Calendar

Georgia

Macon —- “National Geographic Maps: Tools for Adventure” is making only one stop in the Southeast, at the Museum of Arts and Sciences, through Jan. 11. The exhibit features opportunities to learn about new navigation technologies and ancient mapping techniques. Virtual journeys include tracking elephants in the African jungles, searching for Blackbeard’s pirate ship, driving a computer-generated rover on the surface of Mars and maneuvering a robot through the Great Pyramid in Egypt. 478-477-3232, www.masmacon.com.

Madison —- hand.craft.it, an exhibition exploring the handmade craft movement, runs through Jan. 20 at the Madison-Morgan Cultural Center. 1-877-233-0598, www.mmcc-arts.org.

Adairsville —- The Winter Wine Series starts Jan. 10 at Barnsley Gardens Resort. Representatives from select wine estates host each event and entertain with trivia and prizes. Jan. 10, Blue Rock’s Kenny Kahn; Jan. 24, Verite’s Luis Reyneri; Feb. 7, Krug’s Holly Beach; March 7, Silver Oak Winery’s Tom Johnson; and March 14, Freemark Abbey’s Ted Edwards. 770-773-2522, www.barnsleyresort.com.

Augusta —- The Augusta Futurity, Jan. 23-31, includes a cutting competition, championship bull riding, a fun fest, a dance, vendors and more. 706-823-3362, www.augustafuturity.com.

Kingsland —- The seventh annual Old-Time Oyster Roast, a fund-raiser held Jan. 31, includes all-you-can-eat oysters, shrimp, Brunswick stew, homemade chowders and homemade desserts. 912-673-1300.

Whigham —- During the annual Rattlesnake Roundup, Jan. 31, snake hunters gather reptiles for the public’s education. Foods include funnel cakes and fried rattlesnake. 229-377-3663.

Savannah —- The 20th annual Savannah Black Heritage Festival, Jan. 31-Feb. 15, includes Grand Festival Day, music, dancing, youth talent showcases, historic tours, visual arts exhibitions, culinary arts activities and more. 912-691-6847, www.savannahblackheritagefestival.com.

Savannah —- The second annual Savannah Book Festival, Feb. 6-8, includes author appearances and signings, family activities and a brunch fund-raising event with Paula Deen. 912-897-9600, www.savannahbookfestival.org.

Dahlonega —- Three Sisters Vineyards presents the annual Wine & Chocolate Lovers Celebration Saturdays and Sundays in February. The event includes a barrel tasting, souvenir wine glass, special chocolates and Sweet Grass Dairy Georgia Cheese tasting. 706-865-9463, www.threesistersvineyards.com.

Alabama

Birmingham —- Alabama Dance Festival: Complexions Contemporary Ballet, Jan. 16-18, features the annual Alabama Dance Showcase, master classes, education workshops for teachers, audition opportunities and more. 205-602-3599, www.alabamadancecouncil.org.

Guntersville —- Eagle Awareness Weekends, each weekend in January, feature guided interpretive programs at various bald eagle nesting locations, guest speakers, fireside chats and more. 256-571-5444, www.guntersvillestate park.com.

Huntsville —- The Winter Wine Event, Jan. 29-30, offers samplings of wines complemented by local foods. 256-535-4350, www.hsvmuseum.org.

Brundidge —- The Pike Piddlers Storytelling Festival, Jan. 30-31, features nationally acclaimed storytellers Donald Davis, Bill Lepp, Carmen Deedy and Kathryn Tucker WIndham. 334-670-6302, www.piddle.org.

Troy —- The African-American Leadership Conference, Feb. 6-7, celebrates Black History Month with local and national speakers and breakout sessions for students and adults. 334-670-2283.

Birmingham —- A Celebration of Black History Month, Feb. 14, features local children in the program of live music, spoken word and more. 205-975-9540, www.alysstephens.org.

Prattville —- The Polar Bear Run, Feb. 14, is a 5K and 1-mile fun run with awards for winners in all age categories. 334-365-0606, www.polarbearrun.org.

Florida

St. Augustine —- The World Golf Hall of Fame showcases “Bob Hope: Shanks for the Memory” throughout 2009. The exhibit offers a chance for visitors to reflect the different eras and places significant to Hope’s life. 904-940-4123, www.wgv.com.

Bonita Springs —- The Bonita Springs National Art Festival, Jan. 10-11 and March 14-15, features the works of more than 200 artists specializing in painting, jewelry, glass, clay, photography, sculpture, wood and more. 239-992-1213, www.artinusa.com/bonita.

Crystal River —- The 22nd annual Florida Manatee Festival, Jan. 10-11, features manatee education and tours, entertainment, crafters, fine art and the Paddle the Bay Poker Run. 352-417-1160, www.citruscountychamber.com.

Tampa —- The Black Heritage Festival, Jan. 15-24, features a speaker’s series with Danny Glover and Felix Justice, a gala, a traveling exhibition and a two-day street festival. 1-888-224-1733, Ext. 143, www.tampablackheritage.org.

Fellsmere —- The Frog Leg Festival, Jan. 15-18, has the requisite frog leg and gator tail dinners, as well as other food, midway rides, entertainment and arts and crafts. 772-571-0250, www.froglegfestival.com.

