Festivals
65th annual Hendersonville apple festival — Labor Day Weekend, Sept. 2-5: One of the best known street fairs in the Carolinas with freshly picked apples, arts and crafts, festival food, free entertainment. Please leave your pets at home. www.ncapplefestival.org
22nd annual Gold Hill Founder’s Day — 9 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 24, parade at 10 a.m., entertainment at 11. Little Miss & Mr. Gold Hill Contest for little ones dressed in period costume, kids 10 and under eligible to enter for prizes in two age categories, 0-5 year and 6-10. Arts and crafts, antique and Heritage Living displays and demonstrations, Ore crushing demonstrations, blacksmiths, wood carvers, frontier living exhibits, soap making, antique tractors, the 63rd NC Troops Rowan Rifles in a Living History Encampment, will also host a Civil War skirmish. Gold Hill Mines Historic Park is approximately 14 miles south of Salisbury, 735 St. Stephens Church Road, Gold Hill, NC., just off US. Hwy. 52, 704-267-9439, www.HistoricGoldHill. com
42nd Historical Crafts and Farmskills Festival — Sept. 23-25: 1177 Bethesda Road, Aberdeen (near Pinehurst). Adults $5, children $3. Traditional crafts and farmskills festival that depicts life in the 1800s, 3-day music program at the main stage. The Malcolm Blue Farm is located at 1177 Bethesda Road. 910-944-7558
30th Annual Hiddenite Center Celebration of the Arts — 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 24: Arts and heritage festival, free admission, Hiddenite Church Road. www.hiddenitecenter.com or facebook, Friends of the Hiddenite Center.
Mooresville Ahlara Art Fair — 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Saturday, October 8: second annual event featuring artists from all over the area, a showcase of affordable art from painters to potters to jewelers to photographers to woodworkers. Myrna Reiss 704-663-6343.
This & That
2011 Rural Hill Amazing Maize Maze to open Labor Day weekend — Huntersville. Sept. 3-5 beginning at 10 a.m. with tickets sold until 6:30 p.m. Ages 13+ $10 per person, youth ages 5-12 $7 per person. Children 4 and under free. Concessions. Tickets may be purchased in advance via www.ruralhill.net
Pro Wrestling EVO presents “The Best Show In Town”– 8 p.m., Sept. 2 (event date is changed from 8/20), Gold Hall 2, adults $12, children 10 and younger $6, Military w/ID $8. Cabarrus Arena, 4751 NC Hwy 49,Concord, 704-920-3976, www.cabarrusarena.com
Music & more
“Weekly Wine Down” at Old Stone Winery — 5-9 p.m., Friday, Sept. 2: live music with Steve Brown, no cover charge. 6245 US Hwy. 52, 1 mile south of Granite Quarry. 704-279-0930, www.oldstonewines.com
Downtown Davidson Concerts on the Green — 6-8 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 4: The Sunday Union Band plays a variety of music. On the Village Green in front of the public library; bring friends, family, chairs, blanket, picnic. Free, family-oriented, rain or shine.
The Rye Mountain Boys play for Charlotte Folk Society — 7:30 p.m., Friday, Sept. 9: Bill Monore-era bluegress. www.ryemountainboys.com The Charlotte Appalachian Dulcimer Club meets after the concert; visitors are invited to play on a “loaner” instrument. Great Aunt Stella Center, 926 Elizabeth Ave., uptown Charlotte. www.folksociety.org
Stanly County Concert Association season opener — 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 24: The Frank Love Orchestra. Individual event tickets $20 adult, $10 student, reciprocal event for RCCA season ticket holders. Stanly County Agri-Civic Center, 704-986-3666, 26032 Newt Road #B, Albemarle, www.stanlyciviccenter.com
The Hiddenite Center’s third Sunday free concert — 3 p.m., Sept. 18: family friendly Celebration Gospel Sing, Hiddenite Center’s Educational Building in Hiddenite. Local choirs and musical groups perform inspirational music. www.hiddenitecenter.com
Toby Keith’s Locked & Loaded Tour — 7 p.m., Friday Oct. 7. Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre Charlotte. Tickets, info at LiveNation.com, amphitheatre box office, Ticketmaster or 800-745-3000.
