Upcoming summer concerts include musical styles like bluegrass, blues and rock ‘n’ roll. (Courtesy of Stephen Youngblade)

Towns and organizations throughout the region have put together a full list of summer concerts this year. From bluegrass to shag to symphony, there’s music for everyone to enjoy out on a picnic blanket this summer. Here’s a roundup of some of this summer’s shows.

Friday Night Live – Belmont

Friday Night Live concerts will be held every other Friday evening in downtown Belmont through Sept. 6. Concerts run from 7-10 p.m., South Main Street closes between the railroad tracks and Myrtle Street beginning around 2 p.m. to set up for the event.

The concerts are free, but there is a charge for concessions.

Details:  www.cityofbelmont.org.

This summer’s series, “Summer of Shag:”

June 14, Coming Up Brass

June 28, Voltage Brothers, featuring fireworks

July 12, Band of Oz

July 26, Spontanes/Image

Aug. 9, Hip Pocket

Aug. 23, Coastline

Sept. 6, Ken Knox & Company (former members of Chairman of the Board)

Whitewater Center River Jam

The U.S. National Whitewater Center holds concerts each week throughout the summer.

Thursday nights also feature a trail run beginning at 6:30 p.m.

This summer’s lineup:

June 6, Delta Saints

June 8, Porch Dog Revival

June 13, Jamie McLean Band

June 20, Packway Handle

June 22, Rosco Bandana

June 27, Hollis Brown

June 29, The Broadcast

July 6, The Chemist

July 11, Town Mountain

July 13, Mipso

July 18, Holy Ghost Tent Revival

July 20, Common Foundation

July 25, Honey Island Swamp Band

July 27, Mike Strauss Band

Aug. 1, Paper Bird

Aug. 3, Overmountain Men

Aug. 8, Desert Noises

Aug. 15, Red Wanting Blue

Aug. 17, Lefty Williams

Aug. 22, Delta Moon

Aug. 24, Jesse Dee

Aug. 31, Charley Horse

Sept. 5, Tone Balzers

Sept. 12, Bob Margolin

Sept. 19, Sol Driven Train

Sept. 26, Humming House

Stonecrest Summer Concert Series

The Stonecrest Summer Concert Series takes place every weekend through Sept. 28. The concerts are free and take place from 7-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday at two performance spaces: the Fountain stage and the Plaza stage.

The concert roundup:

June 7-8

Fountain Stage: Mick & The Ultras

Plaza Stage: Kristi Orman

June 14-15

Fountain Stage: Dukes & Smith

Plaza Stage: Rayen Belchere

June 21-22

Fountain Stage: Red Car

Plaza Stage: Sabra Callas

June 29-29

Fountain Stage: Uniq Blend

Plaza Stage: Jerry Dowd

July 5-6

Fountain Stage: Mick & The Ultras

Plaza Stage: Wicked Powers

July 12-13

Fountain Stage: Doug Burns

Plaza Stage: Scott Smith

July 19-20

Fountain Stage: Leslie & Friends

Plaza Stage: Tony Barnes

July 26-27

Fountain Stage: Brubakers

Plaza Stage: Kristi Ormand

Aug. 2-3

Fountain Stage: Robin B

Plaza Stage: Sabra Callas

Aug. 9-10

Fountain Stage: Hot Sauce

Plaza Stage: Rayen Belchere

Aug. 16-17

Fountain Stage: Uniq Blend

Plaza Stage: Jerry Dowd

Aug. 23-24

Fountain Stage: Mick & The Ultras

Plaza Stage: Kevin Russell

Aug. 30-31

Fountain Stage: Uniq Flavur

Plaza Stage: Wicked Powers

Sept. 6-7

Fountain Stage: Brubakers

Plaza Stage: Jeff Brown

Sept. 13-14

Fountain Stage: Leslie & Friends

Plaza Stage: Kevin Russell

Sept. 20-21

Fountain Stage: Kimberly Carper Trio

Plaza Stage: Sabra Callas

Sept. 27-28

Fountain Stage: Robin B

Plaza Stage: Scott Smith

Union Street Live – Concord

Downtown Concord hosts a monthly outdoor concert on the third Thursday of each month from 6-9 p.m. next to the Historic Cabarrus County Courthouse, 65 Union St. S.

