Appalachian State University’s Performing Arts Series: Featuring the finest in touring performances annually from September – April. World-class jazz, opera, theatre, dance, world music and more, designed to enrich the cultural landscape of the university and surrounding region. All shows at 8pm, Farthing Auditorium, 733 Rivers Street, Boone. 828.262.4046 or pas.appstate.edu

Bel Canto Company is a choral ensemble of professional singers presenting exceptional, innovative, and engaging choral performances for diverse audiences. In its 27 seasons as one of the finest choral ensembles in North Carolina, Bel Canto Company has engaged over 150 of the region’s most talented singers, presented hundreds of concerts locally and throughout the Southeast, and performed thousands of choral works spanning the centuries and the globe. Bel Canto Company has released eight CDs and has performed on numerous prestigious music festivals throughout the Southeast. Tickets, schedules and more information at 336.333.2220 or www.belcantocompany.com.

The Dance Project is a festival, a school, a dance company, and a community resource that aims to expand the field of dance by building audiences, training dancers, and nurturing leadership for the future. The NC Dance Festival fosters statewide artistic collaboration and showcases the best in North Carolina dance. Our School at City Arts offers accessible, quality instruction, igniting a passion for dance. The Van Dyke Dance Group sets the standard for professionalism in choreography and performance. For information on our programs: 336-373-2727; www.danceproject.org

The City Arts Drama Center offers classes and performance opportunities in theatre and video production for people of all ages. Production companies within the Drama Center include Greensboro Children’s Theatre, Livestock Players, Youtheatre, 3rd Stage Theatre Company, Greensboro Playwrights’ Forum, and Greene Pictures. We also have a variety of drama classes and workshops for all ages. City Arts Drama Center is located on the first level of the Greensboro Cultural Center, 200 N. Davie St., Greensboro. More information at 336-335-6426 or thedramacenter.com.

For 49 years, Eastern Music Festival & School has established itself as one of this country’s foremost training programs for aspiring young orchestral and piano students between the ages of 14 and 22. Presented within the internationally known summer music festival, EMF brings together a cross-section of the world’s most sought-after artists with these amazing young artists for more than 100 concerts and music-related events during the five-week schedule. The Festival also produces a popular EMFfringe series of alternative programming, featuring everything from Americana to alt country, blues, rock, jazz and gospel. 336.333.7450 or www.EasternMusicFestival.org.

Celebrating 30 years of inspiration and education this year, Greensboro Ballet is both a performing company and school of dance. The company’s professional dancers, talented students and special guest artists have performed over 1400 times since the ballet’s founding in 1980, including the Triad holiday classic, “The Nutcracker.” Over the years, more than 6500 students from ages 3-Adult have trained at the School of Greensboro Ballet in classical ballet, pointe, contemporary, jazz and children’s dance classes. Greensboro Ballet now offers the “Dancing Above the Barre” program for young dancers with physical disabilities. Under the direction of Maryhelen Mayfield, Greensboro Ballet’s mission is to inspire and invigorate audiences and artists through the exciting, ever evolving art of Classical Ballet! greensboroballet.com

The Greensboro Oratorio Singers is a volunteer organization for singers who want to learn a wide range of the best in choral music. The group annually performs formal concerts of major works, as well programs of lighter music which are taken to retirement communities and other places for people who might not be able to get out to attend concerts. There is also their annual performance of Handel’s Messiah, which has been a highlight of the Holiday season for 56 consecutive years. Interested singers are invited to be a part of the group. Auditions are not required. More information may be obtained by calling 336-854-5444 or visiting www.oratoriogso.org.

In partnership with the community, the Greensboro Public Library strives to provide equal access to information, foster life long learning, and inspire the joys of reading. Public libraries serve their communities by being part of the community. In Greensboro, individuals and organizations gather at the public library to learn for themselves and about others. Through projects like One City, One Book and Poetry GSO, the library has taken a role in building community within our city. From early literacy initiatives that connect young parents and babies with books through computer workshops for seniors, the library promotes learning opportunities every step ofthe way: story times, homework assistance, job and career exploration, consumer tools, hobby resources, investment resources, travel planning and more. For more information, or for branch locations, call the central library at 336-373-2471 or visit www.greensboro-nc.gov.

