Kannapolis: Winterland Express train — 6-9 p.m. this evening; 6-10 p.m. Friday. 250,000+ Christmas light displays. Admission and viewing of the lights is free; train ride tickets are $2. At Village Park, 700 West C St. www.kannapolisnc.gov

Kannapolis: Visit with Santa — 6:30-9 p.m. through Dec. 30: Visit Santa in his studio; local musicians performing favorite Christmas songs, the Kannapolis Singing Bears. The Atlantic Coast S Gaugers group with popular model trains on display tonight and tomorrow night. At Village Park, 700 West C St. www.kannapolisnc.gov

31st annual Old Christmas at Old Stone House — 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 31 and Jan. 1-4: Old Stone House, 770 Old Stone House Road. Call 704-633-5946 or visit www.rowanmuseum.org for details.

New Year’s Eve at the Bell Tower — 8 p.m.-midnight Dec. 31: Free. Ring in the New Year at Salisbury’s historic Bell Tower with live music, video feed of Times Square, hot chocolate, goodies, the ringing of the bell at midnight. Sponsored by Salisbury Parks and Recreation, www.salisburync.gov

New Year’s Eve at The Inn, 1012 Mooresville Hwy 150 — 7 p.m. until, Saturday: New Year’s Eve celebration; a night of live music with Scarred Worship, Sean Spillane, Mercy Falls and Bought by Blood. Coffee house and community outreach center, a contemporary Christian music venue. 1012 Mooresville Road.  704-213-1467.

New Year’s Eve at J.C. Price Post 107 — 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Dec. 31: Music by DJ Fresh, refreshments,  doorprizes, raffles. $10. Causal dress to impress. Must be 21 with proper ID. Security present. Info at 704-640-1893 or 704-640-0877.

RSVP for New Year’s Eve celebration at Mean Mug — 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Dec. 31  Live music with the Mary Gillespie & Ken Cofer Duo. Reservations $15/person, must RSVP to 704-754-4615. Also appetizer buffet, party favors, bubbly at midnight

The Avett Brothers New Year’s Eve in Charlotte — 8:30 p.m. Dec. 31: $39.50 to $75 (plus fees) at Ticketmaster.com, 800-745-3000, or Bojangles’ Coliseum Box Office, 2700 E. Independence Blvd.

Rhiannon Giddens at W-S Symphony’s New Year’s Eve pops concert — 8 p.m. Dec. 31: Singer, violinist, banjo player for Grammy award-winning group the Carolina Chocolate Drops. At Reynolds Auditorium, 301 N. Hawthorne Road. Tickets $20-$67 at 336-464-0145 or WSsymphony.org

 

Music & more 

Salisbury Symphony’s Big Band Bash — 6:30 p.m. Jan. 7: Tribute to Bert W. Oestreicher, for whom the Big Band Bash first began. Hedrick Auditorium at Catawba College. Opens with a stage presentation by SSO Big Band then dinner and dancing the Crystal Ballroom. Individual tickets $100; tables for eight or ten available. www.salisburysymphony.org

Kruger Brothers coming to The Davis — 4 and 8 p.m. Jan. 7: Originally from Switzerland, brothers Jens and Uwe Kruger were inspired by Flat and Scruggs, Bill Monroe and Doc Watson.Tickets $30 at http://cabarrusartscouncil.org or 704-920-2753. 65 Union St. South, Concord.

The Blumenthal Performing Arts Center — 130 N. Tryon St., Charlotte. Complete listings at 704-372-1000 or www.blumenthalarts.org

Live at Harrah’s Cherokee — • Air Supply, Jan. 13 • Yes, Feb. 3 • Purple Reign The Prince Tribute Show, Feb. 18 • Michael Bolton, Feb. 24 •  Comedian Rodney Carrington, March 25 • Alice Cooper, April 29  • Ticketmaster.com or 1-800-745-3000. Harrah’s Cherokee Event Center, 777 Casino Drive, Cherokee.

Pickin’ for the Master — 7 p.m. Friday, Dec 30: Concert with  Yadkin Valley String Band with special guest on the mandolin renowned local musician Dewey Farmer, followed by open jam session. Concessions available. No admission charge, donations accepted. Trading Ford Baptist Church, 3600 Long Ferry Road, 704-633-5986, www.tradingford.net

 

This & That 

Band dances at the Y — 7-10 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 7 and Jan. 21: Delmonicos Band. Bring a covered dish. $8 per person. Open to the public. J.F. Hurley Family YMCA, 828 W. Jake Alexander Blvd., 704-636-0111.

