Only three shows left: ‘Magic Tree House’ 

It’s closing weekend for the PPT youth production of “Magic Tree House: Dinosaurs Before Dark The Musical.”

The final shows are tomorrow night at 7:30 p.m. and two shows Saturday, at 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Tickets for adults are $10, seniors and students are $8, and are available at the Norvell Box Office, 135 E. Fisher St., or 704-633-5471 or PiedmontPlayers.com

 

Lighted Christmas ball workshop will benefit Rowan Helping Ministries

The fifth annual Christmas ball workshop at John Calvin Presbyterian Church, 1620 Brenner Ave., is scheduled to start at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6, in the fellowship hall.

The lighted Christmas balls are easily made and are designed to bring Christmas cheer to local neighborhoods. Pictures of the balls illuminating neighborhoods in Salisbury, Greensboro and Charlotte can be seen at Lighted Christmas Ball Blog.

The workshop is free. For each ball you wish to make, bring 200 mini-lights; all other materials will be supplied by JCPC. Participants may also bring a donation of canned food to donate to Rowan Helping Ministries.

In 2013, more than 10,000 pounds of food were collected in North Carolina to support area food banks.

 

No spies allowed at the tapestry workshop

Tapestries have been around from the early Gothic period and served many purposes, some as mundane as keeping out drafts, some as dastardly as hiding spies in the king’s chamber.

Modern tapestries are more purely decorative. The members of the Olde Rowan Fiber Guild will hear a talk by Genie Greenlaw on the “History and Techniques of Tapestry Weaving,” including some hands-on experience. Greenlaw is a member of the American Tapestry Association and Southern Tapestry Weavers.

The program begins at 6:30 p.m. on Nov. 24 at Rufty-Holmes Senior Center, 1120 S. Martin Luther King, Jr. Ave. There will be an extra fee for visitors.

All spies are strictly forbidden.

 

Coming up next in LIVE @ Lee Street

If you missed The Blue Eyed Bettys when they came around in September, here’s a chance to catch them again — along with returning artist Woody Pines — for an evening of old-time feel-good music.

The LIVE@Lee Street concert is Friday, Dec. 5 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 + tax; the lobby and bar open at 6:30 p.m. and doors at 7 p.m.

To buy tickets visit www.leestreet.org/liveatleestreet or call 704-310-5507. The Lee Street Theater & Performing Arts Center is located at 329 N. Lee St.

 

Comedy Night at the Grapevine 

Friday is comedy night at the Vine. Clint Nohr is back, along with opening act Eik Eikenberry.

Nohr combines sharp writing with a likable approach to any topic and nothing is off limits.

Comedy night is from 9 to 10:30 p.m. on Friday, with an $8 cover. Cartucci’s Grapevine is located at 209 S. Main St., 704-870-2574, www.cartuccisgrapevine. com

Also at Cartucci’s this weekend

On Saturday night, enjoy live music with Reeve Coobs, a singer-songwriter from the Charlotte area, who began crafting her songs more than 15 years ago. She toured with the all-gal band, The Near Misses, for four years and is currently the vocal director for The Tosco Music Party in Charlotte. In late 2013 Reeve released her first solo record, What Love is All About.

Also on the bill is Charlie King. In his years of writing, King’s music has taken many different forms, ranging from overdriven garage rock to vulnerable and simplified acoustic material. King unveiled his self-released debut EP, “I Am Here,” in 2013.

King was born and raised in Charlotte, got his undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina, graduating with a B.A. in Music in 2013. He currently lives in Charlotte.

 

Tickets available now for CFA’s Holiday Organ Tour 

As part of the ongoing Sacred Spaces Trolley Tour series, Center for Faith & the Arts, in partnership with the Salisbury Visitor’s Bureau, presents the 2014 Holiday Organ Trolley Tour on Saturday, Nov. 29 from 1-4 p.m.

Skilled musicians will speak to the specific organ they will be playing and perform selected holiday and sacred music pieces. This year’s tour will consist of three stops:

–Milford Hills United Methodist Church, featuring Debbie Staley;

–First Presbyterian Church of Salisbury, featuring John Stafford;

–First United Methodist Church of Salisbury, featuring Matthew Brown.

Tickets are $15 each at 704-647-0999 or www.faithart.org/events/38-holiday-organ-tour

Plan to arrive at CFA, 207 W. Harrison St. (park and enter behind Haven Lutheran Church) no later than 12:50 p.m. as the trolley will leave CFA precisely at 1 pm. Call CFA at 704-647-0999 for more information.

 

Motel Soap at Morgan Ridge Vineyards 

GOLD HILL — Saturday is the fourth anniversary party from noon until 7 pm. at Morgan Ridge Vineyards & Brewhouse, 486 John Morgan Road.

David Barrier, along with Your Dream Deejay, starts the day, and Motel Soap takes the stage from 3 until 6 p.m.

There is a $5 entrance fee, except for case club members.

RSVP to www. morganridgevineyards.com or call 704-639-0911.

Coming up at Morgan Ridge on Nov. 29:  A wine pairing dinner (five course meal) for $69 per person.  RSVP required at 704-639-0911 or www.morganridgevineyards.com

 

‘Tis the season for amazing Christmas lights 

CONCORD — Now in its fifth year, the holiday light show at Charlotte Motor Speedway will open for business from 6 until 10 p.m. nightly starting Saturday and continuing through December 30 (except for Christmas Day).

The extravaganza features more than three million lights, an infield Christmas Village and the unique chance to drive the track.

The cost is $20 per car on nights when the Christmas Village is open and $15 per car on nights when it is closed. Group rates for vans and buses are available.

Charlotte Motor Speedway is located at 5555 Concord Parkway S. Enter at Charlotte Motor Speedway’s main entrance.

For more information, visit www.charlottemotorspeedway.com or call 1-800-455-FANS (3267).

 

Beginner Bridge lessons 

This is a learning class designed to teach basic beginners bridge for those who have not played in a while or people who have an interest but have never played.

Lessons are on Mondays from Jan. 5 to March 16 from 1 to 3 p.m. The cost is only $5 for the 11 week course or free to Salisbury/Rowan Newcomers members.

For information or to sign up, contact instructor Kerry Morgan at cmorgan33@carolina.rr.com or call 704-636-8906.

 

Call for artists

MOORESVILLE — The Mooresville Arts 2015 winter juried exhibit is scheduled for Jan. 16 and 17. Entries must be hand delivered to the Depot Fine Arts Gallery by 5 p.m. on Jan. 17.

Jan. 23 is the day of the opening reception for exhibiting artists, including the award ceremony for first, second, third prizes and the Juror’s Choice Awards.

Artists 18 years of age or older may submit up to three entries total in the categories of oil, watercolor, acrylic, collage, mixed media, pastel, drawing, photography, graphic arts and sculpture. There is no theme.

The entry fee is $40 for non-MAG members. The Mooresville Art Guild is located at 103 W. Center Ave., 704-663-6661. A complete prospectus and registration form is available at www.magart.org

 

Harry Connick Jr. coming to the Belk

CHARLOTTE — Multi-talented musician, singer, songwriter and American Idol judge will perform in Charlotte’s Belk Theater at Blumenthal Performing Arts Center on Feb.17, 2015.

Tickets will be available Friday at 10 a.m. at www.BlumenthalArts.org or 704-372-1000.