Arts Night Out in Historic Downtown Salisbury is Friday June 22, from 5-9 p.m. This is a free family-friendly event celebrating arts of all disciplines. Downtown businesses stay open late and there will be live music, free trolley rides and lots of activities for the kids. There will even be a Teen Town with Karaoke, snowballs, corn hole, Cheerwine, inflatables, and more.
Check out the Elizabeth Dole Exhibit at the Rowan Museum, load the family on the trolley and participate in a scavenger hunt of Downtown Salisbury’s hidden artsy gems, watch the medieval combat of Society for Creative Anachronism, or hop aboard a free horse-drawn carriage for a unique view of Historic Downtown Salisbury.
Also happening downtown:
The cast of PPT’s “13”
The cast of the next Piedmont Players youth musical, “13,” makes a special guest appearance at Arts Night Out.
They will perform a number from the show at the Brick Street Live stage at 7 p.m.
“13” opens at the Norvell Theater on July 12.
Live music, a movie on the wall
Enjoy live music and entertainment around downtown, including Divided by Four on the East Innes Street stage from 6-9 p.m., and then in the parking lot between Waterworks and F&M Bank, Too Much Sylvia plays at 7:30 p.m.
The Ashley Jo Farmer Band plays at the Blue Vine; Willow Catherine at Robert Crum Fine Art; Jennifer Pettigrew, Heather Foster and CaLeb Hill play at Southern Spirit Gallery.
Be sure to stick around to watch “A Night at the Museum” (movie-on-the-wall) at 9 p.m. Bring your chair or blanket!
“Paris Night Out” at LGAC
Head over to the Rail Walk Arts District (the 400 block of N. Lee St.) and enjoy an evening in Paris with street performers and the Eiffel Tower, help paint an art in progress, and see performances of the classic Punch & Judy Puppet Show.
This is a fun-filled, family-friendly version of the 400-year old beloved Punch and Judy. The stage is traditional, the puppets are hand-carved, and Mr. Punch is still his blustering, impulsive, irresponsible self. But, in keeping with modern sensibilities, there is no killing the baby or hitting Judy. Instead the show is a game of wits between Mr. Punch and Toby, the dog, with Judy, Joey the Clown, Jack Ketch (who has become a dog catcher), and the crocodile all joining in the fun.
Showtimes are 6:30 and 8 p.m., and are free. Presentations are about 30 minutes long.
Puppeteer Jim Alberti began his career as an entertainer in a touring magic show when he was still in high school. He began a career in theater, working both on and off Broadway, and later taught on the faculties of several university drama departments,including NC School of the Arts.
In 1988, he designed and built his own version of the Alberti Flea Circus based on the one his grandfather had toured in the 1920s through the early 1940s, and that summer he and his 7-year-old son, Darryl, took the Alberti Flea Circus to libraries across North Carolina. From that time on, he has returned to full time performing. The Flea Circus has been a great success, playing at fairs and festivals across the United States and Canada. CNN and CBS have done features on Alberti and his fleas, and Alex Trebek has even used the Alberti Flea Circus on Jeopardy.
Over time, Alberti added a street organ and the Punch and Judy show to his repertoire. He will be bringing his beautiful 20-pipe (plus brass bell) English-built street organ with him Friday night. The exquisitely hand-painted street organ has a repertoire of over 60 songs.
For more information about Paris Night Out contact salisburyartists@gmail.com or call 704-633-2787.
Robert Crum Fine Arts
Robert Crum Fine Arts Gallery will be open from 5:30-9 p.m. at 116 E. Council St., where Crum will autograph the labels he has created for Morgan Ridge Vineyards. Wine will be available by the glass or bottle, and there will be live music by Willow Catherine.
Restored ghost signs unveiled
Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated and the City of Salisbury Community Appearance Commission will host a dedication for two restored Coca-Cola signs in the heart of Downtown Salisbury. One mural is located on the back of Cooper’s Restaurant, visible from Lee Street, and the other sign is on the north wall of the Meroney Theater, visible from Main Street.
The ribbon cutting and dedication will take place on Friday at 6 p.m. near the corner of E. Fisher and S. Lee. The Coca-Cola Refreshment Vehicle will be present, providing activities for children.
These two signs are the first of many signs to be restored by the Salisbury Ghost Sign Restoration Project. The group eventually looks to restore many of the advertising murals, including the famed Wrigley Gum mural on the back of the Meroney Theater.
The Salisbury Ghost Sign Restoration Project started with three friends – Nassar Farid Mufdi Ruiz, Justin Dionne, and Michael Alexander. The three young businessmen hired artist Andy Thompson, a retired Coca Cola sign painter, to restore the historic advertisement murals.
Salisbury Ghost Walk
Meet at 8 p.m. at 130 W. Innes St. for the popular Salisbury Ghost Walk. Adults are $10 and students are $5. For reservations call 704-213-4232 or email boo@salisburyghostwalk.com
Fine Frame Gallery
The Fine Frame Gallery will be featuring new paintings by Phyllis Steimel and new pastels by Robert Toth. Refreshments will be served. For more information, go to www.fineframegallery.com Reception for middle school art residency
From 5-7 p.m. at Friday’s Arts Night Out, Waterworks Visual Arts Center will host a reception for their middle school art residency, with light refreshments at Waterworks Visual Arts Center, 123 E. Liberty St.
The Summer Middle School Art Residency provides opportunities for youth to participate in and learn about the arts disciplines from professional artists free of charge. This unique summer program offers positive alternatives for up to 20 gifted, area students, grades 6-8, who are recommended by RSS teaching, guidance, and curriculum specialists. This summer will feature a drawing/painting workshop, The Portrait in a Variety of Media, with professional and exhibiting artist, Felicia van Bork.
The program includes a one week, day-long (10 a.m.-4 p.m.) workshop at Waterworks with professional exhibiting artist Felicia van Bork. Students will work independently on each project, with a one-on-one critique from the artist
‘Lost Boy of Sudan’ exhibit
From 5-9 p.m., Sudan Rowan and the Literary Bookpost, 110 S. Main St., host the photography exhibit, “South Sudan in Pictures: Rebuilding a War-Ravaged African Village.”
The exhibit includes 15 photographs by South Sudanese refugee and one of the “lost boys of Sudan”, Ngor Kur Mayol. A reception including cheeses and African wines will accompany the exhibit.
Visit www.visitsalisburync. com/calendar for more details on Arts Night Out.