There is still Christmas fun to be had

• Win a prize at the Cruise-By Christmas Window Art Show — • West Innes Street Pop Shop coloring contest with a gift card and prizes for a boy and a girl winner • Win a $20 gift card from Shuckin’ Shack; make a picture with their favorite character and post on Facebook • Drive by 24 hours a day through Jan 6: Window art of local artist Cherrathee Hager. Hendrix BBQ at 1624 W. Innes St; Hendrix BBQ at 1530 Statesville Blvd; The Pop Shoppe at 1831 W. Innes St; Landmark Family Resturant at 1617 South Main St; Denese’s Pet Spa at 2825 W Innes St, KMD Construction at 1001 W Innes St; Shuckin Shack at 118 N Main St.

• Old Stone Christmas — Dec 30-31: at Old Stone House, Christmas like our Rowan County ancestors would have known 200 years ago. $5 adults $3 students. www.rowanmuseum.org

• New Year’s Eve at the Bell Tower — 9 p.m. – midnight Dec 31: Hosted by Salisbury Parks and Rec. Celebrate at Salisbury’s historic Bell Tower. Live music, video feed of Time Square, hot cocoa, more. downtownsalisburync.com

• Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden’s Holidays at the Garden — Through Dec. 31: Live music, holiday shoppin, crackling fires, Children’s Holiday Discovery Trail of activities, model train displays, horse-drawn carriage rides, visits from Mrs. Claus. See www.DSBG.org or call 704-829-1252 for prices

• A Tweetsie Christmas — Through Dec 30: Blowing Rock. Santa Claus in his shop, train ride through the Blue Ridge Mountains, carolers throughout the park, live Christmas show, roasted s’mores, select the perfect Christmas tree to take home. Advance tickets recommended at Tweetsie.com

• 26th Annual Tanglewood Festival of Lights — Begins at 6 p.m. nightly through Jan 1: 26th annual Festival at Tanglewood Park, Clemmons. Also Santa and Mrs. Claus, performers, gift village, tractor-pulled hayrides. Reservations required at 336-766-9540 or http://www.forsyth.cc/Parks/Tanglewood/

 

Welcome 2018 at the J. F. Hurley Family YMCA

Jan 6: Cheyenne Band, 7 -10 p.m., open to the public, covered dish

Jan 17:Diabetes Academy, 3 p.m., open to the public. Learn how to manage your diabetes; sign up today

January 24: Lunch and Learn program at noon, open to the public, lunch provided, sign up today

Feb 12: Rite Aid-presents Diet as You Age. 1:30 p.m. Open to the public, sign up today

Feb 14: Trip to see NarroWays play, “Not Just Another Love Story.” Leave 3 p.m. Open to the public.

Feb 23: Trip to Southern Spring Show, leave the Y at 9 a.m.

Learn more at www.rowanymca.org, check under Senior Program. With questions contact lklaver@rowanymca.com

Theater

St Thomas Players’ Doubt: A Parable — . Jan 18-27 at 7:30 p.m.; matinee Jan 21 at 2:30 p.m. “Doubt: A Parable” explores the bond between faith and doubt when a nun accuses a priest of inappropriate behavior with a child in her school. Lee Street theatre, 329 N Lee St. Tickets at www.leestreet.org or 704-310-5507.

Carole King, Yanni, Herb Alpert at Ovens Auditorium and the Blumenthal, Charlotte — • School of Rock, Jan 9-14 • Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, April 17-22• Yanni, May 6 • Herb Alpert, May 1 • Complete listings at 704-372-1000 or www.blumenthalarts.org

Live at Harrah’s Cherokee — • Dwight Yoakam, Jan 13 • A Paranormal Evening with Alice Cooper, March 17 • Ticketmaster.com or 1-800-745-3000. Harrah’s Cherokee Event Center, 777 Casino Drive, Cherokee.

