We were completely stunned by - Roundabout: What's happening

Roundabout: What's happening

Thursday, September 08, 2011 12:00 AM | Printer friendly version | E-mail to a friend |

Music & more

FirstARTS of First United Methodist Church concert â€" 7 p.m., Friday, Sept. 16: Organ masterworks of Couperin Le Grand, Bach, Franck, Duruflé, Vierne, Guilman by Matthew Michael Brown, resident Director of Music. 704-636-3121.

Historic Downtown Mocksville Jammin’ On The Square â€" 7-9 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 17: Bluegrass and more with D.C. Express, bring chair, sit under the oaks near Restaurant 1. 909-2263, www.historicdowntownmocksville.com

Marc Hoffman to Perform At Ashe Civic Center â€" 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 10: “Tickling The Ivories” concert, Ashe County Civic Center, 962 Mt. Jefferson Road, West Jefferson, advance tickets 336-846-ARTS. $12 adult, $5 students. www.ashecountyarts.org

Hiddenite Center free concert â€" 3 p.m., Sept. 18: family friendly Celebration Gospel Sing, Hiddenite Center’s Educational Building in Hiddenite. Local choirs and musical groups perform inspirational music. www.hiddenitecenter.com

Stanly County Concert Association season opener â€" 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 24: Big Band music with The Frank Love Orchestra. Individual event tickets $20 adult, $10 student, reciprocal event for RCCA season ticket holders. Stanly County Agri-Civic Center, 704-986-3666, 26032 Newt Road #B, Albemarle, www.stanlyciviccenter.com

Toby Keith’s Locked & Loaded Tour â€" 7 p.m., Friday Oct. 7, with Eric Church and J. T. Hodges. Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre Charlotte. Ticketmaster, LiveNation.com, 800-745-3000.

Harrah’s Cherokee Event Center announces lineup â€" •Rick Springfield, Saturday, Sept. 24• Dwight Yoakam, Friday, Dec. 2• Harrah’s Cherokee Event Center, 777 Casino Drive, Cherokee. Tickets available at www.ticketmaster.com or 800-.745-3000.

The Rye Mountain Boys play for Charlotte Folk Society â€" 7:30 p.m., Friday, Sept. 9: Bill Monore-era bluegress. www.ryemountainboys.com . Great Aunt Stella Center, 926 Elizabeth Ave., uptown Charlotte. www.folksociety.org

County Fairs

Cabarrus County Fair begins tomorrow â€" Sept. 9-17,Cabarrus Arena & Events Center, 4759 Hwy 49 N Concord, www.cabarruscounty.us/government/departments/fair

Rowan County Fair â€" 60th year, Sept. 19-24, between I-85 and Old Concord Road at 1560 www.rowancountyfair.org/home

State Fair â€" Oct. 13-23, 1025 Blue Ridge Road, Raleigh, concerts, fireworks, http://www.ncstatefair.org/2011

Festivals

22nd annual Gold Hill Founder’s Day â€" 9 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 24, parade at 10 a.m., entertainment at 11. Gold Hill Mines Historic Park, approximately 14 miles south of Salisbury at 735 St. Stephens Church Road, Gold Hill, NC., 704-267-9439, www.HistoricGoldHill.com

Cooleemee Textile Heritage Festival â€" 10 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 24: Music, food, kids area, museum textile exhibit, cornbread contest, quilting demonstrations, pet contest. On the Zacharay House grounds, Church St., Cooleemee. 336-284-6040.

42nd Historical Crafts and Farmskills Festival â€" Sept. 23-25: 1177 Bethesda Road near Pinehurst. Traditional crafts/ farmskills festival depicting life in the 1800s plus 3 days of music. The Malcolm Blue Farm is located at 1177 Bethesda Road, watch for signs on Hwy. 5 south. Admission fee, 910-944-7558.

