Eastern Federal Theater
Franklin Square, Phase III
14 screens
3778 E. Franklin Blvd., Gastonia
Phone: (704) 824-9556

Belmont Drive-In
314 McAdenville Road, Belmont
Phone: (704) 825-6044
$6 per vehicle

Bessemer City-Kings Mountain Drive-In
1365 Bessemer City-Kings Mountain Highway
Phone: (704) 739-2150
$6.50 per vehicle

Park Terrace Stadiums
Woodlawn Road at Park Road Shopping Center
Phone: (704) 555-6843

Arboretum Stadiums
Providence Road at Highway 51
Phone: (704) 555-6843

Phillips Place Stadiums
Fairview Road, one block each of Southpark.
Phone: (704) 555-6843

AMC Carolina Pavilion 22
9541 South Blvd.
Phone: (704) 643-4262

Matthews Festival
East Independence Blvd. & Hwy. 51
Phone: (704) 847-7469

Town Cinema 6
University Blvd. across from UNCC
Phone: (704) 549-1629.

Movies at the Lake Stadium
I-77 exit 28, Cornelius
Phone: (704) 892-3841

Delta 6
E. Harris Boulevard at
Albemarle
Phone: (704) 532-9117

Manor
609 Providence Road
Phone: (704) 334-2727

Starlight Stadium 14
Highway 29 at Blockbuster Pavilion
Phone: (704) 503-0073

Southpark Cinema
Sharon and Fairview Roads
Phone: (704) 364-6622

Movies 10 Matthews
Independence Boulevard and Sam Newell Road
Phone: (704) 847-2006

Stonecrest 22 at Piper Glenn
I-485 at Rea Road
Phone: (704) 540-7575

Cinema 8
1700 N. Spencer St., Lincolnton
Phone: (704) 735-2797

Cinema 4
414 S. Lafayette St.
Phone: (704) 487-8811

Cleveland Mall Cinemas
Cleveland Mall, Highway 74, Shelby
Phone: (704) 482-8333

Sunset Drive-In Theater
3955 Dixon Blvd., Shelby
Phone: (704) 434-7782
$6 per vehicle

[ Return to  HOMEPAGE | Answerbook

recnj.com

Entertainment
[ Festivals | Music | Arts Groups | Theater & Dance ]

Festivals

Starving Artist Festival
Sept. 10
Sponsored by The Gazette, this annual event held in September draws more than 150 vendors from across the region to a show at The Gazette, 2500 E. Franklin Blvd., Gastonia
Call (704) 864-3291, ext. 1870

Lincoln Apple Festival
Sept. 16
Downtown Lincolnton
This festival celebrates the annual apple harvest with food, games, rides, entertainment and a crowd usually numbering 50,000.

Stanley Country Fest
Oct. 7
Downtown Stanley
An annual festival that is one of the highlights of the year in eastern Gaston County, featuring games, food, informational displays, vendors and entertainment.
Call: (704) 263-4128 after 6 p.m.

Cotton Ginning Days
Oct. 13-15
Gaston County Park, Dallas
Check out vintage textile machinery and other memorabilia at this three-day annual festival sponsored by the Gaston County Parks & Recreation department. Features food and plenty of entertainment.
Call: (704) 922-2160

Belmont Fall Festival
Oct. 14
Belmont loves festivals and people flock to this annual event held in the heart of Belmont in the Stowe Park area. Features food, entertainment and vendors.
Call: (704) 825-8191

Ocktoberfest
7 p.m., Oct. 7
Firestone Mill, Second Avenue (tentative location)
Features music, dancing, food and German-American atmosphere. Sponsored by Gastonia Sister Cities organization and The Gaston Gazette. Cost: $25 per person. Money goes to cover cost of event and provide scholarships to students participating in the Sister Cities Program.
Call: (704) 854-6603

