James Madison University. She has led the Art Department at Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute and taught Art History at UNC-C. Her creative work has included set design in Moscow, and she frequently spends month long residencies in Italy, France, and Ireland. Her paintings are collected internationally, with a recent acquisition by Hickory Museum of Art. Highlights include a 2026 commission and exhibition with Hickory Museum of Art, a feature in Plein Air Magazine’s Jan and Feb 2025 issue on Why Small Works Work for Both Artist and Collector, recognition as a featured artist with Grand Bohemian, Provence Paintings at the Carillon Building in Charlotte in May 2024, a solo show titled Stolen Stories at Highpoint Theater Art Gallery, and participation in Queens University’s Empowered: Right or Privilege. Recent awards include First Place at the Blowing Rock Art and History Museum Paint Out in 2025, Third Place at the Doneraile, Ireland Paint Out in 2024, a Quick Paint Award at the Wexford, Ireland Paint Out in 2024, and Best in Show at the Belmont, NC Paint Out in 2023.

Experience permanent jewelry with Mountain Muse Boutique, a playful, stylish and budget friendly way to create a custom fitted piece that is fastened in minutes for a smooth, clasp free finish while you watch. A sister collection of traditional jewelry will be available as well. Presented by Sunny Day Markets in Blowing Rock, NC, this pop up brings locals and visitors together to shop locally, connect with the community, and enjoy the charm of a mountain town.

Tri Five enthusiasts will cruise the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway with a day that begins in Lenoir. The morning starts with an optional breakfast at HWY 55, followed by a welcoming meetup at Crest View Baptist Church and a short drivers briefing and prayer. From there, the group heads north on Highway 321 for a relaxed drive on the parkway, typically covering between 55 and 65 miles. The ride wraps up at the private home of Jeff and Linda Shore near the Bamboo area of Boone for a laid-back cruise-in. Perkz will be on site with food and drinks, and portable restrooms will be available. Participants are encouraged to bring their own chairs and to leave tents at home. Drivers should arrive with full tanks before departure, keep a few car lengths between vehicles without leaving large gaps, and avoid letting non-participants cut into the line. The pace is generally slightly below the posted speed limit to help the group stay together. Those planning to attend are asked to mark their status as Going on the event page to help with the car count. Lodging suggestions in Lenoir include the Hampton Inn and the Comfort Inn.

Hosted by the Town of Hildebran, Royal Park Tales brings a monthly storytime to the Royal Park Amphitheater. The series takes place on the second Saturday of each month from March through October and welcomes participants of all ages. Each gathering includes a snack and an activity presented with support from area businesses and organizations. Snacks and activities are available on a first come, first served basis.

An all-day rock festival welcoming all ages. Spend the day with rock music in an environment open to everyone. Tickets are available.

Old Rock School hosts Authentic Unlimited, a bluegrass group of veteran players whose tight harmonies and deft picking honor tradition while introducing a modern spark. The lineup includes alumni of Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, and the band’s heartfelt writing and soulful melodies have earned recognition through International Bluegrass Music Association awards and nominations, along with Dove Award nominations. Their recent albums, So Much for Forever and Gospel Sessions Vol. 2, reflect a continuing influence within the genre. Individual tickets for Bluegrass at the Rock will be available for purchase.

A silent retreat with Dr. Angelo Dilullo, MD, offers a spacious pause to recognize your deepest nature through stillness and direct exploration. The program centers on a here-and-now approach that weaves inquiry with skillful work around the shadow, inviting careful examination of thought, perception, belief, and emotion within a supportive setting of group meditation, guided talks, and quiet reflection. Practices aim to calm the mind, settle the nervous system, and open room for healing, clarity, and an authentic return to what feels most true. Expect experiential sessions that blend meditation, inquiry, and shadow work, along with conversation in small and larger groups, all designed to loosen limiting patterns and strengthen the capacity to rest in clear awareness. The retreat also includes vibrational sound sessions with singing bowls and meditative soundscapes, mindful walking to reconnect with nature, and guided introspection that illuminates questions of identity and purpose. Participants leave with practical tools to deepen practice beyond the retreat and with qualities such as broadened self-understanding, inner ease, a grounded sense of embodiment, lasting clarity, a freer way of living, and greater emotional resilience.

