Arts and entertainment briefs

HUNTERSVILLE — Rural Hill starts 2012 off right at its First Footin’ hiking event on New Year’s Day.

The annual hike and celebration of Hogmanay, or Scottish New Year, is free and open to the public. In addition, Rural Hill is hosting a five mile race. On Jan. 1, First Footin’ will begin at 11 a.m. with both the hike and the race and will then have a presentation of “Stone Soup” at 12:30, followed by a luncheon and fellowship. No reservations for the hike are necessary, registration is $30. More information can be found at www.ruralhill.net and www.ruralhill. net/FirstFootinFive.asp.

The Scottish New Year, Hogmanay (pronounced Hog-muh-nay), is a celebration of good will and good fortune. A first-footer who arrived empty handed was seen as a terrible omen of poverty and loss in the New Year. Several towns throughout the hillsides of Scotland continue an age old annual ritual of a walking the town limits to restate or reclaim the boundaries of the township.

These traditions have been adopted as part of the Rural Hill Hogmanay celebration, known simply as First Footin.' Traditionally, the fulfillments of Hogmanay's rituals and folklore have assured good crops, good health, and good fortune in the coming year.

Seeking red art

Rail Walk Studios & Gallery is seeking donations of art for the upcoming Red Show and Art Auction fundraiser opening Feb. 2, 2012 and closing with an auction event on March 31.

All proceeds of the auction will go to The Red Cross. Donations of any categories of art will be accepted, preferably with a red theme or the color red playing a key part.

No framed work. Works on paper, matted or not matted, will be accepted. Canvases must be wired for hanging. Works must be original and not to exceed 24”x24”x24”.

The donating artist will receive a free entry ticket to the auction event. Donations are accepted through Wednesday Feb. 1 at Rail Walk Studios & Gallery, 409 N. Lee St.

For more information email k.frazer@verizon.net or info@railwalkgallery.com

Greater Charlotte Home Show

CONCORD — Save time, money and have fun while you learn about new ideas for your home and landscape. Experts will showcase the latest in decorating, remodeling, landscaping, and renovating resources as well as the newest in kitchen and bath innovations.

The event is Jan. 27, 28 and 29 at the Cabarrus Arena & Events Center.

Roger Hazard, TV’s original home stager and host of “Sell This House,” “Sell This House: Extreme,” and “Move This House,” will share his expertise through seminars at the show.

Admission is $7, those 16 and under get in free and admission for seniors 65+ is $5. A $1 off coupon is available at www.showtechnology.com

Cabarrus Arena & Events Center is just north of Charlotte, off Hwy 49 in Concord, at 4751 Hwy 49. Visit www.cabarrusarena.com

‘Toy Boat’ accepted

Salisbury artist Robert Crum’s oil painting “Toy Boat” was accepted into the Arts & Culture Alliance National Juried Exhibition of 2011 in Knoxville, Tennessee. There were close to 400 submissions by artists in ten states, and only forty-five were selected for the exhibition.

The exhibition runs through Jan. 27 and there will also be awards announced at the reception on Jan. 6. For more information visit www.knoxalliance.com or www.robertcrumfineart.com

‘The Music of Billy Joel’

RALEIGH — The North Carolina Symphony welcomes Michael Cavanaugh, star of the smash-hit Broadway musical Movin’ Out, to Raleigh for three high-energy salutes to an all-time rock favorite, Billy Joel.

“The Music of Billy Joel,” takes place at Meymandi Concert Hall on Friday and Saturday, Jan. 20-21 at 8 p.m. A matinee performance follows on Sunday at 3 p.m.

Cavanaugh was handpicked by Billy Joel for the role of the Piano Man in the 2002 Twyla Tharp musical “Movin’ Out.”

Regular tickets start at $33. Visit www.ncsymphony.org or call toll free 877-627-6724.

Meymandi Concert Hall is located in the Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts, 2 E. South St., in Raleigh.

Mint Museum launches series

CHARLOTTE – The Mint Museum is launching its first-ever Contemporary Architecture + Design (CAD) series with an event on January 5 at 7 p.m. that brings the architect who designed the new Mint Museum Uptown building and the artist who created the monumental five-story work on display in its atrium together to discuss “The Marriage of Art + Architecture.” The series continues throughout 2012 as part of a slate of innovative programming that will broaden the museum’s audience and reach deeper into the community than ever before.

Monthly CAD events will continue throughout the year and bring notable names in the architecture and design fields to Charlotte, including Rodolfo Machado, principal of Machado and Silvetti Associates, who designed Mint Museum Uptown; artist Sheila Hicks, subject of the museum’s current exhibition Sheila Hicks: Fifty Years; Craig Dykers, co-founder of Oslo- and New York-based architecture, landscape, and interior design firm Snøhetta; and Cortney and Robert Novogratz, who with their seven children are featured on Bravo’s show “9 By Design.” All of the events will be held at Mint Museum Uptown except Dykers’ visit on February 15, which will be held at UNC Charlotte’s Center City Building at 320 East Ninth Street. Events are $10 for non-members and $5 for members, and more information is available at mintmuseum.org.