Martin Sexton Live at Lee Street Theatre

by Glen Hudson for LST

Singer-songwriter Martin Sexton will perform Live at Lee Street theatre, Sunday, May 17, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets for this special show are $29 plus tax for the first five rows; and $24 plus tax for all other rows. Doors open at 7 p.m., and music begins at 8 p.m.

Sexton is touring to promote his latest album, Mix Tape of the Open Road. The work features Sexton performing several genres of music as he explores his life as a traveling performer. Mix Tape is the 11th release in a career that began with Sexton busking in Harvard Square in Cambridge, Mass. in 1971.

“I like to make records in the school of the Beatles’ White Album, where it ranges from a solo-acoustic Black Bird to a thrashing Helter Skelter,” said Sexton, from Syracuse, N.Y. “This keeps me, and hopefully the listener, interested. It’s like a cross-country drive with different experiences around every turn.

“I’ve learned that going the extra mile or two out of my way for food or beautiful view or whatever is worth the time,” said Sexton. “As a result, I know all the best places to eat around North America. And more importantly, I’ve learned people are people wherever you go. We all have the same needs and desires whether we are rich or poor, old or young, gay or straight, or whatever.  This all makes it into my songs.”

Sexton has garnered critical acclaim from Rolling Stone, the Los Angeles Times, and National Public Radio. And television programs such as ABC’s Scrubs, NBC’s Parenthood, and Showtime’s Brotherhood have featured his music as well. Moreover, Sexton has collaborated with several artists, including John Mayer and Peter Frampton.

But Sexton’s show at Lee Street theatre is a solo acoustic performance. And that is special.

“The beauty of being solo is that the audience participates even more and becomes invested in the show,” he said. “I am blessed with a fan base that seems to have an especially personal connection to the songs. So a set list is usually not used as I let the crowd drive the selection of the songs.”

Tickets can be purchased at the Lee Street Theatre, 329 N. Lee St., at www.leestreet.org/tickets or 704-310-5507.

 

Piedmont Choral Society spring concerts 

CONCORD/KANNAPOLIS — Piedmont Choral Society presents its spring concerts on Friday, May 15 at 7 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 201 Vance St., Kannapolis and on Sunday, May 17 at 3 p.m. at Forest Hill UMC, 265 Union St. North, Concord.

The concerts feature contemporary composer Rene Clausen’s “A New Creation” with orchestra.

For more information call 704-699-6053 or email kayy2000@gmail.com

 

‘Music of Broadway, the Cinema and Other Delights’ 

CONCORD — The Piedmont Prime Time Community Band will present its final concert of the season on Saturday, May 16, at 7 p.m. at McGill Baptist Church, 5300 Poplar Tent Road.

“Music of Broadway, the Cinema and Other Delights” will feature music of George Gershwin, Leonard Bernstein, Cole Porter, John Williams and others. A unusual highlight will be a drum/fife duet of local band directors, Andrew Blair and Molly Underwood. The organization is under the direction of Dr Laurence Marks and Mr. Charles Emerich.

There is a $5 admission charge and children under 13 and adults over 65 get in free.

 

Lights of Love luminaria display 

On Friday evening from dusk until 9:30 p.m., the Lights of Love Luminaria will display around City Lake on Club Drive. Luminaria are placed in honor and in memory of loved ones, pets or people.

Proceeds from this annual fundraiser are used toward veterinary expenses for sick or injured stray and abandoned animals acquired by the Humane Society of Rowan County, a non-profit volunteer organization.

For more information call 704-608-2197.

 

Lunchtime music in Kannapolis today 

KANNAPOLIS —As part of the Kannapolis Summer Entertainment Thursdays on Main series, the Chris Marks Band will give a free performance today from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. under the oak trees. Lunch is available or bring your own.

See the complete schedule at www.kannapolisnc.gov

 

’50s Day at the W. Innes Dairy Queen

From 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday, May 16, dig out your poodle skirt and slick back your pompadour for a day and night of curb service, old cars and local artist Betty Sedberry in this annual event at the Dairy Queen at 1004 W. Innes. For details, call 704-798-4456.

 

Union Street Live concert and block party

CONCORD — From 6 to 9 p.m. on the third Thursday of each summer month starting next week, downtown Concord hosts a free concert on Means Avenue and a Block Party with outdoor dining and games on Union Street.

The Tams will kick off the summer concert series May 21 at 6 p.m. Bring a chair. See www.concorddowntown.com for more details.

 

Tonight: The NASCAR Haulers parade 

CONCORD — See the haulers of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series teams.

En route to Charlotte Motor Speedway to load in for the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race, the drivers will transport the race cars down Union Street in downtown Concord – arrival time is expected around 5:45 p.m. tonight.

Come out and line the streets to welcome the teams to Charlotte. But that’s not all, the day is full of activities: prior to the parade, stop by Ride Now in Concord to enjoy a Fan Fest and the staging location for the haulers. Grab a free t-shirt and get autographs. Fan Fest will take place from 1 to 4:30 p.m. Then head downtown for the Vietnam Veterans Commemorative Program at 5 p.m. and following the hauler parade, enjoy the sounds of Route 66.

Details, schedule and map at http://600festival.com/haulers-on-union

 

RPL Summer Reading for kids kicks off 

This summer, Rowan Public Library invites kids to join the library for a fun-filled season of exciting programs and great books with our “Every Hero Has a Story” reading program.

