CHRISTMAS and New Year’s Eve

Kannapolis
Village Park, 700 West C St., www.kannapolisnc.gov
Celebration of Lights & Winterland Express — 6 pm through Dec 30: Stroll through the park or take a ride on the Winterland Express. More than 250,000 Christmas lights. Closed Dec. 24 and 25.

Concord
Piedmont Choral Society’s rescheduled concert — 4 pmJan 5: “12th Day of Christmas” with 60+ voice all volunteer chorus and by professional orchestra. Forest Hill UMC, 265 Union St N, Concord. Free,tickets are not required, offering accepted. Info: kayy2000@gmail.com; 704-699-6053; Facebook; www.piedmontchoralsociety.org

Salisbury

33rd Annual Old Stone House Christmas — 1-4 p.m. Dec. 29-30: Old Stone House, 770 Old Stone House Road, www.rowanmuseum.org
Scrooge’s Christmas Trolley Tour
Through Dec. 29: Details at Rowan County Chamber of Commerce, 204 E Innes St, or www.leestreet.org
New Year’s Eve at the Bell Tower — 9 pm Dec. 31: Presbyterian Bell Tower Park, Corner of W. Innes and S. Jackson. www.visitsalisburync.com
4th Annual Cruise-by Christmas Window Art Show — ThroughJan 5: Original window art by local artist Cherrathee Hager. Available for viewing 24 hours a day. Checkered Flag BBQ on South Main Street is the first to have their unique holiday windows completed. A list of other locations will be published. 704-490-2001.

Spencer
Winter Fever Train Rides at NC Transportation Museum — Dec. 26-30: After the hustle and bustle of Christmas, the week between the holidays provides time to get out of the house for some family fun. Schedule and ticket information at 704-636-2889 or www.nctrans.org

Charlotte
The Avett Brothers at Ovens Auditorium — 8:30 p.m. Dec. 30-31: $49.50-$89.50. 2700 E. Independence Blvd. Info at ovensauditorium.com, tickets at Ticketmaster.com or 800-745-3000. Prices do not include charges.

Winston-Salem
W-S Symphony New Year’s Eve Celebration — 8 p.m. Dec 31: With guest soprano Jennifer Youngs. Plus party hats, noise makers and other party favors. Reynolds Auditorium, 301 N. Hawthorne Road. Tickets $20-$67 at 336-464-0145 or WSsymphony.org.

Tweetsie Railroad
Blowing Rock — 5-10 pm Fridays-Saturdays through Dec 29: Winter wonderland with Santa Claus, steam locomotive No. 12, twinkling lights, live Christmas Show, a giant snow globe, the Carousel. Tickets $38, age 2 and under free. Advance tickets irecommended.

Daniel Stowe
Holidays at the Garden: A Mile of a Million Lights — Through Jan 6: Lights, music, children’s activities, model train displays, more. Closed Christmas Day. Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden, 6500 South New Hope Road, Belmont. Tickets, schedule at www.DSBG.org

Night Life

Songs From The Road Band at The Loft at City Tavern, 113 E Fisher St — 8 pm Thursday, Dec 27: Doors 7:30 pm. Tickets $10 in advance at City Tavern or $12 DOS. 704-425-4598, www.facebook.com/CityTavernSalisbury/
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
Morgan Ridge Railwalk, 421 N. Lee St — TONIGHT: Thursday 7:30-9:30 pm: Cory Luetjen • 8-10 pm Friday: Austin and Alec • 8-10 pm Saturday: Carolina Clay • 6-8 pm Sunday: open mic • 704-754-8379, www.morganridgerailwalk.com.morganridgerailwalk.com
Sunrise Cafe, 210 Old Amity Hill Road, Cleveland — 6:30 pm Friday: New Horizon • 6:30 pm Saturday: Never Too Late Bluegrass Band • Tuesdays: Karaoke with Crystal • 5-8 p.m. Wednesdays: Acoustic only Bluegrass pick and eat jam. 704-402-3527. Behind the IGA store.

