Tonight: Opening reception at Salisbury Business Center — 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 8: Public invited to RCCC’s Fine Arts Department student exhibit “Ordinary to Extraordinary.” Exhibit open Dec. 1-Feb. 28. At 301 South Main St., 704- 209-4589, www.salisburybusiness center.com

Theater

Old Courthouse Theatre presents ‘A Broadway Christmas Carol’ — Dec. 9-10, 16-17 at 8 p.m. and Dec.  11, 18 at 2:30 p.m. Cross between classic Dickens’ tale and uproarious song parodies of favorite Broadway show tunes. Tickets at www.oldcourthousetheatre.org or 704-788-2405. Old Courthouse Theater, 49 Spring St. NW

Lee Street theatre presents ‘10 Minutes till Christmas: 9th Annual New Play Festival’ — 7:30 p.m. Dec. 7-10: Lee Street Theatre, 329 N. Lee St. www.leestreet.org or 704-310-5507.

Opening Night for PPT’s ‘Elf: The Musical’ — Tonight at 7:30 p.m.  Join the cast for a complimentary reception immediately following tonight’s show. Show dates Dec. 8-10 and 15-17 at 7:30 p.m., Dec. 10, 11 and 17 at 2:30 p.m. Adults $12, seniors/students $10. Norvell Theater, 135 E. Fisher St., 704-633-5471, www.PiedmontPlayers.com

Carson High School presents ‘White Christmas The Musical’ — Dec. 15-18: 120-student production as well as four elementary school choirs. for ticket information call Carson High School, 290 Kess Venture Drive, China Grove ,704-855-7297.

‘The Nutcracker’ — Saturday-Sunday, Dec. 17 at 6:30 p.m. and 18 at 2:30 p.m.: Salisbury Symphony Orchestra and Piedmont Dance Theatre, held at Catawba’s Keppel Auditorium. Adults $22-$40, children 17 and under $12 -$22.50. See PiedmontDanceTheatre.com

Piedmont Players Theatre season tickets — piedmontplayers.com or 704-633-5471.

Lee Street theatre season tickets — www.leestreet.org or 704-310-5507.

Old Courthouse Theatre presents ‘Nana’s Naughty Knickers’ — Feb. 9, 10, 11, 17, 18, 24, 25 at 8 p.m. •  Feb. 12, 19, 26 at 2:30 p.m matinee. PG-13. Tickets at www.oldcourthousetheatre.org or box office 704-788-2405. Old Courthouse Theater, 49 Spring St. NW, www.oldcourt housetheatre.org

Music & more 

FirstARTS of FUMC annual Fridays@First Series — Noon on Fridays in December • Dec. 9: Oboist Mark Biggam and pianist Matthew Michael Brown • Dec. 17: Organ recital featuring Jacqueline Yost • All concerts are 30 minutes and are free. First United Methodist Church, 217 S. Church St. , 704- 636-3121.

Josh Sanders at Cauble Creek — 6-10 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 15: Performing at the annual Cauble Creek Vineyard Christmas Party.  $5 cover. 700 Cauble Farm Road, 704-633-1137, www.caublecreekvineyard.com

Lee Street LIVE presents — • Dec. 16: Rowan Big Band • Tickets at Lee Street Theatre, 329 N. Lee St. www.leestreet.org or 704-310-5507.

Watoto Children’s Choir from Uganda East Africa — Two performances in Salisbury of the “Oh What Love” live tour

• 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 16 at North Gate Church, 1255 West Ridge Road, in collaboration with Outreach Christian Ministries (info at 704-754-2709);

• 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17 at Life Church, 708 Jake Alexander Blvd. (info at www.lifechurchnc.com)

The Blumenthal Performing Arts Center — 130 N. Tryon St., Charlotte. Complete listings at 704-372-1000 or www.blumenthalarts.org

Live at Harrah’s Cherokee — • Air Supply, Jan. 13 • Yes, Feb. 3 • Purple Reign The Prince Tribute Show, Feb. 18 • Michael Bolton, Feb. 24 • Ticketmaster.com or 1-800-745-3000. Harrah’s Cherokee Event Center, 777 Casino Drive, Cherokee.

