How Tammy Wynette channeled the conflicts of her life into her music and performance. With hits such as “Stand By Your Man” and “Golden Ring,” Tammy Wynette was an icon of American domesticity and femininity. But there were other sides to the first lady of country. Steacy Easton places the complications of Wynette’s music and her biography in sharp-edged relief, exploring how she made her sometimes-tumultuous life into her work, a transformation that was itself art. Wynette created a persona of high femininity to match the themes she sang about—fawning devotion, redemption in heterosexual romance, the heartbreak of loneliness. Behind the scenes, her life was marked by persistent class anxieties; despite wealth and fame, she kept her beautician’s license. Easton argues that the struggle to meet expectations of southernness, womanhood, and southern womanhood, finds subtle expression in Wynette’s performance of “Apartment #9”—and it’s because of these vocal subtleties that it came to be called the saddest song ever written. Wynette similarly took on elements of camp and political critique in her artistry, demonstrating an underappreciated genius. Why Tammy Wynette Matters reveals a musician who doubled back on herself, her façade of earnestness cracked by a melodrama that weaponized femininity and upended feminist expectations, while scoring twenty number-one hits. Steacy Easton has written about country music for NPR, Slate, and the Atlantic. They are a PhD student in critical disability studies at York University. John Darnielle’s first novel, Wolf in White Van, was a New York Times bestseller, National Book Award nominee, and a finalist for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize for first fiction, and widely hailed as one of the best novels of the year. He is the writer, composer, guitarist, and vocalist for the band the Mountain Goats. He lives in Durham, North Carolina, with his wife and […]

Pittsboro Gallery of Arts Announces Tandem Exhibition: Art & Poetry in Motion / June 1 - July 28 Throughout the months of June and July the Pittsboro Gallery of Arts (PGA) is collaborating with the North Carolina Haiku Society. What is a Haiku? In practical terms a haiku is a short poem of 17 syllables, written in three lines of 5, 7, and 5 syllables. You can focus on interesting ways to use that pattern. Or you can look deeper and find that there is more to this syllable pattern, that these are poems with conventions of form and content that have endured and evolved since they originated in Japan over 400 years ago. We asked the poets of nc-haiku.org if they could be inspired by the Fine Arts and Fine Crafts displayed in our downtown gallery. And they said, "Why yes we sure can Art inspiring artists Will always come first." OK - they didn’t say that exactly. But they did agree to participate in this exhibition which consists of written Haiku poetry positioned alongside “featured artworks” in this intriguing Tandem event. We are excited to offer you, the viewer, this expanded artistic experience and hope to make it an annual happening. An Opening Reception will be held on 2nd Friday, June 9th from 5pm-8pm. Meet the artists & poets and enjoy wine and hors d’oeuvres. This is a FREE EVENT open to the public. We hope you can join us for this one-of-a-kind exhibition.

Friday Night Concerts + Movies Each Friday night (except July) we’ll feature a live concert or movie on the Phil H. Kohl MOSAIC Family Commons (event lawn). Food + beverage available for purchase. No outside alcohol is allowed to be brought inside the venue. Bring a lawn chair or blanket. Friday Concerts All concerts start at 7 pm (unless otherwise indicated below). Event lawn opens one hour before concert start time. Beach Music Series June 9 Blackwater Band (6pm) June 23 Holiday Band (6pm) June 30 Jim Quick & Coastline (6pm) Fall Music Series August 11 Cravin’ Melon with special guest: Big Time Shine August 25 Megan Doss with special guest: Jordan Pickett September 8 Ace Party Band with special guest: School of Rock September 22 Tim Hair with Indian Outlaw featuring special guest: Petty Thieves October 13 Cat 5 with special guest: The Will McBride Group October 27 Tuesday’s Gone with special guest: Circle City Rockers 6pm for Friday night concerts (7pm-8:30pm) Bring a lawn chair or blanket. Food, beer + wine available for purchase. Location: MOSAIC Family Commons (event lawn) near 51 Mosaic Blvd, Pittsboro, NC 27312

Special deals on the top brands in outdoor gear for men and women.

Come to The Plant in Pittsboro (Lorax Lane) on Sunday afternoon, 12-5, for Pittsboro's first Pride event! Quiltmaker Cafe is just one of the participating vendors.

