This week
Brenau Barbecue Championship, Gainesville. Ronald McDonald, inflatable playground structures, crafts for kids and barbecue contest. Barbecue for sale. Team set-up starts Thursday; "Backyard Braggarts" set up starting at 9 a.m. Friday; preview party 7 p.m. Friday; event 10 a..m. to 6 p.m. Saturday with live music starting at 5 p.m. Saturday. Brenau University, 500 Washington St., Gainesville. Funds will benefits scholarships for Brenau University students. $5 festival entry Saturday; preview party tickets sold separately.
Contra Dance, Sautee. The Elftones will perform; calling by Bob Dalsemer. Saturday: Potluck, 6:30 p.m.; lesson, 7:30 p.m.; dance, 8-11 p.m., Sautee Nacoochee Center Gym, 283 Ga. 255 N., Sautee. $8 adults, $7 SNCA members, $4 students, free for children age 7 and younger with a supervising adult. 706-754-3254.
Upcoming
Little Black Dress Party, Gainesville. For brides and their wedding party. Benefits Brides Against Breast Cancer. Food by Luna's, local wedding and event professionals for brides to consult with. Limited space; reservations recommended. 6-10 p.m. June 3, Luna's Restaurant, downtown Gainesville square. $15. 770-654-9789 or sales@soireessouthernevents.com.
World Race Women's Conference, Dawsonville. Learn how to get started if you want to work in missions. 7-9:30 p.m. June 4, Christ Fellowship at The Father's House, 139 Hightower Parkway, Suite 100, Dawsonville. Child care $5 per family. Registration required. 404-630-9446.
Butterflies by the Lake, Gainesville. Butterfly release, butterfly gardening plant sale, kids activities and giveaways. 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 12, Laurel Park, 3100 Old Cleveland Highway, Gainesville. Butterflies $6 each for release. 770-532-2066, ext. 21 or rbielecki@bellminorhome.com.
Northeast Georgia Writers Conferences, Gainesville. Aug. 4, Amy Wallace; Oct. 6, Sandra Brim. Workshops are 1-3 p.m. at Peach State Bank, third floor, 325 Washington St., Gainesville. Free for members; $25 preregistration required for nonmembers. No registration at the door. 770-297-0680 or holmeslynda@bellsouth.net.
Ongoing
American Business Women's Association, Gainesville. 6 p.m. the fourth Tuesday of each month, Ryan's Family Steakhouse, 2415 Browns Bridge Road, Gainesville. 770-967-3352.Toastmasters, Gainesville. Improve your public speaking skills. 5:45-6:45 p.m. Mondays. Jacobs Building Room 208, Brenau University, 340 Green St., Gainesville. Free. 678-469-2777 or gainesvilletoastmasters@yahoo.com.
Old-fashioned square dance, Hiawassee. 7 p.m. Mondays. Senior Center, 48 River St., Hiawassee. Free. 706-896-1060 or info@townshistory.org.
East Georgia Genealogy Society, Winder. Meets 7 p.m. second Tuesday of each month, Betty Jo Maddox Community Room, The People's Bank Financial Center, 76 Broad St., Winder.