CONCORD — Rowan-Cabarrus Community College is bringing the college to the community for its annual literature and fine arts event. This year’s event, “Step into Culture,” is a collaboration of Rowan-Cabarrus departments of Fine Arts and English. Selected classes will be relocated to the Clearwater Artist Studios in downtown Concord on April 4.
“Many of our students at Rowan-Cabarrus are managing family responsibilities, career, and the demands of their studies. Consequently, they may not have the time or means to appreciate literature and the fine arts,” Dr. Carol S. Spalding, president of the college, said in a news release. “Step into Culture is a special one-day event that we created to make sure that our students have an opportunity to engage in activities and celebrations focusing on literature and fine arts.”
The event will start at noon and continue until 8 p.m. Creative writing students will participate in poetry slams and students will perform various musical numbers. There will also be tours of the Clearwater Artist Studios led by fine arts faculty, and the spring student Impulse Art Exhibition will be on display in the Clearwater Gallery. The opening reception for the Impulse Art Exhibition will begin at 6 p.m. as part of the Cabarrus Arts Council’s Art Walk to be held 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
The schedule for the day is: formal welcome, noon-12:15 p.m.; student chorus performance, 12:30-1 p.m.; spoken word, 1-1:45 p.m.; drama presentations, 2-2:30 p.m.; spoken word and presentation of Rowan-Cabarrus writing awards, 2:45-3 p.m.; music, 3:30-4 p.m.; spoken word and poetry slam, 4-5:30 p.m.; student impulse show, live music, class scavenger hunts, 6-8 p.m.
“Step into Culture will be a diverse, cultural experience with music, live demonstrations, poetry, spoken word, a student art gallery, food trucks and vendor tables, a sense of community, and more,” said Spalding.
The event is sponsored in part by the Rowan-Cabarrus Community College Foundation. NOMAD Aquatics and Fitness, Pearson Education, and Barnes and Noble are providing in-kind donations. The event is held in collaboration with the Cabarrus Arts Council, the city of Concord and the Clearwater Artist Studios and Gallery, and the Gibson Village Association.
Step into Culture will be open to the entire community, as well as to Rowan-Cabarrus students. All events are free.
For more information, contact Jenny Billings Beaver at 704-216-3797 or Jenn Selby at 704-216- 3820.