Veterans Day Parade
Nov. 11
Downtown Gastonia
An annual parade that salutes the men and women who served in the U.S. Armed Forces, usually features a grand marshall and a special ceremony at the American Military Museum, 115 Second Ave., at the conclusion of the parade.
Call: (704) 864-2287

Christmastown USA
Dec. 1-Dec. 26
McAdenville
Each December millions of twinkling lights turn McAdenville into a spectacular holiday display. Visitors drive and stroll Main Street surrounded by the sights and sounds of Christmas. The lights will shine this year from 5:30 to 9:30 nightly.
Call: Vicki Alexander, (704) 824-3551, ext. 261

Gazette Just Plain Dog Show
May 5
Gaston County Park, Dallas
A chance for every dog to be a star. This show for Gaston County children, first grade through ninth grade, and their pets takes place at the Gaston County Park in Dallas, co-sponsored by the Gaston County Parks and Recreation Department and Gaston County Animal Control. This will be the 29th anniversary of the show.
Call: (704) 922-8970

Mount Holly Springfest
May 5
Downtown Mount Holly
This street festival comes after a week of special events leading up go the big day. The May 5 event features food, entertainment, vendors, etc.
Call: (704) 329-3931

Down Home Day
May 12
Virginia Avenue, Bessemer City
The good times roll at this street festival in Bessemer City that features entertainment, food, vendors, and plenty of fun for the entire family.
Call: (704) 629-5111

Gastonia Fireworks Show
July 4
Downtown Gastonia
The annual fireworks show usually starts at 9:30 p.m. Before the show starts, local merchants team up to put on a street festival in the downtown area featuring games, food and entertainment.

Fireworks on Lake Wylie
July 4
Buster Boyd Bridge, S.C. 49
The annual fireworks show usually starts at 9:30 p.m.
Details: (800) 866-5200
Note: This schedule is subject to change. For a more detailed list of events, contact the United Arts Council at (704) 853-2787

United Arts Council of Gaston County
An organization working to develop, enhance and advance the cultural life of the community.
Call: (704) 853-2787

Gaston College Cultural Arts Committee
Provides musical performances and other entertainment, including visual and performing arts, arts exhibits, lectures and drama performances open to the public.
Call: Gary Freeman, (704) 922-6344

Gaston School of the Arts
Classes in visual art, voice, music, drama and children’s chorus.
P.O. Box 3556, Gastonia 28054-0020
Call: (704) 866-8882

Gaston County Art Guild
Resource group for area visual artists
President: Rosemarie Weisenhorn
Call: (704) 866-4329

The Gaston County Public Library presents a variety of special cultural, artistic and educational programs and activities throughout the year for both children and adults.

These include "Meet The Author" and "Meet The Artist" presentations, literary workshops and presentations, poetry readings, arts-in-education projects, drama performances, storytelling presentations, art exhibits, community-interest displays and other events.

Friends of the Gaston County Public Library, a nonprofit community-based organization, co-sponsors many of these events and other program opportunities for both children and adults.

All library events are free and open to the public.

Event locations include the Gaston County Public Library in Gastonia and branch sites in Belmont, Bessemer City, Cherryville, Dallas, Lowell, Mount Holly, Stanley and the Erwin Center and Union Road branches in Gastonia.

Call: (704) 922-3621 weekdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

E-mail address for Friends information: creinhardt@ncs.dcr.state.nc.us

Art 1
170 W. Franklin Blvd., Gastonia
Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and by appointment.
Call: (704) 854-8800.

The Frame Gallery of Gastonia
211 W. Second Ave., Gastonia
Call: (704) 865-8856.

Gaston College Art Gallery
Gaston College, Dallas
8 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday
Call: (704) 922-6344.

Gaston County Museum
131 W. Main St. (Court Square, Dallas)
10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesdays through Friday, 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday and 3 to 5 p.m. every fourth Sunday. Admission is free.
Call: (704) 922-7681 or 24-Hour INFO-LINE, (704) 852-6023.