County Fairs
Cabarrus County Fair — Sept. 9-17,Cabarrus Arena & Events Center, 4759 Hwy 49 N Concord, www.cabarruscounty.us/government/departments/fair
Rowan County Fair — 60th year, Sept. 19-24, between I-85 and Old Concord Road at 1560 www.rowancountyfair.org/home
State Fair — Oct. 13-23, 1025 Blue Ridge Road, Raleigh, concerts, fireworks, http://www.ncstatefair.org/2011
Theater
Old Courthouse Theatre’s Living Room Reading Series presents “Portraits” — 4 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 11: Six vibrant characters come to life in an artist’s studio in lower Manhattan, each a witness to the events of September 11, 2001. By Jonathan Bell. Free admission, 704-788-2405, OCT black box theatre, 704-788-2405, www.oldcourthousetheatre.org
“Enron” opens Burning Coal Theatre’s 15th season, Raleigh — Sept. 8-25: Not strictly a musical, a blistering comedy that uses music, dance, movement, puppets, video elements to tell of one of the most heinous crimes of the 20th century. $20. Sunday, Sept. 11 at 2 p.m. is ‘Pay What You Can’ Day. Burning Coal Theatre Company, Murphey School, 224 Polk St., Raleigh, 919-834-4001, www.burningcoal.org
Carolina Actors Studio Theater presents “August: Osage County” — Through Sept. 24; Thursday, Friday, Saturday performances at 8 p.m. New season in new theatre. A dark comedic drama; a booze-swilling, pill-popping evening of laugh-out-loud, cry-inside family dysfunction; winner of both the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award. NODA@28 St., 2424 North Davidson, Charlotte, NC 28205. Reservations www.NCCAST.com, 704-455-8542.
“The Addams Family” kicks off 2011-12 Broadway Lights Series at Ovens — Oct. 11-16. Tickets available at 704-372-1000 or BlumenthalArts.org
Fundraisers
Jazz concert and silent auction — Saturday, Sept. 10, doors 7 p.m., pre-show 7:30, concert begins 8 p.m.: presented by Salisbury-Rowan Choral Society. Free admission (donations appreciated), 30+ items to bid on, beer/wine/soda/water with donation. Looking Glass Artist Collective black box theater, 405 N. Lee St., 704-633-ARTS, www.salisburyartists.com
Biker Blues BBQ Rally and Kansas City BBQ Society sanctioned cook-off — Sept. 23-24: free admission, bring a chair. Event supports GodStock, Salisbury Fraternal Order of Police Lodge # 87 and The Folds of Honor Foundation. Food, 30+ vendors, entertainment, hot air balloon, kid zone. Live blues bands Friday, Sept. 23 starting at 6 p.m. •Live entertainment Saturday, Sept. 24 starting at 9 a.m. •Bike Show and Poker Run for charity on Saturday, motorcycles welcome, 3:45 p.m. awards ceremony •Uncle Buck’s pre-event party with Preacher Stone and DB Bryant, 6 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 22 •Info Tilley Harley-Davidson 704-638-6044, www.bikerbluesbbqrally.com
“A Night At The Opry” fundraiser for Cystic Fibrosis — 7 p.m. Sept. 24: Music by DC & The Chosen Few, Lynn Owsley, Dottie Jack, David Ridenhour, G.W. Saunders. Doors open 6 p.m., food and drink will be available. St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church, 9275 Bringle Ferry Road.
