Dance – “Nutcracker” Salisbury Symphony and Piedmont Dance Theatre ó 6:30 p.m. Dec. 19; 2:30 p.m. Dec. 20. Keppel Auditorium, Catawba College. $10-$25. 704-637-4314. www.salisburysymphony.org. – – Holiday happenings
– Victorian Christmas at the Dr. Josephus Hall House ó 1-4 p.m. weekends in December. Special candlelight tour 6 to 8 p.m. Christmas Eve. Weekend tours: $5 per person or $3 for members of Historic Salisbury Foundation. Candlelight tour by donation. 226 S. Jackson St. 704-636-0103. www.historicsalisbury.org.
– Santa Train at NC Transportation Museum, Spencer ó Dec. 19-20. 704-636-2889. nctrans@nctrans.org.
– Cookies and Cocoa with Santa evening train ride ó Dec.18,19, by advance ticket only. NC Transportation Museum, Spencer. 704-636-2889. nctrans@nctrans.org.
– Spencer Candlelight Tour of Churches ó 6-9 p.m., Dec. 18. Self-guided, free. Entertainment offered at several of the churches. Trolley rides available beginning 5:30 p.m. at Spencer Shops, $1 for riders over 3.
– Camp Christmas Child Care ó 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Dec 19. F&M Trolley Barn. Donations to Rowan County Youth Services Bureau accepted. Reservations suggested, call 704-633-5636 ext 104. – Santa’s SleigHAY Ride and Photos ó 11 a.m.-4 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday until Christmas. The Harris Farm, 1643 Pembroke Road, Harrisburg. hayrides with Santa-$10;photos-$5. Calves, goats, elves, Mrs. Claus. Pets welcome. info@theharrisfarm.com. – Santa Visits Tiger World ó 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Dec. 19. 4400 Cook Road, Rockwell. 704-279-6363. www.tigerworld.us. – Christmas Wonderland of Lights at Zootastic Park, Lake Norman ó 6-10 p.m., seven days per week through New Years Day. Two mile journey through forest with one million lights, ends at 300 foot Christmas light show set to music of Trans-Siberian orchestra and visit with Santa Claus. Refreshments, pony ride. $5 per person or $20 per vehicle. Off I-77 at exit 42. 1-800-966-0069. www.zootasticpark.com.
– New Year’s Eve at the Bell Tower ó 11:30 p.m., Dec. 31. Performance by Monica Ostroska, refreshments, prize drawings. Free.
– Kwanzaa celebration ó 4-10 p.m., Jan 1. LGAC Black Box Theater, 405 N. Lee St. Celebration will include African drumming by Saleef Kafajouffe and an African dance group and other entertainment. Community invited to share covered dishes, refreshments will be served. Limited vendor spaces available for Marketplace (must be reserved in advance). 704-636-2811.
– – Music and more – After-School Strings concert ó 5:30 p.m., Dec. 17. Isenberg Elementary School. 704-637-4730.The Lettermen Christmas Show ó 7:30 p.m., Dec. 19. Stevens Center, 405 W. Fourth St., Winston-Salem. 336-21-1945.
– Combined choir Christmas concert ó 7:30 p.m., Dec. 19 and 20, choirs of Grace UMC and Bethel UMC with orchestral ensemble, performing John Purifoy’s “Born a Savior, Born a King.” Additional music by brass ensemble, handbells and contemporary praise band. Free. Saturday presentation is at Grace UMC, 846 Faith Road; Sunday at Bethel UMC, 2380 Long Ferry Road.
– Nine Lessons and Carols ó 5 p.m. Dec. 20. Presented by music department of First United Methodist Church, 217 S. Church St. Directed by Matthew Michael Brown, organist and choir director, accompanied by organ, oboe, harp and timpani. Free, offering received. www.fumcsalisbury.org. 704-636-3121. –
Big Band Bash ó 7:30 p.m., Jan 9. Hedrick Auditorium at Catawba College, 45-minute concert followed by music, dancing and hors d’oeuvres the Crystal Lounge. Benefit for Salisbury Symphony. 704-637-4314.
– George Strait and Reba McIntyre ó 7 p.m. Jan. 23. Greensboro Coliseum. www.ticketmaster.com. 800-745-3000.
– Theater
– Set construction for Piedmont Players’ “Sweet Bird of Youth” ó 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Dec. 19 at the Meroney Theater. Lunch provided. All skill levels needed. Enter through backstage door. 704-633-5471. – “Sister’s Christmas Catechism” ó Dec. 1-20, Booth Playhouse, Charlotte. 704-372-1000. www.blumenthalcenter.org.