Gaston County Public Library
155 E. Garrison Blvd., Gastonia
9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2 to 6 p.m. Sundays. Sunday hours run from September to May.
Call: (704) 868-2164.
Library Branches: Exhibits change each month. See town section, for information on location of libraries and hours.

Schiele Museum of Natural History and Planetarium
1800 E. Garrison Blvd., Gastonia
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday; 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday
Call: (704) 866-6908.

Touch of Class Studio/Gallery
31 Main St., Belmont
9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday
Call: (704) 825-5304.

Gaston Choral Society
A group of singers who put on an annual Christmas concert and spring concert.
President: Karen Guzek
Address: P.O. Box 293, Gastonia 28053
Phone: (704) 864-8028

Community Concert Association
Presents annual series of concerts featured nationally and internationally known performers. Season ticket subscriptions only.
Address: P.O. Box 3807, Gastonia 28053

Gaston Music Education Foundation
Founded in the 1950s, the foundation provides scholarships for gifted music students in junior and senior high schools in Gaston County.
President: Teresa Pearl
Address: 2321 Woodfield Circle, Gastonia 28056
Phone: (704) 853-1042

Gastonia Recreation Department
Provides a variety of musical events, including dancing and dance lessons.
Address: 109 W. Second Ave., Gastonia 28053
Phone: (704) 866-6839

Greater Gaston Chapter SPEBSQSA (Barber Shop Music)
The purpose of this chapter is to perpetuate the old American institution, the Barbershop Quartet and to promote and encourage vocal harmony and good fellowship. Open to any adult male who wishes to participate.
Contact: Stephen Burke
Address: 201 Timberlane Drive, Belmont 28012
Phone: (704) 825-4096

Gaston Community Concert Band
This community band provides an opportunity for musicians in the community to perform in a concert band environment with other musicians.
President: Bill Brown
Address: P.O. Box 3535, Gastonia 28053-3535

Gaston String Ensemble
Newly formed community orchestra.
Contact: Carolyn Hall, (704) 853-2787.

From classical to beach music, the Gaston Concert Association’s "Celebrate the Century!" series has a little something for everyone. Season ticket subscriptions only. For details write P.O.Box 2242, Gastonia 28053

The North Carolina Symphony
Sept. 12, 7:30 p.m., Ashbrook High School Auditorium
The North Carolina Symphony was formed in 1932 under the direction of Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Lamar Stringfield. It was a WPA project in the 1930s and became state-funded in the 1940s, a position it has enjoyed ever since. The North Carolina Symphony is a full-time professional orchestra with 65 members. While home-based in Raleigh, it performs in large and small communities across the state annually reaching 100,000 children and 275,000 adults. It has appeared twice at Carnegie Hall and once each at the Kennedy Center and Orchestra Hall in Chicago. After a quarter of a century absence in Gaston County, the Gaston Concert Association is very pleased to have the North Carolina Symphony as a part of its Celebrate the Century 2000-2001 program.

Loonis McGlohon
Oct. 27, 7:30 p.m., Myers Auditorium at Gaston College
Loonis McGlohon is one of those rare artists who refuses to live in an entertainment mecca like New York or Los Angeles. He prefers to live across the river in Charlotte. In spite of staying close to home, he is recognized all over the world as a gifted pianist/composer. The Loonis McGlohon Trio has traveled the far corners of the world performing in a variety of settings from an art festival in Spoleto, Italy, to the Swing Club in Tokyo. He recently sold out two concerts in England. His program for the Gaston Concert Association is called "The Carolina Connection," reflecting his appreciation of the music and the musicians of the Carolinas.

