LOCAL HAPPENINGS: It's a big week in Randolph County for music events, movies, and pups

THIS WEEK

Star holds 100th Fiddlers’ Convention

STAR — Star Fiddlers’ Convention will hold its 100th annual acoustic talent competition this Saturday, March 7, at Star Elementary School in Star beginning at 5:30 p.m.

The local musical contest is celebrating its centennial with special guest and hometown hero, Gena Britt. The Star native competed at the fiddlers convention in her youth and now resides in Nashville. The professional musician picks banjo with the award-winning all-female band Sister Sadie and has recorded numerous albums.

Sponsored by Star Halcyon Woman’s Club, the contest’s proceeds profit the community. 

Doors open at 4 p.m. Contestant registration is held from 4:30 to 6:45 p.m. with a lottery drawing for order of adult competition immediately following close of registration. Youth competition kicks of the event at 5:30. 

More than $2,500 will be awarded in both youth and adult categories for band, individual instruments, vocals and dance by a panel of competent judges. $100 will be presented to the best up-and-coming young bluegrass talent. 

Star Elementary School is located at 302 South Main Street in Star. Admission is $12 for adults, $5 6-12, free under 6. Cash only. Concessions will be available.

- Sandy Hatley

Four Saints comedy show features area comedians

ASHEBORO — Four Saints Brewing Company in Downtown Asheboro is hosting a comedy event Saturday, March 7, beginning at 7 p.m.

It isn’t the first time Four Saints has invited regulars from The Idiot Box to stretch their boundaries a bit.

On this occasion, here are the three performers on tap for this aptly named Brew Haha! Standup Comedy Showcase:

■ Steve Lesser— A Greensboro resident, he is the producer of the NC Comedy Festival and the Ultimate Comic Challenge.

■ Milly Mason — Born in London and raised in Ohio, she specializes in improv and stand-up.

■ Ethan Justice — A finalist of the Ultimate Comedy Challenge, he’s also the host of Four Eyes Comedy Show @ Acme Comics in Greensboro.

Also, the host of the show is Asheboro’s own Dusty Cagle, the winner in the Ultimate Comic Challenge.

Four Saints is located at 218 S. Fayetteville St., Asheboro.

Tickets are $9 for the event. You must be 21 or older to attend.

March 8 hike takes participants to highest point in Randolph County

ASHEBORO — Is there a better way to begin Spring than to hike to the top of Mount Shepherd, the highest point in Randolph County?

Mount Shepherd is protected by a conservation easement with the Piedmont Land Conservancy and is one of the most beautiful wilderness areas in the county. This is a wonderful springtime nature experience with many views of the Uwharrie Mountains.

Once at the top of the mountain, you can climb steps to a water tower that extends above the trees and gives you 360-degree panoramic views for miles all around.

Date: Sunday, March 8.

Where: Mount Shepherd Retreat Center and Camp. Meet at the Farmer’s Market in Downtown Asheboro, 134 S. Church Street, to car caravan to the trailhead at Mount Shepherd Retreat Center. 

Time: 1:30 p.m. at the Farmer’s Market or 2 p.m. at Mt Shepherd Retreat Center and Camp, 1045 Mount Shepherd Rd. Extension.

Hike Length: About 3 miles total for the hike.

Degree of Difficulty: The hike to the summit is steep! This is a difficult hike.

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

This hike is open to all but be sure that you are physically up to the difficulty of the steep climb to the summit. Wear comfortable hiking shoes, bring water and a walking stick if needed. Dress appropriately for a Spring hike. There is no cost to participate, and no pre-registration is needed. If it is raining at the time of the hike, the hike will be canceled. This event is open to all who can hike this distance unaided.

Questions: Contact Mary Joan Pugh at maryjoan.pugh@randolphcountync.gov or 336-963-2715

Thrifty Thursday movie returns with ‘Baby Boom’

ASHEBORO — The recently deceased Diane Keaton stars in this month’s Thrifty Thursday movie “Baby Boom.”

Movie time is 1 p.m. this Thursday (March 5) at the Sunset Theatre, 234 Sunset Ave., in downtown Asheboro.

The comedy has Keaton as a free spirit, yuppie type whose life gets turned upside down when she inherits a baby.

Admission is $5, which includes a drink and a popcorn. 

However, admission is free for visitors 50 years of age and older thanks to local sponsors.

RhinoLeap's “Red" production starts on Saturday

STAR — RhinoLeap’s first production of 2026 begins the first full weekend in March with the production of “Red,” a winner of six Tony Awards.

“Red” is a moving and compelling account of one of the greatest visual artists of the 20th century whose struggle to accept his growing fame became his ultimate undoing. 

It stars fellow RhinoLeap performer Kira Geiger as the young assistant to Hollywood actor Michael Tourek as the artist at the center of the story, Mark Rothko.

Shows are set for 10 days between March 7 to 22. Tickets are $30 and the link to reserve them can be found on www.rhinoleap.com/live.

Farmer Civitans breakfast Saturday; wear your favorite hoop team’s logo

FARMER — Guests to the March 7 Farmer Civitans breakfast are asked to wear the logo of their favorite basketball team — be it local, college, pro, etc. — to this month’s meal. Spirited conversation encouraged.

The monthly breakfast held on the first Saturday of each month is an all-you-can-eat meal of hot biscuits, fluffy eggs, gravy (white or red-eye), buttered grits, Thomas Brothers sausage and center-cut ham, and pancakes. Also included is hot coffee (reg or decaf), cold water, orange juice or sodas.

Cost is a $10. Proceeds go toward Civitan projects. The Civitan clubhouse is at 3986 Old NC 49, Asheboro.

Soup Bowl Saturday in Ramseur is back with these 8 soup varieties

RAMSEUR — In a super day of soup, Soup Bowl Saturday returns to Ramseur on Saturday, March 7.

Sponsored by the Ramseur Area Civitans, eight soups will be available for purchase for takeout ($6 a pint) or available for all-you-can-eat dine-in at $20 (which includes keeping a hand-crafted pottery bowl to use onsite) or at $12 (you don’t get to keep the bowl). 

The all-you-can-eat dine-in options include cornbread or crackers, a drink and dessert.

The soup choices include:

■ Beef & Barley • Beef Taco • Broccoli Cheddar 

■ Chicken Noodle • Chicken Tortilla • Cream of Potato 

■ Vegetarian Vegetable • White bean Chili

The event takes place at Jordan Memorial United Methodist Church, 1511 Main St., Ramseur.

Proceeds benefit the Ramseur Area Civitans Club.

Rescue dogs show off some skills this Sunday in ‘Puppy Pals Live’

LIBERTY — A dog-performing show is coming to Liberty Showcase Theatre on Sunday, March 8.

This action-packed family show “Puppy Pals Live” features adopted and rescued dogs performing challenging and sometimes comical tricks for the audience.

Tickets range from $19 to $34. You can get them at thelibertyshowcase.com.

UPCOMING

Hank Williams Jr. tribute band pays Sunset Theatre a visit March 13

ASHEBORO — Sunset Theatre will be the stage for a tribute band featuring the music of Hank Williams, Jr. on Friday, March 13, in downtown Asheboro. The 8 p.m. show features a band called Family Tradition.

Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at two Asheboro locations, Lucky’s Burger & Tap in the Walmart Shopping Center or Lucky Rooster on Academy Street at the entrance to Bicentennial Park.