The Wake Forest Renaissance Centre for the Arts welcomes the return of “Neck of the Woods” this Friday, July 19, 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. Friday’s Neck of the Woods will feature a music performance by The Motley Tones, spoken word magician Antino Art, jazz and soul pianist/vocalist Lydia Salett Dudley, and jazz and gospel performer Ronald Williams. The Motley Tones came to be in 2010 when a talented group of musicians, musical theatre actors and street performers decided to lend their talents to the world of piracy. Today, they sing a variety of delightfully harmonious and oft-times amusing sea shanties. This dynamic group sings an eclectic mix of period

The Wake Forest Public Art Commission will host a special reception in the Arts Annex of the Wake Forest Renaissance Centre Saturday, July 27, from 9 a.m. to noon to formally open its 2019 Wake Forest Temporary Sculpture Exhibit and its Spotlight on Wake Forest Artists Exhibit. Light refreshments will be provided. The reception will have an informal, open house-style format, so you may drop in anytime between 9 a.m. and noon. A program featuring remarks by Mayor Vivian Jones will begin at 10 a.m. Public Art Commission members and several featured artists will be on hand throughout the morning to answer questions and share information about the selected works of art. Free, illustrated maps highlighting the locations of the works for each exhibit will be available during the reception. Area residents who are unable to attend the reception but wish to take the self-guided tour may also pick up

ARTS Wake Forest invites artisans and craftspeople to participate in the fourth annual Wake Forest Holiday Artisans’ Market. The Market will take place on Saturday, Dec. 7, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. inside and outside of the Wake Forest Renaissance Centre in downtown Wake Forest. The Holiday Artisans’ Market will feature a variety of arts and crafts in a wide range of prices. The market will showcase items handmade by regional artisans and crafts people including potters, fine artists, photographers, woodworkers, fiber artists, furniture makers, jewelry artists and more. Application deadline for this juried market is August 15, 2019. To apply online or request an application form, visit https://artswakeforest.org/artists/artisans-market/. The Wake Forest Holiday Artisans’ Market is free and open to the public. A $1 per guest donation at the door is appreciated. Proceeds from the Market support programs and events presented free to the community by ARTS Wake Forest.

Sponsors are needed for the 11th annual Purple Heart Banquet on Saturday, Aug. 3, at 5:30 p.m. in Wake Forest. Hosted by the Wake Forest Purple Heart Foundation, the banquet invites the public to help honor those wounded in defense of this country. In addition to Purple Heart Medal recipients and their families, the event at Richland Creek Community Church is open to all veterans, military families and the public. Last year’s celebration saluted 77 Purple Heart recipients from around the Triangle. This year’s banquet will feature the Walk of Honor, entertainment, patriotic tributes and a catered meal. This is the original Purple Heart banquet and sponsors make this tribute possible. Sponsorship levels are Gold Star ($1,000), Blue ($500), White ($250) and Red ($100). For details, call Marty Coward at 919-792-0316 or email marty.coward@edwardjones.com. Contributions may be made payable to Wake Forest Purple Heart Foundation, P.O. Box 168, Wake Forest,

Although many people think train tracks are open to public access, all railroad tracks are private property. That’s why Wake Forest officials are warning area residents to stay off the tracks year-round but especially during Friday Night on White and other downtown events. The CSX railroad through Wake Forest is an active freight line, operating almost every day of the year with an irregular schedule determined by the requirements of companies which use its services. Wake Forest Police have observed ever-growing numbers of people walking, playing and taking pictures on the railroad tracks in downtown Wake Forest during Friday Night on White. In response, additional police and event staff will be assigned to monitor the train tracks during the July 12 concert. Signage will also be posted warning the public to stay away. Anyone caught trespassing on the train tracks may be subject to criminal charges. According to NC General