The 2025 Charlotte Ideas Festival
2025-04-03 - 2025-04-08 | Dubois Center at UNC Charlotte Center City, 320 E Ninth St, Charlote, NC, 28202, United States
The Charlotte Ideas Festival is a multi- day festival within the Charlotte SHOUT! festival that celebrates Food-Art-Music- Ideas. The Charlotte Ideas Festival features a range of thinkers, innovators and audience members, all sharing wisdom and exploring topics—from the hard and necessary work of citizenship to finding joy to the latest developments in artificial intelligence.

Stories that Connect Us: A Community Conversation on Telling the Full Story
2025-04-03 17:30 - 19:30, 2025-04-10 17:30 - 19:30, 2025-04-17 17:30 - 19:30, 2025-04-24 17:30 - 19:30, 2025-05-01 17:30 - 19:30, 2025-05-08 17:30 - 19:30, 2025-05-15 17:30 - 19:30 (America/New_York) | Passmore Center, 103 Meadowlands Dr, Hillsborough, NC, 27278, United States
Discover the stories that shape our community in a special four-part conversation series! Hosted by the Alliance for Historic Hillsborough and the Telling the Full Story committee, each session dives into the history of local sites from our interactive map, with engaging video presentations and oral histories that bring these places to life. Join us for lively discussions and reflections on the impact of these spaces in Hillsborough.
Mark your calendar for Thursday evenings in February 2025, 5:30–7:00 PM at the Passmore Center in Hillsborough, NC. Come to learn, connect, and be inspired—see you there!
February 6th- Entrepreneurship in the 20th Century
February 13th- The Land Remembers
February 20th- Community Institutions
February 27th- Navigating Freedom
What is Telling the Full Story: The Alliance for Historic Hillsborough’s Telling the Full Story program seeks to uncover and share the diverse, often untold histories of Hillsborough. Through community conversations, interactive maps, and oral histories, this program invites everyone to explore the people, events, and places that have shaped our community, fostering a richer understanding of our shared heritage.
Funding for this program series is generously provided by North Carolina Humanities.

Firefest
2025-04-04 13:00 - 2025-04-05 23:00 | starworks, 100 Russell Dr, Star, NC, 27356, United States
Firefest is a two-day celebration of incredible glass, ceramic, and metal art at Starworks! April 4 & 5, 2025 the public is invited to attend fiery demonstrations, hands on workshops, and artist talks with internationally recognized artists. Starworks will also host live music, food trucks, and a special exhibition during the event. Full schedule and workshop registration is available at StarworksNC.org.

Latin America Through Film (8-Week Class)
2025-04-08 18:30 - 20:00, 2025-04-15 18:30 - 20:00 | VisArt Video, 3104 Eastway Dr., Charlotte, NC, 28205, United States
Cine Casual is thrilled to announce our first-ever community class! Join us for an 8-week exploration of Latin American history through the lens of cinema. Together, we’ll dive into iconic films that illuminate the region’s rich cultural, political, and social heritage.
📅 Dates: Tuesdays from February 25 – April 15 (6:30 – 8 pm)*
📍 Location: VisArt Video (3104 Eastway Dr, Charlotte, NC 28205)
🎟️ Cost: Pay What You Can
*Class dates: February 25, March 4, March 11, March 18, March 25, April 1, April 8, April 15
Whether you’re a film enthusiast or simply curious about Latin America’s stories, this class is designed to inspire and engage.
Spots are limited, so be sure to secure yours!
Questions? Email cinecasual@gmail.com
This program is supported in part by North Carolina Humanities, the state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Preserving Our Voices Info Sessions and Mock Interviews
2025-04-10 14:30 - 16:00, 2025-04-17 14:30 - 16:00, 2025-05-15 14:30 - 16:00 | NC
In a Preserving Our Voices session, students gather to listen to a historian share firsthand knowledge about significant historical events, deepening their understanding of the past. As they engage, they also develop interviewing skills—learning how to ask thoughtful questions, follow up effectively, and capture compelling narratives. A videographer documents the session, recording both the historian’s insights and the students’ interactions, preserving these stories for future generations while teaching the art of visual storytelling.

