Night life
Brick Street Tavern, 122 E. Fisher St. — 10 p.m., Jan. 8: Indie pop band Janus 4-14, Yadkin River Theory, Michael Graham opens, no cover. Tuesdays: open mic, performers of all types welcome, sign up as you arrive; 8 p.m. Wednesdays: team trivia. www.thebrickstreettavern. com, 704-637-6047.
Chicken and Oyster Shack, 1205 N. Salisbury Ave., Spencer — Karaoke every Saturday night, 704-431-4444.
Cripple Creek, 17665 Stokes Ferry Road, New London — Jan. 8: Darrell Harwood and The Cool Water Band. Fridays, deejay 9 p.m-2 a.m. Open Saturdays 8 p.m.-2 a.m. 704-279-4250.
High Rock Boat & Ski Club, 257 Boat Club Lane — Jan. 7: Deejay Ken McGee; Jan 8: Deejay Steve Carter. Sunday afternoons: shagging, Mondays: Monday night football, shag lessons. Memberships available. open Wed.-Sat. www.theboatandskiclub. com. 704-633-0251.
Rick’s BBQ and Grill, 929 S. Main St. — Jan. 6: Karaoke performance by Paul T, karaoke every Friday and Saturday. 704-642-0050.
The Blue Vine, 209 S. Main St. — 9:30 p.m.-midnight, Jan. 7: live acoustic music with Justin Dionne and Andrew Hodges; 9 p.m.-midnight, Jan. 8: Rose’s 50th birthday bash with Gigi Dover and Eric Lovell unplugged. No cover either night. www.theblue vine.com. 704-797-0093.
The Inn, 1012 Mooresville Hwy 150 — 8 p.m., Jan. 8: Contemporary urban artist Dezrick Dixon, along with Pro Christ and 100%, Christian rap and hip hop. 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.
E.H. Montgomery General Store — 6-8 p.m. Fridays: bluegrass jams. Historic Village of Gold Hill. www.HistoricGoldHill.com. 704-279-5674, 704-267-9439.
Old Stone Vino, 515 S. Main St., Kannapolis — 6:30-9 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays: guitarist, singer, songwriter Marty DeJarnette. Fridays, Saturdays: various artists. 704-938-2337.
The Evening Muse, 3227 N. Davidson St., NoDa Arts District, Charlotte — Jan. 8: The Loudermilks, doors 7 p.m./music 10:30 p.m., $8 advance, $10 DOS, CarolinaTix, 1-800-594.TIXX.
The Visulite, 1615 Elizabeth Ave., Charlotte — Jan. 8: booze-rock band Evelynn Rose, doors 8 p.m./music 9 p.m., $5 advance and DOS, www.visulite.com, 704-372-1000.
Music & more
Salisbury Symphony Big Band Bash — 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 8, concert conducted by David Hagy, Hedrick Little Theatre, Catawba College campus. Dance follows in Crystal Lounge. 704-633-7329 for ticket information.
Charlotte Folk Society — 7:30 p.m., Jan. 14: The Snyder Family Band. Free, family-friendly.Great Aunt Stella Center, 926 Elizabeth Ave., uptown Charlotte. www.folksociety. org.
Metropolitan Opera auditions open to public — 10:30 a.m., Jan. 15, regional applicants with prepared operatic arias compete to go to NYC National Finals. $3 donation suggested, Dana Auditorium, Queens University of Charlotte, 1900 Selwyn Ave. 704-845-4624, lesliepaliy@windstream. net.
Folk/Americana triple feature: Jim Avett, Sue McHugh, Johnson’s Crossroad — Jan. 14, doors open 7:30 p.m. Looking Glass Artist Collective black box theater, 405 N. Lee St. $7 cover. Concessions available. www.johnsonscrossroad.com.
Monthly Bluegrass concert and jam — 2 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 23, featuring Wood & Steel, free, $5 donation suggested. Also bring instrument for jam sessions 3-6 p.m., guitar/mandolin workshops 3:30-4:30 (fee charged). Greensboro Cultural Center, Band Rehearsal Hall, bottom floor, 200 N. Davie St., Greensboro.
An Evening with Loretta Lynn — Feb. 26, Ovens Auditorium, tickets on sale now for “An Evening with Loretta Lynn” 2700 E. Independence Blvd., Charlotte,704-372-3600, ticketmaster.com, 1-800-745-3000.
Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons — Feb. 26, 2011, Belk Theater, 130 N. Tryon St., Charlotte. Tickets begin at $39.50, 704-372-1000 or www.blumenthalcenter.org.
Festivals
Salisbury Rowan Human Relations Council presents Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday events — 7:15 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Jan. 17: breakfast at J.F. Hurley YMCA, 828 Jake Alexander Blvd. W., followed by parade, then family activities at Civic Center, 315 MLK Jr. Ave. S., music by Mac Arnold and the Plate Full O’ Blues Band, hands-on musical demonstrations for youths. Rowan-Salisbury Human Relations Council 704-638-5217, 704-638-2168.
Harvey B. Gantt Center Charlotte presents MLK Jr. Day multicultural activities — 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Jan. 17: a day of activities including children and adult films, music workshop led by Yewande Austin, two-hour drop-in crafts workshop entitled “Bookmarks, Buttons and Protest Signs” and lecture/concert “Bridging The Gap–Rhythms, Rhymes and Race In America.” Free. Wells Fargo Auditorium at Knight Theater, 430 S. Tryon St., Charlotte, 704-370-1181, www.ganttcenter.org.
Theater
Piedmont Players’ “The Three Musketeers” — Jan. 27-30, Feb. 2-5, Meroney Theater, 213 S. Main St. 704-633-5471, www.piedmontplayers.com
Old Courthouse Theatre’s Living Room Reading Series “Mrs. Murphy’s Porch” — 4 p.m., Jan. 23, free admission, 704-788-2405, OCT main stage, www.oldcourthousetheatre.org.
Old Courthouse Theatre’s “Divorce Southern Style” — 8 p.m., Feb. 3-5, 11-12, 18-19; 2:30 p.m., Feb. 6, 13, 20, tickets $15/$12/$10, 49 Spring St,. SW, Concord, www.oldcourthousetheatre.org. 704-788-2405.
Davidson Community Players Youth Theater’s “The Emperor’s New Clothes” — Jan. 21-23, all tickets $7, Cunningham Fine Arts Center at Davidson College, 704-892-7953, www.davidsoncommunityplayers.org.
“Billy Elliot the Musical” at Ovens — Jan, 12-30, tickets begin at $32, Ovens Auditorium, 2700 E. Independence Blvd., Charlotte, ww.ticketmaster.com or 1-800-745-3000.
“Blue” at Burning Coal Theatre, Raleigh — Jan. 13-30, “dramedy about relationships, tickets $20, Murphey School, 224 Polk St., Raleigh, 919-834-4001, www.burningcoal.com.
This & That
Planetarium show — 5 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 15: “Constellations Tonight,” live sky interactive program teaches constellations, bright stars, planet positions; stories from various cultures, each guest receives star map. Doors open 4:30 p.m., $3 adults, $2 children 12 and under. Horizons Unlimited Margaret C. Woodson Planetarium, 1636 Parkview Circle, 704-639-3004.
Salisbury Parks and Recreation Department father/daughter Valentine dance — 6-9 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 5, daughters (ages 4-13) $6, fathers $8; only 300 advance tickets sold. Salisbury Civic Center, 315 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., 704-638-5275.
“The Great Books Discussion Group” — 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 18, Concord Library auditorium; discussing Shakespeare’s “Hamlet.” Registration requested, 704-920-2053.
“Plato Not Prozac” — 4-5:30 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 26 and 7-8:30 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 27: Dr. Jim Spiceland leads discussion of “Plato Not Prozac” by Lou Marinoff. Purchase books at Literary Book Post, 110 S. Main St., discussions held at Center for Faith & the Arts, 207 W. Harrison St. (lower level Haven Lutheran Church), no cost to attend, pre-registration requested, 704-647-0999, faithart@bellsouth.net.
Big Band Dance with The Hi-Liters at JF Hurley Family YMCA — 7-10 p.m., Jan. 8, $5 entry fee, bring a snack to share. 828 W Jake Alexander Blvd., 704-636-0111.
Fundraisers
“A Night of Jazz and Swing” — 7:30 p.m., Friday, Feb. 11, tickets $15. Featuring the Brubakers, Salisbury Swing Band, Lonnie Carpenter. Proceeds benefit Rowan Helping Ministries. Meroney Theater, 213 S. Main St., 704-798-2821, Lonniec923@yahoo.com.