Coffee with a Cop at Mean Mug — 9-10 a.m. Tuesdays Jan. 10 and 24:  Every second and fourth  Tuesday. Free. 1024 S. Fulton St., 704-754-4615.

Game night at Mean Mug Coffee Co. — 6-9 p.m. Thursdays: Bring your favorite board game. Free. 1024 S. Fulton St., 704-754-4615.

NC Rowan County Anime Group — • Ichiban Con: Dec. 29-Jan. 1: Home convention of the NC Rowan County Anime Group • http:groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/ncrowancountyanime/info

 

Comedy

5th annual Lenoir Comedy Club benefit — 7 p.m. Jan. 21: Benefits the Caldwell Arts Council. At the JE Broyhill Civic Center. $30 in advance, $35 at the door, or $200 for a table for 8. Call 828-754-2486 or visit www.caldwellarts.com

 

Fundraisers 

Second annual Jacques’ New Years Eve Gala —  9 p.m. Dec. 31:  1950s Enchantment Under the Sea themed prom at Lee Street Theatre. Hosted by Jacques Belliveau of Comics at Fault. Music by Paper Wasps. Food by Mambo Grill, cash bar by New Sarum Brewery. Ring in the new year supporting a great cause: proceeds benefit Prevent Child Abuse Rowan and the Terrie Hess House. Tickets $30 at www.eventbrite.com

Salisbury Symphony’s Big Band Bash — 6:30 p.m. Jan. 7: Tribute to Bert W. Oestreicher, for whom the Big Band Bash first began. Hedrick Auditorium at Catawba College. Opens with a stage presentation by SSO Big Band then dinner and dancing the Crystal Ballroom. Individual tickets $100; tables for eight or ten available. www.salisburysymphony.org

Brunswick Stew at Elmwood — 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Jan. 14: Eat in, take out. Elmwood UMC, Hwy 70 just west of Rowan-Iredell line. Questions or orders by Jan. 13 to Sylvia 704-872-1070 or Wilda 704-528-3685.

12th annual Oyster Roast for Waterworks Visual Arts Center — 6:30-11:30 p.m. Jan. 28: We are steaming up the F&M Trolley Barn with oysters and shrimp by Big Daddy’s of Lake Norman and pulled pork sliders from College Barbecue, dessert by Cold Stone Creamery. Also silent auction and dancing. All proceeds support Waterworks’ educational and outreach programs. Tickets $85 pp/ $80 pp, members, available online at www.waterworks.org Additional information at 704-636-1882.

 

Theater

Piedmont Players Theatre season tickets — piedmontplayers.com or 704-633-5471.

Lee Street theatre season tickets — www.leestreet.org or 704-310-5507.

Old Courthouse Theatre presents ‘Nana’s Naughty Knickers’ — Feb. 9-26. PG-13. 704-788-2405. Old Courthouse Theater, 49 Spring St. NW, www.oldcourthousetheatre.org

Wine & beer tastings 

Salisbury Wine Shop — 5:30-7:30 p.m. Friday, December 30: Bye-Bye 2016 Wine Tasting  with Stephanie.  A selection of fine wines that you can select for your celebration leading to that final bubbly toast of 2016.   $5/person • 106 S. Main St., 704-636-5151, sws@salisburywineshop.com

Morgan Ridge Vineyards and Brewhouse — 486 John Morgan Road, Gold Hill, 704-639-0911 or www.morganridgevineyards.com

Cauble Creek Vineyard and Winery — NC’s 100th Winery. Tasting room Thursday-Saturday 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Sunday 1-6 p.m. $8. 704-633-1137, 700 Cauble Farm Road, see www.caublecreekvineyard.com

Douglas Vineyards — Tasting Room hours: Friday 2-8 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Sunday 1-6 p.m. Wine Tasting $6. 7696 Freeze Road, Kannapolis, 704-939-6260, www.douglasvineyardswines.com

Cougar Run Winery — 704-280-3624. Cougar Run Winery, 363 N. Church St., Concord. www.cougarrunwinery.com/

Mean Mug Coffee Co. — 7:30-9:30 p.m. Jan 10: Wines paired with tapas-sized dishes on second Tuesdays. $15 per person. RSVP to 704-754-4615. 1024 S. Fulton St. www.meanmugcoffeeco.com

