Brunch on Broadway Blue Masque fundraiser

Catawba College’s Blue Masque presents “Brunch on Broadway,” a fundraiser benefiting the North Carolina Theatre Conference. The event is Sunday, April 10 from 12:30-3:30 p.m. at the Crystal Peeler Lounge at Catawba College. Tickets are $15 for brunch and a show, $5 if you just want to watch the show. Entertainment will be by Catawba students and community members from Lee Street theatre. Find details at http://catawba.edu/academics/schools/performing-arts/theatre-arts/blue-masque/

Annual Hurley Park Spring Celebration

The Salisbury Swing Band will again provide entertainment at this year’s Hurley Park Spring Celebration on Sunday, April 10 from 2-4 p.m. Other features of the celebration include Bubble Artist Steve Langley, Magic by Glen, the City of Salisbury Fire Department, Carolina Artists, Rowan County Master Gardeners and free refreshments provided by Cheerwine and Hurley Park. Carriage rides will be offered by Horse & Carriage LTD of Salisbury. The Hurley Park celebration will be located at Lake Drive and Annandale Avenue. For more information call 704-638-4459.

Spring 2016 Photowalk

Save the date, Saturday, April 16 from 10:30 a.m.-noon for another Spring photowalk. A photowalk is just as it sounds — an opportunity for aspiring photographers of all ages to go on a walk and take photos. The walk begins at Rowan Public Library, 201 W. Fisher St., and travels a few blocks south including visits to the grounds of the historic Hall House and the gardens of the Hambley-Wallace House, and passing many other historic homes along the way. Bring your own camera, even if it is on your phone, and wear comfortable clothing. In the event of inclement weather, the event will be canceled. Register at www.rowanpubliclibrary.org or 704-216-8242.

Antique tractors and trains

SPENCER — Iron Peddlers Antique Tractor Club will be displaying antique tractors and farm equipment on Saturday,  April 9 at the NC Transportation Museum. Regular museum admission  applies. Call 704-636-2889 or visit www.nctrans.org for details.

My Time to Shine talent show

The second annual My Time to Shine talent showcase will be held at the Livingstone College auditorium, 701 W. Monroe St., on Saturday April 9 from 6-8 p.m. There will be 10 acts vying for the grand prize of $250 and eight hours in a recording studio. There will be a silent auction featuring Charlotte Motor Speedway tickets. Admission is $10. Tickets are available at 704-278-3314 or at the door.

Celebration of 23-pound gold nugget discovery at Reed Gold Mine

MIDLAND — The 1890s saw new owners of Reed Gold Mine and the discovery of one of the largest gold nuggets in North Carolina history. Celebrating this 23-pound discovery, known as the Shinn Nugget, Reed Gold Mine will host a day of re-enactments and tours Saturday, April 9 to commemorate the 120th anniversary of the find.

In 1896, three local men — Jacob Shinn, A.M. Cox and Dr. J.R. Jerome, along with their workers — started digging along the old road bed. Much of the area had been dug several times over, but the road itself was untouched. They discovered a rather large rock April 9, about 3 ½ feet below the surface. Since it did not appear to contain gold it was moved aside. Eventually, Jacob Shinn took the rock to the creek, washed it and immediately yelled to his companions, “Boys I’ve got it!” Shinn borrowed a wagon to take the rock back to his store in Georgeville. So jubilant were the prospectors as they passed Georgeville Academy that principal William Brooks observed, “Either all are drunk or found a nugget.” The nugget was taken to the assay office to be melted down. It was later valued at $4,800.

Anniversary events include tours near the road where the nugget was found, a highlight of improvements to the mine, and a re-enactment of the discovery of the Shinn Nugget at the exact spot where it was found. Tours begin at 10 a.m.,
1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Admission is $2.14, tax included, for ages 8 and up. Panning costs $3.21, tax included, for ages 8 and up. Reed is 12 miles southeast of Concord, 9621 Reed Mine Road, Midland, 704-721-GOLD, Email: reed@ncdcr.gov

Registration open for NC Music Hall of Fame’s Rhythm & Run

KANNAPOLIS —  The North Carolina Music Hall of Fame & Museum will host its fifth annual Rhythm & Run 5K on May 14. The 5K run will start and finish downtown Kannapolis. There is no cap on the number of 5K participants. Registration can be completed online at RacesOnline.com or in person at the museum at 600 Dale Earnhardt Blvd. All proceeds will go to the NC Music Hall of Fame. For more information contact the NC Music Hall of Fame at 704-934-2320 or visit NorthCarolinaMusicHallofFame.org

Toddler Time III Art Workshop

Inspire your young child’s imagination and self-expression with a world of hands-on art activities. Activities will be different for each session. Toddlers and their parents will discover art hands-on through sculpture, painting, story time, our tactile table and more.