“Off Your Rocker” rock-a-thon — 8:30 a.m. opening ceremony, Saturday, Feb. 12: Cabarrus County Senior Center fundraiser, sponsor a rocking chair or enter a Rock-A-Teer team. 12-hour event, silent auction, live auction, car show, dinner dance featuring the Fantastic Shakers. General admission (no dinner dance) $7 adults, $4 children 5-12, free children younger than 5. Dinner dance and all events $30 individual, $50 couple. Cabarrus Arena and Events Center, 704-920-3484.
Classes
Piedmont Players’ Youth Audition Workshops — 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Jan. 8: How to Audition for a Play: 3rd-5th graders • Jan. 22: How to Audition for a Play: 6th-8th graders. $40 per workshop, bring a lunch.[0xa0]704-633-5471 to sign up, spaces limited. Norvell Theater, 135 E. Fisher St.
Absolute beginner line dance — Tuesdays, no experience necessary, $12/month, teacher Cheryl Kluttz, Rufty Holmes Senior Center, Martin Luther King Ave., 704-633-3484.
Singles
Piedmont Singles — Friday, Jan. 7: Dirty Santa, bring gift to exchange. Fridays 7:15 p.m., Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 1908 Statesville Blvd. No joining fee, donations appreciated. Covered dish. Contact Frances Ward 704-637-3241.
Highlighters Dance Club — First and third Fridays. Doors open 7 p.m., free line dance class 7:15 p.m. Open to singles 40 and over; former members who remarry are welcome. Dress code. Heavy hors d’oeuvres served 8 p.m. Free soft drinks. $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.
Auditions
Piedmont Players Youth Theatre, Disney’s “The Jungle Book Kids!” — 4 p.m., Jan. 6, come with short song prepared to sing, also cold reading from the script, elementary through high school students, Norvell Theater, 135 E. Fisher St. www.piedmontplayers. com, 704-633-5471.
Call for musicians
Piedmont Prime Time Community Band open enrollment — through Feb. 3 for new members for spring season beginning Jan. 6. Rehearsals Thursdays 7 p.m., Blackwelder Park Baptist Church, 2299 N. Main St., Kannapolis. Instruments needed: flute, clarinet, oboe, bassoon, saxophone, trumpet, French horn, trombone, baritone horn, tuba, percussion. Other requirements: ability to read music, attend rehearsals. 704-425-3508, 704-932-9438.
Call for artists
North Carolina Symphony design contest — to find new family-friendly mascot for NCS Kids Events. Submit entries by Feb. 18 to bjohnson@ncsymphony.org on or before Friday, Feb. 18, 2011. Contest rules and eligibility at www.ncsymphony.org/mascot.
Bluegrass musicians — Bluegrass jam open to all Saturdays at Dixie’s Roasting Co., 102 S. Main St., China Grove. 704-857-9169.
Speakers and forums
“Rowan’s Pirates Baseball Team” by Joel Smeltzer — 7 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 11, program about the old Rowan baseball team. Presented by Rowan History Club in roundtable format followed by Q and A. Free. Rowan Museum Messinger Room, 202 N. Main St., rear entrance. 704-633-5946, rowanmuseum@carolina. rr.com.
Catawba College Community Forum — 7:30 p.m., Jan. 25: senior professor of Political Science Dr. Sanford Silverburg on “The World in Flux,” free. Tom Smith Auditorium, Ralph W. Ketner Hall, Catawba College, 2300 W. Innes St.,704-637-4393.
Home and garden
Hurley Park landscaping lecture — 7 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 11: “Landscaping with North Carolina Native Plants,” slide lecture by Katherine Schlosser, information on diversity of plants native to NC, where to place them in the garden, reliable sources for native plants. Salisbury/Rowan Utilities Building, 1 Water St., 704-638-4459 or email dbeck@salisburync.gov.
The Kneeling Gardeners — 7 p.m., Jan. 24, Trinity United Methodist Church, Kannapolis. Local authors and Master Gardeners Joyce and Jim Lavene speak on their use of native plants in their writing. Open to anyone interested in gardening, 704-933-1127.
Art
Student art showcase at Center for Faith & the Arts — Salisbury High AP art students showcase their best work through Jan. 10. Located behind Haven Lutheran Church, 207 W. Harrison St., 704-647-0999, faithart@bellsouth.net.
