Cape Fear Shakespeare Free for 20 years

Have you ever wondered where oft-quoted lines originated, such as: "Something wicked this way comes...” and “Some rise by sin, and some by virtue fall…”? Look no further than William Shakespeare’s masterpieces “Macbeth” and “Measure for Measure,” respectively.

Both plays are slated for the 2013 season of Cape Fear Shakespeare on the Green. From Memorial Day weekend throughout the month of June, this year’s festival celebrates 20 years of free outdoor Shakespearean theatre at Greenfield Lake Amphitheater in Wilmington, North Carolina.

Shakespeare’s powerful themes and timeless dialogue still evoke passion and controversy. Wilmington’s annual free-to-the-public Cape Fear Shakespeare on the Green festival, in association with the City of Wilmington, will present “Measure for Measure,” a dark comedy about what can happen when we confuse lust and love, goodness and self-righteousness, and when power monger impulses go unchecked.

This year the Shakespeare Youth Company will perform “Shadows of Shakespeare,” a collection of Shakespeare’s characters that exhibit the myriad tones of the human spirit, culminating in ACT II featuring “Macbeth,” the classic tale of power and madness performed in full shadow, a powerful single-act edit not for the faint of heart.

Cape Fear Shakespeare on the Green is among Wilmington’s most anticipated summer traditions. Visitors and residents enjoy free productions of the Bard's works in a family atmosphere at Greenfield Lake Amphitheater. Located in the heart of Wilmington on the lake's edge, the stage is surrounded by stately moss-draped cypress trees and well-manicured gardens of Greenfield Park. All theatrical performances are free to the public and donations are always welcome and appreciated. Gates open at 6:30pm; all shows begin at 8p.m.

For more details, visit the website www.capefearshakespeare.org or call 910-399-2878 or email shakespeareonthegreen03@yahoo.com.

For a free Official Visitors Guide for Wilmington, NC’s historic river district and the island beaches of Carolina Beach, Kure Beach, and Wrightsville Beach, please call 1-866-266-9690, or email visit@wilmingtonandbeaches.com. For seasonal specials, experiences and events, visit www.GoWilmingtonAndBeaches.com.

For more information about top events in North Carolina take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in North Carolina

Arkansas’ Largest Festival Set for Memorial Day Weekend

Riverfest 2013 will be held May 24 to 26 along the Arkansas River in downtown Little Rock and North Little Rock. Arkansas’ largest family festival will feature top headline musical acts and many exciting extras at no additional cost.

“For the 36th year, Riverfest 2013 has filled a three-day weekend with outstanding musical acts, fun activities for the whole family, and lots of popular festival food options — all while giving back to the community,” said DeAnna Korte, Riverfest executive director.

Attracting some 250,000 visitors, Riverfest takes place over 15 city blocks and includes the Clinton Presidential Center, both Riverfront Parks in Little Rock & North Little Rock, as well as Heifer International grounds and Heifer Village.

Riverfest features activities for all ages, a childrens area, teen area, arts and crafts, food, interactive activities, rides, 6 stages featuring headline entertainers to children’s entertainment acts. 

Previously announced headline acts include Daughtry, Sugar Ray, Black Stone Cherry, Bush, Cody Belew, Florida Georgia Line, Dierks Bentley, Rodney Atkins, Jana Kramer, Darius Rucker, Lupe Fiasco, Kelly Rowland, Drive-By Truckers and Peter Frampton.

The Stickyz Music Stage acts will feature headline acts Lil Ed & the Blues Imperials, Ana Sia & Richie Spice, along with local and regional musical acts. Musical acts throughout the festival will include classic rock, hip-hop, country, modern rock, soul, reggae and more.

During the three-day event, Riverfest will again partner with Walmart to collect non-perishable food items as part of the Food Drive at Riverfest. All food collected will benefit the Arkansas Foodbank and be distributed throughout the state of Arkansas. Festivalgoers are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item to a festival gateway and receive a coupon for a Coca-Cola product on-site and/or also bring food items to either shuttle stop and receive $1 off their shuttle ride.