Registration opens on Monday, May 18 at all library locations for children age 12 months to rising fifth-graders. Reading Hours may be tracked Monday, June 10 through August 8. Prizes are awarded when children read 1, 5, 10, 15 and 20 hours. Children who read 20 hours receive a special certificate and are entered in the 20-Hour Reader Raffle to be held August 10th. Door prizes are raffled at the weekly school-aged programs.

For more information, visit www.rowanpubliclibrary.org or call your closest RPL location — Headquarters, 704-216-8234; South Rowan Regional, 704-216-7728; East Branch, 704-216-7842.

 

Youth auditions for PPT’s musical ‘Disney’s Tarzan’ 

Monday and Tuesday at 4 and 5 p.m.  Only 25 spots per time slot. Auditions by appointment only. Call 704-633-5471 to sign up. Norvell Theater, 135 E. Fisher St.   www.PiedmontPlayers.com

 

Gold Hill Bike Ride

GOLD HILL — The Gold Hill Historic Preservation Society will host the Group Gold Hill Bike Ride on Saturday, May 23 with registration beginning at the E. H. Montgomery General Store at 7:30 a.m. on the morning of the ride. Group Gold Hill is a team of cycling enthusiasts from the surrounding Gold Hill community.

This year’s ride, the 16th, will take the longest route mapped by the group to date. There are three rides, a 25K, 50K and 100K. The 100K travels to Silver Valley in eastern Davidson County, site of one of the largest silver mines in the state during the 19th century.) The full map and ride description will be available on the morning of the ride. Registration is $25 per person which includes breakfast and lunch.

For more information contact Arlene Kessler at 704-724-4998 or check the visit www.historicgoldhill.com

 

From so-so pic to fab watercolor painting

Rail Walk Studios & Gallery hosts a three-day workshop June 22 through 24 titled “Making a Special Watercolor Painting from a Just Okay Photo” with instructor Marietta Smith.

The cost is $150 and the class size is limited to 8. Contact Marietta at 704-431-8964 or email mariettafsmith@gmail.com

The class will be held at at Rail Walk Studios & Gallery on N. Lee Street.

 

Antique Truck Society Show 

SPENCER — The Lester J. Brown Memorial Antique Truck Historical Society Show will be held Saturday at the NC Transportation Museum, 411 S. Salisbury Ave. This annual show is hosted by the Piedmont Chapter of the Antique Truck Historical Society and features trucks of all makes and models at least 25 years old.

Visitors may also visit the museum exhibits and take the on-site, narrated, 25 minute train ride for a “from the rails” view of this state historic site, the former Spencer Shops steam locomotive repair facility. Regular museum admission applies.

Call 704-636-2889 or visit www.nctrans.org

 

Kickball game for charity 

The Dancing Phalangies will host its third annual kickball game for charity, as a part of the Jeff Gordon’s Kick-it for Cancer campaign, on Saturday May 16 at Ellis Park. The game will last from 3 until 7 p.m. and is a family friendly community-wide event and sure to be a lot of fun. Proceeds will be going directly to Levine’s Children’s Hospital in Charlotte. “We would like to invite everyone to come out and play a fun game with us for a great cause,” said Kimberly Reavis, co-founder.

The Dancing Phalangies was started in 2012 by a group of like-minded individuals united in the common goal of building up the community.

 

Old Salem Festival and Pottery Fair 

WINSTON-SALEM — Old Salem will host its annual Spring Festival, this year titled “Celebrating Freedom,” on Saturday, May 16 from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. throughout the Historic District. The day will be full of activities for all ages and promises to be an educational and fun event for the whole family. The Spring Festival is a ticketed event and all Spring Festival activities are included with All-in-One tickets, which are $23 for adults and $11 for children.

Purchase tickets at oldsalem.org or at the Visitor Center (900 Old Salem Road). For more information, call 336-721-7300

 

Call for sculptors

LENOIR — The 30th annual Lenoir Sculpture Celebration will be held Sept. 12. Sculptors may bring up to three sculptures for the one-day competition for $11,000 in cash awards. No commission in event of sales. Early registration discounts are available. Contact the Caldwell Arts Council, 828-754-2486, info@caldwellarts.com, or visit www.caldwellarts.com. Caldwell Arts Council is located at 601 College Ave. SW.

 

18th Annual Pickin’ in the Park

PLEASANT GARDEN — High Lonesome Strings presents the 18th annual Pickin’ in the Park on Saturday, May 16 (rain date Sunday, May 17) from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Hagan-Stone Park’s Clyde Davis Memorial Stage at 5920 Hagan-Stone Park Road in Pleasant Garden, which is about an huor from salisbury, in Guilford County.

The schedule includes free workshops by The Jeanette Williams Band on banjo/dobro/fiddle/harmony singing at 10 a.m. and on guitar / mandolin at 10:30 a.m. and on children’s story telling at 1 p.m.

Bands on the Main Stage include Sweetwater at 11 a.m.; Southern Gentlemen at 11:50; The Jeanette Williams Band at 12:40 p.m.; The Twisted Grass Entourage at 1:40; The Edwards Family Band at 2:30; Southern Magnolia at 3:20; Fret High at 4:10 and The Jeanette Williams Band at 5 p.m.