Lonesome River Band headlines Farmpark Bluegrass Festival â€" Sept. 22- 24: also music by Michelle Nixon & Drive, Next Best Thing, The Bluegrass Brothers, Cody Shuler & Pine Mountain Railroad, Darrell Webb Band, The Snyder Family, Dave Peterson & 1946, Bill Yates and Friends, Goldwing Express, The Bartley Brothers, Big Country Bluegrass, The Beachley & Scott Band, Jr. Sisk and Ramblers Choice, Grass Cats. Advance ticket sales end Sept. 12, 1-800-458-2755.

Autumn Jubilee at Dan Nicholas Park â€" 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday-Sunday, Oct. 1-2: 32nd annual family festival of music, entertainment, games, crafts, heritage village artisans and demonstrations. No pets. 7040-216-7803.

Theater Old Courthouse Theatre’s Living Room Reading Series presents “Portraits” â€" 4 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 11: Six characters, each a witness to the events of September 11, 2001. Free admission, 704-788-2405, OCT black box theatre, 704-788-2405, www.oldcourthousetheatre.org

“Enron” opens Burning Coal Theatre’s 15th season, Raleigh â€" Sept. 8-25: Music, dance, movement, puppets tell of one of the most heinous crimes of the 20th century. $20. Sunday, Sept. 11, 2 p.m. is ‘Pay What You Can’ Day. Burning Coal Theatre Company, Murphey School, 224 Polk St., Raleigh, 919-834-4001, www.burningcoal.org

Carolina Actors Studio Theater presents “August: Osage County” â€" Through Sept. 24; 8 p.m. Thursday, Friday, Saturday performances. New season in a new theatre. Dark comedic drama about family dysfunction. NODA@28 St., 2424 North Davidson, Charlotte, NC 28205. Reservations www.NCCAST.com, 704-455-8542.

“The Addams Family” kicks off 2011-12 Broadway Lights Series at Ovens â€" Oct. 11-16. Tickets available at 704-372-1000 or BlumenthalArts.org , Ovens Auditorium, 2700 E. Independence Blvd., Charlotte.

This & That

Battle of Bost Grist Mill â€" Sept. 10-11: Civil War reenactment at 4701 Hwy. 200, Concord. Battles at 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. On Saturday, a first-person presentation of Mildred Lee, daughter of General Robert E. Lee, first-person presentation of a nurse during the war, ladies fashion show, presentation of Black Confederate History, original 1840s hearse on display. Adults 13 and over $13. Host Unit 30th NCT, Co K. 704-782-1600, www.30thnct.org , www.bostgristmill.com

Rural Hill Amazing Maize Maze, Huntersville â€" Weekends through Nov. 6, Open by appointment during the week. Admission ages 13+ $10, youth ages 5-12 $7. Children 4 and under free. www.ruralhill.net/ AmazingMaizeMaze.asp

Art gallery and paranormal tours â€" Highland Avenue Art Gallery and More. Art gallery hours Tuesday through Saturday, noon -6 p.m. Paranormal tours Monday-Saturday 8:30-10 p.m., reservations required. 1031 Highland Ave., 704-636-8134 to schedule tour.

Fundraisers

Jazz concert and silent auction â€" Doors open at 7, pre-show at 7:30, concert begins at 8 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 10: presented by Salisbury-Rowan Choral Society. Free admission, donations appreciated, 30+ items to bid on, beer/wine/soda/water with donation. Looking Glass Artist Collective black box theater, 405 N. Lee St., 704-633-ARTS, www.salisburyartists.com

100th anniversary celebration and back to school bash â€" 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 17, sponsored by and benefitting China Grove Middle School Booster Club and PTA at China Grove Middle School, 1013 N. Main St. Questions: 704-791-8906, 704-467-0282, 704-857-7038 ext. 119.