Old Stone Winery — 704-279-0930, 6245 US Hwy. 52. www.oldstonewines.com

Rocky River Vineyards — 704-781-5035. 11685 Reed Mine Road, Midland. www.rockyrivervineyards.com

Childress Vineyards — 336-236-WINE, 1000 Childress Vineyards Road, exit 89 off I-85, Hwy 64 W. Lexington. www.childressvineyards.com

 

Night Life

The Carriage Room, 2141 Statesville Blvd. —Fridays: In-house pool tournament, $5. 704-647-9876, carriageroomnc@ facebook.com

CJ’s BBQ, 210 Old Amity Hill Road, Cleveland — Friday night Bluegrass. 704-278-4070.

DJs Restaurant, 1502 W. Innes St. — • Tuesdays, Live trivia 8 p.m. • Fridays, deejay 10 p.m. • 704-638-9647, http://djsrestaurant.com

Firewater, 122 Avalon Drive — • 7:30 p.m.-2 a.m. Thursdays: Karaoke with Cherokee • 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Fridays-Saturdays: Deejay • 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Sundays: Old School Jam, ladies free until 10:30 p.m., $5 cover • Age 25+. 704-870-8689.

Go Burrito RumBar, 115 W. Fisher St. across from the mural — • 8 p.m. Mondays: Poker Night • 8 p.m. Tuesdays: Team Trivia • 9 p.m. Wednesdays: Open Mic • 10 p.m. Saturdays: Karaoke • www.facebook.com/GoBurritoRumBar

New Year’s Eve at The Inn, 1012 Mooresville Hwy 150 — 7 p.m. until, Saturday: New Year’s Eve celebration; a night of live music with Scarred Worship, Sean Spillane, Mercy Falls and Bought by Blood. Coffee house and community outreach center, a contemporary Christian music venue. 1012 Mooresville Road.  704-213-1467. Contemporary Christian music venue. Musicians invited to jam or schedule their group to perform. 704-213-1467.

Open mic at Mean Mug Coffee Co., 1024 S. Fulton St. — 7-11 p.m. Friday, Dec. 30: Java Jam weekly Open Mic. All are welcome, musicians, poets, storytellers. Signup begins 6:30 p.m. 704-754-4615, www.meanmugcoffeeco.com

New Year’s Eve at J.C. Price Post 107 — 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Dec. 31: Music by DJ Fresh, refreshments,  doorprizes, raffles. $10. Causal dress to impress. Must be 21 with proper ID. Security present. Info at 704-640-1893 or 704-640-0877.

New Year’s Eve celebration at Mean Mug — 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Dec. 31  Live music with the Mary Gillespie & Ken Cofer Duo. Reservations $15/person, must RSVP to 704-754-4615. Also appetizer buffet, party favors, bubbly at midnight. , www.meanmugcoffeeco.com

E.H. Montgomery General Store — 7-9 p.m. Fridays: Open acoustic Bluegrass jam. Historic Village of Gold Hill, Facebook, 704-267-9439, www.themontgomerystore.com

Stars and Bars Tavern, 723 Klumac Road — 7 p.m. Tuesdays: Pool tournament. Free pool on Sundays.

Old Stone Vino, 515 S. Main St., Kannapolis — Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays: Live music. 704-938-2337.

The Charlotte Zodiac Dance Club — American Legion, 4235 W. Tyvola Road, Charlotte. Dances on second and fourth Friday. 704-236-0344. www.charlottezodiacdanceclub.com

 

Festivals

Fourth annual Wine About Winter — Feb. 3: 1st Friday downtown wine tasting crawl event. Must be 21 or over. Tickets $22.50 in advance at www.downtownwsalisburync.com

 

Classes

Community Drum Circle — 6-8 p.m. Jan. 6: Bring a drum or other rhythm instrument.  Some loaners available.  No experience needed.  Free; donations accepted. Center for Faith & the Arts, 207 W. Harrison St. behind and below Haven Lutheran Church.

Cultivating Peace through  Creative Practice —  10-4:30 p.m. Jan. 7: Introduction to SoulCollage  cards to nurture intuition and mindfulness. $50, 5 person min/12 person max. Partial scholarships available. Pre-registration required at 704-647-0999. Held at Center for Faith & the Arts, 207 W Harrison St.

