Saxophonist Kirk Whalum will host the 2nd Annual John Coltrane International Jazz and Blues Festival in High Point, NC; the city where Coltrane spent his childhood and initially learned to play. The day long festival named; in his honor, will be held in a lake front setting where featured artists include Stanley Clarke, George Duke, Poncho Sanchez, Shemekia Copeland, Lao Tizer and Karen Briggs. The Festival celebrates the significance of High Point in the life of John Coltrane plus helps educate and promote jazz and other musical genres to the youth of our communities.

BOOKMARKS brings writers and readers of all ages together as renowned authors, illustrators, storytellers, and chefs share their work through readings, presentations, panel discussions, workshops, and booksignings. This free festival partners with community organizations, reading related exhibitors, and a variety of food vendors. The eighth annual festival will feature more than 40 authors along with creative and interactive activities for children. 2012 authors include Woody Durham, Tony Horwitz, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Steven Raichlen, and Esmeralda Santiago. Visit bookmarksnc.org for more information.

Triad Pride is an annual festival for the LGBT community in the triad area of North Carolina that is produced by Alternative Resources of the Triad.

Free live music all day and original art & craft vendors selling their goods!! nnnFree live music all day and original art & craft vendors selling their goods!! nnLine up includes:nThe Bronzed ChorusnJack Carter & The ArmorynMamadou's Fantastic BandnMartha Bassett & FriendsnESPnCasual CuriousnMatty SheetsnLaura Jane VincentnAND MORE!!!nnFacebook: http://www.facebook.com/events/187552581376640/n

Mayberry Days is a festival for the whole family with activities and events for the fans who long for the days when life was simple and the sheriff didn't carry a gun. Enjoy a bottle of pop while playing checkers, relax to music from many local bands playing the same songs that Andy grew up with and performed on The Andy Griffith Show. There is so much to do during the festival such as watching the parade, meeting the Special Guests, laughing at Colonel Tim's Talent Time, placing the high bid at a Silent Auction or taking in all of the music at the many venues. Remember to take time to slow down and enjoy what Mayberry means to you. nOnly one word to describe Mayberry Days - BIG! From the first "Ernest Tee" off at the golf tournament on Thursday morning to eating a barbecue sandwich to singing the last gospel song at the Blackmon Amphitheatre on Sunday morning, it's Big! The Surry Arts Council and City of Mount Airy welcomes fans of all ages and from all around the world to Mayberry Days. Make plans now to attend this family friendly festival and enjoy four full days of the Mayberry spirit.nMayberry Days events take place in locations around Mount Airy, with the Andy Griffith Playhouse and Blackmon Amphitheatre being the hubs of activity. Most everything is within walking distance, so be sure to wear comfortable shoes and clothes (the festival goes on, rain or shine). There is free parking in the numerous municipal lots downtown. Events are scheduled for minimal overlap where you can enjoy nearly everything or just relax and enjoy your time at the festival. nBe sure to come visit Mount Airy during other times of the year as well. The Andy Griffith Museum is open 7 days a week and the Surry Arts Council has events going on throughout the year, so there are plenty of reasons to return.

Saturday October 6th join Greensboro Roller Derby in an afternoon filled with fun in downtown Greensboro! We are hosting a Running of the Bulls like the annual event in Pamplona, Spain! But this time it will be a mob of roller girls that is chasing you through the heart of downtown in a 1 mile run! rnrnThe fun will continue with a block party free to the public including local artists, vendors and live music as well as local food trucks and beverages! We will also be having a raffle giving you the chance to win awesome prizes sponsored by local businesses.rnrnHosted by your very own Greensboro Roller Derby in partnership with MCoul's Pub. A portion of the proceeds will go directly to support The Merit Pit Bull Foundation.rnrnEarly Registration: (You must be 21+ to run) http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/272853

Celebrate the changing of the season with a fun-filled day of activities such as hayrides, a pumpkin patch, carnival games, food, crafts, prizes, live music and much more! nSEE YOU THERE!