Biker Blues BBQ Rally and Kansas City BBQ Society sanctioned cook-off â€" Sept. 23-24: Free admission, bring a chair. Event supports GodStock, Salisbury Fraternal Order of Police Lodge # 87 and The Folds of Honor Foundation. Raffle, food, vendors, entertainment, kid zone. Live blues bands Friday, Sept. 23 starting 6 p.m. including Jill Dineen Band •Live entertainment Saturday, Sept. 24 starting 9 a.m. •Bike Show/Poker Run for charity Saturday, all motorcycles welcome, 3:45 p.m. awards ceremony •Uncle Buck’s pre-event party with Preacher Stone and DB Bryant, 6 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 22 •Info Tilley Harley-Davidson 704-638-6044, www.bikerbluesbbqrally.com

“A Night At The Opry” fundraiser for Cystic Fibrosis â€" 7 p.m. Sept. 24: Music by DC & The Chosen Few, Lynn Owsley, Dottie Jack, David Ridenhour, G.W. Saunders. Doors open 6 p.m., food and drink available to buy. St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church, 9275 Bringle Ferry Road.

Scarecrows for Charity â€" Through Sept. local charities build scarecrows in Carolina Lily’s garden, visitors vote on favorites, winning charity receives $500. Carolina Lily, 1375 Kern Carlton Road, 704 639-0033, www.carolinalily.com

Dance

“So You Think You Can Dance” tour in Charlotte â€" Wednesday, Sept. 21: The show’s eighth-season Top 10 finalists come to Time Warner Cable Arena. Tickets at Ticketmaster locations, AEGLive.com , ticketmaster.com . Event time and date subject to change. Log on to fox.com/dance for full list of dates and links.

Night Life

Benchwarmers. 113 E. Fisher St. â€" 7-10 p.m. every Friday: Handful of Dave. 704-639-0604.

DJ’s, 1502 W. Innes St., â€" Live music Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays starting at 8:30 p.m. 704-638-9647.

Fat Jack's, 120 Military Ave., â€" 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 â€" Friday, Sept. 9: Pre SOS party with Deejay Butch Metcalf. Wednesday, Sept. 14: Summer Beach Wednesday with Carolina Breakers. 704-633-0251, www.theboatandskiclub.com

Rick’s BBQ and Grill, 929 S. Main St. â€" 7-9 p.m. tonight, Sept. 8: Karaoke performance by Marcie Strickland. Bike Night 6-9 p.m. every Monday; Cruise-in 6-9 p.m. every Tuesday; karaoke 7-close every Friday-Saturday. 704-642-0050.

The Shack, 1205 N. Salisbury Ave., Spencer â€" 7-p.m., Thursdays: karaoke. 704-637-0500.

The Blue Vine, 209 S. Main St. â€" 9 p.m.-midnight, Friday, Sept. 9: Crystal Bright & the Silver Hands, 2-for-1 deal: pay one $5 cover, get second person in free • 9 p.m.-11:30 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 10: Eden’s Gate, no cover. 704-797-0093, www.thebluevine.com

The Inn, 1012 Mooresville Hwy 150 â€" Saturday, Sept. 10: Good Courage and CrossFire. Open 7 p.m.-midnight Saturdays, free refreshments, air hockey, foosball, pool. Free wi-fi. Public invited to jam or schedule their group to perform. 704-213-1467. www.inntheloop.

E.H. Montgomery General Store â€" 7-9 p.m. Fridays: bluegrass jams. Historic Village of Gold Hill. www.HistoricGoldHill.com . 704-267-9439, 704-279-5674.

Classes

Free design demonstrations on special Saturday opening â€" 10:30 a.m. and noon, Sept 10: Natural Colors of Fall and Thanksgiving Glitz; free give-aways, light refreshments through 2 p.m. Piedmont Floral Galleries, 280 Furniture Drive, 704-636-7739. www.piedmontfloralgalleries.com

Chrismon classes â€" Beginner, Thursday, Thursday, Sept. 15, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. • Intermediate, Friday, Sept. 16, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Rufty’s Chrismon Shop, 280 Furniture Drive, 704-636-7790 for reservations/information, info@chrismons.com

Art Classes at Rail Walk Gallery â€" Oil painting, drawing instruction in the direct representational style, beginner/ intermediate, studio and outdoors, small classes, framing and marketing tips, lots of extras, Tuesday or Wednesday, 10 a.m.-noon or 1â€"3 p.m., $30 per session, price breaks on six classes. Also offering weekly figure drawing/painting sessions, live model, $5/hour, no instruction. Rail Walk Gallery, 409 N. Lee St. Info, material list, registration contact Rachel Lee 704-202-4467 or hare369@live.com

