It Takes Two:  An Evening with Lauren Kennedy and Alan Campbell includes showstoppers from Broadway, standards from the Great American Songbook, swing numbers, country classics and rock and roll.  The show will be at 8 p.m. in the theatre in Cabarrus County’s historic courthouse.  Tickets are $42 and available online at www.CabarrusArtsCouncil.org and at the Davis Theatre Box Office, Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., 704-920-2753.

Individually, Kennedy and Campbell are respected, much admired and sought-after Broadway, theatre, recording film and television artists.  When they are on stage together, the audience is treated to a rich and joyous duet of music and laughter – a magical evening from start to finish.

Here’s what reviewers are saying about them:

“From the bravura opening number to their charming encore, Campbell and Kennedy have personality plus and know how to project it.”  (ClassicalVoiceofNC.com)

 “The couple’s combined Broadway experience translates into bang-up, class A entertainment.”  (Raleigh News and Observer)

 “Alan Campbell is a charismatic golden boy with a voice to match” (Wall Street Journal)

“Kennedy gives a star-making performance.  Her singing rings out as clear as a fingernail flick on a crystal champagne glass.  Intoxicating.” (New Jersey Star Ledger)

North Carolina native Kennedy has appeared on Broadway as Fantine in Les Miserables, Lady of the Lake in Monty Python’s Spamalot, Betty Schaefer in Sunset Boulevard and Daisy Hilton in Side Show.  Her regional theatre credits include Nefertari in The Ten Commandments with Val Kilmer at the Kodak Theatre. 

Florida native Campbell received a Tony Award nomination for the role of Joe Gillis in Sunset Boulevard opposite Glenn Close, Betty Buckley and Elaine Paige.  He starred in Susan Stroman’s 2000 Tony Award winning musical Contact at Lincoln Center.  His film credits include Weekend Warriors, Bump in the Night, Simple Wish and Tom, Dick and Harry.  On television, he co-starred on Jake and the Fatman, Three’s a Crowd, Another World and All My Children.

Read more about these wonderful performers at www.goingbarefoot.com.

Mooresville artist Lisa Mitchell captured first place for her painting of a giraffe, “A Nice Crunchy Leaf.” Exhibition juror Robert Tynes, who chose both the award winners and the artwork to be included in the exhibition, said the painting “just jumped out” at him. “It’s a painting that has a lot of punch – the sky recedes, the head juts forward – and a wonderful sense of space. It’s a really successful painting.”

Second place went to Barry Love of Kannapolis for his photograph, “Winter Corn.” “The textures are so rich . . . the details, the color . . .,” Tynes said. “It has a monochromatic quality with subdued color pulled into the details. I like the perspective and the play of the spaces, the color and the textures.”

Bruce Chandler of Charlotte received third place for her painting, “Leaving Before Daybreak.” “I think the colors are exquisite as is the placement of the forms and elements,” Tynes said.

Tynes, who is professor of art and gallery director at the University of North Carolina at Asheville, also selected four pieces for honorable mention: Mitchell A. Benton’s painting, “The Painters”; Dwight E. Hartsell’s wood-turned vessel, “Tower V”; Lara Say’s photograph, “Untitled I”; and Mark Stephenson’s painting, “Midwinter Afternoon.”

Seventy-one works by 35 artists are included in the exhibition. The other artists are Walter Alberson and Joyce Branch, Concord; Deena Bost, Mount Pleasant; Jack Burgess, Misenheimer; Rich Carter, Concord; Sandy Collier, Harrisburg; Bre Barnett Crowell, Charlotte; Lindsey Dauphinais, Kannapolis; Jessica Dehart, Mooresville; Larry Denney, Kannapolis; Beth Feeback, Concord; Amanda Foshag, Huntersville; Ann Glacken, Kannapolis; Ann Griffey, Misenheimer; Allison S. Hinman, Huntersville; Jody Hunter, Concord; Angela Van Every Johnston, Mooresville; Keith Pavey, Concord; Lou Perry, Concord; Anne Marie Propst, Concord; Barry Russell, Kannapolis; Richard Schmidt, Concord; Sandra Siepert, Charlotte; Kevin W. Smith, Albemarle; Rosey Stein, Concord; Fran Thrower, Oakboro; Jennie Martin Tomlin, Harrisburg; Chelsey Tyler, Harrisburg; and Ben Verner, Concord.

