Roundabout: What's happening

The DogWood Band will be playing at Brickstreet Tavern Friday Aug. 27 at 10 p.m.

The Good Courage Band is performing this Saturday at The Inn.

Shield of Salvation performs at The Inn this weekend, along with Good Courage.

Marc Hoffman will be signing and singing at the Literary Bookpost Friday, Aug. 27.

Hear Jeff Myers at Rick's BBQ and Grill tonight at 7 p.m.

Lonnie Carpenter sings Saturday night at the Blue Vine.

Storyteller Ray Hicks. Photo by David Holt.

Music and more

Calvin Edwards Trio at Black Box Theatre — 8 p.m., Aug. 28, with guest artist David Payne. Advance $8, DOS $10. Black Box Theater, 405 N. Lee St. 704-636-2811.

Brad Paisley and Darius Rucker at Verizon Amphitheatre, Charlotte — Aug. 27, tickets at www.livenation.com.

The Evening Muse, 3227 N. Davidson St., NoDa Arts District, Charlotte — Sept. 4: Shannon Whitworth with Mandolin Orange, doors 7 p.m., music 8 p.m., $12 advance, $14 DOS. CarolinaTix, Music Today or 1-800-594.TIXX.

The Fillmore, 820 Hamilton St., Charlotte — 7:30 p.m., Aug. 26: blues-rockers Moreland and Arbuckle, tickets $30, 704-549-5555.

The Visulite, 1615 Elizabeth Ave., Charlotte — Tonight: BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet, doors 7:30 p.m., music 8:30 p.m., $20. 704-358-9200.

Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons — Feb. 26, 2011, Belk Theater, 130 N. Tryon St., Charlotte. Tickets begin at $39.50, 704-372-1000 or www.blumenthalcenter.org.

Festivals

The 17th annual Renaissance Festival — Saturdays and Sundays, Oct. 9-Nov. 21, between Concord and Huntersville at NC 73 and Poplar Tent Road junction. www.RenFestInfo.com

Home and Garden

Southern Ideal Home Show — Aug. 27-29, Park Expo and Conference Center (formerly Charlotte Merchandise Mart.) $9 at the door, children under 15 excluding groups free with paying adult, seniors $7 at the door Friday. 704-376-6594 or www.SouthernIdealHomeShow.com.

This & that

Fire Apparatus Show — Aug. 28. 10 a.m.: fire truck parade through downtown Spencer, all-day show at NC Transportation Museum, 4 p.m.: award ceremony. Sponsored by Spencer Fire Department Auxiliary. www.nctrans. org.Marc Hoffman signing and singing event — 5:30 p.m., Friday, Aug. 27. Author/singer to sign books and sing, other family-friendly activities, refreshments. Literary Bookpost, 110 S. Main St. 704-630-9788.

Piedmont Players Theatre costume sale — Sept. 3 during Night on the Town under the Meroney Theater marquee. Costume pieces, props for Halloween, school plays, etc. Proceeds benefit PPT operating fund. 704-633-5471.

Book signing by local author Tara White, “Don’t Curse Your Wedding Bed Before You Say I Do,” 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., Aug. 29, The Event Center, 315 Webb Road. www.theeventcenter.net/event.

Rocky River Vineyards Bridal Show — 1-4 p.m., Sept. 12, brides pre-register at rrvbs@carolina.rr.com. Sample cakes, catering specialties, bridal parade, door prizes. 11685 Reed Mine Road, Midland. Preregister at rrvbs@carolina.rr.com. www.rockyriver vineyards.com.

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

Theater

“If You Give Mouse A Cookie” Old Courthouse Theatre — 7:30 p.m., Aug. 27; 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., Aug. 28. Tickets $5. Spring St,. SW, Concord. www.oldcourthousetheatre.org. 704-788-2405.

“Mary Poppins” — Through Sept. 19. Belk Theater, Charlotte. Tickets begin at $32.50. www.blumenthalcenter.org, 704-372-1000.

Queen City Theatre Company’s “Rope” — Through Sept. 4. Original play that inspired Hitchcock’s film. Sexual content - recommended for mature audiences. Duke Energy Theatre, 345 N. College St., Charlotte. Tickets begin at $24. www.carolinatix.org, www.queencitytheatre.com or 704-372-1000.

Fundraisers

Davie County Humane Society “Art For Paws’ Sake” — 5-7 p.m., Friday, Aug. 27, $5. Art, wine, appetizers , donated original art for sale, all proceeds go to Humane Society. The Station On Main Street, 185 N. Main St., Mocksville.

Motorcycle/classic car poker run and oyster roast fundraiser — Sept. 11, proceeds go to Prevent Child Abuse Rowan. Sponsored by Castaways, 119 Link Ave. Charity information, www.preventchildabuserowan.org. Event info 704-216-0130 or castaways seafood@yahoo.com.

