‘Laser Holidays,’ planetarium laser shows — 5 and 7 p.m., Saturday Dec. 21: heartwarming program of favorite holiday music and laser light images, delight to the sounds of Sleigh Ride, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Jingle Bell Rock, Frosty the Snowman, more. For a little added fun, the audience may wear their tackiest, yet tasteful, holiday attire. Doors open 30 minutes prior to show. $3 adults, $2 12 and under. Margaret C. Woodson Planetarium, 1636 Parkview Circle, park and enter in the back from Lilly Avenue. Horizons Unlimited, 704-639-3004.
Visit with Mrs. Claus — Drop-in 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday,Dec, 21: Create a Christmas craft with Mrs. Santa Claus at Spencer Doll And Toy Museum for children of all ages, make a fun Christmas craft. Free to members; with admission for non-members. Spencer Doll And Toy Museum, 108 Fourth St., Spencer, 704 762 9359, Spencerdollandtoymuseum.com
Christmas party for children 15 and under — 5-8:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 23: food, fun, music, Santa, prizes. JCPrice American Legion Post 107, 1433 Old Wilkesboro Road, 704-640-6360.
Old Stone House Christmas Celebration — Saturday-Sunday, Dec. 28-29; 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Saturday, Noon-4 p.m. Sunday: 29th annual German Christmas Celebration at the Old Stone House (1766) on Stone House Road, Granite Quarry, sponsored by Rowan Museum. The house is closed November through March, will open for the holiday celebration the weekend just following Christmas, decorated as it would have been during pre-Revolutionary days. Admission $5 adults and $3 students. Located one half mile down Old Stone House Road off Highway 52, 770 Old Stone House Road, 704-633-5946, rowanmuseum@fibrant.com
Rowan Big Band All-Stars ‘Christmas in Swingtime’ — 7 p.m. Sunday Dec. 29: Traditional holiday favorites set in Big Band Style with local soloists. Presented by Communities in Schools of Rowan at Christ United Methodist Church, 3401 Mooresville Road. Love offering to benefit CiS will be accepted. Dr. Turbyfill, Board Chair, leader of the band.
Old Courthouse Theatre presents ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas’ — See THEATER listings
NC Shakes performs ‘A Christmas Carol Unplugged’ — See THEATER listings
Christmas Downtown — • Scrooge’s Christmas Trolley Tours through Dec. 21: A classic Dickens story of “The Christmas Carol” on the trolley through Historic Downtown Salisbury, 6 p.m. every Friday-Saturday. $20 adults, $15 children/seniors. www.visitsalisburync.com/downtownholidayevents
Victorian Christmas at the Hall House — 1-4 p.m. every Saturday-Sunday in Dec.: With the theme of “Toyland, Toyland!” The Hall House is located at 226 South Jackson St., downtown Salisbury. $5, 704-636-0103 with questions. The museum will be closed during the months of Jan. and February, while a new exhibit is installed. The 2014 tour season will open on Saturday, March 1.
Santa Train at the NC Transportation Museum — 10 a.m. Dec, 21: Children and their parents make a daytime trip to the roundhouse shop as Ol’ Saint Nick hands out candy canes and oranges – an old railroad Christmas tradition. Make a take-home craft and more. 411 S. Salisbury Ave., Spencer. Admission information at http://www.nctrans.org
Cookies & Cocoa with Santa at the NC Transportation Museum — 10 a.m. Dec. 20, 21: Children will hear a Christmas story aboard the train and before meeting Santa Claus in the Roundhouse. Cookies and cocoa will be served and children can make a craft and send a postcard to Santa. 411 S. Salisbury Ave., Spencer. Admission information at http://www.nctrans.org/
Spencer Candlelight Tour of Churches — 6-9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 20: Sixth annual Candlelight Tour of Churches, free, self guided, open to the public, entertainment at several of the churches.
6–6:20 Central United Methodist
6:30–6:50 Spencer Presbyterian
7–7:20 Oakdale Baptist
7:30–7:50 Dorsett Chapel Church
8–8:20 Calvary Lutheran
8:30–9 First Baptist refreshments
Questions: coordinators Alice Suber 980-234-3896 or Alice.Suber@piedmontng.com
Denise Waller 704-637-6680 or nisewaller@yahoo.com
Christmas in Kannapolis — • 6-9:30 p.m. nightly through Dec. 30 except Christmas Eve and Day: Celebration of Lights boasts more than 250,000 lights, rides on Winterland Express, visits with Santa, Kannapolis Singing Bears, see interactive model train display open on select dates • 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21: Live nativity scene, live choir music, petting zoo, pony rides, vendors. Information at www.cityofkannapolis.com (search for A Kannapolis Christmas), 704-920-4343.
Christmas at Bost Grist Mill — 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Dec. 21 and 22 and Sunday 1-5 p.m.: Hot apple cider, light refreshments, gift baskets, door prizes, southern grits, much more. 4701 Hwy 200, Concord, 704-782-1600. www.bostgristmill.com, bostgristmill@netzero.net
Christmas all over the state — Festive family fun to fit any budget at art and history museums, historic sites and the North Carolina Symphony. Events free unless indicated. NC Department of Cultural Resources, www.ncculture.com

