Tift Merritt doesn't live in the Triangle anymore, having moved on up to New York City last year. But she'll always be an honorary local, officially as well as unofficially. In the former capacity, she's coming back on Oct. 7 to serve as host of the City of Raleigh Arts commission's 24th annual Medal of Arts ceremony at Fletcher Opera Theater.

As host, Merritt will announce the City of Raleigh Arts Commission's "Artist of Tomorrow Scholarship," for a student pursuing a career in the arts. She'll also perform a song with a group of musicians from the Community Music School (the school tied into the "Have a Holly Raleigh Christmas" series).

In the near term, Merritt is in Raleigh this weekend to play Saturday night at the NC Museum of Art. See Friday's "What's Up" section for an interview to catch up on her other recent doings.

UPDATE (8/22/08): Here's that interview.