This year’s schedule:

June 20, Tim Clark

July 18, Too Much Sylvia

Aug. 15, Craig Woolard

Sept. 19, Atlantic Groove Band

Charlotte Symphony Summer Pops Series

The symphony will hold a series of concerts this summer at Symphony Park at SouthPark Mall. Gates open at 5 p.m., a pre-show begins at 7 and the Charlotte Symphony begins playing at 8:15. Tickets cost $10 for adults, or $35 for all five concerts. Children get in free.

The symphony also performs several free community concerts throughout the summer. Details: www.charlottesymphony.org/summer.asp.

This year’s shows:

June 9, The Thrill of the Orchestra, conducted by Albert-George Schram

June 16, A Summer Pops Fantasia, conducted by Christopher Warren-Green

June 23, Scores of Movie Music, conducted by Albert-George Schram

June 30, That’s Amore, conducted by Albert-George Schram

July 3, Celebrate America, conducted by Albert-George Schram

Charlotte Symphony at McGuire

The EnergyExplorium at McGuire Nuclear Station hosts the annual Charlotte Symphony concert at 8:15 p.m. June 21. Enjoy a picnic on the lawn or anchor your boat in the cove of Lake Norman. Refreshments will be available to buy. Details: 980-875-5600.

Alive After Five Concert Series – Lincolnton

Downtown Lincolnton hosts a monthly outdoor concert series behind the Lincoln County Courthouse, at the intersection of Main Street and Court Square. Shows usually run from 6-9 p.m.

Here’s a look at this summer’s concerts:

June 27, Coming Up Brass

July 25, The Folsom Prison Gang

Aug. 29, Kevin Richardson and Cuttin’ Edge

Sept. 26, The Fantastic Shakers

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BELMONT – Several months ago, the Charlotte Regional Film Commission advised Hallmark Movie Channel that Belmont would be the perfect location for a movie set inside one of Norman Rockwell’s iconic paintings.

Young Trey Cole (Dash Pledger-Levine, left) finds guidance from Charlie Shuffleton (Danny Glover, right), a father figure who taught him the value of family in the Hallmark Movie Channel film “Norman Rockwell’s Shuffleton’s Barbershop.” (Courtesy of Fowzia Iranpur)

“They liked our quaint, historic-looking downtown, with our older buildings that were well taken care of,” Assistant City Manager Adrian Miller said. “The location scout told me that Belmont had a ‘Norman Rockwell feel,’ and I took that as a compliment.”

Filming for “Norman Rockwell’s Shuffleton’s Barbershop,” based on a 1950 American realism oil painting of the same name, began in March and centered on the now-closed, rust-red brick of Margaret’s Beauty Shop on North Main Street.

The film, which premiered June 1, celebrates the 50-year relationship Rockwell had with Hallmark Cards, as his artwork often found its way to their greeting card covers.

In “Shuffleton’s Barbershop,” four-time Emmy nominee Danny Glover plays Charlie Shuffleton, a small-town Georgia barber who runs a business bursting with community news and gossip.

Belmont Pharmacist Trish Williamson said her mother, Margaret Thrower, ran a beauty shop at the filming location for more than 60 years, until she passed away last November.

“It was sad in a sense because mother had the shop there for so many years; she lived to be 97,” Williamson said. “Back then, it was across from the Belk store and the Five and Dime.”

Thrower rented the shop from a friend, Martha Taylor, through what was originally just a verbal contract.

“That’s how things were done back then. You could leave your doors wide open and go out and play,” she recalled. “Mother had one of the original buildings and was very sociable just as far as getting to know people. She loved her work, she really did.”

Williamson is pleased that the movie will keep with the spirit of the work her mother enjoyed all her life.

In the movie, Shuffleton acts as a mentor to Trey Cole, played by Austin Stowell, who frequents the shop as a boy and grows up to be a famous country musician.

When Cole eventually returns home, he has to come to terms with the death of Shuffleton and a brother killed during military service. He must also try to reconcile with his bitter sister-in-law, played by Kayla Well, who has been left alone to raise her son, and his father, General Wes Cameron, played by Brett Rice, who was distant during Cole’s childhood.

Beyond Margaret’s Beauty Shop, Miller said the film crew also used a small, vacant lot on Main Street to film a concert scene and set up their equipment at a local church and general store.

“The city really enjoyed hosting the production folks, and we had a lot of residents come out and work as extras in the movie,” he said.

