Topics Related to Things to Do

The North Carolina Symphony, led by guest conductor Karina Canellakis, will perform a two-night Russian Festival that features two different programs of some of classical music’s greatest works at the 2015 Rex Healthcare Summerfest Series on Friday, June 12 and Saturday June 13, at 7:30 p.m.

If you enjoy honey and are interested in beekeeping, then visit Governor Charles B. Aycock Birthplace, Saturday, June 13, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The celebration of North Carolina's 19th century farm heritage during the "Saturday on the Farm" free program will examine beekeeping and gardening. You'll also enjoy seeing vintage farm equipment.

Discover camp life and the role of the Civil War enlisted man in battle at Bentonville Battlefield State Historic Site on Saturday, June 13, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. In this program, historians in period dress will demonstrate how Union and Confederate soldiers made meals, maintained weapons and uniforms, and trained for battle. For information please call (910) 594-0789 or visit www.nchistoricsites.org/bentonvi.

The North Carolina Symphony, led by conductor Stuart Chafetz, will perform some of the greatest hits from the 1980s as part of its 2015 Rex Healthcare Summerfest Series at Cary’s Booth Amphitheatre on Saturday, June 6, at 7:30 p.m. Joining Chafetz will be vocalists Joe Cassidy and Nicole Parker.

Memories of North Carolina’s involvement in World War I will come to life with “North Carolina in the Great War,” a new exhibit opening at Tryon Palace’s North Carolina History Center on June 20. This free exhibit will be open to the public through Sept. 13. 

As the N.C. Civil War Sesquicentennial nears an end in April, the N.C. Museum of History in Raleigh will present a series of lectures through April. Two January programs will focus on forts in North Carolina. Admission is free.  

Ocracoke Island's iconic mail boat Aleta kept the Island connected with the mainland of North Carolina...and the rest of the outside world for years. The old mail boat, Aleta, carried passengers and mail to and from Ocracoke in the 1940s & 1950s.  For many, the mail boat was central to coastal communication.

The Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum will pay tribute to Aleta, in a richly illustrated new exhibit that opens April 1, 2015. The exhibit With Love, Aleta runs through February 26, 2016 and is designed to encourage young readers

Parents of preschoolers, the Museum of the Cape Fear continues its Preschool Pals program on Jan. 13, at  10 a.m. The theme for January is Native Americans. The earliest history known in this area goes back to the American Indians who lived and traveled through this area of what is now North Carolina. Get your preschooler off to an early start appreciating history. Preschool Pals is geared for ages three to five. The children will enjoy crafts, storytelling and spending time with other preschool-aged children.

“Photographs by Hugh Morton: An Uncommon Retrospective” brings North Carolina’s landmarks, people, events, wildlife, scenery, sports and its oldest university together in a special photography exhibition held Jan. 10-Feb. 22 at Tryon Palace’s North Carolina History Center.

The North Carolina Symphony will pay tribute to two of the most beloved performers of the 20th century with Louis and Ella: All That Jazz, which will feature the music of Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald performed by trumpeter and vocalist Byron Stripling and vocalist Marva Hicks, with drummer Robert Breithaupt.  The Symphony concerts, which will be led by Associate Conductor David Glover, will take place in Meymandi Concert Hall in downtown Raleigh, Friday, Jan. 16, and Saturday, Jan. 17, at 8 p.m. each night.