The Fine Frame Gallery, 105 S. Main St. will hold a reception at 5:30 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 19, for the unveiling of artist Robert Toth’s latest sculpture.
The sculpture is Amelia Earhart, the subject of a movie (starring Hilary Swank) currently in theatres.
For more information, call 704-647-0340.
Finding happiness
A free seminar, “Finding Your Inner Winner” will be held at Looking Glass Artist Collective, 405 N. Lee St., 10 a.m.-noon on Saturday, Nov. 14.
The session will explore the way to achieve happiness and self-actualization, even during the current challenging economic times.
Leading the session will be Dr. Saleef Kafajouffe, a professional with a diversity of experiences within higher education and corporate America. He has also managed major projects within the fields of art, recreation and tourism.
“Dr. K,” as he is called by students and colleagues alike, received his PhD. from Michigan State University, with a concentration of credits in counseling and educational psychology. He is a visual artist and drummer who has exhibited, performed and taught frequently since relocating to Rowan County this year.
He is currently CEO of the company he founded, Human Relations Renaissance Inc. He is a former vice president for diversity and dean of Olivet College where he was awarded the Riethmiller Award, “Excellence in Teaching” voted by faculty/students in 1999 and 2001.
For more information, contact Dr. Kafajouffe at 517-420-0137 or dr_kafajouffe@yahoo.com. PPT auditions
Piedmont Players Theatre announces open auditions for “Sweet Bird of Youth” by Tennessee Williams on Nov. 16 and 17 at 7 p.m. on the third floor of the Meroney Theater, 213 S. Main St. There will be a cold reading from the script. Newcomers are welcome.
Rehearsals typically run Monday through Friday from 7-10 p.m. Show dates are Jan. 21-24 and 27-30.
Producing Partner is Wachovia Bank.
For more information call 704-633-5471 or visit www.piedmontplayers.com.
YMCA events
The JF Hurley Family YMCA, 828 Jake Alexander Blvd. announces the following trips and events:
– Trip to Southern Christmas Show, Nov. 17, departing 9 a.m. $25 for ticket and transportation.
– Shopping at Concord Mills Nov. 24, departing 9 a.m. $20.
– Annual Holidayfest ó 8 a.m.-2 p.m., Dec. 2. Crafts, vendors, baked homemade items, jewelry.
– Traveling to The Christmas Tree Farm in Boone. Dec. 8. $25.
Seats are still available for upcoming trips to these shows in Charlotte: “Wicked” and “Mary Poppins.”
Call Barbara Franklin for more information, 704-636-0111.
‘Sing for Sister’
CHARLOTTE ó The show “Sister’s Christmas Catechism is holding a special “Sing for Sister” contest, looking for choirs comprised of four or more people who can sing and want to be part of the holiday show.
Visit www.youtube.com/ncbpac and upload a video of your group singing before Friday, Nov. 27 at noon. The groups that are chosen will be given complimentary tickets and will take part in a performance of the show.
The show will run Dec. 1-20 in Booth Playhouse at Charlotte’s Blumenthal Performing Arts Center.
Winning groups will be emailed specific instructions well in advance to the show date.
For more details, contact Mary Katherine Durr at mkdurr@ncbpac.org.
Carnegie Hall trip
Livingstone College vocal professor Teresa Moore-Mitchell will be returning for a third time to perform in New York’s Carnegie Hall, and Davaughn Miller, director, Joanne Harrison, accompanist, and The Livingstone College Concert Choir will make their debut on the same trip.
The public is invited to attend the Carnegie Hall performance and to see New York with a tour package offered by CAB Tours.
The tour will depart on April 24 and return on April 27. Pick up locations and times will be scheduled for Salisbury, Richmond and Washington, DC.
Included in the price are Sunday morning breakfast at the legendary Sylvia’s of Harlem, a guided tour of Harlem, trip to the Statue of Liberty and opportunities to shop.
The package includes three nights’ accommodations (breakfast on Monday and Tuesday morning included) at the Doubletree-Club Suites Hotel in Jersey City, N.J.
For more information, contact Craig Bell at 704-293-6819 (reference Package #01001).
Arts Council selects new director
Anne Cave, a resident of Salisbury since 2001, has been named the new executive director of the Rowan Arts Council to replace Marietta Smith, who retired this year.
Cave graduated with a bachelors degree in Music Education from George Peabody College of Vanderbilt University. In 2008, she received her Masters degree in music from The University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She taught public school music for several years.
She currently performs a pianist and vocalist with the Salisbury Swing Band and provides guitar and vocals with The Polka Dots Band. She sings in choirs at St. Luke’s, and has been involved in theatrical productions with Lee Street Theatre, Piedmont Players, and St. Thomas Players. She studies life drawing at Waterworks.
Until recently, Cave was president of the board of directors of the Rowan Arts Council, and says she firmly believes in the importance of volunteerism in the community.
At the time of Cave’s appointment to executive director, the board elected Bruce Wilson, owner of Fine Frame Gallery, as president to replace her on the board, and J.R. Dunkley, retired local business executive, as vice president. Still serving as secretary is Lee Toth, local artist. Ed Hull, former executive and community leader from Westchester County, N.Y., remains as treasurer.
Also serving on the board are Kimberly Etters, Brenda Gariepy, Shirl Hull, Don Moore, Barbara Richmond, Anne Waters and Joan Zimmerman.
The Rowan Arts Council office is at 413 N. Lee St.
Information about membership and volunteer activities can be found at www.rowanarts.org.
Flash Mob Dance at Birkdale Village
HUNTERSVILLE óBirkdale Village will host the first-ever flash mob dance during the center’s annual tree-lighting event at 4:30 p.m. this Saturday. The event is inspired by Oprah’s 24th season kickoff party, which drew in 21,000 people to perform a surprise coordinated dance. Efforts to generate participation were done through social media avenues including Facebook, Twitterand YouTube. The response has been overwhelming and the performance is on track to be the biggest flash mob to ever take place in North Carolina.
A choreographer has developed a simple routine to the song “I Gotta Feeling” by the Black Eyed Peas, which has been posted on various social media sites such as YouTube. People interested in participating can learn the dance by watching the videos online. Birkdale Village Shopping Center is located at 8712 Lindholm Drive in Huntersville.