Theater
Old Courthouse Theatre presents “Paying Tribute” — 8 p.m., March 18-19; 2:30 p.m., March 20. Theatrical and musical celebration about veterans, from the remembrances of the men and women who returned from duty, through music, dialogue, movement. 704-788-2405 to reserve a seat. 49 Spring Street NW, www.oldcourthousetheatre.org.

Old Courthouse Theatre hosts “Honk!” — March 31-April 17: Based on the classic Hans Christian Andersen fairytale and from the song writers of Cameron Mackintosh’s Mary Poppins. Tickets $15/$12/$10, call 704-788-2405 to reserve a seat. 49 Spring Street NW, NC, www.oldcourthousetheatre.org.
St. Thomas Players presents “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” — 7:30 p.m., April 7-9 and 13-16, with Mary Ann McCubbin, Bob Paolino, Jonathan Furr, Dana VanHoy. Admission $10, students $5 with student ID. Looking Glass Artist Collective black box theatre, 405 N. Lee St., 704-647-0999. faithart@bellsouth.net.
Piedmont Opera presents Gilbert and Sullivan’s “HMS Pinafore” — 8 p.m., March 25; 2 p.m. March 27; 7:30 p.m., March 29. Stevens Center, 405 W. Fourth St., Winston-Salem, 336-724-3202, www.piedmontopera.org.
Mel Brooks musical “Young Frankenstein” at Belk Theater — March 15-20, tickets begin at $20, Belk Theater at Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, 130 N. Tryon St., Charlotte, 704-372-1000, www.BlumenthalCenter. org.
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.
Music & more
Looking Glass Artist Collective — 7:30 p.m., Friday, March 18: Live music, karaoke, treasure hunt for”pots o’ gold,” best St. Patty’s Day costume prize, free popcorn. Pizza, green or regular beer, soft drinks, water for sale. Tickets at the door $5. Black box theater of Looking Glass Artist Collective, 405 N. Lee St.
An evening with Rush — 7:30 p.m., June 8, Bi-Lo Center, Greenville, SC, tickets start at $40.50. www.ticketmaster.com, www.aeglive.com, 800-745-3000.
Festivals
Second Annual Arbor Day Celebration — 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Saturday, April 23, 8th Street Ball Park in Spencer, hosted by Spencer Community Appearance Commission. Free bounce house, popcorn, face painting, tree saplings.
14th annual Catawba Valley Pottery and Antiques Festival — 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday, March 26, Hickory Metro Convention Center, I-40, Exit 125 Hickory, $6 adults, $2 children 12 and under. Ticket holders entered in drawing for door prizes. Bring a piece of pottery of unknown background, experts on hand to offer opinions. 828-322-3943, www.catawbahistory.org.
Surry Old Time Fiddlers Convention — March 25-26: Highlights: three noted bands playing Friday night dance, jam sessions, fiddling competitions Saturday, fiddle workshop Saturday by Paul Brown of National Public Radio, also youth dance competition, music competitions for individuals and bands. Admission for two-day event $5 per person. Surry Community College in Dobson. www.surryoldtime.com, 877-999-8390.
This & That
Paranormal weekend athaunted Gold Hill —7 p.m., April 8-9, $40, one-hour presentation on paranormal investigation using scientific methods, followed by four hours of investigation time at four different locations in the historic park; fundraiser hosted by Historic Gold Hill and Mines Foundation and Special Guest Investigators of Carolina Paranormal Society, North Carolina TAPS family team. www.HauntedGoldHill.com, 704-267-9439.
Public notification of board meetings — The Rowan Arts Council Board of Directors is scheduled to meet on the first Thursday of every month except July, August, December. Board meeting dates are April 7, May 5, June 2, Sept. 1, Oct. 6, Nov. 3.
Night life
Benchwarmers. 113 E. Fisher St. — 10 p.m., Saturday, March 19: DogWood. Every Friday: Handful of Dave 7-10 p.m. 704-639-0604.
Brick Street Tavern, 122 E. Fisher St. — 8:30 p.m., March 17: Irish duo Mulligan’s Banned, 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.
Fat Jack’s, 120 Military Ave. — 8 p.m. until, every Friday and Saturday night: karaoke with Mark Tomei.
High Rock Boat & Ski Club, 257 Boat Club Lane — March 18: St. Patty’s day shag night with deejay Mike Harding. March 19: Second anniversary and St. Patty’s party with Rockinhorse. Memberships available, open Wed.-Sat. www.theboatandskiclub.com. 704-633-0251.