For more information on the festival, entertainment acts and activities and a complete lineup of musical acts (including times and locations), visit www.riverfestarkansas.com.

For more information about top events in Arkansas take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in Arkansas.

BBQ & Bluegrass in Sevierville, Tennessee

Sevierville’s ninth annual Bloomin’ Barbeque & Bluegrass will take place May 17 to 18, 2013. This family-friendly event will again bring barbeque cook teams from all over the United States to Sevierville to compete for $17,500 in cash and prizes and the title of Tennessee State Champion in the Bush’s Best TN State Championship Cook Off. 

Rounding out the event is toe-tapping bluegrass music, incredible arts and crafts, kids’ games and the Mountain Soul Vocal Competition honoring Sevierville’s favorite hometown girl, Dolly Parton.

Take a little time to visit with the barbeque cook teams you’ve seen on cable channels like the Food Network as you stroll through the “Que Zone.” Then make sure you bring a lawn chair for the free bluegrass concerts with rising stars and legends of the bluegrass genre (past headliners have included Ricky Skaggs, Marty Stuart, Del McCoury, Tony Rice, Sam Bush and more). 

Make sure you’re at the festival on Saturday May 18 for an epic performance from the legendary Bluegrass Album Band. This iconic bluegrass super group has not performed live in nearly 30 years – and with all the original members playing, this may be the only opportunity many fans will have to see them live in concert.

On Saturday, the competition starts early. Watch as championship cook teams turn in their competition meats. 

An expanded Kids’ Zone and the Bluegrass Music Tent, sponsored in part by The Music Outlet, add fun and enrichment for the kids and families who attend Bloomin’ Barbeque & Bluegrass. 

A highlight of Bloomin’ Barbeque & Bluegrass is the 9th Annual Mountain Soul Vocal Competition Finals held on May 18. Finalists from around the nation will sing their hearts out for a chance to win prize money, a recording session in Nashville, Tennessee and a guitar autographed by Dolly Parton. 

Admission and concerts are free thanks to great sponsors, including the Sevierville Chamber of Commerce which encourages you to stay in Sevierville while visiting Bloomin’ BBQ & Bluegrass. 

For great lodging deals and more information about Bloomin’ Barbeque & Bluegrass, call (888) 889-7415 or visit online at www.bloominbbq.com

Visit Memphis in May for details of this month-long festival of music and culture.

For more information about top events in Tennessee take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in Tennessee.

Summer Events in Anchorage, Alaska

Browse for crafts, sample the summer flavors of Alaska and enjoy free entertainment every Saturday and Sunday all summer long at the Anchorage Market and Festival in Anchorage through to September 8. Local farmers and artisans sell their goods in a festival atmosphere. This open-air market is a great place to get a bite to eat, soak up the sun and mingle with the locals.

"Fish on!" is a phrase anglers hope to hear during the annual Slam’n Salm’n Derby from June 7 to 16. Running through downtown Anchorage, Ship Creek is an urban fishing spot home to runs of king and silver salmon. Locals and visitors alike drop a line into the creek hoping to hook a king salmon and win cash and prizes. The event is a benefit for the Downtown Soup Kitchen.

Alaskans enjoy the longest day of the year from sunup to sundown at the Summer Solstice Celebration on June 22, a tall order on a day with 22 hours of functional daylight. From running in the Mayor's Marathon & Half Marathon and dancing to live music in Town Square to cheering on police, firefighters and members of the military in the Hero Games and climbing a local peak to snap some stunning views there is plenty to see and do in Anchorage.

Lace up your running shoes and hit the trails for a weekend of fun as the summer winds down. The Big Wild Life Runs  on August 17 and 18 has races for everyone. The kids 2K is great for toddlers and tweens. People of all abilities are encouraged to take part in the 5K, half marathon, marathon and marathon relay.

Big is a word that only partly describes Alaska and the state fair where you can see monster veggies, view the spectacular Chugach Mountains, experience a thrilling ride and devour dozens of Alaska delicacies like reindeer hot dogs. Just an hour north of Anchorage in the Matanuska Valley the Alaska State Fair from August 22 to September 2 is a great way to wrap up a busy summer.

