Weekend extertainment in Rockingham County

By Miranda Baines

Published: April 25, 2008

Aladdin & His Wonderful Magical Lamp

The Theatre Guild of Rockingham County will delight audiences with “Aladdin & His Wonderful Magical Lamp” this weekend.

“I wanted it to be an animated feature come to life,” Jon Young, play director, said. “I wanted to have that fun and animated appeal.”

Young said the show is fast-paced, with colorful costumes and special effects, such as a smoke machine. Magical flying carpets and magical lamps that summon genies to grant wishes add to the show.
“It’s definitely a family show,” Young said.

The action of the play, set in Arabia, revolves around Aladdin, a disadvantaged street boy whose luck changes when he finds a magic lamp; Princess Jasmine; and Jamaal, an evil magician who tries to steal the magical lamp and rule the city.

Anna Fuller, an eighth-grader at Rockingham County Middle School who plays Jasmine, cautions playgoers not to compare “Aladdin & His Wonderful Magical Lamp” to the animated feature film. The storyline is different. And instead of one genie, as in the movie, the play has three - the genie of the jewels, the genie of the ring and the genie of the lamp.

Fuller describes Jasmine, as a “sweet and innocent” girl eager to venture outside the palace walls.

“She’s tired of being stuffed in the palace the whole time. She wants to get out,” Fuller said.

Jasper Thomas, a seventh-grader at Reidsville Middle School, plays Aladdin. Thomas describes his character as “a mischievous poor boy who wants to be important.” He said the role fits him because he “likes being a little bit mischievous” and he’s clever, like Aladdin.

The cast of “Aladdin & His Wonderful Magical Lamp” is made up entirely of children 8 to 14. The children have worked together as a team and many, such as Fuller and Thomas, know each other from previous Theatre Guild plays.

“We’re like one big family,” said Fuller.

Young said he has seen friendships form among the young actors and actresses.

“I think it’s a good experience. It’s very much like sports. It involves teamwork and communication,” he said. Meredith Knowlton has worked with the children on the choreography, and Marcy Pyrtle teaches the music.

“The songs are really unique,” said Thomas.

Showtimes are 10:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $7 for children and students and $10 for adults. Tickets for Saturday’s bargain matinee are $5 each. All performances are in the Rockingham Community College auditorium in Wentworth.

March of Dimes

The March of Dimes’ “March for Babies” is Saturday at Morehead High School in Eden. Registration begins at 9 a.m., and the march begins at 10. The four-mile walk begins and ends at Morehead High School and will go through the Smith River Greenway trail.

“We are advocating the health of all babies,” said Debbi Patterson, community director for March of Dimes. “Our goal this year is $35,000.”

Concert in the Park

The Almost Country Band will perform at Saturday night’s Concert in the Park at the Eden Kiwanis Amphitheatre at Freedom Park. The band plays traditional country and old-time Rockabilly music.

“We’re looking forward to it,” said Harvey Hawks of Mayodan, vocalist and guitar player. The other band members are vocalist Linda Hamm of Mayodan, vocalist and acoustic guitar player Glenn Sweeney, lead guitarist Wayne Loflin, and bass player Bernard Joyce.

The concert begins at 6:30 p.m. and ends at 8:30. Admission is free. Concessions will be sold. Bring a lawn chair or blanket.

Antique Engine and Tractor Show

This weekend will mark the 27th Annual Antique Engine and Tractor Show, sponsored by the Antique Engine Association Inc. of Reidsville. Step back in time while watching corn grinding, saw milling, wood sawing and splitting and antique engines and tractors. Visit the show grounds at U.S. 158 East, three miles outside Reidsville, between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday. A bluegrass band will play Saturday. Admission is free and open to the public. Call Ronald Jones at 627-7723.

Wild Foods Weekend

The 33rd Annual “N.C. Wild Foods Weekend” is Friday and Saturday at the Betsy-Jeff Penn 4H Center at 804 Cedar Lane outside Reidsville. People from all over the East will take to the woods and fields to learn about edible wild plants, meet other foragers and celebrate spring.

The climax of the weekend will be a “wild feast,” composed of collected foods prepared by the participants.

Advance registration is required. Call Debbie Midkiff at (919) 489-2221, e-mail or go to http://www.wildfoodadventures.com.

Gang Awareness Community Forum

The Human Relations Commission of Reidsville will sponsor a community awareness forum from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the Reidsville YMCA in the BB&T room, upstairs. The Reidsville Police Department and the Rockingham County Youth Services will address “gang activity in our community.” Admission to the event is free. Refreshments will be served. Call 349-1035.

Adoption Fair

The Rockingham County Animal Shelter will have an adoption fair 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the Movie Gallery on Freeway Drive in Reidsville. Register to win concert tickets, gift baskets and gift certificates. For more information, visit http://www.rockinghamcountyanimalshelter.org.

CrossWalk Cafe

Jamie Carroll, of Winston-Salem, and 7starWonder, of Growing Oaks Community Church in Eden, will provide Christian entertainment at Saturday night’s CrossWalk Cafe. CrossWalk is open 7 to 10 p.m. on the last Saturday of each month in the old sanctuary of the Church of God of Prophecy at 13811 N.C. 87 in Eden. Admission is free. Coffee and light refreshments will be available for minimal donations.

Music at the Backstreet Buzz

“Linzae McWay” will provide the musical entertainment at the Backstreet Buzz Coffee House at 234 S.W. Market St. from 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday.

Take Two - Pickle Festival

The 22nd Annual N.C. Pickle Festival will be held in Mount Olive on Friday and Saturday. The festival will include the 2008 Tour de Pickle bike ride, carnival rides, four stages of entertainment, a Harley-Davidson motorcycle show and free Mount Olive pickles. Mount Olive is about a 2 1/2-hour drive from Reidsville, in Wayne County near Goldsboro. Visit http://www.mtolivepickles.com.

Staff Writer Miranda Baines can be reached at or 349-4331, ext. 35.