NC Poet Laureate
If you’ve ever felt intimidated by that thing called poetery, Cathy Smith Bowers can change that. At 7 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 21, Bowers will speak at Catawba College’s Tom Smith Auditorium in Ketner Hall. A reception to meet the artist immediately follows the program.
Born in Lancaster, S.C., she was one of six children. Her father was a mill worker, her mother was a housewife, and they were all “just plain folk.”
Bowers’ muse is her family and sometimes even her dog. She now lives in Tryon and is one of the most sought after porfessors in the MFA creative writing program at Queens University in Charlotee. She has authored four books of poems.
The program is sponsored by Center for Faith & the Arts, the Catawba College Dept. of English and Caniche. Call 704-647-0999 for more information.
Blue Vine holiday kickoff
Salisbury’s all-star classic rock band is back to help usher in the Thanksgiving holiday. On Wednesday night, Nov. 23, the classic rock band Motel Soap will play from 9 p.m.- midnight. The group is made up of six seasoned musicians that play or have played in local bands including Midlife Crisis, The Brubakers and Fahrenheit. There is a $5 cover.
The Blue Vine is also open during the downtown Christmas parade that afternoon.
On Friday night the bluegrass band Dry Run will take to the stage, and on Saturday evening the root rock/folk/ alternative country band Sweet Wednesday makes its debut.
The Blue Vine is at 209 S. Main St. For more info, call 704-797-0093 or go to www.thebluevine.com
‘It’s a Wonderful Life’
CONCORD — Old Courthouse Theatre presents “It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play,” where the beloved holiday classic comes to captivating life as a live 1940s radio broadcast.
Adapted from the screenplay by Frances Goodrich, Albert Hackett, Frank Capra and Jo Swerling, this Living Room Reading Series program is presented free of charge at 4 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 20 in the main theater at 49 Spring Street NW.
Call 704-788-2405 or visit www.oldcourthousetheatre.org
Downtown Salisbury holiday events
The downtown Salisbury holidy season begins Wednesday, Nov. 23 with the 52nd annual Holiday Caravan Parade that begins at 2 p.m. in Spencer, winds its way up Main Street and begins in Salisbury at 3 p.m. Marching bands, floats, Santa, Miss North Carolina and Miss South Carolina, Shrine groups, steel drum band, and more. Visit www.HolidayCaravanParade.com for more information.
Holiday Night Out downtown is Friday, Nov. 25 from 5-9 p.m. Santa and the Grinch make their first appearances downtown, shops are open late, there are free trolley rides, carriage rides and kids’ activities. Victorian Voices and accordionist Bob Wilusz provide seasonal music.
Santa and the Grinch will be at the Bell Tower on Saturday, Nov. 26 from 10 a.m. to noon, where there will be photo opportunities with Santa, Mrs. Claus and the Grinch. The Bell Tower Park is at S. Jackson and W. Innes Streets. Refreshments will also be served.
Digital pictures will be taken and available on DSI website after the event at www.DowntownSalisburyNC.com
The Arc Festival of Trees is Friday through Sunday: Dec. 2 from 7-9 p.m., Dec. 3 from 11 a.m.-8 p.m. and Dec. 4 from 1-5 p.m. at the F&M Trolley Barn, 125 E. Liberty St. Free event. The Trolley Barn will be filled with decorated, lighted Christmas trees, with Christmas music, entertainment, raffles, hot cocoa. All proceeds support the mission of the Arc, 704-637-1521.
A free gallery talk, book signing and opening reception is on Friday, Dec. 2 from 4-8 p.m. at Waterworks Visual Arts Center, 123 E. Liberty St. Gallery talk at 4 p.m. by exhibiting artists Ed Byers and Dale Steele on Robert Doares’ work; book signing by Michele Woods at 5 p.m. (books available at $14.95 each); opening reception 6-8 p.m., light refreshments. Waterworks , 704-636-1882.
There will be a Gingerbread House workshop on Sunday, Dec. 4 from 1-4 p.m. in Rowan Museum’s Messinger Room, 202 N. Main St., at $35 per child (price includes attached adult). Includes decorating your own gingerbread house, photo with Santa, gingerbread ornaments, and refreshments. Rowan Museum, 704-633-5946 for reservations and time slot.
Piedmont Players Theatre presents the hilarious farce by Ray Cooney, “It Runs in the Family,” Dec. 8-17 at the Meroney Theater, 213 S. Main St., $15 adult, $12 student/seniors. Call 704-633-5946 for information and reservations.
Santa, the Grinch and antique fire trucks make their appearance on Saturday, Dec. 10 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Board at Okey Dokey & Co., 126 E. Innes St.and take a free ride on an antique fire truck with Santa and Mrs. Claus and the Grinch (weather permitting). First come basis, last boarding is at 1 p.m. Refreshments will be served. Call 704-637-7814 for more information.
Rowan County Youth Services sponsors Camp Christmas Child Care on Saturday, Dec. 17 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the F&M Trolley Barn, 125 E. Liberty St. While completing your downtown Christmas shopping, leave your children ages 5-12 attended and engaged with arts, crafts, and entertainment. Lunch and snacks provided. Reservations are strongly suggested, and donations to RYSB are gratefully accepted. Contact Laura Potter at 704-633-5636, ext. 104.
New Year’s Eve at the Bell Tower is Saturday, December 31, 11:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., at Bell Tower Park, S. Jackson and W. Innes Streets. A free family event with live music, cookies, hot cider and cocoa while you wait to ring in theNew Year at the Old Bell Tower. Win your chance to be the first to ring the bells. Chilled sparkling cider and Auld Lang Syne at midnight.
Call Downtown Salisbury, Inc., 704-637-7814 for more information on these events.