Friday Night Bluegrass at CJ’s features Hazy Ridge and Samantha Gabrielle Knight

CLEVELAND — The Hazy Ridge Bluegrass Band, along with Samantha Gabrielle Knight, will perform live at CJ’s BBQ tomorrow night at 6 p.m.

Hazy Ridge features Vince Myers on banjo, lead vocals by Dawn Myers, vocals and guitar by Terry Collier, Jack Collier on vocals and mandolin, and vocals and bass by James Graham.

CJ’s is located at 210 Old Amity Hill Road. Call 704-278-4070 for details.

 

A paranormal investigation at SWS

Salisbury Ghost Walk will host a paranormal investigation at the Salisbury Wine Shop on Jan. 30 from 9-11 p.m. The event will feature SRS Paranormal from Lexington, who will conduct a full investigation of the building complete with digital recording equipment to capture any spirits that may be present.

If you have been on the Salisbury Ghost walk, this is the investigation that captured the photos and electronic voices of present day haunts. As a participant, you will be invited to participate in the investigation and use some of the equipment provided. This is a “hands on” investigation of paranormal activity.

Participants must be over the age of 21. Cost for the evening is $30 which includes a wine tasting following the paranormal investigation.

This is the investigation that mirrors what you might watch on television. The difference is you can be present to see and hear things for yourself. Space is limited and this investigation will fill up.

Call John at 704-798-3102 with questions or to make a reservation, or email boo@salisburyghostwalk.com

 

Tchaikovsky concert next up by Salisbury Symphony

The concert is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 31 at 7:30 p.m. in Keppel Auditorium at Catawba College.

Tickets are available on the Salisbury Symphony’s website, salisburysymphony.org as well as these ticket outlets: Rowan County Visitors Center or Sidewalk Deli in Salisbury; Crescent Pharmacy (Rockwell); Pinocchio’s (Spencer); or Corriher Springs Florist (China Grove) — or by calling the Symphony office at 704-637-4314.

The concert focuses around the “who” in this season’s Puzzles theme, elaborating on the lyrical styles of Tchaikovsky present in many of his more familiar pieces such as the Nutcracker, Swan Lake, and the 1812 Overture.

Starting with the “Cossack Dance” from Mazeppa, followed by the Polonaise, Ecossaise and Waltz from Eugene Onegin, Adagio Cantabile from String Quartet, Op. 11, and a brand new arrangement of Military March, Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 4 in F minor, OP. 36 will end the concert.

William Henry Curry, conductor/arranger, will be the maestro along with members of the North Carolina Symphony. Finding his passion for music early in life, Curry began conducting and composing at the age of 14. First appointed as assistant conductor to the Richmond Chamber Orchestra, Maestro Curry is currently working on his 19th season with the North Carolina Symphony. Having conducted over forty orchestras, this master conductor knows how to share the magic that is Tchaikovsky with concertgoers.

For more information or to purchase tickets, call the Symphony office at 704-637-4314, or visit salisburysymphony.org

 

Richard Smith is thumbin’ his way to Salisbury

Rowan Public Library will host a free concert with world-renowned fingerstyle guitarist Richard Smith.

The performance will be Tuesday, Jan. 27 in the Stanback Auditorium. The show beings at 7 p.m. with doors opening at 6:30 p.m. Admission is free thanks to sponsorship by the Friends of Rowan Public Library. Guests may enter the auditorium at the Fisher Street entrance near the historic Henderson Law Office.

Richard Smith’s musical repertoire ranges from jazz standards to Chet Atkins and Jerry Reed and to Django Reinhardt gypsy swing, not to mention his intriguing originals. He delivers both lightning fast barn-burners and beautiful ballads, occasionally spiced with vocals.

Smith started playing guitar at age five under the instruction of his father. Now residing in Nashville, Smith has toured the world as a solo artist, teaming up with his wife, Julie Adams, for a unique guitar and cello duo. He has also performed with his brothers Rob and Sam as the Richard Smith Guitar Trio and with his swing band, The Hot Club of Nashville.

In 2001, Smith became the National Fingerstyle Guitar Champion in Winfield, Kan. He was elected Thumbpicker of the Year in 2008 and inducted into the National Thumbpickers Hall of Fame in Kentucky in 2009. He is also a recipient of the Golden Thumbpick Award by the Association of Fingerstyle Guitarists in California.

For more information about the show, visit www.rowanpubliclibrary.org or call 704-216-8240. Also see www.richardsmithmusic.com

 

‘Sounds of the Sixties’ Lee Street Cabaret opens this week

By Verity Pryor-Harden

Local artists Patsy Parnell, Kent Bernhardt, John Brincefield, Becky Lippard, Douglas Brewer, Carol Harris, Graham Carlton and Mary Ann McCubbin will take you back to one of the grooviest and greatest decades of American music in the Lee Street Cabaret, “Sounds of the Sixties,” running Jan. 22-24 and 29-31 at 7:30 p.m. at Lee Street theatre. The lobby and bar will open at 6:30 p.m. and doors to the theater open at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15 each plus tax.

