Events Roundup

Can you survive a zombie attack at Spooky Bottom?

ASHEBORO — Spooky Bottom, a popular haunt during the Halloween season, is gearing up for a zombie attack event this Saturday, July 15.

Called “Blast Your Way Out: The Ultimate Zombie Apocalypse Gellyball Adventure,” the event is scheduled for 8-11 p.m. 

Participants will find themselves in the middle of a zombie outbreak with a mission to contain the infection, eliminate all threats and retrieve the antidote held by the mad scientist Mr. Edward. 

Players will be armed with a gellyball blaster and 750 rounds, enough (maybe?) to blast your way through an undead horde to make it to the infirmary in one piece. But beware: Zombies will not go down without a fight. They are fast, relentless and hungry for flesh. 

The cost is $20. You can purchase tickets online at spookybottom.com. Availability is limited.

Visit county’s newest trails in July’s monthly hike 

ASHEBORO — The July theme for 2023 Year of the Trail is “Celebrate NC Parks” so the target hike will be at Randolph County’s newest park — Caraway Creek Preserve.

Piedmont Land Conservancy’s new nature preserve protects a 167-acre corridor between Caraway Mountain and Mt. Shepherd. Hike along the 2.5 miles of trails with beautiful views of both mountains, Caraway Creek, Little Caraway Creek and a historic rock check dam.

The Caraway Creek Preserve is at 829 Jerico Road near Asheboro. Meet there at 2 p.m. or at 1:30 p.m. at the Farmer’s Market, 134 Church St., Asheboro, to caravan to the spot.

The hike will cover total about 3 miles but it is an easy hike for all ages.

Dogs are welcome but must remain on a leash at all times.

There’s no cost and no pre-registration required.

Learn beekeeping basics in Asheboro library talk

ASHEBORO — Get buzzing about beekeeping as Cooperative Extension Horticulture Agent Cody Craddock talks about how bees make your garden bloom in “Basics of Beekeeping,” 6:30 p.m. Thursday, July 27, at the Asheboro Public Library.

Craddock will offer beekeeping tips, share information about hive supplies, and answer questions.

The talk is free and the public is invited.

Craddock has been an avid gardener since childhood, when he grew a large garden and pulled a wagon to sell produce to neighbors. He graduated from the University of Mount Olive in 2021 and has worked for North Carolina Cooperative Extension’s Randolph County office ever since.

The Asheboro library is located at 201 Worth Street. For information, call 336-318-6803. 

RhinoLeap’s ‘Lady Day’ has four shows this week

ASHEBORO — RhinoLeap’s “Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grille” will be on stage at the George Washington Carver Center in Asheboro four times this week from July 13-16: Thursday-Saturday nights at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday afternoons at 2:30 p.m.

Written by Lanie Robertson, in this musical, Billie Holiday’s life story unfolds through the songs that made her famous.

It’s 1959, in an intimate bar in Philadelphia, and Holiday puts on a show that will leave members of the audience witnesses to one of the last performances of her lifetime. Through her poignant voice and moving songs, one of the greatest jazz singers of all-time shares her loves and her losses.

Holiday will be portrayed by Lelenja Harrington, with Melchi Kpade on the piano as Jimmy Powers, who accompanies Holiday as she sings.

Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at rhinoleap.com or in person at Brightside Gallery, 170 Worth St., Asheboro.

The GWCC is located at 950 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive in Asheboro.

Beer, wine and custom made desserts will be available as part of the immersive theatrical experience.

NC Zoo has another ‘Quiet Day’ set for July 18

ASHEBORO — The North Carolina has another “Quiet Day” upcoming on Tuesday, July 18.

Quiet Days are designed to be more relaxed and sensory-friendly to Zoo visitors for those overwhelmed by loud noises or just seeking a quieter, more reflective atmosphere at the Zoo.

Held typically on lower attendance Tuesdays once a month, no large group visits are scheduled, loud speakers are off at the front entrance and quiet areas are designated throughout the zoo, including quiet sensory play experiences at the Kidzone from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

The zoo also offers free sensory bags for check-out at the Guest Services Office or Kidzone.

Other scheduled Quiet Days for 2023 are Aug. 15, Sept. 19, Oct. 17, Nov. 21 and Dec. 19.

MicroMania headed for Liberty Showcase July 22

LIBERTY – The Liberty Showcase Theater, known more for its country music acts, is branching out this monthy with the MicroMania: Midget Wrestling Tour event on Saturday, July. 22. MircoMania is promoted as a high-powered, explosive, athletic Pro Wrestling show with a touch of comedy.

Tickets range from $15-$40 for the event, which begins at  7 p.m. A portion of profits will go to a charitable organization. 

The Liberty Showcase is located at 101 S. Fayetteville Street in Liberty.

‘Star Spangled Girls’ at Sunset to raise money for local veterans

ASHEBORO — This Saturday, July 15, the Touring Theater of North Carolina will present “Star Spangled Girls” at the Sunset Theatre in Asheboro.

The event will serve as a fundraiser for local veterans. Tickets are free, but donations will be accepted at the door and after the performance, which begins at 7 p.m.

All proceeds will go to the Randolph County Veterans Services to be used for local veterans in need. 

Commissioned in 2005 by UNC Greensboro’s Women Veterans Historical Collection, “Star-Spangled Girls” is a review built from diaries, letters, interviews, telegrams, journals and posters by and about the women who served the United States during WWII. Five actresses portray WAC’s, WAVE’s, Army Nurses and Red Cross volunteers. The characters based on real women veterans share their memories about enlistment, basic training, service at home and abroad, love and segregation. Songs from war time are woven throughout the production.

Hatley Family Band next up for Friday Night Bluegrass

ASHEBORO —  The Hatley Family Band will make a return to the Friday Night Bluegrass series Sunset Theatre on Friday, July 21.

The concert will begin at 7 p.m. 

Friday Night Bluegrass, presented in association with the City of Asheboro, is a reoccurring program of the Sunset Theatre that presents local as well as regional bluegrass talent on the third Friday of the month.

This month’s concert will feature the Hatley Family Band. Based in Stanfield, the Hatley Family Band represents five generations of music. The group is known for its tight four-part harmony and specializes in bluegrass gospel, but also offers toe-tapping instrumentals and familiar bluegrass standards. 

The band has appeared across the southeast from West Virginia to Mississippi. This year, the Hatleys celebrate 42 years performing together. 

The band consists of Ervin Hatley on fiddle, Gary Hatley on guitar, Ronnie Hatley on banjo, Donnie Hatley on mandolin, Teresa Hatley on bass and Sandy Hatley on dobro. 

Tickets for the performance are $8 in advance or $10 at the door. Advance tickets are available at the Asheboro Cultural & Recreation Services, across the street at 241 Sunset Ave. For more information, call the Cultural & Recreation Services office at (336) 626-1240.

The theatre is located at 234 Sunset Ave. in downtown Asheboro.