Theater
Piedmont Players Theatre’s “Three Musketeers” — 7:30 p.m., Jan. 27-29 and Feb. 2-5; 2:30 p.m., Jan. 30. A comical musical. $12 adult, $10 student/senior, box office opens Jan. 24. comical musical. Meroney Theater, 213 S. Main St. 704-633-5471, www.piedmontplayers. com.
Blue Man Group at Belk Theater — Apr. 19-24, tickets begin at $20, Belk Theater at Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, 130 N. Tryon St., Charlotte, 704-372-1000, www.BlumenthalCenter. org.
“Billy Elliot the Musical” at Ovens — Through Jan. 30, tickets begin at $32, Ovens Auditorium, 2700 E. Independence Blvd., Charlotte, ww.ticketmaster.com or 1-800-745-3000.
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.
Queen City Theatre Company “Southern Baptist Sissies” — Through Feb. 5. Duke Energy Theatre at Spirit Square, 345 N. College St., Charlotte. Tickets begin at $16, 704-372-1000 or www.carolinatix.org.
“Blue” at Burning Coal Theatre, Raleigh — Through Jan. 30, “dramedy about relationships, tickets $20, Murphey School, 224 Polk St., Raleigh, 919-834-4001, www.burningcoal.com
Music and More
“Carolina Gator Gumbo” at theDavis Theater — 7:30 p.m. tonight, Jan. 27, Cajun and Creole band plays the music of southwest Louisiana, $10, Davis Theatre, 65 Union St. S., Concord, 704-920-2753, www.cabarrusarts council.org/davis-theatre.
Turku at LGAC Black Box Theatre — 8 p.m., Friday, Feb. 11, Concert of World Music featuring Turku, “Nomads of the Silk Road,” admission $10, concessions available, www.turkumusic.com. Tickets: Nancy at kalimatribal@carolina.rr.com. Looking Glass Artist Collective Black Box theater, 405 N. Lee St., 704-636-2811.
The Phantom of the Opera’s Franc D’Ambrosio — 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 5, Stanly County Agri-Civic Center, sponsored by Stanly County Concert Association, 26032 Newt Rd # B, Albemarle. $20 adult, $10 student, 704-986-3666, 704-983-1684, www.stanlyciviccenter. 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.
This & That
Big Band Dance with The Salisbury Swing Band at JF Hurley Family YMCA — 7-10 p.m., Jan. 29, $5 entry fee, bring a snack to share. 828 W Jake Alexander Blvd., 704-636-0111.
Salisbury Ghost Walk: special Valentine ghost walk — 7 p.m., Friday, Feb.11, adults $10, students $5, reservations recommended,boo@salisburyghostwalk.com, 704-213-4232.
Newcomers fourth annual luncheon, fashion show, game and card party — Doors open 11 a.m., Feb. 16, noon lunch catered by Creative Gourmet, fashion show by Virginia’s of Kannapolis modeled by Newcomer members, cards and games follow lunch. Tickets $20, 704-209-6280. All proceeds go to Rowan Helping Ministries and Woman’s Crisis Center. Civic Center, 315 MLK Jr. Ave. S.
Wayne Henderson Music Festival T-shirt design contest — Design contest for 17th Annual Festival in June: first prize, $100 and two passes. Deadline for the submission of original artwork is March 14, 2011. Questions, details, rules: graphics@waynehenderson.org. The nonprofit festival has been held every June since 1995 has awarded more than $50,000 to young students who play guitar, fiddle, banjo, mandolin, lap dulcimer or acoustic bass and the organizations that support them.
“Plato Not Prozac” — 7-8:30 p.m. tonight, 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.
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.
Night life
Benchwarmers. 113 E. Fisher St. — Tonight, Jan. 27: Submission Red from Ft. Lauderdale. 704-639-0604.

