SPENCER ó During the month of March, the N.C. Transportation museum is expanding its train ride schedule to 11 a.m. rides every Thursday and Friday at 11 a.m., 1 and 2 p.m.
Saturday rides will be offered at 11 a.m., 1, 2 and 3 p.m., while Sunday rides will be offered at 1:30, 2:30 and 3:30 p.m.
The train ride travels across the museum’s 57-acre site, the former Spencer Shops train repair facility. With boarding at the Barber Junction Visitor’s Center, the train ride offers views of the historic Back Shop, a building equivalent in length to three football fields, as well as close-up views of the Master Mechanic’s Office and the Robert Julian Roundhouse.
Tickets for the 25-minute ride are $6 for adults, $5 for children 3-12 years old, $5 for seniors 60 years and up and free for children 2 and under. Ticket fees vary during special events. For more info, go to www.nctrans.org.
Reptile Day
RALEIGH ó This Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences presents the 16th annual Reptile and Amphibian Day.
The event has grown in popularity, bringing out thousands more visitors each year to see hundreds of live reptiles and amphibians, including native North Carolina species and exotic species from around the globe, and learn how they can get involved in statewide conservation efforts.
All four floors of the Museum will be transformed to accommodate more than 40 exhibits, activities and presentations for the entire family.
Visitors are also encouraged to attend several talks in the Museum’s auditorium including, “Venomous Reptile Medicine” at 11 a.m and 2:30 p.m. by featured guest, Dr. Ryan Devoe, senior veterinarian at the North Carolina Zoo.
For more details call 919- 733-7450, ext. 523 or visit www.naturalsciences.org.
Chapter 6 on stage
CONCORD ó Chapter 6 will bring its comedy-infused blend of pop, jazz and rock to Concord’s Davis Theatre on Tuesday, March 17.
The concert, which is part of the On Stage at the Davis series, will be at 8 p.m. in the theatre at 65 Union Street S in Cabarrus County’s historic courthouse. Tickets are $28.
The a cappella group was featured on American Idol in conjunction with member Luke Menard’s final 16 run in season seven last year. The group has performed extensively and has appeared on “Good Morning America.”
Their fifth CD was released in December.
Tickets may be purchased through the Davis Theatre box office Monday through Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. by calling 704-920-2753.
Tickets are available online at cabarrusartscouncil.tix.com.
Symphony food drive
“The Soloist,” the upcoming movie about a cellist who became homeless, has struck a chord with American orchestras. They are mobilizing to help feed the hungry.
The Salisbury Symphony is one of at least 163 orchestras in 45 states that is participating in food drives in March, a month before the movie’s release on April 24.
“The Soloist” is based on the true story about a schizophrenic Juilliard-trained cellist (portrayed by Jamie Foxx) who becomes homeless and is helped by a Los Angeles Times columnist (Robert Downey, Jr.).
“The story of ‘The Soloist’ reminds us that classical music has the power to sustain spirits and change lives, even under the most difficult circumstances,” said Jesse Rosen, president and CEO of the League, a national service organization for orchestras, of which Salisbury Symphony Orchestra is a member.
The food will be distributed by Second Harvest (now called Feeding America) which provides food to more than 25 million Americans a year.
Local citizens may drop non-perishable food items at Keppel Auditorium at Catawba College when they attend the Symphony’s concert on Saturday, March 21 at 7:30 p.m.
For more information, call 704-637-4314.
Flamenco workshop
Introduction to Flamenco for Belly Dancers will be offered by Kalima Tribal at the Looking Glass Artist Collective on Thursday, March26.
The two hour workshop will begin with information about the history of flamenco and it’s influence in belly dance, particularly tribal style belly dance. This will be followed by an introduction to the music of flamenco, its structure and rhythms.
In the second hour, participants will get up and move, learning basic flamenco arm gestures, postures, attitude and “palmas.” The two-hour class will cost $10 per person.
Space is limited. Pre-register by email to KalimaTribal@carolina.rr.com.
Don Moore show
STATESVILLE ó Iredell Museums will present the work of Don Moore of Salisbury at the Court Street Gallery, 134 Court Street, in downtown Statesville March 13 – May 8.
The opening reception and the kick-off party for the Downtown Statesville Art Crawl will be held on Friday, March 13, from 5-7 p.m..
The reception is free.
The Gallery is open to the public Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Admission is free.
Moore’s new series, “Great Artists of the Western World,” was created specifically for this exhibit.
A retired post-secondary art instructor, Moore not only pays homage to the many of the “heroes” of art history emphasized in college art history survey classes, but also bridges the gap between past movements in art history by providing the viewer with “hints” as to why the master works are memorable and relevant today.
Born in Birmingham, Ala., Moore holds an MFA from the University of Alabama. He completed additional studies in art history at the University of Georgia and in painting and drawing at the Arts Student’s League, New York City.