Christmas in Swing Time with the Rowan Big Band All Stars — 7-9 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 30: Holiday Concert at Christ United Methodist Church Family Life Center, doors open 6:30 p.m. Love offering for Communities in Schools of Rowan. 3401 Mooresville Road.
New Year’s Eve with The Salisbury Swing Band — 9 p.m.-12:30 a.m., Dec. 31: New Years Eve Dance Party, under the direction of Dr. Steve Etters, Holiday Inn on Jake Alexander Blvd., ticket information at the office of Memories 1280 WSAT Radio, 1525 Jake Alexander Blvd. West., 704-633-0621, www.salisburyswingband.com
New Year’s Eve at the Bell Tower — 11:30-12:30 p.m, Dec 31: Presbyterian Bell Tower, W. Innes St. Details 800-332-2343, visit.salisburync.com
OCT’s 22nd New Year’s Eve Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre— Held 7:30 p.m. in the fifth floor ballroom at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Tickets are $75/person or $150 /couple by Dec. 15; After Dec. 15 $85/person or $170/couple. Includes appetizers, dinner, desert, wine, champagne toast, party favors, deejay for dancing; and the Murder Mystery. Table reservations based on first reserved/first paid basis. Old Courthouse Theatre 704-788-2405, info@oldcourthousetheatre.org, www.oldcourthousetheatre.org

See the 2013 Metropolitan Opera National Council auditions — 10:30 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 12: Forty aspiring opera singers to compete in the NC District auditions, held in Dana Auditorium, Queens University of Charlotte, 1900 Selwyn Ave., Charlotte. Public is allowed, $3 admission. For more information lesliepaliy@windsgream.net
Footlights series at the Davis Theater — • January 17, Malpass Brothers, traditional country music from brothers who tour as Merle Haggard’s opening act • February 21, Brand New Opry, the best bluegrass around featuring Jeff Whittington • March 28, Thistledown Tinkers, Celtic music with Southern swagger • April 25, Shableek, contemporary jazz, soul and rhythm from band led by Charlotte’s saxophone sensation Shableek • Davis Theatre, 65 Union St. S., Concord, 704-920-2753, www.CabarrusArtsCouncil.org
Bon Jovi at Time Warner Cable Arena — Wednesday, March 5, Charlotte. Tickets start at $19.50. www.ticketmaster.com, 800-745-3000
Eric Clapton with The Wallflowers in Raleigh — Wednesday, April 3, PNC Arena (formerly RBC Center). Tickets start at $45, on sale Dec. 7 at 10 a.m. www.ticketmaster.com, 800-745-3000
Harrah’s Cherokee Event Center — • Styx, Jan. 18, 2013 • Little Big Town Tornado Tour, March 2 • Celtic Woman, April 26. Harrah’s Cherokee Event Center, 777 Casino Drive, Cherokee. www.ticketmaster.com or 800-745-3000.
‘One Night Of Queen’ at the Knight Theater — 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, April 1: Premier Queen tribute band, “One Night Of Queen,” performed by Gary Mullen and The Works. Tickets start at $34.50. 430 S. Tryon St., Charlotte.Tickets: 704-372-1000, www.carolinatix.org, www.blumenthalarts.org

‘A Tuff Shuffle – Backstage with Louis Armstrong’ — 7:30 p.m., Friday, Dec. 28: one-man show featuring Danny Mullen (www.dannymullen.com), $10 at the door, LGAC black box theater, 405 N. Lee St., 704-633-2787, salisburyartist@gmail.com
Preshow by David Lamanno — Friday Dec. 28: Arrive early for “A Tuff-Shuffle: Backstage with Louis Armstrong” and be treated to a special pre-show performance by one-man band David Lamanno from 7-7:30 p.m. Doors open 6:45 p.m. Looking Glass, 405 N. Lee St., Information 704-633-2787, salisburyartists@gmail.com
‘Wicked’ returns — Broadway’s biggest blockbuster returns to Ovens Auditorium, Charlotte, March 13-31. Tickets go on sale tomorrow at 9 a.m., Friday, Dec. 7, at BlumenthalArts.org or 704-327-1000.
Old Courthouse Theatre’s Living Room Reading Series ‘The Trip to Bountiful’ — 4 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 27: the poignant story of Mrs. Watts, an aging widow living with her son and daughter-in-law. Mrs. Watts imagines that if she can get away and return to her old home in the town of Bountiful, she is sure to regain her strength, dignity and peace of mind. Free admission, 704-788-2405, OCT main theater, 49 Spring Street NW, Concord, 704-788-2405, www.oldcourthousetheatre.org