Scarecrows for Charity — Through the month of September, local charities build scarecrows in the garden at Carolina Lily, visitors vote on their favorites, the winning charity receives $500. Complementary contest on facebook, for additional $100. Carolina Lily, 1375 Kern Carlton Road, 704 639-0033, www.carolinalily.com
Night Life
Benchwarmers. 113 E. Fisher St. — 7-10 p.m. every Friday: Handful of Dave. 704-639-0604.

DJ’s, 1502 W. Innes St., — Live music Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays starting at 8:30 p.m. 704-638-9647.
Fat Jack’s, 120 Military Ave., — Friday Sept. 2: Angela’s 50th birthday bash, Southern Justice Band 8:30 until, no cover• Saturday Sept. 3: Karaoke with Mark Tomei 8 until. 704-638-8996.
High Rock Boat & Ski Club, 257 Boat Club Lane — Friday, Sept. 2: Deejay Fast Eddie. Saturday, Sept. 3: Deejay Ervin Ellington. Sunday, Sept. 4: Labor Day party with Jacked Up, doors open 7 p.m., appetizer buffet. Open Wednesday-Saturday, lunch Saturday-Sunday. 704-633-0251, www.theboatandskiclub.com
Rick’s BBQ and Grill, 929 S. Main St. — 7-9 p.m. tonight, Sept. 1: Karaoke performance by Ronnie Huffman and Monica Pleasants. Bike Night 6-9 p.m. every Monday; Cruise-in 6-9 p.m. every Tuesday; karaoke 7-close every Friday-Saturday. 704-642-0050.
The Shack, 1205 N. Salisbury Ave., Spencer — 7-p.m., Thursdays: karaoke. 704-637-0500.
The Blue Vine, 209 S. Main St. — 5-9 p.m., Friday, Sept. 2: United Way kick-off events from the patio party including music by The Mooreheads performed on a stage in front of Queens Gifts beginning at 5:30 • 9 p.m.-midnight, Friday: Diane Hoffman Band, $5 cover • 9 p.m.-midnight, Saturday, Sept. 3: Ashley Jo Farmer Band, no cover. 704-797-0093, www.thebluevine.com
The Inn, 1012 Mooresville Hwy 150 — Saturday, Sept. 3: Sword, along with Sean Stoots. Open 7 p.m.-midnight Saturdays, free refreshments, air hockey, foosball, pool. Free wi-fi. Public invited to jam or schedule their group to perform. 704-213-1467. www.inntheloop.
E.H. Montgomery General Store — 7-9 p.m. Fridays: bluegrass jams. Historic Village of Gold Hill. www.HistoricGoldHill.com . 704-267-9439, 704-279-5674.
Classes
Deadline tomorrow for Plein Air workshop — 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 17: Instructor Robert Crum to lead the class at Morgan Ridge Vineyard, 486 John Morgan Road, Gold Hill. Cost is $120 for adults 18 and older at beginning or intermediate level. Register by e-mail: crum@robertcrumfineart.com or 704-310-0382.
“Awakening to Life” class — 7-8:30 p.m., Tuesdays, Sept. 27-Oct. 18: Designed to support practice of mindfulness; wear comfortable clothes, bring cushion. Classes held at the Center for Faith & the Arts, lower level Haven Lutheran Church, 207 W. Harrison St. Suggested donation of $10 goes toward cChurch facilities utilization.
