Arts and entertainment briefs

03 February 2009: Blue Yew Yoga Studio

African American celebration

'The Burdens We All Share' by Rachel Lee.

SPENCER — In honor of Yoga Day USA, the national celebration of yoga, the Blue Ewe Yoga Studio will again offer free yoga classes on Saturday, Jan. 23.

From 8-9 a.m., they will host an hour-long class suited to newcomers to yoga. Basic standing poses (asanas), breathing techniques (pranayama), and simple sun salutations will be introduced.

From 9:15-10:30 a.m., a more advanced class suited for those with some experience will be offered. Students will be challenged with a more vigorous vinyasa-flow style of yoga, featuring arm balances and inversions.

Both classes are free, but if participants wish to give back to the community, they may bring toiletries suitable for elementary age schoolchildren to benefit Food for Thought, the local Backpack Buddies program.

Registration is required.

On Friday, Feb. 12, a Valentine's Day workshop for partners will be offered from 6-7:30 p.m. Couples are invited to participate in this lighthearted exploration of partner yoga that yokes breathing rhythms, and allows participants to go deeper into postures. The cost is $20 per couple. Registration is required.

The Blue Ewe Yoga Studio is located inside the Green Goat Gallery at 516 S. Salisbury Ave. in Spencer.

For more information and to register for classes, contact Anne Waters at 704-639-0606.

African AmericanCultural Celebration

RALEIGH — Black History Month begins two days early at the Ninth Annual African American Cultural Celebration on Saturday, Jan. 30, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the N.C. Museum of History in Raleigh.

There will be more than 50 presenters and numerous hands-on activities for all ages. The variety of dancers, musicians, actors, authors, storytellers, artists, craftspeople and others will bring to life the rich heritage of the state's African Americans, past and present. Admission and parking are free.

For a complete schedule or more information, go to www.ncmuseumofhistory.org or call 919-807-7900.

Concert Choir

The Concert Choir will be accepting new and former members through Feb. 1, 2010.

The choir rehearses on Monday evenings from 7:30-9 p.m. in the choir room at St. John's Lutheran Church.

The 2009-10 season in entitled Music of Worship and Praise. This semester is American hymns, spirituals and gospel music including "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross," "Ain'A That Good News," "Festival Sanctus" and "With A Voice of Singing."

A simple audition is required and can be done at your first rehearsal. The Concert Choir is composed of about 40 singers ages 16 and up.

For more information contact director Dean Orbison at 704-433-8015.Call for artists

The Rowan Arts Council is calling for submissions of artwork for use on this year's "Art on Easy Street" posters and billboard.

Entries are art only, no text. The deadline is Jan. 31.

The art should be emailed as a pdf of 300-600 dpi to rac@rowanarts.org.

For more information, contact Anne Cave, executive director, 704-638-9887.

Repouss class

On Saturday, Feb. 6, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Southern Spirit Gallery will host a free, educational demonstration by artist Rachel Lee in the art form of repouss

In French, pronounced "rep-pou-saye", this term means "pushed out." The technique involves raising a design, in relief, on metal using wooden, teflon and metal tools and/or hammers and punches, turning a flat piece of metal into a curved three dimensional object.

A variety of metals may be used. Lee enjoys most the feel of working with pewter and copper. She often refers to the pewter as "velvet metal." This pewter is a coated metal that is safe to work with and to mount onto glass, trays or jewelry.

Lee, a 12-year Rowan County resident, lives on a Woodleaf farm. Besides repouss , oil, watercolor and poems are her other creative outlets. She chooses to work and paint from life when ever possible.

Southern Spirit Gallery is the sole exhibit venue for Lee's art. It is located at 102 S. Main St. For more information contact Toby Hagmaier at 704-633-0761 or SouthernSpirtitGallery@yahoo.com.

Lee's work can be seen at www.pleinaircarolina.com and www.HallowKeepArts.blogspot.com.

Model railroads

WILMINGTON — The Cape Fear Model Railroad Society announces its 13th annual Model Railroad Show and Sale. This show has been selected as one of the Southeast Tourism Society's top 20 events for January/February 2010.

It will be held Jan 30 and 31 at the American Legion Post 10 building, 702 Pine Grove Drive in Wilmington.

The show will feature model railroad dealers as well as "N" scale, Lionel, "G" scale and "HO" scale modular layouts. There will be free modeling clinics presented by Tom Staley from Tom's Train Station in Cary. There will also be door prizes and raffles for train sets.

Show times will be 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for children ages 6-12. Children 5 and under are admitted free.

For more information, call Ben Jackson, 910-270-2696 or Phil Bernard, 910-371-9595, or visit www.CapeFearModelRailroadClub.org.