PPT set construction — 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday-Sunday, Jan. 5-6: Construction for “To Kill a Mockingbird.” Lunch provided. No experience required, come for an hour…come for the weekend. Meroney Theater, 213 S. Main St., 704-633-5471, PiedmontPlayers.com
Concord Library events — • Concord Book Club 6 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 8: Discussing “Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand” by Helen Simonson. Registration requested at 704-920-2053. For information about these and other events, call the library at 704-920-2050, see www.cabarruscounty.us/library or www.facebook.com/cabarruscountylibrary.

Salisbury Symphony’s Big Band Bash — 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 5: Salisbury Symphony’s fundraiser, featuring big band music, hors d’oeuvres, champagne, dancing. $75/ticket; free dance lessons for ticket holders. Hedrick Auditorium & Crystal Ballroom, Catawba College. 704-637-4314 or salisburysymphony.org

The Blue Vine, 209 S. Main St. — • 8 p.m.-midnight, Friday, Dec 28: Divided by Four, $5 cover • 9-11:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 29: Lonnie Carpenter • Monday, Dec. 31: New Year’s Eve Bash, $18/person or $30/couple, ticket-holders have guaranteed seat, doors open 8 p.m. Motel Soap plays 10 p.m.-1 a.m., some $15 SRO tickets available at 9:30 p.m. • 704-797-0093, www.thebluevine.com
Cooper’s, The Gathering Place, 122 E. Fisher St. — 8-11 p.m. Tuesdays: Open mic night. 704-754-4907.
DJ’s, 1502 W. Innes St. — 8:30 p.m., Thursday, Friday, Saturday: Live music. 704-638-9647, www.DJsRestaurant.com
ethos southern bistro and martini bar, 118 N. Main St. — 6:30-9:30 p.m., Friday, Dec. 28: Jazz pianist/vocalist Marc Hoffman performs standards, ballads, originals and seasonal music • 6:30-9:30 p.m., Saturday Dec. 29: Jazz guitarist/vocalist Tom Billotto performs standards, ballads and seasonal music. 704-639-2600, www.ethosdining.com
The Inn, 1012 Mooresville Hwy 150 — Closed this weekend but having New Year’s Eve Bash with Broken Yesterday, Evolve, Jordan Connell and Sean Stoots • Free refreshments, air hockey, foosball, pool, wi-fi. Public invited to jam or schedule their group to perform. 704-213-1467.
Rick’s BBQ and Grill, 929 S. Main St. — 7 p.m., tonight, Dec. 27: Karaoke performance by Marcy Strickland and Jeff Bumgarner. Beach night karaoke and Bike Night 7-9 p.m. Mondays • Cruise-in 6-9 p.m. Tuesdays • Karaoke 7-close Friday-Saturdays. 704-642-0050.
Spencer Buffet, 1205 N. Salisbury Ave., Spencer — 6 p.m., Wednesdays: karaoke. 704-633-1200.
E.H. Montgomery General Store — Friday Night Bluegrass Jam 7-9 p.m.: Open jam for all acoustic musicians. Historic Village of Gold Hill, www.HistoricGoldHill. com, Facebook: Historic Gold Hill, North Carolina, 704-267-9439.
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.
The Double Door Inn, 1218 Charlottetown Ave., Charlotte — Friday, Dec. 28: Gigi Dover & The Big Love • Saturday, Dec. 29: Earphunk. CarolinaTix, 704-372-1000, www.doubledoorinn.com
The Neighborhood Theatre, 511 East 36th St., Charlotte — • Friday, Dec. 28: Keller Williams with More Than a Little and That 1 Guy • Saturday, Dec. 29: Drivin’ n’ Cryin’ and Blue Dogs. www.neighborhoodtheatre.com

