Theater
Tonight: St. Thomas Players presents ‘Dinner with Friends’ — 7:30 p.m., June 21-23. Not for children. Florence Busby Corriher Theater at Catawba College, $15. Center for Faith & the Arts, 704-647-0999, email faithart@bellsouth.net, stthomasplayers.org
Tonight: Old Courthouse Youth Theatre presents ‘Alice in Wonderland’ — 7:30 p.m., June 21-22 and 2:30 p.m., June 23-24. Non-Disney version. Tickets $15. 49 Spring Street NW, 704 788-2405, www.oldcourthousetheatre.org
Tonight: Davidson Community Players present ‘Crazy For You’ — The new Gershwin musical comedy. June 21-30, $24. Duke Family Performance Hall, 207 Faculty Drive, Davidson College. 704 892-7953, www.davidsoncommunityplayers.org
This & That
Lexington’s Friday night Uptown Stroll and Cruise-In — 6-8:30 p.m., Friday, June 22: Music, classic car cruise-in, activities for children, shopping and dining, all in the 6 block uptown district. “South of Normal” performs 6-8:30 p.m. in Conrad & Hinkle Square. For classic car cruise-in owners may register starting at 5:30; cars should be in place by 6:15. Uptown Lexington Inc., 336-249-0383.
‘A Concert and a Movie’ — 7:30 p.m. Friday, June 22: Piedmont Prime Time Community Band performs at Village Park Amphitheatre, 700 West ‘C’ St., Kannapolis. Bring blanket or lawn chair for an evening of music followed by the movie “How to Train Your Dragon” (G). Free. See Downtown Kannapolis Summer Entertainment Series under This & That for more info.
6th annual exhibition of old motorcycles and classic vehicles plus bikes barbecue and beach music— Starts 10 a.m., Saturday, June 23 at Historic Gold Hill Park, Gold Hill. Exhibit is free, also see professional knife thrower Jackson Denny 5-6 p.m. From 6-10 p.m., The Carolina Breakers, $15 in advance, $20 at the gate) includes barbecue chicken dinner. 704-791-7011 or gpoole11@carolina.rr.com. Complete schedule and directions: www.historicgoldhill.com
Historic Salisbury narrated trolley tour — 11 a.m. Saturdays, April through Oct. Tours begin/end at Visitor’s Center, 204 E. Innes St. $8 for adults, children 4 to 10 $5, under 4 free. 704-638-3100, www.visitsalisburync.com
Downtown Kannapolis Summer Entertainment Series — • Concerts in the Park at Village Park, 7 p.m., Friday, June 29: Charlotte Symphony, also fireworks • “Movies in the Park” at Village Park: 8:45 p.m., June 22: “How to Train Your Dragon” (PG) • “Stories Under the Stars” at Kannapolis Branch Library: 7 p.m.: Saturday, June 23: Lisa Baldwin with Music, Minds & Motion • Summer Series events open to the public, free admission unless otherwise stated. Complete summer schedule at www.cityofkannapolis.com or 704-920-4343.
EnviroMingle — 5:30-7 p.m., tonight, June 21, Kannapolis Intimidators Stadium, 2888 Moose Road, Kannapolis.
‘Dream Big READ’ summer reading kickoff at Rowan Public Library branches— Children age 12-rising fifth-graders register at any location. Weekly programs through Aug. 2 except July 4th week, win prizes. Complete schedule on Sunday’s book page or www.rowanpubliclibrary.org or any RPL location — Headquarters, 704-216-8234; South Rowan Regional, 704-216-7728; East Branch, 704-216-7842.
Rowan Public Library Teen Summer Reading schedule — Weekly programs, prizes for reading. Get forms from www.rowanpubliclibrary.org or at any branch • 3:30-5 p.m., June 19-Aug. 1, Tuesdays Headquarters, Wednesdays East Branch, Thursdays South Regional • Light Up the Night: June 19–21. Painting with light and Black Light fun • Carolina Shadows: June 26–28. Casting a light on the Bizarre with Tim Sonefelt • Stargazing: July 10–12. How much do you know about the stars? • Crime Scene: July 17–19. CSI and Self Defense • Live Creatures: July 24–26. Nocturnal animals and more • Summer Concert and Prize Awards: August 1 • End-of-summer celebration, South Regional, for teens from all library locations
Concord Teen Summer Reading Program — Wii Mario Karts Practice, 2-4 p.m., Tuesday, June 26, in the auditorium, a practice session for branch contest and system-wide finale later in the summer. Concord Library, 704-920-2054, 27 Union St., N.