The Galleries also are featuring Multi-Tasking, an exhibition of works by six artists who create in more than one medium: Robert Crum, George Handy, Paul Keysar, Julie Olson, Whitney Peckman and Anthony Ulinski. Gallery hours are Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. The Galleries also will be open Saturday, October 2, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. For more information, visit www.CabarrusArtsCouncil.org or call 704-920-ARTS (2787).

The free event will feature visual art displays and entertainment. Artists will be on hand at many locations to talk about their work and demonstrate techniques.

A highlight of Art Walk will be two new exhibitions at The Galleries in Cabarrus County’s historic courthouse at 65 Union Street S. Multi-Tasking features works by six artists who create artwork in more than one medium: Robert Crum, George Handy, Paul Keysar, Julie Olson, Whitney Peckman and Anthony Ulinski. The Cabarrus Art Guild Juried Exhibition includes works by 35 artists from five counties. The 71 pieces were selected by Robert Tynes, professor of art and gallery director at the University of North Carolina at Asheville. Winners of seven awards chosen by Tynes will be announced at 7 p.m. during Art Walk.

Other Art Walk stops are The Peggy, 186 Spring Street NW, works by Beth Feeback and young Concord artists; Mud Slingers Pottery, 9 Union Street N, pottery by Rachel Rogers, Carol Weston, Judy Kendall, Mike O’Brien and Beniko Cadel and paintings by Cabarrus Art Guild artists; Concord Museum, 11 Union Street S, book signing and living-history reenactment by Nancy Brewer, author of Civil War-era fiction novel Carolina Rain; Gianni’s Restaurant, 15 Union Street S, photography by Richard Schmidt; Burning Rabbit Studios, 21 Union Street S. (downstairs), works by Lisa Albinus, Pete Brown and Lou Perry; Adam Ramsey Miller Gallery, 21 Union Street S. (upstairs), first private show by Adam Ramsey Miller; Lil Robert’s Place, 25 Union Street S, pottery by Michelle Burrage and art by Heather Harrison, Joe Hatley, Charles Mauldin, Thorin Medford, Adam Ramsey Miller, Ben Osborne, Carolyn Ruth, Darrin Scarboro and Andrew Sedberry; Ellis Jewelers, 29 Union Street S, paintings by Jutta Vest; Antique Market of Concord, 37 Union Street S, sidewalk demonstration by Southern Piedmont Woodturners; Ellie’s Coffee Shoppe, 37 Union Street S, art by Rod Burch, Kelli Horne, Anita Kinnier and Carol Pighin; Little Feather, 42 Union Street S, gouache paintings by Ilisa Howell; Piedmont Renaissance Center, 51 Union Street S, artwork by Faith Alexander, Bruce Chandler, Jessica Coate, Rebekah Cochell, Nancy Bibby, Kemet Ellis, Charles Farrar, Carolyn Fisher, Stephie Gustavson, Dwight Hartsell, Roland Hege, Carie Irving, Donna Kirby, Beth Kluttz, Lucille Leggio, Patricia Lindsay, Sylvia Lowder, Ruth Mayfield, Donna Moser, Jerry Measimer, Barbara Pavey, Keith Pavey, Lori Reed, Ryan Richie, Barry Russell, Richard Schmidt, Jason Stein, Jennie Tomlin, Susy Toth, Kim and Chelsey Tyler, Sherry Vechery, Jutta Vest and Wayne Wrights; and the Veterans Museum, 65 Union Street S, ongoing exhibition of military uniforms and artifacts.

To download a map detailing each Art Walk stop, visit www.CabarrusArtsCouncil.org. For more information, call 704-920-ARTS (2787).