Brick Street Tavern, 122 E. Fisher St. — 10 p.m., Jan. 28: S&M Project, no cover. Tuesdays: open mic, performers of all types welcome, sign up as you arrive; 8 p.m. Wednesdays: team trivia; 9:30 p.m. Thursdays: plugged open mic night. www.thebrickstreettavern. com, 704-637-6047.

Chicken and Oyster Shack, 1205 N. Salisbury Ave., Spencer — Bike Night every Wednesday and karaoke every Saturday Night, 704-431-4444.

Cripple Creek, 17665 Stokes Ferry Road, New London— 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. 28: Deejay Mike Harding; Jan. 29: Locked and Loaded. Memberships available. open Wed.-Sat. www.theboatandskiclub.com. 704-633-0251.

Rick’s BBQ and Grill, 929 S. Main St. — Tonight, Jan, 27: Cherokee. Karaoke every Friday and Saturday. 704-642-0050.
 The Blue Vine, 209 S. Main St. — 9 p.m.-midnight, Jan. 28: “Thumbyour nose at winter party,”Hawaiian shirts, hats, sunglasses, southern soul, classic rock with Daine Hoffman, $5 cover; 9 p.m.-11:30 p.m., Jan. 29: Blazin’ Blues Bob Paolino, no cover. www.theblue vine.com. 704-797-0093.
The Inn, 1012 Mooresville Hwy 150 — Jan. 29: Submission Red from Ft. Lauderdale, comedians Donny G. and Scott Meade will 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.