‘Yoga in the Park’ — 9 a.m.-noon, Saturday, June 23: Body, mind and spirit seminar at Dan Nicholas Park, Yoga and meditation for all levels, message on “Unplug and Recharge,” have lunch. Bring your yoga mat. Sponsored by Maia Smith’s RenuDerma, $35, preregister at http://ewsyoga. eventbrite.com/
GMKC ‘Gone Doggin’ Summer Agility Trials at Cabarrus Arena and Events Center— 8:30-5:30 p.m., Aug. 9-12: Canine competitors run the agility courses for big prizes. Fun for the entire family. Admission free to spectators, parking $5. Cabarrus Event Center, 4751 NC Hwy 49, Concord, www.greatermonroekc.org. 704-920-3976, Ticketmaster.com
Music & more
Too Much Sylvia at Arts Night Out — 7:30 p.m., Friday, June 22: Too Much Sylvia performs as part of the Brick Street Live concert series, free, in the parking lot between Waterworks and F&M Financial Center, www.BrickStreetLive.com
Third annual Uptown Charlotte Jazz Fest — Begins 7p.m. Friday, June 22, through June 23: Jonathan Butler, Maysa and Warren Hill, Pieces of Dream, Innertwyned, Boney James, Incognito. Time Warner Cable Ampitheatre, 1000 Seaboard St., uptowncharlottejazzfest.com, tickets www.livenation.com
The Salisbury Swing Band — 7:30 p.m, Saturday, June 23: The Wine Room at Afton Village, 5401 Village Drive, Concord. Feature vocalist Lonnie Carpenter, director Dr. Steve Etters, 704-637-4476, www.salisburyswingband.com
Cornerstone Celebrate America — 11 a.m., Sunday, June 24: Special service of patriotic music, videos, dramatic presentations. The Event Center, 315 Webb Road, 704-855-1218, www.cornerstone-church.net
Downtown Davidson Concerts on the Green — 6-8 p.m., Sundays • July 1: Shaggy Maggie • August 19: local musician Rusty Knox and his band • September 16: Davidson College Symphony and Jazz Ensemble. On the Village Green in front of the public library; bring friends, family, chairs, blanket, picnic. Free, rain or shine. www.concertsonthegreen.com
Concerts on the Square series in Downtown Mocksville — 6:30-8:30 p.m. • Saturday, July 21: deejay Tim Elmore, dance to beach music, line dance to 70s hits, do the wobble dance • Saturday, August 18: Tin Can Alley with Mel Jones • Saturday, Sept. 15: Stan Bobbitt (rock, country hits). Free, bring your own chair. 101 N. Main St., next to Restaurant 101, 336-909-2263, www.historicdowntownmocksville.com
Harrah’s Cherokee Event Center — • Gary Allan Country Throwdown Tour, July 14• Deejay Pauly D, July 20• Creed: Back Together Again! July 27• Comedian Bill Engvall, Aug. 3. Harrah’s Cherokee Event Center, 777 Casino Drive, Cherokee. www.ticketmaster.com or 800-745-3000.
Festivals
30th annual China Grove Farmers Day — Friday, July 20: Singing in the Park • 9 a.m.-11 p.m., Saturday, July 21: Farmers Day Festival, downtown China Grove.
Comedy
Charlotte Squawks 2012 — “8 Misbehavin’” through June 30, prices start at $29.50, Booth Playhouse at Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, 130 N. Tryon St.,Charlotte, www.blumenthalarts.org
Night Life
The Blue Vine, 209 S. Main St. — 9 p.m.-midnight, Friday, June 22: folk/adult contemporary with Ashley Jo Farmer Band, no cover • 9-11:30 p.m., Saturday, June 23: acoustic Americana and more with Donna Hughes. 704-797-0093, www.thebluevine.com
DJ’s, 1502 W. Innes St., — 8:30 p.m., Thursday, Friday, Saturday: Live music. 704-638-9647, www.DJsRestaurant.com
Fat Jack’s Pub, 120 Military Ave. — Friday and Saturday nights: Open juke box, come play your favorite songs with us. 704-638-8996.
