Published: Saturday, Apr. 19, 2008 / Updated: Saturday, Apr. 19, 2008 11:53 PM

Optimists hosting circus May 10 in Rock Hill

The Carson and Barnes Circus will present shows at 2 and 7 p.m. May 10 in the lot beside the Applied Technology Center, 2399 W. Main St., Rock Hill.

The family-owned circus has been touring for more than 70 years. The show is being sponsored by the Rock Hill Optimist Club, and all proceeds will benefit a childhood cancer program.

Advance tickets, which must be purchased by May 9, are $6 for ages 2 to 11 and $12 for ages 12 and older. Tickets purchased at the door will be $8 children and $16 adults. Tickets may be ordered by calling 366-5050 or e-mail twebbretired@yahoo.com.

Beginning Wednesday, tickets may be purchased in Rock Hill at Angel Insurance Agency, 404 Oakland Ave. or 1401 Albright Road; The Bookworm at Winthrop University, 700 Cherry Road; Dr. Winslow Chiropractic Center, 419 E. Main St.; and O'Darby's Beverage, 4124 Celanese Road; in Fort Mill at the Leroy Springs Recreation Center, 971 Tom Hall St.,; and the Baxter Village Community Center; in Clover at Clover Auto Parts, 301 S. Main St.; and in York at the Craft Connection, 621 N. Congress St.

City Club evening features paintings, plays

Acts of Art, an evening of five short plays inspired by five paintings, will be presented at 7 p.m. April 30 and May 1 at the City Club of Rock Hill, 140 E. Main St.

Admission is $48 per person, including the performances and a four-course dinner with a cash bar. The event is open to the public. For details, call Stacey at the City Club, (803) 980-2525.

CHM events include 'Battledrum,' Earth Day

The Culture and Heritage Museums will have the following events:

• "Battledrum," an arts-in-education musical about Civil War drummer boys, at 9 and 11 a.m. Monday through Friday and at 7 p.m. Thursday at the McCelvey Center, 212 E. Jefferson St., York. The musical tells the story of Rufus, a Confederate orphan who is adopted by a troop of Union soldiers. The show is based on real-life stories of more than two million boys, age 17 or younger, who served on both sides of the conflict. It is recommended for ages 9 to adult. Admission is $10 per person. Reservations are recommended. For details or reservations, call 684--3948, Ext. 27, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. The musical is presented by the Eckerd Theatre Co.

• Earth Day birthday, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Museum of York County, 4621 Mount Gallant Road, Rock Hill. Participants will celebrate with activities, games, entertainment and more than 30 educational exhibits. The Scrap Exchange, a reuse center, returns with fun, hands-on activities that promote creativity, environmental awareness and community through reuse. There will be a 4-H petting zoo. Pony rides and family-friendly foods will be sold. The event is free and presented in partnership with York County Collection and Recycling and Rock Hill Clean and Green.

• Citing your sources, a workshop on footnote use in writing family history, will be from 11 to 11:45 a.m. May 3 at the Historical Center of York County at McCelvey Center. For details, call 684-3948.

• Parent/teen kayak trip, from 5 to 8:30 p.m. May 3. Participants will meet at the Museum of York County for an after-hours tour of the documentary photography exhibit, River Docs: A Catawba River Narrative, then kayak the quiet coves of Lake Wylie. After kayaking, participants may bring a picnic supper to enjoy around a campfire. Shuttle, equipment and instruction are provided by Rock Hill Parks, Recreation and Tourism. The trip is for ages 12 and older. Cost is $22 for museum members and $25 for non-members. Space is limited. Register by Friday by calling (803) 981-9182. No refunds will be given after the registration deadline.

Historic Rock Hill plans May Day fundraiser

Historic Rock Hill will have a family May day event from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 3 on the lawn of the historic White home, 135 Elizabeth Lane, Rock Hill.

Admission is $5 and includes lunch and activities. Activities for children include May pole dancing, face painting, croquet, a cakewalk, storytelling and handprints.