Arts & Entertainment news April 23-29

Published 12:00 am Thursday, April 23, 2015

Jim Armstrong, researcher and expert on North Carolina’s longest unsolved mystery, will present “The Lost Colony Discovered” on Thursday, April 30 at 6 p.m. at Rowan Public Library, 201 W. Fisher St.

Over the past 428 years, anthropologists and archaeologists have developed many theories about what might have happened to the 116 brave souls who made up what is now known as the Lost Colony, the first English settlement on the shores of Hatteras Island in North Carolina.

Scholars and historians have carefully studied maps, letters and writings, but no bones have been found, no coffins surfaced, no grave sites discovered.

Historian and author Jim Armstrong, a native of High Point, has extensively researched The Lost Colony and developed his theory based on research data, both factual and speculative. Armstrong will explain the difference, and the outcome may be surprising.

This program is presented by the Friends of Rowan Public Library.  Enter the auditorium at the corner of Fisher and Church Streets near the Historic Henderson Law Office. For more information visit www.rowanpubliclibrary.org or call 704-216-8240.

Connor Lambert  at Trading Ford’s jam 

“Picking for the Master,” hosted by Trading Ford Baptist Church,  starts at 7 p.m. Friday. Connor Lambert and the BlueGrass Church Band from Troutman play the opening set.  All pickers are invited to then join in for a jam session. Concessions will be available and doors will open at 6 p.m.  There is no admission charge, but the hat will be passed to help bring in more talent from the surrounding area. “Picking for the Master” is the last Friday night of each month at Trading Ford Baptist Church.  Call 704-633-5986 for details.

13th Hickory Hops beer festival

HICKORY —  1-7 p.m. Saturday, April 25 at Olde Hickory Station, 232 Government Ave. SW., Downtown Hickory. Live music by the Baby Black Orchestra, rain or shine. Come celebrate North Carolina’s craft beer industry. Tickets $30 at www.hickoryhops.com or $40 at the gate. For age 21 +

PPT offers reception and value night

Tonight is opening night for PPT’s award-winning comedy “One Man, Two Guvnors,” and guests are invited to meet the cast at a complimentary reception immediately following the opening performance.

Wednesday, April 29 is Value Night, when all tickets are only $10.

Show dates and times are 7:30 p.m. April  23-25, 29-30 and May 1-2; matinee April 26 at 2:30 p.m. Adult tickets are $15, seniors/students $12 at 704-633-5471 or PiedmontPlayers.com.

The Meroney Theater is at 213 S. Main St.

Sniff ‘n Snag event is rescheduled for this Saturday

The Sniff ‘n Snag egg hunt for your fur-kids is rescheduled to this Saturday. Registration is from 11-11:30 a.m. at Faithful Friends, 220 Grace Church Road. Egg hunt starts 11:30 a.m. and registration is $10 per dog.

Call 704-633-1722, email frontdesk@faithfulfriendsnc.com or visit www.FaithfulFriendsNC.org

Mean Mug hosts more entertainment

A new night of entertainment fun starts this Friday. Mean Mug Coffee Company kicks off Java Jam Open Mic, a night of acoustic music, with host Blazin’ Blues Bob Paolino from 7 to 10 p.m. This will be a free event every Friday night.

Interested musicians may sign  up between 6 and  7 p.m. each Friday.  Musicians will be assigned a time slot to perform a 3-4 song set (approx. 20 minutes) on a first come, first served basis. Salisbury favorite Mary Gillespie will be stepping up to the mic as one of the inaugural performers.

Mean Mug is beside Mambo Grill on South Fulton Street. Find them on Facebook.

Fun on the Farm day and spring auction

The Rockwell Lions Club and Erwin Middle School’s Alpha Leo Club are hosting the inaugural Spring Auction and Fun on the Farm Day on Saturday at Happy’s Farm.

The children’s activity pass is $5 and includes  a horse ride,  unlimited play in the jail arcade, unlimited play on the western-themed playground, inflatable bounce house, games with prizes and free Cheerwine (while it lasts).

Concessions will be availiable.

Proceeds will be used for eye exams and eyeglasses for visually impaired adults and children in our communtiy. Funds will also be used to help suport the rescue animals at Happy’s Farm.

Happy’s Farm is located at 985 Parks Road in Salisbury.

Registration is at 9 a.m. and activities and the auction begin at 10 a.m. The auction is supplemented by the East Rowan Chapter iof Thriven Financial.

In case of bad weather the rain date is May 2.

Tim Clark band 

GOLD HILL — The Tim Clark Band will be playing the best in beach music at Morgan Ridge Vineyards on Saturday from 5 to 8 p.m. $15 advance tickets include a glass of wine or beer with valid ID.

Visit www.morganridgevineyards.com for ticket info.  Cash only day of event.  Food is available 5 to 7 pm.  Lawn chairs welcome, outside coolers prohibited. Call 7040639-0911 for more information.

Bluegrass jam at Cotton Eyed Joe’s 

Cotton Eyed Joe’s, located inside The Hot Rod Barn at 807 Yost Road (just off Webb Road) hosts a bluegrass, gospel and country music jam session on Saturdays.

Gates open at 6:30 p.m. Saturdays and the music goes from 7 to 9 p.m.

Seniors are welcome to this alcohol-free, bad language-free and smoke free environment.

Call 704-239-6952 for details.

