KANNAPOLIS ó The City of Kannapolis Parks and Recreation Department, in conjunction with Ike’s Construction and the Cabarrus County Library, presents a Stories Under the Stars session as part of the 2008 Ike’s Construction Summer Events Series this Saturday at 7 p.m.
The audience will be entertained and educated by a performance of Criss Cross Mangosauce on the patio of the Cabarrus County Public Library’s Kannapolis Branch, 850 Mountain St.
Criss Cross Mangosauce is a live performance designed to teach Spanish and culture to children through music, dance and storytelling. The performance is developed and produced by Expresiones LLC, a premiere resource for performing arts, language education and cultural understanding for children.
Other storytellers performing as part of this series include Lloyd Arneach, The Great Fettuccini and Faye Stanley.
Admission is free.
For more information, call 704-920-4343 or visit www.cityofkannapolis.com.s.nc.us.
Art festival awards
The Rowan Arts Council presented a cash award and six purchase awards to artists at Saturday’s Art on Easy Street summer art festival. This was the first year for awards.
“We wanted to recognize the beautiful work being shown at our festival,” said Marietta Smith, executive director.
The Best of Show Cash Prize was awarded to Carol Clay of Arachne by Carol Clay for her handwoven items.
Ben Mynatt Nissan Purchase Award went to Joanne French of VJ Designs. Curt & Geri’s Dairy Bar Purchase Award went to Georgia Martin of By Georg Beaded Jewelry. Katie Matthews, CPA Purchase Award went to Keith Martindale of Keith Martindale Pottery. Rail Walk Studios & Gallery Purchase Award went to Brent Smith of Brent Smith Pottery. Rowan Investment Company Purchase Award went to Keith Collins of Cascade Sculpture. Scott Snider, CPA Purchase Award went to Sue Davis of Visual Joy Studios.
Music and ice cream
CHARLOTTE ó The Charlotte Folk Society is partnering with the Charlotte Museum of History for the third summer to host an Old-Time Music Jam and Ice Cream Social on Sunday, July 13, from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. on the grounds of the museum, 3500 Shamrock Drive in east Charlotte.
Visitors are invited to enjoy touring the museum and Hezekiah Alexander Homesite, open acoustic jam sessions, a song circle, clogging, storytelling, and ice cream. Children will enjoy historic games.
This event is free and open to the public. In the case of rain, it will take place in the museum’s Great Hall.
For information, call 704-532-8846 or visit www.folksociety. org.
RenFest auditions
CHARLOTTE ó The Carolina Renaissance Festival, a combination of outdoor theater, circus, arts and crafts fair, jousting tournament and feast, is searching the Queen City for its next King
Auditions for the featured role of King will be held July 12 from noon to 3 p.m. in the community building at the Mighty Fortress Lutheran Church, 8300 McClure Circle, Charlotte.
In addition to the King audition, general auditions will be held for street characters, musicians, dancers and variety acts on Tuesday, July 15, from 6:30 to 9 p.m. and on Saturday, July 19, from noon to 3 p.m., also in the community building at Mighty Fortress.
Professional and amateur opportunities are available. Prepared material is not required. Head shot and resume appreciated but not required. Anyone under 12 must be with a parent.
Contact 704-896-5555 or email Vreanie@royalfaires.com to schedule an audition appointment.
Audition location and general festival information can be found at: www.RenFestInfo. com.
Youth orchestra camp
Youth Orchestra Camp for ages 10-18, sponsored by the Salisbury-Rowan Symphony Society and made possible by a grant from the Blanche and Julian Robertson Family Foundation, will be held 9 a.m.-noon the weeks of July 28n Aug. 1 and Aug. 4-8 at Catawba College.
Salisbury Youth Orchestra’s Music Director Ryan Peller will direct the camp, and coaches include Margaret Rehder (violin), Don Tracy (cello), Susan Trivette (woodwinds) and Steve Etters (brass), all professional musicians and teachers from around the region.
Activities include ensemble rehearsals, coaching sessions, recreational activities, field trips, and a final concert at the end of the camp. Those wishing to perform with the SYO next year may count the concert as their audition.
Cost is $ 70 for the two weeks; there are discounts for multiple siblings, and scholarships are available.
The deadline for registering is July 15.
For information and applications, contact the symphony office at 704-637-4314 or ljones@catawba.edu.
Watercolor workshop
Artist Tom Jones will lead a watercolor workshop Aug. 18-22 at the Civic Center.
Jones will also be judging The Carolina Artists Expo and will be on hand at the reception Friday evening, Aug. 22, to meet artists and guests.
Jones began painting at an early age, and is largely self-taught. He has studied under the internationally known watercolorists Tom Lynch and Pablo Sansequndo-Castaneda.
His art can be found internationally in many private and corporate collections, including commissioned paintings displayed in the Florida State Capitol Building, Walt Disney World Corporation, Marriott Corporation, and the Omni Corporation. His work has been featured in many books and on magazine covers.
Jones shares his passion for art and love of nature with students of varying skill levels through nationwide workshops, demonstrations and instructional videos. A resident of central Florida, he holds workshops at the Osceola Center for the Arts and Seminole Community College.
Jones’ workshops include painting demonstrations and individual hands-on instruction with emphasis on developing first wash, values, textures, variety of color, edges and shapes, as well as creating the illusion of light.
He seeks to make his workshops fun and entertaining as well as helping students leave with fresh ideas for painting in watercolor. At the end of the workshop, all students will receive a certificate of completion along with a signed limited edition print by Jones, and each student’s works will receive a positive critique.
Fee is $360. Send $50 registration fee along with your name and contact information to: Nancy Rogers, 102 Covenant Woods Drive, Salisbury, NC 28144
The balance of $310 will be due at the beginning of the workshop.
For more information about Jones or to view his artwork, visit his Web site: www.TomJonesArtist.com.
Carolina Artists expo
Carolina Artists are now accepting entries for their annual expo.
The expo is set for Aug. 21-23 at the Civic Center, with a reception 6-8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 22.
Deadlines for the event include an Aug. 5 entry form deadline, with entries accepted at the Civic Center Aug. 19 from 10 a.m. to noon and 4-6 p.m.
Categories include oil or acrylic on canvas, wood or other panels; watercolor and all other water media on paper; photography; pencil, pastel, pen and ink, charcoal and collage; three-dimensional works.
There must be a minimum of 20 entries to qualify as a category for judging purposes.Artists ages 18 and up may enter up to five works of original art.
Entry fee is $25 for members and $35 for non-members. Memberships in Carolina Artists are available at delivery, with annual dues of $20.
Awards include a People’s Choice award for $100; first place, $200; second place, $100; third place, $50; and honorable mentions at judge’s discretion.
For more information about the expo, visit www.carolina artist.org or call 704-209-9968.