The Salisbury Swing Band — 9 p.m., Dec, 31: The Salisbury Swing Band at New Year’s Eve Dance Party at Hotel Salisbury (formerly Holiday Inn), 530 Jake Alexander Blvd. S., . Under the direction of Dr. Steve Etters, featuring vocalists Laura Millspaugh, Bill Bucher. Ticket info: Hotel Salisbury, 704-637-3100, Memories 1280 Radio, 704-633-0621, or www.salisburyswingband.com
First Night Masquerade Ball — Dec, 31: First Night Masquerade Ball at the Courtyard by Marriott, benefits Saving Grace Farm. 704-638-2339 or http://savinggracefarm.com/first-night-masquerade-ball
Dinner-dance at Charlotte Zodiac Dance Club — Dec, 31: 7:30 p.m. social with punch; 8:15 p.m. dinner, for adults of all ages, singles and couples. The Emeralds play from 9 p.m. until. Advance tickets $25, $30 DOS, call 704-236-0344. American Legion, 4235 W. Tyvola Road, Charlotte, www.charlottezodiacdanceclub.com

Salisbury Symphony’s ‘The Nutcracker’ — Saturday, Dec. 21 at 6:30 p.m. and Sunday Dec. 22 at 2:30 p.m., Keppel Auditorium, Catawba College. With the Piedmont Dance Theatre. Reserved seating at tickets.salisburysymphony.org
The Moondance Orchestra and The Spotlight Dance Company of Salisbury — 7:30 p.m. Saturday Jan. 18: A show featuring The Moondance Orchestra, music of Michael Buble’, Chicago, Blood Sweat and Tears, etc., and The Spotlight Dance Company of Salisbury; a fundraiser for Rowan Helping Ministries. Tickets $10. www.moondanceorchestra.net/ to see a demo of the bands. Held at the Norvell Theater, 135 E. Fisher St.
FUMC hosts Fridays@First series — Noon Friday Dec. 20: Concert by Jonathan Johnson, tenor from A.J. Fletcher Opera Institute at the UNC School of the Arts. Free, First United Methodist Church sanctuary, 217 S. Church St., 704- 636-3121.
The Moondance Orchestra and The Spotlight Dance Company of Salisbury — 7:30 p.m. Saturday Jan. 18: HEAR The Moondance Orchestra, music of Michael Buble’, Chicago, Blood Sweat and Tears, etc. and The Spotlight Dance Company of Salisbury; benefits Rowan Helping Ministries. Tickets $10. www.moondanceorchestra.net/ to see a demo of the bands. Held at the Norvell Theater, 135 E. Fisher St.
Tonight: Fuzzbucket at The Davis Theatre — 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 19: The Ed Sullivan Show, The Grand Ole Opry and Prairie Home Companion = The Fuzzbucket Music Company. Tickets $12. www.fuzzbucketmusic.com . The Davis Theatre , 65 Union Street S, downtown Concord, 704-920-2753, www.CabarrusArtsCouncil.org
Harrah’s Cherokee Event Center — • Kool & The Gang, Dec. 29 • ZZ Top, Dec. 31 • Reo Speedwagon, Feb. 14, 2014 • Comedian Gabriel Iglesias, March 22 • Zac Brown Band, March 29 • Harrah’s Cherokee Event Center, 777 Casino Drive, Cherokee. www.ticketmaster.com or 800-745-3000.
The Blumenthal Performing Arts Center — • Colors of Christmas, Dec. 20-21 • The Book of Mormon, Dec. 26-Jan. 5 • B.B. King, Jan. 12 • Wayne Brady, Feb. 23 • Alton Brown Live!, Feb. 24 • Kenny Loggins, April 27 • Corner of 5th and College Streets, Charlotte. 704-372-1000, BlumenthalArts.org