The Fuel Depot Bar and Grill, 2168 Statesville Blvd. — •Tuesday, Open Mic •Wednesday, World Tavern Poker• Thursday, 8 ball tournament, deejay/ karaoke with Cherokee•Friday jam session with Monkey Wrench (free).
The Inn, 1012 Mooresville Hwy 150 — •Saturday, June 23: Bought By Blood and Solid Ground •Free refreshments, air hockey, foosball, pool, wi-fi. Public invited to jam or schedule their group to perform. 704-213-1467, inntheloop. blogspot.com
The Loft at Benchwarmers, 113 E. Fisher St. — Tonight, June 21: Spongecake and the Fluff Ramblers; Cope•Friday, June 22: The Invaders• Saturday, June 23: Andy the Doorbum. Doors open 9 p.m., must be 18+, www.reverbnation.com /venue/theloftbenchwarmers
Rick’s BBQ and Grill, 929 S. Main St. — Tonight, June 21: Karaoke performace by Wanda Shyla • Bike Night 6-9 p.m. Mondays• Cruise-in 6-9 p.m. Tuesdays• Karaoke 7-close Friday-Saturdays. 704-642-0050.
Spencer Buffet, 1205 N. Salisbury Ave., Spencer — 6 p.m., Wednesdays: karaoke. 704-633-1200.
E.H. Montgomery General Store — Friday Night Bluegrass 6-10 p.m., open jam begins at 8 p.m. Historic Village of Gold Hill, www.HistoricGoldHill.com, Facebook at Historic Gold Hill, North Carolina, 704-267-9439.
Old Stone Vino, 515 S. Main St., Kannapolis — 6:30-9 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays: guitarist, singer, songwriter Marty DeJarnette. Fridays, Saturdays: various artists. 704-938-2337.
The Evening Muse, 3227 N. Davidson St., NoDa Arts District, Charlotte — June 22: Emily Lynch w/Alexis Worthington and Crystal Bright + The Silver Hands• June 23: Tony Furtado; Kidnice Launch Party; D&D Sluggers; Eclipse of the Candy Flippers; Dead Fame. CarolinaTix, 704-372-1000, www.the eveningmuse.com
The Double Door Inn, 1218 Charlottetown Ave., Charlotte — June 22: Of Good Nature With Tidal Jive and The Dirk Quinn Band • June 23: Donna Duncan Band With Kevin Harrison. CarolinaTix, 704-372-1000, www.doubledoorinn.com
The Neighborhood Theatre, 511 East 36th St., Charlotte — June 22: Charlotte Does The Wall – Performed live by Charlotte area bands • June 23: Matrimony w/special guest Ancient Cities. www.neighborhoodtheatre.com
The Visulite, 1615 Elizabeth Ave., Charlotte — June 22: Todd Snider • June 23: Griffin House. CarolinaTix, 704-358-9200, www.visulite.com
Singles
Piedmont Singles — 7:15 Fridays. 1908 Statesville Blvd, Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, no joining fee, donations appreciated, covered dish.
Classes
Summer ARTventures classes at Waterworks — Summer ARTventures classes. Visit www.waterworks.org for brochure, registration forms or pick up during gallery hours. Variety of classes for kids aged 4 and up. Class sizes are limited. 123 E. Liberty St., Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Tuesday, Thursday 10 a.m-7 p.m, Saturday 11 a.m.-3 p.m., 704-636-1882, www.waterworks.org
Salisbury Art Station summer classes — Classes for June 25-29 • Multi-Media Art, 9 a.m.-noon, ages 3-5 and 6-8• Multi-Media Art, 1-4 p.m., ages 9-12.