“Awakening to Life” class â€" 7-8:30 p.m., Tuesdays, Sept. 27-Oct. 18: To support the practice of mindfulness; wear comfortable clothes, bring cushion. Sponsored by Mindful Living of Salisbury and The Center for Faith & the Arts. Classes at Center for Faith & the Arts, lower level Haven Lutheran Church, 207 W. Harrison St. Suggested donation of $10 goes to church facilities utilization.

Introduction to Tribal Style Belly Dance â€" 1-3 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 10: Learn posture, basic steps, movement cues. $30, limit 12 students, Artemesia Artworks and Yoga Studio, 323 W. Harrison St., register at KalimaTribal@carolina.rr.com

Belly Dance for the Curious â€" 6:30-8 p.m., Sept. 14, 28, Oct. 12 and 26: Four part session with lecture, discussion, slides, video, movement. Artemesia Artworks and Yoga Studio, 323 W. Harrison St. All four classes $50 or $15 each. Limit 12 people. Register at KalimaTribal@carolina.rr.com

Zumba fitness â€" 6:30 p.m., Tuesdays, First Baptist Church in old YMCA gym, Fulton St.

Thursday line dance classes â€" Absolute Beginner: 3:30 p.m. • Easy Beginner: 4:30 p.m. • Intermediate: 5:30 p.m. • 4 lessons per mo., $12/month or $5/lesson. 704-633-7862 Rufty-Holmes Sr. Center. Teacher Cheryl Kluttz 704-633-3484.

Classical Method of Oils Painting with Patt â€" Now accepting fall students, beginner or intermediate. Ongoing classes every Tuesday, 1-3 p.m. at the studio of Patt Legg. Limited number of students. One-on-one teaching methods of the Old Masters. $40. per 2 hour session, pay as you go. 704.232.6000, www.PattLeggFineArtStudio.com

Free painting seminar/demo at Rufty Homes Senior Center â€" 6---8 p.m., Sept. 15: for interested seniors, learn the Old Master way of painting. Pre register at 704-216-7714. The following 8-week class begins Sept. 22-Nov. 10, Thursdays 6-8 p.m.

Creative painting workshops â€" 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., ongoing, 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 â€" J.F. Hurley Family YMCA hosts classes every other Thursday evening, 6-8 p.m. $10, all supplies included. Call Terri Dockins 704-636-0111. 828 W Jake Alexander Blvd.

Watercolor classes at LGAC â€" 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 â€" 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.

Singles

Piedmont Singles â€" 7:15 p.m., Friday, Sept. 9: Larry Chastain playing and singing. Gloria Dei Lutheran Church behind CVS, Statesville Blvd. Covered dish, no joining fee, donations appreciated. Contact Frances Ward 704-637-3241.

Zodiac Club â€" Sept. 9: Doors 7 p.m., band 8 p.m. Free soft drinks, water; snacks welcome. $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

Film

Free screening of award-winning environmental film â€" “Living Downstream,” 7 p.m., tonight Sept. 8, Kannapolis Rotary Hall, 211 West St. Hosted by Optimistic Futurist Francis Koster. 904-616-8024, www.TheOptimisticFuturist.org

Appalachian film fest â€" Ninth Appalachian Film Festival accepting submissions for Feb. 25-26, 2012 festival. Entry forms, submission guidelines at www.appyfilmfest. com/pages/entries.htm or enter at www.withoutabox. com/ Christopher Lusher, 1-304-690-2500, cdlusher@gmail.com

Auditions

Old Courthouse Theatre “A Broadway Christmas Carol” auditions â€" 7-9 p.m., Monday-Tuesday, Oct. 3-4. Three actors, one piano player, song parodies, breakneck pace. Performance dates Dec. 1-18. 49 Spring St. SW, Concord. www.oldcourthousetheatre.org