Visitors to Historic Latta Plantation can watch a re-enactment of the Battle of the Bulge from World War II from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Feb. 16 and from 1-4 p.m. Feb. 17. See ongoing demonstrations throughout the day and talk with the re-enactors. Watch for free with regular site admission, which costs $7 for adults, $6 for seniors, $5 students, and free for children 5 and younger.

Feb. 6

• MARINE COMMISSION: The Mountain Island Lake Marine Commission holds public meetings monthly to discuss issues related to the lake, usually on the first Wednesday of each month. The next meeting will be held 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the East Lincoln Fire Department, 406 S. Pilot Knob Road, Stanley. Call Diane Dil at 704-348-2731 for more details.

Feb. 8

• RESUME HELP: Adults get one-on-one help with their resumes and learn to navigate online job searches beginning at 10 a.m. at the Mountain Island Branch Library, 4420 Hoyt Galvin Way. Details: 704-416-5600.

Feb. 9

• FAIRY HOUSE FESTIVAL: Latta Plantation Nature Center hosts the fifth annual Fairy House Festival at 6211 Sample Road, Huntersville, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Attractions include a costume parade, face painting, storytelling, crafts, activities, pony rides and a special appearance by Fairy Houses author Tracy Kane, who will sign copies of her books. The event is free, but pony rides cost $2 each. Food trucks will also be at the event. Call 704-875-1391 for more information.

Feb. 9-10

LATTA SWEETHEARTS: Bring your loved one out to the Historic Latta Plantation, 5225 Sample Road, Huntersville, and learn about 19th century Valentine traditions. Tours will be offered Feb. 9 at 11 a.m., noon, 1, 2, 3 and 4 p.m., as well as Feb. 10 at 2, 3 and 4 p.m. Tours are free with regular site admission, which costs $7 for adults, $6 for seniors, $5 for students and free for children 5 and younger.

Feb. 11

• COVEKEEPERS MEETING: The Mountain Island Lake Covekeepers meeting will be held at 7 p.m. at Cook’s Memorial Presbyterian Church, 3413 Mount Holly-Huntersville Road, Charlotte. Meetings give volunteers and lake advocates a chance to talk about important lake issues. Call 704-679-9494 or visit www.catawbariverkeeper.org for more information.

Feb. 12

• BEEKEEPING: Home-schooled students lean about the world of honeybees and what made them so important on 19th century farms as well as in agriculture today. Students will make beeswax candles and participate in other activities from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at Historic Latta Plantation, 5225 Sample Road, Huntersville. The class, designed for children ages 7-12, costs $15 per student. Register online at www.latta
plantation.org.

Feb. 14

• VICTORIAN VALENTINE: Experience a 19th century Valentine’s Day celebration at Latta Plantation, 5225 Sample Road, Huntersville. Home-schooled students and their families can learn about courtship practices, English country dancing, fan language and open-hearth baking during the event, which runs noon-4 p.m. Visitors can also see antique Valentines and make an old-fashioned Valentine using a quill pen. Admission costs $6 per person, but children 4 and younger get in free. Registration is not required.

Feb. 15

• E-READER CLASS: Adults learn how to use electronic reading devices to borrow books from the Mountain Island Branch Library, 4420 Hoyt Galvin Way. Bring your device and any questions to the class, which runs 10:30 a.m.-noon. Details: 704-416-5600.

Feb. 16

• ORCHID PHOTOGRAPHY: Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden opens holds a new series for photographers to advance their skills with a digital SLR camera. Photography instruction will be provided by wildlife photographer Dave Kelly from 9:30 a.m.-noon. Participants will photograph some of the garden orchids displayed in the Orchid Spectacular exhibit. The class costs $40 for garden members, or $46 for others. Register online at www.dsbg.org or by calling 704-825-4490. The garden is located at 6500 S. New Hope Road, Belmont.

Feb. 23

• ORCHID WORKSHOP: Learn how to grow orchids at home with the conservatory staff at the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden, 6500 S. New Hope Road, Belmont. Get tips for growing and repotting orchids from 2-4 p.m. Participants will leave with two orchids to pot and have one already in bloom. The class costs $20 for members or $25 for others, plus $25 for materials. Register online at www.dsbg.org.

Feb. 26

• COLLEGE FINANCE: A seminar led by a representative from the College Foundation of North Carolina will introduce teens and parents to the types of loans, grants and scholarships available. Also hear about the process for submitting a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This workshop, which begins at 5:30 p.m. is designed for teenagers 12-18 and their parents. q

Leigh writes of her brother’s personal experiences from the beginning to the end of the Korean War and recalls how he endured challenges and miraculously survived.

