Museums
N.C. Transportation Museum, 411 S. Salisbury Ave., Spencer — 10 a.m.- 3:15 p.m., April 22-23: Easter Bunny Express, take a train ride with the Easter Bunny as he hands out candy. Easter Egg Hunt 12:30 p.m. Saturday only: Children 0-10 search the museum grounds for Easter eggs, bring your own basket, $7 for ages 3+. Member discounts apply. www.nctrans.org.
Utzman-Chambers House, 116 S. Jackson St. — Open 1-4 p.m. Saturday. $3 adults, $1.50 students, museum members free. 704-633-5946.
Dr. Josephus Hall House, 226 S. Jackson St. — 1820 house museum features furniture and decoratives from Hall family and others. Costumed docents provide tours. $3 adults, $1.50 students, free to members of Historic Salisbury Foundation. For group tours, call HSF office, 704-636-0103.
Old Stone House, Granite Quarry —Open 1-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. $3 adults, $1.50 students, museum members free. 704-633-5946.
Historic Gold Hill,NC/Gold Hill Mines Historic Park — 19th century living history interpretations and educational tours weekends April-October and weekdays by appointment. Interpretative displays reflect life in the 1800s gold mining boom town. Village merchants and interpreters dressed in period costume weekends. Free admission. 704-279-5674, 704-267-9439. www.HistoricGoldHill. com.
Reed Gold Mine historic site, 12 miles southeast of Concord — Tuesday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., closed Sunday, Monday and major holidays, admission free. Part of Division of State Historic Sites, Office of Archives and History,704-721-4653, reed@ncdcr. gov.
Historic Latta Plantation, Sample Road, Huntersville — 10 a.m.-4 p.m., $7 per person, ages 5 and under free. www.lattaplantation. org. 704-875-2312.
Historic Rosedale Plantation, 3427 N. Tryon St., Charlotte — 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., rain or shine Saturday, May 7: annual Arts Festival at Historic Rosedale pottery and craft sale on the 8-acre grounds. Wares for sale by some of NC’s best-known potters; other craftsmen include jewelry makers, copper craftsman, wood turner; historical re-enactors in costume give demonstrations; free tours of house and newly renovated historic garden; lunch is available for purchase on the grounds; historical activities for children and free pony rides, story teller, Carolina Raptor Center demonstration. Event tickets: $10 adults, $5 children, students ages 5-18. Children 4 and under free. Civil War National Register Federal house circa 1815, excellent example backcountry NC federal period architecture. Originally part of 911-acre plantation. www.historicrose dale.
Discovery Place, Charlotte, 301 N. Tryon St., Charlotte, — Discovery Place Spring Break Activities Monday, April 18-Friday, April 29. Daily activities include hands-on exhibitions, a full schedule of interactive live shows and programming, explosive experiments, up-close animal encounters, guided tours. Spring Break activities are free with Museum admission and can be found at 704-372-6261 or www.discoveryplace.org.Museum hours: 9 a.m-4 p.m. Monday-Friday; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday; noon-5 p.m. Sunday. 704-372-6261 or www.discoveryplace.org.
Old Salem, Winston-Salem — 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 12:30-5 p.m. Sunday. $21 adults, $10 children. 336-721-7300 or www.oldsalem.org.
This & That
Tour de Yadkin — Series of free river events to encourage a cleaner river, through April 30 • April 23: Easter egg hunt at Tamarac Marina, High Rock Lake and a 1 p.m. river paddle • April 30: Tour de Yadkin final paddle day, paddle the Uwharrie River to Morrow Mountain State Park with a wrap-up celebration at Badin Inn, tastings from local wineries, Riverkeeper presents pictures of the month-long tour • Sponsored by REI. See YadkinRiverkeeper.org for donation information.