8-week class Altering Round Pots —   10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesdays , Jan. 10 — Feb. 28: Learn the basics of throwing and hand-building by combining different methods. For beginners and intermediates. $200. Instructor Kelsey Sorensen. At Pottery 101, 704-209-1632, Email pottery101nc@gmail.com

8-week Pottery class — 6:30-9 p.m. Thursdays Jan. 12-March 2: Basic and intermediate wheel and glazing techniques. $200, clay and glazes provided. Instructor: Keith Meyers. Pottery 101, 704-209-1632 or email pottery101nc@gmail.com

8-weekTai Chi — 5:30-6:30 p.m. Thursdays  Jan. 12-March 2: Beginner level (experienced welcome also). Cost $80, registration required. Nationally certified instructor. Info/registration at www.gailpoulton.wordpress.com or voicemail to 704-633-9222.

Eight-week pottery class — Thursdays: 6:30-9 p.m. Jan. 12-March 2: Basic and intermediate wheel and glazing techniques will be taught. Cost: $200, clay and glazes provided. Instructor: Keith Meyers. At Pottery 101, 704-209-1632, Email pottery101nc@gmail.com

9-week Beginner’s Beekeeping School —  7-9 p.m. Tuesdays Jan. 17-March 14: $60 includes handouts, book, membership, field day event. Pre-registration required.  Mail check to RCBA, PO Box 771, Salisbury, NC 28145 with  name, address, phone number, e-mail. Info: Randy Cox 704-798-4501. Held at Rowan Co. Cooperative Extension, 704-216-8970.

Learn the guitar — 1 p.m. Mondays starting Jan. 23: Absolute beginner and intermediate classes at Rufty-Holmes Senior Center. No experience required; bring your own guitar. $45 includes classes and materials. Info? Call Bob 704-640-0279.

PPT’s Youth Theatre Academy — Instructor: Director/ choreographer Gwen Matthews. 16-week curriculum. Jan. 23-March 13, 2017. 704-633-5471 or www.piedmontplayers.com

Country dance lessons at the Harold B. Jarrett — 6:30-9 p.m. Thursdays: $4 per person. Renee Collins will teach Country Couples Circle Dance, Line Dance, Contra and more. Harold B. Jarrett American Legion Post 342, 1024 Lincolnton Road. 704-450-7446.

Meditation classes — 4 p.m. First and third Sundays. Donation only. 120 N. Church St. Studio A. See www.spotlightdancescene.com

 

Speakers & forums

Free programs at the Y — 1-2 p.m., Jan. 12: Healthcare Power of Attorney • 3-4 p.m. Jan. 18: Diabetes Academy • 3-6 p.m. Jan. 18: Novant screening • Open to the public. Call to sign up at 704-636-0111. J.F. Hurley Family YMCA, 828 W. Jake Alexander Blvd. W.

Lunch and Learn at the Y — • Noon, Jan. 25: Rowan County Senior Games, speaker:  Phyllis Loflin-Kluttz. Bring covered dish, free, open to the public. J.F. Hurley Family YMCA, 828 W. Jake Alexander Blvd. W., 704-636-0111.

 

Auditions

PPT youth auditions for ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ — 4:30 and 5:30 p.m.  Jan. 3-4: Auditions by appointment only. Only 25 spots per time slot. To sign up call 704-633-5471. Norvell Theater, 135 E. Fisher St. Show dates:  Feb 17-25. www.PiedmontPlayers.com

St. Thomas Players auditions for ‘The Diary of Anne Frank’ — 7 p.m. Jan. 8-9:  Audition consists  of cold readings from the script. Claudia Galup directs. Show dates Feb. 23-March 4. Held at Lee Street theatre; Scripts are available for check-out at 329 N. Lee St. Info: Jennifer Hubbard at jen4hubbard@aol.com

PPT musical auditions for ‘Sister Act’  — 7 p.m. Jan. 30-31: Held on the 3rd floor of the Meroney Theater, 213 S. Main St. Show dates  March 16-25.  www.PiedmontPlayers.com

Salisbury Swing Band— SSB currently seeking instrumentalists. Auditions are Tuesday evenings at 7 p.m. Contact Jim Grazcyk 704-798-5840 for more information.

 

Art 

The Political Cartoons of Dr. Seuss — 6-9 p.m. Jan. 12: Opening reception with special performance of “The Wonderful World of Dr. Seuss” at 7 p.m. by the Phoenix Readers.  At The Gallery at the Center for Faith & the Arts. Through March 3.

