Amanda Shires appeared in the recent Hollywood movie “Country Strong,”playing the fiddle player in the band backing Gwyneth Paltrow’s fictional country superstar.
Shires, along with musical partner Rod Picott, has played to a full house at The Blue Vine before, and they will take to The Blue Vine stage again this Friday at 9 p.m.
A Texas fiddler and a Yankee singer-songwriter might seem an unlikely pairing but the natural chemistry between Amanda Shires and Rod Picott is undeniable.
Shires went is one of the founding members of Lubbock’s Thrift Store Cowboys, and has worked with Texas legends Billy Shaver and Gary P. Nunn as well as folk/bluegrass favorites The Rowen Brothers, Whit Smith’s Hot Jazz Caravan, and one of Indie Rock’s hottest acts, Devotchka. Her newest release is “West Cross Timbers.”
In 1994 Picott moved to Nashville where he established himself as one of the better new writers in town as well as opening shows for Allison Krauss and Union Station and Gillian Welch. His 2002 album “Straydogs” featured a guest appearance from Allison Krauss. Picott has had a string of successful albums including his 2007 release “Summerbirds.”
Shires and Picott have toured the US and Europe playing more than 150 shows together. They co-wrote and recorded their debut duo project “Sew Your Heart with Wires” in 2008, an album that is completely acoustic featuring only their two voices, Picott’s guitar and Shires’ fiddle and ukulele. See them at www.myspace.com/ rodpicottandamandashires.
There is no cover charge for The Blue Vine show on Friday.
“MovieMemories”
Lee Street theatre will once again transform the Black Box at the Looking Glass Artists Collective into a nightclub for three evenings of Movie Memories.
Performances dates are Thursday-Saturday, May 5-7. Doors open at 6:45; the show begins at 7:30 p.m..
Returning to the Lee Street Cafe will be Becky Lippard, Carol Harris, Patsy Parnell, Mary Ann McCubbin, John Brincefield, Kent Bernhardt, and Justin Dionne.
Jonathan Coarsey will sing with group on Saturday. Matthew Brown, pianist extraordinaire, will accompany the singers as they perform solos, duets, and full-group renditions of favorite songs.
Included are many familiar classics, including “Stand by Me,” “The Look of Love,” “As Time Goes By,” “Singing in the Rain,” “That’s Entertainment,” “Get Happy” and “Nine to Five.”
Admission is $10. Beer and wine will be available. Lee Street theatre is not set up to take reservations, so come early and see the art gallery and the LGAC artists’ shop.
Looking Glass Artists Collective is located at 405 N. Lee Street (at the corner of Kerr). For more information, contact Robert Jones at leestreettheatre@gmail.com.
Peredy’s new album
Local musician Peredy celebrates the world wide release of his new album “Tainted” with a concert on April 30 at Brick Street Tavern, 122 E. Fisher St.
Tickets are $6 in advance at www.peredymusic.com/tickets, or $8 at the door. This is for ages 18 and over.
Doors open at 8 p.m. and the concert starts at 10. The band The Upside of Down will open.
To see Peredy, visit www.peredymusic.com/index2.html.
Rowan Blues and Jazz
Baritone, musician, songwriter and producer David Payne and the Friends Jazz Band will perform at the Black Box Theater at 405 N. Lee Street in the Rail Walk Arts District, on Saturday, April 30 at 7:30 p.m.
The Great Minds Society will kick off the event with poetry presentations under the leadership of Teresa Vinson.
Donation at the door is $10. Advance tickets are on sale at the Literary Book Post on South Main Street for $8.
This is a benefit for Rowan Blues and Jazz Society and a celebration of Jazz & Poetry Appreciation Month.
High school exhibition
Waterworks Visual Arts Center’s 28th annual youth exhibition continues in the Young People’s Gallery, with the works of nearly 800 students representing Salisbury-Rowan County’s private, independent and home schools, and public elementary, middle, and high schools.
The high school exhibition display begins with a reception for family and friends on Thursday, May 5 from 5-6:30 p.m. at 123 E. Liberty St.