Some of the stories include:

• He witnessed his new commander, Col. Martin, being cut in half by a Russian tank after engaging in a street fight with only a bazooka to defend himself.

• Less than 40 yards separated Pharis from his higher-ranking officer, 2nd Lt. Thornton, when a North Korean madman dubbed “The Tiger” shot him in the back of the head on the infamous Death March.

• Pharis stood in front of a firing squad three times.

The 240-page book, published by Balboa Press, is available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

“I’ve always wanted to tell my brother’s miraculous story, but felt that I wasn’t qualified until God asked me to be his messenger and tell the world how He protected Pharis and brought him home safely,” she said.

She founded an insurance agency, wholesale business, and underground utility construction company. She also raised two children, Dawn and Derek.

(Bill Ward/MI Monitor photos)

(Above) Nancy Hertz, left, and Renee Clemmer inspect some of the pottery for sale at the show. (Below) Local artists who make up the Catawba River Artisans held a craft show Dec. 1. (Bill Ward/MI Monitor photos)

Artists from the area sold artwork, including paintings, candles, photograph, pottery and Christmas crafts, to benefit the Mount Holly Community Relief Organization.

The Artisans are  a group of local artists dedicated to the promotion of fine arts and crafts in downtown Mount Holly. They operate a gallery, located at 128 S. Main St., Mount Holly, which is open 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Thursday-Saturday and 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday.

STANLEY – The Misfit Sanctuary will host its Annual Yuletide Bazaar, featuring baked goods, handmade crafts, entertainment by Mermaid Morrigan and Chris Eagle, and a visit from Olde World Santa.

The bazaar takes place 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 8 at the Belmont National Guard Armory. Bring a camera for photos with Santa from noon-2 p.m.

Proceeds from the Misfit Sanctuary booth and concessions will go toward day-to-day operations and funeral expenses of Patrick Weldon.

Details: www.misfitsanctuary.org or misfitsanctuary@yahoo.com.

Watch a comedic twist to ‘A Christmas Carol’

DAVIDSON – Davidson Community Players will produce its annual holiday show, “Farndale Avenue Housing Estate Townswomen’s Guild Dramatic Society’s Production of A Christmas Carol.”

The British farce features the theatrically inept, yet endearing, townswomen of Farndale who try to perform Charles Dickens’ classic, “A Christmas Carol.”

The play-within-a-play brings a comedic twist to the classic while including audience participation.

The play begins at 8 p.m. Dec. 6, 7, 8, 13, 14 and 15; 2 p.m. Dec. 9, 15 and 16; and 7 p.m. Dec. 9 and16 at Armour Street Theatre, 307 Armour St., Davidson.

Tickets cost $20 for adults, $18 for seniors 65 and older and $12 for students ages 21 and younger. The production is appropriate for ages 10 and older.

Tickets are available by calling 704-892-7953 or visiting www.DavidsonCommunityPlayers.org.

Visit downtown Mooresville light display

MOORESVILLE – Downtown visitors will not only be treated to holiday-centric shop displays, but also Downtown Mooresville’s Holiday Light Spectacular.

More than 75,000 lights will be set to music nightly through Dec. 31 at Mooresville Town Hall, 413 N. Main St.

Details: www.downtownmooresville.com.

Write letters to Santa at festival

HUNTERSVILLE – A Huntersville Christmas festival will return to downtown Huntersville.

Festivals from previous years have included horse rides, glides down makeshift ice slides, a ferris wheel, and photos with Santa.

Mountain Island Monitor’s parent company, Lake Norman Publication, will sponsor a table in which children can write letters to Santa.

The event takes place 4-8 p.m. Dec. 8 in downtown.

Details: www.huntersville.org.

Marsha McElroy, of the Long Creek area, recently had one of her quilt designs transformed into a pattern for the McDowell Quilt Trail.

Marsha McElroy, left, receives a certificate for joining the McDowell Quilt Trail from Jill Lucas. (Bill Ward/MI Monitor photo)

Mike and Jill Lucas, longtime Shuffletown residents, selected McElroy’s design and painted a large plank to mount on a barn in the Long Creek area, off Beatties Ford Road in Huntersville. The quilt trail has more than 130 quilts across the state.