Salisbury-Rowan Symphony Society auditions â€" By appointment, Sunday, Sept. 25, for musicians who want to be on the orchestra’s substitute list. Play a prepared piece plus sight-reading. For suggestions contact David Hagy dhagy@wfu.edu . For appointment: 704-637-4314, email ljones@catawba.edu , or write Audition Information, Salisbury Symphony Orchestra, P.O.Box 4264, Salisbury, North Carolina 28145. See www.salisburysymphony.org

NCShakes auditions for 2012 “Shakespeare To Go Tour” â€" 4-6 p.m., Sept. 20 and 22, NCShakes’ Spirit Center campus, 807 W. Ward Ave., High Point. Schedule audition at 336-841-2273. This is the outreach and education program that performs and educates at schools across North Carolina.

Call for quilts and more

Cooleemee’s 20th annual Textile Heritage Festival â€" Seeking old, antique textiles, e.g., handkerchief, doily, quilt, dress, pillow case, etc, for new textile exhibit at festival on Saturday, Sept. 24 on the historic Zachary House grounds, Cooleemee. Contact Bonnie Byerly 336-284-6040.

Call for vendors

Carolina Christmas at Charlotte Motor Speedway â€" Nov. 23-Dec. 31: Christmas light park and Christmas villages seeks arts and crafts vendors for Christmas Village. Materials coded for sale so vendors do not have to be on premises at all times. Information /application: Randall Barger 704-314-4711.

FolkVendors for Folklife Festival and Craft Show at Historic Latta Plantation â€" Vendor registration extended to Sept. 10 for Sept. 24-25 event. Registration fee $15. Traditional and modern arts and crafts vendors selling baskets, pottery, jewelry, lace, gourds, yarn crafts, more. For vendor applicaiton see lattaplant@lattaplant.pmailus.com

Hiddenite Center Celebration of the Arts â€" Saturday, Sept. 24: Hiddenite Center seeking regional vendors for arts, crafts, commercial items, food sales, public information booths. Applications/ fee scale 828-632-6966 or info@hiddenitecenter.com .

Asheboro 39th Fall Festival â€" Submit completed registration and fees to Randolph Arts Guild, PO Box 1033, Asheboro, NC 27204-1033. Download forms at www.AsheboroFallFestival.com . Booth fee until day of festival $100 as space allows. Event dates Oct. 1-2.

Call for musicians

Hiddenite Center Celebration of the Arts â€" 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 24: call for performers for 30th arts and heritage festival for musicians, bands, dance groups. Call Hiddenite Center 828-632-6966, www.hiddenitecenter.com

Piedmont Prime Time Community Band â€"Rehearsals begin for 10th season, accepting new members during September for Fall/Christmas season, first rehearsal Sept. 15. Rehearsals Thursdays 7 p.m., Blackwelder Park Baptist Church, 2299 N. Main St., Kannapolis. Requirements: able to read music, attend rehearsals, play an instrument; no guitar or keyboard players. Jon Hutchinson 704-425-3508, www.primetimeband.org

Southern Piedmont Singers call for singers â€" 2011-2012 season consists of holiday concert, masterworks concert, pop/ jazz concert; open to new singers ages 13 and up. Show up for rehearsal 2 p.m. Sundays Sept. 11-25. North Kannapolis UMC, 1301 N. Main Street, Kannapolis, no audition required. Damien Evans, director, 704-224-7148, southernpiedmontsingers@gmail.com

Call for artists

Gold Hill Founder's Day seeks artists/ crafters/exhibitors â€" Accepting applicants for arts, crafts, expanded heritage living exhibits. Event date Sept. 24. www.HistoricGoldHill.com , 704-267-9439. Application: vivian@historicgoldhill.com, 704-279-1630.

