Shepherd Shakespeare to stage Christmas plays at Randolph libraries

ASHEBORO -- Three Randolph County libraries will host Christmas performances by the Shepherd Shakespeare Company in December.

At the Seagrove Public Library, the Charlotte-based  troupe will present Louisa May Alcott’s A Christmas Dream at noon Thursday, December 7. A Christmas Dream is a Christmas Carol-like tale of a young boy who learns that the greatest gifts are not the ones you receive, but the ones you give.

The Seagrove library is located at 530 Old Plank Road. 

At the Asheboro and Randleman libraries, the company will present ’Twas the Night Before Christmas. Performances will take place at the Asheboro library, 201 Worth Street, at 6 p.m. Tuesday, December 19; and at the Randleman library, 142 W. Academy St., at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, December 19.

This envisioning of the famous verse has author Clement Moore facing a case of writer’s block as he tries to pen a poem about the wonders of Christmas Eve.

Frustratingly funny trials and errors lead him to acting out his ideas with the help of puppets, found objects and friends from the audience. Watch as the magic of this cherished classic unfolds.

The shows are free and the public is invited. For further information, call 336-318-6804.

Friends of Randolph Library bookshop to offer Christmas book bundle deal, author event

 ASHEBORO – Need a literary Christmas gift, or want to stock up on reading material for the holidays?

The Friends of the Library Bookshop will offer author book bundles in December, and host an author appearance during Asheboro’s Christmas Downtown on Friday, December 8.

The bookshop will be open 6-9 p.m. during the Christmas Downtown event. Loretta Lutman, author of I Shoot Squirrels on Sundays and Other Stories, will be on hand to sell and sign books.

Beginning December 2, the bookshop will offer bundles of four books by the same author for $5 each. Books in each bundle will be tied together with a Christmas ribbon, making a lovely gift for fellow readers.

The bundles will feature a variety of authors.

The bookshop is located at 226 Sunset Avenue. Regular hours are 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

Gently used hardback books go for $3, paperbacks for $2 and trade paperbacks for $2.50, with prices increasing by $1 for books published in the last four years. All children’s books are $1. Some special books are priced individually. 

A portion of bookshop proceeds support Randolph County Public Libraries book budgets. For more information about the bookshop, call 336-629-1536 during regular hours.

True Grass to perform a ‘Country Christmas Concert’ at Asheboro library

True Grass members William Britt, Tim Moon, Matthew Nance, Nolan Moon and Gary Callicutt

 ASHEBORO -- The popular and long-lived local bluegrass and gospel band True Grass will present a “Country Christmas Concert” at 7 p.m. Tuesday, December 5, at the Asheboro Public Library.

The performance, sponsored by the Friends of the Library, is free and the public is invited.

Over 20 years, the group has played numerous local venues including the Sunset Theatre, the NC Zoo, Randolph Community College, at churches and at corporate events for Klaussner and Energizer, among others.

Founding members Tim Moon and Gary Callicutt remain with the group.

Moon, a well-known music teacher for over 30 years, plays mandolin and sings lead vocals. Callicutt plays bass and sings tenor vocals.

Matthew Nance plays banjo and sings baritone vocals. William Britt plays guitar and sings most lead vocals. Moon’s 16-year-old son Nolan Moon plays blistering fast solos as well as beautiful waltz styles on fiddle. 

The library is located at 201 Worth Street. Call 336-318-6803 for further information.

Caleb Sigmon’s ‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas’ returns to Randolph libraries

The Grinch and his dog Max delight an Asheboro audience.

ASHEBORO – He’s mean! He’s green! And he’s back — again — to steal Christmas.

Everyone’s favorite grouch will visit five Randolph County Public Libraries locations during the week of December 11 as illusionist and storyteller Caleb Sigmon returns with his highly-celebrated rendition of Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

Audience members’ hearts will grow three sizes as the classic story unfolds in a musical performance that includes live actors, puppets and lots of audience interaction.

The performances, sponsored by the Friends of the Library, are free and the public is invited.

Performance will take place at the libraries as follows:

• Archdale, 10 a.m. Tuesday, December 12;
• Asheboro, 201 Worth Street, two shows at 6 p.m. Tuesday, December 12, and 10 a.m. Wednesday, December 13;
• Franklinville audience members are invited to attend Ramseur’s show.
• Liberty, 239 S. Fayetteville St., 6 p.m. Monday, December 11;
• Ramseur, 1512 Main Street, 1 p.m. Wednesday, December 13;
• Randleman, 142 W. Academy St., 4 p.m. Thursday, December 14.

 Contact Asheboro library Youth Services at 336-318-6804 for further details.