Saturday, April 9 at Waterworks Visual Arts Center, 123 E. Liberty St., 10-11 a.m. (Graham Studio) for ages 18 months-3 years, ALL children must be accompanied by an adult. Instructor: Debbie Hoffman. $20 members / $30 nonmembers. Limited to 8 students per session. Call 704-636-1882 to register.

‘Meeting William Faulkner: How an English schoolboy found a Literary Lion’

From the fall of 1961 to the summer of 1962, Simon Claxton was a 17-year-old English schoolboy on an English-Speaking Union Exchange Scholarship to The Cate School, a private school in Santa Barbara, California. Having chosen William Faulkner as the subject of his 12th Grade Author Report, Claxton arranged a meeting with the great writer. By chance he had one of the last interviews with the reclusive Faulkner before he died in July 1962.

This lecture features a dramatization of this interview, linked with Claxton’s impressions of Faulkner’s writing before and since, all within the context of his wonderfully memorable year as an ESU exchange student. This, the last ESU program of the year, is at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, April 21. Dinner reservations are $32 each; RSVP to Toni at 704-212-2114. Need not be a member. Find out more at www.esuus

Kannapolis Cruise-In season begins

KANNAPOLIS — The Cabarrus Events Association continues the popular Kannapolis Cruise-In, a fun, free family event that brings out thousands of show cars and spectators. Beginning Saturday, April 9 from 1-7 p.m. (note change in time), the event continues the second Saturday monthly on May 14, June 11, July 9, Aug. 13, Sept. 10, Oct. 8 and Nov. 12.

13th annual Scrabble Scramble

Trinity Oaks Senior Living Community hosts the 13th annual Scrabble Scramble at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 19, to benefit the Rowan County Literacy Council. The event includes dinner and three rounds of team scrabble. Raffle tickets are available to purchase throughout the evening. Cash prizes are also awarded. Cost is $30 for an individual ticket or $300 for a table of 10. Bring a team of 6-10 people or let us assign you to a team. For information, call the Literacy Council at 704-216-8266.

Return of the Legends featuring Matthew Weaver and the GV Band

The FBC Relay For Life team presents “Return of the Legends featuring Matthew Weaver and the GV Band” on Saturday, April 9 at 6 p.m. at First Ministries Center of First Baptist Church of Salisbury. The group pays tribute to such musical legends as Patsy Cline, the Oakridge Boys, and Elvis Presley. Tickets are $15 in advance and $18 at the door. Light refreshments will be available for a small donation. The First Ministries Center is located at 220 N. Fulton St. Purchase tickets at Stitchin’ Post Gifts, 104 S. Main St., or contact Linda 704-223-7357 or lstorie@carolina.rr.com

Proceeds benefit the American Cancer Society through Relay For Life of Rowan County.

Historic Salisbury Trolley Tours return

Board the historic trolley at 11 a.m. April 9 and every Saturday through April. Tours begin and end at Salisbury-Rowan County Visitor’s Center, 204 E. Innes St. Call 704-638-3100 for prices.

‘Flicks at The Davis’ series

8 p.m. Friday, April 8: “Dirty Dancing.” Davis Theatre, 65 Union St. S., 704-920-2787. Open to the public, $5 at the door. http://cabarrusart scouncil. org/davis-theatre/flicks-at- the-davis/

UNCSA Prep Dance offers auditions

WINSTON-SALEM — The University of North Carolina School of the Arts Preparatory Dance Program will hold auditions May 7 and Aug. 6. Students in the third and fourth grades do not need previous experience, while older students will need to exhibit an understanding of dance basics. For more information visit uncsa.edu/community/preparatory-dance