History 

Rowan History Club — 7 p.m. Dec. 8: Show & Share, Free; light refreshments. Rowan Museum Messinger Room, 202 N. Main St., 704-633-5946, www.rowanmuseum.org

Hall House tours — 1-4 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays. Dr. Josephus Hall House, 226 S. Jackson St., 704-636-0103, www.historicsalisbury. org/tours/hall-house-tours

This & That 

NC Rowan County Anime Group — • Charlotte Comic Con: Dec. 11, Concord • Ichiban Con: Dec. 29-Jan. 1: Home convention of the NC Rowan County Anime Group • http:groups. yahoo.com/neo/ groups/ncrowancounty anime/info

Game night at Mean Mug Coffee Co. — 6-9 p.m. Thursday Dec. 8, Dec. 15: Bring your favorite board game. Free. 1024 S. Fulton St., 704-754-4615.

Appreciation event for Mooresville Police Department — 10-11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 9: At Mooresville Visual Arts Depot on Main Street, held in conjunction with American Watercolor Society’s Travel Exhibit on display until Dec. 30. Mooresville Depot Visual Arts Center, 704-663-6661, www.magart.org

Dance at Harold B. Jarrett Post 342 — 7-10 p.m. Friday, Dec. 9 (second Fridays monthly): Live music with the band Night Train. $10 admission includes snacks and drinks. 1024 Lincolnton Road. Call 704-637-1722 for info.

Car, truck and motorcycle Christmas Cruise In — 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Dec. 10:  At Kannapolis Stadium. $5 per car, ladies and kids always free. Swap and show opens 7 a.m. 319 W. 12th St., Kannapolis, 704-267-5664, see Facebook.

Health screenings at the Y — 2 p.m Dec. 13: Pre-register for free health screening at 704-636-0111.

Blood drive

American Red Cross Blood drive at the Y — 11 a.m.–3:30 p.m.,Dec. 20: J.F. Hurley Family YMCA, 828 W. Jake Alexander Blvd., 704-636-0111.

Fundraisers 

Faithful Friends Animal Sanctuary Christmas open house — 11 a.m.-1 p.m.  Dec. 10: Rrefreshments, bring a donation for under the tree, spend time with furry friends in the lobby. List of donation needs at www.faithfulfriendsnc.org/wishlist.

To benefit Meals on Wheels. — 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday: For each $25 purchase a $2 donation will go to MoW at the Forest Glen Holiday Shopping Event Local arts & crafts vendors, local author, food truck.

Tsunami Development Literacy Program third annual holiday mixer — 6 p.m. Dec. 10: At the Rowan Museum. Guest speaker basketball legend Phil Ford. Catered event with heavy hors d’oeuvres, music, silent auction. To enhancing the literacy skills of 3rd-5th graders in Rowan County. Tickets $50. Contact Dr. Yolanda Meade Byrd at 704- 267-8494 or drbyrdlcsw@yahoo.com

Collecting new Christmas toys for needy families — Collection site: The Family Closet 2 Consignment Shop, West End Plaza. Deadline for collection Dec. 10. Sponsored by Doing the Word Bible Ministries, Patricia mcConneaughey, 704-267-9970.

Wine & beer tastings 

Salisbury Wine Shop — 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 9:  Stephanie’s Sparkling Tasting featuring Stephanie Potter.  A selection of six sparkling wines including Cava, Prosecco and Blanc and Rosé Champagnes along with local cheeses and other foods for appetizers.  The tasting will be in vintage Champagne glasses which you keep.  Structured tasting with limited seating.  RSVP.  $20/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 or www.morganridgevineyards.com

Cauble Creek Vineyard and Winery — NC’s 100th Winery. Tasting room Thursday-Saturday 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Sunday 1-6 p.m. $8. 704-633-1137, 700 Cauble Farm Road, see www.caublecreekvineyard.com

Douglas Vineyards — Tasting Room hours: Friday 2-8 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Sunday 1-6 p.m. Wine Tasting $6. 7696 Freeze Road, Kannapolis, 704-939-6260, www.douglasvineyardswines.com or Facebook.

Cougar Run Winery — 704-280-3624. Cougar Run Winery, 363 N. Church St., Concord. www.cougarrunwinery.com/

Mean Mug Coffee Co. — 7:30-9:30 p.m. Dec. 13: Wines paired with tapas-sized dishes on second Tuesdays. $15 per person. 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

Night Life

The Carriage Room, 2141 Statesville Blvd. — Fridays: In-house pool tournament, $5. 704-647-9876, carriageroomnc@facebook.com

CJ’s BBQ, 210 Old Amity Hill Road, Cleveland — 6:30-8 p.m. Friday: Destination Bluegrass. 704-278-4070.

