Roundabout: What's happening

The La Catrina Quartet is coming to Pfeiffer University.

4Given Souls returns to The Inn this Saturday.

Natty Boh comes to The Blue Vine Friday.

Miss Tess and the Bon Ton Parade are among the performers taking part in the next Tosco Music Party.

Pablo Picker comes to The Blue Vine Saturday Night.

Classes

Free design class demonstrations at Piedmont Floral Galleries, 280 Furniture Drive — 10 a.m.-noon, Jan. 30: Winter and Mixed Greens Designs and Valentine Bunch Vase Designs. 704-636-7739.

Chrismon classes at Rufty's Chrisman Shop, 280 Furniture Drive — Beginner: 10 a.m.-noon Feb. 4; intermediate: 10 a.m.-noon Feb. 5; advanced: 9 a.m.-noon Feb. 6. Limited space, call for reservations and cost. 704-636-7739.

Life Drawing I — 6:30-8:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Feb. 2-March 9, Waterworks Visual Art Center. Ages 18 through adult. Students will draw from nude models. Instructor: Don Moore. Call Waterworks for material list before first class. $100 member/$120 nonmember. 704-636-1882. www.waterworks.org.

Wheel Pottery — 6:30-8:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Feb. 2-March 9. Waterworks Visual Art Center. Instructor: Brenda Gariepy. All materials included. $100 members/$120 nonmembers. 704-636-1882. www.waterworks.org.

Painting Outside the Box — 6:30-8:30 p.m., Thursdays, Feb. 4 through March 11. Ages 14 through adult. Bring your oils, pastels, watercolors, acrylics and learn to think of subjects in a painting as a shape with many tones and colors rather than an object and watch your paintings glow. Any skill level. Instructor: Phyllis Steimel. $75 member/$90 nonmember.

Favorites Designers' Secrets interior design seminar — 6-9 p.m., Tuesdays, Feb. 16-March 16. 1211 Old Concord Road. $150 includes materials. Pre-registration required. $25 discount if you sign up by Feb. 1. $200 package includes a personal consultation for your home or project. 704-855-2741. annesimpkins@ctc.net.

Rowan-Salisbury History course — 7 to 8:30 p.m. Thursdays, Feb. 4 through May 6, Rowan Museum. $25 for members of Historic Salisbury Foundation or Rowan Museum, $30 for non-members, $20 for newcomers. Educators get continuing education credits. Limit of 65 seats. 704-636-0103.

Middle Eastern drumming classes with Abu Zouz — 7-8:30 p.m. first and third Wednesdays in February, March and April. Six class session-$50. Drums available to borrow in class, or rent or purchase to take home. Artemesia Artworks and Yoga Studio, 323 W. Harrison St. www.artemesiaartworks.com; www.kalimatribal.com.

African Drumming and Dancing — Feb. 7. Basic African drumming rhythm and technique will be taught 1-3 p.m. y Dr. Saleef Kafajouffe, $25. Introduction to African Dance will be taught by Saleef's daughter, Trinell Harris, 3:30-5:30 p.m., $25. Sacred Grove Retreat/Bed and Bike Inn, 15750 Mattons Grove Church Road. 704-463-0768. www.sacredgroveretreat.com.

Introduction to the Art of Mosaic — 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Jan. 30. Instructor: Robert Crum, 116 E. Council St. $150 fee includes supplies, tools and lunch. Space limited. Payment must be received at least one week in advance. 704-310-0382. crum@robertcrumfineart.com.

Repouss demonstration — 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Feb. 6. Southern Spirit Gallery, 102 S. Main St. Instructor: Rachel Lee. Free. 704-633-0761. southernspiritgallery@yahoo.com.

Earring making class — 4-6 p.m., Feb. 13. Looking Glass Artist Collective, 405 N. Lee St. $20 includes all materials you need to leave with your own pair of earrings. Pre-registration required. Contact instructor, Ann Cooper- lgacstore@gmail.com or sign up at shop. 704-633-2787.

Music and more

Opera Carolina "La Boheme" — 7:30 p.m. Jan. 28; 8 p.m. Jan. 30. Belk Theater, Blumenthal performing Arts Center, Charlotte. 704-372-1000. www.operacarolina.org.

A.J. Fletcher Opera Institute: Donizetti's "Maria Stuarda" (Mary Stuart) — 8 p.m. Jan. 27 and 29; 2 p.m. Jan. 31. Stevens Center, Winston-Salem. $10-$20. www.uncsa.edu. 336-721-1945.

Tosco Music Party — 7-11 p.m., Jan. 30. Dale F. Halton Theater, CPCC, 1206 Elizabeth Ave. $15 adults, $8 age 15 and younger, $12 age 65 and older. Group discounts and season tickets available. 704-330-6534. www.ToscoMusicParty.org.

