Book celebrates children adopted from Russia
[Sep. 26, 2011] Two years ago Adrienne Bashista wanted to prepare her son, Jacob, for their family's upcoming adoption of a little boy from Russia. She found books on domestic adoption, books about adopting from beautiful tropical countries, and a myriad of books about adopting little girls from China. "I didn't know whether to laugh or cry the day he told me he didn't want a brother from Russia anymore, but wanted a sister from China. I told him a brother was already in the works. We couldn't change our plans." [In Books]

8th Annual Fall Shakori Hills GrassRoots Festival of Music & Dance
[Sep. 7, 2011] The Shakori Hills GrassRoots Festival of Music & Dance will hold its annual fall festival from Thursday, October 6 to Sunday, October 9, 2011. The festival will feature more than 50 bands and performers on two big outdoor stages, a large Dance Tent, and an intimate Cabaret Tent. Located on 72 beautiful farmland acres at 1439 Henderson Tanyard Road in Silk Hope, North Carolina, just down the road from Chapel Hill, Raleigh, Durham, Burlington, and Greensboro. The festival also features local crafts, delicious food, various children's activities, environmental sustainability workshops, and much more in a family-friendly environment. [In Music]

Bynum Front Porch fundraising concert & auction features Nu-Blu
[Aug. 31, 2011] Please save Saturday, September 24 from 4:30 pm until 9:00 pm for a special Bynum Front Porch fundraising concert and auction. Proceeds from the concert and auction will assist with programming needs as well as the two annual scholarships Bynum Front Porch awards to graduating seniors. This year's concert features a past favorite, Chatham County's own Nu-Blu. [In Music]

Bynum Front Porch seeks new board members and committee members
[Aug. 21, 2011] Bynum Front Porch (BFP), a nonprofit organization dedicated to keeping the spirit of Bynum alive, is looking for new board members for two-year terms, starting in January 2012. We are also looking for community volunteers for our various committees. [In Music]

Shakori Hills to hold second annual NC Stars in the Round fundraiser
[Aug. 11, 2011] On Saturday, August 20 the Shakori Hills Community Arts Center will be holding its 2nd Annual North Carolina Stars in the Round Fundraiser. All funds from the event will go toward the down payment on the land on which many Shakori Hills events are held. Once the organization owns the land, they will have more freedom and infrastructure to carry on their mission of being a center for arts education and community-building for Chatham County and beyond. [In Music]

Siler City band Nu-Blu to release new album THE BLU DISC on August 9
[Aug. 8, 2011] Pinecastle Records is proud to announce the August 9, 2011 album release of THE BLU DISC by Nu-Blu. The band includes the talents of: Carolyn Routh (lead & harmony vocals, bass); Daniel Routh (lead & harmony vocals, guitar); Levi Austin (banjo); and Austin Koener (mandolin). Nu-Blu will host two CD Release Parties including Siler City, NC (Aug 12) at Comprades Mexican Restaurant and Asheville, NC (August 13) at The Grey Eagle. [In Music]

5th Annual Hoppin' John Fiddlers' Convention coming in September
[Jul. 27, 2011] Shakori Hills Community Arts Center presents The Hoppin' John Old-Time & Bluegrass Fiddlers' Convention, now in its fifth year. Hoppin' John is a three-day event for musicians, dancers and music-lovers to come together and celebrate the traditions of old-time and bluegrass music. There are dance, instrument and band contests for all ages, square dances, a cook-off, and many unscheduled special musical moments. By Sara Waters [In Music]

West African sounds of Kairaba! will fill the air around the Bynum Stage on Friday night
[Jun. 22, 2011] Grab your kids, family, friends and neighbors for a night filled with the infectious West African sounds of *Kairaba!* Friday night at the Bynum General Store starting at 7 pm. Kairaba! is composed of Senegalese griot musician Diali Keba Cissokho, with North Carolinians John Westmoreland, Jonathan Henderson, Austin McCall and Will Ridenour. [In Music]

Storytelling for grown ups at the Pittsboro General Store Café
[Jun. 15, 2011] Storytelling for Grown Ups will take place on Wednesday, June 22 from 7 pm to 9 pm at the General Store Café. The night will feature a variety of storytelling styles and stories from some of the area's finest storytellers for only $5. By Amy Barefoot [In Performing Arts]