Stained glass classes — 6-8 p.m., Monday, Jan. 7 through Feb. 11: Lessons on using the copper foil method, by glass artist Yolonda Shimpock, owner of Celestial Glasworks, 664 N.Cannon Blvd., 704-796-2260 for details, www.celestialglasworks.com
Bring-your-own-vase floral design — 2-3 p.m., Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday: Designing fresh cut flowers, $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.
Mind aerobics art class — 2-4 p.m., Mondays and Fridays, taught by artist Robert Toth: An introduction to drawing, pastel and sculpture. $10 per two-hour session. Rufty Holmes Senior Center, call 704-279-9301.
Zumba fitness — • 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays, First Baptist Church of Salisbury, old YMCA gym on Fulton St. • 6 p.m. Thursdays, $3 per person, St. Matthews Church Salisbury • J.F. Hurley Family YMCA’s aqua zumba, 10:15 a.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Art Classes with Patt — Adult (16+) art classes by local artist Patt Legg; studio located off Miller Road • noon-2 p.m. or 6-8 p.m. Tuesdays • OR 6-8 p.m. Wednesdays. All classes are ongoing, 2 hrs. in length, pay as you go ($40/2 hrs.) Call for material costs, what to purchase, to sign up. 704-232-6000, 704-856-8869. See samples www.pattlegg.com/
Card Making Class at the Y — 6-8 p.m. every other Thursday evening, next class 6-8 p.m.: supplies included. J.F. Hurley Family YMCA, 828 W Jake Alexander Blvd., Terri Dockins 704-636-0111.

Piedmont Singles — 7:15 p.m., Friday, Dec. 28: Dirty Santa. 1908 Statesville Blvd., Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, no joining fee, donations appreciated, covered dish.

Pfeiffer University’s film appreciation series — Free monthly Friday evening film and discussion series by Pfeiffer Pfilm Society, in Pfeiffer University Theater, Administration Building, 3rd Floor, 48380 Hwy 52N, Misenheimer, 6-9 p.m., no reservation required. 704-463-3432 or pfilmsociety@fsmail.pfeiffer.edu • Jan. 11, Japanese Animation: The Girl Who Leapt through Time • Feb. 15, Romance: Casablanca • March 15, B-Movie: A Hobo with a Shotgun • April 12, Documentary: Good Hair.
Modern Film Fest at the Davis — Free screenings of independent films • Thursday, January 24, 2013, 7 p.m., The Trial. A capital case turns a small-town lawyer’s life around in this movie filmed in the Charlotte-metro area.  Features Matthew Modine and Rance Howard. • Friday, February 22, 2013, 9 p.m., after Art Walk. Eyeborgs. An action thriller set in the near future filmed in the Winston-Salem area.• Thursday, March 21, 2013, 7 p.m. Short films.• Friday, April 12, 9 p.m., 2013, after Art Walk. Star Wars Uncut. Fans from around the world joined forces to create this truly different version of the popular film • Many of these films have not been rated by the MPAA. The arts council recommends that you research a film to determine whether it is appropriate for you. Information: 704-920-2787 or wwww.CabarrusArtsCouncil.org or www.modernfilmfest.com • Davis Theatre, 65 Union Street S., 704-920-2787, wwww.CabarrusArtsCouncil.org, www.modernfilmfest.com

