| The Salisbury Post

Novel details intrigues of Catherine the Great

Sunday, May 27, 2012 12:00 AM

“The Winter Place,” by Eva Stachniak. Bantam Books. 2012. $26. 440 pp.

By Arthur Steinberg

For the Salisbury Post

SALISBURY — “The Winter Palace” is a novel about the Russian Court of Peter the Great’s successor, Catherine I, and her need to perpetuate the Romanov dynasty — a dynasty lasting until 1917 and the second Russian Revolution.

Born in Poland, Eva Stachniak immigrated to Canada, working at Sheridan College and Radio Canada International.

Readers may question the atmosphere of the Russian Court and how Sophia evolves into Catherine the Great. Since the work is fiction, the author’s narrative permits the reader to enjoy a marvelous story based on history, void of academic restraints. However, Robert K. Masse’s wonderful rendition, “Catherine the Great,” provides the biography, footnotes and index lacking in Stachniak’s work of fiction.

Tsarina Elizabeth searches European royalty and finds Sophia Augusta Fredericka, a German princess of Anhalt-Zerbst, a small, fragmented piece of Germany. While her father objects to her going to Russia to marry the duke, her mother encourages her to enter the Russian Royal Court; her mother — Elizabeth Johanna, princess of Holstein-Gottrop. The novel describes numerous conflicts between Johanna, Sophia and the Tsarina Elizabeth.

Masse’s historic rendition, like Stachniak’s, traces Sophia’s journey and her travels through the imperial court including being forced to spy for the vice chancellor, Bestuzhev-Ryumin, who attempts to control foreign policy. During periods of conflict she asks to return to Germany and her family, but the anger passes. Her mother, before being dismissed, is instrumental in keeping Sophia in Russia. And despite her father’s wishes, she converts from Lutheranism to Russian Orthodoxy, joining the church and becoming head of church and state. Aware she cannot rule in German, she learns Russian and studies Russian culture.

Peter the Great is unable to sire a child, despite all attempts. The book describes his psychological and emotional state and how painful the marriage is to Duchess Sophia; the duke, Peter, plays with toy soldiers dressed in Prussian military uniforms, alienating the pro-Austrian court. His lack of desire to cooperate with Sophia in producing an heir to the throne causes consternation and Sophia is compelled to take some unusual steps. This lack of a Romanov successor is the driving force for the angst and its resolution is the central theme of the novel.

Sophia eventually has three children, but no one is certain as to paternity. Elizabeth takes control or possession of the children, and Sophia is denied the bond of mother and child, which will plague her later in life.

However, there is a sub-theme. The first is Ivan IV, who is condemned to confinement; he assumed the throne at 2 months of age and Elizabeth overthrew him. He was confined to Schlusselburg Fortress. The allegation was he was not mentally stable and therefore a danger to the Romanov Dynasty. He was placed under 24-hour guard and provided with toys, but no reading materials with which to exercise his mind. Catherine lived in the fear of his being freed to retake the crown.

The Tsarina, Elizabeth and Catherine II didn’t wish to dilute her royal authority, but had human desires. We are introduced to several men of all classes with whom they had relationships. Many reasons for the failure of Catherine II’s encounters are given; at the end of the affair, she endows most of her lovers with an estate and pension for life.

As a result, her emotional and psychological state rises and falls as the waves in the Neva. Since Sophia (Catherine II) experienced alienation and isolation during much of her time in court, she studied Russian, corresponded with members of the Enlightenment in France and several journeyed to Russia as her guest. As she evolves emotionally and intellectually from a German princess to a Russian duchess and empress, her mindset finds her new home’s geopolitical, political and intellectual interests. Her conviction for Russia led to the overthrow of Elizabeth and her Orthodox installation on the throne with the help of the palace guards and the Orlov family, one of whom who was her prime lover. Masse’s work carries one from the point of her inauguration as empress of all the Russian Empire.

The book is excellent reading.

Author Phyllis Keels nominated for book award

Sunday, May 27, 2012 12:00 AM

SALISBURY — Local author and Salisbury resident Phyllis Keels is a finalist of the Next Generation Indie Book Award for her book, “The Lady of Daldriada.” Keels was a finalist in the religious fiction category.

The Next Generation Indie Book Awards is a non-profit program that highlights indie books and publishers. Leaders within the industry identify and judge indie books. Each year four finalists and one winner are chosen in the religious fiction category.

“The Lady of Daldriada” is a Christian time-travel book and is the story of one woman’s journey and her faith in God. It is the first book in a three-part series. Keels has also written “Emma and the Paper,” which is for young children.

Keels has been writing for more than 20 years and specializes in Christian fantasy.

After the loss of her daughter in an automobile accident in March 2011, Keels began The Gifted Writer blog series. In her daily writings, she tells of how the Lord strengthens and comforts her as she grieves for her daughter. She makes these writings public in the prayer that they will comfort and encourage others who have also suffered loss.

Keels teaches Bible study several times a year at her church. She has recently developed a course called “The Author of the Spirit” for writers to help them recognize and embrace their gift of writing.

Keels’ books can be found locally at the Bible Book Store and Literary Bookpost. They can also be purchased online at Amazon.com.

For more information on Keels or her books, please visit www.phylliskeels.com.

Advice for freelancers

Jodi Helmer is a freelance writer and has been published in Plenty, Backpacker, Yoga Journal, Women’s Health, Hemispheres and ReadyMade. She has written three books — “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Green Careers,” “The Green Year: 365 Small Things You Can Do to Make a Big Difference” and “Moon Charlotte,” the first edition travel guidebook highlighting the best of the Queen City. Along with her writing, Helmer has a passion for coaching other writers.

She is offering an opportunity for writers who want to make some money. On June 2 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., she will teach a new class designed to share the secrets of freelancing success, called the “The $50,000 Freelancer: Strategies to Help Writers Boost Their Bottom Lines.” For $175, Helmer will describe the tools to become a freelance writer who makes money.

In this class, writers can learn the No. 1 reason they are not meeting their income goals with freelance writings; strategies for maximizing their research to make more money; tools for building a successful freelance business and more.

For more information, please visit her website at: www.jodihelmer.com or contact her by email at: jodi@jodihelmer.com.

Bestsellers

Sunday, May 27, 2012 12:00 AM

Rowan bestsellers

Literary Bookpost

1. Fifty Shades of Grey, by E.L. James.

2. Fifty Shades Darker, by E.L. James.

3. Fifty Shades Freed, by E.L. James.

4. Toward Peace: A Prayer for the Widowed, by Beverly Gordon.

5. Death at the White Camellia Orphanage, by Marly Youmans.

6. Deadlocked, by Charlaine Harris.

7. The Case of the Scaredy Cats, by Crosby Bonsall.

8. Leaves of Grass, by Walt Whitman.

9. The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald.

10. Defending Jacob, by William Landay.

Indiebound bestsellers

Fiction

1. In One Person, by John Irving.

2. Bring Up the Bodies, by Hilary Mantel.

3. Home, by Toni Morrison.

4. Calico Joe, by John Grisham.

5. Sacre Bleu, by Christopher Moore.

6. Deadlocked, by Charlaine Harris.

7. Stolen Prey, by John Sandford.

8. A Dance With Dragons, by George R.R. Martin.

9. The Sense of an Ending, by Julian Barnes.

10. The Wind Through the Keyhole, by Stephen King.

Nonfiction

1. The Passage of Power, by Robert A. Caro.

2. Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake, by Anna Quindlen.

3. Drift, by Rachel Maddow.

4. Wild, by Cheryl Strayed.

5. I Am a Pole (and So Can You!), by Stephen Colbert.

6. Are You My Mother? by Alison Bechdel.

7. Imagine, by Jonah Lehrer.

8. Prague Winter, by Madeleine Albright.

9. Unbroken, by Laura Hillenbrand.

10. End This Depression Now! by Paul Krugman.

'Fifty Shades' books now have fanfic of their own

Sunday, May 27, 2012 12:00 AM

NEW YORK (AP) — Not all that long ago E L James was Snowqueens Icedragon, cranking out her sexed-up “Twilight” fan fiction online.

Well, faster than you can shriek your safe word, her kinky “Fifty Shades of Grey” trilogy has fanfic of its very own in the same place where she first serialized her story under a different title.

“I’m immensely flattered, and it’s humbling to know my work is inspiring others to write,” James said in a statement less than three months after “Fifty Shades” was published by Vintage Books and climbed to the top of best-seller lists.

The writings range from parody to otherworldy to crossovers into other book worlds like “Harry Potter.” Some is barely discernible in style from James’ three — often the point in fanfic — advancing time or pushing it back with new imaginings of her story and characters.

Fan fiction for “Twilight” remains among the most popular at FanFiction.net, James’s former home, with nearly 200,000 contributions there, behind only Potter for books. The number for James’s three is growing, but still well under 50.

The irony of all of that hasn’t been lost on some of the writers and reviewers on FanFiction.net, the largest gathering place for largely anonymous fanfic writers. Asked one on the site: “How absurd is it to write fanfics OF fanfics?”

No more or less absurd than the concept of fan fiction, which stretches back at least to the early 1900s and the stories of Sherlock Holmes, said Anne Jamison, an English professor at the University of Utah who taught a unit on the “Twilight” fandom.

“There was fan fiction before you called it fan fiction,” she said, “and before there was copyright it was called writing.”

In more recent years but before the rise of the Internet, the early “Star Trek” series helped boost the popularity of fanfic. It exists today online for numerous TV shows, movies, comic books, plays and games, done in many genres and much of it with big fat disclaimers declaring it’s all just for fun.

When James was still back in “Twilight” fandom toiling on her “Master of the Universe,” beginning in mid-2009, she received anywhere from nearly 40,000 to nearly 60,000 comments on FanFiction.net. That’s an immense number then and now, propelling her stardom.

The London mother and TV producer eventually moved the story to its own website, reworked it with non-”Twilight” names and signed on with a small Australian company known for plucking and publishing fan fiction for e-book and print-on-demand hard copy.

Vintage, a literary imprint of Random House, snatched up the rights after the buzz began building, paying seven figures for the bondage erotica and leading James to a movie deal with Universal Pictures and Focus Features.

Sales for the trilogy are at 10 million and counting across formats, Vintage said Tuesday.

Jamison dived into the “Twilight” fandom with her students in the summer of 2010 at a time of derision for James in the community, largely over her crossing from the “just for fun” part to the cashing in part.

While it’s not unprecedented for writers to publish fanfic, “There is this whole network predicated on not having any sales,” Jamison said. “It was a huge rift in the fandom.”

To many fanfic writers, the point is to honor the original work, drawing on the existing characters and stories. It’s unclear whether telling the “Fifty Shades” story from the point of view of a tampon, as one fic does, is tribute or a not-so-subtle message for James.

Other “Fifty Shades” undertakings are written by fans who already miss the stories or just wanted to provide a laugh. Lucia Paul, writing as Nancy O’Toole, falls into the latter category with her “Fifty Shades of Flannel.”

The freelance writer in Minneapolis, a 49-year-old mom of two, has Anastasia Steele’s mother as protagonist in a Lanz nightgown as she galavants with the young, rich and hunky Christian Grey, cutting her sleepwear into sexy outfits for his pleasure.

“This beguiling satyr of a man! He knows the ways of Lanz: the ballooning illusion of comfort that hides a roiling sea of passion. So few understand. So few will ever know.”

Paul isn’t much of a “Twilight” fan and read only the first of James’s books. “Then I saw her on the ‘Today’ show and I liked her, but I still thought, ‘Gosh, I’ve got to make fun of this.’ I love writing humorous pieces.”

The “Fifty Shades” books chronicle the hyperactive sex life and love story of the damaged Grey and the innocent Steele from her perspective, soon after they meet when she interviews him for her college newspaper.

“I’m learning how to write naughty. It’s not so easy. You have to break down your own shield. You have to open yourself up to write naughty,” said 60-something aspiring fiction writer Nancy Hartmann in Gillette, N.J. Her “50 plus 15” story has Grey seducing one of his teen daughter’s teachers.

Some of the people reading and creating “Fifty Shades” fanfic haven’t read the books, or have barely read the first one but appreciate the stories as an extension of their true love, the four-book “Twilight” series by Stephenie Meyer.

The rapid publication of all three “Fifty Shades” books has other fans in withdrawal and seeking more — even if it’s not the real deal.

Sara Eberhart, a 22-year-old college student in Athens, Ga., considers herself a “Fifty Shades” fan, with qualifications, and is also following a few of the stories on FanFiction.net.

“James’s writing style is weak and pedestrian and there can be much improvement and I think that’s what all of the fanfic writers are sensing and consequently writing their own version of,” said Eberhart, who hopes to be a published author someday.

“But when I do start trying,” she added, “it won’t be my fanfic that I would be sending out to publishers.”

New summer exhibit at Waterworks

Thursday, May 24, 2012 12:00 AM

Waterworks’ new summer exhibition, “With a Discerning Eye: Realism to Abstraction,” is on display through August 11. Art from five regional artists challenges viewers to look beyond the obvious and to deepen their understanding of the realism in abstraction and the abstraction in realism. The opening reception is on Friday, June 1. Informal gallery talks with exhibiting artists begins at 5 p.m. followed by the reception from 6-8 p.m., all free and open to the public.

Gallery hours are Monday, Wednesday and Friday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday 10 a.m.- p.m. and Saturday 11 a.m.-3 p.m.,

For information, call 704-636-1882 or go to www.waterworks.org

Arts and entertainment briefs

Thursday, May 24, 2012 12:00 AM

On Sunday, June 3 at 1 p.m., the Rowan Museum will open the exhibit honoring the life and service of Salisbury’s own Elizabeth Hanford Dole, showcasing one of Salisbury’s most prominent and revered citizens.

The exhibit, entitled “Elizabeth Hanford Dole: Home Town Girl—Public Servant—World Citizen,” will reflect on her early life in Salisbury, her education, her career in the U.S. Government with the Federal Trade Commission, the Departments of Transportation and Labor, the U.S. Senate, and her years with the American Red Cross.

Her service to the community, state and nation will be exemplified in several rooms with exhibits and displays featuring her personal artifacts. Mrs. Dole will attend the opening reception which will be held in the Messinger Room on the second floor of the Museum. The exhibit and the reception is open to the public.

The Rowan Museum, 202 N. Main St., is open Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and on Saturday and Sunday afternoons 1-4 p.m. Call 704-633-5946 or email rowanmuseum@fibrant.com for details.