 

Music & more 

See also Night Life

Pickin’ for the Master — 7 p.m. Friday Dec. 29: Take 2017 out with a Bluegrass bang with One Fret Over followed by open jam session. Concessions available. No admission charge, donations accepted. Doors open at 6 p.m. Trading Ford Baptist Church, 3600 Long Ferry Road, 704-633-5986, www.tradingford.net

Open mic at Mean Mug —Dec 29 – New Year Java Jam – 7 p.m.-11 p.m.. Host CJ Peters Sign up begins at 6:30 1024 S. Fulton St, 704-754-4615, www.meanmugcoffeeco.com

 

This & That 

Tonight Game night at Mean Mug Coffee Co. — 6-9 p.m. Thursday Dec 28: Bring your favorite board game. Free. 1024 S. Fulton St, 704-754-4615.

NC Rowan County Anime Group convention — Jan 11-14: Ichiban Con 9, home convention of the NC Rowan County Anime Group. Concord Embassy Suites Convention Center . https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/ncrowancountyanime/info

Yoga in the brewery — 6 p.m. Wednesday at Morgan Ridge Railwalk. $6 includes a pint of beer and a one hour class. 421 N. Lee St, 704-754-8379, www.morganridgerailwalk.com

Horizons Unlimited — 1-3 p.m. Jan 20, 2018: Brrr! It’s Cold Outside! Crystal growing, snowy art, Winter Star Talk and Frozen film feature. 1636 Parkview Circle. Park and enter from Lilly Ave. 704-639-3004, www.rss.k12.nc.us/horizonsunlimited-margaret-c-woodson-planetarium

 

Comedy

Colin Quinn: One in Every Crowd — Jan 19: At the Booth Playhouse at Blumenthal Performing Arts Center. Prices begin at $25. N. Tryon St, Charlotte. 704-372-1000 or www.blumenthalarts.org

Gabriel ‘Fluffy’ Iglesias — Feb 25: One Show Fits All World Tour celebrates Iglesias’ 20 years of comedy. Ovens Auditorium, Charlotte. Prices begin at $42. Ticketmaster.com, 800-745-3000, 2700 E. Independence Blvd.

Whose Live Anyway improv show — 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?” Tickets start at $29.50. See Ticketmaster.com or call 800-745-3000

 

Fundraisers 

Second annual Battle of the Gods and Goddesses Fashion Show — Doors open 6 p.m., show at 7 p.m. Dec 30: community fundraiser sponsored by Great Women and Men United Inc, and Precision Management Marketing to create funds for Save the Youth Program. Salisbury Civic Center, 315 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. Tickets $20. Call 704-738-7077 or charield40@gmail.com or see www.greatwomenandmenunited.wordpress.com

Morgan Ridge Charity Night — 7:30-9:30 p.m. Wednesdays: A percentage of sales will be donated. 421 N. Lee St, 704-754-8379, www.morganridgerailwalk.com

Salisbury Symphony’s Big Band Bash — Jan 6: Salisbury Symphony’s biggeset fundraiser, a night of music, wine, food, dancing. This year’s theme ‘First Ladies of Swing’ celebrates the music of Pearl Bailey and Ella Fitzgerald. www.salisburysymphony.org/tickets

 

History 

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

 

Wine & beer tastings 

Salisbury Wine Shop — 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec 29: Stephanie’s Favorite Wines of 2017. Six wines Stephanie selected as her favorites of this year. $5/person • Save The Date: 6 p.m. Feb 3: 7th Annual Chocolate & Wine Tasting featuring chocolates by Chocolatier Baracund of Concord created specifically for selected wines. Tasting hosted by Certified Wine Educator Andrew Alley • 106 S. Main St, 704-636-5151, sws@salisburywineshop.com

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

Cauble Creek Vineyard and Winery — NC’s 100th Winery. Tasting room Friday -Saturday 11 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sunday 1-6 p.m. $8. 704-633-1137, 700 Cauble Farm Road, 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. — 7-9 p.m. Every second Tuesday: $15 pp with 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

See also music & more

The Carriage Room, 2141 Statesville Blvd. — Sundays 2-7 p.m. Open Mic hosted by Danny Franklin • Fridays: pool tournament, $5. 704-647-9876, carriageroomnc@facebook.com

Go Burrito RumBar, 115 W. Fisher St across from the mural — • Monday: Poker Night • Tuesday: Team Trivia • Wednesday: Open Mic • Saturday: Karaoke • www.facebook.com/GoBurritoRumBar

New year’s Eve at The Inn, 1012 Mooresville Hwy 150 — 8 p.m. Saturday: Scarred, Fools Gold, Last Chance and Bachar Chayah. Contemporary Christian music venue. Musicians invited to jam or schedule their group to perform. 704-213-1467.