PPT youth auditions for ‘The Jack Tales’— By appointment only. Monday, Jan. 7 at 4 and 5 p.m. (25 slots per time); Tuesday, Jan. 8 at 4 and 5 p.m. (25 slots per time). Call 704-633-5471. Show dates Feb. 19-March 2. Norvell Theater, 135 E. Fisher St., 704-633-5471, www.piedmontplayers.com
PPT’s Youth Theatre audition workshop — 9 a.m.-1 .p.m., Saturday, Jan. 5: Only 20 spots available. Call 704-633-5471 to sign up. $40. Norvell Theater, 135 E. Fisher St., PiedmontPlayers.com
Old Courthouse Youth Theatre ‘Charlotte’s Web’ — 4-6 p.m., Saturday-Sunday, Jan. 5-6, 2013, for actors 2nd-8th grade: a full-length play adapted from the book by E.B. White. Visit OCYTNC.org for information on audition and to download audition forms and audition pack. 49 Spring St. SW, Concord. www.oldcourthousetheatre.org, youth@oldcourthousetheatre.org

Open Bluegrass jam — Bluegrass jam open to all acoustic musicians.Refreshments available, admission by donation. E.H. Montgomery General Store, Gold Hill. Every Friday night 7-9 p.m., 704-267-9439.

Seeking artists — 6:30 p.m., Jan. 10: The Forming Artists’ Association of Hickory seeks artists for new artists group in the greater Hickory area. Share ideas, discover ways to promote, inspire, educate visual artists, elect officers, form committees. 18 Second St. SE, Hickory, contact Pat Flachbart 828-496- 2293, rakupatti@earthlink.net

Disney historian George Taylor — 7 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 16, Morings Fine Art Center, 123 Sunset Ave., downtown Asheboro. Randolph Arts Guild, 336-629-0399, www.randolphartsguild.com

9th annual Charlotte Home & Landscape Show — Jan. 25-27: Thousands of square feet of exhibits, the latest in products and services, at Cabarrus Event Center & Arena, 4751 Highway 49 N., Concord, 704-920-3976. Meet Ahmed Hassan of DIY Network’s “Yard Crashers.” Time and ticket info at www.harlottehomeandlandscapeshow.com

Rail Walk Studios and Gallery, 409-413 N. Lee St. — • Through Jan 26,2013. “A Sense of Place,” A Fine Arts Photography Exhibition by Elizabeth McAdams. Photos of Salisbury, Gold Hill, Concord, Mt. Pleasant, Mocksville, Elkin. Regular hours Thursday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Closed Dec. 27-29. 704-431-8964. www.railwalkgallery.com • “Through the Wall” through Feb. 2. Free reception and artist talk 6-8 p.m., Jan. 10, in the gallery at Looking Glass, 405-407 N. Lee St. From 6:45-7:15 p.m., Karen Frazer will speak briefly about her work, the history of encaustic wax painting and its place in the contemporary art world, closing with a demonstration of the use of wax in art-making. Info at 704-633-2787 or salisburyartists@gmail.com
Waterworks Visual Arts Center, 123 E. Liberty St. —• Art of Faiths – Religions of the World: Diversity and Tolerance, through Feb. 9. Seven contemporary artists express their personal relationships to their faiths in photographs, paintings, mixed media • Free admission, donations appreciated. 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
Local artist exhibit at SECCA — Frank Selby: Misunderstanding. Curated by Steven Matijcio. Through Feb. 10, 2013. Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art, 750 Marguerite Drive, Winston-Salem. 336-725-1904, www.secca.org
Center for Faith & the Arts — 207 W. Harrison St., lower level of Haven Lutheran Church. 704-647-0999, faithart@bellsouth.net
Robert Crum Fine Art, 116 E. Council St. — Oil painting and mosaics.
J Alston’s of Salisbury Studio and Gallery, 1007 Richard St. — Jimmy and Lesley Alston, 704 232 1467 or email at jalston13@carolina.rr.com.
Green Goat Gallery, 516 S. Salisbury Ave., Spencer — Gallery hours Tuesday-Saturday 10:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. 704-639-0606, greengoatgallery@bellsouth.net
Pottery 101 at 101 S. Main St. — Gallery hours 10 a.m-6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; 10 a.m-6 p.m. Saturday. 704-209-1632, www.pottery-101.com
Southern Spirit Gallery, 102 S. Main St. — Monday-Saturday from 10 a.m to 5:30 p.m. southernspiritgallery@yahoo.com, 704-633-0761.
Looking Glass Artists Center, 405 N. Lee St. — Gallery: noon-4 p.m. Thursday-Saturday. salisburyartists@ gmail.com. Looking Glass Artists Center, 405 N. Lee St., 704-633-2787, www.salisburyartists.com
Mint Museum Uptown at Levine Center for the Arts, 500 South Tryon St., Charlotte — 704-337-2000, www.mintmuseum.org
Mint Museum of Art, 2730 Randolph Road, Charlotte — $10 adults, free for members and children 5 and younger. Free on Tuesdays 5-9 p.m. 704-337-2000.
Reynolda House Museum of American Art, 2250 Reynolda Road, Winston-Salem — • “Romare Bearden: A Black Odyssey” on view through Jan. 13, 2013. One of the most powerful and original artists of the 20th century created a cycle of collages and watercolors based on Homer’s “The Odyssey” • “The Armory Show: One Hundred Years Later,” celebrating 100th anniversary of the original groundbreaking New York City show. The work of American artists like George Bellows, Robert Henri and John Sloan was considered progressive, but the work of European artists like Paul Cézanne, Marcel Duchamp, Pablo Picasso and Paul Gauguin shocked exhibition visitors. Through June 23, 2013, will feature important works by Bellows, Henri and Sloan, along with Mary Cassatt, Childe Hassam, Alfred Maurer, Maurice Prendergast and others. Managing Curator Allison Slaby will present a gallery talk on the date of the Armory Show’s 100th anniversary, Feb. 17, 2013 at 2:30 p.m. The talk is free with admission. reynoldahouse.org. • 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 — Permanent exhibition: traces NC pottery from pre-historic Native American work through 21st century. 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Tuesday-Saturday, 336-873-8430, www.ncpotterycenter.org