ASHEBORO – The Latino Coalition of Randolph County will celebrate a Latino Festival Dia de la Raza at the Bicentennial Park, 135 Sunset Ave., Asheboro, NC 27203. The event will take place on October 14, 2012 from 2–6 p.m. nLatino music, food, dance, games and face painting for children, will be featured as the city of Asheboro celebrates diversity. The Latino Coalition of Asheboro has celebrated the diverse cultures of Latin America by hosting the Latino Festival since 2004. Local non-profit organizations attend the event and provide educational information. Local high school dance teams perform on stage as part of the entertainment. Food vendors offer authentic Latin cuisine. This is a free event and great opportunity to enjoy a Sunday afternoon of cultural enrichment in downtown Asheboro. For more information call (336) 626-0052.n

A two day Holiday Open House on Nov. 16 & 17, 2012. Carriage Rides, Santa, Kids Zone Activities,Old Timey Crafters, Holiday Treats, Festive Decorations, Marshmallow Roast, Carolers, Annual Tree Lightening, Shopping & Dining Specials and much more! Sponsored by Destination Downtown Mebane.

Come out to the Education Building on the Dixie Classic Fairgrounds to enjoy the Festival of Trees with your family and friends. On Saturday November 17th the Festival will be open from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM and on Sunday November 18th 12:00 to 5:00 PM. All Proceeds support Brenner's Children Hospital.

30th annual celebration of the diversity of traditions in our community. Music, dance, readings; all ages. A wonderful way to begin the holiday season.

Uptowne High Point Holiday Stroll: A Dickens Christmas, Saturday, December 1, 10am-4pm. Tour and shop High Point’s charming, historic Uptowne neighborhood. Stroll N. Main Street from Ray to State Avenues for entertainment, children’s activities, shopping for traditional crafts and holiday wares. Historic properties will host open houses with performances by community groups and carolers. Purchase fresh Christmas trees and greens, make your own Advent wreath, take a horse drawn carriage ride, visit with Santa, and see strolling costumed characters from A Christmas Carol. Presented by Uptowne High Point Association and NC Shakespeare Festival. Free admission. See www.uptownehighpoint.org for the complete event schedule.

The “A Diva’s Holiday” Shopping Benefit is being held to celebrate the new Divas in the City Triad Chapter as well as benefit and raise awareness for a few of our local women oriented charities. This Pink label charity event will allow women and men to enjoy an afternoon of exclusive shopping at incredible giveaways, raffles, and delicious hors d’oeuvres all while helping our Diva's get the word out about their business. The “A Diva’s Holiday” Shopping Benefit will be held on December 2nd, 2012 from 1pm – 6pm and Hosted by Diva’s in the City Triad Chapter, in Winston Salem , NC rn

Greensboro's annual holiday kick-off celebration featuring six blocks of live music, pictures with Santa, children's crafts, and more. The highlight of the festival will be the lighting of the Community Tree in Center City Park accompanied by a holiday sing-along. The festival will also run in conjunction with Downtown Greensboro, Inc.'s First Friday event.

The Historic West End Holiday Homes Tour provides tour participants the opportunity to explore beautiful, architecturally distinctive homes dating back to 1892. Advanced ticket sales at Whole Foods Market, Old Winston Social Club, 1502 Fabrics, Re-tale, and online at WestEndHomesTour.com. Day-of tickets at Old Winston Social Club, 1131 Burke St., Winston-Salem. More information at facebook.com/WestEndHomeTour OR WestEndHomesTour.com

