Roundabout: What's happening

Divided by Four plays at the Blue Vine Friday night.

The Diane Hoffman Band returns to The Blue Vine Saturday night.

Vess takes the stage at The Inn Saturday night.

Christmas

Santa Train at the N.C. Transportation Museum — Santa Train rides take place Nov. 26-27, Dec. 3-4, 10-11 and 17-18. Tickets $12/person. Museum members receive a discount. Advance tickets at www.nctrans.org. Santa Train rides scheduled every 45 minutes, starting at 10 a.m. Saturdays and 1:30 p.m. Sundays. Cookies and Cocoa with Santa and Breakfast with Santa tickets and info at 704-636-2889 ext. 237. NC Transportation Museum, Spencer.

Catawba College Department of Music’s 24th Service of Lessons and Carols — Thursday, Dec. 1: Prelude of Christmas music 6:30 p.m., Service of Lessons and Carols 7 p.m., Omwake-Dearborn Chapel. Shuttles offered beginning at 5:30 p.m. from Robertson College-Community Center, Ketner Hall and Shuford Stadium parking lots. Free, tickets required, limited to four tickets per individual; Call 704-637-4396.

Salisbury Symphony Christmas Tour of Southern classics — noon–6 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 3•1-5 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 4: Salisbury’s Symphony Guild’s Tour of Southern Classics in Millbridge, Mt. Ulla and historic Salisbury. Snacks and beverages, music, entertainment, craftspeople at work, tour favors, door prizes. $15 per person, reserve at the Visitors’ Bureau 704-638-3100 or Paypal@www.salisburysymphony.org or day of tour.

Concert Choir celebrates 35 years — 7:30 p.m., Friday, Dec. 9: Handel’s Messiah, accompanied by full 25-member chamber orchestra, conducted by Dean Orbison, St. John’s Lutheran Church. Free, donations accepted. 704-433-8015, 336-918-2111.

Downtown Salisbury Christmas —•Holiday Night Out, Friday, Nov. 25, 5-9 p.m., Santa and Grinch make first appearance, shops open late, free trolley rides, carriage rides, kids’ activities, seasonal music•Santa and the Grinch at the Bell Tower, Saturday, Nov. 26, 10 a.m.-noon, Bell Tower Park, S. Jackson and W. Innes •The Arc Festival of Trees, Friday, Dec. 2, 7-9 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 3, 11 a.m.-8: p.m., Sunday, Dec. 4, 1-5 p.m., F&M Trolley Barn, 125 E. Liberty St., decorated, lighted Christmas trees, Christmas music, special entertainment, raffles, hot cocoa, proceeds support The Arc, 704-637-1521 •Gallery talk by Ed Byers and Dale Steele, book signing by Michele Woods, opening reception with light refreshments, Friday, Dec. 2, 4-8 p.m., Waterworks Visual Arts Center, 123 E. Liberty St., 704-636-1882 •Gingerbread House workshop, Sunday, Dec. 4, 1-4 p.m., Rowan Museum’s Messinger Room, 202 N. Main St., 35 per child (and attached adult), 704-633-5946 for reservations and time slot •Santa, the Grinch and antique fire trucks, Saturday, Dec. 10, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., board at Okey Dokey & Co., 126 E. Innes St., rides on a first come basis, last boarding at 1 p.m., refreshments served •Camp Christmas Child Care, Saturday, Dec. 17, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., F&M Trolley Barn, 125 E. Liberty St., complete your downtown Christmas shopping, leave children ages 5-12 attended and engaged with arts, crafts, and entertainment, lunch and snacks provided, reservations strongly suggested, Laura Potter, Rowan County Youth Services Bureau, 704-633-5636, ext. 104•New Year’s Eve at the Bell Tower, Saturday, Dec. 31, 11:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m., Bell Tower Park, S. Jackson and W. Innes, live music, cookies, hot cider, cocoa, win your chance to be the first to ring the bells•Downtown Salisbury, Inc., 704-637-7814.

Make Christmas art at ‘Santa’s’ Workshop — Paint pictures for presents and cards with Santa’s help, ages 8 and up. 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Saturdays Nov. 26, Dec 3 and 10; $30, Santa provides materials. Santa’s Workshop /Gallery Studio, 211 S. Main next to Meroney. James E. Taylor (artist and Santa) 704-245-6456, jimjet1944@gmail.com

E.H. Montgomery General Store Bluegrass Christmas— 6-8 p.m., Friday, Dec. 23: bluegrass jam, finger foods, lots of music. Historic Village of Gold Hill. www.HistoricGoldHill.com . 704-267-9439, 704-279-5674.

