Sheri Castle, renowned Southern cooking celebrity and two-time Emmy winner, is set to headline Dinner in the Meadow, a farm-to-table benefit event for the Leonard-Mobley Small Farm Fund, held at Meadow Lane Farm in Louisburg on September 13. The event promises an exclusive opportunity for food lovers and community supporters to enjoy authentic Southern cuisine crafted by Castle, host of PBS’s acclaimed cooking show “The Key Ingredient.”
Castle’s culinary expertise and storytelling have earned her national recognition, including the prestigious Keeper of the Flame Award by the Southern Foodways Alliance and a place among their 20 Living Legends of Southern Food. Attendees will have the chance to meet Castle in-person, savor award-winning recipes, and support small farms, a cause gaining momentum across the country.
Tickets for Dinner in the Meadow are available now via Eventbrite and details are at dinnerinthemeadow.org. This event is a rare chance to experience refined Southern flavors amid a scenic farm setting, spotlighting sustainable farming at a time when local food movements are reshaping American agriculture.
Wake Forest Announces Star-Studded Summer Arts Season
The Wake Forest Renaissance Centre is ramping up its highly anticipated “Summer at the Centre” series with performances scheduled across June, July, and August 2026. Kicking off on June 3 with The Embers featuring Craig Woolard, the series continues with America’s Sweethearts on July 1, concluding with an immersive Interactive Mystery Theater: Kill the Music on August 22 at 11 a.m. and 8 p.m.
Tickets for the “Summer at the Centre” series are on sale at the Renaissance Centre Box Office or by phone at 919-435-9458. Community members can join the RC Partners Circle by making a tax-deductible gift starting at $125, unlocking exclusive benefits like early ticket access, public recognition, and free show tickets. Membership deadlines to secure 2026 perks are March 31 for Partners Circle and August 21 for Patrons or Friends.
This arts programming aligns with Wake Forest’s mission to bolster cultural opportunities that energize local economies and grow community engagement, reflecting a trend nationwide to leverage arts as key drivers of connection.
Free Outdoor Music Series Energizes Wake Forest Through May
Music lovers across the US can experience the nationally recognized Six Sundays in Spring, a free outdoor concert series running through May 31 at Joyner Park Amphitheater, 701 Harris Road, Wake Forest. Each Sunday evening from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., a diverse lineup features acts such as Beatlesque, Soul Psychedelique Orchestra, The Tams, Marcel Portilla Band, Blackwater Band, and Snapback, drawing crowds to celebrate local arts and community.
Concertgoers can enjoy a variety of food trucks while picnicking, but must comply with local regulations banning alcohol, unleashed pets, and grills. The city provides large charcoal grills onsite for communal use. For full details and schedule, visit bit.ly/WFSixSundays.
America 250 Art Exhibit Seeks Artist Submissions Through May 24
The Renaissance Centre calls on artists nationwide to submit original artwork responding to “What does America mean to you?” for the America 250 Art Exhibit. Open to all ages and mediums, submissions close May 24 with selected works showcased at the Renaissance Centre Arts Annex from June 8 to July 17.
The gallery exhibit offers 64 linear feet of hanging space plus display cabinets for 2D and 3D art, providing crucial exposure and sales opportunities for emerging and established creatives. A free reception honoring artists is scheduled for June 12, 6-8 p.m. The event underscores ongoing nationwide debates and celebrations on Americana during the country’s semiquincentennial.
For applications and exhibit details, artists and patrons can visit wakeforestrencen.org/tickets-events/art-exhibits.
Together, these events highlight a vibrant cultural calendar in Wake Forest with broad appeal from food lovers to music fans and artists, offering urgent and exciting opportunities for community engagement and national arts participation in 2026.
