AGP Executive Report

College Football: East Carolina hosts South Florida on Friday, Nov. 6, at 7:30 p.m. at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium; the Pirates are favored by 2.5 points. Live Music: Banjo player Tray Wellington brings his touring show to Boone Saloon, while bluegrass band Nu-Blu is set to perform in Glencoe. Coming Up: Hickory Community Theatre welcomes “Frozen” Nov. 28–Dec. 12, and the Moose & Friends Thanksgiving show returns Nov. 25 to benefit Hickory Soup Kitchen. A public-art sculpture dedication is planned for the OLLE Art Walk on Nov. 16. Hollywood & Politics: Democrats’ congressional sweep is prompting questions about how Washington’s new balance of power could affect Hollywood’s deals and influence; Jimmy Kimmel also turned the GOP’s losses into an election-night punchline.

Digital Entertainment: Raleigh-born creator Camilla Araújo is launching “Plot Twist,” a weekly interview podcast featuring pop-culture guests. Episodes will appear on YouTube and major podcast platforms. Holiday Arts: Boys & Girls Homes of North Carolina will host a nativity sale and Christmas concert in Lake Waccamaw Nov. 20–22, featuring regional musicians and the organization’s choir, performing publicly for the first time in 20 years. Proceeds support children in care. Independent Film: UNC Asheville alumnus brings the independent film “Gunfighter Paradise” to campus, adding a local screening to the week’s arts calendar.

Arts & Events: Southeastern Community College unveiled Pinehurst’s “home” art installation, and the Battleship North Carolina will host a free Veterans Day concert Nov. 7. Arts Davidson also marked 60 years of arts and community. Film & Craft: UNC Asheville welcomed an alumnus’ independent film, “Gunfighter Paradise,” while North Carolina makers are keeping heritage crafts alive. On the Field: The North Carolina Courage finished with a 1-0 win over Denver but missed the playoffs for a second straight season, falling two points short. The Tar Heels pushed top-ranked Miami to a 38-35 finish; Miami stayed No. 1 in the first College Football Playoff rankings.

Touring Break: Cheap Trick has canceled its 2027 shows, including dates in North Carolina, and plans its first break in 50 years after finishing its November concerts. Independent Film: UNC Asheville alumnus Jethro Waters brought “Gunfighter Paradise” to campus, sharing how friends, borrowed locations and thrifted props helped bring his dark comedy to life. Live Music: Waka Flocka Flame brought hip-hop energy to UNC Pembroke’s Homecoming, while the Cockman Family brought bluegrass gospel to Lincolnton. Arts in Bloom: More than 70 artists took part in the 30th annual Art in the Arboretum. Community Arts: Arts Davidson County marked 60 years of arts and community programming.

Arts & Community: Arts Davidson County marks 60 years with “Heritage & Horizons,” celebrating exhibitions, theater, open mics and arts education in Lexington. Film & Local Culture: Charlotte’s VisArt Video is keeping movie-rental tradition alive as a nonprofit arts hub, hosting plays, music and screenings for local filmmakers. Live Music: The Cockman Family brings bluegrass gospel to Lincolnton’s Lincoln Cultural Center on Nov. 8. Campus Entertainment: Waka Flocka Flame brought hip-hop energy to UNC Pembroke’s Homecoming, while North Carolina A&T celebrated its 100th “Greatest Homecoming on Earth.”

Campus Celebration: North Carolina A&T marked 100 years of its “Greatest Homecoming on Earth” with a parade led by actor and alumnus Terrence J, music, tailgating and a proclamation from Gov. Josh Stein. Visual Arts: Wilmington’s 30th annual Art in the Arboretum drew more than 70 artists, while Asheville’s November concert calendar offers a guide to live music across Western North Carolina. Women’s Soccer: Former North Carolina Courage midfielder Denise O’Sullivan helped Gotham FC clinch its first NWSL Shield, starting and playing all 90 minutes in a 2-0 win over Utah. College Basketball: The season tips off Monday across the state, with UNC, Duke, NC State, Wake Forest and East Carolina among the teams opening at home.