Concord Choral Academy — 11 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 3: “The Christmas Choral Festival,” free, features three children’s choirs under the direction of Gary Shive, accompanied by Lynnette Novobilski, Calvary Lutheran Church, 950 Bradley St., Concord. 704-786-7447.

Choir collaboration 100 voices strong — 7 p.m., Dec. 9 and 3 p.m., Dec. 11: Handel’s Messiah by The Piedmont Choral Society and the sanctuary choirs of Concord’s First Presbyterian Church and Central United Methodist Church. Directed by Donna Hill of Central UMC and Jeff Price of First Presbyterian, held at First Baptist Church, 200 Branchview Drive, Concord, free. 704-699-6053, kayy2000@ gmail.com

Salisbury-Rowan Choral Society’s ‘The Wonder of Christmas’Concert — 7 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 10: Free community concert followed by a reception to celebrate the season. Bring to the concert a new unwrapped toy to be donated to the children and families served by Rowan County's Department of Social Services. Coburn Memorial United Methodist Church, 901 South Church St.

Community band’s Christmas concert — 7:30 p.m., Friday, Dec. 2: Piedmont Prime Time Community Band’s tenth annual Christmas concert. Christmas favorites plus the tradition of inviting children from the audience to ring sleigh bells during the carol sing-a-long. Admission free, donations accepted. Kannapolis Performing Arts Center, A. L. Brown High School, 415 E. First St. Former members of the band are asked to contact the director to be included in the special recognition. Jon Hutchinson at 704-425-3508, www.primetimeband.org.

N.C. Symphony’s ‘A Carolina Christmas’— 8 p.m., Friday, Nov. 25•3 and 8 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 26: Greensboro-based singer-songwriter Laurelyn Dossett; Grammy-winners Rhiannon Giddens Laffan, Mike Compton; guitar wizard Joe Newberry; Concert Singers of Cary; also the Symphony’s popular Christmas singalong. Tickets start at $33. Meymandi Concert Hall,Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts, 2 E. South St., Raleigh, www.ncsymphony.org

N.C. Symphony presents Mahler’s Fourth Symphony — 8 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 1: Aycock Auditorium, UNC-Greensboro •Friday-Saturday, Dec. 2-3: Meymandi Concert Hall, Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts, 2 E. South St., Raleigh. Grant Llewellyn, music director, Brian Reagin, violin, Christina Pier, soprano. www.ncsymphony.org

Historic Latta Plantation, Sample Road, Huntersville —•A Plantation Christmas, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Nov.25-26: An 1860s Christmas. Free with regular site admission•Christmas Tea and Craft, 1-3 p.m., Dec. 3: $25 per mother/daughter pair, additional daughters $10 each, includes fan, craft materials, tea, snacks. Pre-registration is required•Homeschool Christmas/Christmas in WWII, noon-4 p.m., Dec. 7: On Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, experience Christmas in WWII America, admission includes all activities and a craft, $6 per person, ages 4 and under free. 704-875-2312, www.lattaplantation.org

Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden, Belmont — Holiday Lights at the Garden: Nov. 25-Dec. 31, Half million lights, a Christmas tree created with hundreds of orchids, carriage rides, live entertainment, hot drinks, snacks, custom designed model train display, visits by Santa. Admission $12 adults, $11 seniors 60+, $6 children 4-12. www.DSBG.org.

Jingle Bell Rock Performing live The Fillmore Charlotte, Tuesday, Dec. 6, 8 p.m. 1000 Seabord St., Eddie Money, Foreigner’s Lou Gramm, Starship’s Micky Thomas on holiday tour. $29.50, www.livenation.com 704-916-8970.