BCBA holds a monthly meeting focused on bees and learning. Members receive the meeting topic by email a few days beforehand, so watch your inbox to find out what will be covered. The gathering now takes place on Tuesdays. Expect opportunities for education, Q&A, and conversation with fellow bee enthusiasts. Be sure to monitor email updates and note the new weekday on your calendar.

Mitch McVicker delivers a show that blends Twain-like storytelling with MacGyver-style inventiveness, combining thoughtful lyrics, unusual instruments, and vivid narratives. The performance bridges everyday life with a touch of the otherworldly for a distinctive concert experience. Admission is free, and a love offering will be accepted.

FreeBird ATL delivers a high-energy salute to Lynyrd Skynyrd at The Premier, featuring Southern rock staples and fan favorites. The performance highlights the anthems and gritty grooves that defined the band, presented with the precision and drive of a leading tribute act. Feel the spirit of these enduring songs in a live show that celebrates the music from start to finish.

The Tour of Destruction brings its high-impact spectacle back to Hickory Motor Speedway with a full slate of wild racing and stunts. The program includes races featuring school buses, car-crashing exhibitions, monster truck action, a jet car burn down, a trailer race, a demolition derby, a stock enduro, skid car challenges, and a flagpole race, plus additional segments. All events are subject to change. Ticket pricing is tiered. For the first 500 purchases, adult tickets are $20 and kids 12 to 3 are $10, with children 2 and under admitted free. For the first 1000 purchases, adult tickets are $25 and the kid and child pricing remains the same. After that, a discounted adult option is $30, with kids 12 to 3 still $10 and children 2 and under free. In the week of the show, adult tickets are $35, kids 12 to 3 are $10, and children 2 and under are free.

Union Square Downtown Hickory hosts a free outdoor performance as part of the Jazz Legacy Concert Series, presented in collaboration with the Hickory Jazz Society, the City of Hickory, and the Hickory Downtown Development Association. This concert features Juan Carlos Rollins, Noel Friedline, and Zack Page on the Commscope Stage in front of Olde Hickory Taproom. The series includes four open-air shows downtown, with additional concerts highlighting the Byron Bean Dixieland Band, Todd Wright with Andy Page, Rick Cline, and Adam Booker, as well as a set with Maria Howell and Noel Friedline.

An exhibition presenting artwork created by elementary school students together with pieces by their art teachers. The showcase celebrates the creativity of young artists and the work of the educators who support them. A reception is included as part of the event.

This quiet, powerful retreat with spiritual teacher Sharon Landrith invites the body to be the doorway to peace. Through meditation, transmission, and deep stillness, participants explore the felt truth of who they are in every cell, settling beneath mental noise and relaxing the sense of separation so the light of being can be directly known. The container encourages emotional freedom as old stories soften and fresh presence takes root. It nurtures steady calm that does not depend on circumstances, a kindness that begins from within, a lived sense of connection with all of life, and joy that arises naturally from the core. Daily life is approached with simple reverence, humor, and ease. Sessions weave guided and silent body-centered meditation, energetic support that clarifies without strain, intimate question and answer with Sharon, reflective journaling, and quiet circles where shared silence speaks more than words. The focus is not on becoming something new, but on recognizing what has always been whole and letting that realization express itself fully.

Disney's Descendants the Musical spotlights the next generation of notorious villains as the teen children of Maleficent, the Evil Queen, Jafar, and Cruella De Vil grow up confined on the Isle of the Lost. Their world shifts when they are sent to a prep school alongside the children of Disney heroes. Faced with a new environment and unexpected choices, they must decide whether to follow in their parents' villainous footsteps or discover what it means to choose good.

A KCBS barbecue competition anchors this event, with festival activities to be announced. People’s Choice plates will be prepared by professional competition teams from across the Southeast United States, all set at a fairground venue.

