The Bell Tower Concert Series continues this evening from 5 to 7 p.m. with the bands Life House and the Throttle Kings. Bring a chair and enjoy free live music.
This family-friendly event is scheduled for every second and third Thursday through Oct. 19 at the gazebo in Bell Tower Park, corner of W. Innes and S. Jackson Streets.
It is sponsored by Salisbury Parks & Recreation and Guitars USA. Event coordinator Vivian Koontz would like to get your feedback about the bands, location, etc. Call 704-216-2708.
Tonight the Dairy Queen at 1004 West Innes St. will be participating in a nationwide event called Miracle Treat Day by donating $1 of every blizzard sold to the Children’s Miracle Network Hospital in Charlotte. There will also be area beauty queens on hand from approximately 4 to 8 p.m. to assist customers and sign autographs.
For details, call 704-798-4456.
Friday from 5 to 9 p.m. is Summer Night Out in downtown Salisbury with live music from 6 to 9 p.m. by the Mark Hoffman Trio on East Fisher St.
There will be free trolley rides, a classic car show, horse and carriage rides and the Salisbury Elks free school supply trailer will be stationed on E. Fisher St.
Visit www. downtownsalisburync.com for details.
The Fin, Feather and Fur Outdoor Expo is this weekend at the Rowan County Fairgrounds, 1560 Julian Road.
Hours are Friday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
There will be indoor and outdoor vendors representing hunting, fishing, camping, farming and anything related to outdoors. Visitors can see Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s Daytona-winning Wrangler car and there will be monster truck rides and more. The Mud Bog event is Friday at 7:30 p.m. in the fairgrounds arena.
There will be live music by The Hook on Saturday at 7 p.m. and on Sunday, hear Strings of Victory at noon and The Jones Sisters at 2 p.m.
Duck Dynasty’s “Mountain Man” will be on hand Saturday afternoon.
Admission at the gate is $10 for anyone over 12 and $5 for ages 5-11. Kids under 5 get in free.
Weekend passes are $20 for adults and $10 for kids. All active and retired duty military, police, fire and EMS personnel are admitted free with ID.
For advance ticket prices and questions, contact Garrett Barger at 704-791-6317 or email bluelinecreative@outlook.com or visit www.finfeatherfurexpo.com
gold hill — The Hot Summer Nights Cruise-In is Saturday, from 2 until 8 p.m. Car buffs are invited to showcase their classic cars, antique cars, street rods and cycles while deejay Gary Walter sets the scene with rock and roll music of the ’50s and ’60s Shops will be open, food available and vendors will be in the village.
Historic Gold Hill is located at 840 St. Stephen’s Church Road. E-mail questions to goldhillmerchants assocation@gmail.com/

• The Marc Hoffman Trio will perform Friday at Downtown Salisbury’s Summer Night Out from 6-9 p.m.;
• On Saturday Hoffman will play solo at the Ashe County Arts annual Tickling the Ivories concert, his seventh year playing at this annual event;
• Sunday will feature the artist playing once again with the Trio at the Childress Vineyards’ Music in the Vineyards series. See www.marchoffman.com for details.
The Cardinal Squares are hosting an open house Tuesday for everyone who wants to learn more about modern Western square dancing.
There is no charge and no experience is necessary. Refreshments will be served. Couples or singles are welcome. Lessons will start later in August.
The open house is at City Park Recreation Center, 316 Lake Drive, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. For more information call Teresa at 704-786-2278.
SPENCER — The Spencer Doll and Toy Museum will again host an Antiques Appraisal Fair on Friday and Saturday, August 22 and 23 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day.
Haul out your yard sale finds and family treasures from the attic or basement and bring them in to learn their history and value. There is a fee of $5 per item and a limit of two per person.
This is a fund raiser for the museum, located across the street from the N.C. Transportation Museum.
Details at 704-762-9359, www.spencerdollandtoymuseum.com
A new beginner line dance class begins Sept. 4 at 4:30 and runs for 10 weeks. The cost is $44 and the class will be held at Rufty Holmes Senior Center. Call 704-633 7862 to register.
Intermediate classes will be held at 5:30 for $4 per session. Classes are taught by Cheryl Kluttz. For more information call 704-633-3484.
CONCORD — The Union Street Live! series continues next Thursday, Aug. 21, from 6 to 9 p.m. in downtown Concord, with Lakeside Drive Band taking the stage.
The concerts are free and take place on Means Ave. next to the Historic Cabarrus County Courthouse. Bring your lawn chair and enjoy the great music.
See www.concorddowntown.com
On Friday, Sept. 12, Casino Fantastique takes over the Salisbury Depot at 215 Depot St., for an evening of gaming fun with fabulous prizes, bufffet dinner, music and dancing. It will also include a silent auction of dinner with Maestro David Hagy, dinner with Megan Cleaveland, tickets for Grand Illumination 2014 at Wyndham Governors Green, Williamsburg, Va. and a four-bedroom beachfront condo in North Myrtle Beach, S.C. A half-and-half drawing will also be held.
The fun, sponsored by the Salisbury Symphony Guild, begins at 6:30 and goes until 11 p.m. A limited number of $55 per person tickets are available. Must be 20 years or older. Buy online at www.salisburysymphony.org (select “guild”) or make reservations by calling 704-431-4447. Evening attire is optional.
August classes at Pottery 101:
Tonight, Floral Rabbit Plate • Aug. 21: Daisy Clay Canvas • Aug. 28: Dancing Teapot.
Classes are from 7 to 9 p.m, the cost is $35 and all supplies and firing costs are included.
Make it a party and BYOB. No artistic ability is necessary. Participants will be guided through the whole process.
Spaces are limited and payment reserves a spot. Call 704-209-1632 or stop by 101 S. Main St. to sign up in advance.
rockwell — Sunday evening, Aug. 17 at 6:30 p.m., the Rowan Big Band All-Stars will perform a concert of big band and swing music favorites at St. James Lutheran Church to benefit the School Tools drive sponsored by Communities in Schools of Rowan County. Admission is free with a donation of school supplies for the back pack give-a-way program. Notebook paper, pencils, crayons, rulers, wirebound notebooks, new or gently used children’s backpacks are all needed.
Featured vocalists will be Nikki Jones-Bailey, Bill Bucher and Valerie Lloyd.
St. James Lutheran Church is located at 131 W. Main St. Dr. Ron Turbyfill directs the Rowan Big Band All-Stars.
CONCORD — Old Courthouse Theatre presents its second annual Original Play Festival featuring six new plays written by local N.C. and S.C. authors, performed on the stage for the first time, all on the theme of a “Thrift Shop.”
Performance dates are Aug. 21, 22, 23 at 8 p.m. General admission tickets are $10 and are now on sale at ShowTix4U.com or at the box office, 704-788-2405.
The 2014 winners of the original play competition are:
The Runaway by Pam Coffman • Thrift Shop by Greg Strump • The Dress by Susan M. Steadman • The Box by Josh Elicker •Daddy by Mark Cornell • The Pearly Gates by Andy AA Rassler.
Old Courthouse Theatre is located at 49 Spring St. NW, Concord. Visit www.oldcourthousetheatre.org for details.