Rick’s BBQ and Grill, 929 S. Main St. — Karaoke every Friday and Saturday. 704-642-0050.

Smitty’s North Rown Bar-b-que 1205 N. Salisbury Ave., Spencer — 7-9 p.m., Thursdays: karaoke. 704-636-2122.
The Blue Vine, 209 S. Main St. — 9 p.m.-11:30 p.m., Friday, March 18: acoustic Ameicana with Donna Hughes, no cover. 9 p.m.-midnight, Saturday, March 19: Rowan County bluegrass band Piedmont Natural Grass, no cover. www.theblue vine.com. 704-797-0093.
The Inn, 1012 Mooresville Hwy 150 — March 19: Redeemed. 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.
Tabu, 329 S. Church St., (beneath La Cava) — Tonight: Saint Paddy’s Party with A Handful of Dave. Doors 9, music 10 p.m.-1 a.m., no cover. 18 and up. www.tabubar.net.
E.H. Montgomery General Store — 6-8 p.m. Fridays: bluegrass jams. Historic Village of Gold Hill. www.HistoricGoldHill.com. 704-267-9439, 704-279-5674.
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
“Discover your season” in What Next collage workshop — 1–4 p.m., March 27, $40, Artemesia Artworks & Yoga Studio, information: 704-637-7193. Artemesia Artworks and Yoga Studio, 323 W. Harrison St., www.artemesiayoga.com.
Creative painting workshops — 9:30a.m.-12:30 p.m. Wednesdays. Ongoing series, beginning to intermediate, traditional oil painting. $200 includes eight sessions; ask about scholarships and sliding scales. Registration/materials list: 704-245-6456. Instructor James E. Taylor, Contemporary Realism Studio, 211 S. Main St.
Center for Faith & the Arts memoir-writing workshop — Led by Jenny Hubbard, Writer-in-Residence at Center for Faith & the Arts. “Opening the Door,” 10 a.m.-noon, Tuesday, March 22, workshop for the writeralready in the process of composition. For more details, call704-647-0999, or faithart@bellsouth.net. Center for Faith & the Arts, 207 W. Harrison St., lower level Haven Lutheran Church.
Classes at the Y — “Introducing Scrapbooking,” 1-3 p.m., Tuesdays, $10 includes supplies for 2 pages. 828 W Jake Alexander Blvd., 704-636-0111.
Children’s Saturday Workshop — Family SmARTs! Saturday, April 16, 11:30 a.m-1:30 p.m., ages 4-7 years with adult, Earth Day workshop for the family, learn about our planet while creating an “earthy” art project, dress for mess, fee is for one child and one adult. Instructor M.T. Sidoli, $25 per child/adult. 704-636-1882 (ext 202) www.waterworks.org.
Classes at LGAC — • Basics of crochet: 6:30-8:30 p.m., March 21, by Nancy Gaines, four basic stitches, materials, equipment included except scissors, pre-register/prepay $25 by March 17 to Nancy Gaines-Crochet, 405 N. Lee St., Salisbury, NC 28144. Different project each night • Watercolor classes: instructor Cathy Benfield Matthews, no experience needed; choose Mondays 1-3 p.m. or 5:30-7:30 p.m., or Saturdays 10 a.m.-noon, $35 each 2 hour session or $180 for 6, materials provided except brushes; email salisburyartists@gmail.com to reserve your space, www.catsfreestyleart.com. Looking Glass Artist Collective, 405 N. Lee St., 704-633-ARTS, www.salisburyartists.com.
PPT spring youth drama workshops — Norvell Theater, 135 E. Fisher St., each $40 •Basic Dance Choreography for Auditions, Level 2, 6th-12th grade, March 22 and 24 •Audition Techniques for a Play, Level I, 6th-8th grade, March 19 or 26 •Audition Techniques for a Play, Level I: 3rd-5th grade, March 19 or 26 •Audition Techniques for a Musical: 6th-12th grade, May 14 or 21 •704-633-5471 for times, registration. www.piedmontplayers.com.
“Make Time for Music,” introductory adult music-reading/performance class —6:15-7:15 p.m., Tuesdays, March 22-April 19 •Noon-1 p.m., Wednesdays, March 23-April 20. For beginners or those who wish to review previously-learned music skills. Instructor: Sarah Hall. Center for Faith & the Arts, 207 W. Harrison St., lower level Haven Lutheran Church. Registration required in advance. 4 classes $30; 5 or more classes $35. faithart@bellsouth.net, 704-647-0999.
