Rangarao, a 10th grader at Enloe High School, performed a Bharatanatya Arangetram, her first solo performance in front of a specially invited audience, Aug. 5 at Southeast Raleigh High School.

Her teacher is Meena Rajagopal at the Kalasrishti School of Performing Arts in Morrisville. Rangarao focuses her training in Bharatanatyam dance.

“Arangetram or ‘stage debut’ is considered an important milestone in a young dancer’s career, as it marks the culmination of years of learning and training under the able guidance of the teacher, before performing on stage for the first time in a professional capacity,” said Cary dance educator Jayanthi Balachandran.

“Bharathanatyam is one of seven classical dance styles from India and hails from the land of Tamilnadu in south India. ... It is an arduous discipline and a judicious blend of the physical, emotional and spiritual aspects that make a complete dancer,” Balachandran said.

Apex photographer highlights local railway

Apex photographer Tim Telkamp recently received accolades for his work.

The St. Louis Artists’ Guild and Galleries awarded Telkamp the Memorial Prize for its upcoming “Trains: Past, Present, Future” exhibition for the photographer’s “Letting Off Steam,” a black and white silver gelatin print. Also, Telkamp’s print “#17 Passing the Motor Car House” was awarded an honorable mention by juror Bonnie Stutski, photo editor for Smithsonian magazine.

“Kudos to [Telkamp],” Gallery Director Robyn Conroy said in a press release. “Even to get into this exhibit was a challenge.”

The three photographs submitted by Telkamp are part of a larger body of work, “A Year in the Life of the New Hope Valley Railway.” Telkamp routinely visited the railroad for over a year and captured thousands of images showing the hard work and dedication of the organization that runs excursions in Bonsal near Apex.

For more information about Telkamp call 363-8367 or visit www.ttphoto.us.

State fair tickets

The state fair is just around the corner, and tickets for the concert series go on sale Tuesday, Sept. 5. Tickets range from $5 to $15, and fairgoers can purchase reserved tickets online at www.ncstatefair.org.

A look at who’s coming:

Oct. 13, Chris Tomlin; Oct. 14, Jo Dee Messina; Oct. 15, Blake Shelton; Oct. 16, Eric Church; Oct. 17, Earl Scruggs, Mike Cross and Tift Merritt; Oct. 18, Little Big Town; Oct. 19, Chris Brown and Paula DeAnda; Oct. 20, Casting Crowns; Oct. 21, Chris Cagle; Oct. 22, Gary Allan.

For information, go to www.ncstatefair.org.

History museum looking for volunteers

The N.C. Museum of History in Raleigh will begin a series of training classes for volunteer docents on Monday, Sept. 11. Participants will receive training to give tours of exhibits, such as a new traveling exhibit, The Columbus Code, which opens Sept. 26. and is sponsored by the Mel Fisher Heritage Society in Key West, Fla. The training classes take place for six months. Call Debra Nichols at 807-7986 or e-mail debra.nichols@ncmail.net to set up an interview for the training classes. Spaces are limited. For museum information visit www.ncmuseumofhistory.org.

Contact Wendy Lemus at 460-2610 or wlemus@nando.com.