Old Courthouse Theatre presents ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas’ — Dec. 20-21 at 8 p.m., Dec. 21 at 2:30 p.m.: Wild adventures of mouse, elf, spunky little girl. PG, $15/adults, $12/seniors and students, $10/children 12 and younger. Old Courthouse Theatre, 49 Spring St. NW, 704 788-2405, www.oldcourthousetheatre.org
Burning Coal Theatre, Raleigh presents ‘(Three Man) Tempest’ — Dec. 5-22: Shakespeare. Three men. A table. Tickets and times at 919-834-4001 or www.burningcoal.org. Burning Coal Theatre Company, Murphey School auditorium, 224 Polk St., Raleigh, 919-834-4001, www.burningcoal.org
NC Shakes performs ‘A Christmas Carol Unplugged’ — 7:30 p.m. Dec, 20; 2 p.m. Dec. 22: Two “pay all you can” fundraising performances, nontraditional with focus on story and music. High Point Theatre, Commerce Ave., High Point. ‘Pay All You Can,’ suggested minimum donation $25. High Point Theatre, 336-887-3001, www.highpointtheatre.com, www.ncshakes.org

Christmas in history — For historical Christmas events, see listings under Christmas
‘Rowan County/Salisbury: Our Place in History’ — Thursdays 7-8:30 p.m. Feb. 6- May 8, 2014: Annual 13-week history course on Salisbury and Rowan County. Teachers – Continuing Education Credits available. First class held at Rowan Museum, following classes at various historic locations. Basic text “Rowan County…A Brief History” by James S. Brawley available at the library or on CD at the class for $10. Course fee $30 (discounts apply). Register at HSF 704-636-0103 or office@historicsalisbury.org

City-Wide Kwanzaa Celebration — Friday Dec. 27: Kujichagulia, second day of Kwanzaa “self-determination,” free, with Obakunle Akinlana, storyteller 6-8 p.m., City Park Recreation Center, 316 Lake Drive, hosted by Rowan Blues and Jazz Society. Family fun, refreshments, African drumming, door prizes, entertainment, African Market nonfood vendors.
Spencer Doll and Toy Museum — Hand made porcelain baby or child dolls by Brenda Gregg, porcelain doll artist of Lexington, on display through Feb. 2014. Spencer Doll and Toy Museum, 108 Fourth St., Spencer, 704-762-9359, www.spencerdollandtoymuseum.com
‘Laser Holidays,’ planetarium laser shows — 5 and 7 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 21: See CHRISTMAS listings.
Concord Library events — • Wii Open Play Saturday,Dec, 21 at 2 p.m., 704-920-2053 • 27 Union St. North, Concord, www.cabarruscounty.us/library or Facebook
Winter stamp/postcard show — Saturday, Sunday Jan. 11-12: 2014 show featuring 14 professional dealers, exhibits, Boy Scout merit badge program. Free admission. Bring your stamps/collections to Spring Valley High School, 120 Sparkleberry Lane, Columbia S.C., sponsored by the Columbai Philatelic society, contact 803-237-1184, buckeye1053@gmail.com

First Night Masquerade Ball — SEE NYEVE LSITING.
To benefit Meals on Wheels of Rowan — Kathleen Boggs at Genevieve’s Salon, 1921 W. Innes St., will donate proceeds from all haircuts first Saturdays. $15, by appointment

