Community Calendar

See incredible quilted designs celebrating America 250 with this patriotic exhibit of local craftsmanship! These quilts were designed and created by the Twin Rivers Quilters Guild and will be on display at the North Carolina History Center during the early part of 2026.

This exhibit is FREE to enjoy and open to the public during regular business hours at the North Carolina History Center.

The North Carolina History lecture series continues this winter with the goal to engage the broader community and expand the understanding of, and engagement in, the fascinating history of New Bern, Craven County and state. This year, as our nation celebrates its 250th birthday, we are focused on the history surrounding our nation’s founding, and topics related to our colonial and revolutionary history. We are pleased to welcome three historians who will present each week, for three consecutive weeks.
The series is presented by the Lifetime Learning Center and Tryon Palace, in partnership with the Richard Dobbs Spaight Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the New Bern Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution.

Sunday, March 1, 2026 - The Emergence of Military Uniforms as a Symbol of National Identity
How did the simple term Redcoat or Bluecoat become a universal description of a nation’s army in the age of black powder?
Speaker: Ken Osen - For over 30 years Ken Osen has been a researcher, designer, and sculptor for museums and the collectibles industry, primarily focusing on military uniforms of the 18th to the 20th century. This journey has taken him to personal and private military collections throughout the US and Europe to inspect real uniforms and equipment. His research provides historical context to the miniatures he creates

Join us to discover how simple terms like "redcoat" and "bluecoat" became universal descriptions of a nation’s army in the age of black powder!

Speaker:
For over 30 years, Ken Osen has been a researcher, designer, and sculptor for museums and the collectibles industry, primarily focusing on military uniforms of the 18th to the 20th century. This journey has taken him to personal and private military collections throughout the US and Europe to inspect real uniforms and equipment. His research provides historical context to the miniatures he creates.

The North Carolina History Series:
The North Carolina History lecture series continues this winter with the goal to engage the broader community and expand the understanding of, and engagement in, the fascinating history of New Bern, Craven County, and North Carolina. As our nation celebrates its 250th birthday, we are focused on the history surrounding our nation’s founding, and topics related to our colonial and revolutionary history.  We are pleased to welcome three historians who will present each week, for three consecutive weeks. 

The series is presented by the Lifetime Learning Center and Tryon Palace, in partnership with the Richard Dobbs Spaight Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the New Bern Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution.

The internationally renowned ECU Chamber Singers present an afternoon of beloved American and British choral works, from Ralph Vaughan Williams and George Gershwin to Philip Glass. This concert is free and open to the public.

RiverTowne Players Presents Putting It Together
A Musical Review Featuring the Songs of Stephen Sondheim
Directed by John Van Dyke
RiverTowne Players is proud to present Putting It Together, a sophisticated and witty musical revue celebrating the legendary work of Stephen Sondheim. Directed by John Van Dyke, this dazzling production will be performed at the Historic Masonic Theatre in downtown New Bern from February 20 through March 7.
Taking its title from a song in Sunday in the Park with George, Putting It Together unfolds over the course of an elegant, all-night penthouse party in Manhattan. As five guests mingle, flirt, spar, and reflect, they navigate the complexities of love, desire, ambition, and disillusionment. A sharp-eyed observer guides the evening, offering humor and insight as the characters confront their own truths.
Featuring nearly 30 songs drawn from Sondheim’s most iconic works, including Company, Follies, A Little Night Music, Sweeney Todd, Into the Woods, and even cinematic gems like Dick Tracy . The show is a rich, emotionally layered journey through modern relationships. By turns poignant, funny, and bittersweet, Putting It Together offers audiences a fresh way to experience the brilliance of one of theatre’s most influential composer-lyricists.
Performance Dates:
February 20 – March 7, 2026
Fridays & Saturdays at 7:30 PM
Sunday Matinees at 3:00 PM
Venue:
Historic Masonic Theatre
Downtown New Bern, NC
Tickets:
Tickets are available now. For tickets and additional information, visit www.rivertowneplayers.org.
RiverTowne Players is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing the cultural life of Eastern North Carolina through exceptional theatrical productions and educational programming. Our mission is to provide a creative platform that empowers local artists and connects the community through the shared experience of live theatre.

See incredible quilted designs celebrating America 250 with this patriotic exhibit of local craftsmanship! These quilts were designed and created by the Twin Rivers Quilters Guild and will be on display at the North Carolina History Center during the early part of 2026.

