Local arts & entertainment news Dec. 28-Jan. 3
Published 12:00 am Thursday, December 28, 2017
- FILE PHOTO - People celebrate New Year's Eve at the Bell Tower.
New Year’s Eve at the Bell Tower
Ring in the New Year with friends and fellow Salisburians and celebrate the beginning of 2018 as a community at Salisburyís historic Bell Tower, 107 S. Jackson St.
Festivities include live music, a video feed of Times Square, hot chocolate and other goodies and the ringing of the bell at midnight — fun that’s appropriate for the entire family. Call Salisbury Parks and Rec at 704-216-PLAY to learn more.
ESU presents A Teacher in Space: Dr. Cyndi Osterhus
Submitted
The Jan. 11 dinner meeting of the Salisbury Branch of The English Speaking Union will feature Dr. Cyndi Osterhus
Dr. Osterhus received national recognition when she was selected as a finalist in the “Teacher in Space” Program in 1985; she was named the North Carolina Teacher of the Year in 1987; she has spoken to a wide variety of groups regarding the rewards and challenges of teaching, and her experience in the Teacher in Space Program.
Following the Challenger disaster in 1986, she became a NASA Space Ambassador, uniting with others from the program to advocate for space exploration. She joined her colleagues from the Teacher in Space Program at Kennedy Space Center in the summer of 2007 to celebrate the launch of the Endeavor, on which the first Educator Astronaut, Barbara Morgan flew as Mission Specialist.
Dr. Osterhus is a graduate of Catawba College and earned her doctorate in mathematics curriculum and teaching from UNC Greensboro. She has been an educator in Rowan County for the past 44 years. After many years as a mathematics teacher at Knox Middle School and Salisbury High School, she became director of Horizons Unlimited and professional develo p.m.ent for the Rowan-Salisbury Schools. Upon retirement from the local school system, she joined the faculty of Catawba College, teaching in the Goodman School of Education for a decade. While there, she started the Ritchie Academy for Teaching, which provided scholarships and an enrichment program that encouraged students of high academic performance to choose a career in education. She retired from full-time teaching in 2013, but continues to teach as adjunct faculty in the online graduate program at Southern New Hampshire University.
The English Speaking Union meets at the Salisbury Country Club at 6:30 p.m. RSVP to Gerry Wood at 704-216-2660 for reservations. Cost is $32 per person, including dinner. Nonmembers are welcome.
RPL invites community to ‘Welcome Home Celebration’
By Laurie Lyda, Rowan Public Library
On Saturday, Dec. 30, you’re invited to join Rowan Public Library in honoring all veterans of the United States Armed Forces at a “Welcome Home” celebration from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. This free event is open to the public and will be held in Stanback Auditorium and the Hurley Room at RPL Headquarters, 201 W. Fisher St. in Salisbury. All ages are welcome.
The exhibit “Through a Soldier’s Eyes: Remembering Vietnam” features photographs from the personal collections of local veterans and complements the special displays in the Link Gallery and the Hurley Room that showcase Vietnam-era artifacts from local veterans and related items.
The Hurley Room exhibits, which feature items from Glenn Hinson, will only be shown during the celebration, as will a Vietnam jeep, owned by Bobby Harrison, which will be parked on the RPL lawn.
At 11:30 a.m., the program featuring guest speakers Tom Harrell and Carroll Owen will begin. Harrell is a World War II veteran who is active in church and community and was recently inducted into the Order of the Long Leaf Pine.
Owen is a Vietnam veteran who is also active in church and community and often speaks at schools and other venues, sharing his account and personally filmed account of his time in service in Vietnam.
“Welcome Home” is a drop-in event that offers an opportunity for fellowship, learning, and honoring.
Learn more at www.rowanpubliclibrary.org or contact your nearest branch.
Rowan Public Library hosts ‘The Things They Carried’ book talk
By Laurie Lyda, Rowan Public Library
On Friday, Rowan Public Library is hosting a Book Talk featuring Tim O’Brien’s “The Things They Carried” from noon-2 p.m. in Stanback Auditorium, 201 W. Fisher St. This free, lunchtime event is open to the public and is intended for teens and adults.
This RPL Book Talk will be led by a panel that includes Salisbury Post’s Deirdre Parker-Smith and South Main Book Company’s Wendy Beeker. The moderated discussion is designed to allow participation and interaction.
“The Things They Carried” was first published in 1990, and the collection of related short stories was described by New York Times reviewer Robert R. Harris as “on the list of best fiction about any war.” It recounts the experiences of an American platoon in Vietnam and afterwards.
