FirstARTS hosts Psalms & Spirituals

The FirstARTS series of First United Methodist Church continues its seventh season Friday evening with a concert devoted to Psalms and Spirituals at 7:30 p.m.

The concert will feature the church’s renowned choir, under the direction of Matthew Michael Brown, singing music of W.A. Mozart, Carlyle Sharpe, Felix Mendelssohn, and spiritual arrangements by Moses Hogan, Edward Boatner, William Dawson, and others. A full orchestra composed of players from the Winston-Salem Symphony Orchestra will accompany the concert.

Three soloists will be featured, including soprano Lurline Richardson, mezzo-soprano Alden Pridgen, and baritone Eric Powell. Richardson will sing Mozart’s “Laudate Dominum” and solos in Mendelssohn’s extensive setting of Psalm 42. Pridgen and Powell be will featured in the second half singing spiritual arrangements of Roland Hayes and Phillip McIntyre.

First United Methodist Church’s FirstARTS is free and open to the public. An offering will be received for the music memorial fund.

The church is located at 217 S. Church St. For more information, call FUMC at 704-636-3121 or  visit www.fumcsalisbury.org

 

Darrell Connor and Friends at Pickin’ for the Master Friday

Are all invited out to Picking for the Master hosted by Trading Ford Baptist Church at  7 p.m.  Friday and all last Fridays of the month.

This session features Darrell Connor and Friends in the opening set. All pickers are invited to then join in for a jam session. Concessions will be available and doors open at 6 p.m.  There is no admission charge, but the hat will be passed to help bring in more talent from the surrounding area in future months.

Call 704-633-5986 for more information.

 

‘Assemblage’ at Pottery 101

“Assemblage,” an exhibit featuring works by Michael Hamlin, Allison McGowan, Jennifer Mecca, Ron Philbeck, Amy Sanders and Julie Wiggins, is currently viewing at Pottery 101.

Michael Hamlin creates vessels on the wheel and by hand building. He uses a high iron bearing clay body and applies multiple crater or matt glazes.

Allison McGowan clay work is inspired by nature, Art Nouveau architecture and the sewing process.

Jennifer Mecca creates utilitarian pots that are unique and visually appealing, but also functional for use in everyday life.

Ron Philbeck’s soda glazed stoneware is strongly influenced by potters of the Leach/Hamada lineage.

Textile patterns, quilting, architecture and nature inspire the pottery of Amy Sanders.

Julie Wiggins’ work is informed by her travels to China, Morocco, Mexico and Europe.

The work will be on display until April 17. Pottery 101 is at 101 S. Main St. Call 704-209-1632 or visit pottery-101.com

 

Spencer Doll & Toy Museum Antiques Appraisal Fair (Roadshow Style)

SPENCER — Bring in your family heirlooms and yard sale bargains to find out the fascinating truths about these finds.

On Friday and Saturday, March 27- 28, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. antiques dealer Michael Hanson will take a look at your items and will offer advice and information regarding a broad spectrum of general merchandise including toys. Cost is $5 per item, limit two items per person, members receive two free appraisals annually.

The Spencer Doll and Toy Museum is located at 108 4th St., Spencer, 704-762-9359, www.spencerdollandtoymuseum.com

 

The Jones Sisters

CLEVELAND — CJ’s BBQ, 210 Old Amity Hill Road, hosts Friday Night Bluegrass with Tori, Katie and Elli Jones at 6:30 p.m. on the 27th.

The Jones Sisters features the talents of sisters Tori (16), Katie(14) and Elli Jones (10). Each began their musical journey classically at the age of five.  Tori plays the fiddle, mandolin and guitar; Katie plays the classical harp and bass; Elli sings lead and  plays guitar.

The girls have won numerous awards.  In 2013, they won first for Junior Band at the  Alleghany Fiddlers Convention. Also in 2013, Tori played against the tough  competition of seasoned fiddle player recognized as the Grand  Champion  Fiddler at Granite Quarry Fiddlers Festival.

For details about Friday, call CJ’s at 704-278-4070.

 

Easter fun for kids

Egg hunt at Kennedy Hall — 2-4 p.m. Saturday, March 28: For ages 12 and under. Age appropriate groups. All eggs have candy and money, each age group has chances to win stuffed bunny. Free photo ops with the Easter Bunny. Refreshments, special prizes. Kennedy Hall American Legion Post 106, Hwy. 801, Cleveland.

Egg hunt and Community Fun Day — 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, March 28: An afternoon of games, treats and an egg hunt. Free. Easter Egg Hunt to begin at approximately 12:30 p.m. Held at Kelsey Scott Park. www.salisburync.gov/Play

Easter Bunny Express — March 28-29 and April 3-4: Annual N.C. Transportation Museum event; the Easter Bunny himself will ride and hand out treats for the kids. Special activities planned for April 4 only. Information at www.nctrans.org

Easter events in Gold Hill — begins 10 a.m. Saturday, April 4: Easter Egg Hunt (for children up to age 10) and Spring Fest. Children’s activities for a nominal charge incl. Easter treat hop, Easter egg dying, sand art, carrot ring toss, bean bag toss, kid tattoos, more. Easter Bunny available for photo opportunities. The village is located at 840 St. Stephen’s Church Road, Gold Hill sponsored by the Gold Hill Merchants’ Association; shops will be open.