Minetta Lane Center for Arts and Peace seeks artists â€" For upcoming exhibition “Reflections on Peace and Peacemakers” for World Peace Day, Sept. 21. Fine art, fine craft, photography and written word accepted, theme: peace. Show opens Sept. 21, reception Friday, Sept. 23 at 7 p.m., runs through Oct. 21. No entry fee. Minetta Lane Center for Arts and Peace, 270 Union Square, Hickory. Email lindsay@minettalanecenter.org, for prospectus, visit minettalanecenter.org/

Call for poets

Registration open for national ‘Poetry Out Loud’ competition â€" Designed for high school students in grades 9-12 in public, private, home schools, culminating in national finals in Washington, D.C., May 13â€"15. Teachers register online through 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 14, www.poetryoutloud.org. Questions: contact Banu Valladares 919-807-6502, banu.valladares @ncdcr.gov , www.ncarts. org/freeform

Speakers and forums

Cabarrus Art Guild Art Talk â€" 2-4 p.m., Sept. 11: Artist Carmella Jarvi, best known for her women in water paintings, free. See www.carmellajarvi.com or email Jutta Vest chaz01@ctc.net

Guns And Gowns: Annie Oakley’s NC connection â€" 12:10 to 1 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 14: Oakley lived in Pinehurst for seven years, is said to have done some of her best shooting in NC. Curator of costume and textiles at NC Museum of History will speak. Free, bring your lunch, beverages provided. N.C. Museum of History, 5 E. Edenton St., 919-807-7900, ncmuseumofhistory.org

Home and garden

Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden â€" • How to Creat Your Own Butterfly Garden, Saturday, Sept. 10, 10 a.m.â€"noon: workshop includes classroom instruction, handouts, Garden walk. $30 for non-members •Native Plants for the Landscape, led by Lisa Tompkins, NC Native Plant Society, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2-5 p.m.: landscaping with native plants, plus Garden walk, plants available for sale afterward. Free with regular garden admission, $12. Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden, 6500 S. New Hope Road, Belmont. 704-825-4490, www.DSBG.org

Art

The Galleries, 65 Union Street S., Concord â€" “Making Arrangements” through Oct. 6, features multiple kinds of “arrangements,” includes work by Syad Ahmad of Salisbury. 704-920-ARTS (2787), www.CabarrusArtsCouncil.org

Waterworks Visual Arts Center, 123 E. Liberty St.â€" “Imprints” features three exhibitions through Nov. 19: “Through a Soldier’s Eyes: Remembering Vietnam” honors and illustrates local servicemen and women’s Vietnam experiences through photographs, oral histories, artifacts; Vietnam veteran Thomas L. Floyd’s lithographs and paintings in his work “Principles and Reality;” woodblock prints from Mona Wu • Art for the Soul exhibition by residents of Abundant Living Adult Day Services, featured artwork includes photography, collages, sculptures, paintings. Reception is 5-6:30 p.m., Oct. 13. Exhibit through Nov. 12 • The Arc of Rowan exhibition features works created by children of The Arc of Rowan Summer Day Program, through Sept. 28. Reception 5-6:30 p.m., Sept. 22 • Free admission, donations appreciated. Gallery hours 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

Pottery 101 at 101 S. Main St. â€" “Functional Beauty” works by Sylvia Coppola, Brenda Roberts, Bill Stewart. Gallery hours 10 a.m-6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; 10 a.m-6 p.m. Saturday. 704-209-1632.

Rail Walk Studios and Gallery, 409 N. Lee St. â€" Last weeknd for “Art is relative: Art by 3 Generations of the Foster Family” through Sept. 10. 409-413 N. Lee St., 704-431-8964, www.railwalkgallery.com

Mint Museum of Art, 2730 Randolph Road, Charlotte â€" Open 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Tuesdays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday. $10 adults, , free for members and 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 â€" Same hours, admission as above. 704-337-2000. www.mintmuseum.org

Reynolda House Museum of American Art, 2250 Reynolda Road, Winston-Salem â€" Masterpieces on exhibit, 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 â€" Gallery hours: 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Tuesday-Saturday, 336-873-8430, www.ncpotterycenter.org

Trips

“West Side Story” â€" $85 includes orchestra center seating for performance Nov. 1, transportation from YMCA to the Blumenthal, Charlotte. First deposit $40 due now, final deposit due Sept. 29. Barbara Franklin, J.F. Hurley YMCA, 828 W Jake Alexander Blvd., 704-636-0111.

