It’s just not Christmas without ‘The Nutcracker’ — Reserve your seats soon for the family classic 

The Salisbury Symphony Orchestra and Piedmont Dance Theatre will collaborate once again to present the family classic “The Nutcracker.” Performances are Saturday, Dec. 17 at 6:30 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 18 at 2:30 p.m., at Keppel Auditorium at Catawba College.

As always, music director David Hagy promises an impressive orchestra sound with more than 50 musicians, including two harps and the celeste.

Choreographed by Piedmont Dance Theatre co-artistic directors Rebecca and Daniel Wiley, this year’s production boasts new sets, new costumes, even new dancers. Frito-Lay is once again donating “Nut-Cracker-Jacks” for the receptions that follow each performance.

For ticket availability, visit salisburysymphony.org or call 704-637-4314.

 

Friday book signing at South Main Books

Carol Lee Duckworth and Brian Lane will present their new book “Your Great Trip to France” on Friday, Dec. 2 from 6-8 p.m. There will be refreshments, door prizes and a drawing for a giveaway. South Main Book Co., 110 S. Main St., 704-630-9788, southmainbookcompany.com

 

The 45th annual Cleveland Christmas Parade is Saturday

CLEVELAND — The 45th annual Cleveland Christmas Parade happens Saturday, Dec. 3 at 2 p.m., featuring lots of local color — antique cars and tractors, community and school group floats, horses, and tossed candy.

Rain or shine, come join the fun. For more info, call 704-798-3471.

FirstARTS continues its annual Fridays@First Series 

FirstARTS of First United Methodist Church continues its ninth season of concerts with its annual Fridays@First Series, which hosts renowned North Carolina artists each Friday in December. The series begins Dec. 2 with a concert by tenor Jeffrey Price and pianist Matthew Manwarren. Their concert will include music of Handel, Schubert and other popular seasonal favorites.

The series continues with a performance by oboist Mark Biggam and pianist Matthew Michael Brown on Dec. 9, followed by an organ recital featuring Jacqueline Yost on Dec. 17.

All concerts in this series are 30 minutes and are free to the public. First United Methodist Church is located at 217 S. Church St. To learn more, call 704-636-3121.

 

Trey Calloway at AmVets Post 460 

8 p.m.-midnight Saturday: Live performance at AmVets Post 460, 285 Lakeside Drive. Tickets $10 each, cash or check. Chistmas dinner plate available for $7. Doors open 5 p.m. For more information call 704-870-8777.

 

RCCC Fine Arts students exhibit at Salisbury Business Center — ‘Ordinary to Extraordinary’

The Salisbury Business Center, 301 S. Main St., is collaborating with Rowan Cabarrus Community College’s Fine Arts Department to display an array of artwork in various mediums in a new exhibit titled “Ordinary to Extraordinary.”

This exhibition, which has been organized and curated by RCCC students Bailey Wingler and April Bryant, will feature works from students enrolled in the Fine Arts degree program at Rowan Cabarrus Community College. Many of the students are seeking their associates degree with the intention of transferring to a four year university to continue their studies.

The exhibition is open to the public at the Salisbury Business Center, Monday through Friday, Dec. 1 through Feb. 28 from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. All artwork is available for purchase.

A reception will be held on Thursday, Dec. 8 from 6-8 p.m. at the Salisbury Business Center.

Sponsors for the event include Comics at Fault, Mike & Paula’s Eatery and Wink’s BBQ. The event is free and open to the public.

To learn more, contact Tara Van Geons at 704-209-4589 or info@salisburybusinesscenter.com

To learn more about the artist project, visit www.salisburybusinesscenter.com/artists