FIMC Choral Evensong
The Chancel Choir of First United Methodist Church offers a Service of Choral Evensong Sunday at 4 p.m., officiated by Rev. Dr. Mark Conforti, with music under the direction of Matthew Michael Brown, accompanied by organist Stephen Gourley.
The choir will sing music of English composers, including “Preces and Responses” by Richard Ayleward, Herbert Murrill’s “Magnificat and Nunc dimittis in E”, and Herbert Howells’ anthem, “O Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem.”
A reception hosted by Betty Mickle will follow at Rowan Museum’s 1815 Utzman-Chambers House, 114 S. Jackson St. The church is located at 217 S. Church St. For more information, call 704- 636-3121.

 

The History of American Legion Baseball in Kannapolis
KANNAPOLIS — Kannapolis History Associates invites you to enjoy an evening with Baxter Shelton as he shares “The History of American Legion Baseball in Kannapolis.”
American Legion Baseball began on a national level in 1928 and started in Kannapolis in 1934.
Baxter has invited special guests Bill Hubbard, who was a part of the 1952 State Championship team and Mike London, who was a part of the 1961 State Championship team, to share.
The event is Monday, June 4 at 7 p.m. in the A. L. Brown High School Social Room, 415 E. First St., Kannapolis.

 

Be part of Concord’s Innovation Day
CONCORD — The Community Innovation Day Returns. Concord Downtown Development Corporation is currently accepting entries for its third annual event.
Creative artists, inventors and members of the greater community are invited to develop design concepts to activate the sidewalks of Downtown Concord. These inventions will be placed along Union Street for a one-day viewing by the public to be held on Oct. 20.
The top design, as selected by the public who come out the day of the event, will be awarded a cash prize of $500. There will also be a Judges’ Choice prize of $1000 with the potential for one design to be built out for permanent installation in Downtown Concord.
Have a creative idea for passive recreation on the sidewalks? Submit a sketch of your idea by Sept. 8. Entries must meet some basic requirements, but there is no fee to enter.
For more information visit concorddowntown.com or email info@concorddowntown.com

 

Meet the cast of PPT’s ‘High School Musical 2’
TROY: Markus Byrd
GABRIELLA: Alonnah Murphy
SHARPAY: Emma Shelton
RYAN: Henry Thomas
CHAD: Michael Meres
TAYLOR: Emma Theriot
KELSI: Lillian Huebner
JACK SCOTT: Sirravada Norng
ZEKE: Micah Cross
VIOLET: Meredith Swaim
MARTHA COX: Kaylee Hawley
BLOSSOM: Annarah Shepherd
PEACHES: Berkley Loeblein
OBERON T. FULTON: Garrett Jennings
ENSEMBLE: Thomas Gushlaw, Ben Moleta, Cooper Fleeman, Hayden Palmer, Alex Blumenthal, Kevin Leichman, Caroline Sobolowski, Mariah Hill, Kate White, Erin Amstein, Shelby Bryant, Cassie Miller, Karli Fuller
The wildly successful Disney’s High School Musical team is back with another adventure for everyone’s favorite Wildcats.
On the last day of junior year, the East High gang can’t wait to get the summer started – they’re ready for summer jobs, money for college and to have fun. To that end, Troy gets them all jobs at Lava Springs Country Club – which happens to be owned by popular girl, Sharpay’s, father! While Sharpay schemes to steal Troy’s heart from Gabriella, her brother, Ryan, hopes to win the Star Dazzle Award. Everything comes to a head at the talent show, where the group has to remember their motto: “All for one, and one for all.”
Performances run July 12-21.Info: 704-633-5471 or email md@piedmontplayers.com. Producing partner: F&M Bank

 

Call for artists to participate in the Gallery Gallop
Gallery Gallop returns to Downtown Salisbury June 22-23.
“Paint The Town” features an Art Walk on Friday and a Gallery Gallop on Saturday.
There is no fee for this Downtown Salisbury art event. Only hand-made artisan products please; no wholesale items will be considered.
Artists will be assigned to a specific location downtown to show and sell. Live demonstrations of your craft are encouraged but not required.
The event runs from 5-9 p.m. All applications must be received by June 11. Visit www.downtownsalisburync.com to apply today.