Live Music: Ukulele virtuoso Jake Shimabukuro performs Tuesday at Appalachian Theatre in Boone, with student tickets available. North Carolina Sports: UNC pushed No. 1 Miami to the brink before falling 38-35; Miami remains atop the AP poll, while Ohio State dropped to No. 11 and UCLA climbed into the top five. The North Carolina Courage beat Denver 1-0 on NWSL Decision Day, but Seattle claimed the final playoff spot; Courage forward Ashley Sanchez shared the league’s single-season scoring record with 20 goals. HBCU Homecoming: NC A&T marked 100 years of its “Greatest Homecoming on Earth,” a weeklong celebration drawing about 200,000 visitors and an estimated $80 million in regional impact. Holiday Tradition: Raleigh’s Angus Barn has nearly finished its elaborate Christmas makeover, including a new room honoring longtime state official Thad Eure.

College Football: North Carolina nearly toppled No. 1 Miami, but the Tar Heels fell 38-35 after a late-game swing. Miami remains unbeaten and is expected to lead the College Football Playoff’s first rankings, due Tuesday. Women’s Basketball: UNC opens against No. 21 Oklahoma in Paris on Monday; next Sunday, NC State faces No. 14 Kentucky and UNC meets top-ranked South Carolina at Charlotte’s Ally Tipoff. Live Music: Asheville and Western North Carolina’s November calendar brings touring and local acts to venues including The Orange Peel and Harrah’s Cherokee Center. Yung Gravy plays Monday, Hawthorne Heights follows Tuesday, and Hudson Westbrook brings his tour to Asheville on Nov. 13.

College Football: No. 1 Miami escaped Chapel Hill with a 38-35 win over UNC, stopping the Tar Heels’ upset bid despite Billy Edwards Jr.’s four touchdown passes. North Carolina A&T beat Elon 13-10 at homecoming, but a brief postgame fight marred the celebration; both schools said they were reviewing what happened. Arts & Community: Rocky Mount’s scarecrow contest brought local businesses into the Halloween spirit, with a Dolly Parton-inspired entry winning the community-voted top prize. Film & Music: A Greensboro screening of Can We Kick It, a soccer documentary by an NC A&T alumnus, adds a local story to the week’s arts calendar. Meanwhile, the Hollywood East Brewseum is collecting film history, from Talladega Nights to The Exorcist.

Chapel Hill Showdown: No. 1 Miami visits the Tar Heels tonight at 7:30 p.m. at Kenan Stadium, with UNC looking to rebound from an overtime loss to Syracuse. Aggie Homecoming: North Carolina A&T is celebrating the 100th “Greatest Homecoming on Earth,” with Fan Fest kicking off the weekend in Greensboro. Local Music: River Shook brings country songs with a rock edge to Churchill School, while bluegrass group Nu-Blu is also set for a North Carolina performance. On Screen: A North Carolina A&T alumnus brings the soccer documentary Can We Kick It to Greensboro, adding a local story to the weekend’s arts lineup. Arts Around the State: Halloween-weekend listings include a statewide arts and entertainment calendar, and the NC Courage marks its 10th season after drawing record-breaking game attendance.

UNC Basketball: Charlotte native DeMarcus Henry, a top-three recruit in the 2027 class, committed to the Tar Heels, giving new coach Michael Malone his first five-star prospect. Greensboro Film: A&T alumnus Akbar Majeed brought his award-winning documentary “Can We Kick It” home for a screening. The film explores African Americans’ history, access and culture in soccer. Holiday Attractions: Tweetsie Railroad marks 10 years of its Christmas celebration, with a steam-train ride through lights and a decorated frontier town in the High Country. Aggie Homecoming: North Carolina A&T launched its 100th Greatest Homecoming on Earth with Aggie Fan Fest; organizers expect more than 200,000 visitors across the weekend. Arts & Festivals: The 2027 Azalea Festival announced concert headliners and a new look for its 80th anniversary, while Greensboro’s Hollywood East Brewseum is collecting film history from “Talladega Nights” to “The Exorcist.”