The Greensboro Kwanzaa Collective (GSOKC) is hosting its third annual week-long Kwanzaa Celebration and has planned exciting cultural events for each day. There will be the customary libation and candle-lighting ceremony, storytelling, drumming and dancing along with opportunities for community building and sharing, an African Marketplace, arts and crafts instruction for the children, face painting, delicious food tasting, and many more surprises you just have to see! Events will take place as follows: December 26th through 28th, and 30th from 5:00pm – 8:00pm and December 31st from 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm nat the Hayes-Taylor YMCA, 1101 East Market Street in Greensboro; December 29th from 5:00pm – 8:00pm at the International Civil Rights Center & Museum, 134 South Elm St. in Greensboro; and January 1st from 5:00pm – 8:00pm at Bethel AME Church, 200 Regan Street in Greensboro.

www.purrrlesque.comnnThe Second Annual Purrrlesque! Follies Showcase Charity Burlesque festival!nnJanuary 18th and 19th at Triad Stage at 8pmnwith headliners Peek A Boo Pointe and Nasty Canasta!nn$15nnPerformers brunch Sunday January 20th at Sessions!!!nnWorkshops, Showcase, Events, and more on our website!nnto benefit Girls Rock NC... a female empowered empowerment camp!nnnnThe theme of this year’s 2nd Annual Purrrlesque! Follies Charity Burlesque Showcase will be “Beautifully Empowered” … each person see’s beauty in their own way, and each’s person’s definition of empowerment comes from a different place… but each person is beautiful, and we strive to inspire each person to seek that empowerment. Burlesque is a medium for many to find both of those things within themselves. It is also a place where the audience can relish in those gifts in others.nnEach year with our showcase Purrrlesque! strives to find a charity to endow or assets to in a BIG way, as well as show our best to our audience! Following last years sold out shows we are heading to an even more exciting show with an even more excited cast! Growing our potentials larger this year on the MAIN stage of Triad Stage we are sure to accomplish both with the 2nd Annual Purrrlesque! Follies Charity Burlesque Showcase! With a super cast of talent from all over the country, with many accomplished, respected, and internationally know burlesque and vaudevillian stars performing for the grace of charity! The community at large all come together to help make this wonderful event happen. All to benefit our charity~ this year : Girls Rock, NC ~ An organization that works with the empowerment of young women using rock camps and social skills as the medium to help them learn life tools to move forward in a healthy forward focused way. Our event planning has us on target to bring in twice as much as last year and we are very excited considering this is also Girls Rock, NC 10th year as an organization! Come enjoy our show, share in our enthusiasm for community, and help an amazing cause!nnEmCees’snFriday Showcase Act One ~ Ula UberbusennFriday Showcase Act Two ~ Kisa von TeasanSaturday Showcase Act One ~ Baroness VONschmalhausennSaturday Showcase Act Two ~ Big Gay JamesnSunday Brunch Local Spice ~ Baroness VONschmalhausennnStage Managers: John and Dustin Camp nnnWith HEADLINERS!!! n"The Fastest Tassel-Twirler from East to West" ~ Peek A Boo Pointe and The Girl With The 44DD Brain ~ Nasty Canasta!nnnnFriday Night PerformersnnBrandy ValentinennCougar Cantrell nDahlia VeenDescending AngelnFonda LinguenJenn MartinnJessica KatharsysnLady MonsternPandora von KitnPeaches de VinenPrivate TailsnRachel RiotnStachenStage Slave GavinnSterling MaxwellnSunny MidnightnVirginia ScarenXavier ShadowdancernnnSaturday Night PerformersnnAce FalcornApril le QueennBrouhaha RevuenBunny WigglebottomnC'est VixensnDeanna DangernDelinda d'RabbitnFaun FinleynJudith KalinKisa Von TeasanLady GatitanMaria BellanMemphis MuertenNipsy TusslenRena LaMarrnRosey LadynSiren SantinanThe Follies GirlsnTiger RoxXxnUla UberbusennViva ValezznXRay EsotericnnnSunday Brunch "Local Spice" PerformersnRadiant EstellenLollie la RougenCheeky Boom BoomnCabaret for the CurenRuby Reddn