For more information on Anchorage's wild adventures and urban delights, visit www.Anchorage.net. 

For more information about top events in Alaska take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in Alaska.

BBQ Festival Kicks Off Summer in Nation’s Capital

Safeway’s Barbecue Battle has been bringing great food, music and fun to the streets of the Nation’s Capital for more than two decades. 

Signaling the beginning of summer, June 22^nd and 23^rd, the Safeway Barbecue Battle is one of Washington’s largest and most unique food and music festivals offering the greater DC-area community and visitors a chance to enjoy some of America’s favorite pastimes in the shadow of the Capitol Building. 

The two-day festival includes delicious barbecue and taste treats of all kinds, two days of non-stop musical and family entertainment, and one of the nation’s most exciting barbecue cooking competitions. While entertaining tens of thousands of food, music and fun-lovers, the Safeway Barbecue Battle has also raised over $1.3 million for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington and donated goods and funds to other area charities over the years.  

Pennsylvania Avenue will be smoking with great barbecue served up by vendors from across the country while top barbecue chefs and teams battle to win over $40,000 in cash and prizes in the Safeway National Barbecue Championship, sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS). 

The ever-popular Safeway Sampling Pavilion showcases a line-up of deliciously tempting free food samples while celebrity chefs and cookbook authors entertain on the Safeway Demonstration Stage. The BBQ Legends area at the Battle features stars of BBQ from TV’s popular “Pitmasters” show with tastings, book signings and demos. This year’s event will also kick-off an exciting new contest pitting top military chefs against each other in friendly combat to benefit The Wounded Warrior Project.  

There’s something for all kinds of music-lovers with 30 bands and family entertainment on multiple stages along with interactive exhibits providing hands-on and virtual fun for all.  Besides all the great food, music, cooking and competition, there’s plenty for kids of all ages to enjoy. Kids rides and sports attractions, including NBA basketball stars and on-site court action, help make the Safeway Barbecue Battle the perfect way to kick off summer in Washington. 

For more information about this unique annual Washington celebration visit: www.bbqdc.com or call (202) 828-3099. 

Connect with the Safeway Barbecue Battle on Twitter @bbqdc and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/National.Capital.Barbecue.Battle. 

For more information about top events in Washington DC take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in Washington DC.

Northern Indiana Christian Music Festival

Some 22 major recording artists will be featured at the famil-friendly WFRN Friend Fest, a multi-stage Christian Music Festival at Amish Acres, Nappanee, Northern Indiana on Friday and Saturday June 21 and 22.

Among the performers are TobyMac, Matthew West, Building 429, Peter Furler, Kari Jobe, Jamie-Grace, Big Daddy Weave, Chris August, For King & Country, Rhett Walker Band, Moriah Peters, Finding Favour, Hyland, OBB and Mosteller – plus a secondary stage featuring One Girl Nation, Jason Dunn (former lead singer of Hawk Nelson), An Epic No Less, Josh Reardon, Ryan Corn, Marie Miller, Seth Moorman and Loftland, espresso drinks and free WiFi access. 

There is free parking, you are free to bring in your own food and drinks, a free Kid Zone with Bouncy Houses and Children's Stage, and free Artist Breakout Sessions: Tom Coverly (Speaking to Youth thru Illusions); Phil Joel (Living an Authentic Christian Life); Big Daddy Weave (Q&A Time with Big Daddy); Kari Jobe (Leading Worship); Peter Furler (Worship as a Lifestyle) with the purchase of a festival pass. 

WFRN Friend Fest is located in Northern Indiana on the scenic and historic land of Amish Acres in Nappanee (1600 West Market Street). The event is surrounded by the farm's sights and sounds. From the Belgian draft horses in the pasture to the Mallard ducks on the pond and the quilters in the gross dawdi house, you'll enjoy the fresh country air.

Visit WFRNFriendFest.com for festival passes and more information.

For more information about top events in Indiana take a look at 

the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in Indiana.