The Salisbury-Rowan Choral Society presents their annual Spring concert, “Let Heaven and Nature Sing,” on two dates: Sunday, May 20 at 3 p.m. at First United Church of Christ in Salisbury and on Tuesday, May 22 at 7 p.m. at First United Methodist Church of China Grove. Sunday’s performance will feature the new organ at First United Church of Christ.
The program features some of the most beautiful and exciting choral pieces written to celebrate God and nature in the last two hundred years, everything from Ralph Vaughan Williams’ “Let All the World in Every Corner Sing” to works by Felix Mendelssohn, Gwyneth Walker and William L. Dawson.
The choir will be under the direction of Matthew Newton, and Adam Ward will be the concert accompanist. This is a free community concert.
‘Neil Simon’s The Dinner Party’
CONCORD — Old Courthouse Theatre presents “Neil Simon’s The Dinner Party” as part of their Living Room Reading Series. There is no charge for admission.
The presentation is Sunday, May 20 at 4 p.m.
OCT is located at 49 Spring St. NW, 704-788-2405.
Waterworks summer art classes
Registration is now open for Summer ARTventures classes. Visit www.waterworks.org to download a brochure and registration forms or pick one up during gallery hours.There is a variety of classes for kids aged 4 and up. Class sizes are limited.
Waterworks is open at 123 E. Liberty St. Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Tuesday, Thursday 10 a.m.- p.m, Saturday 11 a.m.-3 p.m., 704-636-1882, www.waterworks.org
ethos opens
It’s opening weekend at ethos, with live music by Allison Crowell at 10:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, May 18-19.
ethos is a southern bistro and martini bar in the former Stelia location, 118 N. Main St. For more information on hours and entertainment, call 704-639-2600, or visit www.ethosdining.com
Civil War Mustering
HUNTERSVILLE — Saturday is the 150th mustering anniversary at Historic Latta Plantation of the Mecklenburg Grays, when the Sample boys left their home at Latta (then called Riverside) and were mustered into the Company B Mecklenburg Grays.
From 1-4 p.m., experience the Civil War as those did who were mustered into the army. Visit the camps, watch company drills, and more throughout the weekend. This event is free with regular site admission ($7 for adults, $6 for seniors, $5 for students, ages 5 and under free).
Latta Plantation is located at 5225 Sample Road, 704-875-2312, lattaplantation.org
Fiddlers Grove’s 88th
UNION GROVE — In 1924, H.P. Van Hoy, a school teacher and a fiddler, thought of a good way to raise money for Union Grove School; he would hold a fiddler’s convention. The convention became a tradition, and on May 25-27, the third generation of Van Hoy descendents will open the gate for the 88th iteration of that acclaimed musical institution.
The weekend begins Friday night at 6 p.m. Saturday offers a full day of competition and workshops. Saturday evening revolves around the final band playoffs, a Twin Fiddle competition, and the Fiddler of the Festival playoff.
Sunday morning begins with shaped note singing, followed by gospel music and a lazy day of listening to good music.
For information and tickets, contact info@fiddlersgrove.com or 828-478-3735. The website is www.fiddlersgrove.com
Festival in the Grove
Christiana Lutheran’s three-day Festival in the Grove begins Friday, May 18 at 8 p.m. with the outdoor movie “The End of the Spear.” There will also be a children’s movie 7 p.m. in church basement with free popcorn and soft drinks.
At 6 p.m. on Saturday is the outdoor concert “One Road Home,” with free homemade ice cream.
Events continue at 10:30 a.m. Sunday with an outdoor worship service, and at 6:30 p.m. that evening is an outdoor youth rally with bands “Broken Yesterday” and “Relentless Flood,” as well as CHAOS, youth drama troop from China Grove/Landis.
There will be free popcorn and soft drinks; bring your own chair to each event. Christiana Lutheran Church is located between Granite Quarry and Rockwell on Highway 52 across from the Old Stone Winery, 704-279-4655.
Gold Hill history walk
GOLD HILL — The Gold Hill Photo and History Walk is at 2 p.m., Saturday, May 19. It is a guided photo walk of the Historic Village of Gold Hill. Registration begins at 1 p.m. at The Arbor (behind The Bakery, 850 St. Stephen’s Church Road).
It costs $5 per person for the guided walk which features the history of each stop, tips for taking better photos, and the history of the village of Gold Hill.
In conjunction with the event is a photo contest in which entrants may win a $25 gift certificate from the Stamp Mill Cafe, by emailing their best photo from the walk. Details available on site.
Also on Saturday is the Classic Car Cruise-in at the Historic Village of Gold Hill, 2 p.m. until dark.
American Light Classics
At 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 19, Salisbury Symphony Orchestra presents “American Light Classics” at Keppel Auditorium, Catawba College.
The concert, the dazzling finish to the season, features PDQ Bach’s “1712 Overture,” Gershwin’s “Porgy & Bess” Variations, and music by Richard Rodgers, John Philip Sousa and Anderson.
Tickets at the door are $20 for ages 19 and older, $6 for ages 9-18 and $4 for ages 8 and younger. Visit www.salisburysymphony.org
Masonry contest
GOLD HILL — The 2012 NCMCA Masonry Apprentice Skills Contest is Saturday, May 19, at Carolina Stalite Ben Ketchie Park, hosted by Johnson Concrete Company. Lunch will be prepared by Jack Moore, maker of Blowin’ Smoke BBQ Sauce. It will be a day, rain or shine, of great competition, games, raffle prizes, and entertainment by Dionne, Hodges, Murphy Trio Band. The day begins at 9 a.m. when contestants register; at 10 a.m. the contest begins.
At noon the contest ends and judging begins, 12:15 p.m. is lunch and at 1:15 p.m. is the awards presentation.
Tours of Carolina Stalite, the world’s largest lightweight aggregate plant, will be given during the event. It all takes place at Ben Ketchie Park, 17700 Old Beatty Ford Road in Gold Hill. See www.johnsoncmu.com or facebook.