“The purpose of the quilt trail is to promote tourism and preserve history,” Jill Lucas said. “We hope people will pick up a map, follow the trail, maybe stop in a coffee shop and help the local economy.”

The quilt trail program began in June 2009 in McDowell County. Jill and Mike Lucas take a quilt, choose a color scheme and paint the fabric design onto a wooden plank that is then displayed on an exterior wall. Quilts have been placed on homes, barns and schools.

Our State magazine has featured the quilt trail in its new travel North Carolina smartphone application. Get the app at www.ourstate.com/app and follow the trail to see a wide variety of colorful quilt patterns across western North Carolina.

Want to know more?

Mike Lucas finishes up the most recent barn quilt added to the McDowell Quilt Trail. This design was created by Marsha McElroy, of the Long Creek area. (Bill Ward/MI Monitor photo)

If you’re interested in adding a piece to the McDowell Quilt Trail, submit an application to the McDowell Arts Council, who reviews patterns to avoid duplication. Learn more online at http://mcdowellquilttrail.org. The website includes a map and details about each quilt on the trail.

The show features the trials of six women through a story of life and death.

Their compassion and support for one another through these hard times takes the audience through a roller coaster of emotions.The relationships they share remind the audience just how precious life is.

The production is directed by Ryan Collins and stars Robbin Stackhouse, Melanie Rogers, Brenda Beaty, Gretchen Looper, Rebecca Howard, and Amber Dunn.

Come out and support the hard work these ladies have put into this great journey.

Tickets will go on sale Sunday, Oct. 7 between services, outside the Family Life Center and main church building.

They will be sold every Sunday and Wednesday up to the show opening Nov. 2.

The cost is $20 per person for dinner, show, and dessert.

Dinner opening weekend will be made by the Sassy Sisters catering.

Seats are sold on a first-come basis.

If you are interested in booking groups, each table is set-up for eight patrons.

Please contact Meghan Collins for more details.

The city of Mount Holly has an abundance of artistic talent, and Josh Motes is all about sharing it with the region.

Artists will be abounding at the annual Autumn on Main event, held Sept. 22 in downtown Mount Holly. (Courtesy of the Mount Holly Community Development Association)

He’s doing so by organizing the Autumn on Main event, held Sept. 22 in downtown Mount Holly.

The event takes place from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

“The whole event is just a culture,” Motes said. “We want people to come in and see the culture of our area.”

Now in its fifth year, Autumn on Main was created to celebrate the autumn harvest while introducing area residents to local visual and performing artists as well as regional growers and North Carolina wineries.

According to Robin Fretwell, of the Mount Holly Community Development Foundation, this year’s festivities begin with a farmer’s market at 8 a.m., where local farmers will display and sell their best crops.

The fall arts and fine crafts portion of the festival begins at 10 a.m. and ends at 4 p.m., Motes said.

Art will include paintings, pottery, woodworking and photography.

“This is my third year chairing the festival and I think it gets better every year,” Motes said. “We want to educate Mount Holly on our regional art and give them an idea of the talent we have in this area.”

Performing artists also play a large part in Mount Holly’s culture, Motes said. Musical artists like Barrie Howard, Flat Top Lane and Caleb Davis will perform. Around noon, the Catawba River Bluegrass Association will have an open session at the farmer’s market, allowing locals to play along with them.

“That gets people even more involved,” Motes said. “Not only is it a festival where you can see art, but you can also participate. It’s always cool to see people come down and be able to do that.”

In addition to the wineries attending, the First Presbyterian Church will host a kid’s zone.

Most of the proceeds from the event will go back into the community, Motes said.

In the past, more than 5,000 people have attended Autumn on Main, but Motes isn’t worried about numbers.

“My main goal is to ensure that everyone who comes has the opportunity to enjoy themselves as well as downtown Mount Holly,” Motes said. “We just want people to come celebrate art.”

Wineries that will attend:
• Charlie T Locklear Vineyard & Winery, Inc., Maxton.
• Chateau Larinda Vineyards, Sparta.
• Ginger Creek Vineyards, Hickory
• Raintree Cellars, Hildebran
• Southern Charm Winery, Lincolnton
• Waldensian Style Wines, Connelly Springs
• WoodMill Winery, Vale

Want to go?
WHAT: Autumn on Main
WHEN: Sept. 22, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
WHERE: Downtown Mt. Holly
COST: Free