Karaoke at Mean Mug — 7-10 p.m. Second Saturdays. 1024 S. Fulton St,704-754-4615, www.meanmugcoffeeco.com

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

Sunrise Cafe, 210 Old Amity Hill Road, Cleveland — 6:30-8 p.m. Friday: Gaining Gound • Tuesdays: Karaoke with Crystal • 5-8 p.m. Wednesdays: Acoustic only Bluegrass pick and eat jam. 704-402-3527.

 

Classes

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

Tai Chi For Energy — 5:30 p.m. Thursdays for 8 weeks, Jan 4-Feb 22. 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

Winter Session I of Refresh & Relax Yoga — — Mondays 5:45-7:15 p.m. Jan 1 to Feb 5 — or Tuesdays 5:45-715 p.m. Jan 2 to Feb 6 — or Wednesdays 9:30-11 a.m. Jan 3 to Feb 7 $15 per class. Students may enter mid-session if space allows. Register with Debra McNeil, OTR/L, EP-C. RYT at inspiredwellness@bellsouth.net or 704-637-1671 or visit at www.faithart.org

Change your Life with Whole Food Nutrition — 2-3:30 p.m. Jan 6: For those who are struggling to lose weight, have high cholesterol/blood pressure, have low energy, are feeling stressed or overwhelmed. Maia Smith, Certified Health Coach. $25. Register via email to info@maiasmith.com

WVAC Spring ARTPops — 6:30-9 p.m. third Thursdays Feb-June • Feb 15 Caligraphy • March 15 Quilting • April 19 Floral Design • May 17 Watercolor • June 21 Culinary arts/Summer cocktails • Non-members $50; members $40 • Waterworks Visual Arts Center, 123 E Liberty St.

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. Instructor Robert Richard Toth, www.RobertTothSculptor.com

Public Speaking for Professionals — Raleigh’s Burning Coal Theatre, March 12-April 2, 2018. Monday evenings. $155. www.burningcoal.org/classes/

 

Speakers & forums

S.N.A.G (Salisbury Neighborhood Action Group) — 10 a.m. First Wednesdays at the Salisbury Police Department, 130 E. Liberty St, 704-638-5333.

Bright Ideas — 6:30-7:30 p.m. Thursdays: Networking at 10Thread, 1024 S. Fulton St

Salisbury AARP — 1 p.m. Jan 4: Meet the center’s new director Nan Buehrer, installation of 2018 officers, pizza party will follow. For seniors 50+ .704-216-7714. Rufty-Holmes Senior Center, 1120 S. Martin Luther King, Jr. Ave.

ESU presents A Teacher in Space — 6:30 p.m. Jan 11: The English Speaking Union Salisbury Branch dinner program hosts Dr. Cyndi Osterhus, 44-year career educator in North Carolina who received national recognition when she was selected as a finalist in the Teacher in Space Program in 1985. Country Club of Salisbury. Reservations $32. You do not have to be a member. RSVP to Gerry at 704-216-2660.