Introduction to Tribal Style Belly Dance — 1-3 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 10: Learn posture, basic steps, movement cues. Cost $30, limit 12 students, held at Artemesia Artworks and Yoga Studio, 323 W. Harrison St., register at KalimaTribal@carolina.rr.com
Belly Dance for the Curious — 6:30-8 p.m., Sept. 14, 28, Oct. 12 and 26: Four part session includes lecture, discussion, slides, video, movement to satisfy your curiosity. Artemesia Artworks and Yoga Studio, 323 W. Harrison St. All four classes $50 or just one or two at $15 each. Limit 12 people. Register at KalimaTribal@carolina.rr.com
“Developing Your Script” — 6:30 – 9:30 p.m., Mondays Sept. 19-Nov. 7: Eight-week dramatic writing class focused on realizing, developing, and perfecting your script (play script or screenplay) presented by Burning Coal Theatre Company’s Ian Finley. Held at Murphey School Auditorium, 224 Polk St., Raleigh. $155. Details or sign up at www.burningcoal.org e-mail ianfinley@aol.com
Art Classes at Rail Walk Gallery — Oil painting, drawing instruction in direct representational style for beginner and intermediate, studio and plein air (outdoors), small classes, framing and marketing tips, Tuesday or Wednesday, 10 a.m.-noon or 1–3 p.m., $30 per session. Weekly figure drawing/painting sessions, live model, $5/hour. Rail Walk Gallery, 409 N. Lee St. Info, material list, registration contact Rachel Lee 704-202-4467 or hare369@live.com
Writer Joseph Bathanti leads Master Class in poetry writing — Downtown Asheboro. 3-5 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 21 Pre-registration and payment of $20 due by Sept. 14. For more information and to register for the master class call the Randolph Arts Guild at 336-629-0399. See related information under Speakers and Forums.
Oil classes the Old Master way — 1-3 p.m., Tuesdays: adult classes in oils, beginner or intermediate, learning the technique of the Masters of the 16th/17th centuries. $45 per session, 704-232-6000 for materials list, info, registration. Limited number of students. Patt’s studio, 409 N. Lee St., Rail Walk Arts District.
Creative painting workshops — 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., 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.
Card Making Class at the Y — J.F. Hurley Family YMCA holds the Card-Making classes every other Thursday evening, 6-8 p.m. Cost $10, all supplies included. Call Terri Dockins 704-636-0111. 828 W Jake Alexander Blvd.
Watercolor classes at LGAC — 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
Bring-your-own-vase floral design summer special — 2-3 p.m., Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday: Designing fresh cut flowers, Summer price: $5 per class plus cost of flowers, call for reservations; instructor David Harrison, Harrison’s Florist, 1012 Holmes Ave., off Grove St. near RRMC, 704-636-4251.
Singles
Piedmont Singles — 7:15 p.m., Friday, Sept. 2: Group discussions. Gloria Dei Lutheran Church behind CVS, Statesville Blvd. Covered dish, no joining fee, donations appreciated. Contact Frances Ward 704-637-3241.
Highlighters Dance Club — 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; former members who remarry are welcome. $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.
Singles dance, Oriental Shrine Club — 8 p.m.-midnight, first Friday,Sept. 2. Oriental Shrine Club, 5010 High Point Rd., Greensboro. $10 at door. Business casual attire. Deejay Fast Freddie Thompson. 704-857-4650.
Film
Cinema Under the Rock Stars at Reynolda House: “The Last Waltz (1978): — 9 p.m., Friday, Sept. 2, $5 admission (cash only). Directed by Martin Scorsese, 117 min. On Thanksgiving Day 1976, The Band closed a 16-year run with one “last waltz” in San Francisco’s Winterland Ballroom, joined by a legendary line-up including Muddy Waters, Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, Dr. John, Emmylou Harris, The Staples, Van Morrison, Ringo Starr, and Neil Diamond. Reynolda House Museum of American Art, 2250 Reynolda Road, Winston-Salem 336-758-5150, reynoldahouse.org
Free screening of award-winning environmental education film — “Living Downstream” 7 p.m., Sept. 8, at the Kannapolis Rotary Hall, 211 West St., Kannapolis. Followed by a panel discussion. Children welcome. 904-616-8024, www.TheOptimisticFuturist.org For information on the film www.livingdownstream.com