Tweetsie Railroad season opens April 29, Blowing Rock — NC’s first theme park features live shows, amusement rides, concerts, a three-mile Wild West adventure behind Tweetsie’s historic steam locomotives. Open Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays starting April 29; seven days a week on May 27. Tweetsie.com, call 877-TWEETSIE (877-893-3874), Facebook, Twitter @TweetsieRR.
“Heart of the Artist” weekly discussions — 7 p.m. Tuesdays through June 21; written by Rory Nolan for artists by an artist, sponsored by Blackwelder Park Baptist Church Kannapolis, at Oak Tree Coffee Co. coffeehouse, Cannon Village.Contact Vic Daniel vdaniel@thepark.cc, 980-621-1256 www.thepark.cc.
6th annual Spring Fling — 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m., April 30: Local craftsmen, artists, antique vendors, food. Second Glance Shop at the. China Grove. 704-213-0980.
Music & more
Bob Seger and The Silver Bullet Band — 8 p.m., Saturday, April 23, Greensboro Coliseum, all tickets $69, www.ticketmaster.com, www.aeglive.com, 800-745-3000.
Barney Live in Concert: Birthday Bash! — 3 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, May 3: Interactive concert party, tickets: $15/$25. Ovens Auditorium, 2700 E. Independence Blvd., Charlotte. Tickets 800-745-3000, www.ticketmaster.com. Info 704-335-3100, www.barneylivetour.com, www.facebook.com/barneylive.
Concert Choir’s spring concert — 7:30 p.m., May 13-14: Concert/fund-raiser, performing the romantic “ Liebeslieder Waltzes Opus 52” by Brahms followed by dessert and coffee reception. Performance will be at Union Lutheran Church, 4770 Bringle Ferry Road. Call 704-603-3310 or stop by the Convention & Visitors Bureau for tickets. Tickets are $10 adult and $7 student with ID.
Piedmont Prime Time Community Band’s “Space, the Final Frontier” concert — 7:45 p.m., Friday, May 13, ninth annual spring concert “Space, the Final Frontier,” featuring music related to space. Any audience member wearing a space costume will not be turned away. All Saints Episcopal Church Parish Hall, 525 Lake Concord Road, NE, Concord, across from Copperfield and behind the Carolina Mall theatres. Free admission, donations accepted. 704-932-9438 or 704-425-3508.
An evening with Rush — 7:30 p.m., June 8, Bi-Lo Center, Greenville, SC, tickets start at $40.50. www.ticketmaster.com, www.aeglive.com, 800-745-3000.
Elvis Costello and The Imposters at the Blumenthal — July 16, tickets start at $34.50, Belk Theater at Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, 130 N. Tryon St., Charlotte, 704-372-1000 or ww.carolinatix.org.
Festivals
Fiddler’s Grove Ole Time Fiddler’s and Bluegrass Festival — May 27-29: 87th annual competition, Fiddler’s Grove Campground, Union Grove. Oldest fiddler’s competition in North America, includes competitions for bands and individuals, free workshops, on-site camping. Family-run, family-friendly. 828-478-3735, info@fiddlersgrove.com, www.fiddlersgrove.com.
Rural Hill presents NC Brewers and Music Festival — 10 a.m.– 8 p.m., May 14: Celebration of NC brewing and music, headlined by Chatham County Line and Eric Lindell, Charlotte’s own New Familiars, Moonshine Racers, Sol Driven Train, The Mantras, and Do it to Julia. Tickets include a sampling glass; onsite camping available, advance tickets $45 per person and “Under 21” or designated driver tickets $30 per person. On May 4 prices increase to the “at the gate rate” of $60 and $40. Information, tickets: www.NCBrewsMusic.com.
15th annual Lexington Multicultural Festival — 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Saturday, May 7, Finch Park, Lexington. Family-friendly festival of ethnicities, customs and cuisine with Parade of Nations, five cultural villages, related cultural entertainment and second annual Butterfly Arts Initiative (thanks to welding students and staff at Rowan Cabarrus Community College more than 100 butterflies and other related items). 336-248-3960, www.lexingtonnc.net.