WBT Holiday on Ice — Through Jan. 8: The area’s only outdoor skating rink, $9, skate rental $3, 400 E. Martin Luther King Blvd., Charlotte, www.wbtholidayonice.com

NC Dance Theater presents The Nutcracker — Dec. 9-18: Tickets range from $25-$79, Belk Theater at Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, 130 N. Tryon St., Charlotte, 704-372-1000, www.blumenthalarts.org

Charlotte Symphony presents The Messiah — 7:30 p.m., Dec. 14: Tickets start at $24. Belk Theater at Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, 130 N. Tryon St., Charlotte, 704-372-1000, www.blumenthalarts.org

Old Salem Christmas candlelight tours — Nov. 25, 26 Dec. 2, 3, 9, 16, 17, 22, 23. Tickets on sale now, $20/adult, $15/child, 1-800-441-5305 to reserve a spot.

Historic Bethabara Park — 5:30-8 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 3: “Four Christmases for Children,” four unique Christmas celebration reenactment; Scots-Irish settlers relating holiday customs, Moravian children’s lovefeast, eighteenth-century games, music, dancing, refreshments. Reservations required, $5 adults, $3 children 5-12. Historic Bethabara Park, Winston-Salem, 336-924-8191, www.BethabaraPark.org

Triad Pride Men’s Chorus — Winter concert “Ever Green” •8 p.m. Dec. 3, Greensboro Day School, 5401 Lawndale Drive•8 p.m. Dec. 10, Wait Chapel, 1834 Wake Forest Road, Wake Forest University campus. $10 in advance, $15 DOS, 336-589-6267, www.triadpridemenschorus.org

Mocksville Christmas — •Downtown Mocksville Christmas parade, 2 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 3 (rain date Dec. 4)•Downtown Mocksville horse and buggy rides, 6:30-8 p.m., Saturday Dec. 10 and 17, tickets $7, children 5 and under free•www.historicdowntownmocksville.com

Concord Christmas —• Free Holiday Happenings, 1-4 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 3, 11 Union St. S., children participate in gingerbread candy hunt, then use their goodies to decorate miniature gingerbread house to take home. Christmas carolers, horse-drawn wagon rides, 704-784-4208, www.concorddowntown.com•Historic Concord Home Tour, Sunday, Dec. 4, call 704-788-9076 for details.

Charity League of Lexington Holiday House — Open to the public Dec. 2-3: 52 year tradition this year at the home of Mark and Mimi Elmore, 381 Swans Way. Proceeds benefit programs for Davidson County children. Admission $8, children 12 and under free. charityleaguelexington.com

Mountain Marionettes perform ‘In The Nutcracker Mood’ —6:30 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 8: Holiday Family Night at Hiddenite Center with master puppeteer VandeWeghe. Performance and dinner $12 adults, $8 children 12 and under. Seating is limited, make reservations early, 828-632-6966, www.hiddenitecenter.com

Winston-Salem Symphony performs Handel’s Messiah — 7:30 p.m., Tuesday- Wednesday, Dec. 13-14, Centenary United Methodist Church, 646 W. Fifth St., Winston-Salem. Tickets starat at $10, 336-464-0145, wssymphony.org

Capitol Tree Lighting — 6 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 8: Annual lighting of the Capitol tree in Raleigh with seasonal music.

See also listings under Theater and This & That for more holiday events

Music & more

RCCA hosts ‘An Afternoon with Matthew Weaver’ — 3 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 4: Music of the Appalachians; Weaver along with Trevor McKanzie, Rebecca Jones. $20 adults, students $5. Keppel Auditorium, Catawba campus. 704-633-1474, 704-636-0181, www.rccamusic.com

Jeff Whittington’s Christmas Brand New Opry at theDavis Theater — 7:30 p.m., Dec. 8 and 15: Bluegrass variety show, Christmas version. $10, Davis Theatre, 65 Union St. S., Concord, 704-920-2753, www.cabarrusarts council.org/davis-theatre.

PFLAG Holiday Concert — 8 p.m., Friday, Dec. 2: Gay Men’s Chorus of Charlotte and Salisbury-Rowan Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays: “Drummer Boy,”also Seventh Son, the small ensemble from the Gay Men’s Chorus of Charlotte. Free. Sanctuary of Haven Evangelical Lutheran Church, 207 W. Harrison St., followed by informal reception with refreshments. 704-213-0181, 704-232-4916.