15th annual recital

Steppin’ Out Dance Company will present “Magical Mystery Tour”, their 15th annual dance recital tonight, Thursday, May 24, at 6:30 p.m. in Keppel Auditorium at Catawba College. The show is free of charge and open to the public.

The production is a musical, magical journey with fancy footwork provided by all age groups. The Mini, Junior, and Senior Performing Companies will be featured in colorful spectacle entitled “Cirque du Soleil.” For more information, contact Steppin’ Out Dance at 704-637-1222.

Gold Hill Bike Ride

GOLD HILL — Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 26 for the 13th annual Group Gold Hill Bike Ride, and the 50 or 100K ride begins at 9 a.m. Registration is $25 and includes lunch at the Arbor in Historic Gold Hill beginning at noon. Entrants may register that morning.

Ride highlights include the Alco-Hardaway site, Badin Lake, Lake Tillery, PeeDee River, Badin Museum, Misenheimer Springs, Morrow Mountain, and Dr. Kron’s House.

Please note that an ANSI/SNELL approved helmet must be worn at all times on the course.

For additional information contact Darrius Hedrick at darriushedrick@yahoo.com

Salisbury Ghost Walk

Tomorrow evening, Friday, May 25, the popular Salisbury Ghost Walk takes place at 8 p.m. Adult tickets are $10 and students are $5. Meet at 130 W. Innes St. Make your reservations at 704-213-4232 or boo@salisburyghostwalk.com

New Rail Walk exhibit

Rail Walk Studios & Gallery’s exhibit, “A Round Paris,” opens today, May 24, and runs through Saturday, July 28. Showing in the North Gallery is “Round,” an exhibit in which Rail Walk artists explore “the round.” In the South Gallery, the artists explore themes of Paris.

There will be special activities on Friday, June 22 from 5-9 p.m. as part of Downtown Salisbury’s first annual Arts Night Out.

Rail Walk hours are 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Thursday through Saturday at 409 N.Lee St., 704-431-8964, www.railwalkgallery.com

Paint a tie for Dad

Children age 6 and up can paint a silk tie for Father’s Day at Salisbury Art Station. This will take about an hour and 30 minutes to prep and dye these personalized creations. We are using dye so please keep this in mind when sending your child to this workshop and dress appropriately.

Class times are•June 14 from 4 -5:30 p.m.•June 15 from 10-11:30 a.m. and 4-5:30 p.m.•June 16 from 10-11:30 a.m. Tie pick-up is Saturday after 3 p.m. The cost is $35 and preregistration and prepayment are due by June 1.

SAS is located at the Salisbury Train Depot, 215 Depot St., 704-754-0853, www.salisburyartstation.com

Juneteenth vendors

The two day community event benefits the Back-to-School 2012 school supply giveaway. Vendor fee for both days is only $55; deadline June 7. Call Sherry Hawthorne 704-499-1197 or Walillian White 704-637-6528.

Free films

CONCORD — The next film in the Modern Film Fest at the Davis series is next Thursday, May 31, at 7 p.m.

“Pig” is a mystery sci-fi thriller about a man who awakes with amnesia in the desert and undertakes a search for his past. The film can be seen at Concord’s historic courthouse, 65 Union St. S, 704-920-2787.

Modern Film Fest at the Davis is the series sponsors free screenings of independent films, www.CabarrusArtsCouncil.org

New Pottery 101 class

Registration begins today (May 24) for the June 12-Aug. 8 adult class at Pottery 101.

All classes will feature hand-building and wheel techniques. Students are not obligated to do both but both processes will be demonstrated and available for exploration. There will be no class the week of July 4.

Space is limited and classes fill up quickly. Class times are Wednesday mornings, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and Tuesday or Wednesday evenings, 6:30-9 p.m. Cost is $200 which includes one 25# bag of clay, 8 classes and five hours of extra studio time. Additional studio time may be purchased for $5/hour. All tools and supplies will be provided.

Visit www.pottery-101.com, email pottery101nc @gmail.com or call 704-209-1632.

Memorial celebration

The 93rd anniversary Memorial Week Celebration at the J.C. Price American Legion Post begins this weekend at 1433 Old Wilkesboro Road.

On Saturday at 8 a.m. a memorial service will be held at the National Cemetery, followed by breakfast at VFW 30069, 1200 Brenner Ave. On Saturday evening the Ladies’ Auxiliary sponsors a dance at 9 p.m.

On Monday, May 28 is a 10 a.m. memorial service at Brenner Ave. Cemetery, VA Medical Center and at 6:30 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday is a Gospel Fest on Post grounds with emcee Roland Carter.

There will be a dance held on Wednesday through Saturday evenings at 9 p.m. Rides on the midway will be open Wednesday, May 30 through Sunday, June 3. No alcoholic beverages are allowed on Post grounds. For more information on the celebration, call 704-636-2950.

Discovery Place summer hours

CHARLOTTE — Discovery Place will extend hours during the summer season. From Saturday, May 26—Monday, September 3 Discovery Place will be open • Monday-Friday: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. • Saturday: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. • Sunday: noon-5 p.m.

Discovery Place is located in uptown Charlotte at 301 N. Tryon St. For more information call 704-372-6261 or visit discoveryplace.org

Thomas at Tweetsie

BLOWING ROCK— All aboard as Thomas the Tank Engine™ chugs through the Blue Ridge Mountains. There will be photo opportunities, storytelling and children’s activities in the Imagination Station from June 1-10.

Starting June 1, Tweetsie Railroad is open seven days. NC’s first theme park features live shows, amusement rides, concerts, a three-mile Wild West steam locomotive adventure. Tweetsie.com, 877-893-3874.

Bret Michaels in Hickory

HICKORY — The Main Cellar City Club presents an evening with Bret Michaels on Monday, May 28. Michaels was renowmed in the 1980s with his band Poison, his solo efforts during the first half of the 2000s, and later a reality TV star.Tickets are $50 at ticketweb.com. Doors open at 6 p.m., show starts at 7 p.m. The Main Cellar City Club is located at 332 1st Ave. SW, Hickory, 828-345-6246.

Chesney and McGraw in Charlotte

CHARLOTTE — Kenny Chesney and Tim McGraw’s Brothers of the Sun Tour features special guests Grace Potter and the Nocturnals and Jake Owen.

The show is Sunday, June 24 at Bank of America Stadium. Tickets are on sale now at all Ticketmaster locations, charge by phone 1-800-745-3000 or charge online at www.ticketmaster.com

Roundabout: What's happening

Thursday, May 24, 2012 12:00 AM

Festivals

JC Price Post 107 Memorial Week celebration — May 25-June 3: 1433 Old Wilkesboro Road•Saturday: 8 a.m memorial service at National Cemetery, followed by breakfast at VFW 3006• Monday: 10 a.m. memorial service at Brenner Ave. Cemetery, VA Medical Center; 6:30 p.m. Gospel Fest • Tuesday: 6:30 p.m. Gospel Fest • Wednesday: 9 p.m. dance with deejay Osborne • Thursday: 9 p.m. dance with deejay K Connor • Friday: 9 p.m. dance with deejay Neak • Saturday: 9 p.m. dance with deejay Woody Wood • Rides on the midway May 30-June 3 • 704-636-2950.

First-Responders Day festival — 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Saturday, June 9: to honor police, EMS, fire department and other first responders with a roasted pig, bouncy house, bluegrass band and other fun stuff. NorthGate Church, 1255 West Ridge Road, 704-633-7063.

88th Old Time Fiddler’s and Bluegrass Festival, Fiddler’s Grove — May 25-27: Music competitions, workshops, storytelling, clogging, food, dancing. Tickets $50, youth $25. www.fiddlersgrove.com

Local musician and group open at Carowinds’ Joyfest — 7 p.m., Saturday, May 26: local musician Timika Peterson and The Few Chosen & Stereo, is the opening band at JoyFest 2012, Carowinds Theme Park, Carowinds Paladium, www.joyfest.org

18th Wayne C. Henderson Music Festival — 10:30 a.m.-7 p.m., Saturday, June 16: Music festival and guitar competition features bluegrass band the Gibson Brothers, Doc Watson, Charles Welch, the Water Tower Bucket Boys, Larnell Starkey and the Spiritual Seven, Dori Freeman, and Wayne Henderson and Friends. Twenty guitarists compete for Henderson guitar, children’s activities. Rain or shine, Grayson Highlands State Park, U.S. 58, Mouth of Wilson, Va. Concessions available. $10, free for 12 and younger, $3 parking. www.waynehenderson.org, www.dcr.virginia.gov/state_parks/gra.shtml.

Theater

Old Courthouse Theatre presents ‘Crimes of the Heart’ — 8 p.m., June 14, 15, 16 and 2:30 p.m., June 17. Pulitzer Prize winning dark comedy. Tickets $20, includes hors d’oeuvres, dessert, wine tasting. (Wine tasting for Thur/Fri/Sat evening performances only). 49 Spring Street NW, 704 788-2405, www.oldcourthousetheatre.org

Old Courthouse Youth Theatre presents ‘Alice in Wonderland’ — 7:30 p.m., June 21-22 and 2:30 p.m., June 23-24. Non-Disney version. Tickets $15. 49 Spring Street NW, 704 788-2405, www.oldcourthousetheatre.org

George Hamilton in ‘La Cage Aux Folles’ at the Blumenthal — May 29-June 3: also starring Christopher Sieber. Tickets $20-$99.50. Belk Theater at Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, 130 North Tryon St., Charlotte. 704-372-1000, BlumenthalArts.org

Lee Street Theatre presents its fourth annual Ten-Minute Original Play Festival — 7:30 p.m., June 6-9: “Six Feet Under” directed by Justin Dionne. World premiere of six original ten-minute comedic plays dealing with the subject of death. Looking Glass Artist Collective, 704-754-2321, 405 N. Lee St., www.leestreet.org

Music & more

8th Annual Pops at the Post — Beginning at sunset Saturday, June 2, Salisbury Post loading dock, S. Church St. (rain venue: Keppel Auditorium, Catawba College)

Harrah’s Cherokee Event Center — • k.d. lang, June 2• Foreigner, June 8•Sheryl Crow, June 24 • Gary Allan Country Throwdown Tour, July 14• Deejay Pauly D, July 20. Harrah’s Cherokee Event Center, 777 Casino Drive, Cherokee. www.ticketmaster.com or 800-745-3000.

‘An Evening of A Cappella’ at Burning Coal Theatre’s MusiCoal Summer Concert Series — 7 p.m., Sunday, May 27: $10, with Cognitive Resonance, Second Shift, and Transit. At the Murphey School, 224 Polk Street, Raleigh, 919-834-4001, www.burningcoal.org

Chesney and McGraw in Charlotte — Sunday, June 24: Kenny Chesney, Tim McGraw in Brothers of the Sun Tour, Bank of America Stadium. Ticketmaster locations, 1-800-745-3000 or www.ticketmaster.com

This & That

Salisbury Ghost Walk Friday night — 8 p.m., Friday, May 25, adults $10, students $5, Meet at 130 W. Innes St., reservations/ information 704-642-1734, boo@salisburyghostwalk.com

13th annual Group Gold Hill bike ride — Registration begins 7:30 a.m., Saturday, May 26; 50 or 100K ride begins at 9 a.m. $25 registration $25 lunch at Arbor in Historic Gold Hill. Entrants may register that morning.darriushedrick@yahoo.com

D-Day Remembrance — 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Saturday, June 2: The Price of Freedom Musuem and ‘A’ Company of the CMVPA honor all Veterans of American wars: Neil Wilkerson sings the national anthem, SRHS ROTC Color Guard, recognition of all Vets. Military vehicles and helicopters on display, military weapons and war related memorabilia, VA mobile unit on site, free gift for all Vets. Food available. Price of Freedom Museum, intersection of Patterson and Weaver Roads (2420 Weaver Road) China Grove. www.pricoffreedom.us

Faith Fourth of July Parade entries — Applications now being accepted, call James, Sylvia or Pam Alexander at 704-279-2256. Deadline June 18. For Faith Idol entry information, see Call for Musicians.

Presto! Magic Camp — 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., June 11-15: Magic apprenticeship for children ages 8-80 years interested in learning and performing tricks and skills of a magician. Looking Glass Artists Center’s black box theatre, 405 N. Lee St.; bring a bag lunch. 15 students only, $125 registration includes all materials. 704-633-2787, salisburyartists@ gmail.com, www.salisburyartists. com

NSSA member-authors booksigning — 2-4 p.m., Sunday, June 10: Bob Harris, Mark Johnson, Dave Ungrady, Doug Segrest, Craig Greenlee•Super bowl rings, try them on in conjunction with book signing. Jostens displays 28 rings created for National Football League Super Bowl champions. Literary Bookpost, 110 S. Main St., NSSA at www.nssafame.com, 704-633-4275.

Historic Salisbury narrated trolley tour — 11 a.m. Saturdays, April through Oct. Tours begin/end at Visitor’s Center, 204 E. Innes St. $8 for adults, children 4 to 10 $5, under 4 free. 704-638-3100, www.visitsalisburync.com

Kannapolis Movies in the Park — 8:45 p.m., Friday, May 25: “Dolphin Tale” (PG) • Musician Matt Minchew opens at 7:30 p.m., Village Park, www.cityofkannapolis. com/summerevents

Music and lunch at Thursdays on Main — 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m., VeteransPark, downtown Kannapolis; today, May 24: Soundbarrier Band, lunch on site from Old Stone Vino•Thursday, May 31: Baylor Drive Band, lunch on site from Sweet Pickle Bakery. www.cityofkannapolis. com/summerevents

Fundraisers

‘Another Year, Another Leg’ fundraiser for Drew Hastings — 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Friday, May 25: Port-a-pit chicken plates, dine in or carry out, delivery for 10 or more. First Baptist Church, 223 North Fulton St., Salisbury, 704-640-7939 or 704-957-7011.

Vendor fair/craft sale benefitevents — 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Saturday, May 26 at Unity United Methodist Church, 8505 Unity Church Road, Kannapolis, to benefit the Witherspoon family that lost everything in a house fire. Craft vendors, food, 50/50 raffle, silent auction, more.

Juneteenth — 9 a.m.-8 p.m., Saturday, June 16 and 1-6 p.m. Sunday, June 17: Two day community event benefits Back-to-School 2012 school supply giveaway. Radio 92.7 FM with Stacy Blackman to broadcast live from Kelsey-Scott Park.