The artwork to be included was selected from 122 entries by Robert Tynes, professor of art at the University of North Carolina at Asheville and director of its S. Tucker Cooke Gallery.  It includes paintings, photographs, pottery, wood-turned vessels and a quilt.  Artists from Cabarrus, Iredell, Mecklenburg, Rowan, Stanly and Union counties were eligible to enter.

The exhibition will be on display August 16-October 7 in The Galleries in Cabarrus County’s historic courthouse at 65 Union Street S, Concord. Winners of seven prizes will be announced at 7 p.m. Friday, August 27, during the downtown Concord Art Walk.

The 35 artists selected are:  Walter Alberson and Joyce Branch, pottery; Mitchell A. Benton, painting; Deena Bost, drawing; Jack Burgess, photography; Rich Carter, wood; Bruce Chandler, painting and collage; Sandy Collier, painting; Bre Barnett Crowell, pastels; Lindsey Dauphinais, pottery; Jessica DeHart, mixed media; Larry Denny, painting and computer-generated art; Beth Feeback, painting and collage; Amanda Foshag, mixed media and print; Ann Glacken, painting; Ann Griffey, photography; Dwight E. Hartsell, wood; Allison S. Hinman, photography; Jody Hunter, painting ; Angela Van Every Johnston, mixed media; Barry Love, photography; Lisa Mitchell, painting; Keith Pavey, painting; Lou Perry, painting; Anne Marie Propst, pastel; Barry Russell, wood; Lara Say, photography; Richard Schmidt, photography; Sandra Siepert, painting; Kevin Smith, panting; Rosey Stein, quilt; Mark Stephenson, painting; Fran Thrower, mixed media gourds; Jennie Martin Tomlin, painting; Chelsey Tyler, mixed media; and Ben Verner, mixed media.

The Galleries also will be exhibiting Multi-Tasking, which features artists who create in more than one medium, August 16-October 7.   Hours are 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday.   The Galleries also will be open during the downtown Concord Art Walk Friday, August 27, 6-9 p.m., and Saturday, October 2, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

For more information, call 704-920-ARTS (2787) or visit www.CabarrusArtsCouncil.org.

The Galleries are located at 65 Union Street S in Cabarrus County’s 1876 historic courthouse and are operated by the Cabarrus Arts Council.

Multi-Tasking includes works by Robert Crum of Salisbury, oil paintings and mosaic murals; George Handy of Asheville, large public art pieces, paintings, ceramics and etched glass; Paul Keysar of Charlotte, paintings and drawings; Julie Olson of Durham, Raku pottery, white stoneware and works in metal, paper, woodworking and stained glass; Whitney Peckman of Salisbury, carved and painted gourds and paintings; and Anthony Ulinski of Raleigh, woodworking and painting.

The Galleries also will be displaying the Cabarrus Art Guild Juried Exhibition of 71 works by 35 artists selected by Robert Tynes, art department chairman at the University of North Carolina at Asheville.

An Art Walk and a Gallery Talk and Demonstration will be held in conjunction with the exhibitions.  The Art Walk in downtown Concord, which will feature visual art at approximately 20 locations and entertainment, will take place on Friday, August 27, 6-9 p.m.  Winners of the Cabarrus Art Guild Juried Exhibition will be announced at The Galleries at 7 p.m. during the Art Walk.  Crum, Keysar and Peckman will present a talk and demonstrate some of their techniques on Thursday, September 30, at 7 p.m.  Both events are free.

Gallery hours are 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday.  The Galleries also will be open regular hours on Saturday, October 2.  Group tours can be arranged at other times by appointment.  For more information, call 704-920-ARTS (2787) or visit www.CabarrusArtsCouncil.org.

This quote from Michael London sums up Marty DeJarnette’s wonderful sound, and you have the opportunity to see him at the Davis Theatre in downtown Concord on Thursday, September 2.

DeJarnette will open the new Footlights series at the theatre in Cabarrus County’s historic courthouse with a concert celebrating the release of his second CD, Far Away From Here.  Tickets are $10 and available online at www.CabarrusArtsCouncil.org and by phone or in person at the Davis Theatre Box Office, Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., 704-920-2753.