PPT’s  youth musical audition workshop for ‘Disney’s Tarzan’

The Piedmont Players Theater youth workshop for “Tarzan” will be from  9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 9, This class focuses on preparing students to audition and is specifically geared toward PPT’s upcoming production.  Skills developed will be in dance, singing, and acting.  If your child has ever wanted to audition but just didn’t know how, has auditioned many times and just can’t seem to get that role, or just wants to fine tune their audition skills, this workshop is for you!

Instructor:  Gwen Matthews. Location:  Meroney Theater, 213 S. Main St. For elementary through high school ages. Cost: $40. Only 25 spots available. Call 704-633-5471 to sign up.

“Conversations from the Porch” third session 

Project Cover, a non-profit organization, will host the third in its series of Conversations from the Porch on Tuesday, April 28.  The conversations will center on Community and Community Organizations and the resources that are available through them. Confirmed panelists are Rufty-Holmes Senior Center, Community Care Clinic of Rowan, Rowan Concerned Citizens, Habitat for Humanity- Rowan County.

Forum 3 will be held at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 200 W. Innes St., 6-8 p.m. Light refreshments will be served.

Conversations from the Porch is a community outreach program dedicated to encouraging the inclusion of our diverse community regarding decision making processes while encouraging all to experience the power of talking to gain knowledge.

For more info call 704-782-0072 weekdays or email deelady01@gmail.com

Eagle Coin Club show 

LEXINGTON — The Eagle Coin Club of Lexington will host its annual coin show Saturday, April 25 at the J. Smith Young YMCA, 119 W. 3rd Ave., downtown, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. There is no admission charge for the coin show, and parking at the YMCA is free. Visitors may buy, sell or trade coins, paper money, tokens, medals, gold, silver and similar items. Free appraisals will be available from dealers. The Eagle Coin Club is one of the oldest in the state. For more information, contact president Leon Little at 336-596-3986.

‘One of the world’s best air shows’ at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base

GOLDSBORO —  “This air show and open house will be one of the largest and most thrilling events North Carolina will experience in 2015,” says Colonel Mark Slocum, 4th Fighter Wing Commander, extending a public invitation to the Wings Over Wayne Air Show in Goldsboro, May 16 and 17. Admission to the air show and ground displays is free.

Air show dates are May 16 and 17. Gates open at 8 a.m. and close at 6:30 p.m. each day. Admission and parking are free. Kids’ Zone day passes are $5. Seymour Johnson AFB is located in Goldsboro.

New date for LSt’s 2015 Beach Blast

Spring is here and summer is on its way. Join the evening of food, friends and fun benefiting Lee Street theatre. Hang out on the patio with friends or shimmy on the dance floor to all kinds of music! The date is Friday, June 5 and the time is 6:30 p.m. until.

Tickets are $40 in advance or $50 at the door. For presale tickets, call 704-310-5507.

First ever Graffiti Jam is Saturday

CHARLOTTE — Vibrant street art will come to life at the inaugural Graffiti Jam, a free outdoor event taking place at Spirit Square in Uptown (345 N. College Street) on Saturdayfrom noon to 2 p.m. See live graffiti art demonstrations, dance cyphers, live deejays and more. People of all ages are invited to try their hand or just enjoy watching local graffiti artists as they paint canvases. www.BlumenthalArts.org/edge

A collaborative musical rendezvous

A collaborative choral event between Rowan-Cabarrus Community College Chorus and East Rowan High School Honors Chorus will be held on Wednesday, April 29, at 7 p.m. in the RCCC North Campus Auditorium.

The concert is to help promote awareness of the choral program offered at RCCC and to promote opportunities in the arts offered in Rowan County.

Planning for the event began last fall when several East Rowan graduates, Caroline Simyon (RCCC choral director and music instructor) and East choral director Dean Orbison agreed it would be a great way to promote both music departments and the arts in Rowan.

Each choir will sing separately and then combine for several pieces. The concert is free and open to the public.

St. Paul’s Lutheran’s annual Cruise ’n BBQ 

The 5th annual Cruise ’n Barbecue Classic Car – Street Rod- Motorcycle event is Saturday, rain or shine. This year the St. Paul’s event benefits two who are battling cancer, Louise Harkey and Pam Peeler.

Schedule of events:

9 a.m.–noon: Poker Cruise: registration at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 205 St. Paul’s Church Road, begins at 9 a.m.

Noon-4 p.m.: Cruise-in, car show, music, port-a-pit chicken. Judges to award first, second, third place trophies; raffles and trivia prizes; special this year: “Kids Favorite” award.

3 p.m.: Awards and raffle drawings. Door prizes throughout the afternoon.

11 a.m.–2 p.m.: Red Cross bone marrow screening to honor Chloe Monroe

Again this year: “Worry-free Weather Guarantee:” Classic/show and collector cars and bikes may pre-register with no weather worries.

See www.facebook.com/stpaulscruisenbarbecue

Grandfather Mountain launches online ticket sales

LINVILLE — Grandfather Mountain visitors can now purchase tickets online at tickets.grandfather.com for regular adult, senior (60+) or child tickets. Online ticket prices are identical to tickets sold at the entrance gate. The tickets can be used for regular park admission on any date and are valid for one year from the date of purchase. Proceeds from admission tickets benefit the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation. For more information, call 800-468-7325 or visit www.grandfather.com to plan a trip.