Set aside a weekend for a meditation retreat led by teacher Jeff Warren, created for the curious, the skeptical, and anyone open to exploring the mind. Over the course of this immersive experience, you will spend time with your own thoughts and feelings, learn from quiet and reflection, and share discoveries with others. The emphasis is on meeting resistance, overthinking, and emotional tangles with practical tools so you can reconnect with what matters most and find a style of meditation that fits your wonderfully individual life. Benefits include a calmer, more focused mind, deeper respect for your own path even when egoic habits get loud, a gentler and more playful view of yourself, and fresh perspective that may bring both insight and a timely laugh. You can also look forward to a renewed sense of connection with the present moment and with other people, along with restorative periods that feel deeply relaxing or quietly profound. The program weaves guided mindfulness and heart-based meditations, group conversations, experiential exercises, gentle movement, and time outdoors. There is space to journal and reflect over meals. Practices are intended to settle the nervous system, nurture humility and self-compassion, and build the capacity to meet life’s challenges with grace. The aim is that you leave grounded, creatively refreshed, and more closely aligned with your most authentic self.

This hands-on day takes place at the Berry site near Morganton, NC, where participants learn about the site’s history and practice basic archaeological techniques. Experience the past firsthand while assisting with active excavation. Participants must be 16 or older, and youth ages 10 to 15 may take part only with a paying adult. No prior experience is required, and all tools are provided. The cost is $10 per person. Registration is required to participate in the excavation. After registering, an email will arrive with more details, including navigation directions.

A haunted golf tournament raises support for the Valdese Police Department’s Blue Santa program, which helps provide gifts and other essentials to children during the Christmas season. It will be held at Silver Creek Golf Club, and lunch is provided. Play is set up as a captain’s choice foursome, at $300 per team or $75 per individual. Registration is available online. Volunteers and sponsors can also submit their details digitally in the sections for additional ways to help and for online payment. Payments may be made online or by mailing or dropping off a check to Waldensian Presbyterian Church with “Blue Santa” noted in the memo line. Paper registration forms are available in the Waldensian Presbyterian office for teams, volunteers, and sponsors.

Western Piedmont Symphony launches its 62nd season at Lenoir-Rhyne University PE Monroe Auditorium with Maestro Matthew Troy leading a genre-spanning program featuring internationally acclaimed tabla virtuoso Sandeep Das. The concert moves from the quiet glow of Max Richter's On the Nature of Daylight to Behzad Ranjbaran's Seven Passages, continues with Dinuk Wijeratne's Concerto for Tabla and Orchestra that highlights the propulsive rhythms of North Indian classical music, and culminates in the vivid storytelling of Rimsky-Korsakov's Scheherazade. Das, a Grammy Award winner and Guggenheim Fellow, is a disciple of Pandit Kishan Maharaj of the Banaras Gharana who made his debut at 17 alongside Ravi Shankar. His career has included collaborations with Yo-Yo Ma and the Silk Road Ensemble, Paquito D'Rivera, and Bobby McFerrin, as well as appearances with the New York Philharmonic, Boston Symphony, and Chicago Symphony, with performances and original works heard in more than 50 countries. The result is an evening of rich narratives, striking colors, and energetic cross-cultural interplay.

Step into an evening inspired by the City of Starlight, where fans of Sarah J Maas’s ACOTAR series gather for dancing, good vibes, and a celebratory book release. Hosted by Your TBR Events, this ball honors A Court of Splintered Harmony, the newest installment in the series, and brings together courts from across Prythian in a festive setting. Formal attire is encouraged. Pack a lint roller and represent your court with pride. General admission features a DJ and plenty of dancing, a dessert bar, a Suriel encounter, roaming and 360 photography, ACOTAR themed activities, and a copy of A Court of Splintered Harmony that will be distributed during the event, plus additional surprises. VIP tickets include everything in general admission along with access to a dedicated lounge, a swag bag distributed with the book, one complimentary drink ticket, priority access to the 360 cameras, and priority in receiving the book and swag. A bar will be open for alcoholic beverage purchases by cash or card.