Appalachian film fest — The ninth annual Appalachian Film Festival accepting submissions for the Feb. 25-26, 2012 festival. Entry forms, submission guidelines at www.appyfilmfest. com/pages/entries.htm or enter your work at www.withoutabox.com/ Questions concerning this year’s festival? 1-304-690-2500, http://cdlusher@gmail.com
Auditions
Old Courthouse Theatre “A Broadway Christmas Carol” auditions — 7-9 p.m., Monday-Tuesday, Oct. 3-4. Three actors, one piano player, many witty song parodies, split second costume changes and a breakneck pace. Performance dates Dec. 1-18. 49 Spring St. SW, Concord. www.oldcourthousetheatre.org
Salisbury-Rowan Symphony Society auditions — By appointment, Sunday, Sept. 25, for musicians who want to be on the orchestra’s substitute list. Play a prepared piece of yourchoice, three to four standard orchestral excerpts, plus sight-reading. For suggestions of audition excerpts, contact music director David Hagy at dhagy@wfu.edu. Auditions will take place on the campus of Catawba College. For appointment, call 704-637-4314, email ljones@catawba.edu, or write Audition Information, Salisbury Symphony Orchestra, P.O.Box 4264, Salisbury, NC 28145. See www.salisburysymphony.org
NCShakes auditions for 2012 “Shakespeare To Go Tour” — 4-6 p.m., Sept. 20 and 22, NCShakes’ Spirit Center campus, 807 W. Ward Ave., High Point. To schedule an audition, call NCShakes at 336-841-2273 weekday mornings. This is the company’s outreach and education program that performs and educates at schools across North Carolina.
Call for tractors
Annual China Grove Backyard BBQ Cookoff — 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 10: In conjunction with display of restored farm equipment and vehicles, gospel and bluegrass music, 9/11 remembrance ceremony. Proceeds benefit We Care Ministry and Price of Freedom Museum. Held at Price of Freedom Museum, intersection of Weaver and Patterson Roads. Bob Mault, 704-857-7474, www.priceoffreedom.us
Call for judges
Biker Blues BBQ Rally and Kansas City BBQ Society sanctioned cook-off — 2 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 24: Now selling tickets to be a People’s Choice BBQ judge at Tilley Harley-Davidson, 653 Bendix Drive. Your chance to taste some of the best BBQ ever. Limited tickets for this event. See listing under Fundraisers for more details. Tilley Harley-Davidson 704-638-6044, www.bikerbluesbbqrally.com
Call for vendors
Hiddenite Center Celebration of the Arts — Saturday, Sept. 24: Hiddenite Center seeking regional vendors for arts, crafts, commercial items, food sales, public information booths. Applications/ fee scale 828-632-6966 or info@hiddenitecenter.com
Asheboro 39th Fall Festival — Submit completed registration forms and fees to The Randolph Arts Guild, P.O. Box 1033, Asheboro, NC 27204-1033. Download forms at www.AsheboroFallFestival.com . Booth fee $50 until Aug. 31; until day of festival registration booth fee is $100 as space allows. Event dates Oct. 1-2, downtown Asheboro.
Call for musicians
Salisbury-Rowan Choral Society — 7 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 6: 2011-2012 concert season kick-off, get to know current members, meet the director, at Meet & Greet, Coburn Memorial United Methodist Church, light refreshments. Regular rehearsals begin Sept. 13. Facebook, www.facebook.com/Salisbury.Rowan.Choral.Society
Hiddenite Center Celebration of the Arts — 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 24: call for performers for 30th annual unique arts and heritage festival. Call The Hiddenite Center at 828-632-6966, ask for Karen Walker or Allison Houchins. www.hiddenitecenter.com
Bluegrass musicians — Bluegrass jam open to all, Saturdays at Dixie’s Roasting Co., 102 S. Main St., China Grove. 704-857-9169.
Call for artists
23rd annual Gold Hill Founder’s Day seeks artists/ crafters/exhibitors — Events committee of the Historic Foundation now accepting applicants for arts, crafts and expanded heritage living exhibits. Event date: Saturday, Sept. 24. www.HistoricGoldHill.com, 704-267-9439, Facebook at Historic Gold Hill, North Carolina. Request application at vivian@historicgoldhill. com or 704-279-1630, 704-267-9439.