Night Life

The Blue Vine, 209 S. Main St. — 9-midnight, Friday, May 25: Divided By Four, $5 cover • No music Saturday night, it’s a holiday weekend! 704-797-0093, www.theblue vine.com

Buckshots Live Music Venue, 5658 S. Main St. — •Thursday (tonight), Uncle Buck’s All American Pub hosts D.B. Bryant at Innes Street for an acoustic show •Friday, Mike Short Jr. and Statewide (country band) • Sunday, D.B. Bryant. Call for show times: 704-856-0227.

DJ’s, 1502 W. Innes St., — 8:30 p.m., Thursday, Friday, Saturday: Live music. 704-638-9647, www.DJsRestaurant.com

ethos southern bistro and martini bar, 118 N. Main St. — Live music every Friday, Saturday beginning 10 p.m. •Friday, May 25: Bryan Thompson Band• Saturday, May 26: Justin Dionne and Andrew Hodges. No cover. 704-639-2600, www. ethosdining.com

Fat Jack’s Pub, 120 Military Ave. — 8 p.m., Friday, Saturday night: Karaoke. 704-638-8996.

The Fuel Depot Bar and Grill, 2168 Statesville Blvd. — •Tuesday, Open Mic •Wednesday, World Tavern Poker• Thursday, 8 ball tournament, deejay/ karaoke with Cherokee•Friday jam session with Monkey Wrench (free).

The Loft at Benchwarmers, 113 E. Fisher St. — Saturday, May 26:Rock/Experimental/powerpop with The Alarm Clock Conspiracy • Headliner: Yadkin River Theory. Doors open 9 p.m. $5 cover. www.reverbnation.com/ venue/theloftbenchwarmers

Rick’s BBQ and Grill, 929 S. Main St. — 7 p.m., tonight, May 24: Karaoke performance by Donna James• Bike Night 6-9 p.m. Mondays• Cruise-in 6-9 p.m. Tuesdays• Karaoke 7-close Friday-Saturdays. 704-642-0050.

Spencer Buffet, 1205 N. Salisbury Ave., Spencer — 6 p.m., Wednesdays: karaoke. 704-633-1200.

E.H. Montgomery General Store — Friday Night Bluegrass 6-10 p.m., open jam begins at 8 p.m. Historic Village of Gold Hill, www.HistoricGoldHill.com, Facebook at Historic Gold Hill, North Carolina, 704-267-9439.

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

The Evening Muse, 3227 N. Davidson St., NoDa Arts District, Charlotte — Friday, May 25: Stephanies id with Grown Up Avenger Stuff• Saturday, May 26: The Spiveys with The Fishing Journal. CarolinaTix, 1-800-594-TIXX, 704-372-1000, www.theeveningmuse.com

The Double Door Inn, 1218 Charlottetown Ave., Charlotte —Friday, May 25: The Aristocrats featuring Guthrie Govan, Brian Beller, Marco Minnemann with Hipshack• Saturday, May 26: Tacky Party 2012 - Doomsday Edition With The Woggles, Mike Strauss Trio. CarolinaTix or 1-800-594-TIXX or 704-372-1000, www.doubledoorinn.com

Neighborhood Theatre, 511 East 36th St., Charlotte — Friday, May 25: HRVRD w/House of Fools, Little Bull Lee, RBTS Win • Saturday, May 26: Blaze the Stage. www.neighborhoodtheatre.com

The Visulite, 1615 Elizabeth Ave., Charlotte — Friday, May 25: Mama's Love• Saturday, May 26: Ancient Cities, Hello Handshake. CarolinaTix, 1-800-594-TIXX, 704-358-9200, www.visulite.com

Classes

Adult class at Pottery 101 — 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Wednesdays and 6:30-9 p.m. Tuesday or Wednesday evenings, June 12-Aug. 8 (no class week of July 4). All classes feature hand-building and wheel techniques, students not obligated to both but both processes will be demonstrated and available. Limited space, registration begins May 24. $200 includes 25# bag of clay, 8 classes and 5 hours of extra studio time. Additional studio time $5/hour. Pottery 101, 704-209-1632, pottery101nc@gmail.com, www.pottery-101.com

Summer ARTventures classes at Waterworks — Register now for Summer ARTventures classes. Visit www.waterworks.org to download brochure and registration forms or pick up during gallery hours. Variety of classes for kids aged 4 and up. Class sizes are limited. 123 E. Liberty St., 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

Father's Day Tie Painting at Salisbury Art Station — Paint a silk tie Father’s Day; we are using dye so dress children appropriately; for ages 6 and up. $35, must register and pre-pay by June 1. Located at Salisbury Train Depot, 215 Depot St., 704-754-0853, www.salisburyartstation.com

Children’s clay classes at Pottery 101 — For ages 6-14. $35 per class includes instruction, materials, firing. Payment due minimum three days in advance. 10a.m.-noon • May 26: Clay Whistles • Pottery 101, 704-209-1632, pottery101nc@gmail. com, www.pottery-101.com

Mind aerobics art class — 2-4 p.m., Mondays and Fridays, taught by artist Robert Toth: An introduction to drawing, pastel and sculpture. $10 per two-hour session. Rufty Holmes Senior Center, call 704-279-9301.

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. Lessons include papier mache animals, mask making, watercolor painting basics, observational and gesture drawing, printmaking, handmade paper and bookmaking, collage, clay, weaving, your requests. $15/hour, $10 each additional child. 413-884-4499 for appointment. Studio at Rail Walk Gallery, 409 N. Lee St. Email: ingridaerickson@yahoo.com with questions. Rail Walk Gallery, 409 N. Lee St.

Shag dance classes — Four-week sessions each monthat High Rock Boat & Ski Club, China Grove Methodist Church. Instructors are pro division dancers in Competitive Shag Association (carolinashaglessons.com). Available: Beginner, Beginner II, Intermediate/Advanced. $10/person; Contact Tobitha 704-202-9655 or tstewartrealtor@gmail.com; David or Diane Harrington 704-279-6168.

Zumba fitness — •6:30 p.m. Tuesdays, First Baptist Church of Salisbury in old YMCA gym on Fulton St. •6 p.m. Thursdays, $3 per person, St. Matthews Church in Salisbury •6 p.m., Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Christ United Methodist Church, Hwy 150, o2bamom@att.net for details.

Classical Method of Oils Painting with Patt — Beginner or intermediate ongoing classes Tuesdays 1-3 p.m., 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.PattLegg. 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.

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 Fridays. Friday, May 25: Bingo. 1908 Statesville Blvd, Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, no joining fee, donations appreciated, covered dish.

Film

NC Rowan County Anime Group shows film — 6-8:30 p.m., Wednesday, May 30: “Neon Genesis Evagelion,” Rowan Public Library Hurley Room. Note: this anime series is rated for mature viewing only. Not for young kids. www.groups.yahoo.com/group/ NCRowanCountyanime/

Modern Film Fest at the Davis — Free screenings of independent films • Thursday, May 31, 7 p.m.: “Pig,” a mystery sci-fi thriller about a man who awakes with amnesia in the desert and undertakes a search for his past • Davis Theatre, 65 Union Street S., 704-920-2787, wwww.CabarrusArtsCouncil.org, www.modernfilmfest.com

Call for vendors

New lower vendor fee at Juneteenth, Kelsey Scott Park — June 16-17: Two day community event benefits Back-to-School 2012 school supply giveaway. Two-day vendor fee $55. Deadline June 7. Call Sherry Hawthorne 704-499-1197 or Walillian White 704-637-6528.

Biker Blues Rally — Second Annual Tilley Harley-Davidson Biker Blues BBQ Rally and Kansas City BBQ Society sanctioned cook-off, Sept. 20-22: now accepting vendor applications. See www.bikerbluesbbqrally.com under forms for more information, contact Gary Moss 704-638-6044 or info@bikerbluesbbqrally.com

27th Hickory Oktoberfest — Now accepting applications for arts and crafts vendors for Oct. 12-14 event. 10x10 booth spaces, one craftsperson per booth. Early registration postmarked by Aug. 1: $100. Regular registration through Sept. 1: $150. Applications at www.hickoryoktoberfest.com

Call for parade entries

Call for musicians

Faith Idol contest — Entries now being accepted for Faith Idol contest. Age categories: 12 and under, 13-18, 19 and up (adult). This event is held during the Faith Fourth of July celebration. 704-279-2256 for more information. Deadline June 18. For parade entry information, see This and That.

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

Home and garden

Davidson County Master Gardener 8th annual Garden Tour — Saturday, June 2, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sunday, June 3, 1-5 p.m. “All Around the Town,” five private gardens within Lexington city limits. Tickets on sale days of the tour at the Agriculture Center, 301 E. Center plus a tour of the MG Demonstration Gardens. $10 per ticket, good both days. 336-906-7710, www.davidson.ces. ncsu.edu.

Art

Local art at Tastebuds — Featuring artists Rachel Lee, Sharon Forthofer, Lisa Flippin, Phyllis Stiemel, Barbara Duffy, Norma Owen, Joyce Cavanagh-Wood. Free, open to the public May-June, Monday-Friday 7 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Tastebuds Coffee & Tea, 106 N. Main St., 704-245-4134.

Rail Walk Studios and Gallery, 409 N. Lee St. — “A Round Paris,” opens today, May 24, runs through July 28 • North Gallery: “Round,” Rail Walk artists explore “the round” • South Gallery, themes of Paris. Special activitiesFriday, June 22, 5-9 p.m. as part of Downtown Salisbury’s first annual Arts Night Out. Rail Walk gallery hours Thursday-Saturday 11 a.m.-4 p.m. 704-431-8964, www.railwalkgallery.com

Waterworks Visual Arts Center, 123 E. Liberty St. — • Summer Exhibition – With a Discerning Eye: Realism to Abstraction, May 19-Aug. 11; Artwork from five regional artists challenge the viewer to look beyond the obvious, to deepen their understanding of the realism in abstraction and the abstraction in realism. Opening reception Friday, June 1. Informal gallery talks with exhibiting artists at 5 p.m. followed by reception from 6-8 p.m. • Free admission, donations appreciated. 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

Exhibits at SECCA — • Paperless • Light and Space: The Sculpture of Stanislav Libenský and Jaroslava Brychtová • Tracey Snelling: Woman on the Run. Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art, 750 Marguerite Drive, Winston-Salem. 336-725-1904, www.secca.org

Mint Museum of Art, 2730 Randolph Road, Charlotte — Threads of Identity: Contemporary Maya Textiles•The Transformed Self: Performance Masks of Mexico•The Shape of Life: Contemporary Native American Ceramics•Fashionable Silhouettes, all through through Dec. 31. Celebrating Queen Charlotte's Coronation through Oct. 28. 704-337-2000. www.mintmuseum.org

Mint Museum Uptown at Levine Center for the Arts, 500 South Tryon St., Charlotte — Fairytales, Fantasy, & Fear through July 8•Colorbind: The Emily and Zach Smith Collection through Aug. 12• Matthew Weinstein through Aug. 18. 704-337-2000. www.mintmuseum.org

Reynolda House Museum of American Art, 2250 Reynolda Road, Winston-Salem — Project See Yesterday Today uses QR codes in eight locations; scan with smartphone, see web page with archival information and image about location. Through Aug. 5. reynoldahouse.org/ seeyesterday •Exhibits: A Genius for Place through Aug. 5•Modern Masters from the Smithsonian American Art Museum through Dec. 31. House, gardens, village feature public garden, dining, shopping, walking trails. 336-758-5150, reynoldahouse.org

The North Carolina Pottery Center, 233 E. Ave., Seagrove — Permanent exhibition: traces NC pottery from pre-historic Native American work through 21st century. 336-873-8430, www.ncpotterycenter.org

Trips

Two YMCA Trips —• Billy Graham trip, Tuesday, June 12: Leave 9:30 a.m., return 4 p.m. $10 per person. Lunch at cafeteria • Cauble Creek Vineyard trip, Wednesday, June 27: Leave 12:30 p.m., return 2 p.m. $10 per person. Buses leave from J.F. Hurley Family YMCA, 828 W Jake Alexander Blvd., Louise Klaver, 704-636-0111, lklaver@ rowanymca.com, www.rowan ymca.com

Parks

Dan Nicholas Park, 6800 Bringle Ferry Rd. — Paddle boats, miniature golf, miniature trains, carousel, gem mine, playgrounds, family camping, picnic shelters, splash pad, petting zoo. 704-216-7800. www.dannicholas.net

Ellis Park, 3541 Old Mocksville Road — 26 acres of ball fields, tennis courts, volleyball court, shelters, playground, event center, walking trail. 704-216-7783.

Sloan Park, 550 Sloan Road, Mt. Ulla — Off NC Hwy 150 approximately 10 miles west of Salisbury. Features Kerr Mill, an 1823 grist mill.

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

Gold Hill Rail Trail — Hiking, biking trail begins at Gold Hill Mines Historic Park, continues into Cabarrus County. 704-267-9439.

Dunn’s Mountain Nature and History Preserve, 1640 Dunn’s Mtn. Road — Trail walks, overlooks, see 120 miles in most directions, blacksmith shop display, Saturday-Sunday shuttle service, 704-216-7803.

Tweetsie Railroad, Blowing Rock — June 1-10: Thomas the Tank Engine™ photo opportunites, storytelling, children’s activities in the Imagination Station. Open Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, Memorial Day Monday. Starting June 1 open 7 days. Tweetsie.com, 877-893-3874.

Museums

N.C. Transportation Museum, 411 S. Salisbury Ave., Spencer — • June 2 - 3: Great Southeastern Rail Days Festival. Visitors can ride the rails aboard three different passenger trains, including the Flagg 75 Steam Engine Caboose Train; event also includes 30th anniversary celebration of the Southern Railway Merger with the Norfolk & Western. Games, magic, music, fun • See www.nctrans.org for details, also 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. — Black History exhibit “Back in the Day.” Coming June 3 at 1 p.m., opening of exhibit honoring the life and service of Salisbury’s Elizabeth Hanford Dole, entitled “Elizabeth Hanford Dole: Home Town Girl--Public Servant--World Citizen,” Mrs. Dole will attend the opening reception. 704-633-5946. rowanmuseum@ fibrant. com, www.rowanmuseum.org

Utzman-Chambers House, 116 S. Jackson St. — Artifacts of the late Honorable Spruce Macay (1755–1808), 704-633-5946.