Stelia’s Cafe Lounge, 118 N. Main St. — 9:30 p.m.-1 a.m., Jan. 29: Jeremy Vess. $5 advance, $7 DOS. 704-638-6266.
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.
Classes
Memoir-writing workshop — 3-5 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 12, “Roses of Winter,” led by writer-in residence Jenny Hubbard; limited spaces, reservations 704-647-0999 or faithart@bellsouth.net, $10 mailed in advance to Center for Faith & the Arts, PO Box 4098, Salisbury, NC 28145-4098. Workshop held at Center for Faith & the Arts, 207 W. Harrison St., lower level Haven Lutheran Church.
Classes at the Y — •“What to do with all those Christmas cards?” Learn to make cards Thursdays, 11 a.m.–1 p.m., $10 includes supplies for 6 cards. • Learn to make” Gift Boxes” out of your cards, 10 a.m., Feb. 2, no cost, bring your own cards, scissors, pencil, glue, tape. • “Introducing Scrapbooking,” 1-3 p.m., Tuesdays, $ 10 includes supplies for 2 pages.
Music class deadline — Catawba College Community Music Program spring classes begin this week • Group Guitar for young beginners (Level I): 3:30 p.m Mondays; Level II at 4:30 p.m. •Group Piano for young beginners: 4 p.m. Thursdays; adult beginners (ages 14 and above) at 5 p.m. • Group Suzuki Violin for young beginners: 4 p.m. Thursdays. • Intro to Music Recording: 4:30 p.m.; Tuesdays • Group Flute: 4 p.m. Fridays. • Family Music (birth-age 5): 2:30 p.m Tuesdays or 6 p.m. Thursdays. • Youth Chorale 7 p.m Thursdays; Children’s Chorale at 4 p.m. Thursdays. • Broadway singing lessons: 4:10 p.m. Thursdays; Pre-teen voice class: 5 p.m Thursdays. www.catawba.edu/ communitymusic, 704-881-1565.
New classes at LGAC — • Tangle Art: 10 a.m.-noon, Jan. 29, Ann Cooper, $25 includes all materials and framing, salisburyartists@gmail.com by Jan. 28. • Grapevine Wreath: noon-2 p.m., Feb. 12, Cathy Matthews, wreath out of locally grown grapevines, decorated to acheive organic look, materials provided, $25, 704-855-7952, salisburyartists@ gmail.com to make reservations by Feb. 9.[0xa0] Looking Glass Artist Collective, 405 N. Lee St., www.salisburyartists.com.
Homeschool art class — Middle school, ages 11-15, 4-6 p.m. third and fourth Thursdays Feb. 17-May, all materials provided, $30 for two classes/month, register by Feb. 3. Randolph Arts Guild, 123 Sunset Ave., Asheboro, 336-629-0399, www.randolphartsguild.com.
Absolute beginner line dance — Tuesdays, no experience necessary, $12/month, teacher Cheryl Kluttz, Rufty Holmes Senior Center, Martin Luther King Ave., 704-633-3484.
Free design classes — 10:30-11:30 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 29: “Winter and Succulent Designs” free demonstration; Noon 1 p.m.: “Valentine and Greenery Designs” free demonstration, Piedmont Floral Galleries, 280 Furniture Drive, 704-636-7739. www.piedmontfloralgalleries.com.
Chrismons class schedule — Beginner, Feb. 3, 10:30-11:30 a.m.•Intermediate, Feb. 4, 110:30-11:30 a.m.•New beginner, Feb. 5, 9:30-11:30 a.m. •Advanced, Feb. 5, 9 a.m.-noon. Call 704-636-7790 for reservations or information. Rufty’s Chrismon Shop, 280 Furniture Drive, info@chrismons.com.
Singles
Piedmont Singles — Jan. 28: Bingo with Jim Holshour as caller. 7:15 p.m. Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 1908 Statesville Blvd. No joining fee, donations appreciated, covered dish. Contact Frances Ward 704-637-3241.
Solitaire Valentine’s breakfast: 8:30 a.m., Monday, Feb. 14, Rufty-Holmes annual Valentine gathering for local older ladies who are widowed or otherwise single on Valentine’s Day. Free; pre-register by calling 704-216-7715. Rufty-Holmes Senior Center, 120 S. MLK Jr. Ave.
Zodiac Club — Jan 28: Live music with Magic. Second and fourth Fridays, alternate fifth 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. Married couple may attend with spouses only. American Legion Post 380, 4235 West Tyvola Rd. 704-752-8824 or taylorbt@msn.com. www.charlottezodiacdanceclub.com.
Auditions
Old Courthouse Theatre auditions “Honk” — Monday, Feb 7: Children 6:30 p.m., no need to prepare a song, children will be taught a song from the show to perform for the audition, also cold reading from script. Adults: 7:30 -9 p.m., prepare Broadway style song which shows range, also cold reading from script. Tuesday, Feb. 8: All, 7-9 p.m. 49 Spring St. SW, Concord. www.oldcourthousetheatre. org.
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.
Home and garden
7th Annual Greater Charlotte Home and Landscape Show — Jan. 28-30, home improvement experts, latest trends for home and outdoor living spaces, 10,000 sq. ft. of landscapes, water features, exhibits. Cabarrus Arena & Events Center, north of Charlotte off Hwy 49 in Concord, www.cabarrusarena.com.
Hurley Park landscaping lecture rescheduled — 10 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 5: “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.
Art
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.
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, 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. Admission free. www.waterworks. org.
Rail Walk Studios and Gallery, 409 N. Lee St. — Group show featuring Rail Walk studio artists. New winter hours: Saturday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. 704-431-8964. www.railwalkgallery. com.
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.
Trips
Ringling Brothers/Barnum and Bailey Circus at the Bobcat Arena — Depart 9 a.m., Sunday, Jan. 30 from the YMCA, 828 W Jake Alexander Blvd., for 11 a.m. performance. Ticket, transportation, VIP section: $60. 704-636-0111.
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. — Feb. 8: Reginald Brown on African-American Heritage Trail. Monday-Friday, 1-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Contributions accepted. 704-633-5946. www.rowanmuseum.org.
Discovery Place, Charlotte — “The Alps,”a man’s mountain expedition to climb the storied North Face of the Eiger, at IMAX Dome Theatre. “World Alive” and “Fantastic Frogs.” 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 — Open 9 a.m.–5 p.m., Tuesday-Saturday, noon-5 p.m., Sunday, closed Monday. Admission $8 for 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.
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.