History comes alive downtown on Friday 

Historic Downtown Salisbury merchants welcome you and your family for an evening of shopping and enjoyment while you are joined by historical characters strolling the streets and providing activities at the Rowan Museum. Step back in time during another First Friday event in Downtown Salisbury on Friday, April 3rd from 5 to 9 p.m.

Local historical characters in collaboration with Rowan Museum Inc. will be stationed and strolling throughout downtown. Activities will include demonstrations with Daniel Boone at the square near Pottery 101, basket weaving near OK Wigs, calligraphy at Off Main Gallery as well as woodworking and spinning at the Rowan Museum. The museum will also be joined by the Astronomical Society of Rowan County with telescopes on display for stargazing.

Period costumes worn by participating merchants will be provided by Salisbury’s newly relocated full service costume company, Eastern Costume Company. The public is encouraged to wear costumes to partake in all the fun.

Wacky Doo will be clowin’ around outside Critters Cards & Gifts and magic and illusions will be provided by Magic Glen in front of Fine Frame Gallery. Hop on the trolley for free rides around downtown and visit the horse and carriage near Caniche for sponsored rides.

Buskers are welcome to set up on the sidewalks in front of downtown shops with the permission of the business owners. Special guest Bob Trice will be performing outside The Candy Shoppe on Main. Musicians Jenny and Silas will be performing outside of Southern Spirit Gallery.

Newly opened Jack Rabbit Slims Live Music Pub will feature its weekly Artist Showcase inviting local musicians to come jam. Uncle Buck’s All American Pub & Grub will feature MT Woodland Boys playing on sidewalk from 6-8 p.m. and inside from 10 p.m.-midnight.

Many other bars and restaurants will be participating as well.

The newly opened Carolina Lily at 314 Depot St., is holding a Moonshine and Cornbread event from 5-9 p.m. Sign up to enter the cornbread contest and let customers decide the winner. Call 704 639-0033 for details.

Two Pigs Farms will be bringing out a few animals for a petting area besides K-Dee’s Jewelers and will be joined by the Knights of the Fiat Lux offering pretend sword fighting for children.

Visit www.downtownsalisburync.com for more information.

Sixth annual Colonial Spring Frolic is Saturday

GRANITE QUARRY — In celebration of the arrival of spring and the re-opening of the 1766 Old Stone House for the season, this historic site will host a Spring frolic on Saturday and Sunday April 4-5 from 1 to 4 p.m.

Included in this weekend’s festivities are tours of the only surviving colonial house in Rowan County with guides in period costumes.

Historical interpreters will offer crafts, including dyeing Easter eggs with natural dyes and guests may participate. Muskets will be fired, along with woodworking, weaving, spinning, candle making, open fire cooking and tastings, children’s games, colonial dancers and music, and more.

The Windsong Recorder Ensemble of Rowan will be playing and the Colonial Dancers of Greensboro will be dancing throughout the day.

The Old Stone House is located only one half mile off of Highway 52 in Granite Quarry at 770 Old Stone House Road.

The cost is $5 for adults and $3 for students. For more information call the Museum at 704-633-5946 or email rowanmuseum@fibrant.com

 

The ESU hosts Lord Lisvane on ‘The Magna Carta’

Salisbury’s English Speaking Union closes out its season with a most intriguing program featuring Robert Rogers, The Lord Lisvane, recently retired 49th clerk of the British House of Commons in the British Parliament, an office that dates back to 1363.

Lord Lisvane will present a program on “A Universal Charter? The Legacy of the Magna Carta,” the basis for Western democracy.

The dinner program will be presented on Tuesday, April 14 at 6:30 p.m. at the Country Club of Salisbury.

Tickets are $32 each and reservations are required. RSVP to Gerry at 704-213-6008 or gwood@gerrywoodauto.com

 

Tea, anyone?

by Linda Jones 

The Salisbury Symphony’s final concert of the season is themed “English Elation,” in celebration of the anticipated announcement this coming fall that Queen Elizabeth will be the longest-reigning monarch in British history.