Ahlara Art Fair — Second annual Mooresville Ahlara Art Fair, Saturday, Oct. 8: seeking all kinds of artists. Application is at www.ahlaraartfair.webs.com, click on applications button. 155 Joe Knox Ave, exit 36 off I-77, Mooresville. Myrna Reiss, 704-663-6343.
Artists sought for Art in the Shop — Art in the Shop is seeking artists interested in showing at the 13th Annual Art in the Shop in Bethlehem, NC, Oct. 1, encompassing bonsai, sculpture, paintings, photography, jewelry, pottery, garden art. Quality original artwork and fine crafts only, no kits accepted. Cost $50 by Sept. 15. 828-632-0106, www.artintheshop.net, blsinclair1@bellsouth.net
Minetta Lane Center for Arts and Peace seeks artists — For upcoming exhibition “Reflections on Peace and Peacemakers” to coincide with World Peace Day Sept. 21. Fine art, fine craft, photography and written word accepted, focusing on peace. Show opens Sept. 21 with reception Friday, Sept. 23 at 7 p.m., runs through Oct. 21. No entry fee, artists encouraged to offer works for sale. Minetta Lane Center for Arts and Peace, 270 Union Square, Hickory. Email lindsay@minettalanecenter.org, for prospectus, visit minettalanecenter.org/
Dance
Drumming and Dancing On Easy Street — 7 p.m., Friday, Sept. 2: Kalima Tribal Belly Dance drum circle begins, part of Downtown Salisbury’s Night Out. Bring drum, rattle, tambourine, clapping hands, dancing feet and a chair to sit in. Open to all.
UNCC College of Arts/Architecture Department of Dance faculty concert — 8 p.m., Friday, Sept. 9, features original choreography from faculty members Kim Jones, formerly of the Martha Graham Company. Held at Belk Theater of the Robinson Hall for the Performing Arts. 704-687-1849 or performances.uncc.edu
Speakers and forums
Cabarrus Art Guild Art Talk — 2-4 p.m., Sept. 11: Artist Carmella Jarvi, best known for her women in water paintings; an opportunity to ask the artist about pastel, painting water and figure study. Free. Details and directions, email Jutta Vest chaz01@ctc.net , www.carmellajarvi.com
The Great Books Discussion Group — 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 13: Discussing Plato’s “The Apology of Socrates.” Concord Library auditorium. Registration requested 704-920-2054. 27 Union St., N., Concord, jseury@cabarruscounty.us
‘Guns And Gowns: Annie Oakley’s NC connection’ — 12:10 to 1 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 14: Oakley lived in Pinehurst for seven years. Louise Benner of the N.C. Museum of History will speak. Free program, bring your lunch, beverages are provided. N.C. Museum of History, 5 E. Edenton St., 919-807-7900, ncmuseumofhistory.org
Writer Joseph Bathanti lectures — 7p.m., Thursday, Sept. 21 Bathani is professor of creative writing at ASU. Held in the Sarah Smith Self Gallery, W.H. Moring Arts Center, 123 Sunset Ave., downtown Asheboro. Free. 336-629-0399. See related event under Classes.