Music & more

Pickin’ for the Master — 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 28: Concert by husband and wife duet Danny and Eva Casstevens followed by open jam session.Free admission. Trading Ford Baptist Church, 3600 Long Ferry Road, 704-633-5986, www.tradingford.net
School of Rock Cornelius Presents: One Hit Wonders — 1-4 p.m.Jan. 26: Charles Mack Citizen Center, 215 N Main St , Mooresville, www.eventbrite.com
Salisbury Symphony Orchestra presents ‘Stars’ — 4 p.m. Jan. 27: Family concert featuring All County 5th Grade Honors Chorus and selected area high school student musicians. Keppel Auditorium, Catawba College. $5-$19. 704-216-1513, www.salisburysymphony.org
The Robertson Boys in concert — 7 p.m. Jan 29: Free bluegrass/folk concert presented by Friends of Rowan Public Library and Cheerwine Concert Series. Rowan Public Library, 201 W Fisher St., 704-216-8243, www.rowanpubliclibrary.org
LSt presents Classic Country Concert — 7:30 p.m. Feb. 1 -2: Favorite country songs live at Lee Street. $22.90. Lee Street theatre, 329 N Lee St, 704-310-5507

Theater

PPT set construction — 10 am-4 pm Saturday, Jan 5 9: for Lunch at the Piccadilly Meroney Theater. Lunch provided. No experience necessary. Info 704-633-5471 or PiedmontPlayers.com
LSt presents ‘The Mystery of Irma Vep’ — Jan. 17-19: Fearing that Mandacrest is haunted by a vengeful vampire, Lord Edgar goes on an expedition to Egypt to discover immortality. Lee Street theatre, 329 N Lee St, tickets and info at www.leestreet.org or 704- 310-5507.
The Little Theatre of W-S — • Shakespeare in Love (March 8-17) • Man of La Mancha (May 3-12) • Das Barbecü (June 21-30). 610 Coliseum Dr NW, 336-748-0857, www.TheLittleTheatreofWS.org
Catawba College Blue Masque Theatre — • ‘The (curious case of the) Watson Intelligence’ 7:30 p.m. Feb. 12-16, Florence Busby Corriher Theatre.
• ‘Into the Woods’ 7:30 p.m. April 10-12, and 2:30 p.m. April 13, Hedrick Little Theatre. • Tickets $15 adults, $10 non-Catawba students and senior adults. edu/theatretix or 704-637-4481.

Wine & beer tastings

Salisbury Wine Shop — 5:30-7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec 28: Wines for Your New Year’s Parties with Stephanie. $5/person. 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. 704-633-1137, 700 Cauble Farm Road, www.caublecreekvineyard.com
Douglas Vineyards — 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. Second Tuesdays: $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

This & That

Ring of Honor Wrestling at the Cabarrus Arena — 7 p.m. Jan. 13: Tickets $30. Cabarrus Arena and Events Center, 4751 NC 49, Concord, 704-920-3976, www.cabarrusarena.com
NC Rowan County Anime Group — 6-8 npm Dec 29: Meeting at Comic Monstore, 813 Jake Alexander Blvd, showing anime series ‘License by Royality.’ For age 16 and up • Free, open to the public. https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/ncrowancountyanime/info
Rowan Wellness Professionals sponsor Health and Wellness fair — 9:30 am-12:30 pm Jan 12: 25 groups represented. Stanback Room at Rowan Public Library, 201 W. Innes St.
Cardinal Squares Square Dance Club — Dance every Tuesday, 7-9 p.m., 316 Lake Drive. Presidents Effie and Norman File 704-633-9555 or caller Marty Northrup 864-909-3950.
Send your barn quilt photo — West Rowan Farm, Home & Garden is seeking to document barn quilts in Rowan Coutny. If you have one or know where one is, post a photo of it to https://www.facebook.com

Comedy

James Gregory ‘Funniest Man In America’ returns to the Meroney — 7:30 p.m. Jan. 19: The ridiculous, the common and even the simplest events all become hilarious. Meroney Theater, 213 S Main St, 704-633-5471, funniestman.com
George Lopez’s The Wall World Tour coming to Ovens Auditorium — Jan. 12, 2019: Ticketmaster.com, 800-745-3000, Coliseum box office, 2700 E. Independence Blvd. $59.50-$65.50 plus charges. VIP Meet and Greet package also available.
It’s Not You, It’s Me -The Second City — Feb. 9: Heartbreak, missed connections and the mire of human relationships. Tickets start at $22 plus charges. McGlohon Theater, Charlotte. www.blumenthalarts.org or 704-372-1000.