Much English-themed music is programmed by music director David Hagy, including the “Orb and Sceptre March,” written by William Walton for Queen Elizabeth’s coronation in 1953 (the same year David Hagy was born!).

“We can’t not have a high tea!” says Executive Director Linda Jones, “especially with the English Speaking Union participating as one of the sponsors of the concert!”  So, at 4 p.m. (of course!) on the afternoon of the concert – Saturday, May 9 (the day before Mother’s Day) – the Salisbury Symphony is hosting a High Tea in the Crystal Ballroom at Catawba College.

Catered by Buttercup Catering with delicacies, tea, and trimmings, it promises to be authentic!  Music students at Catawba will provide a musical ambiance, and Across The Pond will give away a one-night’s stay for two at their bed and breakfast to a lucky participant.

Tickets are $15 each and seating is limited.  For reservations, call the Symphony office at 704-637-4314, or email Linda Jones at ljones@catawba.edu

 

Time to take a Salisbury Ghost Walk 

Salisbury Ghost Walk is hosting a walk through haunted downtown Salisbury Saturday night, April 4 beginning at 8 p.m.  Bring a camera or a  smart phone to do some investigating on your own and hear stories of Salisbury’s haunted past.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students with ID.

The next walk is scheduled for April 10 at 8 p.m.  Reservations required via email at boo@salisburyghostwalk.com and questions may be directed to John at 704-798-3102.

 

The return of the annual Rowan Blues and Jazz Festival

The Rowan Blues and Jazz Festival returns for the 16th time, this year in the Spring, on Saturday, May 16, at the Rail Walk Arts District at the corner of N. Lee and Kerr Streets. This family-friendly event is free and open to the public.

Musical performers will include Australian-born Peter Harper and Midwest Kind, Beverly “Guitar” Watkins from Atlanta, West End Mambo Latin Jazz Band from Winston-Salem, Joe Robinson of Clemmons and the Stanley Baird Jazz Band of Durham and more.

Musical performances are from 2 until 10:30 p.m. Gates open at 1:30 p.m.  Arrive early and cheer on Mr. Johnson’s Mini Funk Factory Band consisting of elementary school students as they kick off the music festival with their New Orleans-style playing and marching to the main venue.

The Festival begins with the always popular storytelling festival in tribute to the late storyteller, Jackie Torrence and facilitated by several members of the North Carolina Association of Black Storytellers, as well as local storytellers.

Bring lawn chairs, blankets and cushions and spend the day enjoying music, storytelling, food and arts and crafts vendors.

Pets and coolers are not allowed into the festival area.  VIP seating under the tent is available.  For more information visit www.rowanbluesandjazz.org

Short Fiction on Faith discussion series

Six Consecutive Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. at First United Methodist Church.

Beginning Tuesday, April 7, Katie Scarvey and Jesse McCartney will lead a discussion of selected stories from Faith Stories: Short Fiction on the Varieties and Vagaries of Faith, ed. by C. Michael Curtis (Houghton Mifflin: Boston, 2003).

The discussion group will meet at 6:30 p.m. for six consecutive Tuesdays in the Christian Forum class room of First United Methodist Church.   Enter the building through the entrance under the portico beneath the steeple on Church Street.

The informal discussions will focus on issues of spirituality and faith in short works of secular fiction.  The discussions are open to church members as well as non-members.  You are invited to participate and to bring a friend.

Texts may be ordered through local bookstores or on-line sources; a limited number of texts will be available at the first meeting on April 7.

Please notify Jesse (jessefmccartney@gmail.com) if you have an interest in attending so that we may plan appropriately, especially if you wish to reserve a used copy of the text.

 

Bass player Bernard Harris at The Inn   

by Bob Wingate

Most bassists function strictly as background players, using their instrument to keep rhythm and beat. Bernard Harris takes the bass guitar to an entirely different level, using it to create melody, and in the process, praising God with his marvelous talents.

When left-handed Harris first began to play, he learned upside down on a right-handed bass, and after discovering he was playing incorrectly, rather than starting over, decided to continue with this uniquely different playing style.   And so he plays upside down, even to this day.