Youth Jan. Jam — Sunday, Jan. 31, First Baptist Church, 223 N. Fulton St. "The best in area church praise bands." $3. Doors open at 3 p.m., concert starts at 5:30 p.m. Battle of the "Dog Guitar" hot dog eating contest at 5 p.m. 704-633-0431.

La Catrina Quartet concert and workshops — Feb. 2: masterclass at 4:30 p.m., concert 7 p.m.; Feb. 3: discussion and performance at 10 a.m. Henry Pfeiffer Chapel, Pfeiffer University, Misenheimer. Details: contact Sylvia Hoffmire, 704-463-3359 or sylvia.hoffmire@pfeiffer.edu.

Mid Life Crisis/Divided By Four/The Brubakers — 7:30 p.m., Feb. 5. Meroney Theater, 213 S. Main St. $15 at door. All proceeds benefit Rowan Helping Ministries.

Phil Lesh and Bob Weir with their band Furthur, Winter Tour — Feb. 10. Bojangles Coliseum, Charlotte. www.livenation.com. 800-745-3000.

Theater

Tennessee Williams' "Sweet Bird of Youth" Piedmont Players Theatre — 7:30 p.m., through Jan. 30. Meroney Theater, 213 S. Main St. 704-633-5471. www.piedmontplayers.com.

"The Aluminum Show" — 7:30 p.m., through Jan. 31, Knight Theater, Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, Charlotte. 704-372-1000. www.blumenthalcenter.org.

"Spring Awakening" — 7:30 p.m. Feb. 3 and 4; 8 p.m. Feb. 5 and 6; 2 p.m. Feb. 6 and 7. Belk Theater, 130 N. Tryon St., Charlotte. 704-372-1000. www.blumenthalcenter.org.

Theatre Charlotte: Neil Simon's "Biloxi Blues" — Jan. 28-31, Feb. 3-7. 7:30 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2:30 p.m. Sunday. 501 Queens Road, Charlotte. 704-376-3777. www.theatrecharlotte.org.

Woody Sez: The Words, Music and Spirit of Woody Guthrie — Feb. 2-21. Booth Playhouse, 130 N. Tryon St., Charlotte. $19.50. 704-372-1000. www.blumenthalcenter.org.

Film

SECCA and Krankies film series, "Art Grind," Winston-Salem — 7 p.m. the first Thursday of every month beginning Feb. 4. Held at Krankies Werehouse, 211 East Third St. Free. Documentary and independent films. 336-397-2107. www.secca.org. www.krankiescoffee.com.

Dance

NC Dance Festival — 8 p.m. Jan. 29 and 30. Robinson Hall, UNC-Charlotte. $14 general admission, $9 seniors, $6 students. 919-619-9027.Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater — Feb. 9-14. Knight Theater, Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, Charlotte. 704-372-1000. www.blumenthalcenter.org.

Festivals

Merlefest — April 29-May 2, Wilkesboro. www.merlefest.org. 800-343-7857.

This & That

GroundHawg's Day in Uptown Lexington — Feb. 2. Begins at sunrise, around 7:35 a.m. "Lil' Bit" the pot-bellied pig, will make annual prediction. 336-249-0383.

Valentines Dance at VFW post 8989 — 8 p.m. to midnight, Feb. 12. Featuring Smokey and the Roadhouse Band. BYOB, beer and setups available. $8 per person, $15 per couple. 2500 N. Cannon Blvd. Kannapolis

Rocky River Vineyards Valentine party — Feb. 13. For couples and singles. Wally Germany and Dave Butler perform live music 7-10 p.m. Bonfires for roasting marshmallows, chocolate pairings, mulled wine and refreshments. Dress warmly. $25 per person. Register by Feb. 10. 704-781-5035.

Oakboro cruise-ins — 5 p.m., fourth Fridays. Burnout at 9:30 p.m. 704-467-4992. www.oakborocruisein.com.

Night life

The Blue Vine, 209 S. Main St. — 9-11:30 p.m., Jan. 29: acoustic Americana/bluegrass duo: Natty Boh (www.myspace.com/nattybohduo), no cover; 9-11:30 p.m., Jan. 30: Patti DeRosa and Pablo Picker, acoustic folk rock (www.pattiderosa.com, www.myspace.com/pablosound), no cover. 704-797-0093. www.thebluevine.com.

Brick Street Tavern, 122 E. Fisher St. — Open mic 9:30 p.m. Tuesdays starting 9:30 p.m. Performers of all types welcome-sign up as you arrive. 704-637-6047. www.thebrickstreettavern.com.