Save the date: Tuesday, June 13th is National Gin Day, and we're celebrating at The Sycamore with an exceptional Gin flight. Immerse yourself in the art of gin appreciation as you sip on carefully curated selections such as Tanqueray Rangpur, McQueen and the Violet Fog. Local favorites Conniption Navy Strength and Cardinal Barrel Rested Gin will also be part of the tasting. Indulge in the vibrant flavors and aromatic profiles of these exquisite gins. Join us and raise a glass to the spirit of National Gin Day. But there's no need to wait until then - we can pour you most of these Gins, or one of our carefully crafted Gin Cocktails, anytime this week. See you soon!

Jazz nights are continuing on Wednesdays so don't miss out on the chance to hear some great holiday jazz this month, sprinkled in alongside your classic favorites. Here are our upcoming performers 06/14- Dave Quick Jazz 06/21- Lauren Meehan Band 06/28- Tony Galiani

Friday Movies Each Friday night (except July) we’ll feature a live concert or movie on the Phil H. Kohl MOSAIC Family Commons (event lawn). Food + beverage available for purchase. No outside alcohol is allowed to be brought inside the venue. All movies start at 8:30 pm (unless otherwise indicated below). Event lawn opens one hour before movie start time. June 16 Top Gun: Maverick August 4 The Lion King August 18 DC League of Super-Pets September 1 Moana September 15 Avatar: The Way of the Water (Drive-In Movie) October 6 Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (Drive-In Movie) October 20 Hocus Pocus 2 (Drive-In Movie) Location: MOSAIC Family Commons (event lawn) near 51 Mosaic Blvd, Pittsboro, NC 27312

If you're looking for that perfect leather gift to give to someone (or yourself), look for Ric's Leather at 120 Years of Custom Motorcycles event on Saturday at Raging Bull Harley Davidson in Durham, NC.

Join us in downtown Pittsboro for the Summertime Seafood Festival, hosted by The Sycamore and Postal Fish Company, and located on the lawn and inside of Forest Hall at Chatham Mills. Celebrate Father's Day and the start of summer with delicious food, refreshing drinks, and live music by fun beach band 'The Castaways'. Get your advance tickets for entry for $10 or purchase at the door for $15 (if available). Children under 12 enter for free. Food and Beverages will be available for purchase. Indulge in a variety of mouthwatering seafood and non-seafood options, including Maine-style Lobster Roll, Oysters on the half shell, Lemonade Shrimp, Crabcake Sandwich, Chilled Lobster Salad, and Carolina Style BBQ Spare Ribs. Sides like Hush Puppies, Plantain Chips with Pico, Grilled Shishito Peppers, and Corn on the Cob will also be available. The cash bar will serve beer, wine and summery cocktails. Dessert will be available from our vendor partners onsite. Doors open at 2pm, music starts at 3pm. Don't miss this unforgettable Father's Day and Summertime celebration with incredible food, drinks, lawn games, music and more. Space is limited and the event will happen, rain or shine, so grab your tickets today! For more details and to get your tickets visit our eventbrite page.

Our next Dining for Dollars event takes place all day on June 20th at Pittsboro Carolina Brewery!! 5% of everything (even take out!) will go to The Quiltmaker Cafe that day!! Come out and get some good food and support the cafe!

Jazz nights are continuing on Wednesdays so don't miss out on the chance to hear some great holiday jazz this month, sprinkled in alongside your classic favorites. Here are our upcoming performers 06/21- Lauren Meehan Band 06/28- Tony Galiani

Join us on Wednesdays on the Philip H. Kohl MOSAIC Family Commons (event lawn) for self-care sessions. Sunset Yoga hosted by Yoga Garden PBO on select Wednesdays in May, June, August, September and October. Specific times listed below. Sign-up required. June 7 (7 – 8 pm) Sign-up here June 21 (7 – 8 pm) Sign-up here August 2 (7 – 8 pm) Sign-up here August 16 (7 – 8 pm) August 30 (6 – 7 pm) September 13 (6 – 7 pm) September 27 (6 – 7 pm) October 11 (5:30 – 6:30 pm) October 25 (5:30 – 6:30 pm)