Fundraisers

Salisbury Symphony hosts Cocktail Cabaret with International Casino — Jan 12, 2019: Crystal Ballroom at Catawba College transformed into a casino plus door prizes and a chance to win a trip to a real high-end casino. $100 tickets, tax included, includes $2,000 in “play” money and two drink tickets. See www.salisburysymphony.org
Scott Ainslie Concert, Workshop — Legendary guitarist Scott Ainslie • Concert 7:30-9:30 pm Jan 25 at Salisbury High School auditorium • Workshop 10 am-noon Jan 26 at Beacon Hall Warehouse, 121 Ridge Ave. $10 donation appreciated for concert; $35 for workshop. Info 704-754-3913
14th annual WVAC Oyster Roast fundraiser — Jan. 26: All you can eat & drink, oysters, shrimp, BBQ, beer, wine. Must be 21 to attend. Waterworks Visual Arts Center, 123 E. Liberty St. Tickets at waterworks.org
Center for Faith & the Arts presents ‘Meet Me in Paris’ —7 pm March 9: Gala and fundraiser with white tablecloths, jazz in the background, artists, poets. Info 704-738-3445 or info@faithart.org

Festivals

Carolina Woodstock Festival — Aug 16-18, 2019: 50th anniversary of Woodstock at Rowan County Fairgrounds. Tribute bands, local musicians, arts and craft vendors, food, onsite camping. Family-friendly. Follow social media for discount codes. Learn more at www.CarolinaWood stockFestival.com

History

Annual Rowan History 13-week course— 7-8:30 Thursdays Feb 7-May 9, 2019: Offered by Historic Salisbury Foundation. Learn about Native Americans, early pioneers, Revolutionary War, Civil War, industrialization and more, right up to modern times. Book and registration information at https://www.historicsalisbury.org/ or 704-636-0103.

At The YMCA

J.F. Hurley Family YMCA, 828 W. Jake Alexander Blvd. Events listed are open to the public. 704-636-0111, www.rowanymca.org
• Grief support, Wednesdays 9:30 am, tteichroew@gmail.com
Jeff’s Birds — Jan. 10 1:30 pm. J. F. Hurley Family YMCA, Sign up at 704-636-0111 or lklaver@rowanymca.com
Downtown Abby Series — Jan. 11 1:30 pm. J.F. Hurley Family YMCA, Sign up at 704-636-0111 or lklaver@rowanymca.com
Lunch & Learn — Jan. 23 12 pm: Swallowing issues Covered Dish. J.F. Hurley Family YMCA, Sign up at 704-636-0111 or lklaver@rowanymca.com

At Rufty-Holmes

Rufty-Holmes Senior Center, 1120 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. 704-216-7715, www.ruftyholmes.org
Salisbury AARP — 1 p.m. Jan 3: Guardian Ad Litem program specialist Mandy Flores; 2019 officers installed plus pizza party.

At RPL

Rowan Public Library programs are free and open to the public. www.rowanpubliclibrary.org
• HQ, 201 W Fisher St., 704-216-8228
• East, 110 Broad St., Rockwell, 704-216-7838
• South, 920 Kimball Road, China Grove, 704-216-7727
Salsa, Chips, & Salsa (HQ) — 3-4 pm Jan 12: Professional dance instruction plus chips & salsa. Stanback Auditorium. RSVP to Abby at 704-216-8248 or info@rowancountync.gov
Monday Night Movie: ‘Smallfoot’ (East) — 5:30 pm Jan 14: In Smallfoot, a Yeti is convinced that the elusive creatures known as “humans” really do exist. 704-216-7842.
Genealogy Workshop: Beginning Genealogy (HQ) — 10 am Jan 19: Introduction to genealogy co-hosted by Genealogical Society of Rowan County and Edith M. Clark History Room of RPL. Free, open to the public. Info Gretchen,704-216-8253.
Winter Tea and Tales (East) — 10:30 am-noon Jan 19: Winter themed tea party for children up to age 10. Come dressed in any winter costume. Prizes awarded. RSVP to Tammie at 704-216-7842.
Fairy Tale Tea Party (HQ) — 11 am-noon Jan 26: Come dressed in your best outfits, enjoy sweet treats fit for royalty.
Resume Clinic (HQ) — 6-7 p.m. Jan. 22: 201 W Fisher St.

Classes

8-week class at Pottery 101 —Beginning and intermediate wheel and glazing techniques. $215, for ages 14-adult.
• Tuesdays: 10:30-1 pm Jan 15-March 5 or
• Wednesdays: 6:30-9 pm Jan 16-March 6
101 S. Main St., 704-209-1
Classes at Waterworks Visual Arts Center — 2019 Spring Art class registration for youth and adults, is open. See the entire schedule and register at www.waterworks.org/education/classesandworkshops. 123 E. Liberty St, 704-636-1882 or www.waterworks.org
PPT youth theater Winter classes — Thursdays 5-7 pm starting Jan 17: Improv and Scene Study, $275. Imaginative story-telling, creating characters, improvisation, problem solving, teamwork. Includes showcase performance open to the public. 704-633-5471 or PiedmontPlayers.com
Tai chi series at SoFul Yoga — 4:15 pm Mondays: Eight classes suitable for beginners, Jan 7-Feb 25. Cost is $90. Register online at www.schdulebliss.com/sofulyoga. • SoFul Yoga and Wellness, 1024 S Fulton St.,
Free online courses through RPL — Gale Courses: high-quality, noncredit online courses free with your library card. www.rowanpubliclibrary.org or call 704-216-8243
Guitar Classes at R-H — 6-8 week classes Monday afternoons. $40 plus $10 workbook. Bring your own guitar. Call Rufty-Holmes at 704-216-7714 or Bob at 704-640-0279. Rufty-Holmes Senior Center, 1120 S. Martin Luther King Jr Ave.
Beginner line dancing — • 1-2 pm Thursdays: Rufty-Holmes Senior Center, $4 per class • New Beginners only Line Dancing: Noon. $4 per class . Taught by Cheryl Kluttz. Pre-register at Rufty-Holmes, 704-216-7714