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 demonstrations — 10:30-11:30 a.m., Saturday, March 26: “Easter Designs;” Noon 1 p.m.: “Colors of Spring,” Piedmont Floral Galleries, 280 Furniture Drive, 704-636-7739. www.piedmontfloralgalleries.com.
Chrismons classes — Beginner, Thursday, March 31, 10:30-12:30 •Intermediate, Friday, April 1, 10:30-12:30•New beginner, Saturday April 2, 9:30-11:30 a.m. •Advanced, Saturday April 2, 9 a.m.-noon. Call 704-636-7790 for reservations or information. Rufty’s Chrismon Shop, 280 Furniture Drive, info@chrismons.com.
Express Yourself!”African drumming and dance workshop — 5:30 p.m. Saturdays for grades K-12, family participation encouraged, small donation appreciated. Conducted by Master Drummer Allen Boyd, sponsored by Sankofa Held at Salisbury high school auditorium, 704-637-6857.
Singles
Piedmont Singles — 7:15 p.m., March 18: “Getting to Know,” Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 1908 Statesville Blvd. No joining fee, donations appreciated, covered dish. Contact Frances Ward 704-637-3241.
Highlighters Dance Club — March 18: live music with Blax Station, St. Patrick’s Day theme, food will be served. First and third Fridays. Doors open 7 p.m., dancing 8-11 p.m., free line dance class 7:15 p.m. Open to singles 40 and over. $10 members; $12 guests. Join for $20 and get in free the first night of joining. Non-smoking, dressy casual. Free set-ups provided, bring your own snacks. Information 704-536-5561. American Legion Post 380, 4235 W. Tyvola Road, Charlotte. Information 704-536-5561.
Film
Free film at Davis Theatre, Concord — 7 p.m., Thursday, March 24, “Spoiler Alert,” black comedy about a filmmaker who blames his failed career on a critic. Charlotte Observer reviewer Lawrence Toppman will answer questions after the film. Davis Theatre, 65 Union Street S., downtown Concord, 704-920-2787, www.CabarrusArtsCouncil.org.
Auditions
Old Courthouse Theatre youth auditions “Comedy of Errors” — 7-9 p.m., April 18-19, ages 12-18. Performance dates June 16-16. 49 Spring St. SW, Concord. www.oldcourthousetheatre.org.
Call for scripts
Lee Street Theatre’s third annual 10-Minute Play Festival — Now accepting original scripts from NC playwrights for June 2011 festival entitled “Route 66,” six comedies about travel to be produced. Postmark deadline March 31, 2011. Guidelines, rules, questions: Jenny Hubbard 51 College St., #403 Asheville, NC 28801 or jen4hubbard@ aol.com.
Call for proposals
Art for the Soul — Abundant Living Adult Day Services is accepting proposals for Art for the Soul, a fine arts program at the center. Deadline is April 1. Interested artists should call 704-637-3940.
Call for vendors
Artists, crafters for Spencer Arbor Day Celebration — Free booth space, Saturday, April 23; Beth 704-239- 3729, bethmnance@gmail.com
VFWPost 3006 spring bazaar craft/vendor sale — Saturday, April 16, $10 per table, sign up now. 1200 Brenner Ave., 704-636-2104.
Art and food for Art on Easy Street — 8th Annual Art on Easy Street, May 14. Applications available at www.rowanarts.org.Information 704-638-9887, rac@rowanarts.org.
J.C. Price Post 107 Memorial week celebration — Single and double spots available for May 2 27-June 5 event, permits required for food vendors; rental info Abe Daniels 704-640-1893; event info 704-636-2950 or 704-213-2397.
15th Lexington Multicultural Festival — Applications accepted for artisans, crafters, demonstrators, cultural exhibitors, vendors as well as community organizations, churches, youth groups or schools interested in participating in the parade May 7. Lexington Recreation and Parks Department, 336-248-3960, www.lexingtonnc.net.
Call for musicians
Henderson guitar contest — Registration opens April 1 for guitarists who want to perform at the 17th Wayne C. Henderson Music Festival and Guitar Competition, Grayson Highlands State Park, Va. For information, go to www.waynehenderson.org.
Southern Piedmont Singers — 2 p.m. Sundays, N. Kannapolis United Methodist Church choir room, 1301 N. Main St., rehearsals for “Live Your Dream,” early classical to modern, pops to jazz; open to all singers 15 and up without audition, to singers ages 12-14 by audition. Damien Evans director. 704-224-7148, southernpiedmontsingers @gmail.com.