Night life

Brick Street Tavern, 122 E. Fisher St. — 10 p.m., Friday, Aug. 27: The DogWood Band. Tuesdays: open mic, performers of all types welcome, sign up as you arrive; 8 p.m. Wednesdays: team trivia. www.thebrickstreettavern.com.704-637-6047.

Cartuccis Restaurant, 105 E. Fisher St. — 6-9 p.m., Friday-Saturday, Aug. 27-28: live music with Ivory and Satin, classic jazz to contemporary soft rock. 704-636-5757.

High Rock Boat & Ski Club, 257 Boat Club Lane — Aug. 26: acoustic music with Mitch Snow. Aug. 27: Deejay Ervin Ellington. Aug. 28: Blues, Motown, old school with Al G. and Friends. Tuesdays: shag lessons. Thursdays: live acoustic music. Memberships available. Wed.-Sat. 6 p.m. until. www.theboatandskiclub.com. 704-633-0251.Rick’s BBQ and Grill, 1617 S. Main St. — Aug. 26: Jeff Myers, plus karaoke every Friday and Saturday.7 p.m.-close, 704-642-0050.

The Blue Vine, 209 S. Main St. — 9:30-11:30 p.m., Aug 27: "Blast From the Past Evening" with Marc Hoffman Duo, no cover; 9-11:30 p.m., Aug 28: Lonnie Carpenter, no cover. www.theblue vine.com. 704-797-0093.

The Inn, 1012 Mooresville Hwy 150 —Aug. 27: Jordan Connell CD release concert. Aug. 28: The Good Courage Band, Shield of Salvation band with Sean Spillane. Open 7 p.m.-midnight Saturdays. Free refreshments. 704-213-1467. www.inntheloop. blogspot.com.

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

Old Stone Vino, 515 S. Main St., Kannapolis — 6:30-9 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays: guitarist, singer, songwriter Marty DeJarnette. 704-938-2337.

Classes

“How to Audition” workshops — 5:30-7:20 p.m., Aug. 26; 10-11:20 a.m., Sept. 11 and 18. For ages 12 and up, instructor, Missy Barnes. 704-881-1565 or www.catawba.edu/communitymusic for registration form and info.

Mime workshop — 6-7:30 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 28, instructor Lilli Blackmore, cost $2, Center for Faith & the Arts, Haven Lutheran Church, 207 W. Harrison St. Cost: $2, register at mime@weareseven.com.

Design classes for beginners — Fall class schedules available. Floral Piedmont Floral Galleries, 280 Furniture Drive. piedmontfloralgalleries.com. 704-636-7739.

Diane Overcash oil painting workshop — 6-8 p.m., Wednesdays, Sept. 1, 8, 15, 22; $75 supplies included. Hobby Lobby, 2480 Supercenter Drive NE, Kannapolis. 704-262-7964.

“Awakening to Life: Basic Training in Mindfulness” — 7 p.m., Sept. 7-Oct. 12. Center for Faith & the Arts, 207 W. Harrison St. $10 fee covers materials. Bring a cushion or yoga mat and dress comfortably. Register: 704-639-8971.

Singles

Piedmont Singles — Aug. 27: No meeting. Meetings resume Sept. 3. Meets 7:15 p.m. Fridays, Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 1908 Statesville Blvd. Covered dish, no joining fee,[0x10]donations appreciated. Contact Frances Ward 704-637-3241.

Zodiac Club — Aug. 27: live music with Looks EZ. 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. www.charlottezodiacdanceclub.com.

Film

Free summer movies, SouthPark Symphony Park, 4400 Sharon Road, Charlotte — 7 p.m., Aug. 27: pre-event music by Hipshack. Dusk: Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, PG. Concessions, cold drinks available for purchase. 704-364-4411 or www.simon.com.

Hitchcock Under the Stars at Reynolda House, 2250 Reynolda Road, Winston-Salem— Aug. 27: “North by Northwest,” Sept. 3: “The Birds.” sturner@reynoldahouse.org.

2011 Appalachian Film Festival — Submissions due Jan. 1, 2011. Peoples Choice Awards at the Huntington Museum of Art held on Feb. 18. For information: www.appyfilmfest.com or 304-690-2500. Submissions or letters to: Appalachian Film Festival, PO Box 347, Huntington, WV 25708.

Auditions

SCarowinds Halloween Haunt X auditions — 5-8 p.m., Aug. 26 and 29, Sept. 2 and 5, 9 and 12, 16 and 19, 23 and 26. Applicants must be 16 years of age or older. www.scarowinds.com or 704-587-9006.

Piedmont Players Theatre “Nunsense” — 7 p.m., Aug. 30-31, open auditions for Dan Goggin’s musical “Nunsense,” prepared song required, third floor rehearsal room of Meroney Theater. 213 S. Main St. www.piedmontplayers.com or 704-633-5471.

