Cotton Ketchie book signing this afternoon

The Literary Bookpost hosts watercolor artist, photographer, and author Cotton Ketchie at a book signing this afternoon from 2:30 until 4:30 p.m.

Ketchie is the author of “The Perfect Christmas Eve” and “Trouble in Love Valley.”

Literary Bookpost is located at 110 S Main St. Call 704-630-9788 for details.

 

Free introductory Nia Technique class tonight

Practiced barefoot, the Nia technique delivers a holistic fitness experience via non-impact choreography and by encouraging participants to listen to their body and pay attention to sensations.

Try an introductory class for free this evening, Dec. 11, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Center for Faith & the Arts, 207 W. Harrison St.

Learn about mindfulness, holistic fitness and well-being.

Regular classes will be held Tuesdays and Thursdays beginning Jan. 6.

This class is appropriate for individuals of all sizes, shapes, ages, and abilities, and is taught by first-degree black belt master teacher Elizabeth Cole.

Learn more about Nia and the new classes coming at www.faithart.org/classes/40-nia-classes

 

Adult acting class final showcase

Lee Street theatre and The Acting Place will present the culmination of 12 weeks of work for the nine students in Lee Street theatre’s first-ever acting class. The showcase will be presented Monday, Dec. 15 at 8 p.m. at Lee Street Theater and Performing Arts Center, 329 N. Lee St.

Acting Place teacher/director Craig Kolkebeck has led the class through an intensive study of acting techniques and related exercises all designed to bring a more natural and emotionally interesting performance out of each student.

Each class focused on a specific variable in what Kolkebeck coins as “The Living Moment Formula,” which finds its roots in the Stanislavsky approach and amplified by such great teaching artisans as Uta Hagen, Sanford Meisner, Augusto Boal, Cliff Osmond and others.

Students were then able to directly plug what they have learned into scene and monologue work from contemporary plays. The showcase will contain four scenes and one monologue with an approximate running time of 30 minutes total for the evening.

This year’s students who are performing are Dr. Patricia Trueblood and Diane Overcash, Alice Rich and Amber Watson, Barnet Sherman and Marnie Stoker, Sara Lee and Gary Pezzullo, and Eli Duncan.

Admission is free to the public. Actors and patrons of the theatre who may be interested in learning the craft of acting or continuing their acting education and are interested in future classes with Lee Street theatre and The Acting Place are encouraged to attend and will be able to speak with the instructor immediately following the performance.

 

Holiday Scam Jam 

It’s not just seniors that need to learn how to protect themselves from holiday scammers. This free presentation will be held at Rufty-Holmes Senior Center on Wednesday, Dec. 17 from 1 to 4 p.m. at Rufty-Holmes Senior Center, 1120 MLK Jr. Ave.

Presenters from several state and local agencies will give information to help keep from being a victim and scammed. This free session will educate all citizens about protection from scams and fraud. Multiple sources of fraud will be examined.

Pre-registration for Scam Jam is requested by calling the center at 704-216-7714.

The event is sponsored by Salisbury/Rowan AARP and Rufty-Holmes Senior Center.

 

Paint your own ornaments

Paint your own ornaments at Pottery 101. Stop in anytime during the Christmas season to create a special holiday memory.  The shop is open Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 1-5 p.m.

All ages are welcome. Cost: $5 each.

Pottery 101, 101 S. Main St., 704-209-1632, www.pottery-101.com

 

Auditions for ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’

Concord — Old Courthouse Theatre announces auditions for “Jesus Christ Superstar” by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice. This production, rated PG, will be directed by Heather Wilson-Bowlby.

Auditions are Jan. 11 and 12 from 7 to 9 p.m.; registration is from 7 to 8 p.m.

Three principle characters are needed: two male, one female, as well as six featured characters and many ensemble characters. Directors are seeking a multi-ethnic cast.

For more detailed character descriptions see www.oldcourthousetheatre.org

Performance dates are March 19 through April 4.