– NCSF “A Christmas Carol” ó Through Dec. 20. High Point Theatre, 220 E. Commerce Ave., High Point. 336-887-3001. www.highpointtheatre.com.
– – Comedy
– Jerry Seinfeld ó Two shows, 7 and 9:30 p.m., Jan. 22. Ovens Auditorium, Charlotte. 800-745-3000.
– – Film – “Still Bill” documentary about legendary musician Bill Withers ó 7 p.m., Dec. 17. Looking Glass Artist Collective Black Box Theater, 405 N. Lee St. Cost: $5. Free for students with ID. Concessions available. 704-633-2787. www.stillbillthemovie.com.
– – Classes – Line dancing -two locations ó City Park Recreation Center: Beginner: 6-7 p.m. Jan. 4, 11, 25, Feb. 1, 8, $18 for five classes; 7-8 p.m., same dates, “Hi Beginner” (experiences) $18, extra county fee waived. Rufty-Holmes Senior Center: Thursdays Jan. 7, 14, 21, 28, Feb. 4, 11-six classes $21: 4:30-5:30 p.m. “Hi Beginner;” 5:30-6:30 p.m. intermediate. Call Cheryl Kluttz-704-633-3484. – Piedmont Players Theatre Inc. Youth Winter Drama Workshops ó Jan. 9, 16 and 23, 3rd-5th graders: 9-10:30 a.m., 6th-8th graders: 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Meroney Theater, 213 S. Main St. $40 per student for all three sessions. 704-633-5471.
– – This & That – Astronomical Society of Rowan County meeting ó 7:30 p.m. Dec. 19. Home of Ralph and Alice Deal, 1920 Deal Road, Mooresville. Bring telescope or binoculars. 704-855-1591.
– Laser shows at Horizons Unlimited’s Margaret C. Woodson Planetarium ó 4 and 5 p.m., Dec. 19: family show with holiday music and laser light images $3 adult, $2 for age 12 and under. Tickets go on sale 30 minutes before show. 7 p.m. Dec. 19: Rock Laser Show with songs of Metallica. Doors open 6:30 p.m., $5 adults, $3 ages 12 and under. 1636 Parkview Circle. Guests asked to use rear entrance on Lilly Avenue. Information: call 704-639-3004 between 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Big Band Dances ó 7-10 p.m. first Saturday of each month. Hurley YMCA. Music by The Hi-Liters. Bring a snack to share. $5. 704-636-0111.
– DADA First Friday Gallery Hop ó 7-10 p.m. first Friday of each month in Downtown Arts District of Winston-Salem: Sixth, Trade and Liberty Streets. Free. 336-734-1864. – – Night life – The Blue Vine, 209 S. Main St. ó Christmas party Dec. 18: free snacks 7:30-8:30 p.m. If you are in a seat at 8:30 you don’t have to pay cover charge for the show by Divided By Four, 9 p.m.-midnight ($5 cover); 9-11:30 p.m. Dec. 19: Gigi Dover unplugged with multi-instrumentalist Eric Lovell. 704-797-0093. www.thebluevine.com. – Brick Street Tavern, 122 E. Fisher St. ó 6-8 p.m., Dec. 22: Santa, acoustic sing-along, free hot cocoa, kids meals $.99. Open mic 9:30 p.m. Tuesdays starting 9:30 p.m. Performers of all types welcome-sign up as you arrive. 704-637-6047. www.thebrickstreettavern.com. – E.H. Montgomery General Store ó 6-8 p.m. Fridays: bluegrass jams. Historic Village of Gold Hill. www.HistoricGoldHill. com. 704-279-5674, 704-267-9439. – Fat Jack’s, 120 Military Ave. ó 8 p.m., Dec. 19: Christmas party with Funk City Blues Band, no cover. High Rock Boat & Ski Club, 257 Boat Club Lane ó Monday Night Football specials. Deejay every Friday and deejay or band every Saturday. 704-633-0251.
– The Inn, 1012 Mooresville Hwy 150 ó Dec. 18: Marc Hoffman Christmas jazz concert, with Brian Sullivan on drums and John Shaunessy on bass; 8 p.m. Dec. 19: Miracle Maxx and Crosswalk. Open 7 p.m.-midnight Saturdays. Free refreshments, air hockey, foosball, pool. Public invited to jam or schedule their group to perform. 704-213-1467. www.inntheloop.blogspot.com. – Singles – Piedmont Singles ó Meets 7:15 p.m. Fridays, Gloria Dei Lutheran Church. Dec. 18: “Dirty Santa” night -bring a gift to exchange. Covered dish. No joining fee, donations appreciated. Contact Frances Ward 704-637-3241.