Reckoning with Racial Covenants in Durham Community Listening Session
2025-04-10 18:00 - 19:30 | People’s Solidarity Hub, 1809 Chapel Hill Rd, Durham, 27707, United States
Help Hacking into History develop a community-driven exhibit about restrictive racial covenants in Durham, supported by a North Carolina Humanities grant. As this is a collaborative project, your ideas matter.
Join us for food and conversation. See visual displays about racial covenants in Durham, their lasting impact, the progress of our work, and the data we have found so far. The community response and input we collect from participants will inform our exhibit.

From Air to Arrangement: The Evolution of Keyboard Music in Austen's Era | Laura Klein
2025-04-10 19:00 - 20:30 | NC
In Austen’s novels, we encounter music in a variety of forms and scenes with the pianoforte at their center. While Austen doesn’t mention keyboard pieces by their titles, she alludes to one style in particular that 18th-century music in its popular and utilitarian manifestation: the “air.” An air can designate a variety of styles and forms but most commonly indicates a song-like vocal or instrumental tune. In Austen’s mentions, they are delineated as Scotch, Irish, or Italian airs and are played on the pianoforte for dancing or for entertainment purposes. By the turn of the 19th century, however, tunes were gradually evolving into larger musical forms, most commonly serving as the primary motive for sonata movements and sets of themes and variations. This is evident in the wealth of representations contained in Austen’s personal music collection. Through examining the music that she was practicing when she was writing, we gain a richer understanding and more intimate view of the hands behind the pen.
Laura Klein, pianist and historical musicologist, specializes in British keyboard music and performance practices of the long 18th century. Her current research centers on the music contained in the Austen Family Music Books collection. She founded The Jane Austen Playlist in 2019, a historical music project that features the music of the Austen family in digitized notations, companion recordings, and dramatically narrated performances. An active performer and presenter, she gives frequent concerts and lecture recitals online, throughout the United States, and in the United Kingdom. Klein is Affiliate Professor of Piano at Colorado Christian University and is completing her Ph.D. at the University of Colorado Boulder.

Zebulon Historic Homes Tour
2025-04-12 10:00 - 16:00 | NC
Preservation Zebulon is delighted to present our Zebulon Historic Homes Tour on Saturday April 12 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Your tour ticket is a key to peek inside six homes – many of which have never been open to the public. These Tour homes showcase Zebulon’s rich past from the charming quaint dwellings to the grand. Tour will also include a stop at the historic Wakelon building for a display on Zebulon’s early educational offerings during the era of segregation.

Engaging Youth in Museums and History, for the U.S. 250th and Beyond
2025-04-15 15:00 | NC
How can museums serve young adults, who are the country’s future inheritors and who seek out credible information on history and civics? It turns out, serving Gen Z audiences is not just another “to do” – they can be your organization’s secret weapon to delivering relevant, timely content and programming. And there are resources to help! Learn from the experts at Made By Us, the nationwide network of historical sites and museums working together to engage young adults ages 18-30. With resources like the Youth250 Bureau and Youth250 Toolkit, Made By Us can help your organization understand the needs of Gen Z, build knowledge and skills to meet those needs, find plug-and-play resources, and work with young people directly to create lifelong relationships. This webinar is for any and all museums, history staff, or leadership who wish to learn about engaging younger audiences, from the C-Suite to education and marketing staff. Cameron Katz (she/her) is a frequent writer, speaker, and content creator focusing on civic engagement and Gen Z’s power to shape America’s future. She is the Head of Content and Partnerships at Made By Us, a collaboration between iconic cultural institutions – from the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History to local history museums – that is transforming the conversation about history for Gen Z. Her work has been featured in Teen Vogue, The Philadelphia Inquirer, and The Hill. She is based in Atlanta, GA.

Lunchbox Lecture - Russ Stephenson on the history of the Isabelle Bowen Henderson House and Gardens
2025-04-17 12:00 - 13:00 | City of Raleigh Museum, 220 Fayetteville Street, Raleigh, NC, 27601, United States
Join us at noon on Thursday, April 17th, to hear Russ Stephenson discuss the garden and legacy of Isabelle Bowen Henderson. You can bring your lunch, listen to the talk, and also enjoy the Cityyt of Raleigh Museum’s newest exhibit, which celebrates the 100th anniversary of the Raleigh Garden Club!!!

