Catawba College’s fall 2012 production of “The Life of Galileo” was selected to compete at the American College Theatre Festival in Albany, Ga., during early February.
The theatre department will offer a free viewing of the production at 7:30 p.m. today in Hedrick Theatre on campus. Faculty, staff, students and community members are invited to attend.
“The Life of Galileo” was directed by Theatre Arts Professor Dayna Anderson and featured images from the Hubble Telescope in a “planetarium show,” as well as a spectacular set and costumes.
Written by Bertolt Brecht in 1938 during the rise of Nazi Germany, the play is set in 1610 and follows the meteoric rise to world recognition of Italian astronomer and the “father of science,” Galileo.
As Galileo’s reputation grows and he argues politics, religion, science, human rights, sin and individual conscience, the Catholic Church wants to silence his voice.
Local musicians will hold a concert to benefit the Family Crisis Council of Rowan County, from 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church’s Parish Hall, 130 W. Council St.
The concert will feature Marc Hoffman, George Mobley, David Edwards and the Salisbury-Rowan Choral Society.
Guests are invited to bring items to donate to the battered women’s shelter.
The complete list of items needed is at www.familycrisiscouncil.org
In case of ice and snow, the concert will be held Feb. 9.
GOLD HILL — Gold Hill will celebrate its 24th annual Founders Day in September.
A photo history of Gold Hill and the Gold Hill Mining District is being compiled now for publication and release prior to the 25th annual event in 2014.
Photos are being accepted for review and possible inclusion in the book. Those with additional photos and or information are encouraged to bring them to the annual meeting at 7 p.m. Feb. 4 at the Russell-Rufty Memorial Shelter in Gold Hill Mines Historic Park, 735 St. Stephens Church Road.
For more information, call 704-267-9439 or 704-279-7897.
CHARLOTTE — The Charlotte Folk Society continues celebrating its 30th anniversary season on Friday, Feb. 8 with a concert by Jamie Laval, one of the premier Celtic violinists on the international music scene.
The hour-long program of traditional music from Scotland, Ireland, Brittany, Quebec and Appalachia will be accompanied by Laval’s intricate foot percussion, amusing stories, and observations on the cultural ties linking the Scots-Irish to Appalachia. Joining Laval will be two superlative Celtic musicians, guitarist David Brown and flutist/bagpiper E. J. Jones, both from Asheville.
The music gets under way at 7:30 p.m. in the Great Aunt Stella Center, 926 Elizabeth Ave., Uptown Charlotte.
Doors open at 7 p.m. Free parking available in a deck adjacent to the Stella Center.
Monthly Charlotte Folk Society Gatherings are family-friendly and free.
SPENCER — The NC Transportation Museum’s “At the Throttle” program begins its third season this spring, offering a chance for visitors to live out their fantasy of operating an antique steam locomotive.
No previous locomotive experience is required. The program is simply a unique opportunity for rail fans to live their dream of running a steam engine, taking a trip back in time to the golden age of railroading.
A qualified engineer will be in the cab at all times, but participants will be operating the engine, following a short safety and operation session.
Visitors this year will again be operating the LeHigh Valley Coal No. 126, an authentic early 20th century steam locomotive.
Sessions take place from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. March 2, 16, and April 6, 13, 20.
Cost is $150 for each participant.
Rides can scheduled at 704-636-2889 ext. 237 or by emailing sara.gettys@nctrans.org or david.marshall@nctrans.org
Participants must be at least 18 years old with a valid driver’s license.
More details are at www.nctrans.org/Special-Programs
WINSTON-SALEM — As more and more people are exploring the full utility of their mobile devices, many are using them to make films.
That’s the concept behind the second annual Mobile Media Mini Movies competition created by the Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art.
There is no charge to submit a film. Films can be uploaded to the Vimeo M4 site http://vimeo.com/groups/m4competition until March 31, 2013.
The contest is open to anyone living in North Carolina. Films produced for the contest must be created on a mobile device such as a cell phone, mp3 player or a tablet.
Participants can only submit one entry (this means a total of one film not one per category).
Films can be no longer than 120 seconds in length. For a complete list of rules, please visit www.secca.com
The categories for the 2013 M4 competition are narrative, documentary, experimental, special theme: Texture and Tactility.
CHARLOTTE — Hart Witzen Gallery presents “Retrospective” from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday. This interdisciplinary visual and performance arts exhibit with works by current and past Hart Witzen studio artists and a musical performance by Jimmie Chavis, is free and open to the public. Hart Witzen, 136 E. 36th St., www.hartwitzengallery.com