Artist's Evolution ... opens Friday

Every February since 2007, artist Sarah McRae Morton has had a solo exhibit at the Red Raven Art Co., 138 N. Prince St. As her life changes, so too does her work. Now living in Germany, Morton has taken on the challenge to "paint what I love instead of what haunts me." The result is "Pony Sails and Fox Bucks," which opens with a First Friday artist reception from 5 to 8 p.m., and runs through Feb. 25. The exhibit features a wide variety of animals, including dogs, pigs, rabbits, horses and crows. Morton, working in both oils and charcoal, explores them in various poses or running and jumping. Many are in a blurry, dreamlike state, others in formal portraits, such as a rabbit in a military uniform in "Time Keepers." Some are in strange, almost surreal situations, like a dog standing on a table at a wedding reception looking down, while a bride and groom walk a tight rope in "When the World Was Young." "What I have painted about in the blurred gestures, dark passages, obscured by clouds or masquerading as a rabbit is Time, the way for evolution," she declares in her artist's statement. For more information, go to redravenartcompany.com.

Hit it! ... Friday, Saturday

Take some buckets, brooms, sticks, garbage can lids and poles. Add toilet plungers, Zippo lighters, matches, water and, what the heck, the kitchen sink. These are the musical instruments that make up the orchestra for "Stomp," coming to the American Music Theatre Friday at 8 p.m. and Saturday at 3 and 8 p.m. The cast of "Stomp" doesn't utter a word. But they don't need to. In constant motion as they sweep and swing across the stage, pound the floors and bang on everything around them, the energetic and athletic cast speaks a universal language. The noise becomes an amazing percussive symphony. Back in 1991, "Stomp" was the brainchild of two veteran British street performers, Steve McNichols and Luke Cresswell. The duo incorporated many tricks of the street performers' trade into the show, which arrived in New York in 1994 and has since become a hit across the world. Tickets are $55 for all shows. Go to amtshows.com for more information or to buy tickets.

Mennonite Voices ... Saturday

Music is the next offering in the Lancaster Roots calendar of cultural events, organized by the Lancaster Mennonite Historical Society. On Saturday night at 7, the Neffsville Mennonite Church will host the second annual Mennonite Music Night. The concert, featuring folk musicians Chuck Neufeld, left, and Frances Miller, as well as the Men's Ensemble from Mennonite Heritage Chorale and the Vietnamese Mennonite Choir, will showcase the diversity of Mennonite music. Neufeld, who just finished recording his 11th album, is a veteran independent folk singer, songwriter and storyteller. He will be joined in concert by violinist, pianist and folk musician Miller. The Men's Ensemble from Mennonite Heritage Chorale, which performs a cappella music with lots of harmony, will return after wowing audiences last year. The Vietnamese Mennonite Choir sang for the 10th biennial North American Vietnamese Mennonite Fellowship in West Philadelphia last August. Tickets for the performance are $20. To order or for information, call 393-9745. For a complete listing of Lancaster Roots events, visit www.lancasterroots.org.