Castaways, 119 N. Link Ave. — 7:30 p.m., Jan. 30: Winter Luau, featuring live music with the Tsunami Wave Riders, whole hog, roasted fish, Hawaiian side items, tiki bar, advance tickets $20. 704-216-0130.

E.H. Montgomery General Store — 6-8 p.m. Fridays: bluegrass jams. Historic Village of Gold Hill. www.HistoricGoldHill. com. 704-279-5674, 704-267-9439.

High Rock Boat & Ski Club, 257 Boat Club Lane — Jan. 29: deejay Steve Carter; Jan. 30: The Marble Alley Band. 704-633-0251.

The Inn, 1012 Mooresville Hwy 150 — Jan. 30: 4Given Souls. Open 7 p.m.-midnight Saturdays. Free refreshments, air hockey, foosball, pool. 704-213-1467. www.inntheloop.blogspot. com. Old Stone Vino, 515 S. Main St., Kannapolis — 6:30-9 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays: guitarist, singer, songwriter Marty DeJarnette; 6 p.m. to closing Fridays and Saturdays-guitarist Sam Havens plays flamenco and light jazz. 704-938-2337.

Singles

Piedmont Singles — Meets 7:15 p.m. Fridays, Gloria Dei Lutheran Church. No joining fee, donations appreciated. Contact Frances Ward 704-637-3241.

Highlighters Dance Club — First and third Fridays. Doors open 7 p.m., free line dance class 7:15 p.m. Open to singles 40 and over. Dress code. Heavy hors d'oeuvres served 8 p.m. BYOB. $10 members; $12 guests. Join for $20 and get in free the first night of joining. Non-smoking, dressy casual. American Legion Post 380, 4235 W. Tyvola Road, Charlotte. 704-948-3873 or 704-504-3135. ssendecki@aol. com.

Zodiac Club — Jan. 29: The Goodman Band-Snowflake Ball, dressy attire, covered dish dinner. Meets second and fourth Fridays. Doors open 7 p.m., food served 8 p.m., live band starts 8:30 p.m.Open to mature singles over 40. $10 members, $12 guests. Dress code-upscale casual. Smoke-free. Married couple allowed to attend with spouses only. American Legion Post 380, 4235 West Tyvola Rd. Call 704-752-8824 or contact taylorbt@msn.com. Visit www.charlottezodiacdanceclub.com

Call for artists

Rowan Arts Council billboard art contest — Accepting submissions of art for billboards and posters publicizing Art on Easy Street festival. Deadline Jan. 31. Open to all ages. Contact rac@rowanarts.org for details.

Student art contest for Davidson County "Battle Against Cancer" campaign — Open to middle and high school students in Davidson County schools. Deadline: Feb. 26. Details: 336-249-2742. www.co.davidson.nc.us/arts.

Bluegrass musicians — Bluegrass jam open to all Saturdays at Dixie's Roasting Co., 102 S. Main St., China Grove. 704-857-9169.

Chris Austin songwriting contest, hosted by Merlefest — Submission deadline Feb. 18. www.chrisaustinsongwritingcontest.org.

Rockwell Museum photography contest for middle and high school students — Deadline Feb. 14. Theme: "Health and Wellness Activities in Rockwell, NC." Exhibit 2-4 p.m. Sundays in March. Details: 704-279-5783 or 704-279-5783. www.rockwellnc.gov.

Auditions

Concert Choir of Salisbury — Accepting new members through Feb. 1. Meets Mondays 7:30-9 p.m. in the choir room at St. John's Lutheran Church. This semester performing American hymns, spirituals and gospel music. Simple audition required at first rehearsal. Ages 16 and up. Contact director Dean Orbison: 704-433-8015.

Amadeus Youth Chorus, ages 8-18 — No audition required, all interested young people invited to register. Meets 5:30-6:30 p.m. Thursdays, February to mid-May, at St. Luke's Episcopal Church. Tuition-$25; shirt-$15. Directed by Dr. Phillip Burgess and Sarah Fuller Hall. For information call the church, 704-633-3221, or email sfhall@carolina.rr.com.

Piedmont Prime Time Community Band — Accepting new members through Feb. 4. Meets 7 p.m. Thursdays in the fellowship hall of Blackwelder Park Baptist Church, Main Street, Kannapolis. Band director Jon Hutchinson: 704-425-3508.

Art

Waterworks Visual Arts Center, 123 E. Liberty St. — Gallery open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Thursday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday. Groups may arrange guided tour. 704-636-1882. www.waterworks.org.

EastSquare Artworks, 122 E. Innes St. — 704-798-0047. www.eastsquareartworks.com.Fine Frame Gallery, 105 S. Main St. — 704-647-0340.

