Star of Bethlehem (last weekend)
One of the longest-running planetarium shows in the world, "Star of Bethlehem," weaves art, music and science into a fascinating holiday tradition.
In the annual program, science explores the mystery surrounding a legendary celestial event. What are some of the possible astronomical explanations for this event? Viewers can examine whether a blazing comet, an exploding or shooting star, a major eclipse or a conjunction of planets might explain the reported event.
Shows are today through Sunday at Morehead Planetarium and Science Center, 250 E. Franklin St. Call (919) 962-1236 or visit http://www.moreheadplanetarium.org/ for show times and information. The cost is $6 adults, $5 children, seniors and students.
Botanical Garden tour
Join a North Carolina Botanical Garden curator Saturday for a free informative tour of the display gardens in winter: evergreen shrubs and trees, seed pods, berries, bark, and buds of our native plants. Meet in front of the Totten Center at 10 a.m.
The North Carolina Botanical Garden is at 100 Old Mason Farm Road in Chapel Hill. Call (919) 962-0522 or visit http://ncbg.unc.edu/ for information.
UNC women's basketball
UNC takes on Winston-Salem State at 2 p.m. Saturday in the newly renovated Carmichael Auditorium on South Road.
Tickets are $10. Call (919) 962-2296 or visit http://tarheelblue.com/.
Twelfth Night Gala
This year's annual Twelfth Night Dinner at the Carolina Inn, which is Saturday at 7 p.m., will again pay special tribute to the unwavering spirit of the Crescent City.
The unique flavor and style of New Orleans will shine through when Executive Chef Jimmy Reale prepares a special multicourse dinner which will include wine pairings selected by The Carolina Inn sommelier. The event will donate 25 percent of gross receipts to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund.
There will be live entertainment from Mel Melton and the Wicked Mojos. Reservations are required. The cost is $75 per person.
Call (919) 933-2001 or visit http://www.carolinainn.com/.
Twelve Days of Christmas displays
Sunday from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. is the last day of the Twelve Days of Christmas at the Carolina Inn.
Take a self-guided tour of artists' unique interpretations of verses of the traditional holiday carol, "The Twelve Days of Christmas." This year's new commissioned piece is "It's Snowing at The Carolina Inn," by local Chapel Hill Artist, Elaine O'Neil.
Dolls and children's toys for boys and girls, young and old, also are on display, as are childhood treasures, old and unusual, passed down through the families of Nell and Gordon Rutherford. The exhibit includes at least one item from every decade in the 20th century, and some going as far back as 1880.
The inn is at 211 Pittsboro St. in Chapel Hill. Call (919) 933-2001 or visit http://www.carolinainn.com for information.
UNC women's basketball
Georgia Tech plays UNC at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Carmichael Auditorium. Call (919) 962-2296 or visit http://tarheelblue.com. Tickets are $10.
'Ice Counterpoint'
A multimedia artistic collaboration, "Ice Counterpoint," views the Earth's polar regions through the artistic collaboration of music, art, environmental soundscapes and photography.
The exhibit opens Thursday.
The photography, recordings and video of Antarctica and the High Arctic, taken in 2006 and 2009 by Brooks de Wetter-Smith, are presented along with the polar art of Nerys Levy. "Ice Counterpoint" is inspired by the extreme conditions, flora and fauna of both regions.
The free public exhibition will run through May 31. It is at the FedEx Global Education Center, 301 Pittsboro St., Chapel Hill. Hours are weekdays 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturdays 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Call (919) 962-2435 or visit http://global.unc.edu for information.