Easter Eggstravaganza — 11 a.m.-1 p.m. April 4 — Easter egg hunt, kids bicycle show, magician • 10 a.m.-4 p.m.: Deejay Fast Freddie, Bruster’s Real Ice Cream and Nathan’s Hot Dogs. Tilley Harley-Davidson, 653 Bendix Drive.

Sniff ‘n Snag egg hunt for your fur-kids — Registration 11-11:30 a.m Saturday, April 18: Faithful Friends’ annual Spring egg hunt event for dogs. More than 1,000 eggs with treats inside will be hidden on the Faithful Friends property, plus a raffle for a chance to win prizes. Egg hunts starts at 11:30 a.m. Registration $10 per dog. A hot dog lumch will be available. Faithful Friends, 220 Grace Church Road. Call 704-633-1722, email frontdesk@faithfulfriendsnc.com or visit www.FaithfulFriendsNC.org

Easter in Old Salem — 9:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. Saturday, April 4: Annual Easter egg hunt in the Salem Tavern Meadow (10:30 a.m.); Hands-on Easter egg painting in the Vierling Barn (11 a.m.-Noon and 1-3:30 p.m.); Demonstration of Easter music on the Tannenberg organ in the visitor center (11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.); more. Activities included with an all-in-one ticket: $23 adults, $11 children ages 6-16. 336-721-7300 or oldsalem.org/

 

2nd annual NCTC fundraiser Saturday

An evening of entertainment that you won’t want to miss: Catawba College’s Blue Masque theatre club and Lee Street theatre team up again to raise money for the North Carolina Theatre Conference.

Along with performances by local talent, joining us this year is Dan Truhitte, best known for his portrayal of Rolfe in the 1965 film “The Sound of Music.”

Local performers include Martin Walker, Karina Moran, Walter James, Sami Myers, Rona-Lyn Dizon, Katlyn Shaw, Daniel Brown and Eric English, and Now Are the Foxes Improv Comedy with Where Are the Diamonds Improv from Catawba.

All proceeds from the door will go to benefit the NCTC and a portion of concessions tips will go to benefit the Blue Masque.

Suggested cash donation of $10 at the door.

This event is one night only — March 28 at 7:30 p.m. — and will be at the Lee Street Theater & Performing Arts Center at the Tom & Martha Smith Event Center, located at 329 N. Lee St.

Spring photowalk at Rowan Public Library

Dust off the camera, lace up your walking shoes, and join RPL for another great walk around downtown Salisbury. Aspiring photographers of all ages and skill levels are invited on Saturday, April 11 for a photowalk from 10:30 a.m. to noon.

A photowalk is just as it sounds — an opportunity for a group of people to go on a walk with the express purpose of taking photos together.

The photowalk begins at Rowan Public Library Headquarters (201 W. Fisher St.) and continues downtown past historic churches, local businesses, and other landmarks. Staff will be available to assist with questions about camera settings, angles, lighting, etc. Bring your own camera (even if it’s on your phone) and wear comfortable clothing. Rain date is April 18.

Register today to ensure a spot at www.rowanpubliclibrary.org or 704-216-8242.

 

Yard Sale Finalists

Lee Street theatre thanks everyone who submitted plays and congratulates the writers of the following plays that will be presented May 6-9 at the 7th annual 10-Minute Play Festival:

“Dickie & Eleanor” by Len Clark

“Green Room” by Josh Elicker

“Lonely Socks Club” by Katie Scarvey

“Seems Trustworthy” by K. Daniel Mowery

“Weeding” by Jenny Hubbard

“Yard Sales Start at 7:00” by Marla Brown

 

Matthew Weaver and Clay Lunsford in concert at RPL

Local bluegrass legends Matthew Weaver and Clay Lunsford will perform together in a free concert at on Tuesday, March 31 at 7 p.m. in the Stanback Auditorium at Rowan Public Library, 201 W. Fisher St.

Singer-songwriter Matthew Weaver started playing the piano at age 3 and had mastered 19 different instruments by the time he was 14. He has traveled across the U.S. performing in hundreds of country and bluegrass shows. In 2011 Matthew made his debut performance at the Grand Ole Opry, which he calls the biggest event in his life. He was also named the 2014-2015 Pianist of the Year for North Carolina.

For over fifty years Clay Lunsford has been playing music in the style of Chet Atkins and Merle Travis. His shows feature some of the best in Americana music ranging from fast Banjo tunes to great vocal works from a variety of artists. Clay established the North Carolina Thumb Pickers Association to help preserve the heritage of thumb and finger style guitar playing.

Admission is free thanks to sponsorship by the Friends of Rowan Public Library. The show begins at 7 p.m. with doors opening at 6:30 p.m.

For more information visit www.rowanpubliclibrary.org or call 704-216-8240.