The roots of the Greensboro Symphony Orchestra date back to the 1920’s when a group of musicians at Woman’s College (now UNCG) banded together to play. Today, the Greensboro Symphony is led by Music Director Dmitry Sitkovetsky, a world-renowned violinist and conductor who leads the Symphony’s efforts to attract younger audiences. The Greensboro Symphony Masterworks series, presenting the classics as well as commissioned works, brings unique innovations to the concert experience, including subtitles and other multi-media visual enhancements. The GSO POPS Series includes multi-media concerts featuring American popular music of the 50s, 60s, 70s and today, as well as young artists from all musical disciplines. Tickets and more information are available at 335-335-5456 x224 and at www.greensborosymphony.org.

The High Point Area Arts Council is a united arts council that raises funds which are allocated to its affiliated arts organizations: Carousel Theatre, HP Ballet, HP Community Theatre, HP Community Concerts, and Piedmont Artists. The Arts Council is also an arts programming agency that offers free arts activities to the general population through Arts Splash (summer concert series) and Day in the Park (fall festival). Plus, the Arts Council offers arts educational opportunities, such as the John Coltrane Jazz Workshop, Children’s & Youth Chorales, Youth Jazz Orchestra, Celebration Band and African Drum Circle that are not offered by an affiliate. For more information, call 336-889-ARTS or visit www.HighPointArts.org

The High Point Museum is dedicated to sharing Greater High Point’s history, exploring the power of memory, providing perspective for current issues, and strengthening the sense of community. Our work is guided by our core values of connection, diversity, fun, and innovation. Featuring exciting exhibits and hands-on programs and tours, the Museum gives a peek into what life was like in High Point from its early days to its present days. Museum is open Thursday - Saturday 10 am to 4:30 pm and Sunday 1 pm to 4:30 pm and the Historical Park, featuring three historic buildings, is open Saturday 10 am to 4 pm and Sunday 1 pm to 4 pm. For more information call
336-885-1859 or visit www.highpointmuseum.org.

The Museum of Anthropology at Wake Forest University is North Carolina’s only museum dedicated to the study of global cultures. The Museum’s permanent exhibits display objects from as far away as Africa, Oceania, and Latin America, and as nearby as North Carolina’s Yadkin River Valley. Upcoming featured exhibits will highlight topics including the Mexican Day of the Dead celebration and the 50th anniversary of the Peace Corps. Exhibits include hands-on activities for all ages. Open 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. For directions and more information, please call 336-758-5282 or visit www.wfu.edu/moa.

The Music Center, City Arts, founded in 1977, provides music education, performance and audience opportunities at no or low costs to participants. The performing ensembles serve as musical and recreational outlets to participants. The Music Center sponsors 14 community performing ensembles, 13 private instructors on 9 instruments and a Kindermusik program ages newborn to 6. The Music Center sponsors approximately 50 performances each year, two concerts Series, OPUS and Music for a Sunday Evening in the Park, and brings affordable music into the community. For more information contact The Music Center at 336-373-2549 or visit our website at www.city-arts.org.

Triad Stage is Greensboro’s professional regional theater company. Since 2002, the theater has produced over 70 productions, and brought in hundreds of actors and guest artists from across the country. Its accolades include being named "One of the top 10 most promising theatres" by the American Theatre Wing (founder of the Tony Awards) and "One of the Best Regional Theaters in America" by New York’s Drama League, voted the Triad’s "Best Live Theater" by GoTriad eight years in a row and "Professional Theatre of the Year" by the North Carolina Theatre Conference. Its production of Tobacco Road was listed among the "Best of 2007" by The Wall Street Journal. Tickets, performance schedules and more information at 336.272.0160 or www.triadstage.org.

The Turchin Center for the Visual Arts: Visual arts come to life at Appalachian State University’s premier art museum! Acclaimed exhibitions, lectures, special events and workshops for all ages. We make the visual arts accessible and fun for everyone! Free admission; guided tours available. Open Tuesday - Saturday 10am-6pm; Friday noon-8pm; (closed Sunday and Monday). 828.262.3017 or www.tcva.org.

UNCG Theatre produces a season of ten to twelve academic year plays including a collaborative opera and musical with the UNCG School of Music and a variety of comedies, dramas, and Theatre for Young Audiences in our three public performance spaces: Brown Building Theatre, Taylor Theatre and Aycock Auditorium. In addition to our academic calendar, every summer, UNCG Theatre partners with Triad Stage, a non-profit Equity theatre in downtown Greensboro to present a summer theatre festival called THEATRE 232. The UNCG Department of Theatre runs on the energy and adrenaline of over 300 undergraduate and 25 graduate students in various degree programs, 25 part- and full-time faculty members, and six support staff. Our people truly embody the collaborative nature of theatre!