Hilarity ensues at closing weekend of ‘The Producers’
Only four shows left for Piedmont Players Theater’s production of the Tony-winning Mel Brooks musical “The Producers” — tonight through Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Adults $20, students/seniors $17. Producing Partners: Ed Brown, John A. Basinger, David Post. Meroney Theater, 213 S. Main St. 704-633-5471, piedmontplayers.com

 

Downtown Beats, Rowan’s Impromptu Chorus to meet again
6 p.m. March 26: Free community sing requires no experience or commitment, no charge, no prior registration is required. Rowan Public Library Headquarters, 201 W. Fisher St., 704-216-8228.

 

Gabriel Fauré’s Requiem
The Sanctuary Choir of First Presbyterian Church presents Gabriel Fauré’s Requiem on Maundy Thursday, March 29 at 7:30 p.m.
The entire work, written between 1887 and 1890, will be accompanied by a 10-piece orchestra and will be sung using John Rutter’s English translation.
Fauré said of his work, “It has been said that my Requiem does not express the fear of death and someone has called it a lullaby of death. But it is thus that I see death: as a happy deliverance, an aspiration towards happiness above, rather than as a painful experience.” (Gabriel Fauré, Robert Orledge, 1979).
The service will conclude with Holy Communion followed by the Service of Shadows (Tenebrae). The service will be held in the sanctuary of First Presbyterian Church at the corner of Fulton and Innes Streets.
For more information, call 704-636-1321 or visit www.salisburyfirstpres.org

 

Salisbury Symphony presents the music of Dvořák
The Salisbury Symphony hosts principal musicians Ryan Graebert and Mara Barker as soloists in a concert that features a selection of works by famed Czech composer Antonín Dvořák, composer of the famed “New World” Symphony, on Saturday, March 24, at 7.30 p.m. at Catawba College’s Keppel Auditorium.
The concert begins with the last of the popular first set of Slavonic Dances that cemented Dvořák’s popularity 140 years ago. In a version arranged for string bass, this features the SSO’s Principal Bass Mara Barker.
The Dvořák Cello Concerto provides every possible challenge to the soloist able to master it, including the SSO’s Principal Cello Ryan Graebert. Filled with glorious themes, it is an audience favorite.
Tickets are available at www.salisburysymphony.org or 704-216-1513.

 

FUMC hosts St. John Passion
As part of its 10th anniversary FirstARTS series, the Stanback Department of Sacred Music of First United Methodist Church will host a performance of Bob Chilcott’s St. John Passion on Sunday, March 25, at 7:30 p.m.
British composer and conductor Bob Chilcott began his career as a professional singer and turned to composition full-time in 1997. He has created a large body of choral pieces with an emphasis on the sacred. St. John Passion was composed for conductor Matthew Owens and the Wells Cathedral Choir. It received its premiere in 2013.
This performance, under the direction of Matthew Michael Brown, will feature the Chancel Choir and soloists of First United Methodist Church accompanied by brass quintet, organ, timpani and strings. Soloists include tenor Wade Henderson singing the role of The Evangelist, baritone Scott MacLeod singing the role of Jesus, bass Jason McKinney singing the role of Pontius Pilate, and soprano soloists Anyée Farrar and Alden Pridgen.
Tenor Wade Henderson appears frequently on local stages in opera, concert and choral settings. He has sung performances of both operatic and major choral works. A resident of Cary, he frequently performs with the NC Opera Company and as a soloist with the Duke University Chapel Choir.
Baritone Scott MacLeod is assistant professor of voice at High Point University, as well as singer, conductor, director, and teacher. He has appeared as a soloist in both national and international venues, including Carnegie Hall.
Bass Jason McKinney is a graduate of the North Carolina School of the Arts, has performed the title role in Porgy & Bess, operas of Mozart, Puccini, and Carlisle Floyd. As a concert soloist, Jason McKinney has been featured with the NC Symphony, the Eugene Symphony and has performed in the USA, Australia, Europe and Mexico.
The concert is free and open to the public. First United Methodist Church is located at 217 S. Church St. For more information, call 704-636-3121 or visit www.fumcsalisbury.org

 

Call for artists: sign up by Saturday
The Pedal Factory is hosting a fundraising event, ARTPEDAL, showcasing the work of local artists during a fun bicycle ride and art-scavenger hunt through Salisbury.
We are looking for individuals and/or groups to provide at least one creation on a 6”x 6” canvas.
The Pedal Factory will provide one 6×6 canvas for free; additional canvases are $1/each.
The event is May 12 from 4-6 p.m. • Artist commitment due: March 24. • Artwork due: April 30.
Contact Mary at mary@thepedalfactory.org or 704-870-7145 for more info. Artists may register online at ArtPedal Artist Registration

 

PPT auditions for Neil Simon’s ‘Barefoot in the Park’
7 p.m. March 27-28: Open auditions, Meroney Theater third floor, 213 S. Main St. Performance dates May 3-12. Seeking male and female actors of all ethnic and racial backgrounds. Auditions will consist of a cold read from the script. Info 704-633-5471. Available roles listed at PiedmontPlayers.com

 

Easter Bunny Express rides March 24-25, 30-31
SPENCER — A much beloved tradition, the Easter Bunny Express, returns to the N.C. Transportation Museum for two full weekends, March 24-25 and 30-31. All event days feature train rides with the bunny, activities across the museum’s 60 acres, and additional options like breakfast, lunch and snacks with the bunny.
March 30 and 31, the museum will offer the annual Easter Egg Hunt in addition to the event activities. March 31 only, the Jeddo Coal #85 steam engine will be pulling the museum’s colorful caboose train, for an additional train ride option.
The highlight of the Easter Bunny Express is a passenger train ride around historic Spencer Shops on the grounds of the N.C. Transportation Museum, with the Easter Bunny riding along. The friendly bunny will move through train, handing out treats, meeting kids and parents, and taking photos with families.
Following the train ride look for inflatables, face painting, bubbles, sidewalk chalk, tattoos, crafts, coloring and Easter Bunny photo op packages.
Schedules. ticket options, more information and ticket purchases are available at www.nctrans.org. Advance ticket purchase is recommended. Events are rain or shine. Taxes and fees apply.

 

Reed Gold Mine to hosts World War I Exhibit April 13-May 12
MIDLAND — A traveling exhibit commemorating the 100th anniversary of World War I will be presented at Reed Gold Mine April 3-May 12. This free exhibit highlights the importance of North Carolina during the war, and includes uniforms, military equipment, home front items and a reproduced trench wall. North Carolina supplied 86,457 men in the Army, Navy or Air Corps during World War I, some of whom participated in the largest battles during 1918.
Hands-on items in the exhibit include rosters of World War I soldiers from Cabarrus, Stanly and Mecklenburg counties, information on flags and anthems of the allied nations and crafts for children. Special craft days are scheduled for May 5 and May 12.
Midland is just 37 miles from Salisbury. For more information, visit www.ncdcr.gov