Harris has toured internationally through Europe and Australia, and performed with other artists such as Aaron Neville, Amy Grant, Phil Keaggy, and Tommy Emmanuel.   In the fall of 2014, he joined forces with popular artists Mandisa and TobyMac for a tour across America.  In the last six months, he performed with Mandisa on Good Morning America and was a part of her Grammy award-winning album Overcomer.  He also contributed to the movie soundtrack for the 2006 film “Madea’s Family Reunion” with actor/director Tyler Perry.

Harris enjoys playing in an intimate and personal environment, and this will be truer than ever this coming Saturday, April 4 when he comes to Salisbury to play with his Jam Band at The Inn, a musical venue on Mooresville Road, just off of Jake Alexander Blvd.   Billed as a “full band jam session”, he will bring a group of Nashville session musicians with him, along with bandmates Marvin Mumford (guitar) and Charles Walker (sax).

Bernard Harris and Friends Jam Session Celebration will be on Saturday, April 4, show starts at 7 p.m.  Doors open at 6 p.m. Admission is $10 at the door.

 

Union Grove Old Time Fiddlers Convention

UNION GROVE — The best in Bluegrass and Old Time music will be showcased at VanHoy Farms, one of the premier venues in the South, on Friday and Saturday April 3and 4h in Union Grove. More than $11,000 dollars will be given away in prize money to the best bands and individuals in Bluegrass and Old Time music categories.

All bands will compete two songs on Friday night and two songs on Saturday night for a total of four songs, with best score used in determining winners.

All competition will be held under roof in the H.P. VanHoy Arena with seating for 10,000 people.

The event continues the tradition that began in 1924. Food vendors will be on site during the event. A general store will be open during the convention and will be selling camping supplies, food/water and ice.  VanHoy Farms Family Campground offers over 100 rolling peaceful acres of land with full camping facilities and amenities. Sites are grassy with shady trees nearby. VanHoy Farms is a full service Campground and can accommodate everyone, from full hookups to primitive tent sites.

Competition schedule:

Friday 9 a.m.-6 p.m.: Onsite registration.

6 p.m.–until. Competition for all individual categories in order by category: mandolin, electric bass, dulcimer, bluegrass banjo, old time fiddle, bands.

Saturday

9 a.m.-1 p.m. Onsite registration.

10 a.m.-5 p.m. Competition for all individual categories (except dance), in order by category: Youths, guitar, dobro, male and female vocal, autoharp, acoustic bass, harmonica, old time banjo, bluegrass fiddle.

5 p.m. Dance competition.

6 p.m. Senior old time and bluegrass Band Competition.

around 10 p.m. Presentation of awards.

There is no registration fee. Contestants must purchase ticket of admission. Full refunds will be given to all who compete (except in dance).

Advance registration is encouraged by website, phone, mail or email.

VanHoy Farms Family Campground is located at 742 Jericho Road in Harmony, Iredell County, 12 miles north of Statesville.

Admission: Friday $10, Saturday $15.

For more information:  704-539-5493 or www.vanhoyfarms.com

 

‘The Forgiven’ was filmed in Burke County 

KANNAPOLIS — Justin “Jay” Turner, owner of Pinewood Productions, recently released the faith-based film “The Forgiven,” which is set for a special release for just one night at the Gem Theatre on Thursday , April 16t at 7p.m.

“The Forgiven” was filmed in Burke County using many local actors and resources showcases much of the talent and scenery that western North Carolina has to offer.

Most scenes were filmed in various parts of the county, including Lake James, Marquee Cinemas, the campus of Western Piedmont Community College, Baker’s Automotive in Drexel, First United Methodist Church, downtown Morganton and several private residences

See www.theforgivenmovie.com for details.

 

Margaret Maron to its annual spring luncheon 

MISENHEIMER — Pfeiffer University Friends of the Library welcomes North Carolina author Margaret Maron to its annual spring luncheon. Ms. Maron will discuss her latest book, Designated Daughters, on Tuesday, April 14, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. on the Misenheimer campus in the Stokes Student Center, 48380 U.S. Hwy 52N.