Preservation Hall Jazz BandCreole Holiday Tour — Music 7-9 p.m., doors open 5 p.m., Dec. 16: mixing their traditional New Orleans jazz with a few holiday songs (www.preservationhall. com). Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art McChesney Scott Dunn Auditorium, 750 Marguerite Drive, Winston-Salem. Advance general admission $20, DOS $25. 336-725-1904, www.secca.org

Harrah’s Cherokee Event Center lineup — •Dwight Yoakam, Friday, Dec. 2• Charley Pride, Saturday, Jan. 14, 2012• Harrah’s Cherokee Event Center, 777 Casino Drive, Cherokee. Tickets www.ticketmaster.com or 800-745-3000.

Comedy

Christmas dinner theater with Rod of God Comedy — 6 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 4: From hilarious comedy to playing the trumpet, comedian/singer/ trumpeter Rod Allison (aka Rod of God Comedy) at The Event Center, 315 Webb Road. Tickets $20, include catered dinner. 704-855-1218, www.theeventcenter.net

Theater

Piedmont Players Theatre presents ‘It Runs in the Family’— Dec. 8-17, hilarious farce. Tickets go on sale Dec. 5. Adults $15, students/seniors $12, Meroney Theater, 213 S. Main St., 704-633-5471, www.piedmontplayers.

Davidson Community Players present ‘Retrieving the Lamb’ — Dec. 1-18, for ages 7+, “funny, tense and sweet,” with a touch of Christmas magic. 307 Armour St., Davidson. 704 892-7953, www.davidsoncommunityplayers.org

Actor’s Theatre of Charlotte presents ‘Jingle Jangle Christmas’ — Dec. 14-23; Musical comedy set in 1944 Christmas Eve. 650 E. Stonewall St., Charlotte. 704-342-2251 or www.actorstheatrecharlotte.org

Shakespeare’s Henry V (on Trapeze) at Burning Coal Theatre, Raleigh — Thursdays-Saturdays, Dec. 1–18, tickets $20; $15 students, seniors, active military. In collaboration with the NYC-based Fight or Flight. Strong language, recommended for age 16 and above. Burning Coal Theatre Company, Murphey School, 224 Polk St., Raleigh, 919-834-4001, www.burningcoal.org

This & That

Salisbury Ghost Walk at Holiday Night Out — 7:30 p.m., Nov 25, adults $10, students $5, Meet at 130 W. Innes St., reservations/information 704-642-1734, boo@salisburyghostwalk.com

Little Sumthin’s open mic night— 8 p.m.-until, Friday, Nov. 25: hosted by deejay Walter Brotherton (www.facebook.com/ walterb3), help with holiday toy drive: $5 at the door with a new, unwrapped toy, $7 w/o. A Little Sumthin’ Sumthin’ 117 West Innes St., 704-245-6461, www.alittlesumthinsumthin.com

Christmas at Cauble Creek Vineyard — Open late until 8 p.m.•Saturday, Dec. 3: Music by Tina Brown•Saturday, Dec 10: Jingle Hayride and festivities•Saturday, Dec. 17: Holiday music. 700 Cauble Farm Road, Salisbury.

NC Rowan County Anime Group shows film at Christmas party — Meet 11:30 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 10 for trip to Winston-Salem. Bring food and drinks. “Gasaraki” series to be screened, last meeting of 2011. www.groups.yahoo.com/ group/NCRowanCountyanime/

Artist signs books, order ahead — 5 p.m., Friday, Dec. 2: Waterworks exhibiting artist Michele Wood will sign copies of her new book, “I Lay My Stitches Down,” contact Waterworks 704-636-1882 or marketing@waterworks.org to reserve a copy in advance, book will not be available to the public until January, 2012.

Fundraisers

Sounds of the Season fundraiser — 6-9 p.m., Dec. 10 on 5th St. in Spencer: face painting, three raffles, choirs from various churches and music groups from area schools, storytelling, Santa Claus, activities for children. Street will be closed in front of Lunch Box., 111 5th St. Proceeds benefit Community in Schools program at North Rowan Elementary.

Night Life

Benchwarmers. 113 E. Fisher St. — 7-10 p.m. every Friday: Handful of Dave. 704-639-0604.

DJ’s, 1502 W. Innes St., — Live music Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays starting at 8:30 p.m. 704-638-9647.

Fat Jack’s, 120 Military Ave., — Friday-Saturday, Nov. 25-26: 8 p.m.-until, Karaoke with Mark Tomei. 704-638-8996. 8 p.m. until, every Friday and Saturday night: karaoke with Mark Tomei. 704-638-8996.