DJs Restaurant, 1502 W. Innes St. — • Tuesdays, Live trivia 8 p.m. • Fridays, deejay 10 p.m. • 704-638-9647, http://djsrestaurant.com

Firewater, 122 Avalon Drive — • 7:30 p.m.-2 a.m. Thursdays: Karaoke with Cherokee • 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Fridays-Saturdays: Live deejay • 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Sundays: Old School Jam, ladies free until 10:30 p.m., $5 cover • Age 25 and over, 704-870-8689, firewateratsalisbury Facebook page.

Go Burrito RumBar, 115 W. Fisher St. across from the mural — • 8 p.m. Mondays: Poker Night • 8 p.m. Tuesdays: Team Trivia • 9 p.m. Wednesdays: Open Mic • 10 p.m. Saturdays: Karaoke • www.facebook.com/GoBurritoRumBar

The Inn, 1012 Mooresville Hwy 150 — 8 p.m. Saturday: Open mic. Free. Refreshments, air hockey, foosball, pool. Contemporary Christian music venue. Musicians invited to jam or schedule their group to perform. 704-213-1467.

Open mic at Mean Mug Coffee Co., 1024 S. Fulton St. — 7-11 p.m. Friday, Dec. 9: Java Jam Open Mic hosted by Uncle Eddie & Robin; Ed “Uncle Eddie” Mahonen on banjo, guitar, dobro, vocals and Robin Mahonen on guitar, vocals. Signup begins 6:30 p.m. 704-754-4615, www.meanmugcoffeeco.com

Hotspot Concert at Mean Mug Coffee Co., 1024 S. Fulton St. — 7-9:30 p.m. Saturday, 7-9:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10: Featuring Tripp Edwards, from rock to folk to country. 704-754-4615, www.meanmugcoffeeco.com

Two big holiday nights at J.C. Price Post 107 — 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Dec. 25 and Dec. 31: Music by DJ Fresh, refreshments,  doorprizes, raffles. $10. Causal dress to impress. Must be 21 with proper ID. Security present. Info at 704-640-1893 or 704-640-0877.

E.H. Montgomery General Store — 7-9 p.m. Fridays: Open acoustic Bluegrass jam. Historic Village of Gold Hill, Facebook, 704-267-9439, www.themontgomerystore.com

Stars and Bars Tavern, 723 Klumac Road — 7 p.m. Tuesdays: Pool tournament. Free pool on Sundays.

Old Stone Vino, 515 S. Main St., Kannapolis — Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays: Live music. 704-938-2337.

The Charlotte Zodiac Dance Club — American Legion, 4235 W. Tyvola Road, Charlotte. Dances on second and fourth Friday. 704-236-0344. www.charlottezodiacdanceclub.com

Festivals

Fourth annual Wine About Winter — Feb. 3: 1st Friday downtown wine tasting crawl event. Must be 21 or over. Tickets $22.50 in advance at www.downtownwsalisburync.com

Classes

Holiday Restorative Yoga class — 11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Dec. 17: Free, but bring 2 non-perishable foods for Rowan Helping Ministries. 120 N. Church St. Studio A. • Meditation classes — 4 p.m. First and third Sundays. Donation only. 120 N. Church St. Studio A. See www.spotlightdancescene.com

Country dance lessons at the Harold B. Jarrett — 6:30-9 p.m. Thursdays: $4 per person. Renee Collins will teach Country Couples Circle Dance, Line Dance, Contra and more. Harold B. Jarrett American Legion Post 342, 1024 Lincolnton Road. 704-450-7446.

Cultivating Peace through  Creative Practice —  10-4:30 p.m. Jan. 7: Intriduction to SoulCollage  cards to nurture intuition and mindfulness. $50, 5 person minimum/12 person maximum. Partial scholarships available, call for more information. Pre-registration required at 704-647-0999. Held at Center for Faith & the Arts, 207 W Harrison St.

PPT’s Youth Theatre Academy — Instructor: Director/ choreographer Gwen Matthews. 16-week curriculum. Jan. 23-March 13, 2017. 704-633-5471 or www.piedmontplayers.com

 

Auditions

St. Thomas Players auditions for ‘The Diary of Anne Frank’ — 7 p.m. Jan. 2-3:  Audition consists  of cold readings from the script. Claudia Galup directs. Show dates Feb. 23-March 4. Held at Lee Street theatre; Scripts are available for check-out at 329 N. Lee St. Info: Jennifer Hubbard at jen4hubbard@aol.com.