Speakers & forums

Confidently Me — 9:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Jan. 12-13: Helping women age 18 and over spiritually, emotionally plus mentorship for business or entrepreneur opportunities. Salisbury Civic Center, 315 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Ave.
Chamber Annual Gala ‘The Greatest Show’ — 6-9 p.m. Jan. 10: $50-$85. West End Plaza Event Center, 1935 Jake Alexander Blvd W, business.rowanchamber.com
2019 MLK Unity Prayer Breakfast — 8-11 a.m. Jan. 19: Bethel Baptist Church, 1209 Opal St Kannapolis www.eventbrite.com
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.

Home & Garden

Garden Party Saturday — Begins 11 a.m.-12 p.m. Jan. 5: For January, garden planning, seed exchange. 704-216-7731 Rowan South Rowan Regional Library, 920 Kimball Road, China Grove (704) 216-7727

Art

Art exhibit at Salisbury Business Center — “Now + There – The Art and Collective Thought of the Carolina Artists.” Free, open to the public during business hours. 301 S. Main St., www. salisburybusinesscenter.com
Waterworks Visual Arts Center: The Threads of Time — Through Feb 2. Monday-Friday, 10 am-5 pm and Saturday, 10 am-2 pm. Free admission. 123 E. Liberty St, waterworks.org

Trips

Thyatira Presbyterian Church Museum & History — 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Jan. 15: Guided tour of 19th century church and museum. $7. Lunch on your own at Massimo’s Artisan Sandwich Shoppe. Rufty-Holmes Senior Center, 1120 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., RSVP to 704-216-7714.
Community Salt and Pepper Ramblers — • July 21-28, 2019 Irish Adventure: approx. cost including airfare $3250; $250 upon signing and balance Jan. 30 • 6 days May 13-18, 2019 Branson, Mo., 5 breakfasts, 5 meals (1 at Mel’s Hard Luck Diner; 1 buffet at Brook Shaw’s Old Country Store), lunch at Lambert’s Cafe, 5 Branson shows. $150 deposit upon registering, final payment due Feb. 28 $450. Call Cheryl Kluttz 704-633-3484.

Call for vendors

Carolina Woodstock Festival – Arts & Crafts — Aug 16-18, 2019: A “Carolina-style” tribute to the 50th anniversary. Rowan County Fairgrounds. All items must be handmade originals. No downline or multi-level marketing vendors. Pricing info and registration at www.Carolina WoodstockFestival.com
Carolina Woodstock Festival – Food — Aug 16-18, 2019: $275. Register at www.CarolinaWoodstock Festival. com

Auditions/call for performers

PPT youth auditions for Shakespeare’s ‘Hamlet’ — 4 and 5 p.m. Jan 8-9: Cold readings from the script. For all ethnic and racial backgrounds age elementary-high school. Show dates Feb 27-March 9. RSVP to 704-633-5471. Norvell Theater, 135 E. Fisher S. See role descriptions at www.PiedmontPlayers.com
Salisbury High School’s ‘That’s Entertainment’ — Jan 10-11, 3:45 pm for students, 6 pm for adults.Looking for actors, singers, dancers. Auditions in SHS auditorium,. Showcase is March 23. For information, email hubbardpastoredj@rss.k12.nc.us

Call for artists/ artisans

2019 Spring into Arts Festival — May 11: Accepting applications for 2019 festival in Downtown Concord for jewelry, ceramics, wood, painting, photography, glass, textiles. Early-bird deadline Jan. 31 with a $65 application fee. After Jan 31, the application fee is $85.www.concorddowntown.com or 704-784-4208.

Call for volunteers

Liberty Hospice — For reading, music, life review, or placing a smile on a lonely face. Call Glenda at 336-596-5380. Liberty Commons, 4412 S. Main St.
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