While the tables and chairs cabaret-style setup of the theater will be similar to last years’ “The British Are Coming,” the music and style of the show itself will be different. “The biggest difference this year is that I’ve been brought on as the director,” said Tommy Bradley, director of Sounds of the Sixties. “We dissect the music of the 60s in chronological order and we learn a little bit about the music and the musicians. We’ve also added some very interesting staging and choreography,” Bradley added.

“I’m apparently now a gliding dancer,” joked guitarist, vocalist and regular Lee Street performer Graham Carlton. Carlton also let on that the show will have some audience participation including sing-a-longs and a little dancing. “The show has a lot more energy and motion than the previous shows. We’re moving all over the place,“ added Kent Bernhardt, “The music is fun, very nostalgic, and I think audiences will have a great time.”

What are some of the songs the audience might expect to hear? Without giving too much away, Bernhardt mentioned that there will be great girl group songs such as “Chapel of Love.” Singer Mary Ann McCubbin added, “Expect to hear lots of Motown!”

Staying true to their mission of creating quality experiences for all audiences, Lee Street theatre invites you to sit back, relax, have a drink, and enjoy Sounds of the Sixties.

Tickets for Sounds of the Sixties can be purchased at leestreet.org, or by phone at 704-310-5507. All performances will be at the Lee Street Theater & Performing Arts Center at the Tom & Martha Smith Event Center, 329 N. Lee St.

Note: The Friday, Jan. 23 performance is sold out.

 

Christian rock artist Phil Keaggy to play Live At Lee Street

Grammy nominated and seven time Dove Award winner Phil Keaggy will share his gospel influenced music at Salisbury’s Lee Street theatre on Feb. 6. Doors open at 7 p.m., with the concert starting at 7:30. Tickets are $20 plus tax.

Awarded best Christian Rock Artist of All Time by Christian Rock Zone in 2014, Keaggy has continually topped the charts and been recognized for his unparalleled musicianship. Keaggy is perhaps one of the most admired guitarists in music today and his fans range from those who aspire just to be able to play his mistakes to professional musicians who have been strongly influenced by his style. With a solo career spanning over 40 years and more than 50 albums released to date, Keaggy has been delighting audiences all over the country with his primarily acoustic shows and occasional concerts with bands.

Tickets for the concert can be purchased at leestreet.org, 704-310-5507 or at the box office on the night of the concert at 329 N. Lee St.

 

Sign up for the (brr) Polar Plunge

Coming Saturday, March 14: the second Polar Plunge will be held at Elk’s Riverpark off of Exit #81. The event will begin at 12 noon and go until 3 p.m. The plunge happens at 1 p.m. for adults and 1:15 p.m. for kids.

All proceeds raised for plunging go to the Special Olympics of Rowan County. There will be food, a deejay, a bonfire and giveaways.

For sign-up information contact Jay Taylor at 704-654-6892 or Jay.taylor@rccc.edu or Jesse Byrd at  704-636-0111 or jbyrd@rowanymca.org

 

New opportunity for bluegrass lovers

On the last Friday of every month beginning on Jan. 30 at 7 p.m., Trading Ford Baptist Church, 3600 Long Ferry Road, will host “Pickin’ for the Master.”

The evening will begin with a featured local band and conclude with an acoustic jam session, open to all.

Concessions will be available.

For more information, call 704-633-5986 or visit www.tradingford.net

 

Call for artists

CONCORD  — The fourth annual Carolina’s Got Art  juried arts competition is open to all Carolna atists, amateur and profesional, working in any medium. A $35 entry fee allows an artist to enter up to three pieces.

$25,000 in cash prizes (14 winners) will be awarded in two juried shows in May and June of 2015.

Deadline for entry is March 15. Enter online at www.carolinasgotart.com

 

Enough actors needed to fill courtroom for film

The South Carolina Film Institute in cooperation with the Richland County Sheriff’s Department will be filming scenes for the upcoming feature film “Proverbs” in the Columbia, S.C. Main Street Courthouse.

The film is inspired by the true story of Christopher Pittman who was convicted in 2005 of murdering his grandparents, Joe and Joy Pittman, at age 12, on Nov. 28, 2001. The case drew national attention in part because of his age at the time of the crime and in part because his defense that the prescription drug Zoloft caused him to commit the heinous act.

Christopher was visiting his Grandparents in Chester, S.C. when the murders took place.

The South Carolina Film Institute is looking for actors/actresses and film crew volunteers to help recreate the trial of Christopher Pittman. Enough actors are needed to fill a courtroom.

No experience is necessary. The casting call will be on Saturday,  Jan. 31 and check-in time is 10 a.m.

Dress code: Business casual / courtroom attire (neat and clean).

Age requirement: at least 7 years of age ( no crying children)

Address: 1701 Main St.,  Columbia, S.C.

To rsvp or sign up, send a headshot to members@scfilm.tv

The Illusionists: ‘Witness The Impossible’

CHARLOTTE — Direct from Broadway, the world’s best selling magic show is coming to Knight Theater Jan. 27 through Feb. 1 at the Knight Theater at Levine Center for the Arts.

This mind blowing spectacular showcases the talents of seven of the most incredible Illusionists on earth. “The Illusionists” has shattered box office records across the globe and dazzles audiences of all ages with the most outrageous and astonishing acts ever to be seen on stage. Tickets begin at $20. Call 704-372-1000 or visit https://tix.carolinatix.org for details or tickets.