This 1970s rock opera depicts the last week of Jesus’s life, loosely based on the Gospels, and tells the story as Christ’s radical teachings are evermore embraced and Judas increasingly questions the enlightened motives of this new prophet, resulting in betrayal.

Jesus Christ Superstar was first produced by OCT in the 1980-1981 season.

Old Courthouse Theatre is located at 49 Spring St. NW. Call 704-788-2405 or visit www.oldcourthousetheatre.org

 

Everything you always wanted to know about Salisbury and Rowan County

Historic Salisbury Foundation and Rowan Museum invite history lovers to attend a class dedicated to the history of Salisbury and Rowan County.

This 13-week course meets on Thursday evenings from 7 until 8:30 p.m., beginning Feb. 5 and continuing through May 7.

The first class will be held at the Rowan Museum, with following classes presented at various historic locations. Classes include information on Native Americans, early pioneers, the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, industrialization, and much more right up to modern times.

The basic text is “Rowan County… A Brief History” by James S. Brawley. It is available at the Rowan Public Library, or on CD at the class for $10.

Continuing education credits are available for teachers.

The cost for the course is $30; for members of Rowan Museum or Historic Salisbury Foundation, $25; newcomers to the community (1 year or less), $20.

To register, contact Historic Salisbury Foundation at 704-636-0103 or email office@historicsalisbury.org

 

Meet the cast of ‘Lombardi’

Based on the book “When Pride Still Mattered: A Life of Vince Lombardi” by Pulitzer Prize-winning author David Maraniss, “Lombardi” is a play that follows legendary Green Bay Packers coach Vince Lombardi through a week in the 1965 season, as he attempts to lead his team to the championship.

A reporter wants to “find out what makes Lombardi win.” When players on the team refuse to be interviewed, he goes instead to Lombardi’s wife, Marie, for answers. Marie reveals that the family had an emotional move to Green Bay, Wisconsin when Lombardi joined the Packers and the reporter realizes that Lombardi is “the most imperfect, perfect man” he ever met.

All of the characters in the play are based on real people, except for Michael McCormick, who is the author’s creation.

Vince Lombardi: Edward Whitney

Marie Lombardi: Kathleen Tronsor

Michael McCormick: Tony Moore

Paul Hornung: Zack Oster

Dave Robinson: Tony Crawford

Jim Taylor: Joe Elliott

Performance dates are Jan. 29 through Feb. 7.

For more information call 704-633-5471 or email md@piedmontplayers.com

 

East Rowan High School Honors Chorus in concert 

The East Rowan High School Honors Chorus will present a concert on Sunday, Dec. 14, at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church, 9275 Bringle Ferry Road.

The East Rowan Honors Chorus is an auditioned group of students under the direction of Dean Orbison, and has amassed numerous awards under his leadership. The chorus consistently receives superior ratings at state festivals in the highest level of music competition and was named Grand Champion Choice in national festivals in Florida, Virginia, South Carolina and North Carolina.

They have performed at Carnegie Hall in New Y ork City; the Lakeland Performing Arts Center, Fla.; and the Greater Virginia Performing Arts Center at Virginia Beach, Va.

For more information, call 704-639-6996.

 

Historic Gold Hill’s Christmas in the Village

GOLD HILL — Historic Gold Hill’s annual Christmas in the Village will be held Friday, Dec. 12 through Sunday, Dec. 14. The village abounds in the Christmas spirit this time of year amid quaint surroundings, live music, relaxed fun, and locally-owned shops.

Merchants will serve light refreshments all weekend and be opened until 8 p.m. Friday night.

In addition, Santa will be in the village and photos with him may be made as he strolls throughout the village or at the Arbor on Saturday from 3 to 5 p.m.

Also on Saturday, there will be live Christmas music at Montgomery General Store from 10-11 a.m. and 1-5 p.m.

On Sunday there will be marshmallow roasting and Christmas coloring at the Arbor from 1 to 4 p.m.