BelCanto Company
Feb. 23, 2001, 7:30 p.m., Myers Auditorium of Gaston College
Bel Canto Company was such a favorite in the 1998-1999 series that Gaston Concert Association has included it in its Celebrate the Century season. Begun in Greensboro in 1982 with 23 singers, the professional ensemble has grown to 40 singers who are selected according to vocal quality, training and musicianship. Bel Canto has performed at many prestigious locales including the Washington Cathedral’s Summer Festival and the Spoleto Festival. It is heard regularly on National Public Radio’s broadcast of "Performance Today" and "The First Art." Bel Canto is dedicated to excellence in the performance of choral literature from all historic periods. For its Gaston Concert, Bel Canto has chosen a variety of American music from classical to spiritual and folk.

The Four Aces
March 23, 2001, 7:30 p.m., Ashbrook High School Auditorium
"Love Is a Many Splendored Thing," "Tell Me Why," "Three Coins in a Fountain" … if these titles are familiar it’s because they are big hits of the Four Aces. The names have changed over the half-century that the Four Aces have been performing, but they have been able to "keep the sound" while adapting their voices to the song of today. Our Gaston audience will be charmed to hear the familiar while being entertained with an evening that includes soft shoe routines, Four Aces humor and instrumental numbers that display their ability as musicians.

CHECK IT OUT
Records and music may be checked out or listened to at the Gaston County Public Library.
Address: 1555 E. Garrison Blvd., Gastonia 28054
Phone: (704) 868-2164

Blockbuster Pavilion
Outdoor concerts spring, summer and early fall
Blockbuster Boulevard, Charlotte
Tickets: (704) 522-6500

Carowinds
Concert amphitheatre. Admission charged. Located off I-77, Charlotte
Information: (704) 588-2600

Charlotte Coliseum
24,000-seat coliseum hosts concerts, pageants, ice shows, horse shows, circuses and wrestling.
Located on Tyvola Road, off the Billy Graham Parkway in Charlotte.

Cherryville Little Theatre
300 W. Academy St., Cherryville 28021
Dec. 9-10: "Sanders Family Christmas"
Call: Tim Moss, (704) 435-2559

The Little Theatre of Gastonia
238 Clay St. or P.O. Box 302, Gastonia 28053
Call: (704) 865-0160

• California Suite — Little Theatre of Gastonia opens season. Sept. 21-30.

• War of the Worlds, The Canterville Ghost — October 26-29 and Nov. 2-4.

• Crazy For You — February 15-24, 2001

• The Mouse Trap — April 19-29, 2001

• Don’t Dress For Dinner — May 31-June 9, 2001

First United Methodist Church Theatre
162 E. Main Ave.
Gastonia, 28052
Call: (704) 866-4159

The Abbey Players/Belmont Community Theatre
Plays are performed in The Haid Theatre on the Belmont Abbey College campus. Season memberships are on sale.
Phone: (704) 825-6787

• Marvin’s Room — Hilarious look at how a family copes with myriad curve balls tossed into its midst. A comedy drama. Sept. 28-Oct. 7.

• A Piece of My Heart — Powerful true drama of six women who went to Vietnam to entertain the troops. Nov. 9-18.

• The World Goes Round, The Songs of Kander and Ebb — Stunning revue of the beloved songs of John Kander and Fred Ebb. Jan. 11-20, 2001

• The Merchant of Venice — Shakespeare’s timeless classic about love, bigotry, money and friendship’s obligations. Feb. 22-March 3, 2001

• The Last Night of Ballyhoo — A bittersweet comedy set in Atlanta in 1939 on the eve of World War II and the opening night of "Gone With The Wind." April 19-28, 2001

• The Beauty Queen of Lenanne — Winner of the 1998 Tony Award for Best Play, a sometimes dark and frequently hilarious story of a mother and her spinster daughter. May 24-June 2, 2001.

Gaston Dance Theatre
A civic dance company that performs four times throughout the year.
Call: Pat Wall, (704) 865-5943

The School of Gaston Dance Theatre
A non-profit school providing professional quality dance training to students pre-school age to adult.
719 E. Second Ave., Gastonia 28054
Call: (704) 865-5943