Rail Walk Studios and Gallery, 409 N. Lee St. — Group Show featuring Rail Walk studio artists. Reopening with new winter hours Saturday, Jan. 8, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. 704-431-8964. www.railwalkgallery. com.
Waterworks Visual Arts Center, 123 E. Liberty St. — Featuring acrylic paintings, pastels by Walter Stanford, textile art/embroidery by Elizabeth Leal, acrylic paintings by Cindy Taplin, terra cotta, red earthenware clay by Beth Tarkington, fused glass sculpture by Syed Ahmad, acrylic paintings by C.J. Calvin, wood turnings by Barry Russell, ceramics by Jenny Lou Sherburne, oil paintings by Jane Woodward. Stanback Sensory Garden: Sculptures by Don Green. Gallery Hours: Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Tuesday/ Thursdays until 7 p.m., Saturdays, 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Guided tours for groups call 704-636-1882. Admission free, donations appreciated. www.waterworks. org.
Waterworks artists EXPO 2011 — April 7-9, three-day juried art show to promote and encourage relationships between artists and collectors, enhance the presence of art in our community, and enrich the community’s experience in the arts. www.waterworks.org, 704-636-1882.
Mint Museum of Art, 2730 Randolph Road, Charlotte — Open 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Tuesdays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday. Admission $10 adults, $8 seniors and students, $5 ages 6 to 17, free for members and children 5 and younger. Free on Tuesdays 5-9 p.m. 704-337-2000. www.mintmuseum.org.
Reynolda House Museum of American Art, 2250 Reynolda Road, Winston-Salem — Reynolda House is closed to the public in January and will re-open Feb. 1. Premier American art museum with masterpieces by Mary Cassatt, Frederic Church, Jacob Lawrence, Georgia O’Keeffe, Gilbert Stuart among its permanent collection; house, gardens and village feature public garden, dining, shopping,walking trails. 336-758-5150, reynoldahouse. org.
Parks
Dan Nicholas Park, 6800 Bringle Ferry Rd. — 704-216-7800. www.dannicholas.net.
Ellis Park, 3541 Old Mocksville Road — 704-216-7783.
Sloan Park, 550 Sloan Road, Mt. Ulla — Just 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 — Historic tours available by appointment. Information about tours: 704-267-9439; rentals: 704-279-5777. www.HistoricGoldHill.com.
Gold Hill Rail Trail — Hiking, biking trail begins at NW entrance to Gold Hill Mines Historic Park at Miner’s Field, continues into Cabarrus County. 704-267-9439.
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.
Museums
N.C. Transportation Museum, Spencer — 1 p.m., Jan. 29: “The Wreck of the Old 97,” historian Larry Aaron tells of the Wreck of the Old 97, piecing together the events that led the locomotive to plummet off a forty-five foot trestle into the ravine below, Bob Julian Roundhouse, bBook signing follows.Museum open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday; 1-4 p.m. Sunday. Train rides Saturday 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. $6 adults, $5 children ages 3-12 and seniors ages 60 and up. Roundhouse Turntable rides at $1. Group rates available with advance notice. 704-636-2889 or 877-NCTMFUN. www.nctrans.org.
Rowan Museum, 202 N. Main St. — “Local Architecture, Our Downhome Style,” also “Cooking by the Book.” Monday-Friday, 1-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Contributions accepted. 704-633-5946. www.rowanmuseum.org.
Utzman-Chambers House, 116 S. Jackson St. — Open 1-4 p.m. Saturday. $3 adults, $1.50 students, museum members free. 704-633-5946.
Dr. Josephus Hall House, 226 S. Jackson St. — 1820 house museum features furniture and decoratives from Hall family and others. Costumed docents provide tours. $3 adults, $1.50 students, free to members of Historic Salisbury Foundation. For group tours, call HSF office, 704-636-0103.
Old Stone House, Granite Quarry —Open 1-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. $3 adults, $1.50 students, museum members free. 704-633-5946.
Historic Rockwell Museum, 102 E. Main St. — For special tours call 704-279-4979. Museum open Sundays 2-4 p.m. and by appointment. For information call Ann Teague: 704-279-5783.
Price of Freedom Museum, Old Patterson School building, China Grove — Sundays 3-5 and by appointment. American war memorial dedicated to men and women of the armed services who gave all, with the goal of teaching all generations the true price of freedom. Intersection of Weaver, Patterson Roads. www.priceoffreedom.us, 704-857-7474.
