Go out with the family or find a bargain this weekend in Rockingham County

By Miranda Baines

Published: November 12, 2008

Family-friendly musical entertainment and holiday open houses are on tap this weekend in Rockingham County.

Triad Harmony Express Performance

“Fun for the whole family.“ That’s how Robert Keys, Rockingham Community College president, describes the barbershop chorus Triad Harmony Express’ show “In the Mood.“

Triad Harmony Express will perform its original production “In the Mood” at 7 p.m. Saturday in RCC’s advanced technologies building auditorium. Written by chorus member and Triad Harmony president Nathanael Pendley, “In the Mood” is set at a radio station in the 1940s.

“The music is woven along the storyline,“ said Keys, a Triad Harmony Express member. “There’s lots of jokes, lots of dialogue.“

Keys said the music in “In the Mood” will be nostalgic for the older generation and amusing and educational for the younger generation. A lot of the music in the show comes from the post-World War II era, including “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy,“ “Swingin’ On a Star” and “Chattanooga Choo Choo.“

“A lot of the numbers will include some of the old jingles for products - Alka Seltzer, Pabst Blue Ribbon Beer. A lot of the jingles were as popular then as some of the advertising slogans are today,“ Keys said.

Barbershop music was popularized by the Buffalo Bills barbershop quartet in the Broadway musical “The Music Man.“ Barbershop choruses are typically male, and the music is performed a cappella and sung in four-part harmonies.

“It’s a real fun hobby. It’s really rewarding to be able to sing that close harmony a cappella,“ said Keys, who has been singing in barbershop choruses since high school. In Saturday evening’s performance, a ladies’ ensemble will appear with the male chorus, and the two groups will perform several numbers together.

Tickets are $5 and may be purchased at the door. Admission is free to RCC faculty, staff and students. For more information, call RCC at 342-4261. Saturday’s concert is part of RCC’s cultural events series.

Music on a Mission Benefit for the DAV

Support the Disabled American Veterans while enjoying music by local talent. The Reidsville Golden Corral is sponsoring “Music on a Mission,“ a benefit concert for the DAV, on Saturday from 6 to 10 p.m. at Monroeton Elementary School at 8081 U.S. 158 in Reidsville. Country, country gospel and bluegrass performers at the concert include Michael Ken, Mike Jones and Young at Heart and The Church Sisters. An adult ticket is $7, and each ticket admits a child 2 or younger. A ticket for ages 3 to 12 is $3.

Benefit Gospel Singing

A gospel singing featuring “The Old Time Way Brethren” will benefit the Eden Fire Department Auxiliary. The gospel singing is 7 p.m. Saturday at Draper Pentecostal Church at Bethel Street and Delaware Avenue in Eden. Admission is free, but a love offering will be taken to assist with the purchase of water, Gatorade and supplies for firefighters on call. For more information, call 635-5491 or 635-9473.

Christmas Open House

The Downtown Crafter’s Mall at 136 S. Scales St. in Reidsville will have a Christmas open house Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. The Christmas room is filled with handmade and hand-painted decor from local artists. The crafter’s mall offers unique gifts for every budget. Sign up for a door prize.

Second Annual Holiday Open House

The Riverhouse Gift & Gourmet will have its second annual holiday open house from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. Holiday items include tableware, Woodwick candles, gourmet food sampling and holiday cider and coffees. Riverhouse is at 646-A Washington St. in Eden. Several other downtown business are participating in the holiday open house, including Corner Junction, Elaine’s Antiques, the Front Porch, House of Health and Silver Expressions.

King’s Chandelier and Lighting Grand Reopening Celebration

King’s Chandelier and Lighting will have a grand reopening celebration and open house this weekend. The grand reopening celebration will kick off with a ribbon cutting by the Eden Chamber of Commerce at 10 a.m. today. The store will offer special discounts on all product lines and refreshments for customers. The store will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. today, Friday and Saturday.

Rockingham County Naturalist Club

The Rockingham County Naturalist Club invites people to join members for a walk Sunday afternoon. They will walk along a creek descending a wooded hillside belonging to W.C. and Lizora Harbour in the Happy Home area along the Dan River, to the east of Eden. The creek gorge cuts through conglomerate rock, and chunks of petrified rock are often found on such walks. Meet at 2 p.m. at the parking lot in front of the advanced technologies and gymnasium buildings at Rockingham Community College.

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