Theater
‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ to be performed outside on the grounds of UNC Charlotte — 6 p.m., Tuesday-Sunday, April 26 –May 1; 2 p.m. matinee Sunday. Presented by College of Arts and Architecture Department of Theatre, performance outside Robinson Hall; tickets $14, $9 senior citizens, $6 for all students. www.performances.uncc.edu,704-687-1TIX (1849).
“Clybourne Park” at Actor’s Theatre of Charlotte — Through April 28: comedy written in response to the classic “A Raisin in the Sun.” 650 E. Stonewall St., Charlotte. Ticket info and details www.ctorstheatrecharlotte.org or 704-342-2251, ext. 21.
Carolina Actors Studio Theater presents “Agnes of God” — April 21-May 21. 1118 Clement Ave., off Central Avenue in Plaza-Midwood, Charlotte. Reservationswww.NCCAST.com, 704-455-8542.
Fundraisers
Dunbar Reunion Committee presents “Grand Slam” — May 13 and 15 at Looking Glass Artists Collective black box theater,405 N. Elm St. “Grand Slam” is a story about one of America’s greatest Negro baseball players, James Jones. Proceeds support the Dunbar Reunion Committee, graduates of the now closed Dunbar school in East Spenser. 336-833-1537.
Night Life
Benchwarmers. 113 E. Fisher St. — 7-10 p.m., every Friday: Handful of Dave. 704-639-0604.
Brick Street Tavern, 122 E. Fisher St. — 10 p.m., Saturday, April 23: Random House, no cover. Tuesdays: open mic; 8 p.m. Wednesdays: team trivia; 9:30 p.m. Thursdays: plugged open mic night. www.thebrickstreettavern. com, 704-637-6047.
Fat Jack’s, 120 Military Ave., — 8 p.m. until, every Friday and Saturday night: karaoke with Mark Tomei. 704-638-8996.
High Rock Boat & Ski Club, 257 Boat Club Lane — Friday, April 22 Deejay Dana Grubb. Saturday, April 23: Atlantic Groove Band, party band based out of Salisbury. Memberships available, open Wed.-Sat. www.theboatandskiclub.com. 704-633-0251.
Philip’s Steak and Pasta House, 1504 Jake Alexander Blvd W. — 8 p.m. Mondays Karaoke; 8 p.m. Tuesdays/Thursdays: Live Team Trivia; 7 p.m. Wednesdays: Texas Hold ’Em Tournament Style, second game follows; 9 p.m. Saturdays: Karaoke with Cherokee. 704-637-8844.
Rick’s BBQ and Grill, 929 S. Main St. — 7-9 p.m., tonight, April 21: Karaoke performance by Mark Shue, plus karaoke every Friday and Saturday. 704-642-0050.
Smitty’s North Rowan Bar-b-que 1205 N. Salisbury Ave., Spencer — 7-9 p.m., Thursdays: karaoke. 704-636-2122.
The Blue Vine, 209 S. Main St. — 9 p.m.-midnight, Friday, April 22: R&B dance band Divided By Four, $5 cover. 9-11:30 p.m., Saturday, April 23: Blue Vine favorite Tripp Edwards, no cover. www.theblue vine.com. 704-797-0093.
The Inn, 1012 Mooresville Hwy 150 — Saturday, April 23: closed for the Easter holiday. 704-213-1467. www.inntheloop.
E.H. Montgomery General Store — 7-9 p.m. Fridays: bluegrass jams. Historic Village of Gold Hill. www.HistoricGoldHill.com. 704-267-9439, 704-279-5674.
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.
Classes
Knitting and spinning — • Spinning workshop: 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Friday, April 22, bring your own wheel or use one of ours. $50. • Knitting Socks: 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Saturdays, April 23 and 30: knitting in the round, $30 plus cost of materials. 704-431-4527 to register for all classes. TranqWool Knitting Provisions, 310 Mocksville Ave.
