CONCORD ó Prominent local bluegrass musician Jeff Whittington, who has played on the “Grand Ole Opry,” will bring his “Brand New Opry” show to the Davis Theatre stage tonight as part of his “Jeff Whittington Presents. . .” concert series.
The show will feature members of the Brand New Bluegrass Boys and begins at 7:30 p.m. in the theatre in Cabarrus County’s historic courthouse at 65 Union Street S., Concord.
Whittington was a regular on “The Arthur Smith Show,” the first country music show to be nationally syndicated, and is also a former North Carolina Banjo Champion. Musicians joining Whittington on stage include Tom Isenhour of Salisbury on mandolin, guitar and banjo; John Culbreath of Concord on fiddle, guitar, mandolin and banjo; and Jim Pickard of Albemarle on bass. Whittington, of Concord, will play banjo, guitar, mountain dulcimer and pedal steel.
Tickets are $10. Advance tickets are available at the Davis Theatre Box Office, Tuesday-Friday, 704-920-2753, and online at http://cabarrusartscouncil.tix.com.
Set construction
Set construction for Piedmont Players next show, “Smokey Joe’s Café,” will be held this Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday, 1-5 p.m., and also Saturday, March 7, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. All skill levels are welcome.
Call 704-633-5471 for more information.
Drum workshop
GOLD HILL ó Dr. K (Saleef Kafajouffe Ph.D.) will be presenting his Jembe-Jam drumming workshop 12:30-4 p.m. Saturday Sacred Grove Retreat/ Bed and Bike Inn 15750 Mattons Grove Church Gold Hill.
The cost of the workshop is $49, and includes a free practice drumming CD.
There will also be drums from the Ivory Coast for sale. Drum rental is available for the workshop for $15.
Call Ellen to make reservations at 704-463-0768.
For more information, visit www.SacredGroveRetreat.com.
Battle of the Bands
Judges have been announced for the final round of the Battle of the Bands, presented by the Rowan Blues and Jazz Society beginning 7:30 p.m., March 14, on the last night of the March Hare Music Festival at Looking Glass Artist Collective.
Bands of any style and genre and of any age, either amateur or professional, are invited to enter the competition. The deadline is March 1.
Judges will be: Bob Paolino, winner of the Charlotte Blues Society’s 2009 Blues Challenge; Marc Hoffman, film music composer, vocalist, performer of Christian contemporary music, jazz pianist, owner of Salisbury School of Music; Jesse Reaves, singer, songwriter, guitarist and rock music coloumnist for Salisbury Post; and Eleanor Qadirah, events promoter and founder of Rowan Blues and Jazz Society.
For more information, visit www.salisburyartists,org/marchhare or call 704-960-6594
Steinbeck auditions
ALBEMARLE ó Stage director Craig Kolkebeck of Salisbury will be holding auditions for John Steinbeck’s “Of Mice and Men,” on March 9-10 for the Uwharrie Players in Albemarle.
The play calls for eight men and one woman.
Auditions will be held both nights at 7 p.m. at 233 West Main Street in Albemarle and will consist of cold readings from the script. Callbacks will be held on Mar. 11.
Rehearsals will begin March 19 and will be held Sundays through Thursdays. The show opens April 24 and runs through May 2 at the Stanly County Agri Civic Center Theatre in Albemarle.
Handicapable art
The first annual Handicapable Art Show, produced by Carolina Artists, was held at Rail Walk Studios and Gallery Feb. 7-21. Anyone with a physical, mental or emotional challenge was eligible to participate.
The exhibit was funded by the Blanche and Julian Robertson Family Foundation Inc. Other sponsors included Rowan County ARC, Lifespan, Rowan County Parks and Recreation Therapeutic Recreation, Carter House and several individual sponsors.
Marietta Smith, executive director of the Rowan Arts Council, judged the 74 entries.
On Feb. 7 a reception was held, and prizes were awarded at that time. The top three awards, as well as the five honorable mentions, received gifts of art supplies. Everyone who entered the show received a ribbon acknowledging their participation.
The winners of the Handicapable Art Show 2009, are as follows:
First Place: “Rhythm & Blues” by Major S. Sampson (sponsor-Carter House); Second Place: “Angus Under the Tree” by Barrie Miller Kirby (individual sponsor); Third Place: “Boogey Down Boogey” by Perry Shaw (sponsor-Lifespan); Honorable Mentions: “My Hershey Kiss” by Tanika Walker (sponsor-Rowan ARC); “Look-Out Mountain” by Ken Carroll (sponsor-Abundant Living); “Banjo Clock” by Don Srail (sponsor-Rowan County Parks and Recreation Therapeutic Recreation); “Spring Time Flowers” by Ashton McJunkin (sponsor-Rowan ARC); “Fish” by Rebecca Lewis (sponsor-Lifespan).
Salisbury Academy show
The Salisbury Academy Lower School (grades 1-4) will present “Lights, Camera, Action,” at 7 p.m. tonight, in the school gym at 2210 Jake Alexander Blvd., North.
This is a musical review featuring songs from the hit movies “Sponge Bob Square Pants,” “Finding Nemo,” “The Polar Express,” “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory,” and “Shrek.” There will be songs and special appearances by James Bond, Sylvester Stallone, Clark Gable, Judy Garland, Esther Williams and Groucho Marx .
The event is free and open to the public. Donations will be accepted.
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Sarah Hall compiles briefs. Contact her at 704-797-4271 or shall@salisburypost.com.