Old Stone House, Granite Quarry —Two-story Georgian stone house completed in 1766. 704-633-5946, www.rowanmuseum.org

Dr. Josephus Hall House, 226 S. Jackson St. — 1820 house museum, costumed docents provide tours. 704-636-0103.

Historic Rockwell Museum, 102 E. Main St. — Tours and info, 704-279-4979.

Price of Freedom Museum, Old Patterson School building, China Grove — American war memorial dedicated to men and women of the armed services. Intersection of Weaver and Patterson Roads, 704-857-7474, www.priceoffreedom.us

China Grove Roller Mill Museum — Operated by Historical Society of South Rowan, 704-433-3912. www.hist-society-srowan.com

NC Music Hall of Fame Museum, 109 West A Street, Kannapolis — Honors musicians, singers, songwriters and producers from North Carolina. In the renovated old Kannapolis Jailhouse Building. 704-934-2320, www.NorthCarolinaMusicHallofFame.org

Historic Gold Hill,NC/Gold Hill Mines Historic Park — 19th century living history interpretative displays reflect life in the 1800s gold mining boom town. 704-267-9439, www.HistoricGoldHill. com

Reed Gold Mine historic site, 9621 Reed Mine Road, off Highway 200 near Locust — Museum, visitor center, underground mine tour, operating stamp mill, panning area. 704-721-4653, www.nchistoricsites.org/reed/

Fort Dobbs State Historic Site, 438 Fort Dobbs Road, Statesville — The only North Carolina Historic Site associated with the French and Indian War (1754-1763) or Seven Years War. 704-873-5882, www.fortdobbs.org

Reynolda House Museum, 2250 Reynolda Road, Winston-Salem — House, gardens and village feature public garden, dining, shopping,walking trails. Project See Yesterday Today uses QR codes in eight locations; when scanned with a smartphone, see web page with archival information and an image about the location. Through Aug. 5, reynoldahouse.org/seeyesterday 336-758-5150, reynoldahouse.org

Living History Weekend at Historic Latta Plantation, 5225Sample Road, Huntersville — 10 a.m.-4 p.m., May 26, 1-4 p.m. May 27: Celebrate 200+ years of history. All proceeds support site programming. Historical reenactors from Revolutionary and Civil Wars, tea parties on the grounds, games, crafts, dancing around maypole, panning for gold, open-hearth cooking, blacksmithing, spinning, weaving, tours of the Latta home and outbuildings, farm animals, honeybee exhibit, purchase a hot meal. 704-875-2312, lattaplantation.org

Historic Rosedale Plantation, 3427 N. Tryon St., Charlotte — Civil War National Register Federal house circa 1815. historicrose dale.org

Discovery Place, Charlotte, 301 N. Tryon St., Charlotte, — Summer hours: May 26-Sept. 3 • Monday-Friday: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. • Saturday: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. • Sunday: noon-5 p.m. Where science amazes, educates and entertains: World Alive encompasses aquarium, learning labs, rainforest • Think It Up, a multi-sensory world of color, light, sound and creation • In Project Build, explore the design behind everything from forts to pyramids to skyscrapers • In Cool Stuff you learn the why of science • Discovery 3D Theatre: glasses required to experience the latest in digital filmmaking and state-of-the-art sound • 704-372-6261, www.discoveryplace.org

Discovery Place KIDS Huntersville, 105 Gilead Road — Free with Museum admission.$8 for adults and children age one and older/children younger than age one free. 704-372-6261, discoveryplace KIDS.org

Charlotte Nature Museum, 1658 Sterling Road, Charlotte — 704-372-6261, charlottenaturemuseum.org

Charlotte Museum of History, 3500 Shamrock Drive, Charlotte — Civil War Exhibit: Liberty on the Border. Travel through timeline with educational stations. 704-568-1774, www.charlottemuseum.org

Town Creek Indian Mound’s 75th anniversary, Mount Gilead — NC’s only state historic site dedicated to American Indian heritage. Located on Town Creek Mound Road approx. five miles east of Mt. Gilead, between NC 73 and NC 731. 910-439-6802, towncreek@ncdcr.gov, www.towncreek.nchistoricsites.org

Old Salem, Winston-Salem — Faithfully preserved buildings, costumed interpreters, craftsmen, Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts, award-winning historical garden and horticultural programs. 336-721-7300, www.oldsalem.org

NC Museum of Art, 2110 Blue Ridge Road, Raleigh —•El Anatsui: When I Last Wrote to You about Africa through July 29•Rhythms of the Heart: The Illustration of Ashley Bryan through Aug. 19•Reflections: Portraits by Beverly McIver through June 24 •Presence/Absence throughMay 27•John James Audubon’s The Birds of America, ongoing • Free general admission. Charge for some concerts, films, classes, performances. www.ncartmuseum.org

Contemporary Art Museum, 409 W. Martin St., Raleigh — •Chris Bradley Close One through May 28 • José Lerma The Credentialist through Sept. 2•919-513-0946, camraleigh.org

NC Museum of History, 5 E. Edenton St., Raleigh — Explore more than 14,000 years of the state’s history• At the Speed of a Girl, Celebrating 100 Years of Girl Scouting, through July 29. Across from the State Capitol. 919-807-7900, ncmuseumofhistory.org or Facebook

NC Museum of Natural Sciences, 11 W. Jones St., Raleigh —Four floors of live animals, hands-on activities, programs: look at the natural world through NC’s geography, prehistoric past, geology, plants, animals. 919-733-7450, www.naturalsciences. org

NC Museum of Life and Science, 433 Murray Ave., Durham — Indoors: Sit inside a real Apollo Space Capsule, explore a full-scale Lunar Lander, touch a 13-foot tornado, see more than 75 animal species of Carolina wildlife •Outdoors: Explore the Wild, a 6-acre outdoor science center expansion linking people with plants, animals, interactive exhibits. Train and ornithopter rides small add’l cost. 919-220-5429, www.ncmls.org

Children’s Museum of Winston-Salem, 390 S. Liberty St. — Climbing Lobby, Amazing Library, Build it!, Surprise Garden, The Enchanted Forest, Animal Alphabet, Amazing Airways, Krispy Kreme Doughnut Factory, Food Lion Supermarket. 336-723-9111, childrensmuseumofws.org

Natural Science Center of Greensboro, 4301 Lawndale Drive — A hands-on science museum, animal discovery zoological park and a state-of-the-art OmniSphere Dome Theater, NC’s only 40 foot digital dome experience. 336-288-3769, www.natsci.org

Greensboro Children’s Museum, 220 N. Church St. — Hands-on, interactive museum for children (infancy to 10 years of age) and families. 336-574-2898, www.gcmuseum.com

TimeOut submissions

The Post welcomes your arts and entertainment news.

Send items, including photos to timeout@salisburypost.com a week ahead of desired publication date.

Call 704-797-4243 for more information.

Westcliff hosts Pig Picking weekend

Thursday, May 24, 2012 12:00 AM

Generations of Westcliffe residents, guests and former ‘Cliffees’ will gather this coming Memorial Day weekend to celebrate the neighborhood’s 35th annual Pig Picking Weekend.

Beginning Friday with movie parties, the festivities continue all day Saturday with a 5k run, a parade, lawn mower race, children’s games, and a horseshoe tournament. Golf carts, lawn mowers and bicycles will follow Salisbury, Franklin and Ellis fire trucks around the neighborhood before a fire fighter’s water cannon douses all those willing to get soaked.

Saturday evening’s cocktail party features local favorite performer Mailvis, who should be right at home with this year’s theme of ‘A Night In Vegas;’ costumes optional but encouraged.

Sunday activities continue with the popular volleyball tournament and pool parties; concluding with the namesake feast. Families gather around a 900 sq.ft. tent stacked with fixings and enjoy barbecue chicken and pork while a bluegrass band serenades in the background. The weekend wraps up on Monday with a co-ed golf tournament.

Former residents are especially invited to return and celebrate this 35th Pig Picking weekend. Itinerary and registration forms are on the Westcliffe Civic Association’s website www.westcliffeworld.com. Admission for all activities is by prior registration only.

Read 'The Snow Child' and enjoy yourself

Sunday, May 20, 2012 12:00 AM

“The Snow Child,” by Eowyn Ivey. Little, Brown. $24.99.

By Deal Safrit

For the Salisbury Post

SALISBURY — Debut author Eowyn Ivey brings the reader an enthralling and delightfully readable novel with “The Snow Child,” inspired by the Russian folktale by the same name. The setting, well outside of Anchorage, Alaska, is home territory for the author, a state where she worked as a reporter for 10 years with the Frontiersman newspaper and now as a bookseller at Fireside Books, an independent bookstore in Palmer, Alaska.

As anyone who has read the Russian folktale knows, the basic storyline involves an elderly couple bemoaning the fact they are childless and beyond the ability to have a child, who build a snow girl in their yard. Overnight, the snow child comes to life. In a nutshell, the child lives with and for the snow, and they all live a life that would be happy ever after, except, well, you know, spring comes. The rest is gone with the rising temperatures and the sunshine.

In Ivey’s novel, we do in fact have the somewhat elderly couple, transplants to Alaska from the northeastern United States, escaping the life they had and living the hardscrabble life of new, sodbusting farmers in a very unforgiving wilderness. They deliberately have no friends, few acquaintances and almost no contact with family back home.

Once, they had a child, but it was stillborn, and they have remained childless. With winter coming, there is finally the first snowfall of the year, and, in a rare fit of fun and rambunctiousness, Jack and Mabel actually go out and play in the snowfall. They even decide to build a snow child, complete with a scarf and gloves. Guess what, reader? Come morning, the snow child is gone; well, the gloves and scarf are gone, the snow is in a disheveled heap on the ground.

At this point, Ivey’s story begins to separate somewhat from the fairy tale. Almost immediately, both Jack and Mabel begin catching fleeting glimpses of a young child, a girl, around their homestead. She is wearing the clothes from the snowchild. Neither Jack nor Mabel mentions these sightings to the other. Little gifts begin to show up on their doorstep. Eventually the two grownups come clean with each other, and begin to leave little gifts for the child. But is what they are seeing real, or is it a fantasy they have conjured up, due perhaps to cabin fever or wishful thinking?

Over time the child edges closer and is sometimes accompanied by a red fox. Finally, contact is made and later the child will actually come inside the cabin for a meal or to talk, though the door must be left open or the child appears almost to wilt from the heat. At the end of these meetings, the child, despite her young and tender age, returns to the woods. And, as the last snow melts, she is gone.

This is a pattern that continues for some years; the child, who goes by the name of Faina, appears with the first snow and leaves with the last, growing and becoming closer to Jack and Mabel over time. Mable makes her new coats and clothes as she grows, and the three become fond of each other. Nobody else has ever seen Faina and the reader must wonder again if this child is a real person or whether Jack and Mabel created a fantasy which they both somehow share.

I won’t tell you any more about the story, because I absolutely refuse to take any more of the suspense and drama away from you. Instead, let me tell you about a couple of characters. Mabel is from a relatively upper-class family, and certain things do not leave her; she still wears her dresses, her shoes are not exactly appropriate for wilderness living, and she mostly stays in the rather small cabin “keeping house,” though in truth she wouldn’t mind helping Jack on the farm if he would let her. But all Jack will let her do is bake some cakes and collect the eggs to sell in town.

Jack is in his 50s, and though he has always worked hard, clearing land and putting in crops single-handedly with only the help of one horse is the hardest work he has ever done, and his back tells him so. Jack isn’t much of a hunter, either.

When the couple does finally make some friends, they are Esther and George, who have been in the area for quite a while and have a successful farm going with the help of their three teenage sons. Esther is a real piece of work … if you remember the Monty Python song “I’m a Lumberjack …,” well, that’s Esther. Wears overalls, props her feet on the table, house is a mess, likes to take a drink when necessary or because she can, and she can shoot as well as she cooks. George and the boys farm and hunt, and they all work damn hard. And, George and Esther’s friendship will prove invaluable to Jack and Mabel, and one of their sons will change their lives.

I am always happy when I read a good first novel from a debut author, and “The Snow Child” plops down right in that category. It was a fine, satisfying, well-crafted book that developed a fairy tale into a novel for an adult. But reader, after you read “The Snow Child,” I want to hear your opinion about something. In the context of the novel, was Faina real, or not real? Real … not real?

Do some ghost hunting at the library

Sunday, May 20, 2012 12:00 AM

By John Tucker

Rowan Public Library

Do you like tales of things that “go bump in the night?” What about investigations of historical people who appear to have a paranormal presence?

When the re-runs on Syfy network no longer make the grade, come and see what Rowan Public Library has in its non-fiction ghost story collection.

For starters, you will want to pick up the book “Dark World” by Zac Bagans. Bagans is the former lead investigator of the Ghost Adventures Crew and his book includes behind-the-scene information on some of the most haunted places visited on the television show. In the name of time allocation, some of the film footage is left on the cutting room floor, so this story fills in the details. Every good ghost story requires details.

Bagans wants the reader to experience each haunting through his eyes; to feel what it’s like to be scared, pushed, cold, sluggish, whispered-to, creeped-out … and more. Be sure to return it because books like this might just have more frights in store than a mere late fee.

Another book about the scientific approach to this topic is “Ghost Hunter,” written by Deborah Blum. Blum follows the work of the Harvard professor of psychiatry William James who founded the American Society for Psychical Research, and Henry Sidgwick of the British Society for Psychical Research. The book tells the story of these early pioneers of ESP and the studies on the afterlife. The results from their work are not far removed from recent paranormal investigations minus the computers, digital recorders and cameras.

How can it be that in the same century that gave us the electric light, dynamos, telegraph and telephone, these scientists are so focused on paranormal investigations? I found it amazing to read about the people, places and institutions investigated back in the 1800s. I think you will, too.

On the local front, the book titled “The Wettest and Wickedest Town” by Karen C. Lilly-Bowyer presents a collection of legends and ghost stories from right here in Salisbury. The book is the result of historical research and paranormal investigations with groups from Charlotte, Greensboro and Lexington. Local haunted sites include: the Wrenn House, Hall House, County Administration building and many more. This collection of haunted tales comprises the Downtown Ghost Walk which began in 2010. These stories are shared monthly as a walking tour during the Night-Out evenings hosted by Downtown Salisbury.

Whether your inspiration for ghost hunting stories is to supplement your television viewing, your need for scientific proof, or a walk in the dark where ghost stories come to life; your next step should be directed to Rowan Public Library where many spirited books can haunt your curiosity.

