Piedmont Players Theatre will hold auditions for its spring musical, “Hot Mikado” on Monday and Tuesday, Feb. 11 and 12, at 7 p.m.
“Hot Mikado” is a 1940s update of the Gilbert and Sullivan classic. Auditions are open to anyone. Bring a prepared song. An accompanist will be provided.
Auditions are on the third floor of the Meroney Theater, 213 S. Main St. Rehearsals typically run Monday-Friday from 7-10 p.m. Show dates are April 3-6 and 9-12.
For more information, call 704-633-5471.
Symphony excursion
The Salisbury-Rowan Symphony Society is offering an excursion to Europe featuring the musical centers of Prague, Vienna and Budapest in August of this year.
A travel presentation will take place today in the Hurley Room of the Rowan Public Library from 6:30-8 p.m., led by Donna Wilcoxson of Travel Associates and a representative of Collette Vacations.
Those interested are asked to RSVP to Donna at 704-637-9000.
“Imperial Cities” offers a leisurely, in-depth look at three glorious cities. In Prague, Hradcany Castle, St. Vitus Cathedral, and the Old Jewish Quarter are highlights; in Vienna, you’ll see Schoenbrunn Palace and St. Stephan’s Cathedral and be guests at a classical music concert. On the way to Budapest down the Danube River, you’ll journey through the Vienna Woods.
Budapest offers Mathias Church (the site of coronations of kings), the Fisherman’s Bastion, Old Buda and Heroes Square. A Renaissance-style dinner in a 14th century castle is a fitting conclusion to this fairy-tale adventure.
The excursion is a fund-raiser for the Salisbury Symphony and is scheduled for Aug. 18-28. Per person rates are $3,419 (triple), $3,449 (double) and $4,049 (single).
Price includes round-trip air from Charlotte, air taxes and fees/surcharges, and hotel transfers.
Pfeiffer art show
MISENHEIMER ó Inspired by nature and the artist’s concern for the environment, a collection of unique, spherical paintings entitled “Full Circle” by North Dakota painter Carol Eacret-Simmons will be on display through Feb. 27 in the Grace and Cameron West Art Gallery at Pfeiffer University.
An artist reception will be held 4-6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 15, in the gallery (located in Goode Hall on the Misenheimer campus). The event is free and open to the public.
An assistant professor of art and director of the gallery at Dickinson State University, Eacret-Simmons’ artwork has been exhibited nationally and is part of the permanent collections of the International Museum of Collage, Assemblage, and Construction in Cuernavaca, Mexico; University of the Arts Printmaking Gallery in Philadelphia, Pa.; and Illinois State University Student Center.
“Full Circle” is compiled entirely of circular paintings that combine nature themes and a rounded format that inspired Eacret-Simmons to paint as if she were viewing her subjects through a microscope, a telescope or binoculars.
The gallery hours are 10 a.m.n4 p.m. Monday through Friday, except during special events.
For more information, contact Joshua Cross, art gallery director, 704-463-3160 or joshua.cross@pfeiffer.edu.
Rosedale Plantation
CHARLOTTE ó Historic Rosedale Plantation, 3427 N. Tryon St., offers two special events in recognition of Black History Month.
On Feb. 9 at 1:30 p.m. Rosedale will present its yearly “Unheard Voices” program featuring a reenactment by Barbara Jackson, immediately followed by a lecture and discussion of the experiences of African women during slavery, particularly during the treacherous middle passage.
Sowande M. Mustakeem of Michigan State University will share her research into the experiences of African women which she has chronicled from the archives of Britain’s Parliament.
On Feb. 23 at 1:30 p.m. there will be a discussion and open forum with UNC-Charlotte faculty members regarding slavery in a comparative context. Those in attendance will hear a discussion comparing and contrasting the socio-economic realities of slavery in the Carolinas and throughout various regions of Latin America and the Caribbean. The forum will begin with an introduction to slavery at Historic Rosedale Plantation.
For more information, call 704-335-0325 or visit www.historicrosedale.org.
Death-penalty project
CHAPEL HILL ó A dramatic performance, a photography exhibit and UNC’s 2007-2008 Hillard Gold ’39 Lecture by Sister Helen Prejean, author of “Dead Man Walking,” will highlight events in February for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s year-long discussion of the death penalty.
“Doin’ Time: Through the Visiting Glass,” a one-woman piece written and performed by Ashley Lucas, will be free to the public at 8 p.m. Feb. 8 in Gerrard Hall, off Cameron Avenue.
Independent photojournalist Scott Langley will speak at 4 p.m. Feb. 11 in the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation Auditorium of the School of Public Health’s Michael Hooker Research Center, located at Pittsboro and South Columbia streets. A reception will follow the talk, which will mark the opening of a free public exhibit of his work at four campus locations.
Langley’s photographs, which depict aspects of the death penalty throughout the United States, will be displayed through March 7.
Prejean will speak at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 25 in Memorial Hall. Tickets to the free lecture are available at the Memorial Hall Box Office on Cameron Avenue, open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays. Interested parties may reserve tickets by calling 919-843-3333.
All three events are part of Carolina Performing Arts’ yearlong project, “Criminal/ Justice: The Death Penalty Examined,” which uses the arts to foster discussion of the controversial issue. The project is made possible in part by a grant from the Association of Performing Arts Presenters Creative Campus Innovations Grant Program, a component of the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation.
Other events for the project this semester are listed at www.carolinacreativecampus. org.
Student art show
MOORESVILLE ó The March Mooresville Artist Guild 2008 Student Art Show will open on March 7.
Local area parents may enter one piece of their child’s art work at no charge. The art show is open to children from kindergarten thru 12th grade. Home-schooled students are welcome.
Two-dimensional art must be matted but does not need to be framed. There will be awards for each of four age groups.
Art work will be accepted Feb. 23, 24 and 26 from 1-4 p.m. at the Depot Fine Art Gallery, 103 North Center Ave., Mooresville.
For more information call 704-987-5117 or visit our website at www.mooresvilleartistguild.com.
Songwriting contest
WILKESBORO ó The Chris Austin songwriting contest at MerleFest provides songwriters with the opportunity to have their original songs heard by a panel of professional Nashville musicians chaired by Jim Lauderdale. The deadline for entry is March 4.
There are four categories: country, bluegrass, gospel and general. First place winners in each category perform live on the Cabin Stage during Merlefest. All finalists receive all-access passes to Merlefest, lodging during the festival, and other prizes.
Entries may be submitted online via Sonicbids. Contest information is available at www.merlefest.org or by calling the contest hotline at 1-800-799-3868.