Day trips across North Carolina â€" • Oct. 19: Blue Ridge Parkway leaf viewing, Pisgah National Forest, $15, lunch not included, register by Oct. 3 • Nov. 16: Biltmore House, tour gardens, dine at finest restaurant, take Christmas Candlelight Tour, $100, dinner and admission included, register by Oct. 7 • 18 and older. Bus departs from Village Park, 700 West C St., Kannapolis, payment due on or before registration deadline. Kannapolis Parks & Recreation Department 704-920-4343. Program brochure at www.cityofkannapolis.com

Parks

Dan Nicholas Park, 6800 Bringle Ferry Rd. â€" Paddle boats, miniature golf, miniature trains, carousel, gem mine, playgrounds, family camping, picnic shelters, splash pad, petting zoo. 704-216-7800. www.dannicholas.net

Ellis Park, 3541 Old Mocksville Road â€" 26 acres of ball fields, tennis courts, volleyball court, shelters, playground, event center, walking trail. 704-216-7783.

Sloan Park, 550 Sloan Road, Mt. Ulla â€" Off NC Hwy 150 approximately 10 miles west of Salisbury. Features Kerr Mill, an 1823 grist mill.

Gold Hill Mines Historic Park 735 St. Stephens Church Road, Gold Hill â€" Historic tours available by appointment: 704-267-9439, www.HistoricGoldHill.com

Gold Hill Rail Trail â€" Hiking, biking trail begins at Gold Hill Mines Historic Park, continues into Cabarrus County. 704-267-9439.

Dunn’s Mountain Nature and History Preserve, 1640 Dunn’s Mtn. Road â€" Trail walks, overlooks, see 120 miles in most directions, blacksmith shop display, Saturday-Sunday shuttle service, 704-216-7803.

Tweetsie Railroad, Blowing Rock â€" Sept. 10-11: Railfan Weekend: annual event for railroad enthusiasts includes exclusive photo-special train ride and train shop tours. Visit website for pricing, packages. Tweetsie.com, 877-TWEETSIE (877-893-3874), Facebook, Twitter @TweetsieRR

Museums

N.C. Transportation Museum, 411 S. Salisbury Ave., Spencer â€" Thomas the Tank Engine visits Sept. 23-25, Sept. 30-Oct. 2. Tickets now on sale 866-468-7630 or www.ticketweb.com/thomas or www.nctrans.org •Open 9 a.m.â€"5 p.m. Mondayâ€"Saturday, 1â€"5 p.m., Sunday. Admission includes train ride, adults $10, seniors, military, children ages 3-12 discounted, children 2 and under free. Admission only rates available too. 704-636-2889, 877-NCTMFUN, www.nctrans.org

Rowan Museum, 202 N. Main St. â€" “When We Fought Ourselves-1861-1865,”with local emphasis. Monday-Friday, 1-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Contributions accepted. 704-633-5946. www.rowanmuseum.org

Utzman-Chambers House, 116 S. Jackson St. â€" Artifacts of the late Honorable Spruce Macay (1755â€"1808), lawyer and Superior Court judge. Open 1-4 p.m. Saturday. $3 adults, $1.50 students. 704-633-5946.

Dr. Josephus Hall House, 226 S. Jackson St. â€" 1820 house museum, costumed docents provide tours. $3 adults, $1.50 students. For group tours, call HSF office, 704-636-0103.

Old Stone House, Granite Quarry â€"Open 1-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. $3 adults, $1.50 students. 704-633-5946.

Historic Rockwell Museum, 102 E. Main St. â€" For special tours call 704-279-4979. Museum open Sundays 2-4 p.m. and by appointment. Info: 704-279-5783.

