First Responders day is a fun way to say thank you to local community heroes

Published 12:00 am Thursday, April 24, 2014

On Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., Northgate church will host the third annual First Responders Day, a time to honor the community heroes of the Rowan County Emergency Services teams.

The day will include free pork barbecue with the fixings (while supplies last), equipment demonstrations, fire truck photo op for kids, family fun and games. Northgate Church is located at 1255 W. Ridge Road. Call 704-633-7063 for more information.

The fourth annual Cruise ‘n Barbecue is Saturday at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 205 St. Paul’s Church Road. The poker cruise begins at 9 a.m. and the cruise-in, car and bike show event begin at noon with music, Port-a-Pit, door prizes and raffles. The event is free to spectators. To enter the cruise or the car show, see www.facebook.com/stpaulscruisenbarbecue

In addition, a bone marrow drive will be held from 1-4 p.m. in honor of Chloe Monroe, who is undergoing treatment for acute myeloid leukemia. The American Red Cross will conduct the drive, which consists of a painless swab inside the cheek. Donations have been raised to cover the cost of the testing; the first 40 screenings are free.

Piedmont Bottle and Pottery Club will host their 8th annual antique bottle show and sale of bottles, jars and pottery on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. (no early buyers) at the Salisbury Civic Center, 315 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Ave.

There is no charge for admission, parking is free, and there will be free appraisals available. Show chair is John Patterson, ncmilks@carolina.rr.com

KANNAPOLIS — Just head down West Avenue at noon this Saturday to experience the latest installment of the Kaleidoscope Cultural Arts Festival in Downtown Kannapolis.

This family-friendly event features art and music and vendors in a free, outdoor venue.

The festival runs from noon to 4 p.m. Visit www.kannapolisarts for more information.

Piedmont Players Theatre will hold a workshop for students interested in auditioning for youth theater productions.

The workshop on Saturday, May 10, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., will focus on preparing students to audition specifically for PPT’s upcoming production of “High School Musical.” Skills developed will be in dance, singing and acting.

It is geared for elementary through high school students, the instructor is Gwen Matthews. It will be held at the Norvell Theater rehearsal hall at 135 E. Fisher St. The cost is $40 and there are only 20 spots available. Call 704-633-5471 to sign up.

SPENCER — Back by popular demand, certified appraiser Michael Hansen will be at the Spencer Doll And Toy Museum this weekend.

Hansen will look at, appraise and offer advice and information on a broad spectrum of general merchandise, including toys. People are encouraged to bring family heirlooms, yard sale bargains and long-lost items salvaged from attics and basements.

Hansen will do appraisals at the Spencer Doll And Toy Museum Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the museum, 108 Fourth St., across from the N.C. Transportation Museum.

The cost is $5 per item, with a limit of two items per person. The event is a fundraiser for the nonprofit museum. To learn more, call 704-762-9359 or visit www.SpencerDollAndToyMuseum.com

Rufty-Holmes Senior Center will host a club fair on Wednesday, April 30 to highlight the 30 clubs and organizations that meet at the center. The general public is invited to come and learn about these groups, most of which have open memberships and welcome new persons to join.

There are retired employee groups such as Duke Energy Retirees, the Military Officers Association, Retired Federal Employees, and the Retired School Personnel Association.

There are civic/community groups such as the AARP Chapter, Ambassadors Club, Rowan County Council on Aging, Seniors Morning Out, and Southside Extension Homemakers.

There are health and fitness groups such as the Better Breathing Club, Golf Association of Rowan Seniors, Men’s Health & Fitness Club, Outdoor Adventure Club, Rufty-Holmes Lady Liners, Walk-abouts Club, Women’s Health & Fitness Club and TOPS Chapter.

There are social groups such as the Bingo Group, Men’s Breakfast Club, and Seniors Without Partners.

There are craft groups such as the Busy Bees Craft Club, Carolina Artists, Creative Needles, Olde Rowan Fiber Guild, Rowan Doll Society, Salisbury-Rowan Quilters Guild, Starry Night Quilters Guild and Woodcarvers Group.

There are hobby clubs such as the R-H Computer Club, Rufty-Holmes Garden Club, Evergreen Bridge Club and the Rowan Amateur Radio Society.

