Josh Gracin will kick off the Wingate University Fine Arts of Being Southern Symposium with a concert on March 28 at 8 p.m. in Cuddy Arena on the university’s campus. Tickets are $20.

Most easily recognized as a finalist, placing fourth, on “American Idol” in its second season, Gracin used that experience to jump start a career in country singing. After an audition on “Music Row,” Gracin signed with Lyric Street Records.

His self-titled debut album, featuring his first single, “I Want to Live,” was released in 2004. Its second single, “Nothin’ to Lose,” reached No. 1 on country radio. Other hit songs include, “Favorite State of Mind,” and “Stay With Me.”

For more information or tickets to the event visit http://wingate.tickets.musictoday.com or call 233-8482. For general information about other symposium events go to www.wingate.edu/FABS.asp or call 233-8129.

Wingate University will host a symposium March 28 – April 2 that focuses on the many fine artists, authors, musicians and actors who live in the South. The event will kick off March 28 with a concert featuring country artist Josh Gracin, “American Idol” finalist from 2003.           

The symposium will also feature authors Nan Graham and Debbie Morris. Graham will give an author’s talk about her book “In a Magnolia Minute” on March 29 at 11:30 a.m. The commentator for WHQR Public Radio in Wilmington, N.C. is known for her humorous essays and books on growing up and growing old in the South.            

Morris will hold a discussion on “Forgiving the Dead Man Walking” to talk about her personal journey from being a victim of a horrific crime to seeing herself as a survivor. Her book talk is about courage, honor, forgiveness and redemption.  Her talk will be followed by a viewing of the film Dead Man Walking.            

Thursday night at 7:30 p.m. the Wingate University Theatre will present “First Baptist of Ivy Gap.” The play explores universal themes of loss and guilt, success and disappointment and the benefits and evils of privilege.           

On Saturday, vendors will sell their arts and crafts on the academic quad from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Also that afternoon, sculptor Tom Clark, will talk at 1 p.m. about his famous creations that include sculptures of Beethoven to famous NASCAR drivers to his gnomes. After his presentation,Wingate
University will auction a portion of its extensive Tom Clark gnome collection to benefit a student scholarship in the Recital Hall of the George A. Batte, Jr. Fine Arts Center.           

During the symposium, an exhibit of paintings by Mary Erickson, of Marshville will be open in the C. Douglas Helms Gallery. This first-time solo exhibit encompasses Erickson’s travels through Argentina and Ireland.

Other highlights include a lecture by T. Boone Pickens, legendary oilman, entrepreneur and philanthropist March 28 sponsored by the Jesse Helms Lecture Series.           

Mothers and daughters can enjoy a southern-style tea on Sunday afternoon from 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. An assortment of tea and light snacks will accompany a review of the history of the Southern afternoon tea. 

The symposium wraps up on Monday night at 7:30 p.m. with a free concert Southern Harmony, by the Wingate University Sinfonia. The concert features Appalachian tunes, gospel hymns and Cajun folk songs.            

Most of the events are free and all are open to the public. Some events require tickets. Please call 704-233-8129 for more information or visit the website at http://www.wingate.edu/FABS.asp For Josh Gracin tickets call 704-233-8482.

The Chris Thompson Cultural Ensemble will perform an African Show entitled “Journey of the Drum” on Thursday February 8 at 7:30 pm in McGee Theater in the Batte Center. For questions call 704-233-8107. More…

Pianists Allison Gagnon and Eric Larsen perform a free concert Feb. 1 at the George A. Batte Fine Arts Center at 7:30 p.m.

Canadian pianist Allison Gagnon and American pianist Eric Larsen are internationally-acclaimed artists and members of the faculty at North Carolina School of the Arts. More…