This Trunk n Treat celebrates the Halloween season with cars, music, food, and, of course, treats.

Downtown Valdese transforms for the annual Treats in the Streets, presented by the Valdese Merchants and the Town of Valdese. Local businesses welcome little ghosts and goblins with candy throughout the celebration, and treats are known to go quickly. Festivities include a lively performance that sets a fun tone for the evening. A mystery guest will mingle through the crowd, choosing standout looks for a costume spotlight, with selected participants receiving a special prize. This family-friendly gathering invites kids, parents, and Halloween enthusiasts of every age to show off creative costumes and enjoy sweet moments in the heart of town.

News @ 11 takes the stage for an outdoor set of live music. The atmosphere welcomes families and friends. While there, browse nearby shops, pick up something to eat, and sip beverages within the social district.

Celebrate the season at the second annual Christmas show in Morganton, NC, a two-day marketplace of handmade goods at Foothills Higher Education Center. Admission is $5, children 12 and under enter free, and parking is complimentary. Vendor opportunities are available.

Imagine a new chapter centered on you. This small, women-only retreat offers a quiet space to slow down, reflect, and reconnect with who you are today, apart from past roles and expectations. Guided by psychotherapists Karen K. Moon and Debra Krumholz, the experience invites you to release what no longer fits and welcome what feels truly meaningful. Participants explore values and purpose, nurture self-compassion, and build confidence in their own inner guidance, leading to clearer choices and a renewed sense of freedom and authenticity. The program weaves mindful awareness, psychological insight, and rich conversation into a supportive setting. Expect thoughtful group dialogues, reflective journaling, simple guided meditation, one-on-one sharing, and structured inquiry to clarify what to let go of and what to carry forward. Created for women in midlife and later, it provides a caring environment to hear yourself more clearly and move ahead with intention.

Patrick Beaver Learning Resource Center offers a free, in-person tutor training that focuses on research-based strategies for supporting students who struggle with reading. The training spans three full days and equips participants to work with one student across a school year, providing 60 individualized lessons at no cost to the family. The goal is to strengthen skills, build confidence, and foster a genuine love of reading. No prior teaching experience is required, only a willingness to learn and a commitment to helping a child thrive. By partnering closely with one learner, tutors make a meaningful impact while experiencing personal growth. This effort uplifts readers, supports families, and cultivates confident learners.

This five-day immersive mystery school with psycho-spiritual teacher and Akashic channeler Eluña Noelle focuses on transforming pain into personal power and clarity. Through a weave of esoteric teaching, ancient story, intuitive skill-building, and grounded, embodied practice, participants are guided to release inherited wounds, shed limiting beliefs, and clear stagnant energy so the most authentic self can emerge. Expect an experiential journey that blends movement, meditation, ritual, and shared presence. You will take part in heart-centered group work, explore your energetic anatomy, and enter ceremonies intended to awaken inner wisdom. With steady guidance from Eluña, you will refine psychic perception, experience group activation, and learn practical ways to turn shadow into light. The emphasis is not just on learning information, it is on transformation through embodiment. Along the way, breath-centered journeys help invigorate your energy, practices strengthen self-trust and sovereignty, and guided work supports the release of emotional residue and outdated narratives. Meditation invites wider awareness and remembrance, while a ceremonial container fosters genuine connection. Participants leave with alchemical principles and practices that can be continued at home. To support your experience, please bring an eye mask, a journal and pen, and, if you wish, one meaningful item to place on the community altar.

This retreat offers a warm, grounded space to awaken intuition with guidance from psychic medium Bill Philipps. It centers on learning to hear the quiet wisdom beneath mental noise by noticing energy, vibration, and a felt sense of knowing. As you settle into stillness and presence, you reconnect with inner guidance and build confidence to trust it in daily life. Over the course of the weekend, the focus is on direct experience rather than theory. Guided meditations help calm the mind, while explorations of subtle energy and chakra balance deepen sensitivity and flow. Practical exercises reveal whether your intuitive strengths show up through seeing, feeling, or knowing, and partner practices provide a supportive setting to share impressions and affirm what you notice. Reflective prompts bridge spiritual insight with everyday choices so clarity can inform action. The program emphasizes clear perception, self trust, and practical presence, offering tools for meditation and energetic awareness that support emotional balance and self understanding. It encourages conscious decision making and personal growth within a respectful, nonjudgmental environment, inviting meaningful self discovery and a steady, reliable relationship with your own inner wisdom.

