Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2011

Arts Notes

Photo contest names winners

The Garner Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Department has announced the winners of the fifth annual "Garner: Great Place to Be" photography contest. The contest was open to local photographers and featured two categories: Garner and The Rest of the World.

In the Garner category, first place went to "The Lake" by Katie Farnug.

In The Rest of the World category, winners were: first place, "Sri Lanka Stick Fisherman" by Robert Flint; second place, "Hopeless Prisoner: Eldoret, Kenya" by Lorna Brooks; and third place, "Nags Head after the Storm" by Robert Flint.

Contest entries are on display through January in the lobby of the Garner Performing Arts Center, 742 West Garner Road. The exhibit also includes works from area youths who attended the 2011 Digital Photography Summer Camp sponsored by the department.

Bluegrass in Garner

A New Year's Eve celebration is scheduled from 8 p.m. to midnight Saturday, Dec. 31, at the Garner Performing Arts Center, 742 W. Garner Road, Garner. Carolina Road and IIIrd Tyme Out will perform. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door. The price includes hors d'oeuvres. Beer and wine will be available. For more information, call 661-4602.

Chorale to begin spring rehearsals

The Johnston County Chorale will begin spring rehearsals at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 9 at First Baptist Church, 202 S. Fourth St., Smithfield. The chorale welcomes new members; no auditions are required. For more information, call 550-6276 or visit johnstoncountychorale.com.

Country music at The Ice House

Jonathan Parker & The Bel-Airs will perform at 7:45 p.m. Friday, Dec. 30, at The Ice House, 112 N. Webb St., Selma. Tickets are $12. For more information, or to reserve a seat, call 943-1182. The Malpass Brothers will perform Jan. 6, and Eric Strickland & The B-Sides will take the stage Jan. 13.

Artist's reception

The January artist's reception is scheduled from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 5, at The Clayton Center, 111 E. Second St., Clayton. Enjoy refreshments and check out an exhibit sponsored by the Woman's Club of Clayton. For more information, call 553-1737.

Music at Flipside

MikeMickXer, which plays everything from rock to reggae, will perform at 9 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 14, at The FlipSide, 408 E. Second St., Clayton. For more information, call 553-0123.

'The Hunter's Musical'

"Deer Camp: The Hunter's Musical" is scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 27, in the Paul A. Johnston Auditorium at Johnston Community College, 245 College Road, Smithfield. The musical follows four fearless hunters on their annual trek to deer camp. Tickets are $21 in advance and $22.50 at the door. For more information, or to purchase a ticket, call 209-2099 or visit jccperformingarts.com.

Jake Shimabukuro

Ukulele player Jake Shimabukuro will perform at 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28, at The Clayton Center, 111 E. Second St., Clayton. Tickets are $25. They're available online at theclaytoncenter.com, by phone at 553-1737 and in the box office, which is open from 10 a.m. to noon and from 1 to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Royal Ladies

The Royal Ladies of Country Music will perform at 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28, at The Rudy Theatre, 300 N. Raiford St., Selma. The Royal Ladies are Leona Williams, a singer who has also written songs for Merle Haggard, George Jones, Tammy Wynette and Loretta Lynn; Ava Barber, whose hits include "Bucket to the South" and "Waitin' at the End of Your Run"; and Tamala Georgette Jones, daughter of George Jones and Tammy Wynette. Ron Wiliams, son of Leona Williams, will also perform.

For more information, call 1-877-843-7839.

Whodunit at winery

"Murder in Black and White," a murder mystery, is scheduled for 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 31, at Gregory Vineyards, 275 Bowling Spring Drive, Angier. The Neuse Little Theatre will stage the whodunit with help from the audience. The person with the best outfit will win a prize. Dinner will be at 6:30. The cost is $25 per person and includes a prime rib dinner with dessert. For more information, or to purchase a ticket, call Teresa Gregory at 894-7700, email teresagregory@gregoryvineyards.com or visit gregoryvineyards.com.

Comedy in Clayton

The Saints & Sinners Comedy Tour is this week's headliner at Laugh Out Loud Comedy Club, 8928 U.S. 70 Business West, Clayton. Shows are at 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 29, and 8 and 10:15 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Dec. 30-31. For tickets, call 359-8565.

Open Mic Night

Tuesdays are Open Mic Night at Orchard House Booksellers, 117 N. Third St., Smithfield. The stage is open from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. for singers, musicians, actors, prose readers, etc.