Free Reiki Circle — 7 p.m., Wednesday, April 27: Free discussion and demonstration of Reiki, a gentle form of therapeutic touch that works with the energies of the body to promote healing on a physical, mental, emotional level. If you already practice Reiki or other healing modalities, come share the experience. Artemesia Artworks and Yoga Studio, 323 W. Harrison St. Contact Nancy at KalimaTribal@carolina.rr.com.
BYOV (Bring Your Own Vase) floral design — 7-8 p.m., Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: Designing fresh cut flowers, $15 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.
“Loosen Up!” workshop — 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m., May 14 and 21: Professional artist Phyllis Steimel holds two-day painting workshop for all skill levels, attendees bring their choice of art medium and bag lunch, learn to “loosen up” and have fun with painting at Waterworks Visual Arts Center, 123 E. Liberty St. $75 for members, $90 for non–members. Registration deadline May 6, 704-636-1882, marketing@waterworks.org to register.
“Express Yourself!”African drumming and dance workshop — 5:30 p.m. Saturdays for grades K-12. Conducted by Master Drummer Allen Boyd, sponsored by Sankofa Held at Salisbury high school auditorium, 704-637-6857.
Creative painting workshops — 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Ongoing series, beginning to intermediate, traditional oil painting. $200 includes eight sessions; ask about scholarships and sliding scales. Registration/materials list: 704-245-6456. Instructor James E. Taylor, Contemporary Realism Studio, 211 S. Main St.
Classes at the Y — “Introducing Scrapbooking,” 1-3 p.m., Tuesdays, $10 includes supplies for 2 pages. 828 W Jake Alexander Blvd., 704-636-0111.
Waterworks Visual Arts Center summer classes — Register now for Waterworks Visual Arts Center Summer Classes. Spaces are limited, some classes are already full. Visit www.waterworks.org for a complete schedule. Call 704-636-1882 to register.
Watercolorclasses at LGAC — Instructor Cathy Benfield Matthews, no experience needed; choose 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; email salisburyartists@gmail.com to reserve your space, www.catsfreestyleart.com. Looking Glass Artist Collective, 405 N. Lee St., 704-633-ARTS, www.salisburyartists.com.
Absolute beginner line dance — Tuesdays, no experience necessary, $12/month, teacher Cheryl Kluttz, Rufty Holmes Senior Center, Martin Luther King Ave., 704-633-3484.
Singles
Piedmont Singles — April 22 (Good Friday) No meeting. Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 1908 Statesville Blvd. No joining fee, donations appreciated, covered dish. Contact Frances Ward 704-637-3241.
Zodiac Club — April 22: Colours Band. Second and fourth Fridays, alternate fifth Fridays. Providing live-band dances and social events for both Carolinas for 41 years. The longevity of the club speaks to the character of the members and guests. Doors 7 p.m., band 8 p.m. Free soft drinks, water, snacks welcome. Covered dish dinner on fifth Friday dance night. $12 guests, $10 members, join for $20 with free admission on the night you join. American Legion Post 380, 4235 W. Tyvola Road, Charlotte, 704-752-8824, taylorbt@msn. com, www.charlottezodiacdanceclub.com.
Auditions
Faith Idol competition — Registration now being accepted for the Faith Idol Competition, held during the Faith 4th of July Celebration, categories are • 12 and under • age 13 – 18 • adult (19 and up). Registration fee $10, deadline Wednesday, June 15, contact Pam Alexander 704-279-2256.
St. Thomas Players auditions “Pinocchio’s Sister” — 7 p.m., April 25-26: adult roles (2 women, aged 40; 1 woman, aged 60-65) a new dark comedy by Jenny Hubbard set in a small Southern town. No acting experience required. Rehearsals weeknights starting in May, performances run June 15-18, 22-25, at Catawba College.Audition are at Center for Faith & the Arts 207 W. Harrison St. (basement of Haven Lutheran Church). Info: director Claudia Galup 704-533-4772. Scripts may be checked out at the Center for Faith & the Arts 704-647-0999.
