Tea Party hosts candidate forum
On April 24 at the Bluebay Restaurant on Statesville Blvd., the Rowan County Tea Party will host a County Commissioners Candidate Forum.
Dinner is at 6 p.m. and the forum will follow. The candidates expect questions, so this is your opportunity.
To learn more email bldrmom1@gmail.com

Livingstone’s annual Children’s Book Festival
Livingstone College will hold its annual Children’s Book Festival on Saturday, April 28 on the front lawn of the campus from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., and is for children ages preschool through 12 years. Each child will receive new books, food and enjoy fun on the lawn.
The purpose of the book festival is to create a love and appreciation for books in children. The free event is open to the public.

Astronomical Society of Rowan
CONCORD — From 6-9 p.m. Friday, April 27, the Rowan County Astronomical Society will host a Star Party for the general public at the Carolina International School, 9545 Poplar Tent Road.
To learn more, call Mr. Kukielski at 704-455-4672, Barbara at 704-664-6939, Shannon at 704-236-6933 or Ralph Deal at 704-855-1591, or visit www.astrowan.org

AARP Driver Safety Refresher Class for senior citizens

AARP Driver Safety Refresher Class for senior citizens will be held Wednesday, May 16 from 12:30 -5 p.m. at the Salisbury Rufty-Holmes Senior Center. The session shows the latest research based driving safety strategies, provides a review of driving skills and techniques, 40 pages of safety tips to help seniors adjust to normal age related changes, developing defensive driving techniques, may get an insurance discount, and much more. Cost is $15 for AARP members and $20 for non-members. Space is limited, so preregister by calling 704-216-7714.

Gospel concert for Life Village
Father and Son Produce, 1774 Sherrills Ford Road, is hosting a gospel concert on April 28 from 6-9 p.m. as a fundraiser for Life Village, inspiring hope and empowering mothers and babies who are dealing with homelessness. BBQ chicken plates will be available. Bring a lawn chair. There will be live music from Raising Glory, Firesong from World Hope Worship Center, soloist Danny Basinger and the Carolina Family Church Band.
This is a family event and kids are invited. For more information, call 704-636-6630 or visit 911babies.com

Registration for Henderson guitar competition
MOUTH OF WILSON, VA. — Attention guitarists who want to compete in the 24th annual Wayne C. Henderson Music Festival and Guitar Competition: applications must be received by May 1. The winner will go home with a free handmade Henderson guitar. Other prizes are second place, $250; third, $150, fourth, $100; and fifth, $75. The form can be obtained from www.waynehenderson.org
The family-friendly festival will be June 16, at Grayson Highlands State Park in Mouth of Wilson, Virginia. To learn more, email info@waynehenderson.org

Regional premiere of ‘Every Brilliant Thing’ April 27
Catawba College alumna Robin Tynes ’12, the founding artistic director of Three Bone Theatre in Charlotte, will direct the regional premiere of “Every Brilliant Thing” at 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 27, at Florence Busby Corriher Theatre on the Catawba campus.
“Every Brilliant Thing” is a one-woman show starring award-winning comedienne Tania Kelly that explores struggles with mental illness that a little girl witnesses in her mother and then grows up to experience herself.
Tickets to the performance, recommended for ages 14 and older, are $20 at www.catawba.edu/theatre, at the door for $25.
www.ThreeBoneTheatre.com