Auditions and congrats
Lee Street Theatre will hold auditions for the June production of “Route 66: 3rd Annual Ten-Minute Original Play Festival” at the Looking Glass Artist Collective, 405 N. Lee St. There are roles for men and women of various ages, and no experience is necessary.
Auditions are Monday, May 2 and Tuesday, May 3 from 7-9 p.m. Rehearsals begin on May 9. Contact leestreettheatre@ gmail.com for more information.
Congratulations to the playwrights: “The Rock Knows” by Sam Post of Salisbury; “Roadkill Part IV” by Teresa B. Hollar of Salisbury; “Time Machines are Awesome” by Gregory S. Eyman of Raleigh; “Boutonniere or Bouquet?” by Bill Greene of Salisbury; “Visiting Daddy” by Alexander Speer of Charlotte; “Waiting for Gordo” by Seth Labovitz of Salisbury.
Community recitals
The Catawba College Community Music Program will host several spring semester performance events that showcase the classes and private lessons taught through Community Music.
The first recital is on Sunday, May 1, at 1:30 p.m. in the Omwake-Dearborn Chapel on campus.
Students will represent the piano studio of Jennifer Drake and voice studio of Mara Stewart, as well as the studio of Community Music’s director, Erin Harper. More than 50 students will perform in a program of all ages and musical styles.
For more information call 704-881-1565 or consult www.catawba.edu/communitymusic.
A jazz and art evening
CONCORD — Cannon School’s annual Arts Jam is on Friday, April 29 on the campus, 5801 Poplar Tent Road. The event is free and open to the public beginning at 5 p.m.
Headliners include the Omimeo Mime Theatre, Air Apparent and the Scrap Exchange.
Jazz on the Lawn will begin at 6:45 p.m. when Cannon’s upper school jazz musicians open for Air Apparent, whose violinist and leader, Armen Boyajian, will perform with the students.
‘Mamma Mia’ at Belk
CHARLOTTE — The hit musical based on the songs of ABBA returns to Belk Theater at Blumenthal Performing Arts Center for one week only, July 26-31.
Tickets start at $30 and are on sale now at BlumenthalArts. org, 704-372-1000 or from box office in the Belk Theater lobby, 130 N. Tryon St.
‘Chess’ has local lead
CHARLOTTE — Queen City Theatre Company’s London version of the musical “Chess,” which features local actor Jonathan Coarsey (see Salisbury Post People section, April 3), opens at the Duke Energy Theatre at Spirit Square, 345 N College St., on May 19, with a special launch party on May 12 at 9 p.m. Visit www.queencitytheatre.com for details.
“Chess” is an allegory of political intrigue and conspiracy set to the music of ABBA with the lyrics of Tim Rice (“Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” “Evita,” “The Lion King’”).
Tickets start at $24. A special discounted performance is offered on Wednesday, May 25 for $14. Tickets can be purchased at www.carolinatix.org
David Holt performs
ALBEMARLE — Tickets are on sale now for David Holt’s appearance at the Stanly County Senior Center on Thursday, May 12.
At 7 p.m. the four-time Grammy Award winner, musician, storyteller, historian, television host and entertainer leads the benefit, proceeds from which go to support services and programs for Stanly County seniors.
Tickets are $10, available at 704-986-3769. The Stanly County Senior Center is located at 283 N. Third St.
‘Mindful Living’ class
Mindful Living of Salisbury offers a weekly four-week class, “Awakening to Life,” the third offering is for those interested in beginning or continuing a meditation practice of sitting mindfully.
The class begins on Thursday, May 5 and continues each Thursday through May 26 from 7-8:30 p.m. Bring a cushion or mat for sitting. Cost for the class is $10.
The class is held at Center for Faith & the Arts, lower level of Haven Lutheran Church, 207 W. Harrison St.
To register, call Sam and Marilyn Warlick, 704-639-8971 before 8 p.m.; for more information see mindfullivingsalisburync.vpweb.com.