Computer classes: Basic Genealogy. May 21, 7 p.m., South; May 24, 9:30 a.m., headquarters.

Classes are free. Sessions are about 90 minutes long. Class size is limited and on a first-come, first-serve basis. Dates and times at all locations are subject to change without notice.

Summer reading programs: Dream Big, Read! for children. Pre-registration under way at all library locations for children ages 12 months to rising fifth-graders.

Own The Night! for teens. Pre-registration under way at all library locations for rising sixth-graders to 12th-graders.

Masters of traditional music: Headquarters (only) Tuesday, 7 p.m., Stanback Auditorium. Paul Hill and Clay and Al Lunsford will demonstrate the artistry and skill with guitar and banjo that have delighted audiences for years. Light refreshments will be served. This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Library.

American Girl Club: Headquarters, May 26, 11 a.m. A book discussion group about the life and times of the American Girls characters.

Book Bites Club: South only, May 29, 6:30 p.m., “Garden Spells” by Sarah Addison Allen. Book discussion groups for both adults and children at South Rowan Regional Library the last Tuesday of each month. The group is open to the public and free to join at any time. Discussion of the book, as well as light refreshments at each meeting. For more information please call 704-216-8229.

Library closings: All branches will be closed May 28 for Memorial Day.

Displays: Headquarters, artwork by West Rowan High School students, AARP; South, student art by South Rowan High School art class; East, Winnie the Pooh by Kim Davis.

Literacy: Call the Rowan County Literacy Council at 704-216-8266 for more information on teaching or receiving literacy tutoring for English speakers or for those for whom English is a second language.

Author signing Thursday at Literary Bookpost

Sunday, May 20, 2012 12:00 AM

On Thursday, author Jim Minick will sign books at Literary Bookpost from 5:30-7:30 p.m.

His book is “The Blueberry Years: A Memoir of Farm and Family.”

“The Blueberry Years” has been described as a mouthwatering and delightful memoir based on Minick’s experiences as an organic blueberry farmer. This story of one couple, one farm and 1,000 bushes transports readers so they experience the joys and frustrations of creating and operating one of the mid-Atlantic's first certified-organic, pick-your-own blueberry farms.

Written by a farmer who also is a poet, “The Blueberry Years” follows in the vein of “The Omnivore's Dilemma” or “Animal, Vegetable, Miracle,” where lyrical writing captures a well-told story about food, family and the choices we make with every bite.

Minick has won the SIBA Best Nonfiction Book of the Year Award and has also written a collection of essays, “Finding a Clear Path,” two books of poetry, “Her Secret Song” and “Burning Heaven,” and he edited “All There Is to Keep” by Rita Riddle.

Minick has won grants, awards and honors from the Southern Independent Booksellers Association, Southern Environmental Law Center, Virginia Foundation for the Humanities, Virginia Commission for the Arts, Virginia Center for the Creative Arts, Appalachian Writers Association, Appalachian Heritage, Now and Then Magazine and Radford University, where he teaches writing and literature.

Just recently, his poem “I Dream a Bean” was picked by Claudia Emerson for permanent display at the new Tysons Corner/Metrorail Station. He’s garnered grants from the Virginia Commission for the Arts, the Virginia Foundation for the Humanities, and a residency at the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts.

Minick’s work has appeared in many publications, and for 13 years, he wrote a monthly column for The Roanoke Times New River Current. He’s now working on a novel about fire, healing and Pennsylvania Dutch folklore. He lives in the mountains of Virginia with his wife and three dogs.

Literary Bookpost is at 110 S. Main St.

Musical night at the library

Paul Hill and Al and Clay Lunsford will demonstrate artistry and skill with guitar and banjo on Tuesday at 7 p.m. in the Stanback Auditorium at Rowan Public Library in Salisbury.

Hill began playing the guitar as a boy and has performed solo as well as with groups including the Black Mountain Boys and the Blue Grass Ramblers; he has played at Merlefest and with Congressman Bill Hefner. He has won the Bascom Lamar Lunsford trophy at the N.C. State Fair four times and calls his greatest thrill performing at the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival in 2010.

He also enjoys playing with brothers Clay and Al Lunsford (distant relatives of Bascom Lunsford), noted for their fingerpicking style on guitar and banjo. Clay has been called “one of the greatest thumb pickers ever heard.” Clay founded and serves as president of the North Carolina Thumb & Finger Style Guitar players, dedicated to promoting, teaching and enjoying this special guitar style.

The evening is sponsored by the Friends of Rowan Public Library.

After the program, light refreshments will be served and there will be a chance to chat with the musicians.

BOOKMARKS Festival Sept. 8 in Winston-Salem

Sunday, May 20, 2012 12:00 AM

BOOKMARKS Festival of Books will be held on Saturday, Sept. 8 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. in the Downtown Arts District in Winston-Salem, centering on Trade and Sixth Streets. This will be the eighth year of the festival and the fourth year that it is held in downtown Winston-Salem.

An impressive group of writers have committed to participate in this year’s festival, including Pulitzer Prize winner Tony Horwitz, Emmy and Edgar Award winner Michael Malone, and James Beard Cookbook Award winners Steven Raichlen and Peter Reinhart. Also appearing in the culinary venue is Whitney Miller, the winner of the first season of Fox TV’s “Masterchef.”

North Carolina Poet Laureate Cathy Smith Bowers will be in attendance as well as humorist Celia Rivenbark. New York Times bestselling authors Kay Hooper and Sherrilyn Kenyon will present their fiction and seven-time Grammy nominated storyteller and folk singer John McCutcheon will perform twice during the festival. Tar Heel fans will be pleased to see Woody Durham, the legendary “Voice of the Tar Heels” as he makes his first appearance in the Triad with the release of his memoir.

“I’m delighted to announce such a great list of authors for our 2012 festival,” said Ginger Hendricks, executive director of BOOKMARKS. “We have a wide range of really interesting authors from novelists and experts on sports to musicians and screenwriters.”

The following is a list of authors signed to date. Fiction authors include: Gillian Flynn, Kevin Fox, Hooper, Regina Jeffers, Tayari Jones, Kenyon, James King, Malone, Raichlen, Esmeralda Santiago, Gail Tsukiyama, and Daniel Wallace as well as poet Cathy Smith Bowers.

Nonfiction writers include Rye Barcott, David Blevins, Woody Durham, Amy Ephron, Adam Goldstein, Tony Horwitz, Joe Miller, Carlos Alberto Montaner, Erik Lars Myers, Penelope Niven, Celia Rivenbark, Carolyn Sakowski, Charles J. Shields, and Snow Wildsmith.

Cookbook authors include Andrea Chesman, Whitney Miller, Raichlen and Reinhart.

Teen events include a spoken word performance by Authoring Action, a panel with teen and young reader experts, and debut teen novelist Kiera Cass. Young reader authors include Alan Gratz, Betty Hicks, Joan Holub, Kelly Starling Lyons, Jacqueline Ogburn, and Augusta Scattergood.

Panel discussions will be held on topics such as exploring the outdoors of North Carolina and how to craft a biography. Workshops for writers will be featured on the topics of getting your first novel published, screenwriting, poetry for adults and poetry writing for children.

BOOKMARKS brings writers and readers of all ages together as renowned authors, illustrators, storytellers and chefs share their work and insights through readings, presentations, panel discussions, workshops and booksignings at the annual festival of books. This free festival partners with community organizations, reading related exhibitors and food vendors. Please visit www.bookmarksnc.org for more information.

Bestsellers

Sunday, May 20, 2012 12:00 AM

Rowan bestsellers

Literary Bookpost

1. Fifty Shades of Grey, by E.L. James.

2. Fifty Shades Freed, by E.L. James.

3. Fifty Shades Darker, by E.L. James.

4. A Land More Kind than Home, by Wiley Cash.

5. Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins.

6. The Very Fairy Princess, by Julie Andrews.

7. In One Person, by John Irving.

8. Last Boyfriend, by Nora Roberts.

9. In the Garden of Beasts, by Erik Larson.

10. The Cove, by Ron Rash.

Indiebound bestsellers

Fiction

1. Bring Up the Bodies, by Hilary Mantel.

2. In One Person, by John Irving.

3. Home, by Toni Morrison.

4. Calico Joe, by John Grisham.

5. Sacre Bleu, by Christopher Moore.

6. Deadlocked, by Charlaine Harris.

7. The Paris Wife, by Paula McLain.

8. The Limpopo Academy of Private Detection, by Alexander McCall Smith.

9. The Beginner’s Goodbye, by Anne Tyler.

10. The Innocent, by Davi Baldacci.

Nonfiction

1. The Passage of Power: The Years of Lyndon Johnson, by Robert A. Caro.

2. Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake, by Anna Quindlen.

3. Drift, by Rachel Maddow.

4. Wild, by Cheryl Strayed.

5. I Am a Pole (and So Can You!), by Stephen Colbert.

6. Prague Winter, by Madeleine Albright.

7. Are You My Mother? by Alison Bechdel.

8. Imagine: How Creativity Works, by Jonah Lehrer.

9. Let’s Pretend This Never Happened, by Jenny Lawson.

10. End This Depression Now! by Paul Krugman.

Quilt guild show is Friday and Saturday

Thursday, May 17, 2012 12:00 AM

Quilt guild show is Friday and Saturday

Members of the Salisbury Rowan Quilters’ Guild are collecting quilts in preparation for their first combined quilt show “Sunny Days and Starry Nights” on Friday, May 18 and Saturday, May 19.

Everyone is invited to celebrate the merger of Salisbury’s two quilt guilds at the First Baptist Ministry Center, 223 N. Fulton St., for the biannual quilt show.

Show hours are 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday.

More than 150 professionally judged quilts will be on exhibit along with cuddle quilts, VA quilts, and 41 small art quilts that will be donated to the Alzheimer’s Art Quilt Initiative.

Lorraine Covington, certified National Quilting Association judge, will judge the show. There will also be fresh North Carolina shortcake in the Tea Room.

Admission is $5 and children under 12 are admitted free.

Quilters in Salisbury and nearby communities have been gathering for more than 20 years as the Salisbury Rowan Quilters’ Guild to share their love of quilting. Meeting monthly for educational programs and workshops with noted quilt artists Linda Cantrell and George Siciliano are some of the activities enjoyed by this group of women. They have also done numerous service projects for the community. For many years, 80-100 cuddle quilts have been presented to the children at the Family Crisis Center. Basic toiletry kits have also been presented to the women at the shelter and food has been donated to Rowan Helping Ministries.

Approximately 12 years ago a second quilt guild began meeting in the evening and the Starry Night Quilt Guild was born. Many quilters work during the day but still wanted to gather to share their love of all things quilted. Monthly programs have included trunk shows by quilt artists like Bonnie Hunter from Quiltville.com and Vickie Clontz from Annie’s Keepsakes. Service projects have included making hundreds of pillow cases for Victory Junction and the children’s wards at the local hospitals. The current service project is making quilts for patients at the VA Hospital in Salisbury. Thirty-two quilts were presented in November 2011 and this year’s goal is to complete 35 quilts to present this November. Many of the already completed quilts are on exhibit at this week’s show. Another service project the Starry Night guild has supported is the Alzheimer’s Art Quilt Initiative. All proceeds from the online auction or direct sale from their website, www.alzquilts.org, go to support Alzheimer’s research.

Garden tour helps symphony

Thursday, May 17, 2012 12:00 AM

The beautiful gardens at the High Rock Lake home of Don and Sandy Graham, above, will be on display during the Salisbury Symphony Guild’s ‘A Symphony of Gardens’ tour May 19-20.

Tour hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and 1-5 p.m. Sunday, rain or shine.

There are nine gardens on the tour which features a variety of landscapes — from farmland to lakeside — reflecting the horticultural diversity within Rowan County. From rose gardens to old-fashioned vegetable gardens, there will be something for everyone.

Some of the non-traditional venues for this year’s tour include a winery, a pick-your-own farm, an ornamental grass nursery.

At lunch time, you can dine al fresco at Carolina Lily with Picnic-in-a-Pot(reservations required.)

Advance tickets are $15 and cover both days.

For complete tour details visit www.salisburygardentour.org or call 704-638-3100.

Celebrate roses this weekend

Thursday, May 17, 2012 12:00 AM

Rowan Rose Show

The Salisbury Mall is the new location for Rowan Rose Society’s annual Rose Show this weekend. Show times are from 1-7 p.m. Saturday and from 1-5 p.m. Sunday, May 19 and 20. Admission is free.

The show will feature hundreds of rose blooms including new varieties, fragrant old roses and miniature roses. A special display will contain award winners from each class, including Queen of the Show. Society members will be available to answer questions about rose culture.

In addition to displays of individual roses, a section will be devoted to flower arrangements emphasizing the use of roses.

All area rose growers are welcome to enter roses between 6:30 and 10 a.m. on Saturday.

At the close of the show on Sunday, show roses will be sold with proceeds to benefit the American Rose Society. For more information, call Clyde Harriss, 704-633-7024.

The show is also featured as one of the stops on the Salisbury-Rowan Symphony Guild’s Symphony of Gardens tour which takes place on Saturday and Sunday, May 19-20. There are 15 gardens and related sites open to benefit the Salisbury Symphony. For advance ticket information, visit www.salisburysymphony.org or call 704-638-3100.

Tickets are also available on tour days.

Arts and entertainment briefs

Thursday, May 17, 2012 12:00 AM

The Salisbury-Rowan Choral Society presents their annual Spring concert, “Let Heaven and Nature Sing,” on two dates: Sunday, May 20 at 3 p.m. at First United Church of Christ in Salisbury and on Tuesday, May 22 at 7 p.m. at First United Methodist Church of China Grove. Sunday’s performance will feature the new organ at First United Church of Christ.

The program features some of the most beautiful and exciting choral pieces written to celebrate God and nature in the last two hundred years, everything from Ralph Vaughan Williams’ “Let All the World in Every Corner Sing” to works by Felix Mendelssohn, Gwyneth Walker and William L. Dawson.

The choir will be under the direction of Matthew Newton, and Adam Ward will be the concert accompanist. This is a free community concert.

‘Neil Simon’s The Dinner Party’

CONCORD — Old Courthouse Theatre presents “Neil Simon’s The Dinner Party” as part of their Living Room Reading Series. There is no charge for admission.

The presentation is Sunday, May 20 at 4 p.m.

OCT is located at 49 Spring St. NW, 704-788-2405.