DeJarnette has performed throughout North Carolina and the San Francisco Bay area for more than 25 years.  He has done preshows for Phil Collins, Crosby, Stills and Nash and the Charlotte Symphony.  For the past few months, he has been playing four nights at week at the Old Stone Vino in Kannapolis.

A California native, DeJarnette began playing concerts and writing songs when he was in high school.  He played in restaurants and clubs in California for several years, sometimes as part of a duo.  He arrived in Cabarrus County the same time as Hurricane Hugo in the fall of 1989 as a transfer with IBM.

He gradually began playing a few parties and clubs here but didn’t get serious about it until 2006.  “My dad came down with lung cancer and later passed away,” he said.  “It made me realize how short life can be. One of the first things I did was to reach out to people who inspired me with my music.  The second thing I did was to get serious about songwriting.”

In 2007, encouraged by friends and family, DeJarnette recorded his first CD, String of Hope.  Like Far Away From Here, it was recorded right here in Concord at Impact Sound Studios.  He already has about half the songs written for his third CD.

DeJarnette describes songwriting as being like putting together a jigsaw puzzle.  “You have one or two pieces, and you look for the others. Sometimes you find the others really quickly, and other times it takes a long time.”

He writes songs about people, places and experiences.  For example, “A Kiss for Luck” is about miners at the Reed Gold Mine and “The Recipe of Life” talks about a fireman, a high school teacher and his wife.

DeJarnette is a fingerstyle guitarist, which means he plays without a pick and plucks each string individually with his fingers.  “The guitar is such an amazing instrument,” he said.  “I’m always finding new things about it and discovering new ways to play it.”

Read more about DeJarnette at www.freewebs.com/martymusic.  Listen to his songs at www.myspace.com/martydejarnette.

The deadline to apply for this year’s grants is Wednesday, August 18, at noon. Visual artists and filmmakers may apply for grants this year.

These grants provide funds for artists or groups of artists to pursue projects that enhance their artistic development. Emerging artists may apply for up to $3,000 and established artists for up to $5,000.

The grant program is offered by the arts councils of Cabarrus, Cleveland, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln, Mecklenburg, Rowan, Rutherford, and York, SC, counties. Artists who have lived in these counties for at least one year, are 18 or over and have not received a grant the past three years are eligible to apply. The program alternates disciplines each year; literary and performing artists will have the opportunity in 2011.

Cabarrus artists apply for the grant through the Cabarrus Arts Council. The grants are highly competitive. Applications and guidelines are available on the “grants” page at www.CabarrusArtsCouncil.org. Artists are strongly encouraged to make an appointment with Noelle Rhodes Scott, President and CEO, to go over their applications.

Artists have received funding to work with master artists, to support the cost of an exhibition, to upgrade marketing materials, to purchase equipment or to attend conferences or workshops. Several of Cabarrus County’s wonderful artists are past recipients of the Regional Artist Grant, including Walter Stanford, Beth Stafford, Lin Barnhardt, Byron Baldwin, Jeff Pender, Ken Barry and Tomoo Kitamura.

For more information, call 704-920-ARTS (2787) or visit www.CabarrusArtsCouncil.org.

Start your weekend on Thursday with Union Street Live, Concord Downtown Development Corporation’s beach music concert series. See, hear and maybe even dance to the music of the Shakers from 6 to 9 p.m. on the lawn of the historic courthouse at 65 Union Street S, in Concord. You may know the venerable band best known for its hit single “Myrtle Beach Days” as the “Fantastic Shakers.” Formed in 1978, the band has played over 6,000 shows and is loved by people of all ages.

Seating is on the lawn or in the street, so bring a chair or blanket. There will be plenty of food available, both from the concert food vendors and at the many wonderful restaurants in downtown Concord. For more information, call 704-784-4208 or visit www.concorddowntown.com. Read more about the Shakers at www.fantasticshakers.com.

Take a rest day Friday then head to Village Park in Kannapolis Saturday at 7 p.m. for a show by local favorite Too Much Sylvia. If you have not seen these wonderful performers, you are in for a real treat – if you are already a fan, then I don’t need to tell you how much fun the band is. Too Much Sylvia plays everything from beach music to R & B to disco, sometimes in unforgettable costumes.