At Highland Recreation Center, the Wellness on the Rocks Festival offers a welcoming setting centered on connection, personal growth, and community. Attendees can explore local wellness vendors, take part in hands-on activities, and learn through educational sessions, all aimed at helping people find resources that support their health while building meaningful relationships. This edition marks the second year of the festival as the community continues to grow.

Gather at the Berry site near Morganton, NC for a hands-on introduction to archaeology. Learn about the site’s history and practice field methods while assisting with an active excavation, with the chance to handle discoveries as you help uncover the past. No prior experience is required and all tools are provided. Participation is open to ages 16 and older, and explorers ages 10 to 15 may take part when accompanied by a paid adult. The cost is $10 per person. Registration is required to actively participate, use the Tickets option to register. After registering, an email will arrive with more details, including navigation directions.

At Morganton Bluegrass Church, the evening centers on Smokey Mountain Christmas, featuring classic Christmas songs and a declared 100 percent chance of heavy snow. A casual meal with seasonal finger foods is offered beforehand, followed by the musical program.

This immersive weekend with Seane Corn invites a return to full-bodied presence through movement, breath, reflective ritual, and attentive stillness. Rather than analyzing the physical, emotional, and energetic layers of experience, you will engage them directly as sensations you can feel and trust. The process supports confidence in the body’s signals, greater ease with emotion, clearer awareness of where energy is flowing or held, and the ability to sense guidance that arises beyond thinking. Many find this work nurtures a calmer, more resilient nervous system and a grounded clarity that carries into everyday life. Sessions weave together alignment-focused vinyasa designed to steady and regulate, conscious breathing that encourages release and mental clarity, somatic inquiry to track sensation and uncover patterns, chakra-informed practices to notice how feeling and energy move, sustained quiet postures that cultivate deep listening, and creative ritual to anchor insight through intention and expression. The emphasis is on turning practice into lived wisdom you can return to long after the weekend ends.

Dining Days at Café Violette turns an evening out into meaningful support for animals, with a portion of sales benefiting Watauga Humane Society. This boutique spot showcases cuisine inspired by Nice and the French Mediterranean, founded by Catherine Thomas, Kyle Martin, and Sunshine Martin, who emphasize fine dining, seasonal ingredients, and attentive hospitality. Known for freshness, Café Violette collaborates with local farmers when possible and shapes its offerings around what is in season. Guests can anticipate French Riviera flavors, refined seafood, carefully matched wines, and artfully made desserts informed by Sunshine’s baking background. Enjoy a meal that also helps provide care for animals in Watauga County.

Set in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina at Moon Rising Retreat Center in Blowing Rock, this women’s retreat offers a quiet pause from everyday demands to breathe, reflect, and reconnect with the inner voice. Created by Felicia Grant, it focuses on remembering your true self rather than trying to become someone new. The experience blends circle-based sharing, time in nature, meditation, and thoughtful reflection to encourage genuine connection with other women and deeper self trust. Participants are welcomed into a safe, supportive setting that honors each person’s path, creating space to set down what feels heavy and leave feeling clearer, lighter, and more connected.

A live orchestra sets the stage for holiday magic as World Ballet Company brings The Nutcracker to life in a family friendly production. Forty accomplished dancers, more than 150 hand sewn costumes, and richly crafted sets create an immersive celebration of the season. Journey with Marie on Christmas Eve as her cherished Nutcracker awakens and carries her into a dream filled with swirling snowflakes, a clash with the mice, and a visit to the shimmering Kingdom of Sweets. The performance runs about 1 hour and 40 minutes, including a 20 minute intermission, and is suitable for ages 2 and up. Based in Los Angeles and led by Sasha Gorskaya and Gulya Hartwick, World Ballet Company tours beloved classics in cities nationwide with a mission to make ballet accessible to everyone. The ensemble features international artists and renowned professionals representing more than ten countries, and its tours have reached over 300 cities and audiences totaling more than 500,000.