Piedmont Players Theatre “Grease” auditions — May 23-24th at the Norvell, because of high turnout rate, auditions will be by appointment only, more information to come.
“How to Audition for Musicals”— Tips for auditioning for musical theater, call Piedmont Players Theatre to reserve space in either May 14 or May 21 workshop, scholarships available. Call 704-633-5471.
Call for vendors
6th annual Spring Fling — 9:30 a.m-3 p.m., April 30: Artist, vendor spaces available at Second Glance Shop at the Alamo House, 2080 Shue Road, China Grove. Call Betty Corriher 704-213-0980.
Art and food for Art on Easy Street — 8th Annual Art on Easy Street, May 14. Applications available at www.rowanarts.org. For information 704-638-9887, rac@rowanarts.org.
J.C. Price Post 107 Memorial week celebration — Single and double spots available for May 27-June 5 event, permits required for food vendors; rental info Abe Daniels 704-640-1893; event info 704-636-2950 or 704-213-2397.
15th Lexington Multicultural Festival — Applications accepted for artisans, crafters, demonstrators, cultural exhibitors, vendors as well as community organizations, churches, youth groups or schools interested in participating in the parade May 7. Lexington Recreation and Parks Department, 336-248-3960, www.lexingtonnc.net.
Call for artists
Randolph Arts Guild 29th annual Juried Arts Show — Artists may deliver entries Friday, June 3 and Saturday, June 4. Selected entries will be exhibited during June in the Sara Smith Self Gallery at Morning Arts Center, 123 Sunset Ave. downtown Asheboro. Entry $20 RAG members, $25 non-members; each artist may submit up to three current pieces. The juror will select at least one piece by each artist to be exhibited. Cash prizes for Best in Show, first, second and third place. Open to all artists in any media. Opening reception 5:30-7:30 p.m., Tuesday, June 7. Information 336-629-0399, entry forms www.randolphartsguild.com.
Call for artists, crafters for Summerfest 2011 — June 18: seeking artists, crafters interested in participating in day long festival. Crafters area open 8 a.m.-5 p.m., held in parking lot of NeelyD’s, Hickory. Spaces are limited, call Neel Hudson at 828-397-7711.
Speakers and forums
The Great Books Discussion Group — 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, April 26: discussing “The Prologue,” “The Wife of Bath’s Tale,” and “The Clerk’s Tale” from Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales Concord Library auditorium. Registration requested 704-920-2054. 27 Union St., N., Concord, jseury@cabarruscounty.us.
One-day leadership training event — May 6: Internationally acclaimed leaders speak at Chick-fil-A Leadercast at The Event Center, broadcast live from Atlanta. Speakers: Seth Godin, Robin Roberts, John Maxwell, Dave Ramsey, Sir Ken Robinson, Dan Cathy, Muhtar Kent, Suzy Welch,Mack Brown, Erin Gruwell, Frans Johansson. Visit www.chick-fil-aleadercast.com, local ticketing information 704-855-1218, theeventcenter.net.
“Rowan’s Pirates Baseball Team” by Joel Smeltzer rescheduled — 7 p.m., May 10, program about the old Rowan baseball. Presented by Rowan History Club in roundtable format followed by Q and A. Free. Rowan Museum Messinger Room, 202 N. Main St., 704-633-5946, rowanmuseum@carolina. rr.com.
Home and garden
Rowan County Master Gardener Volunteer Association annual plant sale, perennial plant swap, silent auction — 8:30 a.m., Saturday May 7: shrubs, plants, ornamental grasses, annuals; bring up to five potted, labeled plants for the swap; take home five plants from another gardener’s yard. $5, profits go to the Master Gardeners’ community projects. 2727 Old Concord Road.