High Rock Boat & Ski Club, 257 Boat Club Lane — Closed Nov. 22-27• Nov. 30: Craig Woolard Band. Now booking Christmas parties. 704-633-0251, www.theboatandskiclub.com

Rick’s BBQ and Grill, 929 S. Main St. — Next karoke performance Dec. 1: Charles Huffman. bike Night 6-9 p.m. every Monday; Cruise-in 6-9 p.m. every Tuesday; karaoke 7-close every Friday-Saturday. 704-642-0050.

The Shack, 1205 N. Salisbury Ave., Spencer — 7-p.m., Thursdays: karaoke. 704-637-0500.

The Blue Vine, 209 S. Main St. — 9 p.m.-midnight, Friday, Nov. 25: R&B dance band Divided By Four, $5 cover • 9 p.m.--midnight, Saturday, Nov. 26: southern soul classic rock Diane Hoffman Band, $5 cover. 704-797-0093, www.thebluevine.com

The Fuel Depot Bar and Grill, 2168 Statesville Blvd. — Next live music Dec. 3: 3-Legged Dawg. Tuesdays, open mic nite 9 p.m.; Wednesdays World Tavern poker; Thursdays 8-ball tournament, deejay and karaoke with Cherokee; Fridays free jam session with Monkey Wrench. 704-636-2583

The Inn, 1012 Mooresville Hwy 150 26: Vess and The Jordan Connell Band. Open 7 p.m.-midnight Saturdays, free refreshments, air hockey, foosball, pool, wi-fi. Public invited to jam or schedule their group to perform. 704-213-1467. www.inntheloop.

E.H. Montgomery General Store — 7-9 p.m. Fridays: bluegrass jams. Historic Village of Gold Hill. www.HistoricGoldHill.com . 704-267-9439, 704-279-5674.

Classes

Design club seminar — 10 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 3: With Christa Canup. Make a chalkboard painted pot, fill it with an amaryllis for a gift, also cute for baked goods and little gifts. $12. Reserve a spot, space is limited. Check out pictures on Facebook. Carolina Lily, 1375 Kern Carlton Road, 704 639-0033. www.carolinalily.com

Creative Art Experiences for ages 5-18 — Art Lessons for children in your home, after school, evenings, weekends with Ingrid A. Erickson, K-12 Certified Art Educator and Artist. $15/hour, $10 each additional child. 413-884-4499 for appointment. Studio at Rail Walk Gallery, 409 N. Lee St. ingridaerickson@yahoo.com with questions.

Draw or Paint the Figure — Work from a live model each Wednesday 1-4 p.m., $5 hr, no instruction. Rail Walk Studio & Gallery, 409 N Lee St. Contact Rachel Lee, hare369@live.com

Classical Method of Oils Painting with Patt — Beginner or intermediate ongoing classes Tuesdays 1-3 p.m. at the studio of Patt Legg. One-on-one teaching methods of the Old Masters. $40 per 2 hour session, pay as you go. 704.232.6000, www.PattLeggFineArtStudio.com

Creative painting workshops — 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., ongoing series, beginning to intermediate, traditional oil painting. $200 for eight sessions; ask about scholarships and sliding scales. Registration/materials 704-245-6456. Instructor James E. Taylor, Contemporary Realism Studio, 211 S. Main St.

Card Making Class at the Y — J.F. Hurley Family YMCA hosts classes every other Thursday evening, 6-8 p.m. $10, all supplies included. Call Terri Dockins 704-636-0111. 828 W Jake Alexander Blvd.

Watercolor classes at LGAC — Instructor Cathy Benfield Matthews, no experience needed; Mondays 1-3 p.m. or 5:30-7:30 p.m., or Saturdays 10 a.m.-noon, $35 each 2 hour session or $180 for 6, materials provided except brushes; reserve space at salisburyartists@gmail.com . Looking Glass Artist Collective, 405 N. Lee St., 704-633-ARTS, www.salisburyartists.com

Bring-your-own-vase floral design — 2-3 p.m., Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday: Designing fresh cut flowers, $5 per class plus cost of flowers, call for reservations; instructor David Harrison, Harrison’s Florist, 1012 Holmes Ave. off Grove St. near RRMC, 704-636-4251.

Singles

Piedmont Singles — 7:15 p.m. Fridays. Covered dish. 1908 Statesville Blvd, Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, no joining fee, donations appreciated, covered dish. Frances Ward 704-637-3241.