Home and garden
“Rearing Butterflies: A Back Porch Perspective” — noon-1 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 6: Renelle Maddrey, the Butterfly Whisperer, shares about the basic needs of butterflies and how to provide a habitat for them. Free with Garden admission, $12. Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden, 6500 S. New Hope Road, Belmont. 704-825-4490, www.DSBG.org
Art
The Galleries, 65 Union Street S., Concord — “Making Arrangements” group exhibit on display through Oct. 6; includes work by Syad Ahmad of Salisbury. 704-920-2787, www.CabarrusArtsCouncil.org
Waterworks Visual Arts Center, 123 E. Liberty St.— “Imprints” fall exhibition features three exhibitions through Nov. 19: “Through a Soldier’s Eyes: Remembering Vietnam” honors and illustrates local servicemen and women’s Vietnam experiences. Vietnam veteran Thomas L. Floyd’s lithographs and paintings in his work “Principles and Reality,” and woodblock prints from Mona Wu • Free admission. Gallery hours Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Tuesday, Thursday 10 a.m-7 p.m, Saturday 11 a.m.-3 p.m., 704-636-1882, www.waterworks.org
Rail Walk Studios and Gallery, 409 N. Lee St. — “Art is relative: Art by 3 Generations of the Foster Family” Saturdays through Sept. 10, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. 409-413 N. Lee St., Rail Walk Arts district, 1-1/2 blocks from WaterWorks, next door to Looking Glass Artist Collective. 704-431-8964, www.railwalkgallery.com
Brick Wall Gallery, The Depot at Gibson Mill, 325 McGill Ave., Concord — “Miniature Exhibit,” art that is 8 x 10 or smaller, in any medium. On display until Sept. 30.
Mint Museum of Art, 2730 Randolph Road, Charlotte — “Celebrating Queen Charlotte’s Coronation”on view through Oct. 2012, “Chanel: Designs for the Modern Woman” on view through Dec. 31. Open 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Tuesdays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday. Admission $10 adults, , free for members and children 5 and younger. Free on Tuesdays 5-9 p.m. 704-337-2000. www.mintmuseum.org
Mint Museum Uptown at Levine Center for the Arts, 500 South Tryon St., Charlotte — “Romare Bearden: Southern Recollections.” On view Sept. 2-Jan. 8. Same hours, admission as above. 704-337-2000. www.mintmuseum.org
Reynolda House Museum of American Art, 2250 Reynolda Road, Winston-Salem — Premier American art museum with masterpieces by Mary Cassatt, Frederic Church, Jacob Lawrence, Georgia O’Keeffe, Gilbert Stuart. House, gardens and village feature public garden, dining, shopping,walking trails. 336-758-5150, reynoldahouse.org
The North Carolina Pottery Center, 233 E. Ave., Seagrove — Through Oct. 29: Two new exhibits, Alamance County stoneware and NC ceramic grave markers. Gallery hours: 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Tuesday-Saturday, 336-873-8430, www.ncpotterycenter.org .
Trips
Zimmerman Wine Tour — Sept. 9, High Point, cost $20, transportation only, depart 9:30 a.m. from YMCA, 828 W Jake Alexander Blvd., 704-636-0111.
“West Side Story” — $85 includes orchestra center seating for performance Tuesday, Nov. 1, and transportation from YMCA to the Blumenthal, Charlotte. First deposit $40 due now. Contact Barbara Franklin, J.F. Hurley YMCA, 828 W Jake Alexander Blvd., 704-636-0111.
Day trips across North Carolina — • Wednesday, Sept. 28: Chinqua Penn Plantation, eat lunch at Lexington BBQ, visit Historic Chinqua Penn Plantation, $30 per person, admission included), register by Sept. 2 • Wednesday, Oct. 19: leaf viewing on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Pisgah National Forest, $15 per person, lunch not included, register by Oct. 3 • Wednesday, Nov.16: The Biltmore House, tour the gardens, dine at Biltmore’s finest restaurant, take the Christmas Candlelight Tour of the mansion, $100 per person, dinner and admission included, register by Oct. 7 • 18 and older. Bus departs from Village Park, 700 West C St., Kannapolis. Departure and return times vary based on itinerary. Maximum number of participants is 25 per trip and full payment is due on or before the trip registration deadline. For more information, contact Kannapolis Parks & Recreation Department 704-920-4343. Program brochure at www.cityofkannapolis.com.ochure.pdf
Museums
N.C. Transportation Museum, 411 S. Salisbury Ave., Spencer — Thomas the Tank Engine visits Sept. 23-25, Sept. 30-Oct. 2. Tickets now on sale 866-468-7630 or www.ticketweb.com/thomas or www.nctrans.org. Tickets are $19 weekends or $17 Fridays plus tax for ages 2 and up (service charges and fee may apply). Museum members get $2 discount on weekend tickets•Museum open 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Monday–Saturday, 1–5 p.m., Sunday. Train ride schedule: Monday -Saturday 11 a.m. 1, 2, and 3 p.m. Sunday: 1:30, 2:30 and 3:30 p.m. Admission fee includes train ride: adults $10, seniors (60+)/Military $8, children ages 3-12 $6, children 2 and under free. Admission only rates available too. Museum hours and train ride schedules are seasonal. Details, 704-636-2889. www.nctrans.org
Rowan Museum, 202 N. Main St. — “When We Fought Ourselves-1861-1865.”Museum hours Monday-Friday, 1-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Contributions accepted. 704-633-5946. www.rowanmuseum.org
Utzman-Chambers House, 116 S. Jackson St. — Exhibit features artifacts of the late Honorable Spruce Macay (1755–1808), lawyer and Superior Court judge, known for instructing our country’s seventh president, Andrew Jackson. Open 1-4 p.m. Saturday. $3 adults, $1.50 students, museum members free. 704-633-5946.