Salisbury Swing Band— SSB currently seeking instrumentalists. Auditions are Tuesday evenings at 7 p.m. Contact Jim Grazcyk 704-798-5840 for more information.

Art 

Center for Faith and the Arts, 207 W. Harrison St. — “Made by Loving Hands,” the art and joy of handmade objects featuring the work of the Olde Rowan Fiber Guild. Gallery hours 3-5 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday. 207 W. Harrison St., behind Haven Lutheran Church. www.faithart.org or 704-647-0999.

Fine Frame Gallery, 105 S. Main St. — Displaying gallery artists Ann Bourque, Robert Toth and Phyllis Steimel. Tuesday-Friday 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-3 p.m. 704-647-0340, www.fineframegallery.com

Tatyana Shurtz exhibit at Rail Walk Studios & Gallery, 409-413 N. Lee St. —  6-9 p.m. Dec. 16: Opening reception featuring a virtual reality presentation. Open to the public Thursdays through Saturdays 11 a.m.–4 p.m. 704-431-8964, www.railwalkgallery.com

Sedberry’s Framing & Art Gallery, 324 W. Liberty St. — Artist of the month: Salisbury’s Eric Ward.  704-633-1246.

Waterworks Visual Arts Center — “Personal Geometry” through Feb. 4, 2017: Heather Gordon, Durham; Leslie Smith, Winston-Salem • 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., 704-636-1882, www.waterworks.org

ClearWater Artist Studios — “New Approach” by  Louise Farley. Through Dec. 31. Clearwater Artist Studios, 223 Crowell Dr. NW, Concord, 704-784-9535, www.clearwaterartists.com

Cabarrus Arts Guild — Annual Fall Judged Show of paintings, photography, fiber- and 3-D art. On display through December. Guild Gallery and Gift Shop (lower level), 11 Union St., Concord. 704-795-1901, www.cabarrusartguild.org

Trips 

Community Travelers going to Christmas City: McAdenville — Saturday, Dec. 17: For information and seat reservation contact Brenda Cowan 704-633-9073 or Cathy Alexander 704-636-8900.

Call for vendors

Food and craft vendors for outdoor holiday event — 5-8 p.m. Dec. 17: No setup fee. Also seeking volunteers for live scenes and staging. Contact Melissa Curlee 704-638-6044 at Tilley Harley-Davidson of Salisbury.

 

Call for performers

Concert Choir begins rehearsal season —Practice 7:30 p.m. Mondays: Singing Verdi’s Requiem with the Salisbury Symphony. Rehearsals at St. John’s Lutheran Church choir room.

Gold Hill Bluegrass jam — Acoustic Bluegrass jam. E.H. Montgomery General Store, Gold Hill. 7-9 p.m. Fridays. 704-267-9439. www.themontgomerystore.com

Blumenthal Performing Arts open mic nights — Free event open to performers, selected by lottery. E-mail openmic@ncbpac.org

Call for artists

From Our Hands Holiday Craft Show — Through Dec. 31: Rivers Gallery, Albemarle. You are not required to be on hand. Entry fees $35-65. Commissions go to support Stanley County Arts Guild. Info 704-983-4278. Apply at FallingRiversGallery.com

Ongoing call for sculpture artists — Caldwell Arts Council and City of Lenoir seek sculptors for annual outdoor sculpture sales gallery. Apply at www.caldwellarts.com/245-tuckers-gallery/. Sculptures are placed in the gallery for one year. 828-754-2486 email info@caldwellarts.com

Caldwell Arts Council seeks artists — Accepting portfolios for possible 2018 exhibitions. Submit  at http://com/157-guidelines/ by Jan. 31, 2017. Deliver  or mail to Caldwell Arts Council Exhibit Selection Committee, 601 College Ave. SW (PO Box 1613), Lenoir NC 28645 or email to office@caldwellarts.com

Call for volunteers 

Rowan Helping Ministries volunteers – Pick up donated food, stock food pantry, intake interviews, laundry, meals. Call Emily Huffman or Katie Murdock, 704-637-6838.

Help feed the horses — Horse Protection Society, 2135 Miller Road, China Grove, www.horseprotection.org or email hps@horseprotection.org

DAV transportation network of Rowan County — Looking for volunteers to take veterans to hospital appts. Inquire at VAMC Salisbury volunteer office or contact Jim Martin at 704-638-9000 x3904.

Novant Rowan Medical Center – Patient escorts, gift shop, surgical waiting room, flower delivery, ancillary support. dbhundley@ novanthealth.org