Waterworks summer art classes

Registration is now open for Summer ARTventures classes. Visit www.waterworks.org to download a brochure and registration forms or pick one up during gallery hours.There is a variety of classes for kids aged 4 and up. Class sizes are limited.

Waterworks is open at 123 E. Liberty St. Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Tuesday, Thursday 10 a.m.- p.m, Saturday 11 a.m.-3 p.m., 704-636-1882, www.waterworks.org

ethos opens

It’s opening weekend at ethos, with live music by Allison Crowell at 10:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, May 18-19.

ethos is a southern bistro and martini bar in the former Stelia location, 118 N. Main St. For more information on hours and entertainment, call 704-639-2600, or visit www.ethosdining.com

Civil War Mustering

HUNTERSVILLE — Saturday is the 150th mustering anniversary at Historic Latta Plantation of the Mecklenburg Grays, when the Sample boys left their home at Latta (then called Riverside) and were mustered into the Company B Mecklenburg Grays.

From 1-4 p.m., experience the Civil War as those did who were mustered into the army. Visit the camps, watch company drills, and more throughout the weekend. This event is free with regular site admission ($7 for adults, $6 for seniors, $5 for students, ages 5 and under free).

Latta Plantation is located at 5225 Sample Road, 704-875-2312, lattaplantation.org

Fiddlers Grove’s 88th

UNION GROVE — In 1924, H.P. Van Hoy, a school teacher and a fiddler, thought of a good way to raise money for Union Grove School; he would hold a fiddler’s convention. The convention became a tradition, and on May 25-27, the third generation of Van Hoy descendents will open the gate for the 88th iteration of that acclaimed musical institution.

The weekend begins Friday night at 6 p.m. Saturday offers a full day of competition and workshops. Saturday evening revolves around the final band playoffs, a Twin Fiddle competition, and the Fiddler of the Festival playoff.

Sunday morning begins with shaped note singing, followed by gospel music and a lazy day of listening to good music.

For information and tickets, contact info@fiddlersgrove.com or 828-478-3735. The website is www.fiddlersgrove.com

Festival in the Grove

Christiana Lutheran’s three-day Festival in the Grove begins Friday, May 18 at 8 p.m. with the outdoor movie “The End of the Spear.” There will also be a children’s movie 7 p.m. in church basement with free popcorn and soft drinks.

At 6 p.m. on Saturday is the outdoor concert “One Road Home,” with free homemade ice cream.

Events continue at 10:30 a.m. Sunday with an outdoor worship service, and at 6:30 p.m. that evening is an outdoor youth rally with bands “Broken Yesterday” and “Relentless Flood,” as well as CHAOS, youth drama troop from China Grove/Landis.

There will be free popcorn and soft drinks; bring your own chair to each event. Christiana Lutheran Church is located between Granite Quarry and Rockwell on Highway 52 across from the Old Stone Winery, 704-279-4655.

Gold Hill history walk

GOLD HILL — The Gold Hill Photo and History Walk is at 2 p.m., Saturday, May 19. It is a guided photo walk of the Historic Village of Gold Hill. Registration begins at 1 p.m. at The Arbor (behind The Bakery, 850 St. Stephen’s Church Road).

It costs $5 per person for the guided walk which features the history of each stop, tips for taking better photos, and the history of the village of Gold Hill.

In conjunction with the event is a photo contest in which entrants may win a $25 gift certificate from the Stamp Mill Cafe, by emailing their best photo from the walk. Details available on site.

Also on Saturday is the Classic Car Cruise-in at the Historic Village of Gold Hill, 2 p.m. until dark.

American Light Classics

At 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 19, Salisbury Symphony Orchestra presents “American Light Classics” at Keppel Auditorium, Catawba College.

The concert, the dazzling finish to the season, features PDQ Bach's “1712 Overture,” Gershwin’s “Porgy & Bess” Variations, and music by Richard Rodgers, John Philip Sousa and Anderson.

Tickets at the door are $20 for ages 19 and older, $6 for ages 9-18 and $4 for ages 8 and younger. Visit www.salisburysymphony.org

Masonry contest

GOLD HILL — The 2012 NCMCA Masonry Apprentice Skills Contest is Saturday, May 19, at Carolina Stalite Ben Ketchie Park, hosted by Johnson Concrete Company. Lunch will be prepared by Jack Moore, maker of Blowin’ Smoke BBQ Sauce. It will be a day, rain or shine, of great competition, games, raffle prizes, and entertainment by Dionne, Hodges, Murphy Trio Band. The day begins at 9 a.m. when contestants register; at 10 a.m. the contest begins.

At noon the contest ends and judging begins, 12:15 p.m. is lunch and at 1:15 p.m. is the awards presentation.

Tours of Carolina Stalite, the world's largest lightweight aggregate plant, will be given during the event. It all takes place at Ben Ketchie Park, 17700 Old Beatty Ford Road in Gold Hill. See www.johnsoncmu.com or facebook.

Roundabout: What's happening

Thursday, May 17, 2012 12:00 AM

Music & more

Salisbury Symphony Orchestra presents American Light Classics — 7:30 p.m., Saturday, May 19: Finishing the season with PDQ Bach's “1712 Overture,” Gershwin’s “Porgy & Bess” Variations, music by Richard Rodgers, John Philip Sousa, Anderson. $20 ages 19 and older, $6 ages 9-18, $4 ages 8 and younger. Keppel Auditorium, Catawba College. www.salisburysymphony.org

Faure’s ‘Requiem’ with orchestra — 7 p.m., Friday, May 18 and 3 p.m., Sunday, May 20: presented by The Piedmont Choral Society and the sanctuary choirs of Concord’s First Presbyterian Church and Central UMC. Held at First Baptist Church, 200 Branchview Drive, Concord. Free. 704-699-6053, kayy2000@gmail.com

Salisbury-RowanChoral Society concerts — “Let Heaven and Nature Sing”• Sunday, May 20 at 3 p.m., First United Church of Christ in Salisbury• Tuesday, May 22at 7 p.m., First United Methodist Church of China Grove. Sunday’s performance features the new organ at FUCC. Ralph Vaughan Williams’ “Let All the World in Every Corner Sing,” works by Felix Mendelssohn, Gwyneth Walker, William L. Dawson. Free.

‘Hollywood Squares: The 80s Edition’ at Belk Theater — 7:30 p.m., May 23-24: One Voice Chorus’ second annual Hollywood Squares performance featuring songs from that popular era. Barbara Burning Bush hosts an evening of unique fun, trivia, music. Tickets $25, Duke Energy Theater at Spirit Square, 345 North College St., Charlotte, 704-372-1000, www.BlumenthalCenter.org

NC Symphony 2012-13 season — June 7 gala event kicks off 80th anniversary celebration, free community concerts across the state begin May 31 to lead up to official season opening Sept. 9. Information on subscriptions, dates, times, tickets at 919-733-2750, toll free 877-627-6724, www.ncsymphony.org

Harrah’s Cherokee Event Center — • Natalie Cole, May 25 • The Band Perry, May 27 • k.d. lang, June 2• Foreigner, June 8•Sheryl Crow, June 24 • Gary Allan Country Throwdown Tour, July 14.Harrah’s Cherokee Event Center, 777 Casino Drive, Cherokee. www.ticketmaster.com or 800-745-3000.

Burning Coal Theatre presents Oakwood Unplugged — 6:30 p.m., May 18-19; 2 p.m., May 20: musical performance in the historic Oakwood Cemetery, 701 Oakwood Ave., Raleigh, Adults $20, students $10. 919-834-4001, www.burningcoal. org

Festivals

Three day Festival In The Grove — May 18-20• 8 p.m., Friday: outdoor movie “The End of the Spear,” also children’s movie 7 p.m. in church basement; free popcorn, soft drinks•6 p.m., Saturday: outdoor concert “One Road Home,”free homemade ice cream• 10:30 a.m., Sunday: outdoor worship• 6:30 p.m., Sunday: outdoor youth rally with bands “Broken Yesterday” and “Relentless Flood,” also CHAOS, youth drama troop from China Grove/Landis. Free popcorn, soft drinks, bring your own chair to each event. Christiana Lutheran Church, 6190 US Hwy 52, 704-279-4655.

Let's Get Connected Day — 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Saturday, May 19: music, food, dance, circle of prayer, dedication of peace pole. Performers: Overton Elementary Band, Mini Funk Factory, North Rowan Connections Choir, Kujamani Dance Team, Native Drummers. Ellis Park, 3541 Old Mocksville Road, Betty Jo Hardy 704-636-6119.

Heritage Day at Organ Lutheran — 7:30 a.m.-3 p.m., Saturday, May 19: Step back in time, crafts, demonstrations, colonial games, raffle, tours of the 1790s old church, 2 p.m. concert by The 1515 Organ Lutheran Church Road, Salisbury.

JC Price Post 107 Memorial Week celebration — Friday-Sunday, May 25-June 3: 1433 Old Wilkesboro Road•Friday: 9 p.m. kickoff dance•Saturday: 8 a.m memorial service at National Cemetery, followed by breakfast at VFW 3006• Monday: 10 a.m. memorial service at Brenner Ave. Cemetery, VA Medical Center; 6:30 p.m. Gospel Fest • Tuesday: 6:30 p.m. Gospel Fest • Wednesday: 9 p.m. dance with deejay Osborne • Thursday: 9 p.m. dance with deejay K Connor • Friday: 9 p.m. dance with deejay Neak • Saturday: 9 p.m. dance with deejay Woody Wood • Rides on the midway May 30-June 3 • 704-636-2950.

88th Old Time Fiddler’s and Bluegrass Festival, Fiddler’s Grove — May 25-27: Music competitions, workshops, storytelling, clogging, food, dancing. Tickets $50, youth $25. www.fiddlersgrove.com

Theater

Piedmont Players Youth Theatre presents ‘Cinderella’ — 7:30 p.m., May 18-20; 2:30 p.m., May 19: youth musical production. Adults $12, students/seniors $10. Norvell Theater, 135 E. Fisher St., www.piedmontplayers.com, 704-633-5471.

Old Courthouse Theatre’s Living Room Reading Series ‘Neil Simon's The Dinner Party’ comedy — 4 p.m., Sunday, May 20: Free admission, 704-788-2405, OCT main theater, 49 Spring Street NW, Concord, 704-788-2405, www.oldcourthousetheatre.org

This & That

Paranormal Investigation — Friday, May 18: $20 per person, Salisbury Wine Shop. Reservations and information: boo@salisburyghostwalk.com or 704-213-4232.

Gold Hill Photo and History Walk — 2 p.m., Saturday, May 19: Guided photo walk of the Historic Village of Gold Hill, registration 1 p.m. at The Arbor (behind The Bakery, 850 St. Stephen’s Church Road). $5/person for guided walk with history of each stop, tips for taking better photos, learn the history of the village of Gold Hill•Photo contest: email best photo from walk for chance to win $25 gift certificate at the Stamp Mill Cafe. goldhillmerchantsassociation@gmail.com

Historic Gold Hill Cruise-in —2 p.m. till dark, Saturday, May 19. 740 St. Stephens Church Road. Facebook or goldhillmerchantsassociation@gmail.com

Salisbury Rowan Quilters' Guild show — May 18-19: First Baptist Church, First Ministry Center, 223 N. Fulton St. 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Friday and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday. Admission $5, children 12 and under free.

Family laser show ‘Laser Country’ — 5 p.m., Saturday, May 19: Fast-paced, toe-tapping program for country music fans across the generations. Early days legends such as Johnny Cash, Patsy Cline blended with contemporary artists such as Rascal Flatts, Zac Brown Band. Doors open 4:30 p.m. Adults $3, 12 and under $2. Margaret C. Woodson Planetarium at Horizons Unlimited, park on Lilly Ave., 704-639-3004.

Rock laser show ‘Laseropolis’ — 7 p.m., Saturday, May 19: Mix of music, dazzling laser effects for fans of great rock bands of 70s, 80s, 90s. Familiar songs by REM, Future Sounds of London, Emerson Lake & Palmer, Creed, Nirvana, more. Viewer Discretion advised, some songs may contain lyrics and images inappropriate for young children. Doors open 6:30 p.m. Adults $5, 12 and under $3. Margaret C. Woodson Planetarium at Horizons Unlimited, 1636 Parkview Circle, park on Lilly Ave., 704-639-3004.

Masonry contest — Saturday, May 19: 2012 NCMCA Masonry Apprentice Skills Contest•9 a.m. contestants registration•10 a.m. contest begins•noon contest ends, judging begins•12:15 p.m. lunch•1:15 p.m. awards presentation•Rain or shine competition, games, raffle prizes, entertainment by Dionne, Hodges, Murphy Trio Band, tours of Carolina Stalite, world's largest lightweight aggregate plant•Carolina Stalite Ben Ketchie Park, 17700 Old Beatty Ford Road, Gold Hill.

Rowan County Animé Group — 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m., May 19: Asian Heritage Month, picnic and 5-hour anime marathon showing. South Rowan Regional Branch of the Rowan Public Library, eating afterward on picnic tables in the back of library.

Stories Under the Stars — 7 p.m., Saturday, May 19: Grey Seal Puppets performing “Bathtub Pirates,” Cabarrus County Library Kannapolis Branch, 850 Mountain St., Kannapolis, www.cityofkannapolis. com/summerevents

Kannapolis Movies in the Parkbegin — 8:45 p.m., Friday, May 25: “Dolphin Tale” (PG), Village Park, www.cityofkannapolis. com/summerevents

Music and lunch at Thursdays on Main — 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m., VeteransPark, downtown Kannapolis; Coconut Groove Band, lunch on site from Chef Jeff. www.cityofkannapolis. com/summerevents

8th Annual Pops at the Post — Sunset, Saturday, June 2, Salisbury Post loading dock, S. Church St. (rain venue: Keppel Auditorium, Catawba College)

Presto! Magic Camp — 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., June 11-15: Magic apprenticeship for children ages 8-80 years interested in learning and performing tricks and skills of a magician. Looking Glass Artists Center’s black box theatre, 405 N. Lee St.; bring a bag lunch. Headed by local resident Buddy Farnan, award-winning prestidigitator, and other professional master magicians. 15 students only, $125 registration includes all materials. 704-633-2787, salisburyartists@gmail.com, www.salisburyartists.com

Fundraisers

Hoofstock 2012— 2-7 p.m., Saturday, May 19: A day of music, peace and whinnies, with art, craft, food vendors. Friendly dogs on leashes welcome. Proceeds benefit Safe Haven Equine Rescue and Rietirement. Music by the Ramshackles, Linus Jones, Crystal Bright and the Silver Hnds, deejay Sound Ninja. $5 admission, 12 and under free. Held at Give Me Shelter Safe Haven Farm, 245 Cedar Ridge Lane, High Point, www.sherrnc.com

Vendor fair/craft sale benefitevents — 10 a.m.-4 p.m., May 26 at Unity United Methodist Church, 8505 Unity Church Road, Kannapolis, to benefit the Witherspoon family that lost everything in a house fire. Craft vendors, food, 50/50 raffle, silent auction, more.