Price of Freedom Museum, Old Patterson School building, China Grove — 9/11 remembrance ceremony in conjunction with annual China Grove BBQ cookoff and display of restored farm equipment and vehicles, gospel and bluegrass music: 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 10. Proceeds benefit We Care Ministry and Price of Freedom Museum. Sponsored by Oak Grove Baptist Church. Museum located at Intersection of Weaver and Patterson Roads. 704-857-7474, www.priceoffreedom.us
NC Music Hall of Fame Museum, 109 West A Street, Kannapolis — Honors musicians, singers, songwriters and producers from North Carolina, more than 50 major inductee exhibits. Located in the renovated old Kannapolis Jailhouse Building. 10 a.m.-noon, 2-4 p.m., Monday-Friday. Admission free, donations appreciated. 704-934-2320, www.NorthCarolinaMusicHallofFame.org
Historic Gold Hill,NC/Gold Hill Mines Historic Park — Sept. 24: Gold Hill Founder’s Day celebration•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
Historic Latta Plantation, Sample Road, Huntersville — 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Sept. 3-4: Revolutionary War battle: see how Charlotteans defended their independence when Cornwallis camethrough the area in 1780. Saturday, reenactors will fight the Battle of Charlotte, which originally occurred at the corner of Trade and Tryon Streets. Sunday will feature the Battle of McIntyre Farm, which took place only a few miles from Latta, off Beatties Ford Road. The main battle is at 1 p.m. each day. Visitors can shop with period sutlers, see the soldier camps, enjoy numerous demonstrations, and take in a hot meal from the food vendor. 704-875-2312, www.lattaplantation. org
Discovery Place, Charlotte, 301 N. Tryon St., Charlotte, — Beginning Tuesday, Sept. 6: Discovery Place school-year operating hours are Monday – Friday: 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; Saturday: 10 a.m.–6 p.m.; Sunday: noon–5 p.m. The Museum is closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve Day and Christmas Day. 704-372-6261, www.discoveryplace.org
Discovery Place KIDS Huntersville, 105 Gilead Road — 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. discoveryplaceKIDS.org , 704-372-6261.Charlotte Nature Museum, 1658 Sterling Road, Charlotte — $6 ages 2 and older; younger than 2 and members are free. Free parking. Tuesday-Thursday 9 a.m.–5 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. -5 p.m.; Sunday noon–5 p.m.; closed Monday. www.charlottenaturemuseum.org
Natural Science Center of Greensboro, 4301 Lawndale Drive — Home of the Animal Discovery Zoological Park featuring tigers, gibbons, wallabies, meerkats, lemurs and other unique animals, as well as the new OmniSphere Dome Theater, NC’s only 40 foot digital dome experience. 336-288-3769, www.natsci.org