Salisbury Symphony’s Festival of Summer Gardens — June 25 -26, tickets $12 in advance, $15 tour days. Perennial tour of eight country gardens, three historic gardens. Music by Salisbury Symphony Children’s Strings and local musicians. Sunday: Learn the art of planting in container gardens, learn from master gardeners and watch Plein Air artists at work. Lunch at Carolina Lily, $16, must be pre-ordered. Reserved tickets at Visitors Bureau, 704-638-3100, www.salisburysymphony. org, 704-603-4652 or 704-645-8300.
Art
Waterworks Visual Arts Center, 123 E. Liberty St.— 28th annual youth exhibition “Celebrating Rowan County’s Young Artists,” in the Young People’s Gallery, features the works of nearly 800 students. Today is last day for middle school exhibition, high school exhibit opens April 23. • Two solo exhibitions and a group show: NC artist Katie Claiborne and SC artist Susan Lenz exhibit •You and Me, a group multi-media show featuring the works of eleven regional artists exploring the question of individualism through self-portraiture •www.waterworks. org, 704-636-1882.
Center for Faith & the Arts — “Deja vu,” works by artists Barbara Richmond, Stephen Hoke, Luther Sowers through April 22. Gallery hours at 2-6 p.m. Monday through Thursday and during special events. 207 W. Harrison St., lower level of Haven Lutheran Church. 704-647-0999, faithart@bellsouth.net.
Rail Walk Studios and Gallery, 409 N. Lee St. — “It’s Hip to be Square,” group show featuring Rail Walk Studio artists, join in the fun and dress “square.” Gallery open to the public Saturdays 11 a.m.-5 p.m., by appointment or if the green open flag is out. 704-431-8964. www.railwalkgallery.com.
Mint Museum of Art, 2730 Randolph Road, Charlotte — Open 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Tuesdays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday. Admission $10 adults, $8 seniors and students, $5 ages 6 to 17, free for members and children 5 and younger. Free on Tuesdays 5-9 p.m. 704-337-2000. www.mintmuseum.org.
Reynolda House Museum of American Art, 2250 Reynolda Road, Winston-Salem — “Trains That Passed in the Night,” the photographs of O. Winston Link depicting the end of the steam railroading era with photos of the rural landscapes of Virginia and North Carolina that these trains passed through, through June 19•“Thomas Hart Benton, America’s Master Storyteller,” features large-scale oil masterpiece, “Bootleggers,” alongside three lithographs based on scenes the artist created for the mural program of the Missouri State Capitol Building that re-tell familiar stories. On view through July 31. House, gardens and village feature public garden, dining, shopping,walking trails. 336-758-5150, reynoldahouse. org.
 The North Carolina Pottery Center, 233 E. Ave., Seagrove — Through April 30: “Tea Time: Series I (Teapots and Tea cups),” featuring functional NC teapots and tea cups, handmade by more than 70 potters from across the state. Gallery hours: 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Tuesday-Saturday, 336-873-8430, www.ncpotterycenter.org.
NC Museum of Art, 2110 Blue Ridge Road, Raleigh — General admission $15, students, seniors, military, groups of 10 or more $12. Children 7-12 $7.50, children six and under free. www.ncartmuseum.org/rockwell.
NC Museum of Natural Sciences, 11 W. Jones St., Raleigh — 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Museum admission is free. 919-733-7450. www.naturalsciences. org.
NC Museum of Life and Science, 433 Murray Ave., Durham — $10.85 adult; $8.85 seniors 65 plus and military personnel with ID; $7.85 children age 3-12; free for children age two and younger. Train rides additional $2.50 per person, ornithopter rides $1. 919-220-5429, www.ncmls.org.
Children’s Museum of Winston-Salem, 390 S. Liberty St. — Museum hours: 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, 1-5 p.m. Sunday. $6 adults and children. 336-723-9111 or childrensmuseumofws.org.