Shaking your Family Tree 201
2025-04-26 10:00 - 12:00 | John P Top Greene Community Center, 401 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Raleigh, NC, 27601, United States
Shaking Your Family Tree 201 – Intermediate takes your genealogy journey to the next level! This dynamic course dives into advanced research techniques, empowering you to unlock family secrets and uncover stories you never knew existed. With expert guidance and hands-on exercises, you’ll master the use of specialized records, harness the power of technology, and confidently analyze even the trickiest genealogical data. Get ready to enhance your skills and bring your family history to life like never before!

Jazz and Democracy
2025-04-30 20:00 - 21:00 | Crossroads, Plemmons Student Union, Appalachian State University, 238 Locust Street, Boone, NC, 28608, United States
“Jazz as Democracy” — Lecture/Concert on April 30, 8-9PM, Crossroads, Plemmons Student Union
The lecture by Todd Wright followed by the concert, featuring the Todd Wright Quintet, will include jazz music of North Carolina icons John Coltrane, Roberta Flack, Thelonious Monk, and others.
The musicians: Todd Wright, saxophone; Rick Simerly, trombone; Andy Page, guitar; Adam Booker, bass; Rick Cline, drums

PTSD: THE INVISIBLE ENEMY PREMIERE
2025-05-02 08:00 - 17:00, 2025-05-02 18:59 - 20:29 | Garner Performing Arts Center, 742 W. Garner Road, Garner, NC, NC, United States
PTSD: The Invisible Enemy is a 60-minute documentary about the effects post traumatic stress disorder is having on our military veterans. More than 31,000 Global War on Terror veterans have taken their own lives. United States combat fatalities in the war were 7,000. The film is narrated by Joe Mantegna, best known from the television program Criminal Minds and as the host of the national Memorial Day Concert. A panel discussion will follow the showing.

"On the Frontiers of Democracy, From Ukraine to America"
2025-05-02 12:00 - 13:00 | 118 Anne Belk Hall, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC, Boone, NC, 28608, United States
Faculty Lecture by Dr. Andrew Polonsky, “On the Frontiers of Democracy, From Ukraine to America”

Dr. Andrew Polonsky is an assistant professor at Appstate’s department of computer science. He received B.S. and M.S. degrees from University of Connecticut. After receiving his doctorate in computer science from University of Bergen (Norway), he had a number of postdoctorate research appointments in Amsterdam, Nijmegen, Paris, Princeton, and Boone.

Originally from Ukraine, Dr. Polonsky witnessed firsthand the fall of the Soviet Union, the struggles of a fledging democracy in newly-independent Ukraine, the Maidan Revolution of 2014 (which triggered Russia’s invasion and annexation of Crimea), and the diverging paths of advanced democracies on the two sides of the Atlantic.

How Do We See Ourselves in Each Other?
2025-05-02 17:30 - 21:00 | Asheville Art Museum, 2 S Pack Square, Asheville, CA, 28801, United States
Inaugural Program of the Four-Part Series “What Can Become of Us?”
Co-presented by Stanford Institute for Advancing Just Societies, Zócalo Public Square, and Asheville Art Museum
Moderated by Tomás Jiménez, Founding Faculty Co-Director, Stanford Institute for Advancing Just Societies
As people move to and around the U.S., they transform communities, perhaps nowhere as strikingly as in fast-growing North Carolina. As the long-established Native, Black, and white citizens of the state welcome Latino and Asian newcomers into this “new Southern immigrant gateway,” once-separated groups are building new futures together—and understanding themselves anew through the eyes of their neighbors.
This program is inspired by Coatlicue & Las Meninas: The Stanford Edition (2007/2025) by Mexican American artist Pedro Lasch. The piece is a 10-foot black mirror merging Diego Velázquez’s iconic painting Las Meninas (1656) and the monumental sculpture of the Mexica deity Coatlicue (1400s), commissioned by IAJS and on view at Asheville Art Museum from April 16 to July 13, 2025.
Join us to view the artwork and hear a talk between Asheville Art Museum associate curator Jessica Orzulak and artist Pedro Lasch, who will discuss the work’s larger themes, including how mirrors encourage viewers to reflect on the movement of people, ideas, and objects across time and space. A panel moderated by Stanford IAJS founding faculty co-director Tomás Jiménez and featuring philosopher and ethicist Kwame Anthony Appiah, immersive journalism and extended reality (XR) pioneer Nonny de la Peña, and immigrant integration advocate Federico Rios will follow, discussing the ways Americans, old and new, see ourselves in each other.
We invite our in-person audience to continue the conversation with the artist, speakers, and each other at a post-event reception with complimentary drinks, small bites, art-viewing, and entertainment.
“What Can Become of Us?” is a collaboration between the Stanford Institute for Advancing Just Societies (IAJS) and Zócalo Public Square, envisioning new perspectives on migration, America’s diverse communities, and how people come together across differences. The year-long series activates four regions of the United States and highlights newly commissioned works of art—visual, textile, and dance—to inspire a national conversation through exhibitions, public programs, and essays, and to work toward a better future.