Salisbury-Rowan Symphony auditions — By appointment Sept. 18-19, principal second violin and other substitute positions. Catawba College campus, 704-637-4314, ljones@catawba.edu.

Old Courthouse Theatre auditions “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” — 6:30-8:30 p.m.Oct. 4-5. Performances dates Dec. 2-5, 10-12, 17-19. 49 Spring St. SW, Concord. www.oldcourthousetheatre.org.

Call for vendors

Southern Comforts Antiques and Fall Festival — Antique, handcraft, farmers market vendors for festival at Rowan County Fairgrounds, 1560 Julian Road, Oct.16-17. southerncomforts @carolina.rr.com or 704-788-0505.

Hickory Oktoberfest — Arts and crafts vendor applications for juried event accepted through Sept. 1. 828-322-1121 or www.downtownhickjory.com.

Call for artists

“Carolina’s Got Art” juried art show — Deadline for entries: Aug. 30. Charlotte show scheduled for Oct. 1-30. Details at www.carolinasgotart.com.

Original poetry — New and original poetry based on Center for Faith & the Arts’ current exhibit, “Abstraction and Beyond,” 207 W. Harrison St. Submissions deadline Sept. 1, entry form at www.faithart.org.

Heritage Living artisans and exhibitors — Gold Hill Founder’s Day Celebration, Sept. 25. Arts, crafts, Heritage Living exhibitors, quilters, blacksmiths, tinsmiths, wood carvers and other artisans, antique exhibits, hit and miss engines. vivian@historicgoldhill.com, 704-279-1630 or 704-267-9439.

Speakers and forums

An Appalachian Story Quilt: Mountain Traditions and Culture — 9:30 a.m., refreshments, 11 a.m., program, Tuesday, Sept. 7: Author, teacher, playwright, historian Lynn Salsi speaks at Mecklenburg Historical Association Docent Committee, Sugar Creek Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall, 101 Sugar Creek Road W., Charlotte. Free. Includes legends of the Hicks Family of Banner Elk and how the Jack Tales came to North Carolina. www.lsalsi.com.

Art

Carolina Artists 2010 Expo reception— 6-8 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 26: winners announced, awards awarded. Exhibit on display 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Aug. 26-27, 10 a.m.-3p.m. Aug. 28. Free. Salisbury Civic Center, 315 Martin Luther King Ave. www.thecarolinaartists.org.

Green Goat Gallery, 516 S. Salisbury Ave., Spencer — Folk art show “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” Gallery hours Tuesday-Saturday 10:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. 704-639-0606.

Pottery 101 at 101 S. Main St. — “Flight of Fancy,” featuring works by Mary Mason through Aug. 27. Gallery hours 10 a.m-6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; 10 a.m-6 p.m. Saturday. 704-209-1632.

Waterworks Visual Arts Center, 123 E. Liberty St. — Exhibition entitled “Being There” continues through Aug. 28 with “New Works: Women in Water,” by Carmella Jarvi Stanback, “Legacy” by John Wesley Simms Jr., “Awakened Wood” by Rick Sorensen, “A Few People, Places, and Things I’ve Seen,” by Ben Martin, “Dare To Imagine” winner, works by Michelle Casper. Gallery hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Thursday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday. Groups may arrange guided tour. 704-636-1882. www.waterworks.org.

Rail Walk Studios and Gallery, 409 N. Lee St. — Abundant Living Adult Day Care portraits through Aug. 28. 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.

Center for Faith & the Arts, 207 W. Harrison St. — “Abstraction and Beyond,” works by 26 North Carolina artists through Sept. 11. 704-647-0999. www.faithart.org.

Cabarrus Arts Council’s The Galleries, 65 Union St. S., Concord — “Multitasking,”features six artists, including Salisbury’s Robert Crum and Whitney Peckman, who created work in more than one medium; through Oct. 7. 704-920-ARTS(2787) or www.cabarrusartscouncil.org.

Mint Museum of Art, 2730 Randolph Road, Charlotte — Open 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Tuesdays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday. Admission $10 adults, $8 seniors and students, $5 ages 6 to 17, free for members and children 5 and younger. Free on Tuesdays 5-9 p.m. 704-337-2000. www.mintmuseum.org.

Trips

Biltmore’s third annual Living Tapestry Flower Carpet — Through Sept. 12, South Terrace of Biltmore House, Asheville. Made up of more than 100,000 plants in a 14,400 sq. ft. design. Select evenings, the estate will be open for Flower Carpet Evenings (Aug. 27, 28; Sept. 10, 11) with soft lighting, sunset views, live jazz music as well as a candlelight tour through Biltmore House. Picnic options available by reservation when purchasing tickets. 877-BILTMORE or www.biltmore.com.