China Grove Roller Mill Museum —Guided tours 2-4 p.m. second Sunday of each month. Museum is operated by Historical Society of South Rowan. For special tours call 704-433-3912. www. hist-society-srowan.com.
Historic Gold Hill,NC/Gold Hill Mines Historic Park — 19th century living history interpretations and educational tours weekends April-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. 704-279-5674, 704-267-9439. www.HistoricGoldHill.com.
Reed Gold Mine historic site, 12 miles southeast of Concord — Tuesday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., closed Sunday, Monday and major holidays, admission free. Part of Division of State Historic Sites, Office of Archives and History,704-721-4653, reed@ncdcr. gov.
Fort Dobbs State Historic Site, 438 Fort Dobbs Road, Statesville — The only North Carolina Historic Site associated with the Piedmont during the period of French and Indian War (1754-1763) or Seven Years War. Free, open Tuesday-Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m. 704-873-5882, www.fortdobbs.org.
Historic Latta Plantation, Sample Road, Huntersville — “Civil War Winter Quarters and Homefront,” 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Jan. 8; 1-4 p.m., Jan. 9. See how Civil War soldiers survived brutal winters encamped with the armies, how women and children survived at home, and more. Free with regular site admission.$7 per person, 5 and under free. www.lattaplantation. org. 704-875-2312.
Historic Rosedale Plantation, 3427 N. Tryon St., Charlotte — Civil War National Register Federal house built circa 1815, excellent example of backcountry NC federal period architecture.Originally part of 911-acre plantation. $5 adults, $4 students, seniors. Groups of 10 or more $4 per. Guided tours 1, 2 and 3 p.m. Thursday-Sunday. 704-335-0325. www.historicrosedale.
Discovery Place, Charlotte — “The Alps,”a man’s mountain expedition to climb the north face of the Eiger, at IMAX Dome Theatre. Featured exhibits: Sub Zero, A World Apart, What’s Glowing On? Museum hours: 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.
Discovery Place KIDS: Huntersville — Featured shows: “Sammy Squirrel’s Adventures” puppet show, “I Can Create” studio, “Where Do Animals Go in Winter?” science show. Open 9 a.m.–5 p.m., Tuesday-Saturday, noon-5 p.m., Sunday, closed Monday. Admission $8 adults and children age one and older, children younger than age one and members are free. Discounts available for groups of 15 or more. 105 Gilead Road, Huntersville. discoveryplaceKIDS. org, 704-372-6261.Charlotte Nature Museum, 1658 Sterling Road, Charlotte — $6 ages 2 and older; younger than 2 and members are free. Tuesday-Thursday 9 a.m.–5 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. -5 p.m.; Sunday noon–5 p.m.; closed Monday.
Old Salem, Winston-Salem — 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 12:30-5 p.m. Sunday. $21 adults, $10 children. 336-721-7300 or www.oldsalem.org.
NC Museum of Art, 2110 Blue Ridge Road, Raleigh — Special exhibition “American Chronicles: The Art of Norman Rockwell,” on view through Jan. 30, 2011. Featuring 40 original works of art and a complete set of 323 Saturday Evening Post covers. General admission $15, students, seniors, military, groups of 10 or more $12. Children 7-12 $7.50, children six and under free. www.ncartmuseum.org/rockwell.
NC Museum of History, 5 E. Edenton St., Raleigh — “Discover the Real George Washington,” 100+ original objects associated with Washington, including the only surviving complete set of his famous dentures, through Jan. 21. 919-807-7900 or ncmuseumofhistory.org.
NC Museum of Natural Sciences, 11 W. Jones St., Raleigh — Museum admission is free. 919-733-7450. www.naturalsciences.org.
NC Museum of Life and Science, 433 Murray Ave., Durham — $10.85 adult; $8.85 seniors 65 plus and military personnel with ID; $7.85 children age 3-12; free for children[0xa0]age two and younger. Train rides additional $2.50 per person, ornithopter rides $1. 919-220-5429, www.ncmls.org.
Children’s Museum of Winston-Salem, 390 S. Liberty St. — Museum hours: 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, 1-5 p.m. Sunday. $6 adults and children. 336-723-9111 or childrensmuseumofws.org.