Starworks
2025-05-03 09:00 - 16:00 | starworks, 100 Russell Dr, Star, NC, 27356, United States
Meet outstanding artists and find one-of-a-kind pieces at this exhibition-style sale! Starworks’ 2nd Annual Craft Invitational will feature some of the region’s most talented artists in ceramic, glass, wood, metal, and fiber with an emphasis on functional craft of the highest quality. Can’t make it on May 3, 9am-4pm? Shop early, meet the artists, and enjoy delicious snacks at our Preview Reception on May 2 at 6pm.

Resounding Resistance: Folk-Infused Classical Music, 1937-1945
2025-05-04 15:30 - 17:30 | Rosen Concert Hall in the Broyhill Music Center, 813 Rivers Street, Boone, NC, 28608, United States
Appalachian State University’s High Country Humanities—with support from North Carolina Humanities and the Watauga Arts Council —is pleased to present a public listening workshop, followed by a free concert. These events will form a two-part program titled “Resounding Resistance: Folk-Infused Classical Music, 1937-1945,” which will take place on Sunday, May 4, 2025, from 3:30-5:30 p.m. at the Rosen Concert Hall in Appalachian’s Broyhill Music Center at 813 Rivers Street in Boone. Doors will open at 3:00 p.m.
The listening workshop, sponsored by a Small Project Grant from North Carolina Humanities, celebrates the eightieth anniversary of the “Asheville Concerto” (“Piano Concerto No. 3”) by Béla Bartók (1881-1945), a Hungarian composer who fled Europe during World War II and spent his final summer in Western North Carolina. It will open with two brief TED-style talks by Dr. Darci Gardner and Dr. Jacob Kopcienski, who will explain the history of the piece and its composition. Then, guest collaborative pianists from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s Department of Music, Mr. Teddy Robie and Mrs. Mimi Solomon, will use two pianos to demonstrate their interpretations of the piece before answering audience questions.

Shaking your Family Tree 101
2025-05-10 08:00 - 17:00 | John P. Top Greene Community Center, 401 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Raleigh, NC, 27601, United States
Dive into the fascinating world of genealogy and uncover the stories that shaped your family’s past! In ‘Shaking Your Family Tree 101’, you’ll learn how to trace your ancestry, analyze historical records, and explore your cultural heritage like never before. With hands-on access to powerful online databases and expert guidance, this course makes piecing together your family tree both exciting and rewarding.
Whether you’re a beginner or just curious about where you come from, this class will ignite your passion for uncovering the hidden gems in your family history. Start your journey today and bring your ancestors’ stories to life!

History of Raleigh's Red-Light District
2025-05-15 12:00 - 13:00 | City of Raleigh Museum, 220 Fayetteville Street, Raleigh, NC, 27601, United States
Raleigh may have been a sleepy southern town surrounded by farmland, but it was also the state’s capital city and a teaming hub for business and trade – business and trade of all kinds! Come down to the City of Raleigh Museum, bring your lunch, and learn all about the history of Raleigh’s red-light district!!!

NC Humanities Board Meeting
2025-05-16 09:00 - 13:30 | NC