Fine Frame Gallery, 105 S. Main St. — Displaying gallery artists Ann Bourque, Robert Toth and Phyllis Steimel. Tuesday-Friday 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-3 p.m. 704-647-0340, www.fineframegallery.com

Tatyana Shurtz exhibit at Rail Walk Studios & Gallery, 409-413 N. Lee St. — Open to the public Thursdays through Saturdays 11 a.m.–4 p.m. 704-431-8964, www.railwalkgallery.com

Sedberry’s Framing & Art Gallery, 324 W. Liberty St. — Artist of the month: Salisbury’s Eric Ward.  704-633-1246.

Salisbury Business Center — RCCC’s Fine Arts Department student exhibit “Ordinary to Extraordinary.” Exhibit open through Feb. 28. At 301 South Main St., 704- 209-4589, www.salisburybusiness center.com

Waterworks Visual Arts Center — “Personal Geometry” through Feb. 4, 2017: Heather Gordon, Durham; Leslie Smith, Winston-Salem • 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., 704-636-1882, www.waterworks.org

ClearWater Artist Studios — Jan. 13: Opening reception with art demo Group show of four regional artists with an art demo, and the Open Studios art demos the following day. Clearwater Artist Studios, 223 Crowell Dr. NW, Concord, 704-784-9535, www.clearwaterartists.com

Cabarrus Arts Guild — Annual Fall Judged Show of paintings, photography, fiber- and 3-D art. On display through December. Guild Gallery and Gift Shop (lower level), 11 Union St., Concord. 704-795-1901, www.cabarrusartguild.org

 

Trips 

Travel with the YMCA — • 9 a.m. Feb. 24: Charlotte Spring Show. $25/ $30 non-member  • Buses leave from J. F. Hurley Family YMCA, 828 W. Jake Alexander Blvd. Trip info and reservations 704-636-0111 or lklaver@rowanymca.com

 

Call for vendors

37th Jiggy with the Piggy — The City of Kannapolis is seeking vendors. Annual event is May 5-May 6.  Limit 20 vendors per category: arts and crafts, food, and commercial. Information/registration at kannapolisnc.gov/jiggywiththepiggy

 

Call for film makers

NC Museum of History accepting entries for 2017 Film Festival — Deadline March 1 for May 12-13 festival: Third annual Longleaf Film Festival, the best of state, regional and international short- and feature-length documentary and narrative films. Cash prizes. Details at www.LongleafFilmFestival.com or www.facebook.com/LongleafFilmFestival

 

Call for performers

Concert Choir begins rehearsal season —Practice 7:30 p.m. Mondays: Singing Verdi’s Requiem with the Salisbury Symphony. Rehearsals at St. John’s Lutheran Church choir room.

Gold Hill Bluegrass jam — Acoustic Bluegrass jam. E.H. Montgomery General Store, Gold Hill. 7-9 p.m. Fridays. 704-267-9439. www.themontgomerystore.com

Blumenthal Performing Arts open mic nights — Free event open to performers, selected by lottery. E-mail openmic@ncbpac.org

 

Call for artists

Ongoing call for sculpture artists — Caldwell Arts Council and City of Lenoir seek sculptors for annual outdoor sculpture sales gallery. Apply at www.caldwellarts.com/245-tuckers-gallery/. Sculptures are placed in the gallery for one year. 828-754-2486 email info@caldwellarts.com

Caldwell Arts Council seeks artists — Accepting portfolios for 2018 exhibitions. Submit  at http://com/157-guidelines/ by Jan. 31, 2017. Caldwell Arts Council, 601 College Ave. SW, Lenoir. office@caldwellarts.com

 

Call for volunteers 

Rowan Helping Ministries volunteers – Pick up donated food, stock food pantry, intake interviews, laundry, meals. Call Emily Huffman or Katie Murdock, 704-637-6838.

Help feed the horses — Horse Protection Society, 2135 Miller Road, China Grove, www.horseprotection.org or email hps@horseprotection.org

DAV transportation network of Rowan County — Looking for volunteers to take veterans to hospital appts. Inquire at VAMC Salisbury volunteer office or contact Jim Martin at 704-638-9000 x3904.

Novant Rowan Medical Center – Patient escorts, gift shop, surgical waiting room, flower delivery, ancillary support. dbhundley@novanthealth.org