Dance: Southern Elite Cloggers returned from the national championships in Hickory with top finishes across age groups, including four first-place wins for its Young Adult division and grand champion honors for its Senior Adult team. Halloween Weekend: Asheville and Western North Carolina have events on tap Oct. 30-Nov. 1 for those looking to celebrate. Live Music: Robbie Fulks brings his eclectic country and bluegrass sound to Churchill School, while River Shook pairs country music with a rock ‘n’ roll attitude at the same venue. Art and Connection: In Wilmington, a mother and daughter living with early-onset Alzheimer’s paint together; an art therapist says creative activities can help families connect when conversation is difficult.

Asheville Auction: A hand-drawn 1768 survey of the Mason-Dixon Line sold for $950,000 after a bidding war at Brunk Auctions, putting a major piece of American history in the hands of an anonymous buyer. Festival & Community Arts: Bear Grass’s Chicken Mull Festival drew a crowd several times the town’s size, with live music and 46 entries in its first art contest. Organizers called it the festival’s best year yet. Durham Draws Visitors: The Bull City welcomed 13.4 million visitors in 2025, who spent a record $1.17 billion. Local businesses say tourism is boosting activity even as rising costs remain a challenge. Bluegrass Beyond NC: A World of Bluegrass ’26 panel explored the music’s growing scene in Japan, from its long history there to touring opportunities for American performers.

Festivals & Homecoming: Bear Grass’s Chicken Mull Festival drew a crowd several times the town’s size, with live music and 46 entries in its first art contest. Greensboro is also celebrating NC A&T’s 100th homecoming, including a 100-hour livestream by alumnus Mr. Chimetime aimed at helping 100 people. Arts Around the State: Wilmington’s Arty Party returns to spotlight the area’s arts community, while a downtown Asheville jewelry studio has launched Metals for Meditation, opening its workbench to participants through donor funding. Coming to the Stage: The Avett Brothers and DJ Diesel (Shaquille O’Neal) are set to headline the 2027 NC Azalea Festival. On the Sports Calendar: The Hurricanes host the Blue Jackets Thursday, while UNC faces top-ranked Miami in a Week 9 football matchup.

Wilmington Arts: The Arts Council’s Arty Party returns with a Paris-inspired evening of art and live performances at UNCW, celebrating a local scene that includes about 20 theater companies and 20 galleries. The council says it invested roughly $500,000 in local artists and organizations over the past year. Live Music: Bluegrass duo Nu-Blu is bringing its acoustic sound to Stern Cultural Center, while the Raleigh Ringers are set to perform in Albemarle. Art & Heritage: A Gullah Geechee art exhibition highlights beauty in the details, and in Todd, a seven-generation family restoration is bringing new life to an 1840s Appalachian hotel. North Carolina Music Legacy: Wilmington-born Charlie Daniels is being remembered on what would have been his 90th birthday; the country-rock pioneer recorded with Bob Dylan and became famous for “The Devil Went Down to Georgia.”

Triad Homecoming: North Carolina A&T’s 100th Greatest Homecoming on Earth coincides with WNAA’s 60th anniversary. The Oct. 29 celebration features producer Gavin “Gav Beats” Williams, singer Vanessa Ferguson and poet Josephus Thompson. Comedy: Aggie alumnus Tim Shropshire, whose viral chicken-wing story helped launch his career, is set to headline GHOE. Local Arts: High Point’s new Spindle & Spine bookstore opens Oct. 29 with a ribbon cutting and celebration; in Greensboro, Paul Robeson Theatre is honoring the legacy of its namesake and the founders who nurtured Black talent for more than 50 years. Halloween: Raleigh-area families can find scares at Panic Point, Franklin County’s 47-acre haunted attraction, which offers five main experiences and a PG-13 approach. Onstage: The Raleigh Ringers bring their handbell ensemble to Albemarle on Nov. 15, with music ranging from classical works to contemporary favorites. TV: Former UNC basketball coach Hubert Davis joins TNT Sports as an analyst, debuting Nov. 5.