YMCA trips to broadway shows — • Wicked, March 14, $100 a seat, best seats $40 each to hold. Pay in full by Jan. 2 • Lion King, Sept. 1, $100 a seat, best seats $40 each to hold. Pay in full by Jan. 10 • Sign up at front desk. Buses leaves from J.F. Hurley Family YMCA, 828 W Jake Alexander Blvd. Louise Klaver, 704-636-0111, lklaver@ rowanymca..com

Dan Nicholas Park, 6800 Bringle Ferry Road — Paddle boats, miniature golf, miniature trains, carousel, gem mine, playgrounds, family camping, picnic shelters, splash pad, petting zoo. 704-216-7800. www.dannicholas.net
Ellis Park, 3541 Old Mocksville Road — 26 acres of ball fields, tennis courts, volleyball court, shelters, playground, event center, walking trail. 704-216-7783.
Sloan Park, 550 Sloan Road, Mt. Ulla — Off NC Hwy 150 approximately 10 miles west of Salisbury. Features Kerr Mill, an 1823 grist mill.
Gold Hill Mines Historic Park 735 St. Stephens Church Road — Historic tours available by appointment: 704-267-9439, www.HistoricGoldHill.com
Gold Hill Rail Trail — Hiking, biking trail begins at Gold Hill Mines Historic Park, continues into Cabarrus County. 704-267-9439.
Dunn’s Mountain Nature and History Preserve, 1640 Dunn’s Mtn. Road — Trail walks, overlooks, see 120 miles in most directions, blacksmith shop display, Saturday-Sunday shuttle service, 704-216-7803.