 

Call for vendors for 23rd annual Juneteenth celebration
The NAACP hosts the 23rd annual Juneteenth celebration in downtown Salisbury on June 16, kicking off with a parade at 10 a.m., originating at the J.C. Price American Legion Post 107 parking lot at 1433 Old Wilkesboro Road, and ending at the celebration site at 200 W. Fisher at S. Church Street. This even is open to everyone.
Vendors take note: There is a $50 non-refundable flat rate fee for all vendors. Food vendors must have clearance from the health department 15 days prior.
Learn more from Yolanda Woods at 704-636-8461 or Linda Black at 980-234-6639 or email srjuneteenth@gmail.com

 

Free Saturday concert and fireworks in Kannapolis
KANNAPOLIS — June 2: The classic rock group Loverboy performs its greatest hits in concert from 7-10 p.m. at Village Park, West C. St., followed by fireworks. Opening act: Cassette Rewind. Shuttles will run to and from Village Park, Cabarrus Health Alliance, and the Credit Union from 5-11 p.m.
Learn more at www.kannapolisnc.gov

 

‘Ramble through Rowan’ film series continues
“A Ramble Through Rowan” is a free film series that will historically explore and discuss the phenomena of Rowan County from colonial times to the present day.
Shown at Rufty-Holmes Senior Center, 1120 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., from 10-11 a.m. Tuesdays.
June 5: The Struggle for Liberty: Part II 1775-1791
June 12: Rowan’s Myths & Mysteries
June 19: Courage & conflict Rowan in the Civil War
‘Ramble through Rowan” is open to the public. Folks are encouraged to register at the Center as there are no membership fees, but is not mandatory.
The movies will be presented by Gretchen Witt from the Rowan Public Library. Learn more at Gretchen.Witt@rowancountync.gov or Rufty-Holmes Senior Center, 704-216-7714.

 

Community barn quilt painting party
MT. ULLA — 2 p.m. June 9: Create your own decorative 2×2 ft painted wood barn quilt with instructor Elsie Bennett.
$45 per person; $5 discount available for groups of 5 or more. Deadline to register: 4 p.m. June 6. First RSVP and pre-paid = first reserved at 704-278-2800.
West Rowan Farm, Home, and Garden is at 11575 NC Hwy 801 Mt.Ulla. For all ages.

 

Fourth annual Gaston County Public Library Comic-Con

GASTONIA — Saturday, June 2 at the Main Library, 1555 E Garrison Blvd.
Join comic book retailers, enthusiasts and artists from throughout the region at a free event to celebrate and share the love of comics and science fiction. This family-friendly atmosphere will be full of opportunities to engage and interact with favorite comic book and science fiction heroes.
Events include:
• Appearances by members of the 501st Legion
• Costume contests (adult and children) with prizes
• Local comic book store vendors on-site
• Door prizes
• Comic book super hero-inspired children’s activities and experiments
• Face painting and drawing workshops
This event is made possible by grant funding from the Gaston County Department of Travel and Tourism and the generosity of the Friends of the Gaston County Public Library, 704-868-2164.

 

West Rowan 5th annual Community Spring Festival
MT. ULLA — The two-day event is June 2 from 10 a.m.-10 p.m. and June 3 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at West Rowan Farm, Home & Garden.
There will be vendors, food, games, crafts, rock painting, antiques and the chance to meet Sparky the West Rowan Volunteer Fire Department mascot.
• 7 p.m. Saturday is live music with the goup Hwy 801 (Darrin Martin, Dale Mills, Sean Goad & Friends) at the West Rowan Barn Dance
• Noon-4 pm Sunday: Open mic musician jam and community ice cream social kick-off. All musicians welcome.
Activities and festival are part of Rowan Arts & Ag Farm Tour. West Rowan Farm, Home & Garden, 704-278-2800, 11575 NC Hwy 801, Mt.Ulla.

It’s part of the 2018 Rowan County Arts & Ag Farm Tour
The first ever Rowan Arts & Ag Tour offers a rare chance to see firsthand the unique combination of the county’s rich farm heritage.
This free two-day, self-guided tour features 12 notable Rowan County farms with artists at each site Saturday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday from 1-5 p.m.
The tour will include Morgan Ridge Vineyards & Brewhouse, Emerald Rose Farm, Elium Farm, Twin Creek Farm,Piedmont Research Station, Country Life Museum, Back Creek Farms, West Rowan Farm, Home and Garden, Bent Creek Ranch, Patterson Farm Market & Tours, Moore Farm & Dairy, Cauble Creek Vineyard
To view a digital brochure, including all the farm tour locations, go to www.RowanArtsandAg.com/farm

 

The Dryes release first single
Winston-Salem — The locally-grown husband-wife country duo, The Dryes, have released their first single, “Amen.”
Derek is from Thomasville and has relatives in the Salisbury area and Katelyn is from Winston Salem. They will be performing at the Old Place Vineyard in Winston Salem on June 8 and at Midwood Guitar Studio in Charlotte on Aug. 4.
The song, from the album of the same name, was reviewed by MotherChurchPew as “searing guitar licks, slinky groove, and an army of backing vocals that provide a firm foundation for lyrical cleverness — using church-y references to describe, and barely contain, the sultry fire of new love.”
Hear the song at http://www.motherchurchpew.com/2018/05/17/premiere-amen-by-the-dryes/