CJ’s BBQ, 210 Old Amity Hill Road, Cleveland — Live music 7 p.m. Thursday-Friday nights. 704-278-4070.
Cooper’s, The Gathering Place, 122 E. Fisher St. — • 8-11 p.m. Tuesdays: Open mic night. 704-754-4907, www.coopersofsalisbury.com, Facebook
DJAaronS presents — 9 p.m.-2 a.m.Dec, 22: fourth Sunday at JC Price Post 107, a night with (OCAA-Best DJ award winner) DjAaronS, 1433 Old Wilkesboro Road, $5 cover, dress code enforced, adults only.
Danny Franklin plays live — • Friday Dec. 20 and Saturday Dec. 21: Old Stone Vino Main St., Kannapolis • Jan. 25 and Feb. 22: Concord Wine Room, 5401 Village Drive, Afton Village, Concord. See dannyfranklinelectric guitar or danny franklin acoustic guitar on youtube.
Fat Jack’s Pub, 120 Military Ave. — Friday-Saturday: open jukebox. 704-638-8996.
Go Burrito, 115 W. Fisher St. across from the mural — • Mondays: Game night • 9 p.m. Wednesdays: Karaoke night • Thursdays: Trivia night, form teams, win prizes. www.facebook.com/GoBurrito
The Inn, 1012 Mooresville Hwy 150 — • 8 p.m., Saturday Dec. 21: Hip Hop Comedy Night with Chad Costantino and Justin Parker • Set Free Church meets 5 p.m. Saturdays. Free refreshments, air hockey, foosball, pool, wi-fi. Public invited to jam or schedule their group to perform. 704-213-1476.
E.H. Montgomery General Store — • 7-9 p.m. Fridays: Open Bluegrass jam for acoustic musicians • Historic Village of Gold Hill, www.HistoricGoldHill. com, Facebook, 704-267-9439, www.historicgoldhill.com and www.themontgomerystore.com
Nashville Nights, 125-127 E. Innes St. — • 9:30 p.m. Saturday Dec. 21: Live music with Darrell Harwood • 7 p.m. Tuesdays: Free pool • 8 p.m. Wednesdays: Open mic • 9 p.m. Thursdays: College Night and Karaoke, ages 18+ welcome with college ID • Fridays: Deejay Snow • 704-762-9999.
Richard’s Bar-B-Que, 522 N. Main St. — • 5-8 p.m. Wednesdays: Cruise-In, 10 percent off. 704-636-9561.
Rick’s BBQ and Grill, 929 S. Main St. — • 6 p.m. Monday, Thursday: Karaoke • 6 p.m. Tuesday: Cruise-in • 7 p.m. Thursday-Friday-Saturday: Karaoke. 704-642-0050.
Stars & Bars Tavern, 723 Klumac Road — • 8 p.m., Fridays: Deejay T-RAV plus local talent with Karaoke • Saturdays: Open juke box • Tuesdays: Pool league night. 704-310-5503.
Statesville Shag Club, 139 Jordan Lane, Statesville — Second and fourth Fridays, members $5, others $7. Large dance floor, cash bar, great menu, 50/50. VFW Post 2031. www.statesvilleshagclub.com
Uncle Buck’s All American Pub & Grub, 127 S. Main St. — • 10 p.m. Friday Dec. 20: The Pam Taylor Band • Saturday Dec. 21: Josh Morningstar opening for Billy Don Burns. No covers. 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Friday-Saturday. Closed Sundays. 704-633-3750, https://www.facebook.com/unclebucksgrub
Old Stone Vino, 515 S. Main St., Kannapolis — Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays: Live music. 704-938-2337.

Salisbury Wine Shop — • 5:30-7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 20: Sparkling wine tasting with Stephanie. Taste six sparkling wines including Cava, Prosecco, and Champagne. $5/person • 1-2:30 p.m. Saturday Dec. 21: Free Lagunitas Sucks Beer tasting with Tanzy Tysinger of R.H. Barringer Distributing • 106 S. Main St., 704-636-5151, sws@salisburywinehsop.com, www.salisburywineshop.com
Morgan Ridge Vineyards — Beer Tasting Flights $5; styles change weekly. Bring in your sanitized Growler for refills. $3.50 per pint. 704-639-0911. 486 John Morgan Road, Gold Hill. morganridgevineyards.com