NC Transportation Museum, 411 S. Salisbury Ave., Spencer — • See www.nctrans.org for train ride schedule and admission information with and without train rides. 704-636-2889, 877-NCTMFUN, www.nctrans.org
Spencer Doll and Toy Museum, 108 4th St., Spencer — Current exhibit: A collection of hand-made miniatures by Terri Correll of Mooresville Miniatures Club, through the end of 2012. Museum features antique, vintage, modern collectible dolls, antique, vintage toys, train set, model tractor trailers, John Deere vehicles. Just steps from the NC Transportation Museum • 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday. $5 adults, $4 seniors, $3 children. 704-762-9359, www.spencerdollandtoymuseum.com
Rowan Museum, 202 N. Main St. — “Where’s The Fire?” Exhibit honoring the history of firefighting in Rowan County; participating departments: Army Air National Guard, Rowan Fire Marshal Office, Rowan County Emergency Services, East Spencer, Woodleaf, Spencer, Bostian Heights, Mt. Mitchell, Cleveland, Faith, Ellis, South Salisbury, Franklin, Pooletown, Granite Quarry, City of Salisbury, Locke, Union, West Rowan, China Grove, Rockwell City, Rockwell Rural and Richfield/Misenheimer. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday, 1-4 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. Contributions accepted. 704-633-5946, rowanmuseum@fibrant.com, www.rowanmuseum.org
Utzman-Chambers House, 116 S. Jackson St. — Artifacts of the late Honorable Spruce Macay (1755–1808), lawyer and Superior Court judge, perhaps best known for instructing our country’s seventh president, Andrew Jackson. Open 1-4 p.m. Saturday. $3 adults, $1.50 students. 704-633-5946, rowanmuseum@fibrant.com, www.rowanmuseum.org
Old Stone House (1766) Christmas Celebration, Granite Quarry — 10 a.m.–4 p.m., Saturday,Dec. 29 and noon–4 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 30: 28th annual German Christmas Celebration with house decorated like pre-Revolutionary days, guides in period costumes, guests will learn and participate in crafts, musket firing, woodworking (benches, bowls, spoons), weaving, candle making, open fire cooking, music, children’s games, goats, chickens, more. $4 adults, $2 students. 704-633-5946, rowanmuseum@fibrant.com. The house is one half mile down Old Stone House Road off Highway 52 in Granite Quarry.
Dr. Josephus Hall House, 226 S. Jackson St. — 1820 house museum, costumed docents provide tours. $3 adults, $1.50 students. For group tours, call HSF office, 704-636-0103, www.historicsalisbury.org
Historic Rockwell Museum, 102 E. Main St. — Sundays 2-4 p.m., special tours and info 704-279-4979. Free.
Price of Freedom Museum, Old Patterson School building, China Grove — Sundays 3-5 p.m. and by appointment. American war memorial dedicated to men and women of the armed services. Free. Intersection of Weaver and Patterson Roads, 704-857-7474, www.priceoffreedom.us
China Grove Roller Mill Museum — Guided tours 2-4 p.m. second Sundays.Operated by Historical Society of South Rowan. Free. 704-433-3912. www.hist-society-srowan.com
NC Music Hall of Fame Museum, 109 West A St., Kannapolis — Honors musicians, singers, songwriters and producers from North Carolina. In the renovated old Kannapolis Jailhouse Building. 10 a.m.-noon, 2-4 p.m., Monday-Friday, admission free. 704-934-2320, www.NorthCarolinaMusicHallofFame.org
Historic Gold Hill,NC/Gold Hill Mines Historic Park — 19th century living history interpretative displays reflect life in the 1800s gold mining boom town. Free. 704-279-5674, www.HistoricGoldHill. com
Reed Gold Mine historic site, 9621 Reed Mine Road, off Highway 200 near Locust — Southeastern Cabarrus County,12 miles southeast of Concord, at 9621 Reed Mine Road, Midland, 704-721-4653, reed@ncdcr.gov Generally, the Reed Gold Mine panning area is open April 1 through October 31. Without panning, there is no fee for the site. Museum, visitor center, underground mine tour, operating stamp mill, panning area. Museum is free, panning tickets $3. 704-721-4653, www.nchistoricsites.org/ reed/
Gregory Creek Homestead and walking trails, 1335 Museum Road, Statesville — Statesville’s heritage site. 704-873-4734, www.iredellmuseums.org.