This exhibit is FREE to enjoy and open to the public during regular business hours at the North Carolina History Center.

The Carteret Community Sunshine Band is starting rehearsals for its spring concert season and is looking for new musicians to join.
The Sunshine Band is a volunteer wind ensemble made up of local residents, from students to retirees, who love performing concert band music. The band is especially seeking trombone players, and also needs clarinet and trumpet players, though musicians on all concert band instruments are welcome.
Directed by Ritchel Lawson, the band rehearses Monday nights at Newport Middle School and performs community concerts throughout the year.
Spring rehearsals begin January 26, 2026
For more information, find us on Facebook, Instagram, or visit our website.
Interested new members should contact Ritchel Lawson at ritchellawson@hotmail.com

RiverTowne Players Presents Putting It Together
A Musical Review Featuring the Songs of Stephen Sondheim
Directed by John Van Dyke
RiverTowne Players is proud to present Putting It Together, a sophisticated and witty musical revue celebrating the legendary work of Stephen Sondheim. Directed by John Van Dyke, this dazzling production will be performed at the Historic Masonic Theatre in downtown New Bern from February 20 through March 7.
Taking its title from a song in Sunday in the Park with George, Putting It Together unfolds over the course of an elegant, all-night penthouse party in Manhattan. As five guests mingle, flirt, spar, and reflect, they navigate the complexities of love, desire, ambition, and disillusionment. A sharp-eyed observer guides the evening, offering humor and insight as the characters confront their own truths.
Featuring nearly 30 songs drawn from Sondheim’s most iconic works, including Company, Follies, A Little Night Music, Sweeney Todd, Into the Woods, and even cinematic gems like Dick Tracy . The show is a rich, emotionally layered journey through modern relationships. By turns poignant, funny, and bittersweet, Putting It Together offers audiences a fresh way to experience the brilliance of one of theatre’s most influential composer-lyricists.
Performance Dates:
February 20 – March 7, 2026
Fridays & Saturdays at 7:30 PM
Sunday Matinees at 3:00 PM
Venue:
Historic Masonic Theatre
Downtown New Bern, NC
Tickets:
Tickets are available now. For tickets and additional information, visit www.rivertowneplayers.org.
RiverTowne Players is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing the cultural life of Eastern North Carolina through exceptional theatrical productions and educational programming. Our mission is to provide a creative platform that empowers local artists and connects the community through the shared experience of live theatre.

See incredible quilted designs celebrating America 250 with this patriotic exhibit of local craftsmanship! These quilts were designed and created by the Twin Rivers Quilters Guild and will be on display at the North Carolina History Center during the early part of 2026.

This exhibit is FREE to enjoy and open to the public during regular business hours at the North Carolina History Center.

RiverTowne Players Presents Putting It Together
A Musical Review Featuring the Songs of Stephen Sondheim
Directed by John Van Dyke
RiverTowne Players is proud to present Putting It Together, a sophisticated and witty musical revue celebrating the legendary work of Stephen Sondheim. Directed by John Van Dyke, this dazzling production will be performed at the Historic Masonic Theatre in downtown New Bern from February 20 through March 7.
Taking its title from a song in Sunday in the Park with George, Putting It Together unfolds over the course of an elegant, all-night penthouse party in Manhattan. As five guests mingle, flirt, spar, and reflect, they navigate the complexities of love, desire, ambition, and disillusionment. A sharp-eyed observer guides the evening, offering humor and insight as the characters confront their own truths.
Featuring nearly 30 songs drawn from Sondheim’s most iconic works, including Company, Follies, A Little Night Music, Sweeney Todd, Into the Woods, and even cinematic gems like Dick Tracy . The show is a rich, emotionally layered journey through modern relationships. By turns poignant, funny, and bittersweet, Putting It Together offers audiences a fresh way to experience the brilliance of one of theatre’s most influential composer-lyricists.
Performance Dates:
February 20 – March 7, 2026
Fridays & Saturdays at 7:30 PM
Sunday Matinees at 3:00 PM
Venue:
Historic Masonic Theatre
Downtown New Bern, NC
Tickets:
Tickets are available now. For tickets and additional information, visit www.rivertowneplayers.org.
RiverTowne Players is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing the cultural life of Eastern North Carolina through exceptional theatrical productions and educational programming. Our mission is to provide a creative platform that empowers local artists and connects the community through the shared experience of live theatre.