The Wake Forest Renaissance Centre for the Arts welcomes the return of “Neck of the Woods” on Friday, Jan. 25, at 7 p.m. Presented and sponsored by ARTS Wake Forest, Neck of the Woods is a variety performance series featuring emerging local artists. Each show is different and may consist of several performing arts acts, including actors, dancers, musicians, comedians, writers and spoken word artists. The Jan. 25 Neck of the Woods will feature the family-friendly comedy group the “Un-Intentionals;” award-winning singer/songwriter David Snyder; dulcimer player and singer/songwriter Michele Gourley; and student musicians from the Wake Forest School of Rock. For more information about these performers, visit www.wakeforestrencen.org/event/neck-woods-1<http://www.wakeforestrencen.org/event/neck-woods-1>. Area residents are invited to come out, enjoy a truly unique and entertaining community event and show your support for our local artists. Refreshments will be available for purchase, including a variety of beer and wine. Tickets are $5 plus tax and

Forest Moon Theater will present “I Never Saw Another Butterfly” Friday-Sunday, Feb. 8 through Feb. 10 and Feb. 15 through Feb. 17, at the Wake Forest Renaissance Centre, 405 Brooks Street. Showtime on Friday and Saturday is 7:30 p.m., while Sunday’s show time is 3 p.m. At the height of Hitler’s campaign to rid the world of Jews, children of the condemned arrive in Terezin, where they are assigned to a teacher, Raja, who watches over them until they are separated and sent to concentration camps. Raja survives to tell their story, a story that celebrates the human spirit and ability to uplift oneself, a story about children who bring light to the dark, hope to the abject, and love to a place surrounded by hate. This play is produced by special arrangements with Dramatists Play Service, Inc. Advance tickets are $15 plus tax for adults and $13 plus tax

All three Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events classes in 2018 were full, and the Wake Forest Police Department has responded by scheduling a new class on Thursday, Jan. 31, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Wake Forest Renaissance Centre on Brooks Street. There is no cost to participate, but registration is required at www.wakeforestnc.gov/civilian-response-to-active-shooter-events.aspx<https://www.wakeforestnc.gov/civilian-response-to-active-shooter-events.aspx>. Class size is limited to the first 100 people to register. Please note: Every participant must register individually – one person per form. On the evening of the class, attendees will be required to show proof of registration before entering the Renaissance Centre. Led by Wake Forest Police Lt. L. Danforth, the session will teach participants what to do if confronted with an active shooter event. Designed and built on the Avoid, Deny, Defend (ADD) strategy developed by the Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training (ALERRT) Center at Texas State University, the class will

Bright Star Touring Theatre, a national professional touring theatre company based in Asheville, will offer two free performances of “Let It Shine: The American Civil Rights Movement” on Saturday, Feb. 9. Geared for ages 6 and older, the free performances are scheduled for 11 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. at the Alston-Massenburg Center at 416 North Taylor Street. Rosa Parks, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the Freedom Riders and more come to life in this powerful production that celebrates the American Civil Rights Movement. The show also features inspiring performances and the songs of the Civil Rights era. Admission is free, and everyone is invited. This production is part of the Wake Forest Renaissance Centre’s Arts For All free community performance series, which is supported by United Arts Council of Raleigh and Wake County. For more information, visit wakeforestrencen.org or contact Renaissance Centre Specialist Debra Horton at 919-435-9566 or dhorton@wakeforestnc.gov<mailto:dhorton@wakeforestnc.gov>.  

Mayor Vivian Jones will deliver her 2019 State of the Town Address on Monday, Feb. 18, at 6 p.m., during the 11th annual State of the Town Address and Dinner. Presented by the Wake Forest Rotary Club, the event will take place at the Wake Forest Renaissance Centre at 405 Brooks Street. During her remarks, Mayor Jones will highlight the town’s key accomplishments in 2018 and outline the goals Wake Forest will strive tow019. All area residents are invited to attend. Tickets are $15 per person in advance and $20 on the day of the event and include a catered meal. Dress for the event is business casual. Tickets can be purchased online with a Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover credit card at www.wakeforestnc.gov/state-of-the-town.aspx<http://www.wakeforestnc.gov/state-of-the-town.aspx>. Tickets may also be purchased at the Renaissance Centre Box Office with cash, check or credit card. A processing fee will be added to the

Tickets are on sale for the Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre “Death by Disco” on Saturday, Feb. 2, at the Wake Forest Renaissance Centre for the Arts at 405  Brooks Street. If you enjoy the theater intertwined with a good murder mystery, then you’ll love “Death by Disco” performed by the Triangle-based theater troupe It’s A Mystery. It’s A Mystery’s interactive comedy mysteries offer fresh, creative and fun entertainment. The group’s original scripts, played out by talented actors, will challenge your brain and tickle your funny bone! “Death by Disco” will be performed by It’s A Mystery’s professional troupe of accomplished actors who will bring to life exciting characters with colorful backgrounds and questionable motives. The sophisticated plot that ensues will provide the audience with clues to help you pin down the perpetrator or perpetrators of a dastardly deed. It’s 1978, and it should be a night of disco, dancing and

Tickets are on sale for the Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre “Death by Disco” on Saturday, Feb. 2, at the Wake Forest Renaissance Centre for the Arts at 405  Brooks Street. If you enjoy the theater intertwined with a good murder mystery, then you’ll love “Death by Disco” performed by the Triangle-based theater troupe It’s A Mystery. It’s A Mystery’s interactive comedy mysteries offer fresh, creative and fun entertainment. The group’s original scripts, played out by talented actors, will challenge your brain and tickle your funny bone! “Death by Disco” will be performed by It’s A Mystery’s professional troupe of accomplished actors who will bring to life exciting characters with colorful backgrounds and questionable motives. The sophisticated plot that ensues will provide the audience with clues to help you pin down the perpetrator or perpetrators of a dastardly deed. It’s 1978, and it should be a night of disco, dancing and

The Government Affairs Committee of the Wake Forest Area Chamber of Commerce has expanded, and its programs are now open to every chamber member. The monthly updates in 2019 will feature elected officials and staff from local, county and state government. This is your opportunity to hear from and ask question of the people who represent you and your business. The first session of the year is on Wednesday, Feb. 6, and will feature the mayor of Wake Forest, Vivian Jones. We will get a preview of her state of the town address on Feb. 18, and there will be ample time to ask questions and voice concerns. A light breakfast will be provided for the program that lasts from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. There is no fee, but the staff needs to know how much coffee to brew, so please register by emailing President Ann Welton, ann@wakeforestchamber.org. * *

*The Wake Forest Farmers Market will be open from 10 a.m. to noon this Saturday, Jan. 26, in the employee parking lot along South Taylor Street behind Wake Forest Town Hall. Local farmers and artisans will have meats, seasonal vegetables, bread, baked good and other local wares for sale. See the market’s Facebook page for information about the vendors and sign up for a weekly notice about the offerings that Saturday. Remember the Wake Forest Farmers Market is unusual in that it is owned by the farmers who sell their wares there. *Monday Night Bingo at The Factory is hosted by the Wake Forest Kiwanis Club in the Mill Room from 7 to 9:30 p.m. every Monday night. All profits support the club’s projects for children. Visit www.wakeforestbingo.com for more information. *Tri-Area Ministry Food Pantry at 149 East Holding Avenue is now open from 9 to 11 a.m. every third