Night Life

The Blue Vine, 209 S. Main St. — 9-midnight, Friday, May 18: Gigi Dover & the Big Love, $5 cover • 9-11:30 p.m., Saturday, May 19: Blazin’ Blues Bob Paolino, no cover. 704-797-0093, www.thebluevine.com

Buckshots Live Music Venue, 5658 S. Main St. — Wednesday, Open Jam Night•Thursday, Hot Rods and Harleys • Saturday, May 19: CC Mullins and Freaks From Abraham. Doors open at 6, show starts at 9 p.m. 704-856-0227.

DJ’s, 1502 W. Innes St., — 8:30 p.m., Thursday, Friday, Saturday: Live music. 704-638-9647, www.DJsRestaurant. com

ethos southern bistro and martini bar, 118 N. Main St. — Grand opening weekend: 10:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday, May 18-19, music by Allison Crowell. 704-639-2600, www.ethosdining.com

Fat Jack’s Pub, 120 Military Ave. — • Friday, May 18: Karaoke with Mark Tomei • 8:30 p.m., Saturday, May 19: Feedback Band. 704-638-8996.

High Rock Boat & Ski Club, 257 Boat Club Lane — Friday, May 18: Deejay Butch Metcalf• Saturday, May 19: The Southern Pride Band. 704-633-0251, www.theboatandskiclub.com

The Inn, 1012 Mooresville HWY 150 — Saturday, May 19: Writing Home and Chariot Awaits. First band at 7:45 p.m.•Free refreshments, air hockey, foosball, pool, wi-fi. Public invited to jam or schedule their group to perform. 704-213-1467, www.inntheloop.

The Loft at Benchwarmers, 113 E. Fisher St. — Saturday, May 19:Big Break with special guest Tower 15. Doors open 9 p.m. $5 cover, www.reverbnation. com/venue/theloftbenchwarmers.

Rick’s BBQ and Grill, 929 S. Main St. — 7 p.m., tonight, May 17: Karaoke performance by Tom Matthews• Bike Night 6-9 p.m. Mondays• Cruise-in 6-9 p.m. Tuesdays• Karaoke 7-close Friday-Saturdays. 704-642-0050.

Spencer Buffet, 1205 N. Salisbury Ave., Spencer — 6 p.m., Wednesdays: karaoke. 704-633-1200.

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

Classes

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. Rail Walk Gallery, 409 N. Lee St.

Card Making Class at the Ytonight— 6-8 p.m. every other Thursday evening, next class 6-8 p.m., May 17, supplies included. J.F. Hurley Family YMCA, 828 W Jake Alexander Blvd., Terri Dockins 704-636-0111.

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

Children’s clay classes at Pottery 101 — For ages 6-14. $35 per class includes instruction, materials, firing. Payment due minimum three days in advance. 10a.m.-noon • May 19: Funny Fish • May 26: Clay Whistles • Pottery 101, 704-209-1632, pottery101nc@gmail. com, www.pottery-101.com

Singles

Piedmont Singles — 7:15 Fridays. 1908 Statesville Blvd, Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, no joining fee, donations appreciated, covered dish.

Film

Modern Film Fest screening at VillagePark — 8:45 p.m., Friday, May 18: “Dale Earnhardt 3.” www.cityofkannapolis. com/summerevents

Free film at the Concord Library — 10 a.m., Saturday, May 19: Movie version of a novel by Norman Maclean that stars Brad Pitt and Craig Sheffer. Concord Library, 27 Union St., N., 704-920-2053.

Auditions

PPT youth for ‘13 - A Musical’ — By appointment only, Tuesday, May 21, 4 p.m. (25 slots); Wednesday, May 22, 4 p.m. (25 slots). Call 704-633-5471. Show dates July 12-22. Norvell Theater, 135 E. Fisher St., 704-633-5471, www.piedmontplayers.com

Call for vendors

Juneteenthat Kelsey Scott Park — June 16-17: Two day community event benefits Back-to-School 2012 school supply giveaway. Two-day vendor fee $100, one day $55. Deadline June 7. Call Sherry Hawthorne 704-499-1197 or Walillian White 704-637-6528.

Call for parade entries

Call for musicians

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

Art

Waterworks Visual Arts Center, 123 E. Liberty St. — • Summer Exhibition, “With a Discerning Eye: Realism to Abstraction,” May 19-Aug. 11; artwork from five regional artists challenge the viewer to look beyond the obvious, to deepen their understanding of the realism in abstraction and the abstraction in realism. Opening reception Friday, June 1. Informal gallery talks with exhibiting artists at 5 p.m. followed by reception from 6-8 p.m. • Free admission, donations appreciated. 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

‘Paperless’ exhibit at SECCA — Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art, 750 Marguerite Drive, Winston-Salem. 336-725-1904, www.secca.org

Mint Museum of Art, 2730 Randolph Road, Charlotte — Contemporary Maya Textiles; Performance Masks of Mexico; Contemporary Native American Ceramics; Fashionable Silhouettes — all through through Dec. 31. Celebrating Queen Charlotte's Coronation through Oct. 28. $10 adults, free for members and children 5 and younger. Free on Tuesdays 5-9 p.m. 704-337-2000. www.mintmuseum.org

Mint Museum Uptown at Levine Center for the Arts, 500 South Tryon St., Charlotte — Fairytales, Fantasy, & Fear through July 8; Colorbind: The Emily and Zach Smith Collection through Aug. 12; Matthew Weinstein through Aug. 18. 704-337-2000. www.mintmuseum.org

Reynolda House Museum of American Art, 2250 Reynolda Road, Winston-Salem — Exhibits: A Genius for Place through Aug. 5; Domestic Bliss: Art at Home in Britain and America, 1780-1840 through May 20; Modern Masters from the Smithsonian American Art Museum through Dec. 31. 336-758-5150, reynoldahouse.org

The North Carolina Pottery Center, 233 E. Ave., Seagrove — Permanent exhibition traces NC pottery from pre-historic Native American work through 21st century. 336-873-8430, www.ncpotterycenter.org

Trips

YMCA cruise to Hawaii — Oct. 13: Eight day/seven night cruise to Hawaii, contact Barbara Franklin, Louise Klaver, 704-636-0111 at the JF Hurley Family YMCA.

Parks

Ellis Park, 3541 Old Mocksville Road — 26 acres of ball fields, tennis courts, volleyball court, shelters, playground, event center, walking trail. 704-216-7783.

Sloan Park, 550 Sloan Road, Mt. Ulla — Off NC Hwy 150 approximately 10 miles west of Salisbury. Features Kerr Mill, an 1823 grist mill.

Gold Hill Mines Historic Park 735 St. Stephens Church Road, Gold Hill —Gold Hill Photo and History Walk, 2 p.m., Saturday, May 19, also Classic Car Cruise-in. 704-267-9439, www.HistoricGoldHill.com

Gold Hill Rail Trail — Hiking, biking trail begins at Gold Hill Mines Historic Park, continues into Cabarrus County. 704-267-9439.

Tweetsie Railroad, Blowing Rock — Open Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, Memorial Day Monday. Starting June 1 open 7 days. Tweetsie.com, 877-TWEETSIE (877-893-3874)

Museums

N.C. Transportation Museum, 411 S. Salisbury Ave., Spencer —10 a.m.-3 p.m., May 19: Antique Truck Show hosted by Piedmont Chapter of Antique Truck Historical Society, free to attend, regular museum admission applies for exhibits and train ride • June 2-3: Great Southeastern Rail Days Festival • See www.nctrans.org for details, also 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. — Black History exhibit “Back in the Day.” 704-633-5946. www.rowanmuseum.org

Utzman-Chambers House, 116 S. Jackson St. — Artifacts of the late Honorable Spruce Macay (1755–1808), lawyer and Superior Court judge, perhaps best known for instructing our country’s seventh president, Andrew Jackson. 704-633-5946.

Old Stone House, Granite Quarry —Two-story Georgian stone house completed in 1766. Saturdays and Sundays 1–4 p.m. 704-633-5946, www.rowanmuseum.org

Dr. Josephus Hall House, 226 S. Jackson St. — 1820 house museum, costumed docents provide tours. 704-636-0103.

Historic Rockwell Museum, 102 E. Main St. — 704-279-4979.

Price of Freedom Museum, Old Patterson School building, China Grove — 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Saturday, June 2: Memorial day service to honor all Veterans of American wars. See This & That for details. American war memorial dedicated to men and women of the armed services. Weaver and Patterson Roads, 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 — 19th century living history interpretative displays reflect life in the 1800s gold mining boom town. Free. 704-279-5674, 704-267-9439, www.HistoricGoldHill.com

Reed Gold Mine historic site, 9621 Reed Mine Road, off Highway 200 near Locust — Museum, visitor center, underground mine tour, operating stamp mill, panning area. Museum is free, panning tickets $2. 704-721-4653, www.nchistoricsites.org /reed/

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

Historic Latta Plantation, 5225Sample Road, Huntersville — 1-4 p.m., May 19: Civil War Mustering event: 150th mustering anniversary of the Mecklenburg Grays. Free with regular site admission ($7 for adults, $6 for seniors, $5 for students, ages 5 and under free). 704-875-2312, lattaplantation.org

Historic Rosedale Plantation, 3427 N. Tryon St., Charlotte — Civil War National Register Federal house circa 1815. historicrose dale.org

Discovery Place, Charlotte, 301 N. Tryon St., Charlotte, — Where science amazes, educates and entertains: World Alive: aquarium, learning labs, rainforest • Think It Up: multi-sensory world of color, light, sound, creation • Project Build: the design behind everything from forts to pyramids to skyscrapers • Cool Stuff: learn the why of science • Discovery 3D Theatre: glasses required to experience the latest in digital filmmaking and state-of-the-art sound • 704-372-6261, www.discoveryplace.org

Discovery Place KIDS Huntersville, 105 Gilead Road — 704-372-6261, discoveryplaceKIDS.org

Charlotte Nature Museum, 1658 Sterling Road, Charlotte — 704-372-6261, charlottenaturemuseum.org

Charlotte Museum of History, 3500 Shamrock Drive, Charlotte — Civil War Exhibit: Liberty on the Border. 704-568-1774, www.charlottemuseum.org

Town Creek Indian Mound’s 75th anniversary, Mount Gilead — NC’s only state historic site dedicated to American Indian heritage. Aapprox. five miles east of Mt. Gilead, between NC 73 and NC 731. 910-439-6802, towncreek@ncdcr.gov, www.towncreek.nchistoricsites.org

Old Salem, Winston-Salem — Faithfully preserved buildings, costumed interpreters, craftsmen, award-winning historical garden and horticultural programs. 336-721-7300, www.oldsalem.org

Contemporary Art Museum, 409 W. Martin St., Raleigh — •Chris Bradley Close One through May 28 • José Lerma The Credentialist, May 19-Sept. 2• 919-513-0946, camraleigh.org

NC Museum of History, 5 E. Edenton St., Raleigh — Explore more than 14,000 years of the state’s history. Free admission, across from the State Capitol. 919-807-7900, ncmuseumofhistory.org

NC Museum of Natural Sciences, 11 W. Jones St., Raleigh —Four floors of live animals, hands-on activities, exciting programs: look at the natural world through NC’s geography, prehistoric past, geology, plants, animals. 919-733-7450, www.naturalsciences.org

NC Museum of Life and Science, 433 Murray Ave., Durham — Indoors: Sit inside a real Apollo Space Capsule, explore a full-scale Lunar Lander, touch a 13-foot tornado, see more than 75 animal species of Carolina wildlife •Outdoors: Explore the Wild, a 6-acre outdoor science center expansion linking people with plants, animals, interactive exhibits.Train and ornithopter rides small add’l cost. 919-220-5429, www.ncmls.org

Children’s Museum of Winston-Salem, 390 S. Liberty St. — Climbing Lobby, Amazing Library, Build it!, Surprise Garden, The Enchanted Forest, Animal Alphabet, Amazing Airways. 336-723-9111, childrensmuseumofws.org

Natural Science Center of Greensboro, 4301 Lawndale Drive — Hands-on science museum, animal discovery zoological park and state-of-the-art OmniSphere Dome Theater, NC’s only 40 foot digital dome experience. 336-288-3769, www.natsci.org

Greensboro Children’s Museum, 220 N. Church St. — Hands-on, interactive museum for children (infancy to 10 years of age) and families. 336-574-2898, www.gcmuseum.com

Lee Street auditions tonight and tomorrow

Monday, May 14, 2012 12:00 AM

6 Feet Under auditions

Lee Street Theatre announces auditions for its third annual 10 Minute Play Festival. More than 40 plays were submitted and six were picked to be produced in this year’s festival. All of the plays deal with the overall theme of Six Feet Under. There are roles available for adults all ages.

Auditions will consist of cold readings from the scripts. This is a great opportunity for theatre newcomers and veterans alike.

The plays selected for this year’s festival are:

The Business of Six Feet Under Gardening, by Hailey Wade; Exit, Stage 4, by Katie Scarvey; Myrtle Beach, by Jenny Hubbard; Fly (Two Actually. Oh, and a corpse), by Cale Evans; Poor Paddy, by Kurt Corriher; Pandemic Love Tips, by Bill Greene.

Six Feet Under will be directed by Justin Dionne.

Auditions are at 7 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday, May 14- 15 at the Black Box Theater, 405 N. Lee St.

Performances dates are June 6-9. For details email leestreettheatre@gmail.com

Review blog goes live; author signing May 19

Sunday, May 13, 2012 12:00 AM

Deal Safrit and Sheila Brownlow have gone live on the web with their new book review blog, The Literary Outpost. Designed for avid readers, by avid readers, the blog post has about 145 reviews of books that came out between 2009 and early 2012. Additional reviews of current books and those they are now reading are being posted at the rate of three to four weekly.