Pottery 101 — Gallery hours 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday. 101 S. Main St. 704-209-1632.

Southern Spirit Gallery, 102 S. Main St. — Fine art, pottery, wearable textiles, jewelry, stained glass. Open Monday-Saturday from 10 a.m to 5 p.m. 704-633-0761, southernspiritgallery@yahoo.com.

Rail Walk Studios and Gallery, 409 N. Lee St. — Nine artist studios and shared gallery space. Open 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and whenever the green "open" flag is out. 704-431-8964. www.railwalkgallery.com.

Looking Glass Artist Collective Gallery, 407 N. Lee St. — Current exhibit: art by area middle and high school students and teachers. Shop featuring art and crafts for sale by members open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday, noon-4 p.m. Saturday, 1-5 p.m. Sunday, and during special events. 704-633-ARTS. www.salisburyartists.org.

Creators Gallery at John Calvin Presbyterian Church, 1620 Brenner Ave. — Exhibit of art by Barbara Richmond, open by appointment. 704-633-4333.

Green Goat Gallery, 516 S. Salisbury Ave., Spencer — 704-639-0606. www.greengoatgallery.com.

Arts United Gallery, 220 S. Main St., Lexington — 5-7 p.m. Student art exhibit. Gallery hours: 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays. www.co.davidson.nc.us/arts.

Davidson County Community College, Mendenhall Building, Lexington — "Simple Complexity" art exhibit features 14 artists displaying 130 works. Artists include Robert Crum of Salisbury. Open during regular college operating hours. 336-249-8186.North Carolina Pottery Center fall exhibitions, Seagrove — 336-873-8430. www.ncpotterycenter.com.

Museums

N.C. Transportation Museum, Spencer — Jan. 30: "Lost Light" explores Civil War history with 140 year-old mystery surrounding the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. Exhibit-"The World Aloft-1908: The Year the Airplane Went Public." Museum open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday; 1-4 p.m. Sunday. Train rides Saturday 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. $6 adults, $5 children ages 3-12 and seniors ages 60 and up. Roundhouse Turntable rides at $1. Group rates available with advance notice. 704-636-2889 or 877-NCTMFUN. www.nctrans.org.

Rowan Museum, 202 N. Main St. — Museum is 1854 courthouse that survived Stoneman's raid. Displays and interpretive exhibits reflect life and history of Rowan County. Open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday, 1-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. $3 adults, $1.50 students, free museum members. 704-633-5946.

Dr. Josephus Hall House, 226 S. Jackson St. — 1820 house museum features furniture and decoratives from Hall family and others. Costumed docents provide tours. $3 adults, $1.50 students, free to members of Historic Salisbury Foundation. For group tours, call HSF office, 704-636-0103.

China Grove Roller Mill Museum —Guided tours 2-4 p.m. second Sunday of each month. Museum is operated by Historical Society of South Rowan. For special tours call 704-433-3912. www.hist-society-srowan.com.

Historic Gold Hill,NC/Gold Hill Mines Historic Park — 19th Century Living History Interpretations and educational tours weekends April-October and weekdays by appointment. Interpretative displays reflect life in the 1800s gold mining boom town. Village merchants and interpreters dressed in period costume weekends. Free admission. www.HistoricGoldHill.com. 704-279-5674, 704-267-9439.

Historic Latta Plantation, Sample Road, Huntersville — 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Feb. 6: "Back of the Big House"-learn about life of those enslaved on a 19th century cotton plantation, free with regular admission. Museum hours 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, 1-5 p.m. Sunday. $6 adults, $5 seniors and students, free for children under 5. www.lattaplantation.org. 704-875-2312.

Discovery Place, Charlotte — IMAX films: "Jane Goodall's Wild Chimpanzees" and "Lost Worlds: Life in the Balance." Museum open 9 a.m-4 p.m. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, noon-5 p.m. Sunday. 704-372-6261 or www.discoveryplace.org.

The North Carolina Museum of History, 5 E. Edenton St., Raleigh — 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Jan. 30: ninth annual African American Cultural Celebration. "Barbie - Simply Fabulous at 50," through July 5, free. 919-807-7943. www.ncmuseumofhistory.org.

The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, 11 W. Jones St., Raleigh — Groundhog Day observance and activities, Feb. 2. Museum admission is free. 919-733-7450. www.naturalsciences.org.

N.C. Museum of Life and Science, 433 Murray Ave., Durham — $10.85 adult; $8.85 seniors 65 plus and military personnel with ID; $7.85 children age 3-12; free for children age two and younger. Train rides additional $2.50 per person, ornithopher rides $1. 919-220-5429, www.ncmls.org.