For more information, visit www.rowanpubliclibrary.org or email Laurie.Lyda@rowancountync.gov
Ready for something new in the new year? Try a class or two
Tai Chi For Energy — 5:30 p.m. Thursdays for 8 weeks, Jan 4-Feb 22: “Internal” Chinese martial art stresses integration and balance of mind and body; “moving meditation.” Nationally certified instructor. $80 — SoFul Yoga and Wellness, 1024 S Fulton St above Mean Mug. Pre-registration required at 704-633-9222 or Angirama@gmail.com
Rowan County History Course — 13-week course Thursday evenings Feb. 1-May 3: Classes meet at various historic locations, beginning with the Rowan Museum. To register, email office@historicsalisbury.org or call 704-636-0103. Tuition may paid in advance. Info at historicsalisbury.org/education/history-class
Eight-week beginning & intermediate pottery wheel class — Tuesdays: 10:30-1 p.m. Jan 9-Feb 27 — or Wednesdays: 6:30-9 p.m. Jan 10-Feb 28 — or Thursdays: 6:30-9 p.m. Jan 11-Mar 1 — $200. Pottery 101, 101 S. Main St, 704-209-1632, www.pottery-101.com
WVAC Spring ARTPops — 6:30-9 p.m. third Thursdays Feb-June, 2018 • Feb 15: Caligraphy • March 15: Quilting • April 19: Floral Design • May 17: Watercolor • June 21: Culinary arts/Summer cocktails — Non-members $50; members $40 • Become a member as you register and save up to $65 when you sign up for all five classes— Also see www.waterworks.org for information on Adult Hand & Wheel pottery classes beginning Feb 6, Youth workshops (ages 4-6 and 7-12) for Valentine’s and Easter; Toddler Time sessions scheduled in March and May — Waterworks Visual Arts Center, 123 E Liberty St.
Change your Life with Whole Food Nutrition — 2-3:30 p.m. Jan 6 — Instructor Maia Smith, Certified Health Coach. $25. Register via email to info@maiasmith.com — For those who are struggling to lose weight, have high cholesterol/blood pressure, have low energy, are feeling stressed or overwhelmed.
Free online courses with your RPL card — Are you looking to increase your skills? Do it at home for free with Gale Courses, high-quality, noncredit online courses free with your Rowan Public Library card and accessible anywhere online, 24/7. Visit www.rowanpubliclibrary.org or call 704-216-8243 — Subjects include Accounting and Finance, Business Computer Applications, Design and Composition, Healthcare and Medical Language, Personal Development, Teaching and Education, Technology Writing and Publishing.
Hablas Español (Do you speak Spanish) — 6:30-8 p.m. Wednesdays: Spanish language lessons in an informal and conversational setting. Mean Mug Coffee Co., 1024 S. Fulton St, 704-754-4615.
Mind Aerobics art class — 2-4 p.m. Mondays: Introduction to drawing, pastels, sculpture. Rufty-Holmes Center, 1120 S. MLK Jr. Ave. $10/2 hr. session. Beginner and advanced adult. Sign up at 704 216-7714. Robert Richard Toth, www.RobertTothSculptor.com
60+ Gentle exercise — Fridays at 9 a.m. at The Meadows of Rockwell, 612 China Grove Hwy. Low-impact. Pre-register with Devan Bertch at 704-698-6459.
Country dance lessons at the Harold B. Jarrett — 6:30-9 p.m. Thursdays: $4 per person. Harold B. Jarrett American Legion Post 342, 1024 Lincolnton
Second annual Battle of the Gods and Goddesses Fashion Show
Saturday, Dec.30: Doors open 6 p.m., show at 7 p.m. Showcasing talent, models, designers, make-up artists, hair stylists, vendors. A community fundraiser sponsored by Great Women and Men United Inc, and Precision Management Marketing to create funds for Save the Youth Program. Held at Salisbury Civic Center, 315 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. Tickets are $20. Tickets and info at 704-738-7077 or charield40@gmail.com or see www.greatwomenandmenunited.wordpress.com
‘Whose Live Anyway’ improv coming to Ovens Auditorium
CHARLOTTE — 7:30 p.m. May 11, 2018: Ovens Auditorium hosts the current cast members of the Emmy-nominated TV show “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” in the stage improv show “Whose Live Anyway?” — 90 minutes of hilarious improvised comedy and song all based on audience suggestions. Cast members are Ryan Stiles, Greg Proops, Jeff B. Davis and Joel Murray. Learn more at whoseliveanyway.com Tickets start at $29.50. See Ticketmaster.com or call 800-745-3000.
‘Glamour on Board: Fashion from Titanic the Movie’
ASHEVILLE — It was 20 years ago on Dec. 19, 1997, when “Titanic” sailed into movie theaters. Opening Feb. 9, costumes from the Oscar-winning film will star in a large-scale exhibition inside America’s largest home — Biltmore. The dress Kate Winslet wore (shown) will be featured as well as hats, gowns, jewelry and tuxedos, filling the grand rooms once lived in by George and Edith Vanderbilt. Learn more at www.biltmore.com/events/glamour-on-board-fashion-from-titanic-the-movie-1