Price of Freedom Museum, Old Patterson School building, China Grove â€" Sundays 3-5 p.m. and by appointment. War memorial dedicated to men/women of the armed services. Intersection of Weaver, Patterson Roads, 704-857-7474, www.priceoffreedom.us

China Grove Roller Mill Museum â€" Guided tours 2-4 p.m. second Sundays.Operated by Historical Society of South Rowan. For special tours call 704-433-3912. www.hist-society-srowan.com

NC Music Hall of Fame Museum, 109 West A Street, Kannapolis â€" Honors musicians, singers, songwriters, producers from NC. In the 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 â€" 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, 12 miles southeast of Concord â€" Tuesday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., admission free. 704-721-4653, reed@ncdcr. gov

Fort Dobbs State Historic Site, 438 Fort Dobbs Road, Statesville â€" Only NC historic Site associated with French and Indian War (1754-1763) or Seven Years War. Free, open Tuesday-Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m. 704-873-5882, www.fortdobbs. org

Historic Latta Plantation, Sample Road, Huntersville â€" Circa 1800 cotton plantation and living history farm, 704-875-2312, www.lattaplantation.org

Historic Rosedale Plantation, 3427 N. Tryon St., Charlotte â€" Civil War National Register Federal house circa 1815.www.historicrose dale.com

Discovery Place, Charlotte, 301 N. Tryon St., Charlotte, â€" Monday-Friday: 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; Saturday: 10 a.m.â€"6 p.m.; Sunday: noonâ€"5 p.m. 704-372-6261, www.discoveryplace.org

Discovery Place KIDS Huntersville, 105 Gilead Road â€" 9 a.m.â€"5 p.m., Tuesday-Saturday, noon-5 p.m., Sunday, closed Monday. $8 for adults and children one and older, children younger than age one are free. 704-372-6261, discoveryplaceKIDS.org

Charlotte Nature Museum, 1658 Sterling Road, Charlotte â€" $6 ages 2 and older; younger than 2 and members are free. Tuesday-Thursday 9 a.m.â€"5 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. -5 p.m.; Sunday noonâ€"5 p.m.; closed Monday. www.charlottenaturemuseum.org

Town Creek Indian Mound, southern Montgomery County â€" NC’s only state historic site dedicated to American Indian heritage. Located on Town Creek Mound Road approx. five miles east of Mt. Gilead, between NC 73/NC 731. www.towncreek. nchistoricsites.org

Old Salem, Winston-Salem â€" 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

NC Museum of Art, 2110 Blue Ridge Road, Raleigh â€" A loan of ten works of Rodin from the personal collection of Iris Cantor includes a rare marble sculpture of Eve, a monumental sized bronze of Eve standing 68 inches tall, Final Study for the Monument to Balzac, the monumental Torso of the Falling Man, three of Rodin’s Burghers of Calais. West Building. General admission $15, students, children, seniors, military discounted, children six and under free. www.ncartmuseum.org

Contemporary Art Museum, 409 W. Martin St., Raleigh â€" $5 general admission. 919-513-0946, camraleigh.org

NC Museum of History, 5 E. Edenton St., Raleigh â€" Across from the State Capitol. 919-807-7900, ncmuseumofhistory.org or Facebook

NC Museum of Natural Sciences, 11 W. Jones St., Raleigh â€" Free general admission. 919-733-7450, www.naturalsciences. org .

NC Museum of Life and Science, 433 Murray Ave., Durham â€" $10.85 adults; seniors, military, children discounted; children two and younger free. Train and ornithopter rides small add’l cost. 919-220-5429, www.ncmls.org

Children’s Museum of Winston-Salem, 390 S. Liberty St. â€" 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, 1-5 p.m. Sunday. $6 adults and children. 336-723-9111 or childrensmuseumofws.org

Natural Science Center of Greensboro, 4301 Lawndale Drive â€" Home of the Animal Discovery Zoological Park and OmniSphere Dome Theater. 336-288-3769, www.natsci.org

Greensboro Children’s Museum, 220 N. Church St. â€"Hands-on, interactive museum for children (infancy to 10 years of age). 336-574-2898, www.gcmuseum.com