Classes for July 2-6 • Exploring Art, 9 a.m.-noon, ages 3-6 and 7-11• Art Studio, 1-4 p.m., ages 12 and up. Different classes begin weekly for different age groups. $165 per week, email contact@salisburyartstation.com for complete list.
Chess camp — Chess camp for all ages, June 25-29, 1-5 p.m. at Looking Glass Artists Center, 405 N. Lee St., Salisbury. Cost-$65. Contact 704-633-2787 or salisburyartists@gmail.com
Adult class at Pottery 101 — 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Wednesdays and 6:30-9 p.m. Tuesday or Wednesday evenings, June 12-Aug. 8 (no class week of July 4). All classes feature hand-building and wheel techniques, students not obligated to both but both processes will be demonstrated and available. Limited space, registration begins May 24. $200 includes 25 pounds clay, 8 classes and 5 hours of extra studio time. Additional time $5/hour. Pottery 101, 704-209-1632, pottery101nc@gmail.com, www.pottery-101.com
Annual Chrismon open house — 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Saturday, June 23: Newly copyrighted patterns for 2012 available. Rufty’s Chrismon Shop, 280 Furniture Drive, info@chrismons.com
Creative Art Experiences for ages 5-18 — Art Lessons for children in your home, after school, evenings, weekends with Ingrid A. Erickson, K-12 certified art educator and artist. $15/hour, $10 each additional child. 413-884-4499 for appointment. Studio at Rail Walk Gallery, 409 N. Lee St. Email: ingridaerickson@yahoo.com with questions. Rail Walk Gallery, 409 N. Lee St.
Mind aerobics art class — 2-4 p.m., Mondays and Fridays, taught by artist Robert Toth: An introduction to drawing, pastel and sculpture. $10 per two-hour session. Rufty Holmes Senior Center, call 704-279-9301.
Zumba fitness — •6:30 p.m. Tuesdays, First Baptist Church of Salisbury in old YMCA gym on Fulton St. •6 p.m. Thursdays, $3 per person, St. Matthews Church in Salisbury •6 p.m., Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Christ United Methodist Church, Hwy 150, o2bamom@att.net for details.
Classical Method of Oils Painting with Patt — Beginner or intermediate ongoing classes Tuesdays 1-3 p.m., studio of Patt Legg. One-on-one teaching methods of the Old Masters. $40 per 2 hour session, pay as you go. 704-232-6000, www.PattLegg. com
Creative painting workshops — 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., ongoing series, beginning to intermediate, traditional oil painting. $200 for eight sessions; ask about scholarships and sliding scales. Registration/materials 704-245-6456. Instructor James E. Taylor, Contemporary Realism Studio, 211 S. Main St.
Card Making Class at the Y — 6-8 p.m. every other Thursday evening, next class 6-8 p.m., June 28, all supplies included. J.F. Hurley Family YMCA, 828 W Jake Alexander Blvd., Terri Dockins 704-636-0111.
Watercolor classes at LGAC — Instructor Cathy Benfield Matthews, no experience needed; Mondays 1-3 p.m. or 5:30-7:30 p.m., or Saturdays 10 a.m.-noon, $35 each 2 hour session or $180 for 6, materials provided except brushes; reserve space at salisburyartists@gmail.com . Looking Glass Artist Collective, 405 N. Lee St., 704-633-ARTS, www.salisburyartists.com
Bring-your-own-vase floral design — 2-3 p.m., Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday: Designing fresh cut flowers, $5 per class plus cost of flowers, call for reservations; instructor David Harrison, Harrison’s Florist, 1012 Holmes Ave. off Grove St. near RRMC, 704-636-4251.
Auditions
Carolina Renaissance Festival auditions — 6:30-9 p.m., Wednesday, June 27 and 9 a.m.-noon, Saturday, June 30, Ballantyne Arts Center, 11318 North Community House Road, Charlotte. For details www.RenFestInfo.com
Call for musicians
E.H. Montgomery General Store, Gold Hill — Bluegrass jam open to all acoustic musicians.Refreshments available, Admission by donation. Every Friday night 7-9 p.m., 704-267-9439.