 

Auditions

PPT youth auditions for ‘Julius Caesar’ — 4:30 and 5:30 p.m. Jan 2-3: By appoiintment only. Norvell Theater, 135 E. Fisher St Show dates Feb. 16-24. Sign up at 633-5471 or www.PiedmontPlayers.com

PPT musical auditions for ‘The Producers’ — 7 p.m. Jan 16-17: Third floor Meroney Theater, 135 E. Fisher St. 704-633-5471. Show dates March 15-18 and 21-24. See available roles at PiedmontPlayers.com

 

Film

Free movies at the J. F. Hurley Family YMCA — Call today to ask about the schedule: 704-636-0111

 

Art 

‘Making a Mark’ exhibit at Salisbury Business Center —Artists from Jesse Carson Fine Arts Program through Feb 23: Lisa Mirisola, Isabella Almazon, Victoria Amaro, Chloe Kirkpatrick, Olivia Cunningham, Kristina Neumiller, Serena Wale. Free, open to the public. Artists interested in exhibiting contact Sue McHugh, receptionist@integro-tech.com. Salisbury Business Center, 301 S. Main St, www. salisburybusinesscenter.com

Waterworks features Ben Martin retrospective — Through Feb. 3: Iconic photographs commemorating the LIFE and TIMES of Salisbury native Ben Martin; In Stitches, large-scale fiber works inspired by stained glass windows by Susan Lenz; Carolyn Ford’s Go To…Go By, low-relief carved clay works depicting the artist’s travels. Waterworks Visual Arts Center, 123 E. Liberty St, 704-636-1882, www.waterworks.org

Center for Faith and the Arts, 207 W. Harrison St — Bishop Family Creche Collection through Jan 6. Center for Faith and the Arts, behind Haven Lutheran Church. www.faithart.org or 704-647-0999.

Shurtz exhibit at Rail Walk Studios & Gallery, 409-413 N. Lee St — Through January: Tatyana Shurtz’s original artwork. Free and open to the public. 704-469-2781 www.railwalkgallery.com

WVAC Fall exhibition ‘Architecture and History’ — Through Feb. 3: at Waterworks Visual Arts Center. Hours Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-2 p.m., 123 E. Liberty St, 704-636-1882, www.waterworks.org

 

Trips 

Rowan Rambers — April 11: Glamour on Board, wardrobe from Titanic the movie at Biltmore in Asheville; see 45 beautiful costumes worn in the movie. $100 due by Feb. 15, 2018 • May 16-19: Ohio Amish Trip, Warther’s carvings, Amish farm tour, 2 shows, Step-on-Guide, Victorian mansion, in home Amish meal, Mrs. Yoder’s Country Kitchen, Lehman’s General Store, Heini Cheese, Der Dutchman Restaurant. Total cost double occupancy $470; $150 deposit by Jan 9 Info: Cheryl Kluttz 704-633-3484.

 

Call for vendors

Hippie Fest — Noon-7 p.m. rain or shine May 19, 2018: Artists and vendors offering an endless array of bohemian goodies. Rowan County Fairgrounds, 1560 Julian Road. $5 tickets (reservations required) See hippiefest.org for vendor application

 

Call for performers

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

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 artisans

Hippie Fest — Noon-7 p.m. rain or shine May 19, 2018: Artists and vendors offering an endless array of bohemian goodies. Rowan County Fairgrounds, 1560 Julian Road. $5 tickets (reservations required) See hippiefest.org for vendor application

Full Circle Arts Altered States: Digitally Enhanced Photography — Jan 11-Feb 17, 2018: Photography competition/exhibition of photographs that have been digitally manipulated, in print format, framed, ready to hang. Registration: $10 for up to 3 entries. Full Circle Arts, Hickory, www.fullcirclearts.org

 

Call for volunteers 

30th annual v.I.P. golf tournament — Tournament date: Saturday, April 14. Registration deadline for both V.I.P.s and volunteers: Monday, March 19. Annual golf tournament for Visually Impaired Persons held at Dan Nicholas Park. Call 704-216-7780

Staff the CFA art gallery — Center for Faith & the Arts seeks volunteers to staff the art gallery Fridays 6-8 p.m. and Saturdays 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Call 704-647-0999 or email info@faithart.org

Rowan Helping Ministries volunteers – Pick up donated food, stock food pantry, intake interviews, laundry, meals. 704-637-6838.

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

DAV transportation network of Rowan County — Take veterans to hospital appts. Call Jim Martin at 704-638-9000 x3904.

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