For more information, email goldhillmerchantsassociation@gmail.com or visit www.goldhillnc.com

 

OCT youth present ‘On the Worst Day of Christmas’ 

CONCORD — Amanda MacAfee is the director of her church’s annual Christmas pageant in the small town of Appleville. This year, Amanda has decided in order to beat the competition, she will not tell the traditional story of the birth of Jesus, but will present a reenactment of the Twelve Days of Christmas.

Can Amanda’s son Adam, with the help of his friends save the traditionally simple and beautiful pageant that they have grown up performing each year?

Join the Old Courthouse Youth on opening night tonight in their adventure to save the annual Christmas Pageant. Based on the book by Judy Blume.

Show dates are Dec. 12-21. Tickets are $12 at www.old courthousetheatre.org or 704 788-2405 or at the box office at 49 Spring St. NW.

 

Fort Dobbs showcases life on the winter frontier 

STATESVILLE — In the winter of 1755, 50 soldiers worked to complete a fort on the freezing frontier of North Carolina. The fort was needed to protect settlers and mark the edge of the British Empire. Construction meant the soldiers endured the elements as best they could. That harsh reality will be shown Dec. 13, as Fort Dobbs State Historic Site offers a glimpse into the daily lives of the soldiers.

Historic interpreters will portray American provincial soldiers and present scheduled musket and cannon firing demonstrations. The free Dec. 13 program, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., will offer complimentary seasonal refreshments, including hot apple cider.

For more information call 704-873-5882 or visit www.fortdobbs.org

 

Peninger piece to benefit needy children in Rowan County

The Framing Gallery, 320 N Main St. across from Koko Java, is featuring as artist of the month Connie Loflin Peninger. Specializing in acrylic paintings, her most recent work ranges from winter scenes to fun and festive pieces for the Christmas season. Peninger is the artist for the 2014 Rowan Helping Ministries honor Christmas card which now is available. She is also introducing her first print titled “In The Beginning” to benefit the One Church One Child organization to purchase beds and life essential needs for children in need in Rowan County.

Gallery hours are Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-6 p.m., closed Tuesday and Saturday, call 704-633-1246 for details.

 

Tsunami Literacy fundraiser event

The Tsunami Literacy Development Program inaugural holiday mixer fundraiser  is 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday. This catered event will be held at the Rowan Museum with music, a silent auction and special guest speaker Perry Tuttle (Clemson hall of famer and former Buffalo Bills wide receiver).

Tickets are $50 and can be purchased by calling 704-202-6979.

 

‘Winter Fever Train Rides’ return

SPENCER — At the N.C. Transportation Museum as the new year approaches, special “Winter Fever Train Rides” are offered for families during the down-time between Christmas and New Year’s festivities, Dec. 27, 28 and 31.

“Winter Fever Train Rides” give families a great opportunity to visit the museum, browse new exhibits, visit the Gift Station, and enjoy a 25 minute train ride around the former Spencer Shops locomotive repair facility, a State Historic Site.

Currently under restoration, the visiting Class J 611 Passenger Steam Locomotive, owned by the Virginia Museum of Transportation, has been occupying a big spot in the Bob Julian Roundhouse.

An iconic engine, the Class J 611 was built in 1950 and pulled the Powhatan Arrow for nine years. The locomotive was retired from passenger rail service and displayed at the Virginia Museum of Transportation, where she remained until being restored in 1981. She was retired again in 1994, and again placed on display, but rail fans have clamored to have the 611 back on the tracks ever since.

The Class J 611 was brought to Spencer due to the size and space the Bob Julian Roundhouse offers for repairs. When complete, the 611 will be moved back to the Virginia Museum of Transportation.

Restoration tours will be offered on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 27 and 28, at 1:30 p.m. each day. The tours detail the work that is already complete and the work left to be done during the first months of 2015. Tours require $5/person in addition to museum admission.

The Transportation Museum is located at 411 S. Salisbury Ave. Spencer. Call 704-636-2889 or visit www.nctrans.org for dates, times and prices.