Showcasing some of the finest live Latin jazz/soul music, “Cool Jazz: Featuring Alfredo Rodriguez” will hit the stage at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 30, at the Haywood Arts Regional Theatre in Waynesville. 

There will be a special artisan open studio event from 4-7 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 2, at the Folkmoot Friendship Center in Waynesville. For the second annual Groundhog Day celebration, themed costumes are welcome and encouraged.

A special stage production of “An Iliad” will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 24-25, 31, Feb. 1 and 2 p.m. Jan. 26 and Feb. 2 at the Haywood Arts Regional Theatre in Waynesville. 

Anyone interested in enrolling their child in summer camp in Haywood County should take part in the Waynesville Parks & Recreation Department’s survey.

Christmas Eve. With the sun fading behind the Blue Ridge Mountains, the sky transitioning into bright pink, purple and orange, I found myself quietly jogging the four-mile path around Lake Junaluska. Nobody around me, the air quickly gets cold during sunset. Dozens of Canada geese roaming the walking trails and shoreline, with many more either swimming or in-flight nearby. 

It’s Sunday afternoon. And while many are either watching professional football on a glowing TV somewhere or simply trying to relax and prepare for the impending workweek, an array of cars put on their blinkers and pull into 250 Pigeon Street in Waynesville — home to the Haywood Arts Regional Theatre. 

Sunday. Late morning. I’m awakened by the sounds of a curious dog in my upstairs neighbor’s apartment. He’s a sweet pitbull mix. Always running around the yard, happily barking at the knowns and unknowns of this big ol’ world outside of his second story window. 

Featuring Celtic/world musical ensemble Eireann’s Call, the “A Kilted Christmas” concert will hit the stage at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 12, at the Folkmoot Friendship Center. 

A special stage production of “A Charlie Brown Christmas Musical Extravaganza” will hit the stage at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 13, 2 p.m. Dec. 14 and 5 p.m. Dec. 15 at the Haywood Arts Regional Theatre in Waynesville. 

Wayne Caldwell will present his latest work, “River Road,” at 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, at Blue Ridge Books in Waynesville.