– Highlighters Dance Club ó Dec. 18: Goodman Band. First and third Fridays. Doors open 7 p.m., free line dance class 7:15 p.m. Open to singles 40 and over. Dress code. Heavy hors d’oeuvres served 8 p.m. BYOB. $10 members; $12 guests. Join for $20 and get in free the first night of joining. Non-smoking, dressy casual. American Legion Post 380, 4235 W. Tyvola Road, Charlotte. 704-948-3873 or 704-504-3135. ssendecki@aol.com.
– Zodiac Club ó No dance Christmas Day. Meets second and fourth Fridays. Doors open 7 p.m., food served 8 p.m., live band starts 8:30 p.m.Open to mature singles over 40. $10 members, $12 guests. Dress code-upscale casual. Smoke-free. American Legion Post 380, 4235 West Tyvola Rd. Call 704-752-8824 or contact taylorbt@msn.com. Visit www.charlottezodiacdanceclub.com. – Call for artists – Kwanzaa celebration ó Jan. 1. LGAC Blackbox Theater, 405 N. Lee St. Drumming, African dancers, community talent encouraged to participate. 704-636-2811. – Bluegrass musicians ó Bluegrass jam open to all Saturdays at Dixie’s Roasting Co., 102 S. Main St., China Grove. 704-857-9169.
– Chris Austin songwriting contest, hosted by Merlefest ó Submission deadline Feb. 18. www.chrisaustinsongwritingcontest.org.
– Poetry contest ó Entries must be received by Dec. 20. No entry fee. Poems of 21 lines or less on any subject and in any style will be accepted. Grand prize of $1000 sponsored by The Celestial Arts Society. 50 prizes totaling $5000. All ages welcome. www.freecontest.com.
– Auditions – Piedmont Players youth production: “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” ó 4 p.m., Jan. 4 and 5, third floor of Meroney Theater, 213 S. Main St. Auditions are cold readings from the script. Show dates: Feb. 19 and 20. www.piedmontplayers.com. 704-633-5471. Salisbury-Rowan Choral Society ó Accepting new members for March Masterworks and Spring pops concerts. Rehearsals begin Jan. 5. Contact SRCSDirector@gmail.com.
– – Seeking vendors – Kwanzaa celebration ó Jan. 1. LGAC Black Box Theater, 405 N. Lee St. To reserve vendor space call 704-636-2811.
– Day of the Diva/Women’s Expo and Bridal Show, hosted by Angela Ramos ó 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Jan. 16, The Event Center, 315 Webb Road. Booth spaces $300. Call Cindy Sentell, 704-855-1218×120. www.theeventcenter.net.
– – Art – Waterworks Visual Arts Center, 123 E. Liberty St. ó Gallery open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Thursday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday. Groups may arrange guided tour. 704-636-1882. www.waterworks.org.
– EastSquare Artworks, 122 E. Innes St. ó 704-798-0047. www.eastsquareartworks.com. – Fine Frame Gallery, 105 S. Main St. ó Miniature exhibition through Jan. 5. 704-647-0340.Pottery 101 ó “It’s all in the Details!” featuring works by Joy Tanner and Annie Singletary. Gallery hours 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday. 101 S. Main St. 704-209-1632. – Rail Walk Studios and Gallery, 409 N. Lee St. ó 704-431-8964. www.railwalkgallery.com.
– Looking Glass Artist Collective Gallery, 407 N. Lee St. ó Shop featuring art and crafts for sale by members is open 2-6 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, 1-5 p.m. Sunday, and during special events. 704-633-ARTS. www.salisburyartists.org. – Green Goat Gallery, 516 S. Salisbury Ave., Spencer ó 704-639-0606. www.greengoatgallery.com. – Court Street Gallery, 134 Court St., Statesville ó Exhibit of works from the Pastel Society of North Carolina, on display through Dec. 18. Gallery open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday. www.iredellmuseums.org. – Grace and Cameron West Art Gallery, Pfeiffer University, Misenheimer ó “Works by “Dennis the Menace” illustrator Marcus Hamilton on display through Dec. 21. Gallery hours: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday. 704-463-3160. joshua.cross@pfeiffer.edu.
