Livingstone’s annual Children’s Book Festival
Livingstone College will hold its annual Children’s Book Festival is 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.

Final shows of LSt’s ‘Running On Fire’
Through April28 at 7:30 p.m. $15 + tax. New original play written by Aurin Squire. Lee Street theatre, 329 N. Lee St, www.leestreet.org or 704-310-5507.

Faith Idol competition 2018
Faith Fourth of July is excited to announce the return of the Faith Idol competition with new ways for performers to participate. This year, performers in all age categories will have the opportunity to compete not only as individuals, but now duos and small groups are welcome to participate as well with the exception of full bands. Three categories 12 and under 13-18 and 19 and above.Cash prizes. Go to faith4th.com to get an entry form.

PPT’s Youth Audition Workshop
9 am-1 pm. May 12: Students work on effective audition techniques for a musical, specifically geared towards PPT’s upcoming production of “High School Musical 2.” $40. Instructor Gwen Matthews. 25 spots available. Sign up at 704-633-5471. Norvell Theater, 135 E. Fisher St. www.PiedmontPlayers.com

Too Much Sylvia benefit concert for Saving Grace Farm 

3-6pm Sunday, April 29: VIP tickets $25; Lawn tickets $15, available at savinggracefarm.com or 704-209-6577. Morgan Ridge Vineyard in Gold Hill. Proceeds support Saving Grace Farm, therapeutic riding and horsemanship activities for those with special needs and disabilities, veterans, and those who have experienced trauma. Live music, food, 50/50 raffle, silent auction. Beer and wine available for purchase. https://www.savinggracefarm.com/

Spring Gospel Concert fundraiser 

6-9 pm Saturday, April 28: Benefits Life Village, inspiring hope and empowering mothers and babies who are dealing with homelessness (find out more at 911babies.com) BBQ chicken plates available. Bring a lawn chairs. Live music from Raising Glory, Firesong from World Hope Worship Center, soloist Danny Basinger and the Carolina Family Church Band. Family event, kids are invited. Held at Father and Son Produce, 1774 Sherrills Ford Road. Info: 704-636-6630.

More fundraisers this weekend

F.A.C.T. Truck Parade — April 28, 9 a.m.-3 p.m: Fighting Against Cancer Together benefits Relay For Life of Rowan County and Rowan County Cancer Support Fund Daimler, From Cleveland to West End Plaza, Salisbury.
St. Paul’s annual Cruise ‘n Barbecue — April 28: Poker cruise begins 9 a.m.; 11 a.m.-3 p.m. for cruise-in, car show, raffles, door prizes, live music, port-a-pit chicken • 3 p.m. Awards, drawings. Proceeds benefit St. Paul’s Helping Hands Ministry. Details, photos at www.facebook.com/stpaulscruisenbarbecue
Earth Day Jam 2018 — Ten bands on two stages April 28: Family friendly event with music, art, vendors, educators, children’s activities at Dark Before Dawn Farm, 2100 7th St. See www.facebook.com/ EarthDayJam and www.earthdayjamnc.com or email happyrootsinfo@gmail.com
4th Annual Families First-NC Inc. Flip Flops and Flamingos — 5-8 p.m. April 29: F&M Trolley Barn, 125 E. Liberty St. , live music by Top Shelf, silent auction, food, drinks, cash bar. Tickets $20 at the door. Adults 21+ only. For more information call 704-630-0481.

Denton FarmPark hosts expanded Military Vehicle Show

Saturday-Sunday: Sixth annual Military Vehicle Show expanded to include displays of military uniforms, machine guns, other memorabilia, gun and collectors show. Family-friendly. Ride, weather permitting, in Huey and Cobra helicopters for a fee. Machine gun demonstrations shoot blanks. Day or weekend passes. Military ID receives 50 percent discount. dentonfarmpark.com

Heart & Soul: A Solo Exhibition
6 -8 p.m. Saturday April 28; Artist lecture at 7 p.m.
Heart & Soul is a solo exhibition by CFA Artist in Residence Shanna Glawson, artist, craftsman, maker and promoter of the arts through education. Glawson uses the universally recognized heart symbol in wood, metal and mixed media.
Free, open to the public. Center for Faith & the Arts, 207 W Harrison St., www.faithart.org or 704-647-0999.

Relive the magic with ‘The Best of 10 Years Cabaret’

Lee Street theatre takes a stroll down memory lane with its upcoming cabaret show. This musical revue is celebrating its 10th anniversary with a tribute to performances from the last 10 years. “The Best of 10 Years Cabaret” features musical selections ranging from classic ballads to Simon and Garfunkel, performed by some of Salisbury’s favorite singers.
The musical revue started as a passion project in 2008 between five friends. These ladies put together a list of songs from the ’40s to perform just for fun and their love of music. The show was such a success its popularity kept it coming back. The chorus of voices has since grown to include men and women who collaborate to choose the theme and songs each year. Many of these singers have been performing together for more than 25 years while adopting new friends along the way.
“The Best of 10 Years Cabaret” will be the final musical revue to be seen at Lee Street theatre.
The features the talents of John Brincefield, Kent Bernhardt, Graham Carlton, Becky Lippard, Mary Ann McCubbin, Patsy Parnell, Lauren Stephenson, Wendy Weant and Carol Harris.
Performances run May 3-5 at 7:30 p.m., with a special matinee performance on May 6 at 2:30 p.m. at Lee Street Theatre, 329 N. Lee St. Tickets are $22.90 at www.leestreet.org or 704-310-5507.

Choral Concert wraps Catawba music’s academic year

4 pm Sunday, April 29: Catawba College Choirs present Our Song V under the Direction of Dr. Phillip E. Burgess. The Catawba Singers, PopAC and Chamber Choir. The program is unique because the students choose the selections. This year’s concert features American Folk Songs and Spirituals as well as original pieces. Student soloists, conductors and instrumentalists will be featured. Omwake-Dearborn Chapel on the campus of Catawba College. The hour-long concert is free and open to the public.

Tonight: ‘You Can’t Take it With You’ at Old Courthouse Theatre

CONCORD — “You Can’t Take it With You” premiers at Old Courthouse Theatre TONIGHT April 26.
Grandpa Vanderhof and his wacky family, the Sycamores, have been happily living their zany lives in his house by Columbia University in New York for many years. This family (and their friends) are a madcap group of eccentrics, marching to the beat of their own drum,with pride and joy. Their hobbies include collecting snakes, building fireworks in the basement, writing a myriad of plays that never get published, and taking ballet lessons. Things like stress, jobs, and paying taxes to the government are for other people, not for them! But when practical young Alice Sycamore becomes engaged to her company’s vice president Tony Kirby, the Vanderhof/Sycamore clan must straighten up to meet the new in-laws. Disaster ensues when the Kirby’s arrive at the wrong time and, despite the best laid plans, see Alice’s family in all of its crazy glory. The evening ends with everyone in the house getting arrested, and Alice ending the engagement. It isn’t until Grandpa’s wise speech to Mr. Kirby about the importance of living life to the fullest that the two families find a way to accept each other, and love conquers all. You Can’t Take It With You is a madcap, idealistic comedy that reinforces the idea that you can only live life to the fullest by doing whatever makes you happy.
Tickets are on sale now at www.octconcord.com
Performances dates: April 26-28; May 4-5, 11-12 at 8 p.m. • Sunday Matinees on April 29; May 6, 13 at 2:30 p.m.
Old Courthouse Theater, 49 Spring St NW, 704-788-2405.

 

Deadline to register for Henderson guitar competition

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 Saturday, June 16, at Grayson Highlands State Park in Mouth of Wilson, Virginia.