Zodiac Club — Second and Fourth Fridays. Doors 7 p.m., band 8 p.m. Free soft drinks, water; snacks welcome. $12 guests, $10 members, join for $20 with free admission on the night you join. American Legion Post 380, 4235 W. Tyvola Road, Charlotte, 704-752-8824, taylorbt@msn.com, www.charlottezodiacdanceclub.com

Film

Concord Book Club shows free movie — 5 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 1: Film version of one of their recent selections by Ayn Rand, starring Gary Cooper and Patricia Neal. Concord Library auditorium, 27 Union St., N., Concord, jseury@cabarruscounty.us

Auditions

Old Courthouse Theatre ‘To Kill A Mockingbird’ auditions — 7-8 p.m. registration, Monday-Tuesday, Dec. 5--6. Performance dates Feb. 9-26. 49 Spring St. SW, Concord. 704-788-2405, www.oldcourthousetheatre.org

Call for photographers

Carolina Artists Photo Expo 2012 — First-time-ever exclusive showing and competitive judging of photographs by amateur and professional photographers, ages 18 and up, March 21-23, 2012, Salisbury Civic Center. Cash prizes, ribbons awarded. Information, entry guidelines coming. For information, email wardwriters@carolina.rr.com

Call for artists

Call for fiber artists — Green Goat Gallery and TranqWool Knitting Provisions are accepting original work, up to two pieces per artist, for Fiber Art show on Jan. 21. $5 per entry. Pieces will be available for sale during show. Entries accepted through Jan. 14. Green Goat Gallery 704-639-0606 or TranqWool Knitting Provisions 704-431-4527.

N.C. Museum of Art seeks art for auction fundraiser — Request for proposals for original works of art to be considered for inclusion in “Art of the Auction,” a silent and live auction event, to be held at the Museum’s East Building Saturday, April 14, 2012. Proceeds from Art of the Auction will benefit Museum programs. Must be original and recent works of art created by the artist submitting the entry and not to exceed 32 x 32 x 32 inches, selected for inclusion based upon the aesthetic considerations that guide the North Carolina Museum of Art’s collecting principles. All categories of art will be accepted. Submission details and full Request for Proposal at www.ncartmuseum.org/auction. Deadline Jan. 31, 2012.

Art

Waterworks Visual Arts Center, 123 E. Liberty St. — Art students of Rowan Helping Ministries’ “New Tomorrows” outreach program studied the work of Jackson Pollack, created their own Pollack-style paintings. Through Jan. 7 • Copies of exhibiting artist Michele Wood’s book “I Lay My Stitches Down” available for $14.95. Book signing 5 p.m., Friday, Dec. 2. Purchase in advance at Waterworks, book not available to the public until January • Free admission, donations appreciated. Gallery hours Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Tuesday, Thursday 10 a.m-7 p.m, Saturday 11 a.m.-3 p.m., 704-636-1882, www.waterworks.org

Green Goat Gallery hosts opening, 516 S. Salisbury Ave., Spencer — Family Ties, exhibit featuring paintings by father and daughter artists Dennis Mial and Tamiko LaSharma Patterson. 704-639-0606, greengoatgallery@bellsouth.net . Gallery hours Tuesday-Saturday 10:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. 704-639-0606.

Pottery 101 at 101 S. Main St. — “Mark of the Fire,” by husband and wife potters William Baker and Joy Tanner. Exhibit on display until Dec. 16. Gallery hours 10 a.m-6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; 10 a.m-6 p.m. Saturday. 704-209-1632.

Rail Walk Studios and Gallery, 409 N. Lee St. — Closed Thanksgiving week, re-opens Dec.1. Gallery hours Thursday-Saturday 11 a.m.-4 p.m. or when the green flag is flying. 704-431-8964 www.railwalkgallery.com

Mint Museum of Art, 2730 Randolph Road, Charlotte — 704-337-2000. www.mintmuseum.org

Mint Museum Uptown at Levine Center for the Arts, 500 South Tryon St., Charlotte — 704-337-2000. www.mintmuseum.org

Reynolda House Museum of American Art, 2250 Reynolda Road, Winston-Salem — 336-758-5150, reynoldahouse.org

Trips

Christmas shopping at Tangers Outlet Mall, Burlington — Dec. 2: $25 transportation only, depart 9 a.m. from J F Hurley Family YMCA, 828 W Jake Alexander Blvd. 704 -636-0111, Barbara Franklin.