PPT youth theatre Winter audition workshop — 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 4: Preparing students to audition for ‘A Thousand Cranes’ includes stage performance, character development, movement, effective auditioning techniques for a non-musical. 25 spots available, $25. 704-633-5471 to sign up. Norvell Theater, 135 E. Fisher St. PiedmontPlayers.com
?Beginner Bridge Lessons — Noon-2:30 p.m. beginning Jan. 6 for seven weeks with the Martin Luther King Holiday off. For people who have never played or people who want to be refreshed; very basic instruction by Kerry Morgan. Cost for non-newcomers $5/seven weeks, Newcomer members free. Call 704-636-8906 or e-mail cmorgan33@carolina.rr.com to sign up. Held at the Salisbury Civic Center.
Jan. senior adults guitar lessons — For adults 55+ at Rufty-Holmes Senior Center, new 8-wk. session begins Jan. 6. Beginner or intermedate.Call Bob at 704-433-1461 or sign up at RHSC 704-216-7714, more info at www.guitarheel.com
‘Rowan County/Salisbury: Our Place in History’ — See HISTORY listings.
Advanced Care Planning Workshop — 12:30-2:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 25 : By HPCCC and Bethel AME Zion Church, 2219 Dale Earnhardt Blvd., Kannapolis, in the Fellowship Hall with light refreshments to follow. Led by Ric Durham, open to all, notaries public will be present, no fee will be charged for anyone wishing to prepare a Living Will or Healthcare Power of Attorney. RSVP to Chiquita Knight or Joy Kennedy at 704-232-7963.
Salisbury Art Station —Dec, schedule offers”kid-free” for parents; includes art making, music, snacks, reading, short movie. Sibling discounts available, registration/payment due prior to class • Winter Wonderland: Friday,Dec, 20, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. $42 (includes 2 slices of pizza) • First Day of Winter Inspired by Dr. Seuss: Saturday,Dec, 21, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. $42 (includes 2 slices of pizza). SAS, 215 Depot St., 704-754-0853 or art.notions@yahoo.com
Beginning and intermediate weaving — Private lessons on a floor loom. Day or evening times available. Liese Sadler ,livethreadstudio@gmail.com
Zumba fitness — • 5:30 p.m., Mondays, Rufty-Holmes Senior Center, 704-216-7714 • 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. and 6 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays.
New beginner line dance class — 4:30-5:30 p.m., begins Thursday Jan. 9 for 8 weeks: $35, Rufty Holmes Senior Center. Intermediates 5:30-6:30 p.m. Call Rufty Holmes to register 704-633-7862.
Painting with Patt — Adult oil painting classes, ongoing, pay as you go. 6 p.m. Tuesdays at Patt’s home studio in Salisbury. Call for info or to sign up. Class size limited to four. Patt Legg, 704-232-6000, 704-762-9647, www.pattlegg.com/
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.
Bring-your-own-vase floral design — 2-3 p.m., Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday: Designing fresh cut flowers, $5 plus cost of flowers, call for reservations; instructor David Harrison, Harrison’s Florist, 1012 Holmes Ave. off Grove St. near RRMC, 704-636-4251.

Piedmont Singles — • 6:15 p.m. (new starting time) Fridays • Dec. 20: No meeting • Dec. 27: Bingo. 1908 Statesville Blvd., Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, no joining fee, donations appreciated, covered dish.
New Beginnings Singles Club of Lake Norman — 6:30 p.m. third Thursdays: social group of singles over 50, Captain’s Galley Restaurant in Mooresville. Visitors welcome. 704 528 3864.

PPT youth: ‘A Thousand Cranes’ — By appointment only, 4 and 5 p.m., Monday-Tuesday Jan. 6-7: 25 spots per time slot. Open to all students who can read well. Held at the Norvell Theater. Schedule audition at 704-633-5471, md@piedmontplayers.com. Performance dates: Feb. 28, March 1, 7, 8. Norvell Theater, 135 E. Fisher St.

