Happenings: Slick your hair back and come on in

ASHEBORO — Beginning this weekend, RhinoLeap will top off its 10th Anniversary season with the entertaining production of “Grease.”

In co-production with Temple Theatre, opening night is Saturday at Sunset Theatre in Asheboro, one of 11 opportunities to experience the spectacle over the next two weeks between Sept. 27 and Oct. 12.

Music, lyrics and book were written by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey. The co-production between Temple Theatre and RhinoLeap will be directed and choreographed by Gavan Pamer.

Arguably the most frequently produced musical in the American Theatre, “Grease” tells the story of a whirlwind summer romance between bad boy Danny and girl-next-door Sandy. Once the summer has come to a close, they are unexpectedly reunited when Sandy transfers to Rydell High for her senior year. Can they survive the trials and tribulations of teenage life and find true love? 

Tickets range from $20 to $40 and can be purchased at the door or in advance online through rhinoleap.com or in-person at Brightside Gallery, 170 Worth Street, Asheboro, where you can avoid online fees.

Tickets to ALL RhinoLeap productions are free for ALL teenagers living in Randolph County. Just show up to ANY performance 30 minutes before showtime to get your free ticket on a first come, first served basis.

THIS WEEK

Two-day Liberty Antiques Festival opens this Friday

LIBERTY — Twice a year (in April and September), Liberty is host to a spacious Antiques Festival that draws more than 400 vendors from more than 25 states to a 100-acre farm near the small town of fewer than 3,000 people.

Many more than that will descend on Pike Family Farm, 2855 Pike Farm Rd., Staley, for the event which is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on both Friday and Saturday, Sept. 26 and 27, to see what kind of 18th- to 20th-century treasures will be available for purchase this year.

Admission is $10 for 12 and older, free otherwise. And parking is free. Check out www.libertyantiquesfestival.com to learn more.

Summer Cruise Series continues Saturday night

ASHEBORO — The September edition of the Asheboro Summer Cruise Series takes place Saturday night, Sept. 27, in the parking lot of C4 Church, 1129 N. Fayetteville St., Asheboro.

Organized by Grounded Elegance Car Club (Michael Allred) and Brightside Gallery (Mary Murkin), the event runs from 6 to 10 p.m., beginning with a car show free to anyone who wants to participate or visit. Later in the evening, Allred will lead visiting cars onto Fayetteville Street for an old-fashioned cruise up and down the strip.

UPCOMING

Fall Festival celebrates 50th with 2-day event

ASHEBORO — The Asheboro Fall Festival turns 50 this year, and organizers are hoping a two-day event will have visitors talking about this one for some time to come.

Saturday, Oct. 4, will be a typical Fall Festival day: From 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., enjoy crafts  and food vendors while walking the closed-off streets of downtown Asheboro. Typically more than 150 booths participate with the festival drawing tens of thousands of people each year. Musical guests will also entertain throughout the day.

On Sunday, Oct. 5, look for a new format and a return to one of the original purposes of the Randolph Arts Guild: To support artists and bring arts and creativity to the community. Buildings and locations throughout downtown will be filled with live music, theater, dance, poetry, guest speakers and more. The events will be ticketed and the choices will spill into dozens of venues, restaurants, businesses and shops.

Randolph Hub will go deeper into the Sunday format and schedule in its Oct. 1 edition. For now, consider your appetite whetted.

Steam Day returns to Linbrook Heritage Estate

TRINITY — The Linbrook Estate, a draw in and of itself in Trinity, will host its 12th Annual Steam Day on Saturday, Oct. 4, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

This time, the big draw will be restored Jone Deere tractors, a 100-year-old steam whistle for visitors to blow, restored vintage farm equipment and more.

Also expect to live demonstrations, music, food and vendors market and more.

Admission is $5 for 10 and up and $3 for younger students.

Library gets into hiking with event on Sept. 27

ASHEBORO — On Sept. 27, celebrate a short and easy hike into the Birkhead Mountains Wilderness, in an event hosted by the Asheboro Public Library.

Ciara Wilder Massengale will lead visitors from the Tot Hill Farm Trailhead, 3901 Tot Hill Farm Road, at 10 a.m. Due to limited parking at the trailhead, call the Asheboro library at 336-318-6803 to sign up or for more information. The outing is best for adults and kids 12 and older.