Bethlehem, Pa., The Christmas City — Dec. 7-9: includes hotel, meals, night tour of city, Moravian church, Moravian museum, shopping. Davie County Senior Services, 336-753-6230.

Parks

Dan Nicholas Park, 6800 Bringle Ferry Rd. — 704-216-7800. www.dannicholas.net

Ellis Park, 3541 Old Mocksville Road — 704-216-7783.

Sloan Park, 550 Sloan Road, Mt. Ulla — Features Kerr Mill, an 1823 grist mill.

Gold Hill Mines Historic Park 735 St. Stephens Church Road, Gold Hill —With Rail Trail. 704-267-9439, www.HistoricGoldHill.com

Dunn’s Mountain Nature and History Preserve, 1640 Dunn’s Mtn. Road — 704-216-7803.

Museums

N.C. Transportation Museum, 411 S. Salisbury Ave., Spencer — Drive an antique steam locomotive: “At the Throttle” Dec. 3, 10, and 17, between 9:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Sessions $150, Museum members receive discount. Schedule rides at 704-636-2889 ext. 237 or email sara.gettys@nctrans.org. Gift certificates available. See www.nctrans.org for train ride schedule and admission information with and without train rides. 704-636-2889, 877-NCTMFUN, www.nctrans.org

Rowan Museum, 202 N. Main St. — “When We Fought Ourselves-1861-1865,” 704-633-5946. www.rowanmuseum.org

Utzman-Chambers House, 116 S. Jackson St. — Closed for season

Dr. Josephus Hall House, 226 S. Jackson St. — 704-636-0103.

Old Stone House, Granite Quarry —Open the 25th and 26th, then closed on weekends for the winter months (with the exception of the weekend following Christmas). Will re-open on April 7. 704-633-5946.

Historic Rockwell Museum, 102 E. Main St. — 704-279-5783.

Price of Freedom Museum, Old Patterson School building, China Grove — 704-857-7474, www.priceoffreedom.us

China Grove Roller Mill Museum — 704-433-3912. www.hist-society-srowan.com

NC Music Hall of Fame Museum, 109 West A Street, Kannapolis — 704-934-2320, www.NorthCarolinaMusicHallofFame.org

Historic Gold Hill,NC/Gold Hill Mines Historic Park — 704-279-5674, www.HistoricGoldHill. com

Reed Gold Mine historic site, 12 miles southeast of Concord — 704-721-4653, reed@ncdcr. gov

Historic Latta Plantation, Sample Road, Huntersville — 704-875-2312, www.lattaplantation.org

Historic Rosedale Plantation, 3427 N. Tryon St., Charlotte — www.historicrose dale.com

Discovery Place, Charlotte, 301 N. Tryon St., Charlotte, — Mummies of the World Exhibition. Advance tickets recommended for world’s largest collection of real mummies.704-372-6261, www.discoveryplace.org

Discovery Place KIDS Huntersville, 105 Gilead Road — 704-372-6261, discoveryplaceKIDS.orgCharlotte Nature Museum, 1658 Sterling Road, Charlotte — www.charlottenaturemuseum.org

Charlotte Museum of History, 3500 Shamrock Drive, Charlotte — 704-568-1774, www.charlottemuseum.org

Old Salem, Winston-Salem — 336-721-7300, www.oldsalem.org

NC Museum of Art, 2110 Blue Ridge Road, Raleigh — A loan of ten works of Rodin from the personal collection of Iris Cantor. www.ncartmuseum.org

NC Museum of History, 5 E. Edenton St., Raleigh — “At the Speed of a Girl,” 100 Years of Girl Scouting, through July 29, 2012. 919-807-7900, ncmuseumofhistory.org

NC Museum of Natural Sciences, 11 W. Jones St., Raleigh — 919-733-7450, www.naturalsciences.org .

Children’s Museum of Winston-Salem, 390 S. Liberty St. — 336-723-9111 or childrensmuseumofws.org

Natural Science Center of Greensboro, 4301 Lawndale Drive —336-288-3769, www.natsci.org

Greensboro Children’s Museum, 220 N. Church St. — 336-574-2898, www.gcmuseum.com