Recurring events to get you through spring and summer

When it comes to popular events, is there ever too much of a good thing?  Several seasonal events in the Southeast are again stretching over an entire season -- or longer.

 And a major festival in Savannah, Ga., seems to be converting from once-a-year  to through-the-year status.

Music in Morehead City

Down on the coast, Morehead City's Alive at Five free outdoor concerts will resume in May and continue through summer at a new location -- Jaycee Park, on the waterfront.

The lineup: Dependable Taxi (May 2), Emily Minor (June 6), Spare Change (June 19) Liquid Pleasure (July 3), Mikele Buck Band (July 17), Band of Oz (Aug. 1) and Jupiter Jones (Aug. 29).

Details: www.downtownmoreheadcity.com. 

Outdoor art in Blowing Rock

The mountain town's popular Art in the Park series resumes its summer/fall run, showcasing crafters and artisans from the Southeast. The location is the same: It's staged on the top level of the American Legion parking facility; as before, there will be free shuttles to the site from the Tanger Shoppes on the Blue Ridge Parkway and from the Food Lion on U.S. 321.

The dates this year: May 17, June 14, July 19, Aug. 16, Sept. 6 and Oct. 4.

Items range from handcrafted jewelry, pottery, fiber and glass to  photography and painting. Shown at the top of this page: a wood piece by Chris Boone of Matthews; he's featured artist at the May incarnation. 

Details: www.visitblowingrock.com.

Also returning: There will be free Sunday afternoon Concerts in the Park, May through September. For dates and information: www.visitblowingrock.com/eventcalendar.php.

Big names play at Atlanta Botanical Garden series

The Concerts in the Garden outdoor series on the Great Lawns return for a 12th summer. Performers this year: Creedence Clearwater Revisited (June 6), Indigo Girls (July 18-19), Gavin DeGraw & Matt Nathanson (Aug. 1), Lyle Lovett & His Large Band (Aug. 29), Keb'Mo & Mavis Staples (Sept. 19) and Chris Isaak (Sept. 21).

Details: www.concertsinthegarden.org.

Savannah Book Festival

Sure, it is held in February. But now  its official engagements have taken on a calendar life of their own.

International bestselling author Tami Hoag will headline the Savannah Book Festival’s Spring 2014 event,  May 8 at The Landings Plantation Club on Skidaway Island. Hoag’s luncheon and signing is the first of the 2014-15 festival’s expanded slate of author events that will continue throughout the year.

Hoag has written more than 30 New York Times bestsellers, including the crime thrillers "Deeper Than the Dead" and "Secrets to the Grave."  A $50 ticket includes lunch and a hardback copy of her latest, "The 9th Girl."  Details: www.savannahbookfestival.org

June 3, the festival and the Andaz Hotel in Ellis Square will host the national book launch for "Save the Date," Mary Kay Andrews’ latest release. This event is free and open to the public. 

Sept. 11, the festival will host "a top-shelf mystery-thriller author, whose name will be announced at the luncheon with Tami Hoag."