Bring a blanket or lawn chair to sit on. Picnics are welcome, and concessions will also be available. For more information, call 704-920-4343 or visit www.cityofkannapolis.com. Read more about Too Much Sylvia at www.toomuchsylvia.com.

Sometime before it closes on July 29, make time to see the Through the Rabbit Hole exhibition at The Galleries in the historic courthouse at 65 Union Street S, Concord. This fun and wonderful show features the art of exaggeration and whimsy. There are paintings, bronze sculpture, ceramics, fiber and mixed media. You may have a tour led by a trained volunteer docent or just enjoy the exhibition at your own pace.

Through the Rabbit Hole is a great exhibition for introducing your children or grandchildren to fine art. Make sure to ask for the scavenger hunt at the docent desk, and enjoy searching the artwork for a piece of pie, a rabbit with carrots, a mouse, a chocolate cake and 20 other items.

The Galleries are open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays. For more information, call 704-920-ARTS (2787) or visit www.CabarrusArtsCouncil.org.

Located in Cabarrus County’s historic courthouse at 65 Union Street S, Concord, the Davis provides an intimate setting for performing arts with just 227 seats and state-of-the-art sound and lights.

I told you about the outstanding season planned for the flagship On Stage at the Davis earlier this month.  Today, I’m pleased to tell you about the exciting performances planned for the other two series, the Brand New Opry and Footlights.

The Brand New Opry is a bluegrass variety series hosted and organized by Jeff Whittington, a local bluegrass virtuoso who has appeared on the Grand Ole Opry and was a staff musician on the syndicated Arthur Smith Show.  Each concert features Whittington, his Brand New Bluegrass Boys house band and a variety of talented guest musicians.  Bank of North Carolina is a Gold Sponsor of the Brand New Opry.

There will be four Brand New Opry concerts:  Thursday, October 7; Thursday, December 16; Thursday, February 17; and Thursday, April 14.  All shows begin at 7:30 p.m.  Reserved seat tickets for each are $10.

The new Footlights series showcases outstanding performers from our region for fun, casual evenings at the Davis.  Marty DeJarnette, a local fingerstyle guitarist, singer and songwriter will celebrate the release of his new CD on Thursday, September 2, at 7:30 p.m.  Tickets are $10.

Up and coming country star Justin David, who is just off a tour with the legendary Roy Clark, will present an acoustic concert Thursday, October 28, at 7:30 p.m.  Tickets are $12.

Carolina Gator Gumbo will close the series Thursday, January 27, at 7:30 p.m. with the festive Cajun and Creole music of southwest Louisiana.  Tickets are $10.

Tickets for all shows are available online at www.CabarrusArtsCouncil.org or by phone or in person at the Davis Theatre Box Office, Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., 704-920-2753.  Read more about all the performances, including On Stage at the Davis, at www.CabarrusArtsCouncil.org.

The exhibition will be on display August 16-October 7 at The Galleries in Cabarrus County’s historic courthouse at 65 Union Street S, Concord.  The artwork to be included will be chosen by Robert Tynes, Professor of Art and Director of the S. Tucker Cooke Gallery at the University of North Carolina at Asheville.  He also will choose the winners of a $200 first place award, $150 second place, $100 third place and up to four $50 honorable mentions.

To be considered for the exhibition, artwork must have been created in the past three years and not have been shown previously at The Galleries.  Copies of works and works done in workshops are not eligible.  Two-dimensional works should be no larger than 60 inches in any direction and be ready for display with hanging wire installed and matted or framed.  Three-dimensional works should not exceed 50 pounds, a 24 inches by 24 inches footprint and 48 inches tall.

A non-refundable fee of $20 per art guild member for up to 3 works is to be submitted upon delivery of work to the Galleries.  Non-members may submit up to 3 works for a total entry fee of $30.  Delivery dates for submissions are Friday, July 30, and Monday, August 2, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.  Artists will be notified of acceptance on August 5.

For a complete prospectus and more information about The Galleries, visit www.CabarrusArtsCouncil.org or call 704-920-2787.