Call for artists
‘Faces of Abundant Living’— Salisbury’s Abundant Living provides models for portraits for 2012 “Faces of Abundant Living” portrait exhibit.Deadline Aug. 1. Once completed, portraits will be on exhibit at Waterworks Visual Arts Center beginning Aug. 24; an opening reception Sept. 20. In early November 2012 the portraits will be presented to family members to keep and cherish. To participate, call Abundant Living at 704-637-3940 or email bgarwood@aladc.net.
Call for vendors
Biker Blues Rally — Second Annual Tilley Harley-Davidson Biker Blues BBQ Rally and Kansas City BBQ Society sanctioned cook-off and fundraiser, Sept. 20-22: now accepting vendor applications. See www.bikerbluesbbqrally.com under forms for more information, contact Gary Moss 704-638-6044 or info@bikerbluesbbqrally.com
Speakers and forums
Gina Guthrie of Bocca Felice demonstrates creative produce cooking — Thursday, June 28, 2 p.m. for teens and 4 p.m. for adults. Discover more about produce available locally through season-driven summer dishes. Spaces limited, call 704-920-2054 to register. Concord Library auditorium, 27 Union St., N.
Home and garden
Reynolda and Hepburn — Reynolda House Museum of American Art’s eight-part film series “Gardens of the World with Audrey Hepburn,” filmed on location in seven countries in 1990. Hepburn interviews gardeners and authors, relating notable gardens to works of literature, art. Tuesdays/Thursdays noon, June 5-28. Free with museum admission • June 26: Japanese Gardens • June 28: Tulips and Spring Bulbs. Reynolda House, 2250 Reynolda Road, Winston-Salem, 336-758-5150, reynoldahouse.org
Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardensummer series —9 a.m. to 3 p.m., hands-on activities that illustrate how art and wildlife interact within the garden • Saturday, August 4: “ Wild Wings.” Free with Garden admission. Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden, 6500 S. New Hope Road, Belmont. 704-825-4490, www.DSBG.org
Art
St. John’s Lutheran Church, 200 W. Innes St. — Robert Doares original art work, 54 paintings and drawings, showing the life of Jesus Christ, entitled “Immanuel:God With Us,” through June, Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Individual or group tour, call Marilyn Smith, 704-642-0731.
Local art at Tastebuds — Featuring artists Rachel Lee, Sharon Forthofer, Lisa Flippin, Phyllis Stiemel, Barbara Duffy, Norma Owen, Joyce Cavanagh-Wood. Through June, Monday-Friday 7 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Tastebuds Coffee & Tea, 106 N. Main St., 704-245-4134.
Rail Walk Studios and Gallery, 409 N. Lee St. — “A Round Paris” runs through July 28 •North Gallery: “Round,” Rail Walk artists explore “the round” •South Gallery, themes of Paris. Special activities Friday, June 22, 5-9 p.m. as part of Downtown Salisbury’s first annual Arts Night Out. Rail Walk gallery hours Saturdays only11 a.m.-4 p.m.704-431-8964, www.railwalkgallery.com
Waterworks Visual Arts Center, 123 E. Liberty St. — • Summer Exhibition – With a Discerning Eye: Realism to Abstraction, through Aug. 11; Artwork from five regional artists challenge the viewer to look beyond the obvious, to deepen their understanding of the realism in abstraction and the abstraction in realism • Free admission. Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Tuesday, Thursday 10 a.m-7 p.m, Saturday 11 a.m.-3 p.m., 704-636-1882, www.waterworks.org
Exhibits at SECCA —• Paperless • Light and Space: The Sculpture of Stanislav Libenský and Jaroslava Brychtová • Tracey Snelling: Woman on the Run. Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art, 750 Marguerite Drive, Winston-Salem. 336-725-1904, www.secca.org
Mint Museum of Art, 2730 Randolph Road, Charlotte — Threads of Identity: Contemporary Maya Textiles•The Transformed Self: Performance Masks of Mexico•The Shape of Life: Contemporary Native American Ceramics•Fashionable Silhouettes, all through through Dec. 31. $10 adults, members free, also children 5 and younger. Free on Tuesdays 5-9 p.m. 704-337-2000. www.mintmuseum.org