Orlando —- The Zora Neale Hurston Festival of the Arts and Humanities, Jan. 20-25, celebrates the work of the 20th-century writer with museum exhibits, public talks, panel discussions, workshops and concerts. It culminates with a three-day outdoor festival of the arts. 407-647-3307, www.zorafestival.com.

Fort Myers —- The Edison Festival of Light, Jan. 31-Feb. 22, celebrates the life and innovations of the famous inventor with a science and engineering fair, an inventors’ fair, a Light Up the Town Block Party, Rock ‘n’ Roll Saturday Night (with Eddie Money and Night Ranger), “junior” events, a stadium and fireworks show, and a grand parade. 239-334-2999, edisonfestival.org.

Kentucky

Pineville —- A guided elk viewing tour, Jan. 9-10, offers the chance to view elk in their natural habitat. Trip includes elk program, breakfast, transportation, guide service and souvenir. 1-800-325-1712, www.parks.ky.gov.

Burkesville —- Eagle Watch Weekend, Jan. 16-17, allows visitors to take a trip on a guided boat tour to view the bald eagle in its natural habitat at Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park. 270-433-7431, www.parks.ky.gov.

Olive Hill —- The Carter Caves Crawlathon, Jan. 23-25, includes wild caving trips, canoeing, rappelling and ascending, vertical workshops, proper techniques of caving workshops, and kids’ caving trips. Other events are a Cave Photo Salon competition and the squeezebox contest. 606-286-4411.

Corbin —- The Star Party at Cumberland Falls State Resort Park, Jan. 24, will teach visitors how to read a star map and view the moon, planets and other astronomical features through telescopes. 606-528-4121, www.parks.ky.gov.

Slade —- Arches Hiking Weekend, Feb. 6-7 at Natural Bridge State Resort Park, is a guided tour to see natural arches and bridges in the park. Also includes evening speakers. 606-663-2214, www.parks.ky.gov.

Greenup —- Greenbo Lake State Resort Park celebrates Black History Month on Feb. 13-14, with guest speakers, music, a one-woman drama by Erma Bush and more. 1-800-325-0083, www.parks.ky.gov.

Frankfort —- Kentucky Crafted: The Market 2009, touted as the state’s largest showcase of traditional and contemporary fine art and crafts, is set for Feb. 19-22. The show also includes books, musical recordings, film and specialty food items. 1-888-592-7238, www.artscouncil.ky.gov.

Mississippi

Jackson —- The Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration and Parade, Jan. 5-17, features two weeks of activities. 601-960-1090.

Philadelphia —- The Professional Cowboy Association Finals Rodeo, Jan. 8-11, features some of the best riders as they compete for the title of champion. 251-947-4650, www.pcarodeo.com.

Tupelo —- The Tupelo Automobile Museum Presents Camaros, Jan. 10-24. showcases the locals’ classic cars, as well as the museum’s collection of more than 100 cars from the 1880s to the 1900s. 662-842-4242, www.tupeloauto.com.

Columbus —- The Dream 365 MLK Celebration, Jan. 16-19, includes an MLK Jr. Day of Commemoration, a concert by the Mississippi Mass Choir, a black-tie gala and more. 662-327-0052, www.dream365.org.

Greenville —- The Greenville Kennel Dog Show, Jan. 17-18, showcases the best of the breeds. 662-378-7887.

Diamondhead —- The Winter Rod Run, the 17th annual antique car show, set for Jan. 23-25, features cars dating to before 1969.

1-800-466-9048.

Oxford —- The Oxford Film Festival, Feb. 5-8, celebrates the art of filmmaking with more than 90 films competing. Workshops and panels also scheduled. 662-236-6429, www.oxfordarts.com.

Columbus —- The African-American Heritage Month Driving Tour, Feb. 6-7, celebrates Black History Month with tours of African-American heritage sites and live music. 1-800-327-2686, www.columbus-ms.org.

North Carolina

Charlotte —- The Mint Museum of Art presents “Andy Warhol Portfolios: Life & Legends,” rarely seen selections from Bank of America’s Warhol collection, through Feb. 15. The exhibit spans the artist’s career from the 1950s through 1986 and features key early works from such series as Endangered Species, Flowers, Jews, Muhammad Ali and Space Fruits. 704-337-2000, www.mintmuseum.org.

Huntersville —- The Wild Wings Winter Festival, Jan. 17, features live bird presentations addressing how the seasons affect raptors, storytelling, face painting, cookie decorating, making bird feeders and more. 704-875-6521, www.carolinaraptorcenter.org.

Blowing Rock —- The 11th annual Blowing Rock Winterfest, Jan. 22-25, features a WinterFeast, wine auction, live music, chili cook-off, kids’ activities, ice carving, a Polar Plunge into Chetola Lake and more. 1-877-295-7801, www.blowingrockwinterfest.com.

Wilmington —- The 29th annual North Carolina Jazz Festival, Feb. 5-7, opens with “Lionel, Red and Bunny —- A Tribute to Lionel Hampton, Red Norvo and Bunny Berigan.” www.capefearjazz.com.