 

Meet the cast of PPT’s latest comedy 

Piedmont Players Theatre announces the cast of the award-winning comedy “1 Man 2 Guvernors.” The play, by Richard Bean, is based on “The Servant of Two Masters” by Carlo Goldoni, with songs by Grant Olding.

Performance dates are April 23 through May 2 at the Meroney Theater, 213 S. Main St.

MEET THE CAST

Charlie “The Duck” Clench: Jim Moyer

Pauline Clench: Sarah Hallett

Harry Dangle: John Swell

Alan Dangle: Austin Young

Dolly: Sara Lee

Lloyd Boateng: Marvin King

Rachel Crabbe: A. Erin Fanelly

Francis Henshall: Brian Lewis

Stanley Stubbers: Scott Teeter

Alfie: Ben Thomas

Gareth: Frederic Schuttenberg

In 1960s Brighton, an easily confused Francis Henshall becomes separately employed by two men — Roscoe Crabbe, a local gangster and Stanley Stubbers, an upper class criminal. Francis tries to keep the two from meeting, in order to avoid each of them learning that Francis is also working for someone else. An award winning English adaptation of “Servant of Two Masters,” “1 Man 2 Guvernors” is a glorious celebration of British comedy — a unique, laugh-out-loud mix of satire, songs, slapstick and glittering one-liners.

For more information call 704-633-5471 or visit piedmontplayers.com

 

Enjoy Midlife Crisis at Morgan Ridge

GOLD HILL — The Midlife Crisis Band will perform at Morgan Ridge Vineyards Pavilion on Saturday from 3 to 6 p.m. There is a $5 cover fee. Enjoy food, wine and craft beer . Morgan Ridge Vineyards is located at 486 John Morgan Road; call 704-639-0911 or visit www.morganridgevineyards.com for details.

 

Meet the Phoenix Readers inaugural members

The Phoenix Readers, St. Thomas Players’ brand-new readers’ theatre company, is led by Jim Epperson. The inaugural season will feature Julie Cline, Mike Cline, Ray Davies, Rebekah Hardison, Shawn van Wallendael, Becky Porter, Robert Jones, Kate Davis, Buddy Farnam, Linda Jones, Nick Bishop and Mary Ann McCubbin. For more information visit www.faithart.org

 

Art Walk Friday in Downtown Concord

CONCORD — The Cabarrus Arts Council’s Art Walk Friday in downtown Concord will feature artwork by more than 80 artists at 13 locations on Union and Spring streets and an Emmy Award-winning documentary at the Davis Theatre.

A highlight will be The Galleries’ 19-artist invitational exhibition, “A Time and Place,” which celebrates a love of the land and places held dear. Many of the artists will be on hand to discuss their work, and several locations will have free refreshments.

Russ McIntire will play music in front of Mullis Music at 31 Union Street S., and the Adam Ramsey Miller Gallery at 21 Union Street S. will have children’s art activities. Hosted by Modern Film Fest, the documentary will be shown at the Davis Theatre after Art Walk ends at 9 p.m.

All activities are free. Find details at www.CabarrusArtsCouncil.org or call 704-920-2787.

 

AMVETS Because We Care Day

Because We Care night, sponsored by AMVETS and its Auxiliary, will be be held at 7 p.m., Friday April 3 in the VA Medical Center Sociail Room in Building 6. There will be pizza, chips and drinks and Big Bingo.

AMVETS (American Veterans), a premier veterans service organizaiton, will also be distributing personal hygiene kits to their comrades at the VA Medical Center on F riday, April 3.

AMVETS volunteers provided more than 166,000 hours of service at 142 VA medical Cetnters across America in 2014.

Based on the independent sector formula for calculating the values of volunteer hours, AMVETS has provided more than $3,685,937 worth of services to the government in helping to provide quality care for our nation’s heroes.

Commander Jim Bean of AMVETS local Post 460 said, “Because We Care Day is our way of saying thanks for the service and sacrifices made to keep our country free.”

AMVETS Post 460 also conduccts local community programs such as ROTC medals and certificates supporting local high school ROTC programs at North Rowan and West Rowan and two high school programs in Cabarrus County. Americanism, Veterans Services, Veterans Day celebrations and Warrior transition programs are also ongoing efforts.

A leader since 1944 in preserving the freedoms secured by Ameriaca’s Armed Forces, AMVETS prvides not only support for veterans and the active military in procuring thier earned entitlements, but also commmunity sercies that enhances the quality of life for this nation’s citizens.

For more information, call Post 460 at 704-732-4316.

 

‘Madrigalia: Songs of Fire’

WINSTON-SALEM – Piedmont Chamber Singers, under the direction of Dr. Wendy Looker, presents their spring program, “Madrigalia: Songs of Fire,” a juxtaposition of fiery and passionate music by master madrigalists of both the Renaissance and the 21st century.

The performance will take place Saturday, April 11, at Ardmore Baptist Church, 501 Miller St. in Winston-Salem.

General admission tickets are $15 and children are free with an accompanying adult.

Call Piedmont Chamber Singers at 336-722-4022, or visit www.piedmontchambersingers.org/tickets.php

Piedmont Chamber Singers is an auditioned, volunteer choral ensemble celebrating old and new masterworks for small choirs.