Fort Dobbs State Historic Site, 438 Fort Dobbs Road, Statesville — The only North Carolina Historic Site associated with the French and Indian War (1754-1763). Free, open Tuesday-Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m. 704-873-5882, www.fortdobbs.org
Reynolda House Museum, 2250 Reynolda Road, Winston-Salem — House, gardens and village feature public garden, dining, shopping,walking trails. 336-758-5150, reynoldahouse.org
Historic Latta Plantation, 5225 Sample Road, Huntersville — • Civil War Winter Quarters Jan. 5 (10 a.m.-4 p.m) and 6 (1-4 p.m.), 2013: See how Civil War soldiers survived brutal winters encamped with the armies, how families survived at home without them, more. Free with regular site admission ($7 adults, $6 seniors, $5 students, ages 5 and under free) • Circa 1800 cotton plantation and living history farm with endangered breeds of historic livestock. The last remaining Catawba River Plantation open to the public. 704-875-2312, lattaplantation.org
Historic Rosedale Plantation, 3427 N. Tryon St., Charlotte — Civil War National Register Federal house circa 1815. historicrose dale.org
Discovery Place, Charlotte, 301 N. Tryon St., Charlotte — Winter Break Camps: Day-long camps weekdays through Jan. 1, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. with supervised lunch noon-1 p.m. Full information about sessions at discoveryplace.org/events, 704-372-6261eryplace.org
Discovery Place KIDS Huntersville, 105 Gilead Road — $8 adults, children age 1-13; children under age one free. Events and activities free with admission. Event schedule at 704-372-6261, discoveryplaceKIDS.org
Charlotte Nature Museum, 1658 Sterling Road, Charlotte — $6 ages two and older, younger-than-two free, free parking. Event schedule at 704-372-6261, charlottenaturemuseum.org
Town Creek Indian Mound, Mount Gilead — NC’s only state historic site dedicated to American Indian heritage. Town Creek Mound between NC 73 and NC 731. 910-439-6802, towncreek@ncdcr.gov, www.towncreek.nchistoricsites.org
Old Salem, Winston-Salem — Faithfully preserved buildings, costumed interpreters, craftsmen, historical garden and horticultural programs. $21 adults, $10 children. 336-721-7300, www.oldsalem.org
NC Museum of Art, 2110 Blue Ridge Road, Raleigh — • Free general admission. Charge for some concerts, films, classes, performances. 919-839-NCMA, www.ncartmuseum.org
Contemporary Art Museum, 409 W. Martin St., Raleigh — • $5 general admission. 919-513-0946, camraleigh.org
NC Museum of History, 5 E. Edenton St., Raleigh — New video series: “North Carolina, Long Story Shorts,” entertaining, educational, free. On-demand streaming video format at www.ncmuseumofhistory.org. Free admission. Across from the State Capitol. 919-807-7900, ncmuseumofhistory.org.
NC Museum of Natural Sciences, 11 W. Jones St., Raleigh —Four floors of live animals, hands-on activities. Free general admission, charge for special exhibits and 3D Theater. 919-733-7450, www.naturalsciences.org
NC Museum of Life and Science, 433 Murray Ave., Durham — Indoors: Sit inside a real Apollo Space Capsule, explore a full-scale Lunar Lander, touch a 13-foot tornado
• Outdoors: Explore the Wild, a 6-acre outdoor science center expansion. $14 adults, $10 children ages 3-12. Train and bungee rides small add’l cost. 919-220-5429, www.ncmls.org
Children’s Museum of Winston-Salem, 390 S. Liberty St. — Climbing Lobby, Amazing Library, Build it!, Surprise Garden, The Enchanted Forest, Animal Alphabet, Amazing Airways, more. Adults and children over 1 year old: $7. 336-723-9111, childrensmuseumofws.org
Natural Science Center of Greensboro,4301 Lawndale Drive — Hands-on science museum, animal discovery zoological park and a state-of-the-art OmniSphere Dome Theater, NC’s only 40 foot digital dome experience. General admission includes admission to the Museum and Animal Discovery. $8 adults $8, $7 children ages 3-13. 336-288-3769, www.natsci.org

Greensboro Children’s Museum, 220 N. Church St. — Hands-on, interactive museum for children (infancy to 10 years of age) and families. Adults $8, children 12 months+ $8. 336-574-2898, www.gcmuseum.com ###