Morehead City —- The Carolina Chocolate Festival, Feb. 6-8, is a weekend of chocolate sampling and cooking competitions, live entertainment and restaurant specials. 252-504-2203, www.chocolate-fest.com.

Durham —- The Hayti Film Festival, Feb. 12-15, brings together filmmakers and enthusiasts for the celebration of African-American cinema. 919-683-1709, www.hayti.org.

Durham —- The Nevermore Horror, Gothic and Fantasy Film Festival, Feb. 27-March 1, screens new horror features from around the world, as well as many fan favorites. 919-683-1709, www.carolinatheatre.org.

South Carolina

Hilton Head Island —- Winter Carnival, through Feb. 28, features more than 200 arts, cultural, theater, food and wine events. www.hiltonheadislandhospitalityassociation.com.

Columbia —- The 2009 World Beer Festival, Jan. 24, provides a sampling of beers from more than 100 breweries and local entertainment. www.allaboutbeer.com/wbfcolumbia/index.html.

Charleston —- The annual Lowcountry Oyster Festival, Jan. 25, features oysters aplenty, an oyster recipe contest, an oyster shucking and eating contest, a beer and wine tasting tent and entertainment with a kids’ area. 843-805-3084, www.charlestonrestaurantassociation.com.

Aiken —- Antiques in the Heart of Aiken, Jan. 29-Feb. 1, brings dealers from around the country to sell museum-quality pieces. Event also includes a preview party, lectures and fund-raisers to benefit the area’s arts programs. 803-641-9094, www.aikencenterforthearts.org.

Hilton Head —- The Gullah Celebration, Feb. 1-28, includes an art show and sale, an old-fashioned Gullah breakfast, a film festival, a celebration of Low Country authors and books and crafts. 1-877-650-0676, www.gullahcelebration.com.

Charleston —- The Lowcountry Blues Bash, Feb. 6-15, features more than 50 acts of traditional and contemporary blues at numerous venues. 843-762-9125, www.bluesbash.com.

Charleston —- The Southeastern Wildlife Exposition, Feb. 13-15, features a dock dog jumping competition, “Living With Wolves” presentation, children’s activities, a speed sculpt contest, lectures and more. 843-723-1748, www.sewe.com.

Columbia —- The South Carolina Book Festival, Feb. 27-March 1, hosts nearly 60 authors for readings and signings and many booksellers and exhibitors. 803-771-2477, www.scbookfestival.org.

Tennessee

Memphis —- Each year, decorations deck the halls for Christmas at Graceland from early December through Elvis’ birthday in January. This year is no different, with the exception of special, rarely seen items on view through Jan. 8 during Christmas at Graceland: Elvis’ personal wardrobe collection, home movie footage, guitars from his personal collections and more. 1-800-238-2000, www.elvis.com.

Pigeon Forge —- During Wilderness Week, Jan. 10-17, nature and outdoors experts host walks, hikes, seminars and lectures on Smoky Mountain history and plant and animal life. 865-429-7350, www.mypigeonforge.com/wildlife.

Townsend —- The Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center and Dancing Bear Lodge offers a two-night package Jan. 30-Feb. 1, Feb. 27-March 1 or March 6-8 to experience the cultural heritage of the area, including a tour of the heritage center’s main gallery; a chance to use a Native American hunting tool, the blowgun; making corn-husk dolls; and a guided tour of Cades Cove. 865-448-1999, www.dancingbearlodge.com.

Nashville —- The Antiques and Garden Show of Nashville, Feb. 5-8, features more than 150 antique and horticultural booths and landscaped gardens, as well as special lectures by experts. 1-800-891-8075, www.antiquesandgardenshow.com.

Blount County —- The 2009 Winter Heritage Festival, Feb. 5-8, includes author lectures and signings, museum exhibits, Cades Cove Heritage Tours, vintage photography, stories and more. 865-448-6134, www.smokymountainfestivals.org.

Oak Ridge —- The International Festival, Feb. 21, features the Kuumba Watoto Drum & Dance Company. Also included are cultural booths and activities for children. 865-482-1074 , www.childrensmuseumofoakridge.org.

Memphis —- The 20th annual Beale Street Zydeco Festival, Feb. 27-28, features live music, dance contests, art and more. 901-619-5865.

Virginia

Virginia Beach —- The Waterman’s Mid-Atlantic Rockfish Shootout is Jan. 8-10. www.vbfun.com.

Richmond —- The Edgar Allan Poe Museum hosts Poe’s 24-hour bicentennial celebration Jan. 19 in honor of Poe’s birthday. Activities include daytime poetry readings, nighttime museum tours, birthday cake and a candlelight vigil at Poe’s shrine at dusk. 1-888-213-2763, www.poemuseum.org.

Start planning

Falls of Rough —- The Dulcimer Music Festival, Feb. 6-8, celebrates the strings with concerts, jam sessions and workshops. 1-800-325-1713, www.parks.ky.gov

This week

A winter migration route brings the humpback whales and the fin whales near the Virginia Beach shores. Daily whale-watching excursions are scheduled through March 15. 757-385-3474, www.virginiaaquarium.com