A variety of meetings, performances and other activities are in the works this mid-summer week in and around Davidson, culminating in Friday night’s festivities downtown marking the release of the latest Harry Potter book.

Also on the schedule: a meeting of the Davidson Walks committee, Belle Banks’ monthly book review session, and performances by the Davidson Community Players. We’ve also got information about some upcoming events, including a writing workshop July 28 with author and teacher Cecil Murphey at So Alive! Gallery on Main Street.

HARRY POTTER EVENTS

On Friday, Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream and Main Street Books in downtown Davidson will celebrate the publication of “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows,” the seventh and final book in the popular children’s series by British author J.K. Rowling. The movie “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire” will be screened outdoors in the parking lot beside the ice cream shop.

Then the party moves to Main Street books, where they’ll have a talking parrot, games and other activities leading up to midnight, when readers can pick up copies of the new book which they’ve pre-ordered.

At midnight, the Davidson public library branch on the Town Green plans a “Harry Potter Lockdown,” where kids (rising fifth graders and above) can spend the night reading the book. (Kids will be asked to remain in the library from midnight until 8 a.m.) Refreshments will be provided. To pre-register or for more information, call 704-892-8557.

Other details of Davidson Harry Potter events below.

JULY 15-21

MONDAY, JULY 16, 7 p.m., Davidson Town Hall — Greenways, Trails & Bikeways Advisory Board meeting. Details on the town website.

TUESDAY, JULY 17, 10 a.m., Davidson Town Hall – Davidson Walks committee meeting. This citizen committee will meet to discuss ways of making Davidson more pedestrian and bike friendly, including creating a walking school bus in McConnell (bike train for River Run); creating Walking Wednesdays at Davidson Elementary School; afternoon walking groups from school to Ada Jenkins Center; and more. The committee also will meet Aug. 14 at 3:30 p.m.

TUESDAY, JULY 17, 7:30-9 p.m., Davidson Town Hall board room – Book Review with Belle Banks. Ms. Banks is a columnist and professional storyteller and will review four novels: “A Thousand Splendid Suns,” by Khaled Hosseini; “Boomsday,” Christopher Buckley, “The Diana Chronicles,” Tina Brown and “The Double Bind” by Christopher Bohjalian. Free and open to the public. For more information call (704) 875-6774.

FRIDAY, JULY 20, dusk – Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream and Main Street Books will celebrate release of the seventh and final Harry Potter book, “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows,” with a night of trivia, games, prizes and a movie screening of “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.” Movie begins at dusk in the parking lot next to Ben & Jerry’s 202, S. Main St. Then the party moves over to Main Street Books for a talking parrot, games and the release of the book at 12:01am! Preorder now with Main Street Books to make sure you have a copy to pick up. Details: Ben & Jerry’s Davidson, 704-892-0604. Also, midnight to 8 a.m., “Harry Potter Lockdown,” where kids (rising fifth graders and above) can spend the night reading the new book. Call 704-892-8557 or stop by the library to register.

FRIDAY, JULY 20, 7 p.m., Cornelius Town Hall – Davidson Community Players presents a performance of “The Connie Company Plays with Pirates.” The show is the culmination of The Connie Company’s 2007 Rupert T. Barber Jr. summer workshop series and will help raise money for the Cornelius Animal Shelter. In lieu of tickets, audience members are asked to bring a can or bag of dog or cat food.

SATURDAY, JULY 21, 10 a.m., Farmer’s Market, Main and Maxwell streets, Huntersville – Davidson Community Players present a free performance of “The Connie Company Plays with Pirates” as part of this year’s Huntersville in Bloom at the Caboose series, hosted by Huntersville Parks and Recreation.

LOOKING AHEAD

SUNDAY, JULY 22, 7 p.m., Davidson Town Hall – Davidson Community Players performs “The Connie Company Plays with Pirates.” Admission $2 for kids, $3 for adults. For information, contact Davidson Community Players at 704 892-7953.

SATURDAY, JULY 28, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., So Alive! Gallery, 108 S. Main St. (next to Village Store) – Writers’ workshop with Cecil Murphey, a best selling author and teacher. Topics include how to earn money by writing, overcoming writing obstacles, self-publishing vs. royalty publishing, finding a literary agent and customizing your writing for a magazine or book. Mr. Murphey’s books include ghostwritten biographies for Franklin Graham and Dr. Ben Carson. His writing incorporates his Christian faith and expertise on topics of spiritual growth, Christian living, and encouragement for caregivers. Seating is limited; cost is $40. RSVP: Register by calling Mary Vogen 704-904-5273. More information email: info@soalive.org

COMING UP IN JULY

Meanwhile, in July, Davidson Parks & Recreation will offer classes in tai chi fundamentals, family kung fu, adult kung fu on Tuesdays and Thursday evenings. For times, other details or to register, contact Davidson Parks & Recreation, please call 704-892-3349 x2; stop by the office, 452 S. Main Street, Suite 105; or register online at www.d-Recs.org.