Beech Mountain Annual Mile High Kite Festival — 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Sept. 5. Fly kites at one mile above sea level. No charge for admission, free kites given to first 200 children under 12. Contests for biggest, smallest, best-decorated kites. All participants receive official certificate proclaiming “I flew a kite a mile high at Beech Mountain.” www.Beech Mtn.com.

‘Thelma Lou’ at Andy Griffith museum — 12:30-5 p.m., Aug. 17 and Sept. 21. Actress Betty Lynn greets fans at museum, 218 Rockford St,. Mt. Airy, $3 admission to museum.

Parks

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

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

Gold Hill Mines Historic Park 735 St. Stephens Church Road, Gold Hill — Historic tours available by appointment. Information about tours: 704-267-9439; rentals: 704-279-5777. www.HistoricGoldHill.com.

Gold Hill Rail Trail — Hiking, biking trail begins at NW entrance to Gold Hill Mines Historic Park at Miner’s Field, continues into Cabarrus County. 704-267-9439

Museums

N.C. Transportation Museum, Spencer — Aug. 28: Thomas and Friends play day with Thomas and Friends activities. Free. (NOTE: Thomas will not appear.) Sept. 4: MOPAR Car Show, no entrance fee for spectators. Sept. 24-26, Oct. 1-3: A Day Out With Thomas, take a ride with Thomas the Tank Engine, call for ticket prices. 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. — “On My Honor: 100 Years of Boy[0x10]Scouting,” through August. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday, 1-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Contributions accepted. 704-633-5946. www.rowanmuseum.org.

Utzman-Chambers House, 116 S. Jackson St. — Open 1-4 p.m. Saturday. $3 adults, $1.50 students, museum members free. 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.

Old Stone House, Granite Quarry —Open 1-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. $3 adults, $1.50 students, museum members free. 704-633-5946.

Historic Rockwell Museum, 102 E. Main St. — For special tours call 704-279-4979. Museum open Sundays 2-4 p.m. and by appointment. For information call Ann Teague: 704-279-5783.

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-Oct. 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. 704-279-5674, 704-267-9439. www.HistoricGoldHill. com.

Fort Dobbs State Historic Site, 438 Fort Dobbs Road, Statesville — Carolina’s only French and Indian War site actively interprets the period in 18th century history that defined the fate of North America and sowed the seeds of independence. Free and open to the public Tuesday through Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m. 704-873-5882, www.fortdobbs.org.

Historic Latta Plantation, Sample Road, Huntersville — 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Sept. 4-5. Saturday: reenactors fight the Battle of Charlotte which originally occurred at the corner of Trade and Tryon Streets. Sunday: Battle of McIntyre Farm which took place near Latta, off Beatties Ford Road. Main battle 1 p.m. each day. $7, ages 5 and under free. www.lattaplantation.org. 704-875-2312.

Historic Rosedale Plantation, 3427 N. Tryon St., Charlotte — Civil War National Register Federal house built circa 1815, excellent example of backcountry NC federal period architecture. Originally part of a 911-acre plantation. $5 adults, $4 students and seniors. Groups of 10 or more $4 per. Guided tours 1, 2 and 3 p.m. Thursday-Sunday. 704-335-0325. www.historicrosedale. org.

Discovery Place, Charlotte — “Legends of Flight” at IMAX Dome Theatre. “World Alive” and “Fantastic Frogs.” Museum hours: 9 a.m-5 p.m. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, noon-5 p.m. Sunday. 704-372-6261 or www.discoveryplace.org.

Charlotte Nature Museum, 1658 Sterling Road, Charlotte — $6 ages 2 and older; younger than 2 and members are free. Parking is free. Tuesday-Thursday 9 a.m.–5 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. -5 p.m.; Sunday noon–5 p.m.; closed Monday.

Old Salem, Winston-Salem — 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 12:30-5 p.m. Sunday. $21 adults, $10 children. 336-721-7300 or www.oldsalem.org.

Reynolda House Museum of American Art, 2250 Reynolda Road, Winston-Salem — Sept. 7 -Oct. 14: American Arts Discovery fall session, foundation for the museum’s nationally recognized volunteer training program, no prior study or knowledge of art required. $55. Beth Hoover-DeBerry 336-758-5389 to register. www.reynoldahouse.org. 336-758-5150.

The North Carolina Museum of History, 5 E. Edenton St., Raleigh — 919-807-7900 or ncmuseumofhistory.org.

The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, 11 W. Jones St., Raleigh — 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[0xa0]age two and younger. Train rides additional $2.50 per person, ornithopter rides $1. 919-220-5429, www.ncmls.org.

Children’s Museum of Winston-Salem, 390 S. Liberty St. — Museum hours: 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, 1-5 p.m. Sunday. $6 adults and children. 336-723-9111 or childrensmuseumofws.org.