The North Carolina Symphony has brought back its pub series of concerts.

The remaining dates include Feb. 12 and May 20 at Humble Pie in Raleigh and April 16 at bu.ku in Raleigh. Tickets cost $65 per person.

For more information about the music to be performed or to purchase tickets, go to www.ncsymphony.org/pub
 

Check out our photo gallery on the N.C. Symphony's Summerfest picnic judging on Saturday June 25, 2011 at Koka Booth Amphitheater in Cary, N.C.

The N.C. Symphony has picked a former utility executive as interim CEO, a position that could last into next year as the financially struggling orchestra looks for a permanent director.

The appointment of Don Davis, 65, will temporarily put two retired engineers and ex-executives from Progress Energy in the top two positions at the cultural organization. The symphony's board chairman, William Cavanaugh III, is the former CEO and board chairman of Raleigh-based Progress.

Davis agreed to take over the symphony's day-to-day operations after symphony director David Chambless Worters said this month he planned leave to run a cultural foundation in Texas. Davis takes over on Monday at the symphony as the organization spends an expected 3 to 6 months to find a permanent leader.

Here are a couple of letters from readers upset about state budget cuts. One is regarding the N.C. Symphony and the other public school teachers.