Sheri Castle, acclaimed Southern cooking star and two-time Emmy winner, is set to headline the Dinner in the Meadow farm-to-table event on September 13 at Meadow Lane Farm in Louisburg. This vibrant feast benefits the Leonard-Mobley Small Farm Fund and offers a rare chance for food enthusiasts across the U.S. to experience Castle’s celebrated culinary storytelling firsthand.
Castle, host of PBS’s Emmy-winning cooking show The Key Ingredient, is a trailblazer in Southern food culture. Named one of the 20 Living Legends of Southern Food by the Southern Foodways Alliance and recipient of their prestigious Keeper of the Flame Award, Castle blends humor, history, and unforgettable recipes. Her cookbooks and columns regularly appear in top publications such as Southern Living and Our State.
The Dinner in the Meadow event invites guests to savor Southern flavors while supporting small farms, a vital part of America’s food future. Tickets are going fast and can be purchased now at Eventbrite. More details are available at dinnerinthemeadow.org.
Wake Forest Renaissance Centre Launches 2026 Summer Series
The Wake Forest Renaissance Centre in North Carolina has announced its 2026 “Summer at the Centre” Performance Series running from June through August with nationally recognized acts. The season kicks off with The Embers featuring Craig Woolard on June 3 at 7:30 p.m., includes America’s Sweethearts on July 1, and wraps with Interactive Mystery Theater: Kill the Music on August 22 with matinee and evening shows.
Tickets are available in person at the Renaissance Centre Box Office or by phone at 919-435-9458. For arts supporters, the centre continues its Partner’s Circle memberships—levels range from $500 to $3,500 annually—with benefits including early ticket access and public recognition. The deadline to join for the 2026 season is March 31 for Partners and August 21 for Patrons and Friends. Full details are at wakeforestrencen.org/donate.
Free Six Sundays in Spring Concert Series Continues Through May
Music lovers nationwide can also tune in to Six Sundays in Spring, a free outdoor concert series hosted by Wake Forest and ARTS Wake Forest. Shows run weekly up to May 31 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Joyner Park Amphitheater, presenting acts like The Tams, Marcel Portilla Band, and Snapback. Food and dessert trucks will be onsite, and attendees are encouraged to bring picnics—though alcohol, unleashed pets, and grills are prohibited. Two charcoal grills are provided.
More information, including the full lineup and event rules, is available at bit.ly/WFSixSundays. Discover additional outdoor events at WakeForestOutdoors and subscribe to Wake Forest event alerts via E-Notifier.
Renaissance Centre Invites Artists for America 250 Art Exhibit
Visual artists across all ages and skill levels can submit original works addressing the theme “What does America mean to you?” for the Renaissance Centre’s America 250 Art Exhibit. The exhibit, showcasing 2D and 3D art, opens on June 8 and runs through July 17 in the Arts Annex at 405 S. Brooks St. Submissions close on May 24.
The Centre will celebrate the artists with a free, public reception on June 12 from 6-8 p.m. Art pieces will be available for purchase directly from creators. More info and submission details are at wakeforestrencen.org/tickets-events/art-exhibits.
These diverse events highlight a vibrant cultural calendar with strong local roots but national appeal, drawing attention to the power of community arts, historic food traditions, and live performance. For Alaskan and U.S. readers interested in unique Southern culture and grassroots arts, these opportunities offer fresh and engaging experiences unfolding right now.
Stay tuned for ticket availability updates and event announcements as the season progresses, and don’t miss the chance to connect with iconic culinary figures and live performances redefining regional traditions across the country.