Although the site remains under development, with some additions and refinements planned, they decided to go live due to the requests of friends and followers.

The site offers reviews searchable by title, author and keywords. Future refinements will include the ability to search by reviewer. In addition to current reviews, there will be reviews of the works in entirety of certain authors and reviews of certain groups of books together, such as apocalyptic novels.

Entries vary in length from short takes to full reviews, and links will be provided to reviews that have been published previously in other media, such as the Salisbury Post. Readers can also expect to find commentaries and literary event information posted. Comments by readers of the blog to individual posts and to the blog itself are encouraged. Other reviewers familiar to the Salisbury reading community, including Gary Thornburg and Daphne Safrit, among others, will be joining the blog with their reviews in the future.

Safrit and Brownlow were the original founders of the independent bookshop Literary Bookpost in downtown Salisbury. Although they remain financial partners in that venture, they are no longer active in the operation of the store. Thornburg and Daphne Safrit were former employees of Literary Bookpost. The four of them, along with Frances Rash and Laura Thompson, have become known around North Carolina over the years due to the depth and scope of their book knowledge, and hope to pass that knowledge along to others through the blog.

To get to The Literary Outpost, go to http://theliteraryoutpost.com/wp/

Author signing

Marly Youmans will sign books at Literary Bookpost on Saturday, May 19, from 2 to 4 p.m.

Youmans is the author of the novel, “White Camellia Orphanage” and a book of poetry, “The Throne of Psyche.”

Marly Youmans is having a busy year; she recently finished events for “The Throne of Psyche,” and has begun readings and talks for “A Death at the White Camellia Orphanage” (Mercer University Press.) It won the Ferrol Sams Award for Fiction.

Recently she was tapped as a 2012 judge for the National Book Award in Young People’s Literature, so she will be busy reading when she’s not on the road. Although only two of her nine books are intended for children, the National Book Foundation felt that she would bring “a fresh angle of vision” to the panel of judges. Meanwhile, Mercer University Press has nominated “A Death at the White Camellia Orphanage” for The National Book Award in Fiction and the Pulitzer.

The dystopian novel for teens

Sunday, May 13, 2012 12:00 AM

By Erika Kosin

Rowan Public Library

Many people dream of living in a perfect world. A place where everyone is equal and there are no worries, but in the attempt to create that perfect world, the created society usually ends up as a dystopian one.

The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines a dystopia as an imaginary place where people lead dehumanized and often fearful lives. The dystopian novel is usually set in a future society that is repressed and tightly controlled by some governmental entity, but many times the people living there do not know any differently.

With today’s political climate and the popularity of the book “The Hunger Games,” many teens have found a new genre of fiction to cling to. While “The Hunger Games” has brought this genre to the front of mainstream literature, there are many books, some classic such as “Fahrenheit 451” (1953), that have broached this idea of a controlled society that thinks they are an enlightened, utopian existence. Some dystopian novels that can be found at the Rowan Public Library for teens include:

“The Giver” by Lois Lowry — Imagine a society where everyone is the same. There is no color, no love, no choices and no knowledge. Jonas lives in a world just like this and everyone is happy, but on his 12th birthday he learns that he will be the receiver of memories, the person who knows what life was like before the sameness. As he learns about what life could be, he is faced with the dilemma of leaving home to live a full life or staying and keeping those around him in the dark and happy.

“Uglies” by Scott Westerfeld — What if at the age of 16 everyone in society underwent plastic surgery and became perfect versions of themselves? If all choices, views and beliefs were erased, making everyone pleasant and compliant? Set 300 years into the future, the book features Tally Youngblood, who is about to become a “pretty” when she follows her friend Shay to the smoke, a village of “uglies” who refuse to undergo the transformation. As she learns more about the people of the smoke and the world of the pretties, will Tally decide to stay true to herself or will she go to the city to become a Pretty after all?

“Among the Hidden” by Margaret Peterson Haddix — 12-year-old Luke Garner is the illegal third child in his family and has to stay inside because of a new housing development for government officials being built behind his home. He lives in a future America where droughts have caused a food shortage, causing the government to create a strict population law that limits families to two children. If a “Shadow Child” is found, the population police will either kill or imprison the child, therefore forcing these children to either live in the shadows or take on new identities. With government officials moving in, could there really be other shadow children in the new homes?

“Matched “ by Ally Condie — Cassia Reyes has been looking forward to her Matching Ceremony for a long time. When she finds out the Society has chosen her best friend Xander to be her perfect mate, she is both happy and surprised since your mate is usually from a different city and never someone you know. When Cassia receives her microchip with the information about her match on it, a boy named Ky quickly flashes on the screen before Xander, making Cassia question the validity of the Matching process. Could there actually be more than one perfect match out there for each person? Could the society have made a mistake and picked the wrong person for her? As she questions the matching process, she discovers that her world is not as perfect as it seems.

Computer classes: Basic Genealogy. May 21, 7 p.m., South; May 22, 1 p.m., East (registration required by calling 704-216-7841); May 24, 9:30 a.m., headquarters.

Classes are free. Sessions are about 90 minutes long. Class size is limited and on a first-come, first-serve basis. Dates and times at all locations are subject to change without notice.

Summer reading programs: Dream Big-Read! for children. Pre-registration begins Monday at all library locations for children ages 12 months to rising fifth-graders.

Own The Night! for teens. Pre-registration begins Monday at all library locations for rising sixth-graders to 12th-graders.

JR’s Adventure Club — May 19, 11 a.m. The club will choose a project to build, and have books from the library and recommended websites that go along with the project. The club is open to all school-age children. Light refreshments will be served. Call 704-216-8234 to learn more.

Masters of traditional music: Headquarters (only) May 22, 7 p.m., Stanback Auditorium. Paul Hill and Clay and Al Lunsford will demonstrate the artistry and skill with guitar and banjo that have delighted audiences for years. Light refreshments will be served. This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Library.

American Girl Club: Headquarters, May 26, 11 a.m. A book discussion group about the life and times of the American Girls characters.

Library closings: All branches will be closed May 28 for Memorial Day.

Displays: Headquarters — artwork by West Rowan High School students, AARP; South, student art by South Rowan High School art class; East, Winnie the Pooh by Kim Davis.

8th Summer Reading Challenge is on

Sunday, May 13, 2012 12:00 AM

SALISBURY — Summer simply isn’t summer without the Summer Reading Challenge.

Last year’s big hit was an on-stage interview with former Salisburian John Hart about his thriller “Iron House.” Frankly, that’s a tough act to follow, so the challenge has evolved a bit.

The Eighth Summer Reading Challenge will have a new format and new books designed to put readers in touch with new authors and new places.

Once again, the challenge will wrap up with an on-stage interview with a local author. This year, Jenny Hubbard, author of the successful young adult novel, “Paper Covers Rock,” will be in the hot seat.

The book came out in 2011 and has earned acclaim. Although pegged as young adult, it is certainly well-written and appealing to adults.

Hubbard is also a playwright and actress.

But before that, three special presentations will be held over the summer at Trinity Oaks, lead sponsor for the challenge. Mark your calendars for June 28, Aug. 9 and Sept. 27, all beginning at 7 p.m.

The South has produced excellent writers and the favorites focus on what are considered essentially Southern themes — family, community, identity and matters of faith. Selections for the challenge fit the bill.

The other books this summer begin with “The Cove,” by Ron Rash, professor of Appalachian studies at Western Carolina University and author of “Serena.” A conversation about this book takes place at Trinity Oaks on Thursday evening, June 28, at 7 p.m.

The second book, “A Land More Kind than Home,” by first-time novelist Wiley Cash, also has a Southern flavor. Cash, a North Carolina native, is professor of American literature and fiction writing at Bethany College in West Virginia. A discussion on this book will be held on Thursday, Aug. 9, 7 p.m. at Trinity Oaks.

Dr. Forrest Anderson, professor of English at Catawba College, will recap “The Cove” and “A Land More Kind than Home” at the final event, Thursday, Sept. 27, 7 p.m., followed by a presentation on “Paper Covers Rock” by Salisbury’s own Jennifer Hubbard, interviewed by Salisbury Post Book Editor Deirdre Parker Smith. Hubbard’s book was considered one of the best debut novels of 2011.

The Summer Reading Challenge is being facilitated by Barbara Setzer, Diane Hundley of Trinity Oaks, Deirdre Parker Smith of the Salisbury Post and Deal Safrit. All of the discussion events will be hosted by Trinity Oaks in their multimedia room in the main building.

To date, sponsors are: Trinity Oaks Retirement Community, Salisbury Post, Catawba College, Livingstone College, F&M Bank, Jeanne Osborne and Bert Wurster, Dr. Sheila Brownlow and Deal Safrit, and Barbara and David Setzer.

If you would like to be a sponsor at the $100 and above levels, please contact Barbara Setzer at 704-633-5779 or at sgrayhouse@bellsouth.net.

Bestsellers

Sunday, May 13, 2012 12:00 AM

Rowan bestsellers

Literary Bookpost

1. Fifty Shades of Grey, by E.L. James.

2. Goliath, by Susan Woodring.

3. Fifty Shades Freed, by E.L. James.

4. Let's Pretend this Never Happened, by Jenny Lawson.

5. Fifty Shades Darker, by E.L. James.

6. I Am a Pole (and So Can You!), by Stephen Colbert.

7. Sports Illustrated Fenway: A Fascinating First Century, Sports Illustrated.

8. The Doll's House, by Rumer Godden.

9. The Very Hungry Caterpillar, by Eric Carle.

10. The Sound of Waves, by Yukio Mushima.

Indiebound bestsellers

Fiction

1. Deadlocked, by Charlaine Harris.

2. Calico Joe, by John Grisham.

3. Sacre Bleu, by Christopher Moore.

4. The Wind Through the Keyhole, by Stephen King.

5. The Limpopo Academy of Private Detection, by Alexander McCall Smith.

6. The Sense of an Ending, by Julian Barnes.

7. The Innocent, by Davi Baldacci.

8. The Beginner’s Goodbye, by Anne Tyler.

9. The Newlyweds, by Nell Freudenberger.

10. The Shoemaker’s Wife, by Adriana Trigiani.

Nonfiction

1. The Passage of Power: The Years of Lyndon Johnson, by Robert A. Caro.

2. Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake, by Anna Quindlen.

3. Drift, by Rachel Maddow.

4. Wild, by Cheryl Strayed.

5. End This Depression Now! by Paul Krugman.

6. Are You My Mother?: A Comic Drama, by Alison Bechdel.

7. Prague Winter, by Madeleine Albright.

8. Imagine: How Creativity Works, by Jonah Lehrer.

9. Let’s Pretend This Never Happened, by Jenny Lawson.

10. The Power of Habit, by Charles Duhigg.

Waynesville writer wins Doris Betts Fiction Prize

Sunday, May 13, 2012 12:00 AM

GREENVILLE — Leah Hampton of Waynesville has won the 2012 Doris Betts Fiction Prize competition for her story “The Saint.” Hampton will receive a prize of $250, and her story will be published in the North Carolina Literary Review’s 2013 issue.

Hampton teaches English at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, where she currently serves as the associate director of WCU’s Writing and Learning Commons. She is a native North Carolinian and a longtime resident of the Blue Ridge mountains. She lives in Waynesville with her husband Joel.

NCLR Fiction Editor Liza Wieland selected Hampton’s story from 12 finalists, saying “I chose ‘The Saint’ as winner of the 2012 Doris Betts Fiction Prize because I was moved by the quiet, deliberate voice in the story, as well as by the energy of the language. I was also impressed by the story’s experiment with chronology, its demonstration that grief can dismantle time and thus in some way make time useful to us. This is a story that is both disarmingly wise and breathtakingly beautiful.”

Eighty-nine stories were submitted to this year’s competition. Wieland also noted Ronald Jackson’s “The Shower”; Kathryn Lovatt’s “A Cure For Dreams”; and Gregg Cusick’s “Entanglement” for honorable mentions. Other finalists were Allison Reavis, Nancy Richard, Kermit Turner, Beth Hatcher, Faith Holsaert, Haley Edwards, Leah Berkowitz and Susan Walker.

“The past year has been full of surprises and learning experiences,” said Hampton. “My background is in technical writing, so I’ve always been rather shy about my creative side. Recently I’d been intensely focused on some challenging work-related writing projects, and I was feeling really burned out. I became determined to take some time for myself and finally submit this story, which had been on the back burner for some time. It felt so good to finish it, to feed that part of myself. I am so thrilled and fulfilled by this whole experience.”

Published since 1992 by East Carolina University and the North Carolina Literary and Historical Association, the North Carolina Literary Review has won numerous awards and citations. Wieland is the author of three novels and three collections of short stories.

The nonprofit North Carolina Writers’ Network is the state’s oldest and largest literary arts services organization devoted to writers at all stages of development.

Youth theater production of 'Cinderella' opens at The Norvell

Thursday, May 10, 2012 12:00 AM

Evil stepsisters, a handsome prince, a fairy godmother: the elements of a classic fairy tale.

Piedmont Players Theatre’s current production of “Cinderella” follows the well-loved storyline but adds a lot of humor: the two horrid stepsisters are named Asphyxia and Euthanasia.

The show opens tonight and performances continue through May 20.

PPT veteran Kathleen Bourque is Cinders; Michael Jones is Dandini, Jonathan Matthews is Buttons, Adam Silverstrim is Baron Hardupp; Traci Leak is Baroness Hardupp; Morgan Fuller is Asphyxia, Summer Hall is Euthanasia; Jon Mitchell is Ammer; Daniel Garvey is Tongs. Austin Young is the prince; Tori Isenhour is the Fairy Godmother; Brian Engwall is Major Domo.

Playing the townspeople are Macy Abramson, Lauryn Alexander, Madelyn Cooper, Chloe Corley, Maggie Dees, Addisyn Fox, Maggie Engwall, Olivia Gregory, Richard Hanson, Garrett Jennings, Andrew Prater, Jason Matthews, Jayln McCombs, E.J. McGorda, Lee Patterson, George Rankin, Sara Beth Richard, Carson Sifford, Victoria Stevenson, Zachary Stevenson and Saybrin Thomas.

“Cinderella” will be performed at The Norvell Theaterat 7:30 p.m. May 10-12 and May 18-19 and at 2:30 p.m. May 13 and May 20.

Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for students and seniors.

For tickets, call 704-633-5471 or visit the box office in person.