Italy on a Plate: Travels, Memories, Menus by Vietri Founder & CEO Susan Gravely In celebration of VIETRI’s fortieth anniversary, and with gratitude for the Italian friends who have welcomed her into their lives, their homes, and to their tables, Susan Gravely, VIETRI Founder and CEO, has written a memoir and a cookbook. The book showcases over 50 recipes straight from the kitchens of Susan’s dearest Italian friends. These delicious, treasured family recipes highlight the best dishes from regions all across Italy, and they are accompanied by Susan’s charming, poignant, and hilarious memories with each friend. The book also includes glimpses into these friends’ beautiful Italian homes and gardens, and it offers tips for how to entertain with effortlessly elegant Italian style. The final chapter features Susan’s own home in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, with a look into her own family traditions and special holiday recipes. Author Frances Mayes, a longtime friend of the Gravely family, has written the foreword for the book in addition to being included in her own chapter within the book. Susan says she feels “incredibly lucky to have spent years in this favorite country of mine, and Italy’s spirit continues to enchant me. Its enthusiasm, passion, style, and romance live in its people, and, through my work, I have met many incredible Italians and enjoyed many homecooked meals! To be invited into people’s homes, to share a meal, to celebrate life’s big and small moments together... These memories are some of the most cherished in my life. This has been the happiest and most unexpected result of creating VIETRI, and for this I am profoundly grateful.” Susan Gravely is the Founder and the CEO of VIETRI, Inc., a lifestyle brand of Italian artisan-crafted dinnerware and home and garden accessories. VIETRI was founded in 1983 by […]

Friday Night Concerts + Movies Each Friday night (except July) we’ll feature a live concert or movie on the Phil H. Kohl MOSAIC Family Commons (event lawn). Food + beverage available for purchase. No outside alcohol is allowed to be brought inside the venue. Bring a lawn chair or blanket. Friday Concerts All concerts start at 7 pm (unless otherwise indicated below). Event lawn opens one hour before concert start time. Beach Music Series June 23 Holiday Band (6pm) June 30 Jim Quick & Coastline (6pm) Fall Music Series August 11 Cravin’ Melon with special guest: Big Time Shine August 25 Megan Doss with special guest: Jordan Pickett September 8 Ace Party Band with special guest: School of Rock September 22 Tim Hair with Indian Outlaw featuring special guest: Petty Thieves October 13 Cat 5 with special guest: The Will McBride Group October 27 Tuesday’s Gone with special guest: Circle City Rockers 6pm for Friday night concerts (7pm-8:30pm) Bring a lawn chair or blanket. Food, beer + wine available for purchase. Location: MOSAIC Family Commons (event lawn) near 51 Mosaic Blvd, Pittsboro, NC 27312

Roar, fellow runners! Get ready to unleash your wild side and embark on an exhilarating virtual adventure with our 4th annual Tiger Day 5k Virtual Race! Lace up your sneakers, because it's time to sprint, jog, or walk your way to victory while supporting an important cause. 📅 Date: YOU PICK, but International Tiger Day on July 29th sounds great to us...🐯 ⏰ Time: Anytime that suits you! 🌍 Location: Wherever you are! This race is virtual, so you can participate from anywhere in the world. 🌟 Race Details: The Tiger Day 5k Virtual Race is an opportunity for all running enthusiasts to come together and celebrate the majestic beauty of tigers while raising awareness about their conservation. All proceeds go toward the cats of Carolina Tiger Rescue. 🎯 How to Participate: 1️⃣ Register for the virtual race by visiting our official website https://runsignup.com/Race/NC/Pittsboro/TigerDay5K. 2️⃣ Choose your favorite running route. It could be through a local park, your neighborhood, or even on a treadmill if that's more convenient. 3️⃣ On the race day, track your run using a running app, smartwatch, or fitness tracker. Don't forget to capture some exciting photos or videos along the way! 4️⃣ Share your race experience on social media using the hashtag #TigerDay5k and tag our official page to connect with fellow participants. 📢 Spread the Word: Invite your family, friends, and colleagues to join this thrilling virtual race and help us create a massive wave of support for tiger conservation. Share this post, tag your friends who love running, and let's make this event a roaring success! 🏆 Get Ready to Roar! Don't miss out on this extraordinary opportunity to combine your passion for running with a noble cause. Register today and mark your calendars for an unforgettable Tiger Day 5k Virtual Race. Together, […]