Club representatives will staff display tables to provide information on their activities and membership requirements from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Reservations are not required. For more information, contact the Center at 704-216-7714.

Sidewalk Prophets, a well-known contemporary Christian music band, recently added a new date to their Live Like That tour; they’ll be appearing at Catawba College at 7 p.m. on May 2 in Goodman Gymnasium. Opening the night will be special guests City Harbor and About A Mile.

Tickets are $16 general admission and $25 for floor seating and are available at the Catawba athletics office at 704-637-4474.

CONCORD — The musician dubbed “folk music’s Renaissance man” by The Washington Post, John McCutcheon, will perform at the Davis Theatre Friday, May 2, at 8 p.m.

Tickets are $27 and may be purchased at CabarrusArtsCouncil.org or 704-920-2753. The Davis Theatre is located at 65 Union St. S, Concord, in the Cabarrus County Historic Courthouse.

Waterworks Visual Arts Center opens the high school portion of the “Celebrating Rowan County’s Young Artists” exhibit with a reception May 1 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. The exhibit opens on Saturday. The rotating exhibit, now in its 31st year, is a display of artwork featuring the works of nearly 800 students representing Rowan-Salisbury’s public, independent and home schooled students.

Gallery hours are 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

CONCORD — The Better Living Home & Garden Show will come to the Cabarrus Arena this weekend, Friday through Sunday.

An all-day pass is $5, and parking is free. Cabarrus Arena is located at 4751 Highway 49 N. Concord, 704-920-3976.

For details, visit http://www.betterlivinghomeandgardenshow.com/

Guitarists who want to compete at the 20th annual Wayne C. Henderson Music Festival and Guitar Competition must apply by May 1. The winner will go home with a handmade Henderson guitar. The form can be obtained from www.waynehenderson.org

The family-friendly festival will be Saturday, June 21 at Grayson Highlands State Park in Mouth of Wilson, Va.

Children’s events and music are scheduled, too.

WINSTON-SALEM — Tickets for the Peabo Bryson and Melba Moore concert are now on sale for the June 7 event. The two music legends will be performing at the RJ Reynolds Memorial Auditorium at 301 N.Hawthorne Road. Tickets are $39.50 to $59.50. Show info and no-fee tickets are available at reynoldsauditorium.com

WINSTON-SALEM — Old Salem Museums & Gardens will host a special evening concert on Friday, May 9 from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. as part of its celebration of the 10th Anniversary of the 1800 Tannenberg Organ that is housed in the James A. Gray, Jr. Auditorium in the Old Salem Visitor Center.

Attendees will enjoy a concert by organist Marilyn Keiser, Chancellor’s Professor of Music Emeritus at Jacobs School of Music, Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. Keiser was a professor of sacred music and applied organ at the school for 25 years before her retirement. She has played at venues all over the world and in April 2013 received the American Guild of Organists Distinguished Artist Award.

Admission is $15 for adults and $5 for students. Tickets will be available at the door or may be purchased in advance at 1-800-441-5305.

WINSTON-SALEM — Reynolda House will offer extended hours until 8 p.m. on Thursday, May 1, in conjunction with the exhibit “Safely in my hands”: The Letters of Georgia O’Keeffe and Alfred Stieglitz . Patrons may hang out after hours at the Museum for music, cash bar, talks, and admission to “American Moderns.” Programs begin at 6 p.m. Admission is $5.

A photographer and painter, gallerist and artist, and husband and a wife, Alfred Stieglitz and Georgia O’Keeffe formed one of the most important partnerships in the history of American modern art and corresponded prolifically throughout the many decades of their relationship. Sharon Andrews and Michael Huie bring their words to life in a staged reading of their letters. Andrews, associate professor in the Department of Theatre and Dance at Wake Forest University, has starred in the one-woman play “A Conversation with Georgia O’Keeffe.” Huie has performed leading roles for the North Carolina Shakespeare Festival and the Blue Moon Theatre Company.

Reynolda House Museum of American Art is located in the historic 1917 estate of Katharine Smith Reynolds and her husband, Richard Joshua Reynolds, founder of the R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company. Reynolda House and adjacent Reynolda Gardens and Reynolda Village feature a spectacular public garden, dining, shopping and walking trails. For more information, visit reynoldahouse.org or call 336-758-5150.