Reynolda House, Museum of American Art, Reynolda Road, Winston-Salem óOpen 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, 1:30-4:30 p.m. Sunday. $10 adults, $9 seniors, students with ID and children free. 336-725-5150 or www.reynoldahouse.org. – Museums – N.C. Transportation Museum, Spencer ó “The World Aloft-1908: The Year the Airplane Went Public” opens Dec. 17. Museum open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday; 1-5 p.m. Sunday. Train rides Monday through Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday 1-5 p.m. $6 adults, $5 children ages 3-12 and seniors ages 60 and up. Roundhouse Turntable rides at $1. Group rates available with advance notice. 704-636-2889 or 877-NCTMFUN. www.nctrans.org.
– Rowan Museum, 202 N. Main St. ó “V for Victory: Uncommon Valor, Common Virtue,” displaying WWII items. Museum is 1854 courthouse that survived Stoneman’s raid. Displays and interpretive exhibits reflect life and history of Rowan County. Open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday, 1-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. $3 adults, $1.50 students, free museum members. 704-633-5946. Utzman-Chambers House, 116 S. Jackson St. ó Open 1-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. 704-633-5946. – Dr. Josephus Hall House, 226 S. Jackson St. ó 1820 house museum features furniture and decoratives from Hall family and others. Costumed docents provide tours. $3 adults, $1.50 students, free to members of Historic Salisbury Foundation. For group tours, call HSF office, 704-636-0103. – Old Stone House, Granite Quarry ó Open 1-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. 704-633-5946.
– Historic Rockwell Museum, 102 E. Main St. ó Museum open Sundays 2-4 p.m. and by appointment. For information call Ann Teague: 704-279-5783.
– China Grove Roller Mill Museum óGuided tours 2-4 p.m. second Sunday of each month. Museum is operated by Historical Society of South Rowan. For special tours call 704-433-3912. www.hist-society-srowan.com.
– Historic Gold Hill, NC/Gold Hill Mines Historic Park ó 19th Century Living History Interpretations and educational tours weekends April-October and weekdays by appointment. Interpretative displays reflect life in the 1800s gold mining boom town. Village merchants and interpreters dressed in period costume weekends. Free admission. www.HistoricGoldHill.com. 704-279-5674, 704-267-9439.
– Fort Dobbs State Historic Site, 438 Fort Dobbs Road, Statesville ó 704-873-5882. www.fortdobbs. org. – Mill Village Museum, Old No. 14 Church St., Cooleemee ó 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday. Large groups by appointment. Operated by Cooleemee Historical Association. 336-284-6040. – Charlotte Museum of History, 3500 Shamrock Dr., Charlotte ó Family-friendly activities 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Regular admission is$6 adults, $5 students and seniors, $3 children 6-12, 5 and under free. Free admission Sundays. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday; 1-5 p.m. Sunday. 704-568-1774. www.charlottemuseum.org. – Historic Latta Plantation, Sample Road, Huntersville ó Museum hours 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, 1-5 p.m. Sunday. $6 adults, $5 seniors and students, free for children under 5. www.lattaplantation.org. 704-875-2312.
– Historic Rosedale Plantation, 3427 N. Tryon St., Charlotte ó Civil War National Register Federal house built circa 1815, excellent example of backcountry NC federal period architecture. Originally part of a 911-acre plantation. $5 adults, $4 students and seniors. Groups of 10 or more $4 per. Guided tours 1, 2 and 3 p.m. Thursday-Sunday. 704-335-0325. www.historicrosedale. org. – Charlotte Nature Museum, 1658 Sterling Road ó Focus on activities for ages 8 and younger. $5. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Friday; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday; noon-5 p.m. Sunday. 704-337-2671. – Discovery Place, Charlotte ó Museum open 9 a.m-4 p.m. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, noon-5 p.m. Sunday. 704-372-6261 or www.discoveryplace.org. – Old Salem, Winston-Salem ó 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 12:30-5 p.m. Sunday. $21 adults, $10 children. 336-721-7300 or www.oldsalem.org.
– The North Carolina Museum of History, 5 E. Edenton St., Raleigh ó Through July 5: “Barbie-Simply Fabulous at 50,” free. 919-807-7943. www.ncmuseumofhistory.org. – The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, 11 W. Jones St., Raleigh ó Museum admission is free. 919-733-7450. www.naturalsciences.org. – N.C. Museum of Life and Science, 433 Murray Ave., Durham ó $10.85 adult; $8.85 seniors 65 plus and military personnel with ID; $7.85 children age 3-12; free for children age two and younger. Train rides additional $2.50 per person, ornithopher rides $1. 919-220-5429, www.ncmls.org. –
Children’s Museum of Winston-Salem, 390 S. Liberty St. ó Museum hours: 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, 1-5 p.m. Sunday. $6 adults and children. 336-723-9111 or childrensmuseumofws.org.