Mint Museum Uptown at Levine Center for the Arts, 500 South Tryon St., Charlotte — Fairytales, Fantasy, & Fear through July 8•Colorbind: Emily and Zach Smith Collection through Aug. 12• Matthew Weinstein through Aug. 18. 704-337-2000. www.mintmuseum.org
Reynolda House Museum of American Art, 2250 Reynolda Road, Winston-Salem —•Swing Era Celebration Concert, 3 p.m., Sunday, July 1: Outdoor concert featuring Summer Festival Jazz Repertory Orchestra of UNCSA. $15 non-members (includes admission to Reynolda House). 336-758-5150, reynoldahouse.org
The North Carolina Pottery Center, 233 E. Ave., Seagrove — Permanent exhibition: traces NC pottery from pre-historic Native American work through 21st century. 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Tuesday-Saturday, 336-873-8430, www.ncpotterycenter.org
Museums
Free museum admission for vets — Blue Star Museums initiative offers free admission to active duty military and families through Labor Day, 1,500+ museums • Complete list at www.nea.gov/national/bluestarmuseums/index2012.php?st=NC#list
N.C. Transportation Museum, 411 S. Salisbury Ave., Spencer — July 3-4: Norfolk Southern’s Heritage locomotives gather for a “family portrait,” 20 locomotives painted in the color schemes of predecessor railroads. See www.nctrans.org for details, also for train ride schedule and admission information with and without train rides. 704-636-2889, 877-NCTMFUN, www.nctrans.org
Rowan Museum, 202 N. Main St. — Exhibit honoring Salisbury’s Elizabeth Hanford Dole: “Elizabeth Hanford Dole: Home town girl, public servant, world citizen.” 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday, 1-4 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. 704-633-5946, rowanmuseum@fibrant.com, www.rowanmuseum.org
Utzman-Chambers House, 116 S. Jackson St. — Artifacts of the late Honorable Spruce Macay (1755–1808), known for instructing Andrew Jackson. Open 1-4 p.m. Saturday. $3 adults, $1.50 students. 704-633-5946, rowanmuseum@fibrant.com, www.rowanmuseum.org
Old Stone House, Granite Quarry —Two-story Georgian stone house completed in 1766. Located on Old Stone House Road in Granite Quarry. 1-4 Saturday, Sunday, $3 for adults and $1.50 for students. 704-633-5946, rowanmuseum@fibrant.com, www.rowanmuseum. org
Dr. Josephus Hall House, 226 S. Jackson St. — 1820 house museum, costumed docents provide tours. $3 adults, $1.50 students. For group tours, call HSF office, 704-636-0103.
Historic Rockwell Museum, 102 E. Main St. — Special tours and info 704-279-4979. Free. Sundays 2-4 p.m. and by appointment.
Price of Freedom Museum, Old Patterson School building, China Grove — Sundays 3-5 p.m. and by appointment. American war memorial dedicated to men and women of the armed services. Free. Intersection of Weaver and Patterson Roads, 704-857-7474, www.priceoffreedom.us
NC Music Hall of Fame Museum, 109 West A Street, Kannapolis — Honors musicians, singers, songwriters and producers from North Carolina. In the renovated old Kannapolis Jailhouse Building. 10 a.m.-noon, 2-4 p.m., Monday-Friday, admission free. 704-934-2320, www.NorthCarolinaMusicHallofFame.org
Historic Gold Hill,NC/Gold Hill Mines Historic Park — 19th century living history interpretative displays reflect life in the 1800s gold mining boom town. Free. 704-279-5674, 704-267-9439, www.HistoricGoldHill. com
Reed Gold Mine historic site, 9621 Reed Mine Road, off Highway 200 near Locust — Museum, visitor center, underground mine tour, operating stamp mill, panning area. Museum is free, panning tickets $2. 704-721-4653, www.nchistoricsites.org/ reed/
Reynolda House Museum, 2250 Reynolda Road, Winston-Salem — House, gardens and village feature public garden, dining, shopping,walking trails. Project See Yesterday Today uses QR codes in eight locations; when scanned with a smartphone, see web page with archival information and an image about the location. Through Aug. 5, reynoldahouse.org/seeyesterday 336-758-5150, reynoldahouse.org