Reservations and tickets ($30 for non-members) are required for the luncheon and discussion. For reservations, call 704-463-3035 or email advance@pfeiffer.edu by April 7.

 

Fort Dobbs hosts French and Indian War re-enactment

STATESVILLE — Fort Dobbs State Historic Site will offer a glimpse of life from 250 years ago on April 18-19, back to when North Carolina found itself engaged in a global struggle for empire between England and France which included dozens of American Indian tribes, such as the Cherokee.

The event will allow visitors to meet soldiers, American Indians and civilians from the 18th Century through encampments, trades demonstrations and battle reenactments.

The programs will run 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday with highlighted activities throughout each day, including a battle re-enactment at 2 p.m. Saturday and 1:30 p.m. Sunday.  Admission is $3 per person including sales tax.  Children under 5 years old are free.

For more information call 704-873-5882 or visit www.fortdobbs.org.

 

Henderson guitar contest opens

Registration is open in April for guitarists who wish to compete at the 21st annual Wayne C. Henderson Music Festival and Guitar Competition at Grayson Highlands State Park. The winner will walk away with a handmade Henderson guitar.

Applications must be received between April 1 and May 1. The entry form and info is available at www.waynehenderson.org

Other prizes are second place, $250; third, $150, fourth, $100; and fifth, $75. All guitarists receive free passes to the festival.

The family-friendly festival will be Saturday, June 20, rain or shine, at Grayson Highlands State Park in Mouth of Wilson, Virginia. Performing will be the Krüger Brothers, Emi Sunshine, the April Verch Band, Wayne Henderson and Friends and others. Free children’s events and music are on the schedule, too. Admission is $20, and children 12 and younger get in free. Parking is $5.

Since the festival began in 1995, more than $116,000 has been awarded to aid young, local, traditional musicians in continuing their music exploration and education. Find event details at www.waynehenderson.org

 

Paintings from NC museum of art at Concord gallery

CONCORD — Fourteen paintings from the North Carolina Museum of Art that were last on public display during the Nixon administration are going to be on exhibition at the Concord Museum March 27-July 14.

The Art Collection of Robert F. Phifer includes 19th and early 20th century paintings collected by the Concord native who used his success as a prosperous planter and cotton buyer to fuel his passion for art. In the early 20th century, he had one of the most comprehensive art collections in the world. With his passing, Phifer became the first major benefactor of the North Carolina Museum of Art.

The fifth of seven children born to Caleb and Mary Phifer, Robert Phifer grew up on North Union Street in a house on the present site of First Presbyterian Church. He entered Davidson College before his 15th birthday, but left before graduation. By the time he was in his early 30s, he had accumulated a substantial fortune and left the business world to move to New York and become an artist and collector. He became an active member of New York’s legendary Salmagundi Club, a men’s society of artists and art enthusiasts. Over the years he acquired many works by Salmagundi members for his own personal collection. He also traveled and studied art all over the world. He never married and is buried in First Presbyterian Church’s Memorial Garden on Spring Street.

Museum hours are Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. For more information, call Historic Cabarrus at 704-920-2465 or visit www.historiccabarrus.com

 

Inaugural Longleaf Film Festival

RALEIGH — The N.C. Museum of History announces its inaugural Longleaf Film Festival on Saturday, May 2 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. See winning entries in romance, drama, comedy, and documentaries selected from 170 entries from 25 countries. More than 30 films will be shown on three screens throughout the museum. Attend the awards presentation at 7 p.m. Admission is free and seating is first come, first seated.

Meet independent filmmakers and actors associated with the winning entries. The films will be screened in two-hour blocks, with time in each block for Q&A sessions with filmmakers and actors.

The Longleaf Film Festival is presented in conjunction with the museum’s blockbuster exhibit Starring North Carolina!, which highlights the state’s 100-year history in the film industry.

For more details, go to LongleafFilmFestival.com, call 919-807-7900 or access www.ncmuseumofhistory.org

The N.C. Museum of History is located at 5 E. Edenton Street in downtown Raleigh.

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