Experience Handel’s Messiah in the close-knit surroundings of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church. Maestro Matthew Troy leads a historically informed Baroque interpretation, carefully shaped to bring fresh clarity and beauty to a time-honored holiday tradition. The performance marks the first Masterworks appearance by The Symphony Singers, a handpicked ensemble of professional vocalists from the region, performing with a Baroque chamber orchestra. The church’s warm acoustics and the ensemble’s radiant sound create an enveloping setting for one of the classical canon’s most enduring and widely loved masterpieces. The program features Handel’s Messiah.

Explore the Berry site near Morganton, North Carolina, with a hands-on introduction to the location’s history and core archaeological techniques. Participants will take part in an active excavation and may handle real pieces of the past while helping on the dig. Ages 16 and older may participate, and youth ages 10 to 15 are welcome when accompanied by a paid adult. No prior experience is needed, and all tools are provided. The cost is $10 per person. Registration is required to actively participate, and a follow-up email will be sent after registering with additional details, including navigation directions.

Brews & Mews Cat Cafe partners with Wolf Moon Salt Cave & Stress Reduction Center for a playful cat yoga class. Adoptable felines will mingle in the studio, sometimes climbing and balancing on participants as everyone moves through a light, easy sequence. All necessary equipment is available on site, making it a comfortable choice for those new to yoga. A portion of proceeds benefits the Purrole Office to help more cats.

This exhibition brings together three distinct approaches to visual art, featuring photography by Steve Ohnesorge, watercolor by Kathy Oravecz, and mixed media by Chris Parsons. The event offers an online viewing option and includes a reception. Explore images made with the camera, paintings in watercolor, and works that combine multiple materials, all presented within one cohesive show.

World Ballet Company brings The Nutcracker to J.E. Broyhill Civic Center, a festive ballet for all ages where imagination and holiday spirit meet. On Christmas Eve, Marie sees her cherished Nutcracker come to life, embarking on a journey through glistening snow, a daring face off with clever mice, and a joyous visit to the Kingdom of Sweets. This production features a cast of 40 accomplished dancers, more than 150 hand sewn costumes, and richly crafted sets that create a sparkling, storybook world. The performance runs about 1 hour and 40 minutes, including a 20 minute intermission, and is suitable for ages 2 and up. Based in Los Angeles and led by Sasha Gorskaya and Gulya Hartwick, World Ballet Company tours beloved classics nationwide, welcoming renowned artists from more than ten countries. Guided by the belief that ballet is for everyone, the company has visited more than 300 cities and performed for over 500,000 attendees. Group pricing is available for parties of 10 or more.

The Moose and Friends return with their yearly Thanksgiving performance in support of the Hickory Soup Kitchen. This festive program blends holiday spirit with a charitable purpose to aid the Hickory Soup Kitchen.

Western Piedmont Symphony brings its annual holiday tradition to J.E. Broyhill Civic Center with a Foothills Pops program that blends seasonal standards, nostalgic classics, and unexpected delights for audiences of every age. Guitarist Matt Sickels appears with the orchestra in a high energy tribute to the music of Trans-Siberian Orchestra. Additional guest artists will be announced.

Downtown Valdese comes alive with its annual Christmas parade, filling the streets with marching, music, and plenty of holiday cheer. The procession moves through the heart of town and concludes with a special appearance by Santa Claus, setting a festive tone for the season.

A festive send-up of holiday rom-coms condenses the sweetness of six Christmas movies into one whirlwind. In Hopewood Falls, Vermont, singles in cozy sweaters search for love while disguises let royalty or movie stars try for down-to-earth connections. Big-city schemers loom over charming inns and Christmas tree farms, and a meet-cute may even rely on someone being in a coma. This playful parody nods to the season’s magic and traditions while winking at every familiar trope.