Hear about ‘A Soldier’s Life in the Rebel Army’

The English Speaking Union Salisbury Branch presents Dean Harry speaking on “A Soldier’s Life in the Rebel Army.”

Hailed as one of the most fascinating presenters of Civil War History, he will give a first person account, in period costume, of life on the battlefield, as recalled in letters mailed home from  five Civil War Soldiers.

Dean was born in Waynesboro, Va., attended Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Va. and moved to North Carolina in 1993. He graduated from North Carolina Central School of Law and was a member of the North Carolina State Bar from 1993 until 2010 when he retired from the business of Law.

In 1993 Dean became a Civil War re-enactor with a North Carolina unit – Company D, 27th North Carolina Troops. In 2010 he became a Licensed Battlefield Guide at Gettysburg in Pennsylvania and spends about 16 weeks a year leading tours of the battlefield there. In 2011, he helped found the Friends of Bentonville Battlefield and is currently President of that foundation as well as being a Certified Bentonville Battlefield Guide.

This dinner program is a must for history lovers — especially of the Civil War. It will be held Thursday, Jan. 15 at 6:30 p.m., at the Country Club of Salisbury.

For more information, call 704-216-2660 or email gwood@gerrywoodauto.com

 

Why we don’t say ‘Macbeth’ out loud

The Scottish Play and the The Bard’s Play are euphemisms for William Shakespeare’s “Macbeth.”

According to a theatrical superstition, called the Scottish curse, speaking the name Macbeth inside a theatre will cause disaster.

Piedmont Players’ youth theater is not afraid of tackling the task, and auditions for the roles will be held Monday, Jan. 5 and Tuesday, Jan 6, at 4 and 5 p.m. at the Norvell Theater, 135 E. Fisher St. Auditions are by appointment only. To sign up call 704-633-5471.

“Macbeth” is Shakespeare’s shortest tragedy, and tells the story of a brave Scottish general named of that name who receives a prophecy from a trio of witches that one day he will become King of Scotland.

Consumed by ambition and spurred to action by his wife, Macbeth murders King Duncan and takes the throne for himself. He is then wracked with guilt and paranoia, and soon becomes a tyrannical ruler as he is forced to commit more and more murders to protect himself from enmity and suspicion. The bloodbath and consequent civil war take Macbeth and Lady Macbeth into the realms of arrogance, madness, and death.

 

OCT’s Living Room Reading Series presents ‘Kindertransport’ 

CONCORD — In the final nine months before World War II, nearly 10,000 unaccompanied Jewish children escaped from Germany on trains headed for the freedom of Britain. Most never saw their parents again. Kindertransport tells the story of Evelyn, a British woman in her fifties, and Eva, the nine-year-old German child she used to be.

Produced and Directed by Jonathan M. Ewart and rated PG, this Living Room Reading presentation is Sunday,  Jan. 4 at 4  p.m. Admission is free. Main Stage of OCT, 49 Spring St. NW. Call 704-788-2405 or visit www.oldcourthousetheatre.org

 

Anti-bullying Christmas special Saturday at The Inn

–Anti-bullying Christmas special at The Inn

The Inn, 1012 Mooresville Road, hosts an anti-bullying Christmas special with musical artists and special speakers including Scottie Safrit of the Daniel Safrit Foundation (www.daniellsafritpriasefoundation.com)

The event is Saturday, Dec. 27 beginning at 8 p.m. Musical guests include  Trinity, Capa, Choir boi Cam, Paula Waters, Kendra Smith, Rare of Breed, GQ—4—Eva,  Seviin, Promised Generation and Caitlin Garrett. For more information, call Capa at 336-309-3465.

–New  Year’s Eve at The Inn

Starting at  8 p.m., The Inn welcomes the new year with four bands and one solo artist. Bring a friend and bring snacks to share, and enjoy a night of music with Battlelion,Bought by Blood, Infuzed, Scarred and solo artist Lisa Webb.

 

Call for artists, visual and performing

CONCORD — The Spring into Arts Festival will be held Saturday, May 2 in Downtown Concord.

The festival attracts artists from across the region. The centerpiece of the festival is a juried art show  including jewelry, ceramics, wood, painting, photography, glass, and textiles.

The first deadline for applications is Jan. 31. Applications received up to that date include a $85 fee, afterward the application fee is $110.

There are two opportunities for live performances. The children’s stage will present a mix of professional entertainment and young performers participating in the Spring ALIVE! Youth Talent Showcase. Showcase performers age 5-18 may apply for an opportunity to present a short performance on the day of the festival.

Applications along with a $10 non refundable fee and a link to a performance video are due by March 15.

There will be an array of street performers entertaining throughout the festival artist’s row along Union Street. Interested performers should submit an application with their $25 fee and link to a short video to be considered for inclusion in this year’s event by March 15.

All applications are available at www.concorddowntown.com or call 704-784-4208.

 

Goldmine Toastmasters to host Jeff Ireland

CONCORD — Goldmine Toastmasters will host author and speaker Jeff Ireland at its open house at its new location. Ireland is the vice president of Advantage Sales and Marketing in Charlotte and has been involved with Toastmasters for 20 years. His honest approach and positive message are both enlightening and inspirational.

The keynote speaker will be followed by  mini speeches from Goldmine members as well as a time of Table Topics impromptu speeches.

The open house is Wednesday, Jan. 24 at Connect Christian Church, 3101 Davidson Hwy., from 8:30 to 10 a.m.

For more information, email Matthew Charity at uspsmc@hotmail.com.

 

Acting Workshops by American Shakespeare Center

ASHEBORO — The American Shakespeare Center will make a stop in Asheboro on Friday, Jan. 16 and Saturday, Jan. 17 as part of its 2014/2015 Method in Madness national tour. The actors will perform two Shakespearean favorites, “Hamlet,” and “Much Ado about Nothing.” In addition to these two shows the group, in partnership with the City of Asheboro and the Randolph Arts Guild will be offering several interactive workshops during the weekend geared toward actors high school ages through adult. There is a $5 registration fee. Pre-registration is required before the deadline of Jan. 9. Sign up at www.RandolpArtsGuild.com

The workshops will be offered on a series of topics related to the performance of Shakespearean works, including basic stage combat, early modern special effects, rhetoric, and advanced staging. All workshops will be held at the Sunset Theatre and space is limited.