Renowned storyteller Suzi Whaples will be at the Rowan Public Library’s Salisbury branch this evening, Sept. 15 at 7 p.m. in the library’s Stanback Room. This event is free for children and adults.
Whaples has been traveling the United States telling stories for more than 30 years and she will be performing at Rowan Public Library as part of the 12th annual Stories by the Millstream Festival.
Whaples offers a unique experience in storytelling. Her dialect, lightning quick wit and a gentle demeanor perfectly blend stories of her life, her family’s lives, and some that are even larger than life. Suzi shares her own stories, as well as family stories passed down from her Appalachian ancestors.
Last October she was a featured teller at the National Storytelling Festival in Jonesborough, Tenn.
On Friday, Whaples will be the featured teller at the annual Stories by the Millstream Festival, held at Sloan Park for Rowan County Schools’ second graders, to encourage the love of reading and stories. For more information please call the library at 704-216-7728.
Turku performs tonight
Turku, Nomads of the Silk Road, returns to Salisbury’s Looking Glass Artist Cooperative black box theater, 405 N. Lee St. Tickets are $10 for the show which begins at 8 p.m.
Jammin’ on the square
MOCKSVILLE — Music lovers are invited to sit under the oaks near Restaurant 101 and enjoy the bluegrass of D.C. Express on Saturday, Sept. 17 from 7-9 p.m. Bring your own chair. For more information, call 909-2263 or visit www.historicdowntownmocksville.com
Sea creatures at planetarium
This Saturday, Sept. 17 at 5 p.m., The Margaret C. Woodson Planetarium presents “Prehistoric Sea Creatures.” Doors open at 4:30 p.m. Admission is $3 for adults and $2 for children 12 and under. The planetarium is located at 1636 Parkview Circle. Park and enter in the back of the building accessible from Lilly Avenue. Contact Horizons Unlimited at 704-639-3004.
FirstARTS concert
FirstARTS of First United Methodist Church begins its fourth season of concerts on Friday, Sept.16 at 7 p.m., with a recital of organ masterworks presented by Matthew Michael Brown, resident director of music. Brown has served the congregation since 2008, during which time he has accepted invitations to perform in such venues as St. Thomas Church Fifth Avenue in New York, St. Philip’s Cathedral in Atlanta, St. Paul’s Cathedral, London, among others.
The concert will feature the 53-rank Schantz-Parkey organ in the church sanctuary with music of Couperin Le Grand, Bach, Franck, Duruflé, Vierne, and Guilmant. An offering will be received for the Music Memorial Fund of First Church. For more information, call 704-636-3121.
CGMS celebration
CHINA GROVE — The China Grove Middle School Booster Club and PTA will sponsor a 100th anniversary Celebration and Back to School Bash on Saturday, Sept. 17 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at the school, 1013 N. Main St. There will be inflatables, live entertainment, climbing wall, dunking booth, golf ball drop, corn hole tournament, car show, artifacts from the Farm Life School, food, and games.
For information, call 704-791-8906 or 704-467-0282.
Route 66 at the Davis
CONCORD — The Davis Theatre, 65 Union St., will open the 2011-12 Footlights series Thursday, Sept. 22, with a performance by the Concord-based band Route 66.
Tickets for the 7:30 p.m. show are $10 and available at 704-920-2753 or www.CabarrusArtsCouncil.org
Route 66 performs covers of classic rock ’n roll favorites ranging from the 1960s through today and as well as original songs.
Meet John Hart
On Thursday, Sept. 29 at 7 p.m., Trinity Oaks Retirement Center, 728 Klumac Road, hosts a booksigning and interview with author John Hart. The interview and discussion time will be led by Deidre Parker-Smith, Salisbury Post Book Page editor. It is a free event, but registration needed for planning purposes. Call 704-603-9204 before Sept. 27 to reserve a seat.
Artists’ ‘Paint Out’
On Saturday, Oct. 8 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Plein Air Carolina will host a 2011 “Oil Painters of America Paint Out”in Salisbury. Artists will gather to paint on location in the medium of their choice. Plein Air Carolina is partnering with the Historic Salisbury Foundation and the Waterworks Visual Arts Center, allowing the artists to paint historic sites in the 36th Annual OctoberTour.
A reception, hosted by the Historic Salisbury Foundation, will be held Saturday evening from 5-7 p.m. at the Hall House, 226 S. Jackson St., where artists may exhibit their paintings from that day, and 100 percent of all sales go to the artist.
Interested artists are invited to respond to phsteimel@ msn.com to participate; go to www.oilpaintersofamerica.com for more information.
Salisbury Swing Band
CONCORD — The Salisbury Swing Band will appear at the “Party On The Plaza” at The Wine Room At Afton Village, 5401 Village Drive, on Friday, Sept.16 at 8 p.m.
The band is under the direction of Dr. Steve Etters, and features vocalist Lonnie Carpenter. The band’s musical styles include swing, beach music, disco, and rock. For information, call 704-637-4476 or visit www.salisburyswingband.com
Bluegrass festival
DENTON — On Sept. 22, 23 and 24, the Denton Farmpark presents the Farmpark Bluegrass Festival and for the first time, Lonesome River Band will headline the event.
This year’s fall bluegrass festival includes music by Michelle Nixon and Drive, Next Best Thing, The Bluegrass Brothers, Cody Shuler and Pine Mountain Railroad, Darrell Webb Band, The Snyder Family, Dave Peterson and 1946, Bill Yates and Friends, among others.
The cost for the three-day weekend is $65 for advance tickets. At the gate, it is $75. For two days the cost is $45 in advance and $50 at the gate. A one-day pass is $25. After 5 p.m. each day, the cost is $15. Children under 15 are free and ages 15 to 17 are half-price.For camp site reservations, call 1-800-458-2755 or 336-859-2755. See www.farmpark.com for details.
N.C. Transportation Museum fall hours
The N.C. Transportation Museum’s fall hours are: 9a.m.–5 p.m., Tuesday–Saturday, and 1–5 p.m. on Sunday.
Museum hours and train ride schedules are seasonal. See www.nctrans.org for details such as the train ride schedule and admission information with and without train rides.
Call 704-636-2889, ext. 240, with questions.