Call for artists
Concord-Kannapolis Earth Fest — Applications now available for enntries in second annual Viva Verde Earth Fest, April 16, North Cabarrus Park: Recycled Art Contest for K-12 students, winners receive laptops from Powerhouse Recycling •Photo Contest with five categories in both Student and Open Divisions.• Entry deadline April 4. www.vivaverdeearthfest.wordpress.com, look for “Contests” tab at top of page.
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
14th Salisbury Confederate Prison Symposium — April 8-10, sponsored by Robert F. Hoke Chapter No. 78 of the United Daughters of the Confederacy, $75. Checks made payable to Robert F. Hoke Chapter No. 78, mailed to P.O. Box 5093, Salisbury, NC 28147-0088. Contact: Sue Curtis 704-637-6411, southpaws@salisbury.net.
Charlotte Research Institute hosts Dark Energy Physicist — 2 p.m., Wednesday, March 23: Juan Estrada, physicist, on “The Accelerated Expansion of the Universe and the Tools We Are Building to Understand It,” Barnhardt Student Activity Center Salons, UNC-Charlotte campus. Free, open to the public; registration is required at www.charlotteresearchinstitute.com/default.asp?id=120&objId=45>.
Art
Student Art Expo — The Carolina Artists group sponsors the annual Student Art Expo, Salisbury Civic Center, 315 S. Martin Luther King Jr Ave. Show opens with reception and awards 5 p.m., Thursday, March 24. Artwork on display from all Rowan schools. New to this year’s show: a display of artwork done by the art teachers of each of the schools. Show closes 4 p.m., Friday, March 24.
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.— Two solo exhibitions and a group show: NC artist Katie Claiborne and SC artist Susan Lenz exhibit in Stanback Gallery Hall and the Osborne and Woodson Galleries. •You and Me, a group multi-media show featuring 11 regional artists, exhibits in the Norvell Gallery •Rowan-Salisbury’s Elementary School art exhibition in the Young People’s Gallery through March 31. A reception for family and friends will be held March 24 from 5-6:30. Gallery hours are Monday, Wednesday, Friday 10-5; Tuesday, Thursday 10-7; Saturday 11-3. www.waterworks. org, 704-636-1882.
Rail Walk Studios and Gallery, 409 N. Lee St. —The RED Show through March 26. Open to the public-Saturdays 11a.m.-5p.m. or by appointment or by chance if the green open flag is out. 704-431-8964. www.railwalkgallery. com.
Grace and Cameron West Art Gallery, Pfeiffer University, Misenheimer — Through March 25: exhibiting works of last year’s “Emerging Artists” recipients Everitt Clark and Albemarle’s Heidi Ramseur. Artists’ reception 6–8 p.m., Friday, March 18. Gallery hours: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday. 704-463-3160. joshua.cross@pfeiffer.edu.
Reynolda House Museum of American Art, 2250 Reynolda Road, Winston-Salem — “Trains That Passed in the Night,” the photographs of O. Winston Link, through June 19•“Thomas Hart Benton, America’s Master Storyteller,” through July 31. 336-758-5150, reynoldahouse. org.
The North Carolina Pottery Center, 233 E. Ave., Seagrove — Through April 30: “Tea Time: Series I (Teapots and Tea cups),” featuring functional NC teapots and tea cups, handmade by more than 70 potters from across the state. Gallery hours: 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Tuesday-Saturday, 336-873-8430, www.ncpotterycenter.org.
Trips
Cirque du Soleil — March 20, $85 ticket/transportation to Charlotte Motor Speedway’s ‘Under the Big Top,’ contact Barbara Franklin, J.F. Hurley YMCA, for details, 704-636-0111.
Museums
Rowan Museum, 202 N. Main St. — Current exhibit: “With These Hands,” annual Black History Exhibit. Museum hours Monday-Friday, 1-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Contributions accepted. 704-633-5946. www.rowanmuseum.org.
Historic Latta Plantation, Sample Road, Huntersville — 10 a.m.-4 p.m., March 19: Backcountry Circuit Court. Chance to serve as jury in the reenactment of three historic Mecklenburg County cases and observe a historic duel. Kids’ court, headed by West Mecklenburg High debate team. Free with regular admission, $7 adults, $6 seniors, $5 students, ages 5 and under free. www.lattaplantation.org,704-875-2312.
NC Museum of History, 5 E. Edenton St., Raleigh — The Photography of Lewis Hine: Exposing Child Labor in North Carolina, 1908-1918, photographs by National Child Labor Committee staff photographer Lewis Hine. 919-807-7900 or ncmuseumofhistory. org or Facebook.