Carolina Lily events — • Dec. 19 and 21: Snow Fairy Tea Party, make a spoon fairy, decorate your own cupcake and cocoa bar, come dressed in your fairy finery • RSVP to Carolina Lily, 704 639-0033, carolinalily@att.net, www.carolinalily.com

Center for Faith & the Arts, 207 W. Harrison St. — Retrospective of James Donaldson’s work “Journey of an Artist,” works from 1970-2013. CF&A is in the lower level of Haven Lutheran Church, 207 W Harrison St.
Fine Frame Gallery, 105 S. Main St. — Paintings by Phyllis Steimel, and Rowan County Miniature’s by Clyde, and Mark Brincefield. 704-647-0340, www.fineframegallery.com
The Framing Gallery, 320 N Main St. across from Koko Java — Artist of the Month Betty Sedberry; also the work of Edward Brincefield (Mark’s brother). Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-6 p.m., closed Tuesday and Saturday, 704-633-1246.
Rail Walk Studios and Gallery, 409 N. Lee St. — Dec. 5-21: “Small Works,” a show of art featuring Rail Walk Artists Sharon Forthofer, Karen Frazer, Kenneth Koskela, Patt legg, Elizabeth McAdams, Marietta Smith, and new additions Keyth Kahrs, Julie Pontell. Open to the public and free. Thursday, Friday, Saturday 11 a.m.-4 p.m. or by appointment, Historic Salisbury’s Rail Walk Arts District. 704-431-8964, www.railwalkgallery.com. Closed Dec. 26 except by appointment, reopens Feb. 6.
Waterworks Visual Arts Center, 123 E. Liberty St. — • Rowan-Cabarrus Community College Student Art Show, Nov. 21-Feb. 1, 2014 • Fall/Winter exhibition “Restructure: Contrast and Balance,” through Feb. 1, 2014 • 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
The Mooresville Artist Guild — Artwork intake for juried exhibit and competition: 1-­5 p.m. Friday, Jan. 10; 11 a.m.­4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 11 • Exhibit: Jan. 14-27 • Opening reception: 6­-8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 17. Information/prospectus available at www.magart.org. Mooresville Artist Guild 103 W Center Ave., 663-6661, www.magart.org
The Galleries, 65 Union S. St., Concord — Shop Seagrove and Piedmont Pottery and Soft Focus, through Dec. 19. Free, 704-920-2787, www.CabarrusArtsCouncil.org
Sundae Art Gallery, above Cabarrus Creamery, 21 S. Union St., Concord — Each month a new show. Info at 704-953-4304, www.sundaeartgallery.com
Frank Selby work in ‘Entropy’ exhibit — through Jan. 4, 2014: Group exhibition curated by Vassilios Doupas at Galeri Zilberman, Beyoglu/Istanbul, Turkey. Info at galerizilberman.com
The Cabarrus Art Guild — The Depot at Gibson Mill, 325 McGill Ave., Suite 250, Concord • 6-9 p.m. Jan. 31: Concord on Canvas Banner Walk; during Art Walk stop by the Union Street Bistro to view the Concord on Canvas paintings created by thirty-four artists.

Brian Regan at Ovens Auditorium — 8 p.m. Saturday March 22, 2014: Comedian with the most appearances on The Late Show with David Letterman. 2700 E. Independence Blvd., Charlotte. Tickets $39.50/$45 at Livenation.com
Mike Birbiglia’s ‘Thank God For Jokes’ — 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 29, 2014: Painfully awkward stories about jokes and how they can get you in trouble. Knight Theater at Levine Center for the Arts, Charlotte. Tickets $23-$43, 704-372-1000 or www.carolinatix.org.

Community bus trip to Christmas City USA — Friday, Dec. 20: See the lights in McAdenville, departing 4 p.m., cost $25. Details, Brenda Cowan 704-633-9073.
YMCA sponsored trips — • Broadway show trips, must sign up to reserve orchestra seating: March 4, 2014 “Evita;” April 1, 2014 “Ghost the Musical;” Aug. 20, 2014 “Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess” • Questions, reservations: Louise Klaver, 704-636-0111, lklaver@rowanymca.com, www.rowanymca.org • Buses leave from J.F. Hurley Family YMCA, 828 W Jake Alexander Blvd.

Open Bluegrass jam — Bluegrass jam for all acoustic musicians. Admission by donation. E.H. Montgomery General Store, Gold Hill. Every Friday night 7-9 p.m., 704-267-9439. www.themontgomerystore.com
NPR seeks local talent — From the Top, the NPR radio program showcasing America’s best young classical musicians,seeks local talent. Applications, recorded auditions accepted continuously on a rolling admissions basis. www.fromthetop.org