Plus, the average home prices in Winston-Salem.
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81º | 7% chance of precipitation

Sunrise 6:52 a.m. | Sunset 7:43 p.m.


Just announced: 5 Secrest Artists Series headliners

Presented by Wake Forest University
Images from the artists in the 2025-25 Secrest Series.
Events often include pre-concert talks or residency activities. | Photos courtesy Wake Forest University, credit DarioAcosta-Horiz, Petra Hajska, and Lorenzo Di Nozzi
The Secrest Artists Series returns this September with a dynamic 2025-26 lineup, bringing internationally acclaimed artists to the halls of Wake Forest University.

Free for students, faculty, and staff, and available to the public at modest prices, these powerful performances are part cultural education, part awe-inspiring entertainment.

🌍 Season opener: Soweto Gospel Choir


The multi-Grammy® and Emmy Award®-winning Soweto Gospel Choir will open with their “PEACE” tour on Thursday, September 25, at 7:30 p.m.

This joyful, family-friendly program blends South African freedom songs and traditional spirituals with the uplifting music of Aretha Franklin, Harry Belafonte, Peter Gabriel, Kate Bush, Leon Cohen, and so many more.

🎼 Full performance schedule


Christian McBride & Brad Mehldau | Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025 | Brendle Recital Hall
  • Two of the most respected artists in contemporary jazz bring sophistication and swing to this collaborative evening.
Raphaël Feuillâtre | Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025 | Brendle Recital Hall
  • The new face of classical guitar: Recently ranked 2nd among the world’s most listened-to classical music artists on Apple Classical.
J’Nai Bridges | Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026 | Brendle Recital Hall
  • A two-time Grammy® Award-winning artist, hailed by the New York Times as a “plush-voiced mezzo-soprano.”
Pavel Haas Quartet | Thursday, Mar. 19, 2026 | Brendle Recital Hall
  • One of the world’s foremost chamber ensembles, combining richness, rapport, and infectious passion.

🎟️ Pick your tix

Community tickets range from $10 to $30, depending on your chosen performance.

Ready to be moved?
Start choosing your series

Editor’s Pick

WStoday: "A little Prayer" movie graphic
Grab your seat and your popcorn and watch “A Little Prayer” in theaters. | Photo courtesy of a/perture Cinema + graphic by WStoday
Dinner + a/movie? Count us in. Winston-Salem native Angus MacLachlan’s new film, “A Little Prayer,” is showing at a/perture Cinema, Sunday, Sept. 7.

Filmed in the Twin City, the movie showcases a loving father who grapples with how to protect his daughter-in-law. The film earned a four-star and a rave review from the Washington Post.

Buy your ticket — the film starts at 6 p.m. and runs for 91 minutes. Watch the trailer here.

Events

Wednesday, Sept. 3

Beejy Talk Takeover | 5-9 p.m. | easytalk | Cost of purchase | The team from The Bar Beej (2025 James Beard semi-finalist for Best New Bar) will take over the counter and serve signature cocktails as well as non-alcoholic options.

Thursday, Sept. 4

Sunset Salutations: September | 6-7 p.m. | Bailey Park | Free | Give yourself the gift of self-care by taking time to breathe and reset during the outdoor yoga class.

Friday, Sept. 5

Salem Bach Festival by Music Carolina SummerFest | Friday, Sept. 5-Sunday, Sept. 7 | Home Moravian + Lot 63 | Various times | Free | Watch vocal and instrumental works from the Baroque era performed on authentic instruments.

Saturday, Sept. 6

Hopscotch Day Party | 11:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. | NCMA, Winston-Salem | Free | Vibe out with the hottest DJs, enjoy fresh Biscuitville biscuits, and other small bites from local eateries.

Beer, Bourbon & Barbecue Festival | 12-6 p.m. | Winston-Salem Fairgrounds | $55+ | Think bacon, biscuits, bluegrass, and smoked beasts — plus, get a sample of each barbecue selection.
See our full events calendar
Feature your event here, or make a bigger splash

News Notes

Ranking

When it comes to the most-sought-after states, North Carolina ranks No. 2, according to US News. Desirable factors include weather, cost of living, and the job market. We’re biased when it comes to Winston-Salem; our accolades speak for themselves.

Stat

$259,599. That’s how much a home costs on average in Winston-Salem, according to Zillow. This was a tough quiz — only 36% of you answered correctly, while 29% chose a close answer: $261,036. We aren’t kidding when we say Winston-Salem is the best place to live — just see what locals say.

Outdoor

Explore the new Twin City Trail during Walk and Roll Fest on Saturday, Sept. 13. Bike, run, or stroll at your own pace from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Lace up and go the distance in the 5K or Kids Fun Run. Meet the crowd at Truist Stadium for music, games, and food trucks.

Listen

We are 30 days away from the Carolina Classic Fair. Take a peek behind the scenes at what it takes to make this annual event a success in the Twin City year after year. Oh — and yes, dirty sodas are hitting the fair this year. We won’t give everything away… you’ll have to listen for the rest.

Civic

Got a passion for helping our community thrive? Several seats on Forsyth County citizen boards and committees are open to the public. Whether you’re passionate about juvenile crime, animal services, property values, or nursing homes, apply by 5 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 15. Volunteers will help county commissioners form policy decisions.

Feel Good

A Hot Wheels Car Library has popped up in Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia after a father and his son built it together, allowing other kiddos to take a car or leave a car. Sound familiar? This system is also how local Little Art Galleries work — grab or trade a piece of art.

Biz

“Straightforward, transparent, and low stress.” That’s how one business described our self-service ad portal. No sales pressure. No hidden fees. Just you, your message, and the tools to get it out there — your way. Get started.

Coming Soon

Drum roll please. WStoday’s Best launches on Sept. 15, which means you get the chance to tell us your fave local businesses. Get ready to cast your nominations and stay tuned for when polls open.

Post of the Day

WStoday: Tanglewood new playground
Pools may be closed for the season, but the fun continues. Tanglewood Park’s new playground is open. Plan a playdate, and let the kiddos roam around the new swings and climbers. The renovated space is located near Shelter 4.
Want to be featured?

The Buy

Your go-to item for upping fall runs and workouts: a top-selling weighted strength training vest. Choose from six pounds up to 30 pounds and add the weighted vest to runs, classes, or gym sessions to enhance calorie burning, improve your core, and increase muscle gains.
More worth The Buy

Games

Games-Section Header-V2_Blue.png
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
Let the games begin

The Wrap

Today’s edition by: Kellina

If you didn’t know, your beloved editor is part of the CWSU (City of Winston-Salem University) Class of 2025. Last week, we got to tour the R.A. Thomas Water Treatment plant and learn how our water is treated. It was very eye-opening to see the hard work that goes behind making our water clean.

Fun fact: our water quality has met and exceeded all state and federal standards, one of the reasons why we’ve got tons of breweries in the region — thanks to our water being naturally soft.
WStoday: city worker in blue shirt presenting in front of a crowd at R.A. Thomas Water Treatment Plant

Did you know the Thomas Water Treatment Plant can treat 18 million gallons of water per day?

Photo by WStoday

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