Historic Latta Plantation, 5225Sample Road, Huntersville — Living History Saturdays bring history to life• June 23- Open Hearth Cooking• • June 30- Farm Life• July 7- Gold Panning- you can try too. Last remaining Catawba River Plantation open to the public.704-875-2312, lattaplantation.org
Historic Rosedale Plantation, 3427 N. Tryon St., Charlotte — July 12: Relish Carolina, An Evening at a Southern Plantation. Reserve a spot at the 160 foot farm table. Benefit dinner prepared by Chef John Cornely, served family style. historicrose dale.org
Discovery Place, Charlotte, 301 N. Tryon St., Charlotte, — Summer hours through Sept. 3 • Monday-Friday: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. • Saturday: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. • Sunday: noon-5 p.m. Where science amazes, educates and entertains • 704-372-6261, www.discoveryplace.org
Discovery Place KIDS Huntersville, 105 Gilead Road — $8 adults, children age 1-13; children under age one free. 704-372-6261, discoveryplaceKIDS.org
Charlotte Nature Museum, 1658 Sterling Road, Charlotte — $6 ages two and older, younger-than-two free, parking is free. 704-372-6261, charlottenaturemuseum.org
Charlotte Museum of History, 3500 Shamrock Drive, Charlotte — Civil War Exhibit: Liberty on the Border. Travel through a timeline, stopping at educational stations along the way. 704-568-1774, www.charlottemuseum.org
Old Salem, Winston-Salem — Faithfully preserved buildings, costumed interpreters, craftsmen, award-winning historical garden and horticultural programs. $21 adults, $10 children. 336-721-7300, www.oldsalem.org
NC Museum of Art, 2110 Blue Ridge Road, Raleigh —•Reflections: Portraits by Beverly McIver through June 24 •El Anatsui: When I Last Wrote to You about Africa through July 29•Rhythms of the Heart: The Illustration of Ashley Bryan through Aug. 19 •John James Audubon’s The Birds of America, ongoing • Free general admission, charge for some concerts, films, classes, performances. www.ncartmuseum.org
NC Museum of History, 5 E. Edenton St., Raleigh — Explore more than 14,000 years of the state’s history• At the Speed of a Girl, Celebrating 100 Years of Girl Scouting, through July 29. Admission free. Across from the State Capitol. 919-807-7900, ncmuseumofhistory.org or Facebook
NC Museum of Natural Sciences, 11 W. Jones St., Raleigh —Four floors of live animals, hands-on activities, programs: look at the natural world through NC’s geography, prehistoric past, geology, plants, animals. Free general admission, cover charge for special exhibits and 3D Theater. 919-733-7450, www.naturalsciences.org
NC Museum of Life and Science, 433 Murray Ave., Durham — Indoors: Sit inside a real Apollo Space Capsule, explore a full-scale Lunar Lander, touch a 13-foot tornado, see 75+ animal species of Carolina wildlife •Outdoors: Explore the Wild, a 6-acre outdoor science center expansion linking people with plants, animals, interactive exhibits. $14 adults, $10 children ages 3-12. Train and bungee rides small add’l cost. 919-220-5429, www.ncmls.org
Children’s Museum of Winston-Salem, 390 S. Liberty St. — Climbing Lobby, Amazing Library, Build it!, Surprise Garden, The Enchanted Forest, Animal Alphabet, Amazing Airways, Krispy Kreme Doughnut Factory, Food Lion Supermarket. Adults and children over 1 year old: $7.336-723-9111, childrensmuseumofws.org
Natural Science Center of Greensboro,4301 Lawndale Drive — A hands-on science museum, animal discovery zoological park and a state-of-the-art OmniSphere Dome Theater, NC’s only 40 foot digital dome experience. General admission includes admission to the Museum and Animal Discovery. $8 adults $8, $7 children ages 3-13.336-288-3769, www.natsci.org
Greensboro Children’s Museum, 220 N. Church St. — Hands-on, interactive museum for children (infancy to 10 years of age) and families. Adults $8/ Children 12 months and older $8. 336-574-2898, www.gcmuseum.com