N.C. Symposium & Quilt Show

Thursday-June 1, Wilmington

More than 400 quilters from seven states will gather at UNC-Wilmington for lectures, workshops and the chance to see their peers' best work. Those who have yet to thread their needles can find inspiration in the works on view. Quilters by the Sea Guild is the host. www.quiltersbytheseaguild.com.

Waldensian Trail of Faith Founders Weekend

Friday-June 1, Valdese

Here's a chance to get acquainted with the Waldenses, a religious sect that arose in southeast France in the late 1100s came to the North Carolina foothills near Hickory to escape persecution. The events include Civil War re-enactments, children's games, an antique farm equipment display, fireworks, food, and bluegrass and gospel. (828) 879-2126, www.visitvaldese.com.

Mountain Sports Festival

Friday-June 1, Asheville

What qualifies paddling, cycling and running as mountain sports? The meandering waters of the French Broad River and the hilly terrain of Asheville. The Mountain Sports Festival will surely test an athlete's mettle in these events as well as climbing, adventure racing, disc golf and skateboarding. Clinics and demonstrations are also on the schedule as well as spectator sports: munching, shopping for souvenirs and listening to music. (828) 251-4029, www.mountainsportsfestival.com.

N.C. Wine Festival

Saturday, Clemmons

Tanglewood Park, known for its Yuletide Festival of Lights, makes merry in May with a festival centering on North Carolina wines. More than 30 vintners will offer samples from their varietals and Meritage blends while the Chairmen of the Board and other acts set the beat. No coincidence that Clemmons, just west of Winston-Salem, sits at the gateway to the Yadkin Valley, the state's first official viticultural area. (336) 733-5836, www.ncwinefestival.com.

Theater of the American South

Through June 1, Wilson

The three-week celebration of regional culture winds down with the final performances of "Steel Magnolias" and "Fair and Tender Ladies," Quinn Hawkesworth's one-woman stage adaptation of the Lee Smith novel. Music and other events are also in store. (252) 291-4329, www.theateroftheamericansouth.org.

'Kaleidoscope'

Through Oct. 31, Asheville

With the Blue Ridge Quilt Garden and permanent art installations, the N.C. Arboretum clearly appreciates human creativity as well as that which occurs in nature. Now come works by Jim Gallucci, Grace Cathey, Robert Winkler, Ila R. Seltzer and others, selected for "Kaleidoscope: Contemporary Landscape Sculpture." Visit at leisure; the works will be there through leaf season. (828) 665-2492, www.ncarboretum.org.

Facing South: Portraits by North Carolina Artists

Through June 1, Greensboro

More than 20 portrait artists from across the state are contributing works in a range of media -- paint, sculpture, photography, textiles, clay, collage and more. Among the participants are Beverly McIver, Louis St. Lewis, Vita Plume and Richard Fennell. The exhibition features other special portraits, including . Lee Waters' 1939 documentary of Greensboro, now celebrating its bicentennial, and "Viewing Glass," a new film installation Waters inspired. (336) 333-7460, www.greenhillcenter.org.

N.C. Division of Tourism, Film and Sports Development

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